Static Stretching will not warm up your muscles. FACT.

At Total Health Systems, our priority is to address the whole patient, not just health problems that patients have when they come to us. We help them to make life changes to try to prevent future recurrences. One of the ways to stay healthy is some form of exercise.  There is common misconception amongst patients that before exercises we should do a lot of static stretching. Some even consider stretching as their warm up. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be further from truth. It may actually give us a disadvantage for exercising if we spend a lot of time static stretching before our workout.

Let’s look into it a bit closer.  What is a warm up? We can consider any activities performed before exercise or physical competition that is preparing body for that activity as a warm up.  Benefits of a good warm up are:

• It warms the muscles and increases body temperature, which improves the oxygen supply to the body
• It helps increase blood flow to the muscles, allowing them to contract and relax more quickly
• It helps prepare the body and the mind for more strenuous activity
• It helps to reduce the risk of injury
• It increases overall exercise performance
• It increases the elasticity of the ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues

Activities that help us to achieve that should be:

• Low intensity “cardio exercises” like walking, jogging, cycling to increase heart rate, temperature of the body and increase blood flow.
• Calisthenics activities to warm up muscles
• Movement engaging full range of motion in joints that will be used in exercise or physical performance.
• Ballistic or dynamic stretching which would activate neural pathways and muscles to get ready for performance without permanent changes in muscle length.
• Short bouts of high intensity movement

Stretching is activity focusing on elongating muscles and connective tissue, resulting in increased range of motion. It is one of the qualities that should be developed during a properly structured exercise program. It is as important as strength, endurance or coordination training.

The most popular way to achieve this is by static stretching.  Advantages of static stretching are that receptors reacting to sudden change of tension are not activated and therefore stretched muscles are not stimulated to contract. It allows us to elongate muscles more and better engage barriers and achieve permanent changes in their length.

Muscles are more pliable when they are warm, so the best time to do stretching is after warm up or after exercise, when the temperature of the body is increased. Stretching by itself can only increase the temperature of stretched muscle locally, by increasing blood circulation.

Some studies found that stretching temporarily decreases a muscle’s ability to contract for up to an hour after. What it means is that extensive stretching before exercise will negatively impact our performance and we will not be able to exercise at the level we would without prior stretching.

These are concepts that Total Health Systems of Macomb County educates our patient’s on so they not only feel better, but they truly improve for the long term.  Check us out to find out more on our blog, or in our office.

References:

http://www.cmcrossroads.com/bradapp/docs/rec/stretching/

How has Total Health Systems improved your health and/or your life?  At 31 I had been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  For two years prior I had tremendous inflammation, which took me about two hours each morning to get through the joint stiffness and the pain in my joints lasted all day, making it hard to move, let alone exercise.  My Rheumatologist had me try multiple medicines and was now recommending I start injections.  We have all seen these commercials on television where the side effects are a mile long, and that is when I decided I needed to try something on my own.  I found a solution in Total Health Systems by starting the inflammation program.  I was skeptical, as I am sure many would be, that a program like this would help my pain and inflammation, but my health was too important to not give it a try.  It took about a month before I noticed a real difference, where I woke up and my joint stiffness was lessened.  Each day the joint stiffness shortened and the pain throughout the day got better.  The rings on my fingers and even my shoes felt looser due to the reduction in inflammation in my entire body.  By the end of the twelve weeks, my inflammation went from being over two times higher than normal to normal (based on my blood work).  I am still following the program, it has been twenty weeks, and I feel amazing.  As an added benefit, I have lost 20 pounds and am exercising at least five times a week.  Taking my health into my own hands and deciding to have Total Health Systems help me was the best thing I could have done.  Total Health Systems has changed my life in the most unbelievable positive way!  I would tell my family and friends to go to Total Health Systems and talk to the staff about anything they are interested in learning more about.  The staff is friendly and very willing to answer any questions they would have.  I am most pleased with the knowledge I have about my health now and the knowledge to know I can manage it.  The amazing fact that I have almost no inflammation in my body anymore is something I cannot stop bragging about.  I never thought I could control inflammation the way I am through the help of the program at Total Health Systems and now I can apply this knowledge for the rest of my life.  As always, the weight loss is a great bonus too!  Lisa Ireland, Shelby Township, Michigan

