Coming Soon...2014 VT Football

If you have been in the office, at some point you have probably seen me sporting some VT maroon and orange. Another football season is rapidly approaching. I just hope the season turns out nearly as good as the preview video.

Enjoy! GO HOKIES!!!

 

6 Tips for Overcoming Your Anxiety of Going to the Chiropractor

I hope you will find this guest post from Thriveworks helpful. These are wonderful tips. Additional information about what to expect when visiting Wimmer Chiropractic can be found at WimmerChiro.com.

6 Tips for Overcoming Your Anxiety of Going to the Chiropractor

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Are you anxious about visiting the chiropractor for the first time? You’re not alone. It’s completely normal to fear the unfamiliar. But going to chiropractor can be a very positive and therapeutic experience that can improve your overall health. It doesn’t have to be stressful.

Common reservations and questions include:

• Is it painful?
• I’ve lived with my pain for so long; I don’t think anything will work for me.
• I don’t know what to expect.

People have the same fears about visiting a doctor, counselor, or the dentist. But they can be easily cleared up with some education and preparation. Here are 6 tips to help you overcome your fear:

1. Talk to your chiropractor. Your comfort is his or her primary concern. Let them know if it’s your first time visiting a chiropractor. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about the process. Knowing what to expect during the appointment will help you gain confidence.

2.             Focus on the relief you’ll feel afterward. Chronic back or neck pain can be debilitating. If you’ve dealt with it long enough, it can feel like it’s a part of you. But it shouldn’t. Envisioning a life with less pain can help you look forward to your visit to the chiropractor. Think of your appointment as the first step toward better overall health. You’re being proactive about improving your well-being -- you deserve a pat on the back (pun most definitely intended!).

3.             Meditation. Meditation is a great way to ease anxiety for any situation. It can help feel calmer and less stressed. If you have time, try meditating for 15 minutes the morning of your appointment.

4.             Bring along a friend or family member. Having a familiar face in the waiting room can help you feel more at ease.

5.             Make a day of it. If your schedule permits, take the day off work so you can focus solely on your appointment. At the very least, give yourself plenty of time. You’ll feel a lot calmer if you don’t have to rush around.

6.             Educate yourself about chiropractic. Confidence comes from knowledge. Being informed is a great way to reduce anxiety and uncertainty about any new experience. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) provides a wealth of information on its website. Visit acatoday.org for articles, FAQs, and other helpful information about chiropractic.

Credit: Article prepared and written by your friends at Thriveworks Lynchburg Counseling. 

Drink More High Quality H2O

With temperatures in the 90's and lots of outdoor fun going on, make sure you and your family are drinking plenty of water before, during and after outdoor activities and exercise. If you don't want to take my word for it, just listen to Bobby Boucher in the video below.

Hope you are having a great summer so far!

Spring Yard Work Tips To Guarantee A Trip To The Chiropractor

It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend here in the Lynchburg area so many of us will be heading outside for some yard work. If you would like to definitely end up in our office hurting next week, here are a few tips:

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. Rest breaks are for wimps. We had a long winter, but make sure you get all the yard work finished in the shortest amount of time possible.
2. Water is overrated. Who needs to be hydrated before starting and continue to drink lots of high quality H2O during activity anyway?
3. You don't need help lifting that tree. Don't bother asking for help from a family member or neighbor to move heavy objects. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
4. It will get better on its own. You don't need to stop, rest and ice your aches and pains. I am sure they will all just get better on their own even after you continue to over-stress your body.

There you go folks. We will see you soon!

P.S. Please note the sarcasm. Have a great weekend!

Why Should You "Like" Wimmer Chiropractic On Facebook

First off, thank you to everyone that has already "Liked" us on Facebook. I hope you enjoy the updates, articles and special announcements we share. 

If you have not yet clicked the "Like" button on the Wimmer Chiropractic page, here is a reason you should. Yesterday, we were without phones and internet at the office (thankfully fixed now). We could not answer phone calls or even change the voicemail message to alert everyone. Without internet, we couldn't update WimmerChiro.com either! With our cell phones, we at least had some access to email and guess what else! 

You got it...Facebook!

Through Facebook we could at least post an update on the situation.

