The disc is a small ligamentous pad that is situated between spinal bones.

The soft jelly-like center is contained by layers of fibrous tissues. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending.

Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they also depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack or tear easily. This is how many disc problems begin.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot “slip” as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often interfering with their function.

The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joints. Correcting spinal biomechanics and improving spinal

function helps decrease inflammation so the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can begin.

While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing conservative chiropractic care!

It is time to Discuss Your Discs!

Everyone enjoys the festivity of a summer barbecue. However, food borne illnesses often accompany barbecues and can bring all the fun to an uncomfortable and even dangerous halt. These tips can help:1) Keep your food inside a cooler in the shade and replenish the ice often.2) Transport the cooler in the inside of the car rather than in the hot trunk.3) Never place cooked meat on a platter that held raw meat.4) Fully cook your meat. Beef and pork must be cooked to 160° F and poultry to 180° F.5) Never reuse marinades that have come in contact with raw meat, chicken, or fish.6) Keep your hands, plates, utensils, and eating surfaces clean.

Avoiding BBQ

Blunders

w Keep the windows and blinds closed during daytime.

w Be aware that incandescent light bulbs, computers, and appliances generate heat. Try not to use the stove top or oven.

w Position a pan of ice cubes in front of a fan, cooling the air with a homemade air conditioner.

w Soak your feet in cool water, wear wet towels and bandanas on your shoulders and head, and take a cool shower or bath.

w Visit a local bookstore, library, mall, or grocery store during the heat of the day to get a break.

w The bottom floor of the house is usually the coolest. Set up camp downstairs until the hottest days have passed.

w Go to the pool, have a water fight, or run through the sprinklers.

w Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Surviving the Heat: No AC required

Summer 2016

Dr. Andrew C. Kirk • Kirk Chiropractic Center5707 Abercorn Street • Savannah, GA 31405 • (912)354-5073 • www.kirkchiropractic.com

Kirk Chiropractic CenterDr. Andrew C. Kirk5707 Abercorn StreetSavannah, GA 31405

(912)354-5073

New Patient Gift Certificate

Give this newsletter to a friend for a $99.00 credit towards their initial office visit. Limitations do apply,

so please call us for details!ALSO

Receive a $10.00 coupon off an hour massage (One-hour massage valued at $70.00).

We have two therapists, Lee Ann Polonus & Charles Dane!

*THIS OFFER IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 20 PEOPLE, SO CALL US TODAY! OFFER

EXPIRES ON 9/20/16**

Clinic HoursMonday 8:30am - 6:00pmTuesday 8:30am - 6:00pm

Wednesday 8:30am - 6:00pmThursday 2:30pm - 6:00pm

Friday 8:30am - 1:00pm

(912)354-5073We appreciate your referrals.

Please visit us atwww.kirkchiropractic.com

Dr. Andrew Kirk

Kirk Chiropractic CenterDr. Andrew C. Kirk5707 Abercorn StreetSavannah, GA 31405

(912)354-5073

New Patient Gift Certificate

Give this newsletter to a friend for a $99.00 credit towards their initial office visit. Limitations do apply,

so please call us for details!ALSO

Receive a $10.00 coupon off an hour massage (One-hour massage valued at $70.00).

We have two therapists, Lee Ann Polonus & Charles Dane!

*THIS OFFER IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 20 PEOPLE, SO CALL US TODAY! OFFER

EXPIRES ON 9/20/16**

Clinic HoursMonday 8:30am - 6:00pmTuesday 8:30am - 6:00pm

Wednesday 8:30am - 6:00pmThursday 2:30pm - 6:00pm

Friday 8:30am - 1:00pm

(912)354-5073We appreciate your referrals.

Please visit us atwww.kirkchiropractic.com

Dr. Andrew Kirk

Pain is not a Lifestyle!

The stress of work, personal conflicts, and the demands on our time and money take a huge toll on our health.

It may surprise you that your “feelings” of stress may have nothing to do with the stress in your life. Poor posture, prolonged sitting, an accident, or even an old injury can lead to spinal stress. Chronic pain and muscle tension can cause you to experience nervousness and irritability.

For some, it’s an upset stomach. For others, recurring headaches, back pain, or muscle stiffness. Still others respond with nervous twitches, allergic reactions, or sensitivities to chemicals. Regardless of your particular response, the function of your nervous system is involved. That’s why chiropractic can be so helpful.

The chiropractic approach to stress is to help normalize the function of your nervous system by removing interferences caused by the Vertebral Subluxation Complex or spinal joint dysfunction. Finding the “weak links” in your spine and helping restore better function can make a profound difference in your response to stress.

