Melinda Pregont, D.C., Author at Trusted Care

July 10, 2013July 10, 2013

The Paleo Challenge

I frequently see clients who ask, “What can I do to help myself lose weight?”

My response, “Go paleo.”

Or they may ask, “What can I do to help with my digestive system?”

Go paleo.

Help with food allergies?

Go paleo.

Help improve my mood and have more energy?

Go paleo.

The paleolithic diet, abbreviated paleo diet, is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various hominid species habitually consumed during the Paleolithic era before the development of agriculture and grain-based diets.

Put most simply, the idea is to eat what our ancestors ate thousands of years ago.

Meaning…

NO: grains, legumes, dairy, refined salt OR sugar, and processed oils.

YES: fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, veggies, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts

Before I decided to take the paleo challenge, I was working out and I thought I was eating healthy – a bowl of cereal for breakfast with 2% milk, a turkey sandwich loaded with veggies for lunch, and a light pasta dish for dinner (notice all the grains), yet I felt stuck at the weight and size of clothes I was at. Then I took the challenge. And wow what a change! After just a few weeks I had lost a size, had more muscle definition and had more energy. I also noticed I wasn’t as bloated, my digestion regulated and I was more focused at school and with clients.

I am very weary of calling this a diet – to me diets are fads that run their course and eventually fall out of favor. Rather, going paleo is a lifestyle change. One must be mentally prepared to change their lifestyle in order for this way of eating to be successful.

To learn more about going paleo and the pros and cons of going paleo, check out these websites. Also, included is a website to one of my good friends in Kansas City who is a personal paleo chef who can help keep variety in your meals! Enjoy!

Pros and Cons of Paleo

Caleb Summers – Personal Paleo Chef

Delicious Paleo Recipes:

Boneless Pork Short Rib Breakfast Tacos

Sweet Sexy Wings

Coffee Marinated Steak Fajitas

Cinnamon Caramel Brownie Fruit Dip

June 20, 2013June 20, 2013

Acupuncture Testimonial

“I had spent almost two years with Achilles tendon and calf pain, which prevented me from doing many things I loved. It was a constant nagging pain that I had resigned myself to having to live with… then I met Dr. Melinda. She told me about acupuncture treatments and her belief that she could improve my situation. After treatment from Dr. Melinda my pain is gone. I have started running again, something I didn’t think I’d be able to do. Dr. Melinda took the time to fully understand my situation, did an excellent job of explaining the process and made sure I was comfortable and relaxed as she worked. Dr. Melinda’s acupuncture treatments are amazing and my quality of life has dramatically improved.”

–Karla Kautz

June 12, 2013June 12, 2013

Chiropractic and ADHD

Not many people realize that chiropractic can be very beneficial for kids. Whoa! Did she just put kids and chiropractic in the same sentence?! I absolutely did. Kids need chiropractic for many reasons, but the focus of this post is kids with ADHD and other learning and behavioral impairments.

Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify neurological problems and find individual non-invasive treatment options. They can also assess your nutritional status and help you find the diet that will help you manage your condition. Below is a summary of a case study looking at chiropractic and ADHD:

A 2 year old is prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin), Adderall, and Haldol for three years. This combination of drugs was unsuccessful in helping the child.

At the age of 5 he is taken to a chiropractor where it was noted that there were complications during his birth process. The results of this trauma and complications resulted in a 4-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The child’s mother reported no other incidence of trauma since. Having completed a full physical and evaluation, the child began chiropractic care.

According to his mother, positive changes in her son’s general behavior become noticeable around the twelfth visit. By the 27th visit the patient had experienced considerable improvement.

The child went for a follow up visit to his original prescribing MD and his mother questioned the usage of the Ritalin. The medical doctor reviewed and examined the child and decided he could be taken off the medications that he had been taking for 3 years with no success.

I will not say that chiropractic can cure ADHD – it cannot. Rather, it is a very low risk alternative and/or complement to other forms of ADHD treatment. Many parents are turning to non-drug alternative treatments to help their children and chiropractic care along with some simple changes in diet may be just what your kid needs. The risks and side effects are negligible compared to prescription drugs, so I ask you, why not? Why not try something different, yet completely safe, that could potentially be life changing for you and your child.

For more information about the case study above and about how chiropractic can help you or someone you love check out these websites:

ADHD – Alternative treatment utilizing a Chiropractor

The Effects of Chiropractic Treatment on Students with Learning and Behavioral Impairments due to Neurological Dysfunction

June 5, 2013

Acupuncture & Weight Loss

I have had a number of people come to me and ask if acupuncture can help with weight loss. I ask them if they remember the saying for smartphone applications, “There’s an app for that” – just like with apps, there’s an acupuncture point for that. So yes, weight loss is one of a wide range of conditions that may be assisted with acupuncture treatments.

The acupuncture points used in weight loss are mostly found in the ear (aka auricular acupuncture). Auricular acupuncture is used to reduce the stress and anxiety that can trigger overeating, reduce cravings and help balance the digestive system. These specific points in the ear also help your metabolism to function optimally, food to be digested properly and nutrients to be absorbed correctly.

Although acupuncture can play a helpful part in losing weight, it is most important that the person be holistically dedicated to the cause. A well-rounded approach including a healthy nutrition plan and increased physical activity is also vital to the overall weight loss plan!

If you are interested in trying acupuncture, come visit us at 310 Commercial St, Atchison KS, right across from the YMCA or call 913.367.5103 to schedule an appointment. Hope to see you soon and be well!

Check out these websites for more information on auricular acupuncture and how it can help with weight loss:

From Livestrong – Auricular Acupuncture for Weight Loss

From the Dr. Oz Show – Acupuncture and Weight Loss

June 3, 2013February 19, 2014

Kinesio Tape Working for Local Marathon Runner

A patient presented having suffered chronic knee pain for several years, having to wear braces on both of her knees in order to run. After applying Kinesio Tape at Trusted Care Chiropractic in Atchison, she was able to run Warrior Dash and a marathon the following weekend without braces AND without pain. She just recently completed the Hospital Hill Marathon and had this to say:

“I ran hospital hill with my best time ever! 2 hours and 17 minutes! About two months ago I started having horrible knee pain. It was so bad that I went to the doctor who told me I would not be able to run hills because that aggravated my knee. Running wasn’t the problem but I was told hills were not a good idea. I went to Melinda for a shot in the dark with KT tape. She wrapped me for warrior dash and I was amazed I had no pain! I ran 3 miles the next day on hills to see if it was just a coincidence and still no pain! She wrapped me with RockTape for my full 26.2 Marathon in Lincoln and it worked. Less than a month later I ran hospital hill with this snazzy blue argyle print RockTape and was able to do what I thought was going to be almost impossible for me again. I also wear it when I do crossfit like workouts at Kôr Gym which allows me to do all the moves I want to be able to handle! Thanks Melinda!”

– Randa Falk