This year we have asked employees of Total Health Systems to voluntarily publish their fitness goals for our patients, followers, and the public to view.  Here is our first update for those employees brave enough to publish their goals on line! WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU PUBLISH AND UPDATE YOUR PROGRESS AS WELL.  Please post an update of how you have been doing in the comment section below.  Please look for some detailed programming from some of these employees in future posts.  Maybe this can help you in attaining your health and fitness goals for the year.  Thank you – Dr. Lundgaard

Laurie Nuyens, ATC NASM:  Fitness Program Director:

One Month Progress report:

I feel pretty good with my accomplishments this month.  Having set these goals not only in my head but on the internet has held me more accountable to taking steps to accomplish these goals.  I find this interesting because I did not think it would make that much of a difference because I am pretty self motivated once I set a goal.  

I have planned my racing calendar.  I will be doing the “Let Move Festival” Half marathon on April 28 in Mt. Clemens.  This is a very flat course and should be even better marked this year. So I will train to do well but will not be counting on this race to set my new personal record. (We again will have a Total Health Systems Team so watch for details on our web site and FB page)   This race will serve as a measuring stick as to where I am at and what I need to work on in before the Romeo2Richmond Race in September.  This will be the race I shoot for a new personal record, under 1:50:30.  This is also a pretty flat course. The last two years it has been great weather so I hope for that again this year.  If for some reason I don’t make my goal I will still have the option to make my goal in October in the Detroit Half Marathon.  

I am continuing to do cycle class 2x month and just last week a new TV was put up in the basement. This means I can set up my own road bike on my trainer and start riding more often. By the time I update you next month I will be riding my trainer 1x a week. 

I am cycling and running but not doing any swimming. For a sprint triathlon I will not need to work on my swim until spring and I prefer to do most of my swim training in open water.  

I am doing 2 to 3 good foam rolling sessions each week. But this is nothing new and is not helping to increase my flexibility because I am not stretching after the foam rolling.  I have not gone to a yoga class yet.  I received a DVD and book on using the TRX suspension trainer for flexibility for Christmas.   I looked at it.  Lame I know, so I have to do better with this.  

I am closer to trying Pilates. I found prices and times for classes.  I found out prices for private or duet lessons.  I think Carl (my boyfriend) would love it and think I have him convinced he would like it and benefit from it.   It looks like we may start in Feb. I may have to leave a few minutes early to make sure I get to work on time. It’s important enough to me that I am not going to let a 5 minutes get in my way of doing something I really want to do.  

I had my yearly x-rays taken and Dr. Lundgaard and I went over them.  Everything looks good. 

I cleaned out the vitamin cupboard and this is made it easier for both Carl and I to see all the vitamins we have.  I put all his vitamins on one shelf and all mine on another shelf.  Then the ones we both take are also all together.  In cleaning out the cupboard I found some that I could not remember what they were for so I had the front desk print out the information about the ones I forgot about.  So I am feeling more in control and organized with my supplements.

It was challenging this month because I normally do resistance training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Every Thursday and some Tuesdays I was not able to lift due to work or other appointments.  So I fit it in other places during the week.   I was most proud when I had a Sunday morning commitment until about noon but I came right home and did my TRX resistance workout.  My goal for Feb is to add some plyometric jumps to my workout 1x week.

                                GOALS: 

•  New PR at half marathon distance, under 1:50:30
• Complete at least one bike tour of approximately 60  miles
• Complete 1 sprint triathlon
• Add more flexibility to my weekly fitness routine by participating in a Yoga class, or  complete flexibility workout with TRX  once a week
• Try Pilates
•  Get adjusted on a more regular basis
•  Continue with taking my supplements daily
•  Do resistance training 2x week

Piotr Kasprzyk, PT, Director of Physical Therapy Services:

One Month progress report:

I did six pull ups today, started from 3. I do weights twice a week.  Flexibility I can touch fingers to floor with straight legs. Evening TV stretches few times a week.   I run 3 times a week, one long run, one tempo, and one casual run, picking up pace over last season training.  Swim 3 times a week, one long swim, one speed, one technique.   Biking twice a week on trainer.

                                GOALS:

• Be faster than last year in New Baltimore Triathlon (Under 1:12:00)
•  Participate in my first 5K run
• If I decide to run half marathon to do it under 1:55:00
• If I decide to do Olympic triathlon to be under 2:40:00
•  To be able to do 20 pull ups
• To touch ground with palms of my hands standing with straight legs.

