Most patients consult our office because they have an ache or a pain. Their goal? Relief. That's our first objective.

We'll conduct a thorough examination, revealing areas of spinal dysfunction. Based on the findings of your examination, we will prepare and offer a care plan designed to give you the best results in the shortest amount of time. Our goal is to go beyond the short-term relief and work to correct the underlying issues.

When you begin your road to recovery, visits are frequent. Each visit builds on the one before, so keeping your appointments will help you get the best results.

Often what happens next changes everything.

After a series of visits, you'll start feeling better. And, in feeling better, you might decide to cut back on your visits or stop treatment altogether. But, if you continue your treatment, we'll be able to treat your muscles, and soft tissue that left untreated could cause a relapse.

When you continue your care, visits will become less frequent, and progress will be less dramatic. However, the healing continues, and you move into what we call "Wellness Care." In this phase, your body is supported to do and feel its best.

We also understand that sometimes you don't have a choice about when you end your care. Whatever you choose, we're here to serve and help support you in your decision.

Your health affects everything you do and everyone you know. With so many people depending on you, it makes sense to invest in your health.

A program of chiropractic checkups can help you be the caring parent, the loving spouse, the understanding friend, or the dependable employee.

Invest in your health. You're worth it!

To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, please give us a call at 541-343-5633.

Sugar. We all love it. But why? There are a few reasons why we crave the sweet stuff. For instance, studies have shown that women may crave sweets more often than men due to the female hormone estradiol. This hormone is an important part of reproductive and sexual function—which also might explain why some women report sugar cravings around the time of their period or during menopause or perimenopause.

Other reported causes of sugar cravings could be due to a sluggish or overloaded adrenal gland, a yeast infection, an underactive thyroid gland, an imbalance of beneficial gut bacteria, and stress.

Sound familiar? You're not alone.

Of course, eating healthy can help alleviate many of these issues—and there are also other ways to help curb your cravings. Here are four tips to help you kick the sugar habit.

Avoid Processed Foods
When we eat sugar our brains light up, more so than it does when other stimulants are used, and it's a reward system. The brain likes getting excited, so it tells your body to give it more. This means that high-sugar foods may cause the body to crave more food—and more sweet foods, specifically. This is similar to addictions to drugs like cocaine where the brain becomes wired to crave more. Many processed foods contain high levels of sugar among other undesirable ingredients. The more you can avoid these foods, the less likely you are to crave them.

Salty Sweet Visualization Exercises
When you find yourself tempted to eat something sugary that you know you shouldn't, imagine that you’ve poured salt all over it. Or, if you're struggling to resist a plate full of cookies, visualize yourself shaking salt all over them and then taking salty bite after salty bite. Experts say this works because, believe it or not, humans have a natural aversion to overly salted foods. It's simple, but this trick works well for a lot of people.

Eat More Fermented Foods and Probiotics
Combat those sugar cravings by adding fermented foods and probiotics into your diet. Fermented foods and liquids, as well as probiotics,  restore balance in your healthy gut bacteria. If you have "bad" gut bacteria/microbes, they can influence your cravings through nerve pathways linked to your stomach and brain. Adding more "good" bacteria/microbes helps offset this negative effect.

Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t keep their blood sugar stable. This instability can cause a lack of energy, an increase in cravings, mood swings, memory issues and imbalanced hormones. To balance your blood sugar, eat foods low on the glycemic index such as vegetables, berries, nuts, and seeds. It can also be helpful to eat several small meals throughout the day, making sure you get protein with every meal, and you don’t skip breakfast. Remember to also minimize your soda intake as it's a notorious source of hidden sugars.

If you'd like help with kicking the sugar habit, we are here for you. Our team at Pure Life Chiropractic can provide you the support you need so you're living life without the sugar crutch. Give us a call today at 541-343-5633

In today's world, with all the pressures put upon us from work, family and social obligations, we're running on empty at best. Fatigue is normal, and relief often comes in forms not so good for our bodies. Without realizing it, time flies by, and we're merely existing, not living. The good news is that you don't have to live like this. We each have the power to make choices that support the five pillars of health, explained below.

Pillar #1 Positive Mental Attitude
Your own internal words and thoughts directly influence you and guide your success through the day. To accomplish the other four pillars and anything else in life, a positive mental attitude is critical. Belief in yourself is step number one.

Pillar #2 Proper Working Nervous System
Your body relies on the nervous system for every function it performs. It's what enables your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, your stomach to digest, etc. without you even having to think about it. Your brain is sending messages down your spinal cord and through nerves coming out of every level of the spine. These go to every last organ, muscle, tissue, and cell of the body. Because your nervous system controls all aspects of your body, it's important that all flow of energy is free and clear.

Pillar #3 Proper Exercise
Regular exercise keeps your brain and joints healthy. As long as you're moving, you're doing good for your body. All it takes is 20-30 minutes of simple walking to make a difference. The benefits of exercising daily are numerous including strengthening your muscles, improving your joint mobility, it reduces stress, helps you lose weight, and improves your cardiovascular health.

