Movement is Medicine

Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: In my 34 years of being a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), the main thing that I have learned about health, longevity, and recovering from injuries; is that movement is medicine.

When I first started treating patients in 1989, it was not uncommon for them to come to my office after being told to have a week of bedrest for their low back pain from their medical doctor. Their pain had not gotten any better and they were getting frustrated. What I noticed was that the sooner they started moving around, the sooner they started getting relief. By the early 1990’s we started seeing the surgeons and PT’s trying to get the patient moving as quickly as possible after surgeries.

I then started having my patients perform some stretches and exercises on a regular basis to prevent a reoccurrence of their problem. While it does not prevent a person from injuring themselves, it does make the recovery quicker and easier.

There are several ways to make sure that you are moving currently. A common thing nowadays is to have a fitness tracker that counts your daily steps. This challenges you to reach your steps goal every day. Several businesses promote taking walk breaks instead of coffee breaks. Taking a 10-minute break to walk around a building or office complex can greatly reduce your stress, improve your circulation, and give you mental clarity. It is common now for people to have standing desks or exercise ball chairs. These allow you to work on balance and core strength.

Find ways to increase your movement daily. This can be from taking the stairs instead of an elevator. Parking in the back of a car lot instead of up front. Sitting on the floor instead of a soft chair. Ride your bike when you can. Find any excuse to move just a little more. Your body will thank you later. 😊

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Health Benefits of Chiropractic

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: As the new year begins, people set their goals and make resolutions. One of the main goals tends to be making healthier choices. People want to eat better, drink less alcohol, exercise more and generally improve the quality of their lives. 

Health Benefits of Chiropractic

This is where Chiropractic care comes in. 😊

Research has found that chiropractic adjustments may be an effective treatment for various forms of neck and/or back pain. Seeing a doctor of chiropractic may also lower your need to take pain relievers or undergo more invasive treatments like surgery.

Chiropractic care can improve your posture. Standing up straight will allow you to feel more energetic and vibrant.

Spinal adjustments from a chiropractic doctor have been shown to minimize migraines and neck related headaches.

Regular chiropractic care has been shown to reduce pain and improve range of motion of your spine and other joints. This will help to reduce symptoms of chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.

Many patients notice an improved immune function. When the nervous system has a lot of irritation, it can lower the body’s ability to fight of infections. Removing that irritation allows the body to operate at its maximum potential.

Many patients report improved digestion, lowered blood pressure and better asthma control with regular maintenance adjustments.

Another benefit is healthier pregnancies. Through the years we have helped dozens of women to have less discomfort during their pregnancy and easier deliveries of their baby. 

Finally, by easing the spinal tension and related pain you are able to relax and enjoy a more peaceful slumber.

If you wish to experience the pleasure of health, schedule a chiropractic appointment today.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Benefits of Spicy Food

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Being the son of a Cajun mother and married to a Cajun wife, I have always been exposed to spicy food… and loved it. I also took it for granted. I assumed that most food from around the world was seasoned and spicy also. Living in Houston had exposed me to several other cultures and I always enjoyed their spicy food. 

Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

Recently I read several articles that explained the health benefits of spicy food. I was glad to read that the food that I enjoy eating was also good for me. At least some of it. 😉

Several spices such as turmeric, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and chili have many health benefits.

A study from Harvard in 2015 showed that eating spicy food six or seven days a week lowered mortality rate by 14%. This occurred even if you only ate the spicy food one time a day.

Several studies have shown that certain spices can raise your resting metabolic rate and also suppress your appetite. Turmeric has also been shown to suppress fat tissue growth.

In Ayurvedic medicine, ginger and garlic have been used for their anti-inflammatory properties. A compound in turmeric, curcumin, may reduce inflammation in the body.

In chili peppers there is a compound called capsaicin which has been shown to slow and kill cancer cells.

Cumin and turmeric help to kill bacteria with their strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. 

There are other benefits, but this should give you the idea that adding spice to your meals will have several benefits. Enjoy the benefit of “kicking it up a bit” with spices.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!     

Working Safely From Home

Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Times are not good or bad, they are different. That phrase was taught to me when I was younger and it is still true today. The world that we live in is constantly changing and we must adapt. While we are coping with the COVID-19 virus, many people are either working from home or not working at all. This leads to poor work habits and a change in our normal routine.

Since the coronavirus has placed large portions of the country on lockdown, we have been staying open to ease the strain of neck and back injuries from the hospitals and urgent care facilities. I have had people injuring their necks and backs from poor home office ergonomics. People are using their coffee tables or beds as desks and spending 8 hours hunched over in awkward positions. Some people are lying on their couches watching the television all day.

Even when working from home, proper ergonomics must be maintained. Working at a proper desk is beneficial. Some people will benefit from an adjustable standing desk like a Varidesk or an Airlift. You can also use a laptop stand that will help elevate your screen to eye level. This is helpful with the increase in home video conferencing.

Make sure to take time to stretch your neck, back and wrists. We have videos of these stretches on our website (www.BeecherChiropractic.com.) and on our YouTube channel under Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. This will help to minimize your neck fatigue, back strain and carpal tunnel symptoms.

Finally take some time to exercise. Try and do some form of exercise for at least 20 consecutive minutes. This not only will help your fitness, but it will help to lessen your stress and allow you burn some of those extra calories that you have been eating. 😉


Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!    

New Year’s Health Goals

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Every year people start the year by saying what they will do different this year. They make goals. Unfortunately, they typically don’t follow thru with their goals.

New Year's Health Goals

This year will be different. 😊

For improved health there are a couple actions that will lead to the best results. These actions are fairly easy to do, but you must remain consistent.

First, is to make sure that you are getting enough GOOD sleep. Studies have shown that the best rest is in a cool, dark room in a bed with enough support. It is helpful to put away your phone or iPad before going to bed and to refrain from caffeine. A good night’s rest will help to lower your blood pressure and to reduce inflammation.

Second, is to resolve to stop using tobacco and to minimize your use of alcohol and caffeine. This will help you to reduce your stress level, help you sleep better and prevent consumption of empty calories.

Third is to reduce the amount of your stress. Stress can increase the chance of a stroke or a heart attack. Take time to exercise, walk, talk to a friend, read a book or just practice meditation. All of these things will help reduce your stress levels.

Fourth is to get a check up from your doctor and chiropractor. These doctors can answer your health questions and give you important information. Your chiropractor will make sure that your joints are properly aligned and that you are able to move to your full potential. Your medical doctor can check your lab results to see if you need to change your diet or need medication management.

The final goal is to make sure that you are at your ideal weight. For most people this means losing weight. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol or blood clots. Most people find greater success by focusing on lifestyle modification instead of just dieting. By eating healthy and exercising you can’t help but to lose weight. With a variety of apps and devices available, it helps to keep you focused on modifying your activities and caloric intake. 


Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!