Diane Delf, RN, Director of Wellness Services:

One Month progress report:

I enjoyed getting quiet and deciding on goals. It was exciting to look within at what I believe is important, and what I wanted to improve. I purchased an exercise and fitness log, and made copies of our First Line Therapy sheets to track food, relaxation, and sleep. Some days it was fun, exciting, and I was motivated and inspired. But there were also days when I felt challenged, in pain, and fatigued. Those were the days I learned the most about myself!

Hydration is good, tracking food/exercise 75% of the time, and eating healthy with Ultra Meal shakes/supplements daily. I am working on increasing daily protein to keep up with increased exercise, and reducing carbs that winter cravings trigger. Aiming at more consistent food tracking, so I know what I am actually eating. Daily sleep has improved and it is much easier to get up and get to the gym and work early in the morning. Daily prayer and meditation, which keep me spiritually balanced and uplifted, need more attention. Committed to a Bible Study group, and began new study book.

Goals for swimming/running were met, and will be increased. Injury kept me off the bike. Physical Therapy advised using my fitted bike on a Trainer, which I am getting today. Will start slow, listen to my body, and get some miles 2x/week. Resistance training at 50%, so that will be a big focus. Got adjusted 2x/this month, feels great, especially the pituitary gland release of hormones (happy warm fuzzy) that stimulate adrenals……great feelings of relaxation/well-being! I increased communication with loved ones, via text, email, cell phone, and actual visits. Next week will register for a competitive event and schedule massage for my February birthday! More to follow next month…….

                                GOALS:

•  Drink 8-10 glasses water per day
• Track food intake and exercise daily
• Take Ultra Meal shake & Supplements daily
•  Three meals and 2-3 healthy snacks daily
• Pray/Meditate daily
•  7-8 hours sleep daily
• Diaphragmatic Breathing 5-6x daily
•  Spend prime time with loved ones daily
•  Bike/Run/walk 1x week
• Swim 2x week
• Resistance training 2x week
•  Physical Therapy Exercises 3x week
•  Try Pilates this year
•  Belly Dance class this year
•  Complete one bike tour this year
•  Complete two competitive sport events this year
• Chiro adjustment regularly
• Get massage on more regular basis
•  Smile, dance, stretch, play, laugh every day!

Marisa Hubinger, LMT, Staff Massage Therapist:

One Month Progress Report:

Body fat will not be tested again until March. I will say that the way my clothing is fitting better, I feel like I am on the right track. Running wise, training for my first half begins in two weeks. Been working on building up my base in running to date.

                                GOALS:

• Lose 7% body fat (Goal 23%)
• Run 3 half marathons
•  Run a half marathon in under 2 hours

Aaron Lundgaard, DC, CSCS, Director of Clinical Services:

One Month Progress Report:

Training has been going well.  I will have my body fat assessed again in mid-February to see how I am doing with my first two goals, but I know I have dropped body fat because my vascularity has increased.

My 5K has been going down.  I started out running it in 28.5 minutes.  Today, I ran in 26 minutes 35 sec. I will be running to get an official time at the Lets Move festival in Mt. Clemens with the Total Health Systems’ Team.

Bench press maximum is at 365lbs, dead lift max is at 435lbs and squat max is at 475lbs for a 3 lift total of 1275.  That last 125lbs is going to be difficult, but all my weight training is geared toward that.

Stretching and foam rolling is only happening 4-5 times per week (static) and 1-2 times per week for foam rolling….FAILURE!

15 pull-ups today! (Started at 12) Piotr was my witness….

I have been getting adjusted (1 time per week) and massaged (1 time per 2 weeks) at my goal pace, and it has been helping with my training tremendously.  It has kept me from needing days off my training schedule.

