Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center

Ah, computers. Cell phones. Tablets. We can’t live with them, and we certainly can’t live without them. Many of us commonly spending upwards of eight hours a day in front of our machines, and as a result, we are often suffering from tech neck pain. When the neck is held in one position for too long, it fatigues. New muscle groups begin working to support the head in an unnatural position. Pain and altered posture results.... Over time, these muscles may strengthen, but usually, they weaken and become fixed in a state of near spasm to keep the head rigid. Some of the neck muscles can shorten and the head may start to move forward on the shoulders. The jaw starts getting affected as the head moves forward. You may end up with headaches or jaw and face pain all due to your device. Here are some helpers: 1. Take a break every 20 minutes - set an alarm so you don’t forget. Change your posture, stretch, drink water. You only need 60 seconds! 2. Make sure your workspace is posturally correct. Use a good chair. Ask us about correct work posture. 3. Avoid looking down at your phone - raise it.

Chiropractic: Definition and Basic Concepts People hear the word chiropractic and they may think back cracker. Chiropractic is the practice of using the hands to help the body get better. Today, there are many, many different ways to move the bones of the spine. Dr. Charlene Thorburn ... Doctor of Chiropractic Chiropractic Orthopedist Registered Nurse My Office is in Burbank, California See more

Do you find yourself feeling fatigued, distracted, suffering from headaches, unmotivated, anxious, moody, or just plain out of sorts? You might be suffering from brain fog. Brain fog can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, sugar overload, a lack of sleep, and stress, all of which deplete energy levels. Here are six simple steps that can help clear away the fog: 1. Cut out sugar and eat enough healthy carbohydrates. Avoid packaged foods. Cut out anything artificial, includi...ng fake sweeteners. Cut out sodas, and replace them with lots of clean, freshwater. The same goes for alcohol, which is also sugar. Eat complex carbs like those found in fibrous vegetables, whole grain cereals and bread, brown rice, quinoa, and other healthy grains. If you’re craving sweets, grab a fresh, delicious apple. 2. Eat plenty of lean protein and healthy fats. Wild-caught fish, free-range chicken and eggs, and grass-fed beef fuel the brain with plenty of amino acids. 3. Try some healthy supplements. We recommend an extremely pure line of natural food supplements, available only through doctors, called Standard Process. We can do a simple, non-invasive test called Nutrition Response Testing that will show us which supplements your body really needs to heal itself. 4. Relax and release stress. Managing stress is no easy feat. Look at your caffeine consumption. Cut it back by half and try some healthful green tea instead of your usual strong morning coffee. Take a few minutes every few hours at work and just breathe. Make time to go back to a favorite hobby. And do something fun each day just for you. 5. Sleep well. See our previous blogs on getting a good night's sleep. 6. Get healthy exercise. Exercise lowers inflammation, helps release stress, and increases energy levels. Start out slow and easy with daily or nightly walks. See more

Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person's neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that causes unrestrained, rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck, most commonly from motor vehicle accidents. If symptoms arise after a whiplash injury, evaluation should be sought.

For the past six months, pretty much everyone in California has had to wear masks whenever leaving the house. Add that to social distancing and frequent hand washing and my guess are that this has not only prevented COVID-19, but it’s also curtailed the spread of the common cold. In addition to brushing up on general personal and environmental cleanliness, what else can you do to stay healthy this Fall? Eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Focus on natural and chemi...cal-free foods. Maintain stable blood sugar by eliminated processed sugar products from your diet. Sugar is proven to weaken the cells of our immune system. Vitamin C and echinacea (herb or tea) can be helpful to take daily during the cold/flu/virus season. Sleep well. Consistent, adequate sleep is vitally important to overall health and a well-functioning immune system. Here’s to your good health! See more

