It's an exciting year for the Brooks Beasts- a team comprised of phenomenal athletes and more importantly, amazing people! Today Brooks excitedly announced the newest addition to their team, Nick Symmonds. You can read or listen to his full interview with Ryan Fenton on Flotrack to learn more about why he made the switch from Nike to Brooks and what he looks forward to most about his move to Seattle. Welcome to the Brooks Beasts Nick!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
A recent discovery the other day led me to conclude winter has arrived. Perhaps I have been living in a state of denial up until now. But with the sun setting around 4:30PM, temperatures in the 30's for weeks now, and snow flakes frequenting the forecast, outdoor activity feels extremely limited. In an attempt to conquer the winter rut and thrive in this season of crispness, here are a few tips for succeeding.
1. Layers! Learning to layer your workout attire is crucial on cold or windy days (don't be "that guy" running in shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of winter.) I start with a tight fitting base layer, usually a dry fit shirt to wick away the sweat and keep my skin dry. Layer two is always my thermal layer. Whether that be a flannel or fleece, I choose something that will trap in my body heat. Layer three is either an ultra light down jacket(for dry days) or a rain shell(for the wet ones).
2. Visibility! High visibility is your responsibility. If you plan to exercise in the morning or evening you should plan on taking necessary precautions to make yourself seen. Avoid dark colored clothing and instead opt for light colors or reflective materials. If you plan to exercise in an area with frequent car or bicycle traffic using a rear and front light will ensure all other pedestrians and commuters can see you before it is too late.
3. Sunlight! We have a rule in my house, if it's sunny we do not use the car. This initially started as a means by which to take advantage of the gorgeous but all too short summers we have here in Seattle. As the seasons have changed it has become a mandatory means by which to acquire Vitamin D when it is naturally available to us. Seattle has a very dark winter season with Vitamin D extremely limited at times. This means Seasonal Affective Disorder runs rampant in our city and we must take extra precautionary measures not to fall victim to the winter blues. Bike, run, walk, hop, skip. Do whatever you have to do to get outside when it's sunny, your brain will thank you later.
4. Hot Hands! This is my favorite trick and cold weather treat for those days when I know I need to get outside for a bit but cannot seem to brave the cold. Hot Hands warmers chemically react when shaken. You can sneak them into your gloves, shoes, or pockets to keep your extremities toasty when the outside world is not!
5. Ear warmth! Protect those ears from wind chill with a headband or hat. There are few things worse than the feeling of cool wind rushing past your ears and neck. An easy way to fight that is to wear a thick headband or hat which covers your ears.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
At InHealth, PLLC we are fortunate enough to work with amazing athletes and competitors. The Brooks Beasts seem to have an amazing presence wherever they go- our office being no exception! Check out video one of their FloTrack series by Jeremy Hayes.
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Watch more video of Brooks Beasts Video Series on flotrack.org
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
Life and death are big. They are concepts we often attempt to define or put into a box in order to comprehend. But despite our greatest efforts, life and death are beyond us. We rely on forces bigger than ourselves to bring us to life, keep us alive, and carry us into our end.
What if we could control those forces? What if we could take steps that may guarantee we would live an additional 5 years? What would you do to gain 5 extra years? What would you do with those 5 years?
As it turns out, Nike recently published an article stating the generation of children growing up today has a life expectancy which is 5 years shorter than their parents. Shocking, appalling, disheartening. Despite the many technological, medical, and research advancements today, children face a shorter life expectancy because of the inactivty epidemic sweeping the globe. Nike's "Designed to Move" program exposes this pandemic worldwide in suggesting that:
- Without immediate action, half of the Chinese and American populations will be physically inactive by 2030 alongside one third of British and Brazilian populations- a total of 1 billion inactive people.
- In the 50 highest-income countries, the top 10 killers are related to physical inactivity.
- More deaths are attributed to physical inactivity than smoking.
- The cost of the five leading non-communicable and physical inactivity related diseases totaled $6.2 trillion in 2010.