Click the "Like" button to stay up to date with our latest news!

https://www.facebook.com/WimmerChiro

Thank you,

Dr. Wimmer

What Does Your Doctor Go Through To Collect Payment?

Have you ever wondered what your doctor really has to do to collect from your insurance company, Medicare, personal injury attorney, and yes, occassionally from the patients treated?

This video is a pretty good analogy. The doctor's office is portrayed by the young paper delivery boy.

 

I'll admit not every case is this difficult, but some really do require a ridiculous amount of work. Be cooperative and patient with your doctor's office, because most doctors would rather spend time caring and assisting in improving the health of their patients than fighting the red-tape!

Nice vs AWESOME!

Massage has many benefits such as reducing stress, relaxing sore muscles and improving blood flow. Giving the gift of massage is quite popular, especially around holidays and special events including: Valentine's Day, Christmas, Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Ground Hog Day and whatever other day you need to provide a bit of pampering for your special someone.




Giving someone a gift certificate for an hour or 30 minute massage is certainly a "Nice" gift and will likely be very appreciated. It is a good way to introduce someone to the many benefits of massage.

Click here to purchase a massage gift certificate from Wimmer Chiropractic!

Maybe you are shopping for someone that really loves massage and wants and/or needs sessions on a regular basis. An "Awesome" gift in this case would be a Massage Package! We have packages available for   hour and 1/2 hour massages. The larger the package, the more you save. Our package deals also come with extra bonuses.

"Nice" or "Awesome," we have you covered! Call (434) 845-9000 to purchase your massage packages and gift certificates.

Click the images below for full size viewing and printing.

30 Minute Massage Packages

60 Minute Massage Packages

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Proud Dad...Nothing to do with Chiropractic!

So I haven't been very good about posting blog updates recently. I typically try to write posts on the weekends, but lately our weekends are filled with Pee Wee football. Here is a video of my son's first ever touchdown::



In addition to being a proud dad, I work with another dad to video and put together highlight videos of each of the games. The boys have worked hard this season, won their county championship game and earned a spot in a regional "Sandlot Superbowl" on Saturday, November 3rd! I have added a tab with videos of the "Road to the Sandlot Superbowl."

http://wimmerchiro.blogspot.com/p/2012-forest-pee-wee-red.html

I guess we could consider this a post about family health/fitness. Wrestling season is up next :)

September Is National Yoga Month

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In honor of September being National Yoga Month there are savings to be had on yoga supplies from online retailers. To keep it short and sweet here are some discounts for you:

Save 20% On All Orders Over $125 at Yoga Direct. Use code YDSEPT20
Save 20% On Orders Over $125 

Free Shipping On All Orders Over $125. Use code YDFREESHIP
Free Shipping on all orders over $125   

15% Off Orders $75 or More. Enter code SAVE15 at checkout! Valid until 9/17/12.  

Free Shipping on orders over $125 at YogaAccessories.com! Enter YAXFREESHIP at checkout! Expires 9/30/12! 

15% off all orders over $125 at YogaAcccessories.com! Use YAXSEP15 at checkout!  


Disclaimer: I am a member of affiliate marketing programs for the companies above. I may receive commissions on any products sold through the above links. You save money and I make a little. It's a win-win situation!

Does Cumin Have Health Benefits?

With Autumn and cooler weather just around the corner, foods with a little more spice or kick are likely making their way back to your family's menu. But, did you ever think some of the spices already in your pantry may actually provide some health benefits while also adding great flavor to your food? One great example is cumin.

Articles abound on the internet about the potential health benefits of this tasty little spice. Cumin may help aid in better digestion and relieve indigestion. It also has properties that can help ease symptoms of sinus and/or chest congestion and common colds. I am personally feeling the decongestant benefits of cumin as I type this! Some even suggest that cumin is a strong free-radical scavenger that may be helpful in preventing cancers.

This morning I added some ground cumin to my eggs and Morning Star veggie sausage. I'm actually not a huge fan of the taste of the veggie sausage, so it made it taste MUCH better and now I am breathing easier!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Here are links to a few more articles if you want to read more:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=91

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/health-benefits-of-cumin.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/415653-ground-cumin-health-benefits/

Begging For A Cure!

Well folks, it is that time of year. We are just 44 days away from Relay for Life of Lynchburg. Guess what...I need your money!!!

