Portland Rescue Mission Donations

Again this winter, we’re collecting the following items to donate to the men and women supported by the Portland Rescue Mission:

• Clean, gently used coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, gloves, and warm hats

• New socks and underwear

• Clean bath towels and blankets

• Body wash and shampoo

We’ll have a collection bin in our lounge so feel free to bring your donations by at your next appointment or anytime during our weekday business hours of 9am to 5pm.

Thank You!

Equilibrium partners with the Returning Veterans Project

Founded in 2005, the Returning Veterans Project (RVP) supports the healing and health of our veterans and military communities by connecting post-9/11 war zone veterans, service members, and their families with free, confidential mental and physical health services. RVP clients can access individualized care from a network of highly-qualified volunteer providers, without any fees or strings attached.

Starting this November and moving forward, our practitioners Dr. Cydney Keller, DC and Melissa Miesen, LAc are donating their services via RVP at Equilibrium, and will be treating veterans in need of acupuncture and chiropractic care.

We will also be collecting monetary donations through the month of November and Equilibrium will match any amounts donated at the clinic.

You can also donate directly through the RVP website here.

October is National Chiropractic Health Month!

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and chiropractors nationwide are promoting the benefits of movement to overall health as well as the prevention of back pain during National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) in October. This year’s theme, “Move 4 Life,” encourages people to move more now so they will be able to move better later and avoid chronic and painful conditions associated with sedentary lifestyles.

The ACA offers additional information on how to get and stay moving:

• Good nutrition, ergonomic workspaces and proper lifting and movement techniques can go a long way in helping people to strengthen their spines and avoid disabling injuries and chronic back pain, which often prevent regular physical activity.

• Consider weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, which help maintain bone density over a lifetime and keep our skeletal bones healthy and strong.

• When busy schedules are the obstacle, a re-examination of personal priorities is sometimes necessary to restore balance in life; make time for healthy habits such as physical activity.

• Back pain is one of the most common conditions for which prescription opioids are prescribed. It was once believed that pain medication and bed rest were the best course of action for low back pain, but research today supports first trying non-drug options for pain management, while remaining as active as possible, before moving on to other options.

Doctors of chiropractic practice a hands-on, drug-free approach to health care and pain relief that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. In addition to their expertise in spinal manipulation, chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, and to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

For information on the benefits of movement and tips on how to stay active and prevent injury, look for the hashtag #Move4Life on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages, and elsewhere on social media.

Rainy Weather Can't Get Us Down

Well, it seems like fall is here and the rainy weather has started. Don’t get discouraged and give up on your exercise routine! It’s important to keep your muscles stretched and working throughout the year to avoid injury. Here are some great options to keep up your fitness routine as the weather starts to turn:

- Get some rain gear and go running/ walking/ jogging in the rain. It’s not too cold yet and this is a fun way to enjoy the drizzle.

- Take an exercise class. We have lots of fun options in Portland including aerial arts, pole dancing, Pilates, Lagree, and yoga to name a few.

- Find a YouTube exercise channel and follow along at home. (Don’t forget to foam roll).

- Go out dancing! We have lots of great dance halls and clubs in Portland. Get out there and shake it!

- And lastly, stretch! Instead of sitting on the sofa while catching up on Fall TV, stretch it out on the floor or standing up.

The Importance of Water After Your Treatment

We all know we should be drinking water since our bodies are made up of over 70% of it. But did you know that it's important to drink water after your chiropractic, massage, or acupuncture treatment? 

A chiropractic treatment puts your body back into alignment and releases tension that's been held for a while. As a result some toxins and nutrients that were held are also released. Drinking water helps to flush those items through to your kidneys and liver to help remove the toxins from your body. 

A massage is a way of working your muscles; not dissimilar to a workout. The therapist is working on your muscles, stretching and manipulating them so there may be delayed soreness. Drinking water prevents dehydration of the muscles as they are using fluids to rejuvenate. 

Don't forget to hydrate! 

September Charity

Our charity of the month for September is the Children's Book Bank. This local organization collects, cleans, and distributes bundles of books to children in the Portland area promoting literacy and education. Here are the most needed types of new and gently used books:

Board books, picture books, alphabet books, books about numbers, colors, animals, shapes and words, story books, rhyming books, Dr. Seuss books, multicultural books and books in Spanish are greatly needed.  Chapter books for elementary school students are also appreciated.