The study suggests that children are most plastic within the first 10 years of their lives, creating a crucial window for establishing a commitment to physical activity. Findings suggest that children in the U.S., are 75% less active at age 15 than at age 9.
So what does this all mean?
Children raised with sedentary lifestyles are at a significantly higher risk of poor health and lethal consquences later in life. Teaching up-and-coming generations about the joys of physical activity can profoundly impact their lives. Physical inactivity one factor we can control. It is the one factor that when managed appropriately can add years to our lives, rather than take them away.
Let's take back those 5 years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
FUNdraiser!
Looking to spruce up a Thursday evening in November? It just so happens, InHealth is hosting an event that is sure to do the trick. I hope you will consider, and then decide, to join us on November 14th for a fundraiser with the Central Area Aquatics Team. The event will feature guest speakers Dr. Dan Tripps of POTENTRx and Olympic Swimmer and World Record Holder Ariana Kukors.
All event proceeds will go toward the Get Wet program hosted by the Central Area Aquatics Team. Get Wet's mission is to bridge the growing gap between swim lessons and swim team for underrepresented youth. The fundraiser will assist Get Wet in it's monthly cost as well as building a scholarship program for youth that wish to carry on in competetive swimming but lack the support or means by which to do so.
Dr. Tripps will speak on the psychology of performance anxiety, while Ariana will participate in a Q&A about her career as an Olympic swimmer. Not to mention, our amazing sponsors have prepared a raffle you won't want to miss.
Check out our flyer and seriously consider joining us for a night of learning, sharing, and growing.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
It's official, summer has headed south for the winter! With the cool weather spilling into the city of Seattle, your workout routine is likely going to need a change of pace. The days of warm weather workouts are long gone and it is time to start thinking about how to keep active in the cooler months. InHealth has the perfect solution!
We recently opened our fitness studio and rehabilitation center which will host our TRX classes! For the next two weeks, October 8th-19th, we are hosting a limited number of free TRX courses for InHealth patients, friends, family, and neighbors.
Courses will be small group exercise classes that are focused on building core stability, strength, balance, coordination, and your cardiovascular endurance. Classes are limited to 7 participants to ensure you will have close interaction with your instructor, be pushed hard, and have the oversight to make sure you are using good form. Please call the front desk (206-315-7998) to reserve your spot! And, feel free to email us with any questions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
There are great changes happening within our massage therapy team this month! First and foremost, we must say goodbye to Alyssa as she pursues Occupational Therapy at the University of Washington. We are incredibly proud of Alyssa for her acceptance into the incredible program at UW- we know she will do incredible things and cannot wait to watch her thrive! Following her departure we will be welcoming our newest team member Shannon!
Shannon will be taking over as our primary massage therapist following Alyssa's departure. We asked Shannon to share a bit about herself so we could formally introduce you to her! Read on to find out more about our newest team member:
I was born in the small mountain town of Superior in Montana but moved shortly after and lived the first part of my childhood in northern Minnesota. We later moved and settled in Lacey, WA. I studied at Western Washington University but was torn between health care and the environment. The environmental field won and I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine and Freshwater Ecology. I worked as an adventure guide for a few years out of college and then went to work in the Environmental field. The bureaucracy of State Government began to wear on me after 6 years and my desire to be in the health care world started to make itself prominent again. In 2011 I began looking at massage schools. A dear friend of mine let me know that a few original instructors from Brenneke School of Massage were starting their own school. I visited Discovery Point School of Massage, met with the owners/instructors and immediately knew I was following the right path. I was in the first night classes that Discovery Point offered- only 2 of us completed the course that year! I trained under Pat Archer who is a renowned athletic trainer and massage therapist. I run and own a small business but have found it to bethat I have be lacking the interaction, camaraderie, and growth associated with being part of a team. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors: hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, gardening, rock climbing, and sports. I also enjoy reading, cooking, quilting, crafts, carpentry, and playing board/card games! I am really excited to be a part of this team!!
