Month: June 2016

About the Body Logic Logo and Colors

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 24, 2016

Do you ever stop and look at the color choices and designs that a business uses to represent itself? It can have a direct impact on whether or not a customer chooses to do business with you. As I learned more and more about business over the years, I realized how important those choices can be. Here’s a little insight into how and why we chose the logo and colors you see today.

Our Logo!

First, I was blessed to have met the wonderful Becky Vasquez when I first starting working with Body Logic. She was one of the original staff members that helped pave the way for my entry. She also happens to be very talented in the graphic design industry. So, she was hired! She designed my original logo for “Chiropractic with Care” when I first started practicing. Then as I took over Body Logic, I wanted to make a positive and meaningful change… And the new Body Logic logo took shape from the fine work of Becky again. Thank you!!

Although the logo is relatively simple, the background image has so much meaning. Here’s a little insight to what I see… and I hope you see the same things!

The spine- When you place the logo on its end, the 3 curves mimic those of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine. The spine is literally the “backbone” of the body and without a properly functioning spine our health is compromised. We are here to help keep you aligned!
DNA- Although we didn’t include the intertwining portion of the double helix that, the two parallel lines with the connecting pieces are a similar representation. I am a firm believer that we have the power to control the expression of our genes. Yes, we are subject to the cards that have been dealt to us by our parents. However, through lifestyle and the choices we make, we have the ability to control how those genes are expressed. We want to help empower you to take control of your health.
The Path of Life- Everyone leads a different journey based on the decisions we make. Whether those decisions are regarding family, career, or just fun they will have an impact on our health. We’re all human and make good and bad choices along the way. We are here to help you make decisions that will have a positive impact on your health.

Our Colors!

I must admit that the original Body Logic colors were blue and green, just different shades of what we use now. So I went with it… especially because those are my favorite colors. Over time, however, just like our slogan those colors started to have different meaning. As we prepare for the new office, color choices become a big topic of conversation. Appearance has a significant effect on how people feel. And when you’re in the business of helping people feel better, simple things like the color on the wall become big decisions. You will see blues and greens throughout the new office design and, as you will see below, those colors are quite appropriate for our industry. Here’s a little insight to the color choices, as per www.color-wheel-pro.com:

Blue- Blue is considered beneficial for the body and mind as it produces a calming effect. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Light blue in particular is associated with health, healing, tranquility, understanding, and softness. Simply said, this color is perfect for our office. We strive to provide the comfort and calmness that the general population seems to crave. We hope that everyone who walks through our doors feel that sense of tranquility that is lacking in today’s world. In the new space, you will notice different shades of blue throughout the office.

Green- Green has great healing power. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness and fertility. It is considered the most restful for the human eye and suggests stability and endurance. Green has a strong emotional correspondence with safety. Interestingly, aqua is said to be associated with emotional healing and protection. Although we are a facility that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, it is so important we keep the entire person, including their mind, into consideration while working on their health-driven goals.

Body Logic is here to provide an environment for each chiropractic patient and each massage client to feel safe and to trust that we have their healthcare needs as our top priority. The visual appeal of the new office space will help you feel healthy and at ease. We hope that the colors will soften your concerns and heighten your confidence that you are in the right place. Let us be your partner in your health.

New Office

Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 16, 2016

Have you ever noticed that we have a slogan at Body Logic? As we transition into the new building, you will see it incorporated more and more throughout the space.

Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.

The addition of the slogan occurred during a meeting with fellow business owners. We were all working together to define our business “cultures” in our respective fields. I must admit that ours came to us quickly. However, the true feeling behind the message is always growing and adapting as we continue to grow within our practice and lives.

Here’s some insight as to where the slogan originated. It is our goal to help you move better, so you can feel better, and in turn live better.

MOVE BETTER.

Movement. Motion. Mobility. Whichever word you use to describe it, the ability to move is an essential part of life. Movement occurs on some level in every living organism. It can occur in a very obvious manner such as running on the beach or on the microscopic level as nerves transmit impulses. For example, when the body recognizes elevated blood sugar and a message moves to the pancreas to release insulin. Movement is necessary.

Chiropractic has the ability to have a positive influence on the body in both categories. Spinal manipulation is proven to increase mobility in the vertebral joints (the “obvious” example) which allows for the spinal nerves to have a clearer communication with its destination (microscopic example).

Massage has an incredible impact on movement as well. Therapeutic techniques improve circulation including blood flow and lymphatic flow. Improved circulation affects not only the muscles and joints, but also the heart and other vital organs of the body.

Our goal is to optimize the ability to move in every body we have the pleasure of helping.

FEEL BETTER.