Medicare has very specific regulations that must be followed for Chiropractic care. Beginning each January there is a deductible of around $200. Once the deductible is met, Medicare will pay 80% of ALLOWED EXPENSES. What is Allowed Expense? For Chiropractic, it’s the manipulation of the spine to treat subluxations (spinal misalignments).... It does not cover examinations, therapy, massage, vitamins/supplements, or anything other than manipulation of the spine. If you come in for wellness or preventative care, Medicare will not pay for that. If you have a supplement plan, it will cover the 20% of Allowed Expenses when Medicare approves the service. Medicare Advantage plans may or may not cover chiropractic care, but if they do it is likely to be managed. Advantage plans have more restrictions, and you will probably need authorization to receive treatment. Some Medicare Advantage plans do not allow any Chiropractic care. We are not allowed to offer any discounts for services. But the good news is that there is no restriction on the number of visits allowed as long as it is repairing a problem. On another note: next year Medicare will allow 12-20 acupuncture treatments for chronic low back pain.

Do you find yourself constantly feeling fatigued, distracted, suffering from headaches, unmotivated, anxious, moody, or just plain out of sorts? You might be suffering from brain fog. Brain fog can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, sugar overload, a lack of sleep, and stress, all of which deplete energy levels. Here are six simple steps that can help clear away the fog: 1) Cut out sugar and eat enough healthy carbohydrates. Avoid packaged foods whenever possible. Cut out ...anything artificial, including fake sweeteners. Cut out sodas, and replace them with lots of clean, freshwater. The same goes for alcohol, which is also sugar. Eat complex carbs like those found in fibrous vegetables, whole grain cereals and bread, brown rice, quinoa, and other healthy grains. If you’re craving sweets, grab a fresh, delicious apple. 2) Eat plenty of lean protein and healthy fats. Wild-caught fish, free-range chicken and eggs, and grass-fed beef fuel the brain with plenty of amino acids. 3) Try some healthy supplements. What do you need? Which is the best quality? We recommend an extremely pure line of natural food supplements, available only through doctors, called Standard Process. We can do a simple, non-invasive test called Nutrition Response Testing that will show us which supplements your body really needs to heal itself. 4) Relax and release stress. Managing stress is no easy feat. Look at your caffeine consumption. Cut it back by half and try some healthful green tea instead of your usual strong morning coffee. Take a few minutes every few hours at work and just breathe. Make time to go back to a favorite hobby. And do something fun each day just for you. 5) Sleep well. See our previous blogs on getting a good night's sleep. 6) Get healthy exercise. Exercise lowers inflammation, helps release stress, and increases energy levels. Start out slow and easy with daily or nightly walks. See more

In spite of all the difficulties of 2020, the holidays are upon us, and it’s a good time for us to count our blessings and consider others less fortunate than ourselves. Once again, Thorburn Chiropractic and Wellness Center is participating in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. We invite you to come by the office and pick up the profile of a child who could use a special gift this year. Their first name, age, clothing sizes, and gift wish are on the little angel. Bring th...e unwrapped gift with the angel back to our office by 6:00 pm on Monday, December 14, and volunteers from the Salvation Army will do the rest. Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps to provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. Please note that the week of Christmas, we will be open regular hours on Monday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 23, and closed Christmas Day as well as Saturday, December 26. We will be open on Monday, December 28, celebrating a very special holiday. It’s my birthday! Stop by the office and share some socially-distanced cheer and a piece of birthday cake. We will also be open regular hours on Wednesday, December 30 but closed on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1. Regular half-day hours will be observed on Saturday, January 2. We at Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With all the stresses that have been added to our day between the extended pandemic and volatile election, depression and anxiety have become even more prevalent. What is the best natural cure for the blues? While reading ScienceDaily.com, I found a recent study at the University of Toronto published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that indicates that moderate exercise can not only treat but also prevent depression. Ph.D. candidate, George Mammen, supervised b...y Professor Guy Faulkner, a co-author of the review -- analyzed over 26 years' worth of research findings to discover that even low levels of physical activity such as walking and gardening for 20-30 minutes a day can ward off depression in people of all age groups. Exercise pumps up the brain’s production of the anti-stress hormone, endorphins. The more endorphins released into your system, the better you will tend to feel. If you are already active, you should keep at it. If you are not physically active, you need to get started. This study shows promising evidence that the impact of being active goes far beyond the physical. Let’s all lace up our walkers and head out for a stroll!

