Taking your first few trips to the chiropractor can be intimidating. It helps to have an idea of what to expect, before you step into the office. Your first visit to the Chiropractor will be a health assessment or consultation. Your practitioner will likely provide treatment once the assessment is complete.

During the assessment, your Chiropractor will acquire basic health information from you, such as blood pressure, height, weight, and any information about your health history or medical conditions. During this time, he or she will determine the nature, history, and scope of your complaints. This is a good time to talk to your practitioner about when your discomfort started, or why you decided to visit a Chiropractor.

The practitioner will also perform a thorough examination, including a Range of Motion (ROM) assessment, orthopedic assessment, neurological tests, soft tissue and spinal alignment. These objective measures of your spine, joints, nerves and muscles will be used to better assess your condition and help determine the cause of your symptoms. If necessary, x-rays will be taken.

During your visit, your chiropractor will discuss with you an action plan for treatment, and will likely set goals and discuss the process for healing your ailments. Sticking to this treatment plan is vital to a speedy recovery - missing too many treatments can set further back.

Once you've been thoroughly evaluated, you will receive chiropractic treatment, massage and other appropriate therapy. It's important to remember that Chiropractic is not a miracle cure, and you may continue to experience some discomfort after your initial visit.

A Favorite in the summertime, these breezy shoes pose many risks to your short term and long term health when worn more than occasionally, or for longer walks. Vegging out on the beach in your favorite flip flops is one thing - going for trail walks is another.  
The reason? Flip Flops provide little or no support to the ankle and only minimal shock absorption during weight-bearing activity. What this means to your joints is increased wear and tear in the joint surfaces of the ankle, knee, and spine.  You also tend to alter the way you walk, which triggers a domino effect of physiological issues, starting with the feet, the ankles, and on up through the lower back and hips. Many people report swelling or discomfort in the knees and ankles after long periods of time in flip flops.

However, pinched nerves, maladjustment of the spine, and tendinitis are just the beginning of the potential for problems. Injuries are also increased with wearing these tread-less shoes. While flopping around on our feet and offering no protection against slips, it's easy to slip, twist and ankle, or worse, get your foot stuck under a gas or brake pedal and have a car accident.

Your best bet? Save the flip flops for lazing around the pool, beach or shower rooms, and wear fitted shoes and sandals for everything else. Your shoes should support your arches, feel comfortable and fit the entire foot without "flopping" off. 

• Manganese is a major player in building cartilage in the body by boosting the glucosamine in the body - which maintains healthy cartilage, and thus, joints. Some great sources for Manganese: Whole Grains, Beans, Seafood, Dark leafy Greens, Milk, and Nuts. 

• When included in your diet, Omega 3s give your body anti-inflammatory support and improve blood flow and mental health. Omega 3s provide the joints with the support they need to stay functioning properly. Some natural sources include: Flax seeds, Walnuts, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Yolk, and certain types of fish, such as Salmon, Cod, Trout, and Sardines. 

• Vitamins C & E are an antioxidant rich duo and support each other's function. While Vitamin C is the hero of healthy bones and joints with its ability to help the body form collagen, it can't perform at peak without its partner, Vitamin E.  Collagen is a protein that is found in your bones, tendons and cartilage. Citrus fruits, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, corn, nuts and oats are all great sources for this powerful duo.