Pillar #4 Proper Nutrition
Our bodies naturally crave nutritious, high-quality foods. Unfortunately, with stress and life's pressures, we've succumbed to the convenience of fast food, large portions, refined carbs, and processed foods. As best as you can, switching to a habit of eating a well-balanced diet will help give you more energy, sleep better, heal damaged tissues and organs, and maintain proper weight. When you fuel your body with healthy food, you fuel it for better performance.

Pillar #5 Proper Rest and Relaxation
Last but not least, our bodies need downtime to recharge the batteries. But it's about getting the right amount of sleep. Too much sleep can be just as unhealthy as too little. Ideally, 6-8 hours will give your body what it needs. When you give your body the rest it needs, it can relax, decrease stress, and heal.

Learn more about how chiropractic care can help support your journey to better health and keep you on the right path with the five pillars of health. Come see us at Pure Life Chiropractic today, located in Eugene, Oregon. 541-343-5633

It's just how it works — you get hurt, but relief is not there when you need it. Whether it's a sprain or sore muscles from a workout, locating an ice pack so you can apply it quickly can be a challenge if you're not at home. That's where Biofreeze can be of help — it's a pain relieving analgesic that provides the same effect as ice, in a convenient, portable form.

Biofreeze is useful for treating not only sprains and sore muscles, but also arthritis and other types of joint pain. It comes in gel, spray or roll-on form, and is a type of cryotherapy (cold therapy). Its active ingredient is menthol (from the mint family of plants), which causes your brain to interpret the nerve signals being sent as a sensation of cold, triggering a reduction in inflammation.

The cold therapy of Biofreeze works by causing ligand molecules to attach themselves to your nerve’s cold receptors, which effectively helps to numb the area, interfering with pain signals traveling to the brain. The menthol in Biofreeze also induces vasodilation, which increases blood flow to the injured area, allowing cellular waste products to be swept away more efficiently and for healing oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the cells.

Besides menthol, Biofreeze contains other herbal ingredients including Ilex Paraguariensis (also known as Yerba mate, a plant native to South America with antioxidant properties), Arnica, Calendula, Aloe, Boswellia, Green Tea, Burdock, Lemon Balm, and vitamin E.  All of these natural ingredients have been used for centuries to treat tissue injuries such as bruises, sprains, and strains.  Camphor, another ingredient in Biofreeze, has both numbing and antiseptic properties.

How do you use Biofreeze?
You can massage Biofreeze gel into your skin (or apply it with the roll-on or spray) up to four times a day. It can also be useful for any therapy, such as chiropractic care or physical therapy. When applied ahead of time, Biofreeze can help relieve the pain that would have interfered with you getting the most out of your treatment.

Biofreeze is available for purchase at our chiropractic office in Eugene. Next time you're in to see us, ask about getting some to help with your healing.

Winter can cause challenges when it comes to maintaining your fitness routine. Between the onslaught of rain, slip and fall hazards, and colder temperatures, your usual outdoor routines can be challenging at best. But if you don’t want to join a gym, there are multiple ways to still get a good workout in the comfort of your home. Here are a few easy-to-adapt exercises to keep you moving.

Arms Exercises

1. Kettlebell swings — Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding the kettlebell with both hands in front of your body, arms loose. Bend your knees slightly, keeping your weight in your heels. Slightly swing the kettlebell through your legs toward your rear then explode with your hips forward sending the kettlebell up toward the ceiling, overhead or at least chest-height. Be sure to keep your arms straight and extended throughout the entire exercise. Bring the kettlebell back to the start position between your legs and repeat.
2. Shoulder presses — Stand with your feet hip-width apart, bring dumbbells or other weighted object like a can of food (one in each hand) up to your shoulders. With a slight bend in your knees, thrust the dumbbells up overhead to meet at the top. Return to the starting position with dumbbells at your shoulders and repeat.
3. Triceps kickbacks — Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell or can of food in each hand at your side. Bend your upper body at your waist slightly to make a 45-degree angle. Push the dumbbells back until they are parallel with your lower back. Return them to the start position, bending your elbows, bringing the dumbbells in line with your chest.

Core Exercises

1. Bird-Dog crunch — Start on the floor on all fours, hands placed directly underneath your shoulders, hips in line with your knees. This is your starting position. Lift your right hand and extend your arm straight out in front of you, keeping it shoulder height, while simultaneously lifting your left leg and extending it straight back. Your whole body should be in a straight line from right fingertips to left toes. Bring your left leg to touch your right elbow under your stomach. Extend your leg and arm out again. Return to starting position. Repeat on the other side. Do five reps on each side.
2. Seated leg lifts — Sit on the floor, legs extended straight out in front of you. Keeping your core engaged, lean back slightly, so you’re able to place your hands on either side of hips, on the floor. Take a deep breath and lift one leg six inches off the ground. Hold for five seconds, and then put it down. Repeat with the other leg. Continue alternating for one-minute straight, then take a 20-second break. Repeat for five rounds.

