Des Moines Chiropractic Newsletter - May, 2015

Compass Chiropractic May, 2015 E-Newsletter

 
Saturday hours continue to be available!

Bike fall?  Soccer collision?  Golf fail?

We've got you covered with Saturday hours available about two weekends a month from 10:30-1:30.  Call us to check availability.

 

Champions maximize their performance and maintain their health with chiropractic!

 

Sandy Recommends Taking a Class on Food Preservation

Spring is here and it's time to start planning and planting gardens.  Ever wonder what to do with all of your surplus produce?  Want to be able to enjoy your homegrown produce all year long?  The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Service can help you with that.  They offer many programs and resources.  Currently, their Nutrition and Health program specialists are offering a food preservation program called 'Preserve the Taste of Summer'.   Through a series of online lessons and hands-on workshops, you can learn about food safety, canning basics, pressure canning, prepping and preserving fermented and pickled foods, how to freeze and dry foods and a variety of other useful food preservation techniques.   For more information about this program click on this link.

Amy Recommends Attending a Baseball Game!

The beginning of Major League Baseball season is one of the annual markers that warm weather is here! Baseball is of course "America's favorite past time". There’s no reason NOT to go to a baseball game this spring, but if you still need some convincing, here is a list of reasons to go to a baseball game:

1. The excitement! The radiating energy within the stadium is unmatched.
2. Baseball can help form great bonds between you and your friends and family, and even those who are strangers! Watching the game surrounded by fellow fans creates a great sense of camaraderie.
3. It’s a tradition. A love of sports is usually passed down from generation to generation, and going to the first baseball game is a rite of passage for many.
4. The foul balls. Imagine catching a foul ball hit by one of your favorite players, and owning a piece of sports history!
5. The quality time spent together is one of the best reasons to go to a baseball game. Sitting in the beautiful sun or under the lights at night with people you love, enjoying "popcorn, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks", watching a sport played by the greatest players in the world is a fantastic way to spend the day.
6. It can be affordable!  If you can't make it to a Major League game go see the Iowa Cubs in action.

 Amy & her husband, Joe, enjoying a game in Phoenix
 

Anne recommends Fadeaway Floatation Therapy

As I mentioned in our previous Compass Chiropractic newsletter, I’m attracted to just about anything therapeutic.  That’s why, when, a couple months ago, my boyfriend suggested trying out a newer local business called “Fadeaway Floatation Therapy“, I was game. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but had heard rumors that floatation therapy is especially relaxing and the closest sensation to being suspended in outer-space that most humans could have.  My only concern was, will it be clean?  We were assured that, between the salt content and the strenuous filtration processes, there would be no danger of contracting anything but a peaceful state of mind.  So we set the appointments for Valentine’s Day.

“Fadeaway” looks like an ordinary commercial office from the outside, tucked back in West Des Moines’ development area near Jordan Creek and situated between suites.  Stepping in, however, the immediate impression was that of a small, serene spa.  A desk wrapped in a gorgeous deep-blue mosaic greeted us, and across the softly-lit room, a couple had sunk into a sofa, sipping tea between quiet conversation.  A door swept open from the loungey space and Talia, one of the owners, walked towards us with a cheerful smile.  She took time to satisfy some last-minute curiosities and then shuffled us through the entrance she had come from.  A hall led to two large bathrooms on one side and more closed doors on the other.  We stepped into the first floatation room, furnished with a floatation tank or “pod“, connecting shower, towels and more.  I was left in the model room and my boyfriend took the one down the corridor.  I locked the door and suddenly felt nervous from inexperience and excitement.  After the mandatory shower, I lifted the flap to the floatation tank and hurriedly stepped in.  I didn’t want to waste any of my allotted hour.

At first, I thought, “okay, this is nice… I’m floating without effort.”  Talia had encouraged us to focus on resting our necks in particular, since most people seem to fear, at first, that their heads will submerge if they don’t.  It tickled me that I could truly use zero exertion- the massive amount of Epsom salts in the mere 10 inches of water allows for that.  But beyond the extraordinary floating, I wasn’t sure yet what I was going to get from the adventure.  So for the following 50 minutes or so, my goal was to “let go”.  It took some time, probably nearly the entire occasion I had inside the pod, but I finally started to feel it… the matchless calm, and the realization that I couldn’t quite discern the boundaries of my body anymore.  Since the water in floatation tanks are kept at the temperature of human skin, we purposely have that sensation.  The pod also seals out any external stimuli such as light and noise; I didn’t realize how liberating that would feel.

Floatation is proven to increase theta brain waves, the same chemistry change that would occur after some serious meditation, and the type of brain activity that promotes clarity and turns on creativity and problem-solving skills.  The nervous system is rebooted and certain hormones are adjusted by floating as well.  Endorphins and dopamine surge while cortisol dwindles, physically reducing stress, amping up the immune system, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure, and diminishing pain for up to 48 hours.  Since the body is unencumbered by gravity, floating decompresses our joints and spines, making it an effective supplement to chiropractic.

Longer story shortened, when I finally heard Talia’s slight knock against the tank, I had already decided I would definitely be returning in the near-future.  I also thought of all the people in my life who could profit from floating, for all sorts of disparate reasons.  I stood once again in the entry of “Fadeaway” and admired the breath-taking mosaic dressing the reception desk.  Like the tiny tiles of color collected to create a stunning whole, floatation is a therapy with assorted benefits resulting in one much-needed and nourishing experience: transcendence.

“Fadeaway Floatation Therapy” is open seven days per week to give us all an opportunity to experience its advantages.

Dr. Krohse Recommends Kyle's Bikes

Cycling has been a hobby of mine for a while now, but since joining the Sakari Race Team last fall my needs for equipment and repair work have definitely increased.  Thankfully, I've been able to depend on the experts at Kyle's Bikes for my gear and service needs.

Kyle's Bikes is located on the south side of Ankeny.  Our team member, Amy, shared with me that Kyle worked at UPS for years with her husband and started Kyle's Bikes about the same time Compass Chiropractic opened.  They carry bikes designed for all different types of riders and have a team ready to help you find or fix up your bike.  Beginners to the most demanding elite athletes will all be pleased with the attention and expert advice they receive at Kyle's.

I'll admit that while I've made steady progress at becoming a faster rider, I still feel like a newbie when it comes to mechanical issues.  When I've asked for help with simple problems at Kyle's they've been great about assisting me without making me feel silly.

When you think of biking, think of Kyle's.  I know they'll take great care of you!

Dr. Krohse on his way to a 6th place overall finish at Tranquility Tantrum in Omaha