SCG Community Newsletter - Volume #1

Service is the Secret to Good Health

by Dr. Mark Schillinger, D.C.

I have been privileged over the years to have served thousands of patients in our community as a chiropractic physician. I have also enjoyed the physical and spiritual benefits of opening my life to help others through community service.

As Executive Director of the World Institute for Human Development, I have discovered how (as many others have) to successfully apply this "secret" principle of aiding others to live a healthy and happy life. One of the ways WIHD accomplishes this is by serving adolescent males through a weekend event called the Young Men's Ultimate Weekend.

The great physicist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein said, "Only a life lived for others is worth living." Current exciting medical research reveals that helping others is great for improving your health, especially the nervous system, cardiovascular system and immune system! A recent study showed that people who volunteer for community organizations are 2.5 times less likely to die from all causes of disease than those who don't get involved in volunteer work.

Serving others, without ego gratification, for the purpose of fulfilling our innate need to connect with others in a meaningful way, is the secret of which I speak. Surveys from many thousands of volunteers reveal the benefits of volunteer work. People universally report a rush of good feeling and euphoria and a longer lasting sense of emotional well-being naturally follows.

Being involved in loving and supportive relationships with other people naturally gives rise to families, communities and nations that share trust, health and abundance. Please join the 52 percent of all Americans who are giving of themselves as their contribution to human reverence and cooperation. The health benefits, the deepening of self-esteem, and the achievement of virtue is worthy pay for these heartful efforts!

Want a Better Golf Game? Try Orthotics!

by Dr. James Rogers, D.C.

You may be asking "What are orthotics, how do they work, how do I know if I need them, and, if they really will help my golf game, where do I get them?" Well, let's take this one question at a time. So, before I get to how you can improve your golf game, let me explain what orthotics are first.

Orthotics are simply structural supports for your feet. That is, orthotics are supports which stabilize the foot and ankle complex, thus producing a near normal physiological foot position during weight bearing (standing). This allows the foot's functional capacity to be maintained. That means, the arch is supported better, reducing stress on the forefoot and toes; the heel is cushioned, relieving pain and absorbing impact during swinging and walking; and the overall comfort of the foot is improved.

This is how your golf game can be improved! With the functional capacity of the foot restored, there is a shift in the biomechanics of the pelvis and spine. This shift changes the proprioception (how your body tells where it is in space) feedback mechanism of the body. In other words, there is a shift in your balance. With better proprioceptive feedback (balance) you will enhance your swing. And with an enhanced swing and improved awareness of space, you become more smooth and accurate. You may even notice you are hitting the ball farther without extra effort.

There are many indicators that you may benefit from orthotics use: recurrent "stiff" back after golfing; recurrent ankle sprains; chronic knee pain; a history of lower extremity stress fractures; recurring shin splints or hamstring strain; or there may not be any symptoms at all. The simple finding of "fallen arches" or "flat feet" can also be an indication that orthotics may be needed.

So, if you would like to find out if orthotics will help improve your golf game, ask us how to go about having an assessment done. You may find after being fitted with orthotics, you're hitting the ball further and taking a few strokes off your game!

Massage Feels Great, But Did You Know...

• Massage works out chronic muscular tension and, received regularly, keeps tension from building up again. Stop tension headaches and other stress related symptoms before they start!
  
  
• Massage can trigger the "Relaxation Response", which includes such positive effects as lowered heart rate, better digestion and more energy.
  
  
• Massage improves circulation of blood and lymph, which improves immune system functioning. Help your body to keep its defenses strong! Keep the "aaahhh" in massage and get yours on a regular basis.

• Swedish Massage: Using oil instead of lotion, this type of massage is perfect for deep relaxation and stress reduction.
  
  
• Deep Tissue/Cross Fiber: Best for chronic muscle tension, usually focuses on problem areas.
  
  
• Hot Stone Massage: Similar to Swedish with the addition of heated stones placed on the body to enhance the effects. Perfect for arthritis, deeply relaxing.