What happens to your sex life when your back hurts? There are things one can do to ease the pain, but the best solution is to get the back problem handled. Here are some suggestions:... Buy a high-quality bed, the most expensive one you can afford. Get eight hours of sleep so that your back muscles do not fatigue. Take a hot shower beforehand to relax the muscles. Use a natural anti-inflammatory and natural pain reliever to reduce pain. Stretch your back beforehand. Consider a massage with arnica gel beforehand. Get comfortable and be patient. Get the problem fixed. We are here to help you feel great and enjoy life.

There is something that can help you live longer and better. It has mind and body benefits. Even the side effects are beneficial. Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep? You will sleep longer and better. Worried about your heart? You can reduce the risk of heart disease.... Is your brain is getting foggy? This amazing tonic will stimulate your mind so you can improve ideas and your ability to communicate. It will help to improve verbal memory and learning and help to keep your brain young. Eating more now that you are home more? This can definitely reduce your snacking and stress eating. Concerned about getting ill? It will boost your immune system. Feeling arthritic or achy? Yes, it can reduce joint stiffness and pain. What is this wellness tonic? Walking! Yes, this simple, do anywhere, anytime, the no-frills activity can give you all of these benefits! Take a friend or family member out with you. Converse. Look around. Get outside. You’ll be so glad you did.

Yummmm avocados! These green bundles of yumminess are actually good for you. Avocados have good fats that are linked to lower levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol. Fats help you feel full for longer periods of time which helps reduce food cravings and energy drops. Avocados help your body better absorb fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K. Avocado packs about one gram of fiber per tablespoon, with around 10 grams of fiber in an entire fruit. High fiber diets lower b...lood sugar, reduce cholesterol, and potentially prevent some kinds of cancer. Avocados are a great source of: 1) Potassium 2) Magnesium 3) Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 4) Niacin (Vitamin B3) 5) Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 6) Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) 7) Vitamin C 8) Vitamin E 9) Vitamin K You can add avocado to smoothies, use it as a fat substitute in some baking, spread it like butter on toast, add it to salads, and of course, make killer guacamole.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar also known as glucose, an important source of fuel. Type 2 diabetes is no longer just a disease of adults as children are being diagnosed with it, too. Ultimately, it is inflammation in the body, especially the pancreas, which creates diabetes. Why the body/organ gets inflamed can be caused by a combination of things. Genetics can play a factor, but current studies show that there are trig...gers that turn a gene on or off. Environmental toxins can also cause your body to break down. Diet is a major factor in diabetes. The pancreas responds to carbohydrates that are sensed in the taste buds and the intestines. Insulin gets released. When a lot of carbohydrates are ingested over and over the pancreas can fatigue and the body can become resistant to insulin, causing high blood sugar. Eating balanced protein, carbs, and fats at every meal and snack keep blood sugar lower. A great book to describe how this works is Enter the Zone by Barry Sears, Ph.D. Diet is also a major factor in inflammation, and medical researchers are now saying that inflammation is the source of disease. Poor quality food -- non-organic, GMO-laden, overprocessed, and fake foods are destroying our health. So how can you avoid type 2 diabetes? 1)Eat organic food whenever possible, keeping carbs, fats, and proteins balanced. 2)Avoid foods that cause inflammation. 3)Do not eat more than a mouthful of bread, pasta, cereal, rice, juices, potatoes, pastries, etc. at any meal. Never eat them between meals. 4)Take a brisk 30-minute walk daily. 5)Avoid chemicals in your home and workplace. Use an air filter whenever possible. Drink clean water. 6)Get chiropractic adjustments regularly. 7)Take supplements that nourish your pancreas and reduce inflammation.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who have spent years struggling with the scale, this might be of interest to you! Turmeric, best known as a savory spice used in Indian cuisine, has amazing anti-inflammatory properties. It is known to be effective in assisting with such conditions as memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s, blood sugar issues such as type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, and even cancer. But here is where it gets interesting. Recent studies show that curcu...min, the active ingredient in turmeric, helps combat obesity by promoting the use of energy by the body. It does this via a complicated biochemical reaction in the body that frees the body to turn white fat into brown fat. White fat cells are stored in areas like the abdomen, while brown fat cells are active in burning fat for energy. And the more brown fat cells you have, the better you can burn fat, use your calories more efficiently, and ultimately lose weight. This is not a get-thin-quick plan but rather a re-programming of fat cells. It can be helpful to people who have sluggish metabolisms caused by years of off and on diet programs that just do not work for the long haul. Turmeric may be something you want to consider adding to your nutritional routine, in tandem with a healthy diet and gentle exercise. At our office, we recommend an extremely pure line of natural food supplements, available only through doctors, called Standard Process. Standard Process has researched how turmeric is absorbed by the body and their formula is effective and well utilized by the body. Most of the turmeric found in stores does not absorb well and you will not reap the benefits that effective turmeric can give you.