Legs Exercises

1. Squat jump — With your feet hip-width apart, squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor, and then jump as high as you can. When you land, allow your knees to bend 45 degrees. Pause in the deep squat position for a second, and then jump again. Be careful not to extend your knees too far forward when squatting. Knees should be just above your toes.
2. Side lunge — Stand with your feet about twice shoulder-width apart. Keeping your right leg straight, push your hips back and to the left. Then, bend your left knee and lower your body until your left thigh is parallel to the floor. Your feet should remain flat on the floor at all times. Pause for a couple seconds, and then return to the starting position. Complete 5 reps on each side.

Even if it may not seem like much at the time, the cumulative benefit of daily movement can yield great returns for your body. Between reduced stress, increased flexibility, and overall health gains, your body will thank you. And, if you really want to treat your body, consider scheduling a massage. Massage is an excellent complement to any fitness routine as it helps work out tightness in the muscles that can hamper your movement. Schedule an appointment today with one of our fantastic therapists. 541-343-5633

​Stabilizing your shoulders are a group of muscles commonly known as the rotator cuff. As we age, it is possible for these muscles to become strained and cause pain. Additionally, falling or other traumas to the shoulder can cause injury to the area. Winter is a time of year when this type of injury can occur more frequently. From snow sports such as snowboarding to something as simple as slipping on ice, it is vital to recognize when you may have an injury to your rotator cuff. If you suspect injury, follow these tips to help treat the pain. 

RICE and Anti-inflammatory medication
Rest — Give your shoulder a break. Try to limit activities that require you to use the injured shoulder for a couple of days. 
Ice — Apply ice to the injured area to reduce inflammation. 
Compress — Apply a compress to control swelling.
Elevate — Do your best to elevate the area above the level of your heart.

Take over the counter anti-inflammatory medication (as needed), such as ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and pain. 

Stretches/Exercises
Pendulum Swings — Bend at your waist using a table for support. Let the injured arm hang freely. Begin swinging your injured arm in a circular direction from one foot to the other. After about 5 minutes switch directions. Again bend at your waist using a table for support. Swing the injured arm from front to back ensuring that you are limiting resistance. Do this for 5 minutes. 

Doorway Stretch — Standing in a doorway, place one hand on each side of the opening. Slowly lean forward into the opening shifting your weight to your toes. Once you start to feel a light stretch, stop to avoid over stretching. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times. 

Cross-arm Stretch — Standing with good posture and your shoulders relaxed, pull one arm across your chest as far as you can and hold for around 30 seconds. Repeat the stretch on the opposite side. Do this stretch 2-3 times. 

If your pain continues to worsen or does not go away, make sure to give us a call. The trained staff in our Eugene chiropractic office can evaluate your injury and create a plan to alleviate your pain. 541-343-5633

​Let’s face it, we have all been there, the alarm clock is buzzing, and as you reach to turn it off, you suddenly feel as stiff as the Tin Man before he gets oiled. As you sluggishly move about preparing for the day ahead, you wish that you could find some relief. You may also start to wonder why this happens and what you can do to prevent it. Luckily, there are some known causes of this morning struggle. Armed with an understanding of why morning stiffness occurs, you can develop a preventative game plan. 

Causes
According to research done by scientists in the UK, a protein called cryptochrome reduces inflammation and is released according to our bodies circadian rhythm. When we sleep the protein is not released, thereby increasing inflammation which may lead to stiffness and pain. In addition, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress may all contribute to this morning obstacle. Follow these five tips to help to get moving quicker in the morning. 

Get quality sleep.
Try to ensure that you are getting the best possible sleep you can get. Sleep is how our bodies recover from the stresses of the day before. Make sure to maintain a regular sleep schedule and create a bedtime routine that is free of electronic screens. Make sure the place you sleep is peaceful, free of clutter, and comfortable. 

Develop healthy eating habits.
Eating the wrong foods before bed can be a nightmare. Foods that are spicy or heavily acidic often keep you up with heartburn. Also, keeping a healthy diet helps to maintain a healthy weight and can help reduce the risk of developing complications like sleep apnea. Make sure to drink enough water to reduce the effects of dehydration which can make recovery during sleep even harder.  

Exercise.
Like a healthy diet, exercise is important to maintain overall health and to prevent health complications that may interfere with a good night’s sleep. If you don’t have a workout plan already, try starting out by walking 20-30 minutes per day and gradually intensifying your workout. 

Manage stress.
It is hard to get good sleep if you are tossing and turning, thinking about all the stresses of life. Try mindfulness practices such as meditation to help reduce the effects that the day’s events have on your mind while you try to sleep. You might even find that getting better sleep will help in dealing with stress in the first place. 

Stretch before getting out of bed.
One of the first things you should do before getting out of bed is simple stretching. Stretching loosens everything up and promotes circulation which can help reduce pain caused by inflammation. 

Following these five tips should help in the fight against morning stiffness. If it seems like you just cannot win the battle, see our team at Pure Life Chiropractic! We will help to develop a personalized plan to get you moving.