Movement accounts for many positive events within the body. One of the best examples is when endorphins, a group of hormones, are released during exercise. The term “runner’s high” describes the euphoric feeling experienced when those hormones circulate and activate the body’s opiate receptors causing an analgesic or “feel good” effect. The chiropractic adjustment is shown to result in feeling better not only due to the movement induced, but also because endorphins are released.

“Feel Better” also relates to the mental and emotional components associated with physical pain. The strain on an individual experiencing chronic or severely acute pain is enormous. Chiropractic and massage have the ability to provide, at minimum, temporary relief and, ideally, long term relief or successful management of chronic conditions. Providing pain free moments for an individual suffering from chronic pain is one of our greatest gifts. Having a positive effect on the sympathetic nervous system (our “fight or flight” center) allows a person to relax on the microscopic level. It is our goal to help everyone have a little “feel better” in their lives.

LIVE BETTER.

I was raised with the values of whatever aspect of life may be challenged, be true to yourself and choose the option best for your body, mind, and spirit. I wish this for everyone. Daily we are faced with challenges and choices. The result of our decisions has either a positive or negative effect on us. Moving better and feeling better provide for an environment capable of promoting more positive choices.

These decisions can be as simple as choosing to go for a walk and getting fresh air instead of sitting and watching mindless tv. Another example is choosing the salad instead of the French fries because your joints hurt due to the body’s inflammatory response to fried foods.

Chiropractic and massage clearly have the ability to improve movement and promote feeling better from the hands on care. We, at Body Logic, focus our energy on the individual person and work as your partner in achieving your health and wellness goals. Body Logic is here to help you move better, so you can feel better, and live better as you experience life at its fullest capacity.

…And that’s why we have our slogan.

Educate

Chicken with Strawberry and Avocado Salsa

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 7, 2016

Have your trips out to Pungo this month resulted in more strawberries than you know what to do with and you just can’t stand to drink another strawberry smoothie? Here is a dinner option that will help you get through that bushel of beautiful berries.
Chicken with Strawberry and Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
1/2 cup diced peeled ripe avocado
2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeño pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 (4-ounce) chicken breast cutlets
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 lime wedges

Preparation
1. Combine strawberries, avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; toss to combine.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Sprinkle chicken with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done.
3. Divide chicken among 4 serving plates, and spoon salsa evenly over each serving. Garnish each serving with a lime wedge.

Educate

Essential Oils for Children and Babies

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 7, 2016

We all hate it when our little ones aren’t feeling well and we want to aid them in the safest, most effective way possible. Essential oils can provide us with a natural alternative to help promote healing and comfort our little ones in a healthy way. However, special little bodies require special care and more caution when working with essential oils. These oils are incredibly potent due to the way that they are processed making them more concentrated than the original plant ever was. For example, one drop of peppermint essential oil is equivalent to drinking 28 cups of peppermint tea. So, needless to say, for little bodies we have to be very careful due to their smaller systems and more fragile skin and to ensure that we are diluting essential oils before using on young children.

However, its not just the potency that is a concern. There are some oils that are simply too much for little bodies to handle until their systems have developed more (such as rosemary and eucalyptus). Usually by 10 years of age, the child should be able to tolerate these stronger oils. When it comes to kids and babies, it is best to use oils sparingly and stick to those which you know to be safe. This also means avoiding any oil ‘blends’ that contain these stronger oils.

For more information on essential oils and their usages, be sure to like the Body Logic page on Facebook and join us in our monthly classes on essential oils and other topics!

Educate

How Often Should I Get a Massage?

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 7, 2016

How Often Should I Get a Massage?
This is a question that we get asked quite often. The truth is, it varies. Depending on what your goals and needs are can change the frequency that is best for you. So, the question is: why am I getting massage and how do I feel? There are three main reasons why people come in for massages: stress management, pain reduction, and athletic performance. So, it’s best to address each individually when considering setting a frequency.
Stress Management
Whether your lifestyle is super high stress or you’re ‘cool as a cucumber’ massage is a great way to keep tension at bay. Tension builds up any time that stressors (physical or mental) enter our body. Having a massage is a great way to help ‘erase the slate’ for a while so that your body and mind can better handle these hurdles when they arise. Just knowing that your massage appointment is coming can help coping with hard times a little easier. In these cases, once or twice a month is ideal for stress management, relaxation, and good health.
Pain Reduction
Working with pain is a bit trickier to pin down a time frequency. This is mainly because of the unknown aspect of how long or how short the recovery from symptoms takes. Chronic pain can take longer to receive relief from depending on how long it has been ongoing. Acute pain from a recent injury should begin to taper off as the injury heals. In the initial phases, one or two times a week may be needed, then every week, then every other week allowing the sessions to taper off as the discomfort is alleviated and the body is healing more effectively. The massage therapist or chiropractor who is overseeing your progress will make recommendations for you to determine what frequency is best for you, but the concept is that this should be a step- down frequency as your pain decreases.
Athletic Performance
This is going to vary greatly as well. Depending on the sport that you participate in, the time of the year (training season or playing season, etc.), and what your goals are. Often it is best to consult a coach or medical trainer in conjunction with your massage therapist to pick a frequency that meets your needs.

