New Site October 26, 2009

Hi everyone,

This is just to let you know that my new site is online.  Since I’m practicing in York, PA, I decided to use YorkChiro.com as my domain.  Soon we’ll have a blog and other features on the site, but in the meantime let me know what you think.

Dr. Angela Lindenmuth

Back from the sleeplessness… October 16, 2007

After giving birth on August 17 to a thriving 6 pound boy, I have had little time to update here.  Now that I have returned from bedrest and post-pregnancy recovery, I will continue to have less time to update new information.  Please feel free to look at the past posts for relevant information.  I am a licensed chiropractor in Pennsylvania and I am practicing Chiropractic in the York PA area.  If there is anything I can do to answer any of your health related questions, feel free to visit my new site  and contact me!

Take care of yourselves and thanks for stopping by!

Drop the cholesterol points, naturally… August 2, 2007

I can’t tell you how many patients I have had that have been prescribed medication to lower their cholesterol. With this new age of statin drugs, what risks do they bring? Check out the fun side effects that are listed for the “latest and greatest” drugs of choice by doctors across the country.

I must be brutally honest at this point. Many people in our society want a quick fix for their “cholesterol” problem and their doctors want to take care of it immediately. Well, instead of using a band-aid, how about we address the real reason for the problem: poor nutrition, lack of exercise and being significantly overweight.

1. Nutritionally, we need to go back to the basics. Dean Ornish, MD discussed a regimented diet that takes some getting used to, but ultimately lowers your overall cholesterol, naturally. His diet recommendations are to help lower cholesterol levels to below 150. His diet is vegetarian and does not allow more than 10% of calories to be from fat. I think one could add low fat poultry and fish to his recommendations while still achieving the desired result.
2. Weighty issues… Two thirds of the population is overweight and the problem is worsening. You need to find the incentive to take responsibility for your lack of food restraint and LOSE WEIGHT! People need to understand that they are not invincible and a heart attack CAN happen to them, not just the poor guy down the street. I think once the reality that being overweight is REALLY leading to a life of discomfort and numerous health issues with variable side effects, that our society will start to shift the country’s paradigm to take responsibility for its own overindulgence.
3. Exercising… Many of you have a mindset against exercise, that it’s work and no fun. Well, you need an attitude shift. I understand that our society makes it very easy to be sedentary. However, we can’t use that excuse forever, since our lives will begin to be shortened from poor lifestyle choices. Your body is a machine that is comprised of energy. It is meant to MOVE! You don’t have to go run a marathon but you should find a total of 30 minutes a day of physical activity that increases your heart rate. You don’t have to do it all at once, but in three increments of ten, if that works better for you. Try the stairs instead of the elevator, join in a game of tag with your kids, or go out and wash your car the old fashioned way (meaning no drive through car washes).

Our lives are surrounded by modern conveniences that make it easier to do everything from one location. When you top it all off with a fast food diet and toxic medication it’s not a wonder that our country is getting sicker. We need to take charge of our own bodies and allow them to work as they were designed to. If we give ourselves a chance, instead of relying on a pill, then we can change this obesity epidemic and be stronger because of it!

5 ways to cope with complications in pregnancy July 24, 2007

Many pregnancies are blissfully uneventful. But then, there are those handful that are fraught with complications causing endless hours of worry. As a mom-to-be in the second category, I felt compelled to share my knowledge in this arena.

22% of pregnant women experience complications at some point during their pregnancy and 20% of all will be on some form of bedrest. As we await our babies from the sidelines, we have extra time to worry and obsess with every pregnant symptom and wonder if it warrants yet another 3 am call to the OB. With this pregnancy I have sustained nearly 20 weeks of modified bedrest, which means I’m allowed to shower, make a quick meal, and take care of general hygeine, but remain quiet most of the day either in bed or on the couch. Here are a few tips that I have found helpful while dealing with the stress of the unknown…

1. Positive thinking and visualization. No matter what your doctor/midwife tells you, there is always hope. The babies that develop in us are typically pretty hardy and can flourish even as moms deal with complications.
2. Visualization. Find a quiet place and focus your attention on having a healthy baby that is growing and receiving all the nourishment he/she needs. Set at least five minutes a day to devote to this empowering exercise. Banish the negative thoughts from your thinking.
3. Don’t internalize. You’re scared, you’re freaking out and no one understands. Since the minority of women have complications, you may not find the sympathy that you need or crave. I have found some wonderful forums online that have very supportive women that have helped me get through my difficult periods. Check out Sidelines for those of you on bedrest and look into forums through Yahoo.
4. Take one day at a time. If you think about dealing with your complication for the rest of your pregnancy, you could be incredibly discouraged. Instead, take a moment every day to express gratitude for another day that your baby is still growing in your belly.
5. Put your trust in your faith. Whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs are, you need to trust in something greater than you that this pregnancy will turn out just as it should. If it comes to pass that the pregnancy is not viable, you need to find a way to recognize that life will go on and maybe you will be blessed with a child at a later time. This concept is the hardest. But if you can release some of your worry, you will be less stressed allowing your baby to have a more relaxed environment increasing his chances to develop normally.

This time in our lives can be an emotional roller coaster that does end and usually results in diaper duty and 2 am feedings. Happy, healthy mommies make healthy, strong babies!