A very common finding for women who have been experiencing heavier than usual periods is iron deficiency. Our blood panel includes a test for ferritin, an iron storage protein, which is useful for checking the body’s iron stores. Very often this number is low for peri-menopausal and menopausal women who come to our clinic. Low iron can cause headaches, fatigue, restless legs, dizziness, hair loss–the list goes on. Iron deficiency should never be missed but it is. Call our office to schedule a nutrition consultation if you suspect you need a ferritin test and help with diet and supplements for addressing low iron.
Our Family Cook Book
Monica and her siblings have recently published a charming volume called Our Family Cook Book. Dedicated to their parents, it contains an excellent variety of recipes submitted by Monica and her sisters and brothers. Special holiday recipes, modern healthy supper ideas, and old family favorites are included as well as interesting personal comments regarding the origin and history of some of the recipes. There is something to please everyone in this cook book!
Come by the office and take a look. We will have additional copies printed if enough people are interested, so please let us know if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
Submitted by Sandy Taylor
Breech Baby and Back Pain
“Severe back pain associated with pregnancy and transverse/breech baby. Had a very hard time walking, exercising, small tasks. Sleeping was very tough and in constant pain. In addition, had lingering issues from car wreck in shoulder and back–seeing results from treatment. After treatments in first week saw a major relief! In the 2nd/3rd week happy to tell the baby flipped and is in correct position at 31 weeks--huge relief mentally and physically. Now able to have relief while walking and can slowly return to exercising. So happy with the treatments and team @ Towers Chiropractic. Truly helped me during my pregnancy!!”~34 year-old female
High Blood Pressure and Back Pain
“I had high blood pressure, headaches and dizziness from the medication, plus loss of flexibility involving my entire spine, and neck, and back pain. I had blood work and based on that Monica put me on a variety of supplements and Dr. Burgoon adjusted my spine and extremities. I no longer need my medication, have much greater flexibility and rarely have any symptoms.”~71 year-old male
Chronic Headaches
“I was having chronic headaches for years. Dr. Burgoon diagnosed me with chronic neck arthritis from an injury 20-years ago. No doctor had diagnosed this. Within 2 months of treatment, my headaches improved dramatically and I have felt better than I have in years.”~ 48 year-old male
Holy Basil or Tulsi Tea For Sore Throats
According to a native of India whom we happened to meet here in Roanoke, people in India chew the leaves of holy basil to get rid of sore throats. Apparently, holy basil grows like a weed in parts of India so it is readily available. Here in Roanoke, we may not have access to live plants most of the year but we can drink the tea made from dried leaves all year long.
For most Americans, the herb can be grown during the summer months, harvested in the Fall, and dried for use during the winter months. It is an attractive, aromatic annual with leaves that are pleasant to chew raw but also make a delicious tea once dried. The tea is available in stores as “Tulsi tea”. Holy basil also is known to bolster the immune system, improve digestion, provide a calming effect, and balance blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It is a real plus that it tastes good too.
Next time you get a tickle in your throat or you are exposed to a cold, don’t forget to make some holy basil tea.
Ankle/knee pain
“I came to Towers Family Chiropractic because of ankle and knee pain which made walking difficult and uncomfortable. After only a few weeks of treatment, the ankle and knee pain has been so much improved as to be practically non-existent. Treatment has also addressed other sources of discomfort which I had come to assume were unable to be helped. I am very pleased and appreciative for the care I have received at Towers Family Chiropractic.”~65 year-old female
Sweet Potato Soup
If you have leftover sweet potatoes, try this easy, dairy-free recipe. Next time you prepare sweet potatoes, bake a couple extra and use them for this soup the following day.
1 1/2 cups mashed, baked sweet potato
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups of turkey or chicken broth or water
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cayenne, optional
2-4 Tbsp. canned coconut milk
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Saute onions in olive oil in a medium-sized soup pot until soft. Stir in spices. Add broth. Stir over medium heat until it simmers. Add sweet potatoes and more water if necessary to reach desired consistency. Add coconut milk and stir well. Salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer before serving.
Serves 2-4
Foot Pain and Headaches
“I initially came to the office for chronic back & foot pain and headaches. After the first treatment, I felt much better. I’ve continued to improve steadily ever since. I feel better overall, and now very rarely have a headache.”~22 year-old female
Pesticide Guide
We recommend organically grown foods but it pays to know which fruits and vegetables are safer to eat if they are not organically grown. This information is from the Environmental Working Group. For more,visit their website.
The fruits and vegetables that are not recommended because of higher levels of pesticides used to grow them, the “dirty dozen”, are: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, kale/collards, potatoes, imported grapes.
The “clean 15” are safer if not organic and include: onions, avocado, sweet corn, pineapple, mangos, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potato, honeydew melon.
Keep in mind that most papaya, soy, and corn is GM (genetically modified). We recommend avoiding all GM foods. Therefore, it’s best to consume these foods only when they are organically grown because the organic standard currently excludes GM foods. Since some form of soy is used in many processed foods, great vigilance in label reading is required to avoid non-organic soy.
