Carly Greenfield Tokar, D.C.

Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s already February of 2010! Many people by this point have retired their goals to reach their new years resolutions. But why?  Why is it that with the start of a new year, people always make their heftiest goals for bettering their health in some way, shape or form, but end up giving up rather quickly? Are we too busy? Have other priorities? Complacent? Many times it can simply be a matter of feeling comfortable and not wanting to be pushed outside of our safe little “bubble,” or comfort zone.  It is with our greatest challenges and obstacles that we break through barriers and make lasting changes to become the people we want and were meant to be. If we keep pushing back our goals of better health, one day that health may be very difficult to regain and you’ll realize you should’ve taken better care of yourself so you never got to this point.

There are a million fad diets, medicines, surgeries, potions and lotions that will claim to get you to the place you want to be. The greatest shift in mindset that you can make is realizing that health does not come only from the outside in, but from the inside out! If you’re eating fast food every day, do you think you’ll feel energized or sluggish? If you’re masking your pain and symptoms with pills, are you fixing the problem or just covering it up? If you cannot hold yourself accountable for your own actions and lifestyle choices, how will you ever break down those barriers to reach your ultimate health and wellness goals? If you don’t want to do it for yourself (which I hope you would!), then do it for your spouse, significant other, or family who loves you and wants you to be healthy throughout life.

Everyone wants to FEEL healthy, but FEELING healthy doesn’t actually mean you ARE healthy! There are simple steps you can take to make more positive lifestyle choices that you can actually commit to. When you make a commitment and follow through, you will see the results you desire! Eating right, staying hydrated, getting enough rest, proper posture, positive mental attitude, and a properly functioning nervous system are the key ingredients to a healthier and happier life! If you don’t have a positive role model to support you in reaching these goals, feel free to give me a call. My goal is to help the Atlanta community live a healthier life, naturally, to allow your nervous system to function at its optimal level, naturally, and ultimately create an environment of support, motivation, and encouragement to all who are willing to get outside of their comfort zone. When you commit to making the changes you need to enjoy a long, vibrant, and healthy life free of pain and disease, you are truly committing to HEALTH. It’s a new year, Atlanta, and it’s time for a new you.

Many cancer patients choose to visit a chiropractor as part of their treatment regimen. The American Chiropractic Association states that chiropractic doctors “have a deep respect for the human body’s ability to heal itself without the use of surgery or medication. These doctors devote careful attention to the biomechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health. A doctor of chiropractic is one who is involved in the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient healthcare.”

Cancer patients have incorporated chiropractic care in their course of treatment to help control pain and alleviate headaches, tension and stress. Patients interested in alternative treatment, who strongly believe in the body’s ability to heal itself, may find chiropractic care particularly appealing. Alleviating severe headaches and movement pains during cancer treatment may make the treatment process more comfortable for cancer patients, including those battling mesothelioma.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics published two studies that examined the cases of patients fighting cancer. A 57-year-old man diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer experienced considerable pain relief and was able to lessen the amount of medication needed following chiropractic care. He also reported an increase in his quality of life after visiting a chiropractor.

A 54-year-old man diagnosed with lung cancer (a cancer often related to asbestos exposure) underwent surgery to combat his cancer and began seeing a chiropractor a year later because he was unable to effectively relieve the pain through conventional means. The man experienced pain relief immediately after beginning chiropractic care and ceased using all of his pain medications after two visits to his chiropractor. The Journal noted, “These clinical examples offer two specific instances of how chiropractic may improve the quality of a cancer patient’s life.”

Have you ever heard of “Doctors Without Borders?” There is an organization very similar, but for chiropractic called Chiro Mission that I was involved with during school. The organization sends chiropractors, students, and volunteers to the Dominican Republic to help bring chiropractic to impoverished areas. Small groups are sent to churches, schools, nursing homes, and villages with translators to educate the locals about chiropractic and then doctors give adjustments to whoever lines up to receive them! Toys and vitamins are also donated to help bring health and happiness to children and adults alike.

I took two trips to the Dominican Republic with Chiro Mission. These trips were some of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences I have ever had! I saw what “third world country” really means, and my heart filled with love for these amazing people! Even though many locals had little or no valuable possessions, the groups I traveled with and I were constantly welcomed with open arms, tables full of food, hand-made bracelets, hand-picked flowers, hugs, and GRATITUDE.

Many people wonder, what can ONE adjustment do? The truth is, you NEVER KNOW what one adjustment can do! Clearing the spine of misalignments and subluxation allows the nervous system to function better. One adjustment is better than none, and although we may never know how far reaching the results of our actions were, I feel confident that the locals lives will be forever changed by our visits. A positive side note, the Chiro Mission organization revisits many of the same locations on each mission trip they take (which occur 2-3 times per year), so that the Dominicans can enjoy the benefits of chiropractic on more than one occasion.

I look forward to the next opportunity to travel and give back to those less fortunate than myself. For now, I will remember my amazing experiences, the lives I helped change, and smile with a feeling of fulfillment!
Below are some pictures of my trip….

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