One of the main things I suggest is to keep a headache diary. This is a written record of what you eat and drink each day. It is an important tool for finding problem foods, food allergies, and digestive problems. It can help to identify which foods are acting as triggers for your headaches. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time each night. Work towards getting at least eight hours of sleep per night. Getting less sleep than ...usual especially over time can lead to headaches. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking in the evening as these are all stimulants that can disturb your sleep. Sometimes the bones of the neck are out of place and the muscles near the bones are tense. Chiropractic adjustments and treatments can help alleviate the head pain. A neck support pillow or neck roll can do wonders to keep your bones in the correct position while you sleep. They help to keep your neck curved while you are on your back or side. Relief from headaches can be achieved by doing some slow, gentle stretching exercises of the neck. By slowly drooping your head forward and then backward, the weight of your head will stretch your neck muscles. You can also turn your head from side to side without straining.

Often there are chemical culprits responsible for triggering headaches. Among the chief troublemakers are substances in certain foods that can expand blood vessels and cause headaches. Tired adrenal glands can also be a key factor in causing the onset of a headache or migraine. Adrenals fatigue from stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, pain, injury, etc. Unfortunately, some of our favorite foods are known as headache triggers. Among them are alcoholic beverages, b...ananas, cheese, onions, tomatoes, nuts, and chocolate. Artificial sweeteners should always be avoided. Some natural sweeteners can be an issue too. Stevia, xylitol, erythritol, and such can cause headaches in sensitive people. Most cured meats like hot dogs, bacon, ham, and salami contain preserving chemicals called nitrites or nitrates. These chemicals are known to cause blood vessels to dilate. Choose uncured versions of these meats that can be found at stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Trader Joe’s. Read ingredients carefully and avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate) as it is toxic to the brain and causes headaches. MSG is often called other names on labels, including yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, and natural flavoring. Any highly processed seasoning packets, mixes, flavored chips, or fast foods are suspect.

There are many ways to decrease the pain and discomfort associated with a bad posture that often comes from sitting for hours a day on a chair that doesn’t offer good support. If you can’t replace your desk chair, adding a wedge, back support, or even a rolled-up towel can help. Getting up every 30-40 minutes to stretch and move around will decrease fatigue and improve posture. Adjusting the chair or work surface height can remove strain from the back and neck. Proper positi...oning of your monitor is vital for neck and back posture. There is a lot of support available to help to reduce fatigue and muscle strain and in turn improve posture. 1)Cervical pillows Used regularly, they can help to restore the neck’s natural curve and reduce muscle fatigue. 2)Back support cushions Used in the car or on chairs to reduce back strain and improve posture. 3)Hydrocollators These portable wet packs supply the right amount of moist heat for the right amount of time. 4)Icepacks Reusable packs for disc strains to decrease pain and swelling 5)Food supplements Whole food supplements to supply the body with what is lacking in the diet for strong ligaments and muscles of support. 6)Exercises Designed to strengthen the spine and improve posture.