                                GOALS:

•  Get to and Maintain under 15% body fat (Currently 18%)
•  Maintain current lean body mass (currently 196 lbs)
• Run a 5K in 25 minutes or under
•  Get my 3 lift total to 1400lbs ( 1 rep maximum of bench press, dead lift, and squat added together)
•  Foam roll 3 times per week
•   Static stretching 7 days per week
• Get adjusted 2-4 times per month
•  Get massage 1-2 times per month
•  Get to 20 pull ups before Piotr…(currently can do 12)

Rose Minkiewicz, DC, Staff Chiropractic Physician:

One Month Progress Report:

I have been successful in staying on my workout schedule for one hour, three days per week; with a mix of flexibility, resistance and cardio training. I completed both the resting and exercise New Leaf analyses as well as the BIA test.  I have completed my first three cardio training sessions from the new leaf program, based on my test results and my goals for the 5k at the Festival of Races in April.  I am working on getting my caloric intake up to the level that the metabolic tests showed would aid me in achieving my weight goal by July. I will still be starting the 21 day SP Purification Program on Feb. 1^st.

                                GOALS:

•   Complete the BIA and both Resting and Exercise Metabolic tests  before the end of January
•   Complete 21 day SP Purification Program beginning Feb. 1st.
•   Run the 5k in the MC Festival of Races on April 28th and improve on my time from last year of 31 minutes.
•  Do flexibility, resistance, and cardio training each 2x/wk.
•  Continue taking my nutritional supplements regularly.
•  Repeat BIA with Diane in July.
• Gain 6 pounds and maintain it throughout the year.

There is a recent resurgence in the trends of Asian body work techniques being practiced in the United States- from energy work such as Reiki to hands on modalities such as shiatsu and Thai massage. Most references have it gaining popularity between fifteen and twenty years ago.

Despite when it gained popularity here in the West, this modality is not just some hot new trend. Thai massage was developed over two thousand years ago. It can be traced back to the very first Buddha’s personal physician, Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhacca. That’s over 2,500 years old. Thai Massage is also called nuad bo’rarn.  The term helps one understand the practice just a little bit more. The Thai word nuad means to touch with the intention of healing, and bo’rarn is Sanskrit for something that is sacred or revered. The Sacred Healing Touch.

This modality of massage (sometimes referred to or billed as Lazy Man’s Yoga) incorporates compressions and assisted yoga poses, done over the recipients clothing. The compressions are done along sen (or energy lines), and can be adjusted to the recipients liking of deep tissue work. No oils or lotions are used in this modality.

Though this modality had its roots in Buddhist tradition, and can be considered energy work, there are many physical benefits to Thai massage. You do not have to be a Buddhist, or look at it from the energy aspects to receive this massage or benefit from it.

Receiving Thai massage will assist you in improving flexibility, releasing muscle tension, increasing range of motion, and circulation. This modality will leave you feeling centered, relaxed, and energized. Though it is offered in one hour sessions, it is recommended to do 90 minutes. Thai massage is not indicated if you are pregnant, or have other health concerns in which a doctor may contraindicate massage.

The massage therapists’ at Total health Systems have recently gone through certification in Thai Massage, and it is now available at both of our sites in Macomb County.

References:

1.   Livestrong.com

http://www.livestrong.com/article/135880-benefits-thai-yoga-massage

2.  Relax the Thai Way – ABMP.com

http://www.abmp.com/members/articles/?article_id=627

1. Misunderstood Modality – ABMP.com

http://www.abmp.com/members/articles/?article_id=1519

1.   Asian Body Work Trends -ABMP.com

http://www.abmp.com/members/articles/?article_id=2011

5. Thai Healing Alliance International

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, tracked 272 patients with recent-onset neck pain who were treated using three different methods:

1. Medication
2. Exercise
3. A Chiropractor

After 12 weeks the patients who used a chiropractor or exercised were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who relied on medicine.

 

“Doesn’t surprise me a bit,” Dr. Lee Green, professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan told ABC News. “Neck pain is a mechanical problem, and it makes sense that mechanical treatment works better than a chemical one.”

Dr. John Messmer who specializes in family medicine at Penn State College of Medicine agrees.

“I always prescribe exercises and/or physical therapy for neck pain,” he wrote. “I also tell patients that the exercises are the treatment and the drugs are for the symptoms.”

The exercises prescribed to patients in the study were simple and designed to be performed at home with the help of instructional photos.

