Dog Agility, Training and Nutrition - Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Hi everyone. Here's a reminder of the importance of nutrition and exercise for our canine athletes!

Dog Agility competitions have become extremely popular and widely followed throughout the world. Dog agility courses are complex and the challenges increase as the level of competition advances. Agility dogs may be required to run, jump, climb, start and stop, and change direction suddenly. Because of these demands, these canine athletes require strength, endurance, speed and flexibility to ensure maximum performance. Appropriate and comprehensive training is fundamental. Training increases bone mass, red blood cell turnover, maximal oxygen consumption, reduces lactic acid production and reduces risk of injury. It is important to remember that the type of training appropriate and required for your pet will vary by age, breed, condition and type of event. Additionally, most dogs sleep for a good part of the day, and should not be expected to compete and perform on the weekends without appropriate conditioning. As with humans, an appropriate and high-quality nutrition protocol is paramount when considering any canine athletic competition. Protein is an essential part of the diet, and is particularly important for those dogs that are continually active for over 30 minutes. Diets high in protein would be most suitable for endurance training. Fats provide an extraordinary source of energy, and dogs can utilize this form of energy very easily and productively. However the appropriate amount of fat to feed your dog depends on the factors mentioned earlier. Other energy requirements and considerations include carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and, of course, water! Water is critically important for your agility dog. It is essential for thermoregulation, and should always be made available. Dogs maintain their body temperature by panting, and this increases their water requirements. The heat that is generated during agility competitions can limit stamina, affect performance and impact health. These are just some of the reminders to consider when preparing your dog athlete for agility. And don’t forget to see your animal chiropractor. A healthy and vibrant nervous system will resonate everywhere in the body! Have a comment? Join in, and Happy Training!

Autumnal Detox! Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

It’s DETOX Time!

Well everyone, it’s that time of year….Fall! And, as the planet cleanses, it’s also time to think about cleansing our bodies. Though often thought of as depriving the body, a detox is just the opposite…it’s an opportunity to give your body exactly what it needs, free of anything destructive.

Why detox? We live in a world flooded with toxins and pollution, and with the advent of synthetic chemicals in our foods, such as herbicides and pesticides which destroy the microbiotic activity in the soil and diminish the nutrients in our food, impurities and contaminants collect inside our body. The cumulative affect of these toxins adversely impacts the functioning of our biological systems. As a result, our bodies have to work a lot harder to effectively rid waste and congestion. And when we don’t provide our bodies with proper and appropriate nutrition, organ function becomes burdened. Sooo, some form of detoxifying cleanse is a good idea for most of us. Some of the many signs suggesting that it might be a good time for a detoxifying cleanse may include allergies, headaches, poor digestion, depression, irritability, memory loss and even joint pain.

A well-planned and successful detox can provide incredible benefits, including improved immunity, greater energy, clearer skin, weight loss, and greater mental capacity. Additionally, it can promote healthy eating, transform lifestyle dependency and improve the overall functioning of the vital systems of the body! Detoxing and cleansing the body can be simple and straight-forward, however if you are new to this, talk to your health care practitioner to get started. Have a comment? Join the conversation, and happy detoxing!

Brain Fitness - Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Hi all! I know it’s been a few weeks since you’ve heard from me, but I’ve been busy. Most recently, I was backpacking in the Montana wilderness, exercising my body and my brain. That’s right, my brain! In order for our brains to perform efficiently, they require a regular fitness program, just like the rest of our bodies. Our brains function optimally when they are in a balanced state. This includes a balance between neurotransmitters like Glutamate and GABA, balanced calcium ions and cellular stability. As we age, some of our brains’ processes can become less active, resulting in loss of memory function and mental disorganization. So, here are a few things we can do to maintain optimal brain fitness:

1.      EXERCISE. According to Harvard Psychiatry Professor John Ratey, author of  Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and The Brain, ‘nothing beats exercise for promoting brain health’.

2.      DIET and NUTRITION: James Joseph, neuroscientist at the Agricultural Research Service writes: ‘vitamins and minerals in plant foods provide protective antioxidants, but fruits vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains contain thousands of other types of compounds that contribute significantly to the overall dietary intake of antioxidants.’ Antioxidants help to provide energy for brain cell activity. And avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake, as toxins can build up and break down cellular integrity.

3.      KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP: Read, learn a new language or learn to play a musical instrument. Increased focus can improve brain fitness by promoting concentration, alertness and blood flow to the brain.

So, when you’re thinking about your fitness, don’t forget about your brain. And by the way, what goes for us, goes for our pets. Maintaining a strong, dependable and healthy brain will ensure years of productivity and health! Have a comment? Join the conversation.