BetterHealth 2.0

Getting Better with Age-U2

2009-09-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

My wife and I had the wonderful opportunity to see the rock band U2 live in concert last night. In reflecting upon the evening, I was amazed at how after more than 30 years in the music business, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. just keep getting better with age. They seem more fit (they exuded incredible energy in performing for over 84, 000 people!) , and really are on top of their game. They are one of the few bands in history to not start slowing down after 30 years, as a matter of fact it seems they are picking up the pace. Still touring all over the world, having the balance between the tour and family.

The show itself was a dynamic, energy packed combination of stunning belts of the melodic and tenorous voice of Bono, the slick guitar riffs of The Edge, the driving bass of Adam Clayton and the steady and heartfelt beat of drummer, Larry Mullen. All in all we had a wonderful time and I strongly recommend seeing the band when they come around. Listening to music in and of itself can be so uplifting and powerful to shake your cells into a higher state of health. That alone can be a key component to longevity and better health, for today and beyond.

Dr. Bruce Kesten
www.kestenchiro.com

Happy Birthday Chiropractic!

2009-09-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

On September 18, 1895 a natural healer named DD Palmer discovered the profession now known as Chiropractic. He studied the anatomy and physiology of the body quite extensively as well as the metaphysical aspects related to human health and wellness. He found a relationship between the nervous system and its effect on the health of the human frame. On that fateful day DD Palmer interviewed the janitor that cleaned his office, a man named Harvey Lillard. Harvey was deaf and DD pondered why that was so. As the story goes, 17 years previous, Harvey stooped in an awkward position and felt something pop or move in his upper back or neck. Harvey allowed Dr. Palmer to examine him and DD determined that a vertebrae was misaligned or subluxated and that he could help. After this first chiropractic adjustment, Harvey told DD Palmer that he could now hear the wagon wheels of the horse drawn carriages strolling down Brady Street in Davenport, Iowa. From there a profession was born. DD quickly realized that he did not have the cure for deafness, but noticed patients now coming to him for all sorts of health problems that he was able to help in some way. He constantly and consistently improved on his theory of this mind body connection through the nervous system and eventually built the first Chiropractic college in Davenport, Iowa.

Although chiropractic has undergone many changes in public perception over these years, the same philosophy has and will endure. Chiropractic is still the largest natural health profession in the world and I am proud to serve as one if its representatives. Someone once said, "You should always know where you come from," as this profession is rich in history and great men and women who shaped what chiropractic is today, and for that I am forever grateful.

Here's to you on your 114th Birthday, Chiropractic!

Dr. Bruce Kesten
www.kestenchiro.com

Cultural Diversity with a Twist

2009-09-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

Getting up early in the morning to feed the sheep, chickens, getting out on the tractor to bail the hay and cut the acres of grass on the riding mower seems like the usual chores for a farmer. But this is no ordinary farmer. The twist is when he and his wife and daughter are not tending to the animals they are adjusting humans in his chiropractic office in Pennsylvania.

I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with my colleague Dr. Fisher and his family this past Labor Day weekend to see how a different culture goes about living. There are many things in my city and suburban upbringing that fall way short of being a farmer. For instance, the hard physical work of pulling hay bails down from the top of the barn, mixing the right type of feed for the sheep and chickens, making sure you keep track of all the animals, etc. It is hard for me to relate to all this stuff yet to them it is their way of life. They have no problem opening their office in the morning and have a chicken or two waddle in front of the door.

The nicest thing about the weekend is that I got to see my kids interact with the animals and learn the respect for the different lifestyle.

After all the farming is done we still come back to the commonality of chiropractic, knowing that each of our kids has been adjusted since birth, that we have the same philosophy of health, that healing comes from within.

I encourage each and every one of you to experience a different culture, whether it be a foreign land or a state or two away from New York.

Most important I hope you never lose sight of how important your health is and consider making regular chiropractic care part of your culture!

Thanks

Dr. Bruce Kesten
www.kestenchiro.com

Building Endurance

2009-09-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Building endurance is a process, a journey if you will. Endurance can apply to many aspects of life, but the one most people identify with is exercise. Recently my daughter learned how to ride her bicycle. It has become a nice father/daughter activity recently, one which we enjoy so much together. The nice thing about the rides is that each time, she is able to go a little bit farther. The first time she barely made it around the block and now she is up to a few miles in a relatively short period of time. I have proded a little to push past the tired legs and it has paid off for her.

It always takes some time to build up your endurance in life but when you do it can pay off big dividends. The chiropractic analogy here (and you just knew there would be one) is that many times it takes time for your body to build up some endurance to hold adjustments. One of the most important thing in my practice in for my patients to see results in their care. Many times I recommend a care plan to help build endurance of one adjustment on another. In this manner you go a little bit further in your progress to reach the ultimate goal of a healthier you. Even when you have the "tired legs" of "do I have to come that many visits" realize there is a method to my "madness". I know results are better when patients stick to the care plan, 18 years of experience has shown that to be true.

So consider building endurance in all your life activities, exercise, eating right, better relationships and of course, regular chiropractic care, and better health will most assuredly be the result!

Yours in BetterHealth,

Dr. Bruce Kesten
www.kestenchiro.com

Stress and the Economy

2009-08-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

As we start to see some turn around in our economy, I reflect on how people value things in a tough economy. It seems many people have things backwards. If you are stressed out you are less productive, therefore the potential is to become more financially compromised as well. It just makes sense to spend time and money on your health in times of a stressful economy. Better health, less bad stress, and more productivity are definitely features of a balanced mind and body. So is the case when you receive a regular chiropractic adjustment. Consider these thoughts the next you want to miss an appointment or cut back on your care because of the economy. It's about thinking differently and being positive. I invite your comments and questions. To BETTERHEALTH today!

Dr. Bruce Kesten
www.kestenchiro.com

Welcome to BetterHealth 2.0

2009-08-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

As a newcomer to the blogging world I hope you come to enjoy the time here at my blog. I hope to entertain, inform and most of all move you to take action on producing better health for you and your family. Feel free to comment and just enjoy better health today!

Making a Better or Best Choice

With my daughter home in between camp and school we decided to take a trip to the health food store today. She reminded me that my wife, her mother, wanted to get some healthier snacks than even those you get at a local gourmet supermarket. So we went and spent alot more money for Mango fruit bars!! Then I thought, why can't we just make this stuff at home. It would be just as healthy cut up mango (or fruits like berries, necatarines, peaches, etc.) put them in a blender or food processor, place them in a frozen mold, freeze and voila!!! Fresh fruit bars. It's not rocket science, but sometimes even making a better choice isn't the best choice. Well I learned from this and I hope you can too!! Here's to Better Health this summer and beyond!

Dr. Bruce Kesten
www.kestenchiro.com