At the end of the day, the point is that massage is most effective when repeated regularly just like most healthy things in life like dental checkups, exercising, eating healthy, and even showering. Massage should be part of your regular healthcare routine in order to promote effective wellness. At Body Logic, we are prepared to help you with maintaining a regular massage program with our membership program. Members get discounted rates and courtesy scheduling calls each month to make meeting your wellness goals easier. Ask the front desk at your next visit or call 757-427-0355 for more information.

Educate

Classes and Events

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 7, 2016

Upcoming Events

Tuesday June 14^th at 6 PM

Whole Food Supplements 101 with Special Guest Jeannine

Come join us as special guest Jeannine stops by from Northern Virginia to explain a little bit about how taking whole food supplements can help with the gaps from our modern diet.

Tuesday June 28^th at 6PM

All About Gluten with Dr. Amanda

Come and learn about what gluten is, how it can affect you, and if you should eliminate it from your diet.

All classes have a limit of 10 seats. Please contact the office or email admin@bodylogicvb.com today to reserve your space.

New classes each month! Be sure to check out the class schedule at the front desk each and every month.

Educate

Mineral Support To Help You Relax

Post author By DrAmanda@bodylogicvb.com
Post date June 7, 2016

“Doc, I just can’t relax! That word is not in my vocabulary.” Unfortunately, this epidemic is everywhere! I hear this on a daily basis from patients who experience chronic muscle tension, especially in combination with high stress or anxiety. This chronic state of tension has a negative effect on not only the musculoskeletal system, but the nervous system as well. One of the reasons, in my opinion, that we are seeing more and more of these symptoms is because our food does not contain as high of value of our minerals that it once did. Yes, eating vegetables and fruits is still, and will always be, a better choice than a diet lacking in those foods. However, the body’s individual mineral needs may not be met without the addition of supplementation.

An article published in 2011 from the Scientific American stated the following: “A Kushi Institute analysis of nutrient data from 1975 to 1997 found that average calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped 27 percent; iron levels dropped 37 percent, vitamin A levels 21 percent, and vitamin C levels 30 percent. A similar study of British nutrient data from 1930 to 1980, published in the British Food Journal, found that in 20 vegetables the average calcium content had declined 19 percent, iron 22 percent, and potassium 14 percent. Yet another study concluded that one would have to eat eight oranges today to derive the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have gotten from one.” Wow! Consider that this information, although published in 2011, does not contain data from the last 20 years. We certainly have not improved and the more that GMOs and poor farming practices are allowed in the US, the worse the numbers will get.

This month we’re focusing on two of Standard Process’ supplements that help restore mineral content in the body to promote muscle AND nervous system health. For basic information on minerals (macro- and micro-) and their function in the body, click on this WebMD link.

Min-Tran is a vegetarian product that contains a significant amount of calcium lactate and Pacific sea kelp. The combination of minerals provides a mild calming effect that helps maintain emotional balance, supports a healthy nervous system, and helps ease the effects of temporary stress. With the addition of Iodine in the formula Min-Tran helps supports the thyroid and its related functions.

Min-Chex contains a similar formula that is not vegetarian and is slightly stronger than Min-Tran regarding the calming effect it has. The product contains additional B-vitamin components that more specifically support nervous system health. It can be a great product for people who get depressed, and for nervous, emotional individuals including overactive children.

Curious if these products could help your well-being by relaxing your muscles and nerves? Ask one of the doctors today! Contact Body Logic for special pricing the month of June.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Educate

Headaches and Chiropractic

Post author By DrAmanda@bodylogicvb.com
Post date June 7, 2016

From the American Chiropractic Association:

If you have a headache, you’re not alone. Nine out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea. What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your teeth and carry on? Lie down? Pop a pill and hope the pain goes away? There is a better alternative.
Research shows that spinal manipulation – one of the primary treatments provided by doctors of chiropractic – may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck. A 2014 report in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) found that interventions commonly used in chiropractic care improved outcomes for the treatment of acute and chronic neck pain and increased benefit was shown in several instances where a multimodal approach to neck pain had been used(1). Also, a 2011 JMPT study found that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches(2).

Headache Triggers

Headaches have many causes, or “triggers.” These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems. The remaining 95 percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease; the headache itself is the primary concern.

The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck. Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than in the past, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture (such as sitting in front of a computer). This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.

What Can You Do?

