Towers Family Chiropractor

Helping You to Better Health Naturally

All Kinked Up

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Please explain why you came to our office.

“I have received regular chiropractic sessions in the past, but hadn’t had any for about a month and was all kinked up and in a lot of pain.  My partner has been to see Michael fairly regularly and I decided to get an appointment here.”

Please describe your response to treatment.

“At Towers Family Chiropractic I received the most thorough exam I’ve ever had by any medical professional–bar none.  Michael was able to address my immediate symptoms (pain) and give me some exercises to help retrain soft tissue and strengthen my shoulder.  My pain levels lowered immediately.  Subsequent visits have helped immensely.  I’m so glad I found you all.  Thank you for your loving care.”~57 year-old female

 

“Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease”

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In our clinic we have observed many cases of patients who experience an increase in musculoskeletal pain when they begin taking  statin drugs.   It is not uncommon for patients to actually state that they have noted the correlation themselves or that they stopped taking a statin because they noticed it.   We, along with many nutrition experts, have questioned for years  the hypothesis that high cholesterol causes heart disease–and, therefore, we have questioned the need for statin drugs especially considering their severe side effects.    If you would like more information on this topic, visit Dr. Mercola’s website and read his July 24, 2019 article “Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease”.  He summarizes the latest research including a 2018 scientific review paper that calls into question all that we have been told over many decades about the link between cholesterol and heart disease.  Thank you, Dr Mercola, for your dedication to exposing the  truth in the field of medicine and nutritional science!

My Husband Was Right!

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Please explain why you came to our office.

” I was always afraid to try a chiropractor.  My husband started coming to Towers Family Chiropractic and said I’d love it.  He was right!  I have arthritis and regular neck/shoulder/back pain.”

Please describe your response to treatment.

“After two appointments, my pain virtually went away.  I can definitely tell a difference if I don’t schedule an appointment fast enough.  I keep coming back because of the results–and the kindness.  My lower back constantly hurt before my first visit.  My neck and shoulders were even worse.  Everything has improved!  My quality of life is certainly better for this decision.”   ~33 year-old female

Chicken and Zucchini “Pasta” Salad

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This is one of those light summer dishes that could be a meal in itself and that can be assembled very quickly–but you have to have all the ingredients in your refrigerator, and some of them are from recipes I have shared previously.  These are marinated red onions, homemade mayo (yes, you could use store-bought), and ginger carrots (yes, you could use plain grated carrots).  You will need a vegetable spiralizer to make zucchini “noodles”.  And, of course, you will need some leftover chicken.

Serves 2

1 medium-small zucchini (no more than 10 inches long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter–it should not have seeds developing in it)

1/4 cup marinated red onions plus 2 Tbsp. of the marinating liquid

1/2 cup ginger carrots or grated carrots

1/3-1/2  cup mayonnaise (if you use more chicken you will need more mayo)

1-2 cups of chopped leftover chicken

salt and pepper to taste

Spiralize the zucchini (see directions for this by following the link above for the previous post on zucchini “noodles”.)  Mix in all the other ingredients and stir well.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Eat immediately as the zucchini will start to “wilt” and the salad get watery after 10 minutes or so.

Getting My Life Back

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Please explain why you came to our office.

“My daughter has been a patient for some time.  I have to lift my wife who can not stand.  My lower back and right hip would freeze up along with my left shoulder.”

Please describe your response to treatment.

“Great headway has been made.  I feel like I am getting my life back.  Could not ask for any better results.”       ~ 82 year-old male

Strawberry Ice Cream w/ Crystallized Ginger

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I was surprised at how well crystallized ginger perked up this frozen strawberry dessert that I have made without the ginger many times before.  If you like ginger, give it a try.  Yes, the ginger is crystallized in sugar but take these two precautions:  only buy organic crystallized ginger (I found this at our local natural foods Co-op) made with organic sugar so that you avoid glyphosate-laced non-organic sugar AND eat only one serving (about 1/2 cup) to avoid overdoing the carbs.  A great summer treat!

Also, if you need it to be dairy-free, you may leave out the ghee.  Keep in mind that ghee is pure butter fat and is tolerated by a lot of people who avoid dairy.  I include it in the recipe because of the butter flavor it imparts.

You need either an ice cream maker OR a juicer that can puree frozen fruit.  If you use a juicer, use frozen strawberries only.  If you use an ice cream maker, the strawberries can be fresh or frozen BUT if they are frozen you will also need a food processor to puree them.

Serves 4

3 cups strawberries (frozen or fresh)

1 cup room-temperature organic coconut milk, classic or full fat

1/4 cup honey

2 Tbsp. melted ghee (optional)

1/4 cup crystallized ginger cut into pea-sized pieces

pinch of salt

Juicer Directions: Blend the coconut milk, melted ghee, honey, and salt in a blender.  Set this mixture aside.    Puree your frozen strawberries by runnig them through the juicer (fitted with a solid plate instead of a screen) into a bowl.  Don’t allow them to thaw before or after pureeing–work quickly enough to avoid this.  Now use a hand-held mixer or an immersion blender to blend the coconut milk mixture into the frozen pureed strawberries.  Blend thoroughly.  Stir in the crystallized ginger pieces.  Spoon into dessert cups and place in freezer for at least 15 minutes but up to an hour before serving.  If you leave it in the freezer longer it may harden too much and be difficult to spoon.

