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Announcing the NEW Partnership 
for the 2014 NOVA Chiropractic Military & Veteran's Calendar!


NOVA Chiropractic is partnering with
the VFW Blue & Gray Post 8469! ALL proceeds received will be donated to
their "Buddy" Poppy Program!

The VFW Blue & Gray Post 8469 "Buddy" Poppy program supports numerous organizations both at the local and national level. Check out these organizations:

Patriots Pen Awards                                  Voice of Democracy Awards 
Teacher of the Year Award                          Fairfax City IDPC 
Girl Scout Troop 1871                                GMU Veterans Scholarship 
VFW National Military Services                   VFW Department of Virginia
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund                        Scout of the Year 
Dept of VA Medical Center - Martinsburg     Air Force Aid Society 
Dept of VA Medical Center - Washington     USO 
Special Operations Warrior Foundation        Fisher House 
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance                  Cub Scout Pack 1524 
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society                Cold War Museum
Virginia Veterans Care Centers                   Special Operations Chapter 11 
VFW National Home for Children 
 
Remember, everyone that provides a picture receives a FREE calendar!  Additional calendars will be available for purchase and ALL proceeds will be donated to the "Buddy" Poppy Program!
 
Send the photo this info form to info@novachirowellness.com!

October is National 

Chiropractic Health Month!

 National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) kicks off in 
October 2013 with the theme of "Get Vertical!" 
 
Get Vertical focuses on the importance of joint health at all stages of life and what people can do to keep their joints functioning properly. The American Chiropractic Association encourages everyone to use the month of October to get off their couches and office chairs, stand up and move! 
 
To celebrate National Chiropractic Health Month, Dr. Sullivan isoffering all current patients a FREE LASER TREATMENT with the brand new Deep Tissue Laser Therapy System!
 
Just email (info@novachirowellness.com) or call Nicole (703-912-7822) to schedule your complimentary Deep Tissue Laser Therapy treatment!
Why Joint Health is NO Joke!
What Joints are Made of
The bottom line: joints are critical to all movement and allow us to carry out normal activities of daily living.  The bones and joints work together for the body to move because the joints are the movable connections between two bones. 
 
Each joint is made up of three parts: The surfaces of the bones involved, a joint cavity, and a joint capsule. 
 
The joint surfaces of the bones are covered with a layer of cartilage. This layer is between 0.2 and 0.5 mm thick, and up to 6 mm thick on the kneecap. It provides a smooth surface so that the bones in the joint rub against one another as little as possible. The cartilage passes the pressure in the joint on to the bone underneath it. This is especially important for joints that bear heavier loads, such as hip or knee joints. 
 
Each joint capsule contains an inner and outer layer. The inner layer includes blood vessels and nerves, and the outer layer is made up of firm fibrous tissue.The function of the nerves are to pass on information about what position the joint is in and send also pain signals to the brain.
 
Cells of the inner joint capsule layer produce synovial fluid. This thick fluid nourishes the cartilage, makes sure that the surfaces of the joint glide smoothly over one another, and serves as a shock absorber by spreading out the pressure acting on the joint. 
Types of Joints
  • Pivot joints: These joints allow for rotation around an axis. There is a pivot joint near the top of your spine that allows your head to move from side to side.
  • Hinge joints: This type of joint can open and close like a door. Your elbow is a hinge joint.   
  • Gliding joints: This type of joint features two bone plates that glide against one another. The joints in your ankles and wrists are gliding joints.  
  • Ball-and-socket joints: This is the most maneuverable type of joint. Your shoulder and your hip are both ball-and-socket joints. 
  • Conyloid joints: These joints are similar to ball-and-socket joints, just without the socket (the "ball" simply rests against another bone end). An example of this type of joint is your wrist joint. 
  • Saddle joints: A saddle joint allows your thumb to move toward and away from your forefinger (as when you spread all five digits out, then bring them all together side-by-side) as well as cross over the palm of your hand toward your little finger.  
Deterioration of Joints
Poor diet, lack of proper exercise and natural aging, cause the bones to become brittle while the joints wear out. As result, posture and mobility are affected making both body parts important health concerns. Joints also degenerate with age because the body's capability to produce glucosamine (a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage) for the cartilage also reduces.
 
Osteoarthritis (OA) 
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that often involves the hips, knees, neck, lower back, or small joints of the hands. OA usually develops in joints that are injured by repetitive overuse from performing a certain task, playing a favorite sport, or being overweight. Eventually injury or overuse wears away the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the joint. As a result, the bones rub together, causing a grating sensation. Joint flexibility is reduced, bony spurs develop, and the joint swells. Usually, the first symptom of OA is pain that worsens following exercise or immobility. 
 