Our team is nearly a third of the way to meeting our $3000 goal. I, on the other hand, am off to a slow start to reaching my $500 personal goal. The important thing is that our team reaches the goal, but honestly, I can't and won't let my team down. With your help, we can reach our financial goals and maybe one day, reach the ultimate goal of finding a cure for this disease!

In case you weren't at last year's event, here are some pictures of how far I will go to reach our goal.



That's right...I have no shame!!! I will send you emails, post on Facebook, Tweet you, get LinkedIn to your purse and whatever else it takes to get a donation. Or, if you would like, just click the link below and go ahead and donate so I will leave you alone.

Donate to Dr. Wimmer now so he will leave me alone!!!

Thanks in advance.

2012 Top 4 Reasons To Visit A Chiropractor

It might be tough to beat last year’s “Top 4 Reasons To Visit A Chiropractor” but here is this year’s list:

#4 – You are a member of the subphylum Vertebrata.

#3 – Stress, irritation and/or pressure on nerves lowers your health potential.

#2 – You are “sick and tired of being sick and tired!”

#1 – Because Dr. Phil said so…

Here is a link to Dr. Mancini’s book:

The Power of Self-Healing: Unlock Your Natural Healing Potential in 21 Days!

It’s Here At Last

Okay, if you have read many of my previous posts, you may have reached the conclusion that I like Jillian Michaels’ workout DVDs. I like that most of the workouts can be done in 30-45 minutes which works better with my schedule. I like that I can workout at home and not in a crowded gym where I have to fight for space or wait on equipment. I hear some great stuff about P90X and Insanity (I have not tried them), but one thing that might reduce my compliance would be the time commitment. I recently heard about Jillian Michaels Body Revolution. A whole bunch of workout DVDs, workout schedules, meal plans, recipes, daily journal all in one package…and the workouts are only 30 minutes! Had to get it!

I ordered it online, and I have felt like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, checking the mailbox everyday for his Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring! Disappointment everyday…until today. Here it is folks:



All  bundled up in one well packaged box. I’m excited to check it all out. Although, I exercise regularly, I haven’t worked out following a prescheduled set of workouts since my wrestling days in college. I just pop in whatever DVD fits my time schedule and energy level. I’m trying to look at this as having a coach guide me through the process over 90 days. Another new wrinkle will be that my wife and I are starting this latest fitness expedition together (we usually workout separately). Don’t fear, I won’t be doing a blog daily on the process, but I’m sure I’ll have some updates along the way. Wish us luck!!!

Summer Blockbuster???

I am not a big fan of going to the movie theater, just ask my family! Honestly, I just don't like paying $8.50 for a matinee, just to go sit in a dark room in a comfortable seat, because 9 times out of 10...I fall asleep and I just forked out money to take a nap!

But, as I was looking through Twitter at posts about chiropractic this morning, I came across a movie trailer that sparked my attention. Now, most people realize that the chiropractic profession and the medical community have not always played nicely together. Frankly, the groups still don't always foster the best relationships. I don't have the time or room here to give you all the sordid details of the past, but if your interested just look up Wilk vs The AMA. Thankfully, producer Jeff Hayes has been inspired to do a documentary called Medical, Inc. Hopefully, the film will bring to light a major source behind so many falsehoods and misconceptions that the chiropractic community, as well as anybody else with an opinion that differed from the medical association, has had to fight for way too long.

Here's the movie trailer. Be on the lookout for the film in Summer 2012 according to the movie's website.

http://www.medicalincmovie.com/Medical_Inc.html

WHAT Was That Sound?!?!?!

After you read the title you might be thinking, “oh, it’s just another explanation of the strange noises that come out of my spine during and adjustment.” Well, stay with me because this is about a totally different unusual sound that you might hear in a chiropractic office! This short video will hopefully help answer your questions and ease your mind.

If you have questions about chiropractic and/or how we can help you get on the road to better health please feel free to call the office at (434) 845-9000 or just leave a comment below.

The “Adjustment” That Doesn’t Work For Me!

We have approximately 365 days in a year, and I do adjustments on the spines of people that come into our office about 250 of those days. After all those days, all those adjustments over all the years, there is one adjustment I still struggle with. What is that hurdle that appears 10 feet high to me???

The Spring Forward Time Change!