Source: ABC NEWS

This year we have asked employees of Total Health Systems to voluntarily publish their fitness goals for our patients, followers, and the public to view.  On regular intervals, we will update each employee’s goals.  This is a great way to hold yourself accountable for what you would like to achieve in this coming year.  Please spend some time reading over these goals.  Please make comments or post your own goals that we may track and update over the course of the year.  As these employees reach these goals, we will highlight ways in which they reached their goals, including programs, nutrition plans, services, etc.  Good luck with your fitness goals in the new year and please help hold our employees accountable throughout the process!  Thank you – Dr. Lundgaard

Laurie Nuyens, ATC NASM:  Fitness Program Director:

New PR at half marathon distance, under 1:50:30

Complete at least one bike tour of approximately 60  miles

Complete 1 sprint triathlon

Add more flexibility to my weekly fitness routine by participating in a Yoga class, or  complete flexibility workout with TRX  once a week

Try Pilates

Get adjusted on a more regular basis

Continue with taking my supplements daily

Do resistance training 2x week

Piotr Kasprzyk, PT, Director of Physical Therapy Services:

Be faster than last year in New Baltimore Triathlon (Under 1:12:00)

Participate in my first 5K run

If I decide to run half marathon to do it under 1:55:00

If I decide to do Olympic triathlon to be under 2:40:00

To be able to do 20 pull ups

To touch ground with palms of my hands standing with straight legs.

Diane Delf, RN, Director of Wellness Services:

Drink 8-10 glasses water per day

Track food intake and exercise daily

Take Ultra Meal shake & Supplements daily

Three meals and 2-3 healthy snacks daily

Pray/Meditate daily

7-8 hours sleep daily

Diaphragmatic Breathing 5-6x daily

Spend prime time with loved ones daily

Bike/Run/walk 1x week

Swim 2x week

Resistance training 2x week

Physical Therapy Exercises 3x week

Try Pilates this year

Belly Dance class this year

Complete one bike tour this year

Complete two competitive sport events this year

Chiropractic adjustment regularly

Get massage on more regular basis

Smile, dance, stretch, play, laugh every day!

Marisa Hubinger, LMT, Staff Massage Therapist:

Lose 7% bodyfat ( Goal 23%)

Run 3 half marathons

Run a half marathon in under 2 hours

Aaron Lundgaard, DC, CSCS, Director of Clinical Services:

Get to and Maintain under 15% bodyfat (Currently 18%)

Maintain current lean body mass (currently 196 lbs)

Run a 5K in 25 minutes or under

Get my 3 lift total to 1400lbs ( 1 rep maximum of bench press, deadlift, and squat added together)

Foam roll 3 times per week

Static stretching 7 days per week

Get adjusted 2-4 times per month

Get massage 1-2 times per month

Get to 20 pull ups before Piotr…(currently can do 12)

Rose Minkiewicz, DC, Staff Chiropractic Physician:

Complete the BIA and both Resting and Exercise Metabolic tests  before the end of January

Complete 21 day SP Purification Program beginning Feb. 1st.

Run the 5k in the MC Festival of Races on April 28th and improve on my time from last year of 31 minutes.

Do flexibility, resistance, and cardio training each 2x/wk.

Continue taking my nutritional supplements regularly.

Repeat BIA with Diane in July.

Gain 6 pounds and maintain it throughout the year.

The key to better health could be right under your…toes. What do my feet have to do with it? Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem develops in your feet, a subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and walking mechanics. These changes can put stress on joints higher up in your body, and lead to more serious problems.

GaitScan is a state of the art computer hardware and software system that helps your health care practitioner assess and analyze your feet.  This analysis combined with your practitioners’ experience and knowledge detects abnormal foot function which may be affecting your feet or other parts of your body.  Your health care practitioner at Total Health Systems can prescribe foot orthotics to help correct your specific foot and body imbalance.  You can help us by discussing any nagging foot, leg or back problems, and even by simply asking if your feet could be part of the problem.

The Orthotic Group’s (TOG) custom orthotics help rebalance your feet, reducing pain and discomfort by enhancing your body’s natural movements.  In close partnership with your healthcare professional, TOG designs orthotics that augment treatment and add to your general well-being no matter where your feet may take you!

How do I know if I have a problem?

●  Localized foot pain ●  Arch/heel pain ●  Hip or back pain-even neck pain

●  Leg/knee pain ●  Bunions, hammer toes

Mention the GaitScan to your physician or the front desk so they can schedule your assessment today!