There have been numerous studies over the past few years which show that consuming berries can assist with cognitive health, which is essentially our ability to think, learn, remember, and reason. A recent study reported in the Annals of Neurology revealed that the greater intake of blueberries and strawberries are associated with slower rates of cognitive decline. Berries are high in flavonoids -- naturally occurring plant pigments -- especially anthocyanidins, the red and p...urple pigments. The study suggests berry fruits change the way neurons in the brain communicate, preventing inflammation in the brain that can contribute to neuronal damage and improve both motor control and cognition. All berries are a good source of fiber. So include fresh or frozen berries in your daily diet for a double dose of good health! #eats #healthychoice #plantpowered #poweredbyplants #refinedsugarfree #simplefood #healthyfood #berries #superfoods #flavonoids #eatwellbewell #eatwelllivewell #bluezones

Food has become a big business. It’s a major money stream for large companies who are often only interested in profit. Much of our food has become polluted by additives, altered genes, and multiple pesticides. What can you do to avoid toxicity from over-processed food? Here are my recommendations. Always read the ingredients. If you can’t pronounce them, don’t buy it.... Take a complete whole-food multivitamin and mineral each day. Buy organic as much as possible. Shop for organic foods at local markets, farmer’s markets, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Trader Joe’s. Seek out wild fish. Avoid farmed fish and limit mercury-containing fish such as swordfish and tuna to once a month. Buy uncured meats if you use processed meats like hot dogs or ham. Uncured means it doesn’t contain sodium nitrite or other preservatives. Available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Trader Joe’s. Use sea salt vs regular (land) table salt. Use extra virgin olive oil. Avoid GMO (genetically modified) foods. The biggest culprits are corn, soy, canola oil, aspartame, milk (the cow’s feed is GMO-laden) sugar, and rice. The good news is if you buy products that are organic, they are not GMO. Try to always eat protein, fat, and carbohydrate at each meal and snack. #uncuredmeat #uncured #premake #organicfood #greenliving #livenaturally #overprocessedfood #notnatural #lookatthebiggerpicture #organicproduce #gmofood #gmo #geneticallymodified

There are some back killers out there disguised as comfy, cushiony chairs, beds, sofas, and pillows. Sometimes these items are too soft, and they allow the body to sag, creating muscle fatigue, tension, strain, and unhealthy posture. Softness is not necessarily a comfort. A chair or mattress should be firm enough to support your body completely and properly without being too hard. A too soft chair can crowd your abdomen, compress your chest causing shallow breathing, and in...terfere with your body’s normal functions. The true test of a chair or bed is being able to be in it for several hours without feeling fatigued or aching. Be cautious with overstuffed furniture and pillowy beds. Support comes first and it will make you more comfortable in the long run.

Whiplash! Just saying the word brings scary visions of screeching tires, broken glass, crunching cars, and pain. Lots of pain. What is whiplash, and when does it occur? Whiplash is a sudden, forceful forward and backward bending of the neck, resulting in damage to the soft tissue of the neck and head - the muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Whiplash may occur not only in car accidents, but also from falling, sports injuries, or blows to the head. It can be minor or ...severe. If not correctly treated, whiplash injuries can lead to problems in the future. If symptoms arise after a whiplash injury, evaluation should be sought. The following symptoms commonly follow a whiplash injury: Neck pain Headache Neck stiffness Pain radiating into the shoulders Inability to turn the head Feeling of the head being ‘too heavy’ Low back pain Mild dizziness, depression, or fatigue Nervousness, loss of balance, nausea, blurred vision, sweating, and decreased ability to concentrate.