We are so excited to have Shannon on the InHealth team and know you will enjoy her as well!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
It is likely you've noticed a particularly bubbly personality roaming the office as of late. She joined InHealthPLLC in May and quickly bonded with the team as a vital member. Alexa serves a multitude of purposes within the office through her contributions as a massage therapist, insurance wizard, Ideal Protein rep and coach, as well as unofficial office cheerleader and dancer. She was kind enough to answer some of our most pertinent questions so we could formally introduce you to her.
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Alexa is a Washington native- she grew up in Shoreline and graduated from the University of Washington before moving to Tucson, Arizona to attend massage therapy school at the Desert Institute for the Healing Arts.
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Her “main man” as she refers to him, is her Maine Coon cat who has accompanied her through many moves and adventures.
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When asked about her goals for the future Alexa listed off: massage therapy for performance horses, certification in business administration, Neurokinetic Therapy training, work on an organic farm, backpacking in the Cascades, work on a Dude Ranch, experience a cattle drive, and a visit to Iceland and Mexico!
- Finally we asked Alexa what drew her to InHealth. Long story short, Alyssa was convinced Alexa was a necessity for the InHealth team. She pestered Alexa for months before convincing her to meet with Dana. One hour long meeting later and Alexa knew this was where she needed to be. Dana and Kevin’s vision for InHealth was too inspirational to pass up!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
There are over 360 Acupuncture points on the classical meridians, and countless more extra points utilized in Acupuncture treatments, yet certain points show up in treatment plans again and again. The same Acupuncture point can be employed in different ways depending on what points it is used with, as if the Acupuncture points are ingredients in a recipe (treatment), and the outcome of the recipe being made varies depending on what that ingredient is combined with. There are certain points that are incredible multi-taskers, and tend to show up in treatment "recipes" over and over again. One of these points is on the Gall Bladder meridian, specifically, Gall Bladder 34 (GB34).
Working at a clinic that specializes in Sports Injuries, I see a lot of athletes with tense muscles, stiff tendons, and other soft tissue injures. There is a real need for treatment of soft tissues all over the body, and GB-34 really shines in this department. Whether there is spasm, pain, cramping, weakness, or numbness, GB-34 is usually called upon for help. It is considered a master point for relieving pain or contracture of the "sinews"- tough tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Particularly, issues of the legs and side of the body respond well to this points, because the Gall Bladder channel travels along the lateral side of your legs (IT band area) down to your 4th toe, with GB-34 being just about a hand's width below your knee (just distal and inferior to the head of the fibula, for you anatomy folks). Athletes who suffer from IT band syndrome, achilles tendinitis, and/or shin splints will probably see GB-34 in their treatments, and learn to love it.
Beyond these physical benefits, GB-34 also helps relieve emotional stress, and can relax the area that is often a victim of stress and tension: your neck and upper back. We spend much of our time stressed out, in "fight or flight" mode, and our soft tissues respond by tightening up for protection. This point sends a message to your central nervous system to shift back into "rest and relax" mode, and reminds our brain that it's ok for those tense tissues to let go.
So, if you see this point show up in your treatment, just take a deep breath, and exhale with a smile, because your whole body is going to thank you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.
We have good news! InHealth is starting a weekly running group that will be held on Wednesday evenings! Led by our Acupuncturist Gabrielle Anderson, the group will meet at InHealth a little before 6pm, and we will leave promptly at 6pm. With the Burke Gilman trail, UW campus, and Ravenna trails all in our neighborhood, InHealth is a perfect launching point for all kinds of fun running routes that will vary in length from week to week.
We welcome runners of all levels and encourage everyone to go at their own pace. We will hopefully have enough people that those with a common pace can enjoy running together! Gabrielle will do her best to explain the route and distance before departing, and if you aren't up for doing the full mileage, she will point out turnaround points for shorter mileage options during the run so everyone can find a length that works for them.
Feel free to contact Gabrielle at gabrielle@inhealthseattle.com with questions and suggestions! We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Kevin Rindal, Seattle Chiropractor at DrRindal@InHealthSeattle.com.