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most common of all of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).  All of the IBDs are a result of chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Chrohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and UC affects only the colon and rectum.₁

Ulcerative Colitis causes sores (ulcers) in the lining of the large intestine (colon). This process begins with inflammation of the lining and the more inflammation there is, the worse the symptoms can be. UC can affect people of any age, but most people are diagnosed by age 30.₁

A single cause has yet to be identified for these extremely painful conditions. It has been shown that chronic inflammation within the body and lowered immune response, seem to trigger and/or exacerbate the condition.₁

Some of the main symptoms include: severe stomach pain/cramps, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Other symptoms that may occur are widespread joint pain, skin rashes, eye problems, weight loss, anemia and eventually liver disease. Additionally, those who have had UC for 8 years or more have a higher chance of developing colon cancer.₁

Traditional medical treatment includes diet modification recommendations and medications to reduce/control the intestinal inflammation. These medications often include prolonged use of steroids and other substances that overtime will compromise our immune and nervous systems further and allow the disease process to continue.

Chiropractic care has also been shown to be very effective with the management of this condition. Instead of simply treating the symptoms, spinal adjustments help to correct the physiological dysfunction within the system as a whole. “When we become overly stressed, our bodies store this stress physiologically and when these patterns persist, the body begins to exhibit symptoms. In terms of a digestive disorder like UC, our body is letting us know that the parasympathetic and sympathetic [nervous system] activity are seriously out of balance….An adjustment to the bones and soft connective tissue will relieve this pressure and the nervous system messages can begin to coordinate more easily with the actual digestive tract. When the body is addressed as a whole entity a true sense of balance can begin to unfold.”₂

A case study provided by Dr. Erin Elster, D.C., shows that spinal adjustments can indeed have an effect on IBDs. This case involved 60 year old female whom had been suffering from a form of inflammatory bowel disease known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS for 5 years. She had bouts of diarrhea and constipation and had lost over 20 pounds due to the illness and a highly restricted diet. She also had been diagnosed with acid reflux disease and had constant neck and shoulder tightness for over 10 years. Within the first two weeks of receiving chiropractic adjustments, she experienced decreased neck tightness and fewer episodes of the diarrhea and bowel pain. After one month of care, she claimed to have normal bowel function and had been able to eat more that she had been able to for 6 months. She incidentally noticed that the acid reflux had subsided as well.₃

The chiropractors at Total Health Systems of Macomb County are trained to assess the spine and nervous system to detect and reduce the effects of spinal misalignments which can cause neurological stress and dysfunction to the digestive tract, which can result in this type of IBD.

Because of the extremely complex nature of UC and other IBDs, we offer other complimentary treatments for these conditions as well. In addition to the exemplary chiropractic care provided at Total Health Systems of Macomb County, there are also medical doctors and a registered nurse who manage the Wellness Program, which not only deals with UC, but many other physiological and metabolic disorders of the body. In addition to nutritional counseling and supplementation, a main part of the treatment of digestive disorders thourgh this program involves the use of the medical food UltraInflamX from Metagenics, Inc., which is a specially designed blend of nutrients to reduce chronic inflammation.

A case study by Robert H Lerman, MD involved a 57 year old female with Crohn’s disease, Grave’s disease, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia. She underwent a treatment protocol with the medical food and diet modification for 16 weeks. At the end of the trial period, the patient stated that she had not felt this well as far back as she could remember. She went from having 3-5 loose bowel movements a day to having 1 well-formed bowel movement per day. She also reported an excellent level of energy and no joint pain. This and other similar case studies by Dr. Lerman suggests that a “protocol of combining an inflammatory-modulating medical food (UltraInflamX) and prescribed diet may be beneficial for patients with a Crohn’s disease and symptoms related to other immune-inflammatory conditions”.₄

If you or someone you know suffers from Ulcerative Colitis or any form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, please call Total Health Systems of Macomb County today to schedule an evaluation with one of our highly trained healthcare specialists. THERE IS HOPE – SO DON’T WAIT ANOTHER DAY!

REFERENCES:

1. www.webmd.com (keywords: ulcerative colitis
2. Dr. Kendra Burke: Chiropractor and Certified Doula
3. Dr. Erin Elster: Chiropractor, Boulder CO.
4. Case #1271: A Case Study Evaluating the Effects of an Inflammatory-Modulating Medical Food and a Nutritional Supplement Containing a Proprietary Blend of RIAA, Vitamin D₃, Selenium, and Zinc in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease. Robert H. Lerman. Functional Medicine Research Center, Gig Harbor, WA.