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) offers the following suggestions to prevent headaches:
• If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour. The stretches should take your head and neck through a comfortable range of motion.
• Low-impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches. However, if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, avoid heavy exercise. Engage in such activities as walking and low-impact aerobics.
• Avoid teeth clenching. The upper teeth should never touch the lowers, except when swallowing. This results in stress at the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) – the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull – leading to TMJ irritation and a form of tension headaches.
• Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches.

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

Your doctor of chiropractic may do one or more of the following if you suffer from a primary headache:
• Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.
• Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.
• Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.

For more information about the different types of headaches click here.

New Office

The Journey

Post author By Becky Hopkins
Post date June 6, 2016

I write this introduction to Body Logic’s “Progression Blog” with shear excitement, nervousness, and pride. Since I first stepped foot into the former Body Logic (March/April 2009), my dreams began to take shape. I was an eager recent graduate with the drive and motivation to help every person I put my hands on. Little did I know how quickly many lessons would be learned.

As students, we were extremely well educated to be the doctors we are today. In fact, did you know that chiropractors actually have more classroom hours than medical doctors? Did you know that our hands-on experience makes us specialists, even experts, when it comes to spinal health? But, I digress. Although we are highly educated doctors, to be blunt, we didn’t get a lick of business education! This was quickly realized as I was faced with the challenge of finding patients. After spending a couple of months trying to figure out how to market myself, grow a practice from scratch, and understand the complicated world of insurance I felt intimidated by my dreams. So, I took the pro-active approach and teamed up with the Small Business Development Center located in downtown Norfolk. My learning progressed exponentially. After my first 18 months in Body Logic, I took over the business. Thanks to the kindness and guidance of Jim Browning, former owner, and the stars aligning, I became the sole owner of the now established Body Logic Massage and Chiropractic on September 1, 2010.

I repeat, little did I know how quickly many lessons would be learned. When I first started out my original practice “Chiropractic With Care,” I did it all- answered the phone, scheduled appointments, took payment, submitted insurance claims, balanced the books, marketed, etc. Once ownership changed hands, I had a staff to work with… and train! Being in the business of people is such a dynamic process. The ups and downs, the emotions of working with an all-female staff, the frustrations of non-compliant patients, the frustrations of clients not showing up for massages, and the responsibility of providing for employees… wow! In the almost 6 years of being a “boss” I have to say THANK YOU to everyone that has worked for and with me. I have learned so much and I continue to learn daily. Every staff member, employee, and independent contractor has contributed to the growth of Body Logic. Whether through the growth of our valued clients and patients or through the lessons learned by making mistakes and working through misunderstandings, without you I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Let’s fast forward to May of 2012… the addition of Dr. Scott, to whom I owe my biggest thanks. He may have thought I was a bit crazy for taking on the endeavor of owning a practice, but his support, guidance, and motivation contribute to the drive behind my ability to continue progressing. Not only am I lucky to have him as my partner in life (as of October 2012), but as my partner in practice. His extraordinary skills as a doctor have helped Body Logic provide superb care to the Virginia Beach community and he will continue to do so for many years to come.

Over the last four years, our Body Logic family has continued to grow. More and more people are experiencing the compassion and healing that our office provides. Our personal family has grown with the addition of Abby, now 2 years old. We had the pleasure of watching Monica, one of our former massage therapists grow her family, with the addition of her daughter, Cameron. Lastly, Whitney, Body Logic’s Customer Experience Coordinator, welcomed her daughter, Naomi, in September 2015, who is fast becoming one of my favorite patients. And we’re not satisfied yet… we want our growth to continue!

We announced on May 1, 2016 that Body Logic will be moving to a new location. We have reassured the community that it won’t be far. If you’ve noticed the construction next to Tractor Supply behind the Food Lion across the street, you found it! We will be renting 2003 sq. ft. (over 400 sq. ft. more than our current office). The change in location, change in office design, and continued drive to support others in achieving their health goals, will allow us to help even more of our beloved Virginia Beach community. A few exciting features will include: space for education purposes which will be available for one-on-one or group settings, a private office for me to further my clinical nutrition practice, and updated equipment to further enhance your experience at Body Logic.

As my introduction to our progression blog comes to a close, I realize that I have so many stories to share. It will be a bitter sweet goodbye to 2004 Sandbridge Rd. Suite 103. I will be eternally grateful to the Wernicks for their support over the last 7+ years. As a person and as a doctor I have changed so much, but I have not lost my passion to help others obtain a healthier lifestyle. We will continue to provide updates as we transition into the build-out phase of construction (tentatively July) and will share the final moving date once confirmed (tentatively September). It’s going to be an exciting few months ahead. I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support as I continue to dream… there are only good things to come!

-Dr. Amanda

The NEW ADDRESS will be: 2090 Princess Anne Rd. Suite 120, Virginia Beach, VA 23456