Ice Cream Maker Directions:

 If your strawberries are fresh, follow these directions.   Place the strawberries in a blender with all the other ingredients except the ginger and blend well.  Stir in the ginger and freeze by following the directions for your ice cream maker.

If your strawberries are frozen, follow these directions.   Blend the coconut milk, melted ghee, honey, and salt in a blender. Set aside.  Use a food processor to puree the frozen strawberries.  Add the blended coconut milk mixture to the food processor and process until thoroughly mixed. Stir in the ginger and freeze by following the directions for your ice cream maker.  Note that this method of using frozen strawberries will decrease the time necessary to freeze the mixture.

WATCH OUT, DAIRY CONSUMERS!!!

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If you eat any dairy products, you need to check out this rating list or Dairy Scorecard as they call it, of dairy farms published by Cornucopia.  All organic dairy products are not equal, in fact some of them may not be much better in quality than conventional products, because of the erosion of our organic standards by the National Organic Standard Board and their National Organic Program.  Be warned, consumers, and be willing to pay more for quality–it will help keep honest farmers in business.

Test For Health and Weight

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Our chiropractic/nutrition clinic now offers the BIA or Bio-electrical impedance analysis.  This test measures percent body fat, percent lean body mass,, hydration status, plus it is an excellent measure of overall health.

We use blood tests for measuring what’s in the blood, but did you know research shows we can use bio-electrical analysis to measure the components of your body weight?  This is useful information for gauging overall health or monitoring changes in weight and health as lifestyle changes are implemented.  BIA is the most accurate way to determine if the weight you lose is fat and if the weight you gain is muscle.  The best news is that this test, besides being accurate, is quick (immediate results), painless, and inexpensive.  BIA is FDA approved and has been used for decades in hospitals and in nutrition/health-related research.

How do we do the test?  The BIA test involves placing two electrodes on the right foot and two on the right hand.  An imperceptible low-level electrical current goes through these electrodes and the body.   The amount of fluid in the body affects the flow of electrical current and the BIA unit measures how this current is impeded through various tissues of the body.  The current will be impeded more in tissues that have less fluid in them such as fat and bone and it will be less impeded in tissues with more fluid such as blood.  Measurements of resistance and reactance are instantly generated by the unit and these numbers are entered into a software program to generate a report.  The report details the composition of the weight of the body and also hydration status.

Call 540-343-6636 to schedule your BIA today.

Honeybell Dressing

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Remember the home-made mayonnaise recipe I posted?  It is embedded in a Waldorf Salad recipe you’ll find if you follow the link.  Make it with an immersion blender and you will find it very practical and easy.  You can make great salad dressings with mayo.   There is nothing as good as homemade because you can use quality ingredients.  I like making some once a week to have it available in the fridge.

Another favorite thing I keep in stock are the artisan balsamic vinegars.  Try this honeybell orange–it’s delightful!   (I hope you can find it.  We have Oliveto here in Roanoke.)  This white balsamic vinegar is also good on fruit salads or to flavor carbonated water.

Serves 4
1/2 cup home-made mayonnaise
1/4 cup honeybell orange white balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp sea salt


Whisk all ingredients together until smooth in a small bowl or cup.  Drizzle over bed of leafy salad greens right before serving. 

Fresh Basil Oil

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Now that fresh basil is more plentiful–I’ve got a lot already in the garden–let’s make good use of it by preparing this quick, flavorful oil. Remember that preparing ahead when you have time (the weekend?) makes eating well  EASIER when you are busy.  This delicious oil keeps in the fridge a week or so and is very convenient for dressing boiled eggs, salads, pasta, steamed vegetables, grains, and breads–make a pizza with the gluten-free bread I linked and use the basil oil instead of tomato sauce.  It is reminiscent of pesto (see recipe here) but a lot easier!  All you need is a blender.

Also, if you are using it for salad dressing, just add 1 Tbsp. of this oil per 1 cup of salad vegetables and toss.  Then drizzle 1 Tbsp. lemon juice for each Tbsp. of oil and toss again. 

1 cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt to taste

Place basil leaves, salt, and garlic in the blender container.  Pour enough olive oil over them to just cover  (about 1/2 cup).  Blend until really smooth.  Place in glass jar and cap.  Ready for use immediately.  Keep refrigerated.

Good Nutrition

Warming Broth for a Cold

When you're feeling down with a cold, the last thing you may want to do is cook!  Well, if you keep a few ingredients on hand you can make this nourishing, soothing broth in a few minutes.  If you … [Read More...]

Children’s Adjustments

Children with back pain

Children suffer injuries that lead to misalignments just as adults do. Children generally respond very well and quickly to gentle chiropractic adjustments. A case in point is that of a 5 year-old … [Read More...]

Towers Family Chiropractic

2302 Colonial Ave, SW, Ste A
Roanoke, VA 24015
(540) 343-6636

Our hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
10:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday:
7:30am – 11:30am and 12:30pm – 4:00pm
Saturday:
9:00am – 12:00pm