Like many people starting college I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my career, so I decided to just start with taking my basic courses. I attended Macomb College for about two years.   I had been working as a server and enjoyed working with people and making them happy. Now I knew that I didn’t want to wait on tables for the rest of my life, but wanted to find a career where I would be doing something similar.  I didn’t end up going back to school right away, continuing to work tables to make ends meet, but the seed of working with and making people happy was there.

After a few more years of waiting tables and working in an office environment on and off, my mom and I had a conversation.   She told me that I needed to try and figure out what I wanted to do for a career, because she wanted me to make more out of my life.   One of the things I looked into was massage therapy. I took my time and did a little research and after talking to some of my friends and family I decided to become a massage therapist.

I decided on attending Irene’s Myomassology Institute, where I began taking classes in February of 2009. I was extremely nervous and excited all at once to see how I would do in my new adventure. I attended classes two days a week with three classes including hands on which was my favorite, getting to learn all the different techniques that I would be using. There was also a lecture which included anatomy, pathology, and physiology.  I was most nervous about those courses because I really struggled with science in the past. I ended up enjoying those classes, because they helped me learn more about the body and how I could help people with different health issues.

After a year of massage school, with graduation just around the corner I couldn’t wait to find a job. I went on quite a few interviews.   Total Health Systems called back and offered me a position and wanted me to start the following week. I remember that I was ecstatic, and started calling everyone to tell them.

I really enjoy working at Total Health Systems and I like how massage therapy coincides with chiropractic and physical therapy. I am still always learning and look forward to new experiences with clients and patients that can add to my career.  I am extremely happy with the decision that I made to become a massage therapist.  Total Health Systems of Macomb County is an excellent place to come for all your massage needs because we take a truly integrated approach to helping you not just feel better, but get healthy!

Getting the Word Out on Total Health Systems – Anne Gallagher, Director of Public Relations, Total Health Systems of Macomb County

When I was a junior in high school in Anchor Bay, I needed a job to pay for my car payments.  A friend told me about a position available at a chiropractor’s office in New Baltimore.  I jumped at the chance because the hours worked with my schedule at school.  I worked at that facility until my sophomore year in college.  I learned how to run the front desk, take x-rays, process patients on the computer, work with insurance companies, went to motivational seminars, and scheduled events at the clinic.

I was also a patient.  I loved chiropractic and how I felt while utilizing the treatments.  I began to tell others about chiropractic.  As a result, many of my family and friends became patients.  The best story is my dad.  He would get bronchitis every year and his neck would bother him all the time.  He finally listened to me and became a chiropractic patient. The doctor said my dad had the worst neck he had ever seen.  He said with time his cervical area would improve.  My dad was amazed how much better he felt and his chronic bronchitis went away.  He has now been a lifelong chiropractic patient.

When I first met my husband, back in 1986, I was excited by the fact that his dad was a chiropractor and his family was into health and a drug free way of life.  This was a continuation of my journey in the healthcare field.  I was surrounded by people who took a more natural approach to their health.

When I graduated from college with a marketing degree, my father in law thought I would be a good fit for marketing Gallagher Chiropractic clinics.  My job was to host dinners for prospective patients and give talks about the chiropractic lifestyle.  When Gallagher Chiropractic Clinic was converted to Total Health Systems, and multiple services were added, my position evolved as well.  Managing supplement sales, attending screenings, writing brochures, designing ads, writing procedure manuals, managing and ordering supplies,  website development and so many other areas involving public relations.

Being responsible for so many areas of the company, I have come to realize the most important job is talking about what Total Health Systems is, our mission, what we do and why someone should come to see us.   Referring others has been the most rewarding.  When I see friends, family, colleagues, walking our hallways and the smiles in their faces, I feel that I have done my job.

Being a part of Total Health Systems has truly changed my life.  Being able to market wellness care to our nearby communities has been an inspiration and a great challenge.  With all of the services and the new location, we have so much to offer.  I feel we are on the cutting edge of health and wellness care and have been for a long time.

The greatest example of the effect Total Health Systems has had on our patients is hearing a patient tell their story. People like reading about others and their experiences, especially if it pertains to them.  They may feel a connection, thought or learn something new.  It may change their mind, open their mind or give them a new prospective.  To read some of these testimonials, you can go to the Total Health Systems of Macomb County website, www.totalhealthsystems.com.