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)   
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that usually involves various joints in the fingers, thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, feet, and ankles. An autoimmune disease is one in which the body releases enzymes that attack its own healthy tissues. In RA, these enzymes destroy the linings of joints. This causes pain, swelling, stiffness, malformation, and reduced movement and function. People with RA also may have systemic symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, weight loss, eye inflammation, anemia, subcutaneous nodules (bumps under the skin), or pleurisy (a lung inflammation).
Keeping Joints Healthy
Joints are nourished with synovial fluid that is forced into the joint cartilage through pressure resulting from body movement. One of the best things you can do for your joints is to KEEP THEM MOVING. The saying, "Use it or lose it" applies to joint function.
 
Supplements: Glucosamine sulphate nourishes the cells of both the synovial membrane and fluid. Many studies have underlined the importance of a sufficient supply of glucosamine for the joints. Taking supplements and eating the right foods will benefit joint and bone health is recommended.  
 
Maintaining Healthy Weight: Keeping your weight down will help reduce small tears that break down cartilage. A weight loss of as little as 11 pounds can reduce arthritis pain by 50% for many women.
Sources:
Dr. Sullivan's Recommendations

Eating the right foods can support joint health. Studies show the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help not only reduce symptoms associated with joint pain but also change the levels of inflammation that may be causing some of the pain. Essentially, fish oils can "lubricate" your joints. I recommend salmon and tuna.

 

Since we know movement and mobility are the keys to preventing joint problems and arthritis from developing, getting adjusted on a regular basis (once per month) is key. This keeps your joints mobile and reduces the stress on them preventing arthritis from developing. Also stretching out your tight muscles daily even if it just 5 minutes per day will make a big difference at preventing joint problems. 

 

From a supplement standpoint four supplements have been shown to help with joint problems. They are omega 3 Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Glucosamine.  If a joint has already developed arthritis, drinking tart cherry juice has been to shown to significantly reduce inflammation in the arthritic joint.  

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Note: The material provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein may not always reflect the views of the NOVA Chiropractic, nor do they imply an endorsement. 
In This Issue
NOVA Chiropractic Calendar Program
The Latest & Greatest in Chiropractic Care: Laser Therapy
The Deep Tissue Experience
Watch a Video on Lightforce Laser Therapy!
Watch a Video on Lightforce Laser Therapy!
Dr. Sullivan's Recommdendations
NOVA Chiropractic Blog Article
Joint Injury Prevention: "Use It or Lose It"
Bone Up on Knee and Joint Health
Take this Joint Health Quiz!
Ingredient of the Week
Updated HIPPA Notice of Privacy Practices
Stay Fit with Local Events
The Healthy Alternative
Contact Information
8992 Fern Park Drive
Burke, VA 22015
703-912-7822
Office Hours
Mon  8:00 - Noon   2:00 - 7:00

Tues  8:00 - Noon  2:00 - 7:00

Wed  8:00 - Noon   2:00 - 7:00

Thurs 7:00 - Noon  2:00 - 7:00

Fri      Closed 
Sat     Closed 
Sun    Closed 
Quick Links
  
  
  
  
Joint Health Quiz
Laser Therapy
 The Latest & Greatest at NOVA Chiropractic
The laser has proven to help dozens of patients at 
NOVA Chiropractic! 
Common conditions with current patients that laser therapy is helping to heal are:
  • Herniated discs
  • Knee arthritis
  • Carpel tunnel syndrome
  • Achilles tendinitis 
  • Neck and back pain
  • and much more!
For more information, 
call 703-912-7822 or email info@novachirowellness.com
Ingredient of the Week
Crustaceans
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), glucosamine effectively relieves pain, swelling and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis.

Most supplements are made from the exoskeletons, or outer shells, of crustaceans. Edible crustaceans such as shrimp, lobster, crab and crawfish can provide trace amounts of glucosamine in their shells and tails.
 
Even though these shells are inedible by themselves, there are ways to incorporate them into your food! For example,you can make use of the exoskeleton by grinding it thoroughly and blending it into soups, stews, pasta sauces and casseroles. You can also keep the same nutrients by making a crustacean stock!
 

Updated HIPPA Notice of Privacy Practices
Click Here to Read the Updated Notice to Privacy Practices
Stay Fit with 
Local Events!
Mount Vernon, VA
10/26 - 10/27/13 9:00am - 5:00pm

  

Sterling, VA
10/26/13 - 9:30am - 1:00pm
2013 Seminars/Events 
Active Release Technique 

Re-Certification Seminar 

Iselin, New Jersey

 

Medicare Seminar

Richmond, Virginia

 

Health and Safety Fair

Fort Belvoir, VA

 

Health Fair at the Naval Research Laboratory

Washington, DC

 

Neurokinetic Therapy Seminar

Washington, DC

 

The Healthy Alternative
The Healthy Alternative

A guidebook written by

Dr. Sullivan!

  
The Healthy Alternative: 

A Guide For A Pain-Free, Active Lifestyle empowers and educates the reader when confronted with back or neck on the treatment options available and integrating the safest, most effective ways to manage and prevent pain. Order Now!