This time of year becomes even more difficult since I decided to become a morning exerciser about a year ago. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be back into a better routine, but today I had to squeeze in what I could during the short amount of time I had. I again decided to incorporate the BOSU® stability trainer. Nothing too exciting today. I did some push-ups, ab work and stretching using the BOSU®. Hopefully, I can get in a longer workout tomorrow.

If you feel like you are struggling to stay on track with your exercise, diet, whatever…you are not alone, and it doesn’t come easy for most of us! The rewards will be worth the sacrifice, so stay at it.

Image: vichie81 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

First Day With The BOSU®

I didn't want to do anything too crazy with using the BOSU® ball for the first time in a workout today, so I just added it to a few exercises in my circuit. I picked 6 exercises and did each one for 1 minute with a 20 second break between exercises. I repeated the circuit 3 times. I rested 1 minute between each circuit.

I of course started with a 5 minute warm-up doing some light cardio and dynamic stretching. Just in case you can't read my wonderful handwriting, here are the exercises I did in the circuit:

1. Jumping side steps on the BOSU® ball (don't know what else to call them).
2. Dumbbell cleans to a shoulder press.
3. Jump-squats holding weights.
4. Trunk twists holding a dumbbell at chest level.
5. Push-ups on the BOSU® ball.
6. Pike crunches on the BOSU® ball.

Following the circuit, I did 5 minutes of jumping rope. To wrap up the workout I did about 10 minutes of static stretching. Save the static stretching for the end of your workout because the muscles and other soft-tissues will be warm and more pliable.

All-in-all it was a pretty good workout and it took less than 45 minutes! I'm thinking I will have to invest in my own BOSU®.

As always, consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any exercise program. If you have links to examples of your favorite BOSU® exercises, feel free to comment below.

2 Critical Reasons To Do Something New!!!

If you have been keeping up with my posts lately, you have seen me demonstrate and talk about a variety of different exercises using low cost equipment at home. I feel that variety in exercise is critical for two main reasons:

1. Variety helps reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Let's face facts, if you do the same thing over and over again, stressing the same parts in the same way, something is likely going to wear out.
2. Variety prevents boredom. This is probably the most important of the two reasons. When boredom sets in, you aren't very likely to keep coming back to that activity on a daily basis. That's just too much repetitive stress on the brain. Before you know it, you won't be exercising at all!

Well, this time it is my turn to add something new to my workouts. Thanks to my friend and fellow blogger David (runningbecauseican.com), I get to try a BOSU® balance trainer. These aren't quite as inexpensive as some of the other products I have talked about, but David swears I will run out and buy my own, after I try his for a little bit.

We are talking about doing some videos with the BOSU® ball, but from what I can tell so far, I'm not sure if they will be labeled "Instructional" or "Comedy."

I'm definitely looking forward to giving this thing a try. If you have used this equipment please share your experience by commenting below. Or, if you have a favorite exercise you do on the BOSU® ball let me know.

Getting Chilly For A Cause!

It was a bit brisk this morning, but the Wimmer Chiropractic team was honored to be a part of a great event today. We often go out into the community for different business expos, health fairs, Pampered Employee events, etc. But, it is very rewarding to be involved with events that help local and global causes.

The Gifts for Gulu 2012 "Water for Life" 5K and Kids' Fun Runs was held this morning on the beautiful campus of Lynchburg College. The program provides clean water and other health programs for Gulu, Uganda. Canned foods were also collected today for local food-banks. We were there to provide assisted stretching and chair massages for the participants, volunteers and spectators.

I will admit, we were inside before the race started, but once the race began and the sun came out, we moved our table and chairs outside to catch the end of the 5K and provide our services while the kids were racing and awards were given.

Here is a short video of some of the day's great moments!

Chiropractor Uses Medicine...Ball, That Is!

We recently had a question through our Facebook page asking about basic exercises that can be done at home with a medicine ball. So, here are a few basics to get you started.



You can find medicine balls, relatively inexpensively at most sporting goods and/or department stores. If you prefer to shop online, here's a link:


As always, consult with your healthcare provider before beginning this or any other exercise program. If you have any questions feel free to call the office at (434) 845-9000 or just leave a comment below. I would love to hear ideas from other at-home exercisers on how to add variety to your fitness plans.