Dr. Ellen's Frequently Recommended Products
Description below image & title are Amazon links*
Why do I love THESE products?
Make sure you catch my BLOG post describing all of these products and other helpful ergonomic tips
Dr. Ellen's Favorite lumbar support for car or chair
This lumbar support will work in your chair or car. Many lumbar supports are too tall, or the sides come out too far. This one is perfect! Even my Audit with all of it's fancy seat adjustments needed this!
Thumper Sport Percussive Massager
I use the Thumper Sport to loosen tight muscles and soft tissue before adjustments. It's handy to have at home for those tight spots and has a motor powerful enough for you to apply pressure (say, putting it on the floor and putting your feet on it) without losing power. Easy to use on yourself in between appointments. :)
Choose a trackball mouse over a traditional mouse:
I see plenty of patients who have right arm issues that can go right up the forearm, to the shoulder, and even to the upper back shoulder blade and neck because of using a transitional computer mouse.
Wired Trackball Mouse, Easy Index Finger Control, Ergonomic Comfort.
Chattanooga cold pack
Chattanooga Colpacs are my choice in the office and at home. They maintain their foldability even when frozen and last for years. The half-size is perfect for most uses.
Chattanooga ColPac - Reusable Gel Ice Pack - Half Size
Chirp Wheel: Chirp Wheel+ is designed with trigger points in mind to break up tight muscle fibers and hard-to-reach parts in your back instead of putting undue pressure on your spine, so you can focus on deeper stretches without worries.
RitFit Weighted Medicine Ball
With great grips all the way around, these weight balls are perfect for dynamic movement that aids with spinal health.
Yes4All Total Body Weight Bars
Weight bars are great for working the muscles after an adjustment. I teach many shoulder and back exercises with these weight bars for her patients. Heavier is not better! Some of the weaker muscles in the back will respond to 5lb and 8lb weights.
Chair and bleacher cushion
Office chair or seat cushion. MY favorite purpose for this cushion is to bring it to the bleachers to watch my high schooler play in games. It's softer, more comfortable, and in cold-weather sports keeps the cold bleachers from sucking the heat out of your bottom!
"WAOAW" Seat Cushion on Amazon
Theraband CLX
The TheraBand CLX Consecutive Loops deliver unparalleled versatility and ease of use that makes it great for exercise and rehab. Especially great for shoulders, here is the Theraband YOUTUBE page for more ideas for all body parts. GREAT for travel, because you can just toss it in your travel bag. :)
Thereband CLX Red (Medium resistance) on Amazon
Neck Traction Device: This neck and shoulder relaxer is designed with a subtle curve that matches the natural curve of the human spine and helps to provide ideal stretch, support, and traction to regain the perfect posture. Helps alleviate muscle stress from computer and using handheld devices too much!
IMPORTANT: Use of this device is to support specific conditions, and may not be suitable for everyone. Body Harmony patients: please ask Dr. Ellen to confirm if th
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Links, Articles, VIDEOS, POdcasts, Books, and more...
What you put IN your body is the fuel for your body's processes...
When I was going through chiropractic school and learning about physiology, which is what and how your body does what it does, I was awestruck how miraculous our body was, the harmony with which everything works together, despite (gotta be truthful here) what goes into the 'input' end (our mouth when we eat). ~ Dr. Ellen
The Link Between Gut Health and Obesity
Your gut microbiome consists of trillions of microbes that live in your digestive tract. In fact, our bodies have many more genes from our gut bacteria than from our human cells. The gut microbiome is often referred to as our “second brain.” Each person’s gut microbiome is unique, like a microbial fingerprint, and is shaped by both your genetics and your environment. Many of these organisms are essential to our health. They help with the immune system, digesting food, producing hormones that help control appetite, and synthesizing vitamins and essential nutrients. Read more from GoodRx HERE
How Your Gut Bacteria Can Influence Your Weight
Gut bacteria play several important roles in your health, such as communicating with your immune system and producing certain vitamins. Your gut bacteria can also affect how different foods are digested and produce chemicals that help make you feel full. As a result, they can affect your weight. Read more here from Healthline
THE GUT HEALTH MD: DR. WILL BULSIEWICZ ON OPTIMIZING YOUR MICROBIOME (IN A PANDEMIC)
This is an EXCELLENT podcast featuring Dr. Will Bulsiewicz: "This is a conversation about all things microbiome and gut health. The mechanisms behind it and latest research findings. We discuss our epidemic of dysbiosis (lack of gut biome balance)and its relation to a litany of chronic diseases that unnecessarily plague too many. We explore the gut-brain connection. The paramount need to increase the biodiversity in our bodies and our environments. And (sorry carnivores) why fiber is king."