It may not be possible to remove the stress from a busy life, however, with the help of your chiropractic doctor, you can respond better to the unique challenges you face.

2. 3.1. 4.Watch thebalancesHow much credit you use is important. Try not to spend over 30% of your credit limit.

Pay ontimePaying bills on time shows lenders that you are responsible and will pay them on time, too.

Pay twice a monthIf you often get close to your limit, pay twice a month to keep your score from dropping.

Pay infullPaying your full balance helps keep your balance low and helps you avoid interest and debt.

Are you hoping to lose weight? Or even just wanting something to help keep you healthy? Then you should be eating zucchini!

Zucchini is very low in calories but fills you up quickly, making it the perfect food if you are on a diet or just hoping to curb your appetite.

Zucchini also helps your body stay healthy with nutrients like manganese, magnesium, potassium, zinc, protein, calcium, and many more. It even helps prevent certain cancers and diseases.

It has been proven that zucchini is good for your heart, cholesterol, eyes, teeth, bones, and can even protect you from asthma.

There are so many great ways to prepare zucchini.

Try this delicious recipe on the grill this summer!

Healthy & Delicious:Zucchini

Ingredients:1/4 cup balsamic vinegar2 tbsp honey1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp black pepper1/2 tsp salt

4 garlic cloves, minced4 plum tomatoes, halved2 zucchini, cut into 1/4” slices1 eggplant, cut into 1” slices1 red bell pepper, cut into 81 onion, cut into 2” wedges 1 small bunch of kaleCooking spray

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl.2. Combine tomatoes & next 5 ingredients in a

bowl. 3. Divide balsamic vinaigrette & vegetable mixture

evenly between 2 large ziploc bags & seal.4. Marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning bags

occasionally.5. Remove vegetables from bags & reserve marinade.

6. Prepare grill. 7. Place vegetables on grill rack coated with cooking spray 8. Grill 7 minutes on each side or until onion is

tender, basting with reserved marinade.

Photo and recipe by myrecipes.com

Grilled Marinated Vegetables

Wait 30 minutes after eating before you go swimming.The theory here was that if you ate and then jumped immediately into the pool, you would risk cramping and drowning. Though it is true that the digestive process does somewhat divert blood flow to the stomach and away from the muscles, there is no recorded case of someone drowning because of their full tummy.

A sunburn will turn into a tan.You don’t need to burn before you tan and burns result in skin damage and peeling. Any amount of sun exposure poses a risk of skin cancer and premature aging, but sunburn dramatically raises the risk. Protect your skin and avoid the burn.

If you swallow a watermelon seed, it will grow in your stomach.Not likely. Though there is a small risk of damaging your intestines from swallowing small, sharp objects like a seed, it is extremely remote. The benefits of eating fruit far outweigh the risks associated with munching seeds.

A new study suggests that when napping, swaying in a hammock will help you fall asleep faster and more deeply than napping on a bed or couch.Swiss researchers also found that while rocking, those in the study spent nearly five more minutes in that second stage of sleep, which typically makes up about half of a normal night’s rest. They also spent less time in the initial stage that serves as a transition between wakefulness and sleep.Doctors are not sure what the

relationship between rocking and enhanced sleep may be, but this study will be used in future research and in offering new drug free remedies for insomnia.

Ice cream is delicious and a favorite summer treat! Until...ouch! Brain freeze! We’ve all had one but what causes the ice cream headache that can make that first bite a real bummer?When something very cold touches the center of the roof of your mouth, certain nerves that control blood flow to your head respond quickly. This immediate swelling of the blood vessels is what causes your head to pound.Don’t just blame the ice cream though. If your mouth is warm and you drink or eat anything cold, the same response can occur. Eating cold items more slowly may eliminate the brain freeze, as may warming up foods in the front of the mouth before pushing them further back. Either way, a brain freeze will typically last only a few minutes.

Summer Myths 101

BEWARE THE Brain freeze!

Fun Facts

The only domestic

animal not mentioned in the bible is a

cat.

Starfish do not have brains.

A cat’s jaw can’t

move sideways.

The name “Wendy” was

made up for the story of Peter

Pan.

There are more plastic flamingos in the U.S. than

real ones.

There are 293 ways to make change

for $1.

A shark is the only fish that can blink with

both eyes.

Polar bears

are left handed.

Approximately 40,000

Americans are injured by toilets

every year.

Almonds are part of the peach

family

The average

person falls asleep in 7

minutes.

2/3 of the world’s

eggplants are grown in New Jersey.

4 steps to better credit

Don’t let your summer fun be ruined by falling for these common summer myths!

Stressed Out?

Sleep better this summer!