25 Top Superfoods to Get Into Your Diet
Dr. Axe is one of my favorite nutrition and lifestyle sources to follow. Check out this article on how and why to get more Superfoods into your diet. #antioxidants and more!
More links coming soon!
Mind/body/spirit connection
How Trauma Lodges in the Body
Psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk is an innovator in treating the effects of overwhelming experiences. We call this “trauma” when we encounter it in life and news, and we tend to leap to address it by talking. But Bessel van der Kolk knows how some experiences imprint themselves beyond where language can reach. He explores state-of-the-art therapeutic treatments — including body work like yoga and eye movement therapy — and shares what he and others are learning on this edge of humanity about the complexity of memory, our need for others, and how our brains take care of our bodies. Enjoy this audio episode of On Being, you can also find Dr. van der Kolk's book HERE: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Breathing in, I Know I'm Breathing in | Thich Nhat Hanh (short teaching video: 14 minutes)
Have you tried meditation but have had trouble staying focused, your mind wanders? Relax, this is VERY common! You probably need a little instruction and guidance. In this short teaching video from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh ("Thay", teacher, for short) is one of my favorite Buddhist teachers, and he talks about the first two exercises from the Sutra on Mindful Breathing (Anapanasati Sutta).
More links coming soon!
Fitness & exercise
How do YOU score on the "World Fitness Level" Test?
The University of Norway scientists include chiropractic care, acupuncture AND massage as important factors in living a long, healthy life! I knew that all along! :) Although it's easy to fall into the habit of 'I go in when my back or neck hurts...", getting adjusted regularly, and making bodywork part of your routine, contributes to your overall health and well-being by helping your immune and nervous systems function optimally. And, when you feel better, you can do more, helping you stay fit.
Here's the link to the test. Two things first: Make sure you take the extended version of the test (which still takes only about seven minutes) for a truly accurate reading. If you're going to care about taking it in the first place, you might as well be accurate as possible. Second, they DO ask to use your health information and where you live for their database if you take the extended version, but they do not ask for your name or contact information. (so no, you won't get a bunch of emails from anyone...)
This IS an international test, so it defaults to centimeters and kilos, but you can select the 'pounds' option. I converted my height to centimeters to be more accurate, since I didn't want to do the math to how 5/12ths converts to decimals. ;) Here's a feet to centimeters calculator: Calculator Soup
Good luck! I hope you're happy with your score, and if you're not, we'll be happy to talk to you about some positive changes you can make in your life to be happier and healthier.
~Dr. Ellen
Yoga is the exercise I recommend most frequently at the office...really!
You can even squeeze a little yoga in during a five-minute break at your desk. It can help decrease physical and emotional stress, while increasing accuracy, alertness, and productivity.
Essential oils are a natural partner with yoga. ALWAYS REMEMBER: If you are using essential oils for their therapeutic properties, Walmart oils, and even most health food store oils, will *not* give you the results you are looking for. Read more on my Facebook group that I host called Body Harmony & Wellness!
More links coming soon!
Immune system & healthy living
Supplements for symptom support and immune system support...
Check out this Facebook Live video workshop series I made awhile back called "Seasonal Allergy Online Workshop: Natural alternatives!" about natural ways to support your Immune System! (This is from my former office Facebook page)
The importance of living a toxin-free lifestyle:
10 minutes with me, Dr. Ellen, talking about the importance of a strong Immune System and how it effects everything else in your life! Heads-up: YES, I even mention POOP... and STRESS, in addition to a whole lot of other things! After watching this, if you're interested in becoming part of our Office family (if you are not already!), give us a call! Watch HERE.
More links coming soon!
Condition relAted Frequent topics:
Vertigo: common and FRUSTRATING!
In BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), vertigo may come on with certain head movements. It may last for up to a minute. These symptoms may be more frequent at times. You may also have nausea and vomiting.
Often BPPV happens without any known cause. You can safely try the home Epley maneuver at home if you have symptoms of BPPV.
The importance of living a toxin-free lifestyle:
10 minutes with me, Dr. Ellen, talking about the importance of a strong Immune System and how it effects everything else in your life! Heads-up: YES, I even mention POOP... and STRESS, in addition to a whole lot of other things! After watching this, if you're interested in becoming part of our Office family (if you are not already!), give us a call! Watch HERE.
More links coming soon!
Take your health to the next level
Join us for in-depth workshops about posture, health, fitness, and wellness. See our current offerings and register below! Many are FREE for current patients.