In honor of Valentine’s Day, Franson Family Chiropractic will host our first annual Spa Night on Tuesday, February 7th, 5:30-8:30 at Suite 101D in the Cummings Center in Beverly. Have fun spoiling yourself and friends for the evening, or find that perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetheart!
Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Did you decide that 2012 was the year that you were going to start making healthier lifestyle choices? Surveys show that by the end of January, most people have either gotten off track, forgotten, or just gave up trying to reach their New Year’s resolution goals. So why do most New Year’s resolutions fail? It is usually due to two reasons: we either don’t take our health goals seriously, we are not prepared, or both.
If you are struggling with your health goals, here are a few key guidelines that will help you get back on track:
1) It’s never too late. Just because you went off the rails doesn’t mean it’s time to give up…it simply means it’s time to refocus and recommit.
2) Make your goals count. Make them significant. In order to experience growth, we need to challenge ourselves.
3) Write down your goals and read them every day. Daily reminders will help keep your goals in the forefront of your consciousness.
4) Break your overall health goal down into smaller increments. This makes it easier and more manageable to track your progress.
5) Have an accountability partner. This can be a spouse, close friend, family member, or co-worker. Choose someone who will motivate you when you are struggling and also help to celebrate your accomplishments.
6) Seek support, guidance, and advice from people who inspire you. Study the habits of healthy people. They know exactly what you are going through because they have been there themselves.
If we truly want to be successful at meeting the health goals we set for ourselves each year, we need to move away from thinking of them as impulsive decisions that we entertain for a short period of time. Instead, we need to view the entire process
as a lifelong investment. Each year we build upon the improvements we made the year before, and we get stronger and healthier as a result. Just like a carpenter takes an unfinished piece of wood and sands down the rough edges until it is smooth, we are refining our health experience with each goal we reach.
Health is not a destination – it is a journey. Now is the time to get back on the path.
Dr. Justin Mariano
A Patient Testimonial
My name is John C. and I’d like to explain to you how I came to “believe” in Chiropractic Care as practiced at Franson Family Chiropractic.
I’ve been living on this planet now for 66 years and during that time I’ve had more than a few assaults on my body. These assaults started like so many of us with a forceps birthing, then came the car accidents: hit by a car at age 4, later 3 car crashes and then a few industrial accidents along the way, i.e., torn muscles, sprains and all the other “routine” traumas that one experiences during a working lifetime. For the most part I felt OK with the exception that I had a CONSTANT left trapezius muscle and neck pain for years. I self medicated almost daily with 3 to 6 extra-strength aspirin. The pain and discomfort had become such a part of my life that I came to believe that I would have to endure it forever.
Then in April of 2011 on the recommendation of my caring friend, Jon, I was referred to Franson Family Chiropractic. I had a previous Chiropractic experience, which only gave me transient relief, and quite frankly I did not expect more than that from Dr. Franson’s Team.
Was I ever wrong!
From my very first visit I knew there was something “different” about the Franson approach. It started with the warm and genuine greeting at the front desk by Chaney, Sara & Alexis. There was definitely a feeling of good Karma in the office. It just felt good to be in that environment. Being somewhat naïve, I then explained my symptoms and medical history to Dr. Jesse Davis, Dr. Paul Kratka and Dr. Stephen Franson. “OK, I said, here’s what’s bothering me so please just make your adjustments and I’ll be on my way.” Looking back I now say…Hello, 66 years of abuse and I expected a 20 minute cure…..,wake up and smell the coffee John! So what happened?
I listened to Dr Franson’s analysis and his recommendations, which included a series of spinal adjustments as well as a commitment on my part to make lifestyle changes. His promise: I would feel stronger, more physically and emotionally energized and would gain control of my symptoms. Most importantly, what I came to understand was that my symptoms were not the problem as much as they were a SIGNAL of what I was doing wrong to cause the symptom. In my case, that meant bad posture, sleeping wrong or sleeping too long, or most importantly sitting too long. So the fix was to first make the commitment to Dr Franson’s care, then ACT on my commitments to lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and emotional discipline.
After a few weeks the physical adjustments that Dr Franson and Dr Kratka made to relieve my spinal subluxations slowly started to relieve my constant discomfort. The tipping point came at about the 4th month of care…I was watching TV and moved my neck to the left, and I could not believe the experience, everything in my neck was more fluid, there was no restriction and no pain….it felt like a SLINKY…I felt unchained!
At this point I no longer have the constant pain and discomfort. The daily aspirin regime is now a once or twice a month event. Now whenever I feel the tension in my neck and shoulders I merely walk it out, stretch and correct the improper action (i.e. sitting too long) and also take control of any emotional stress that is exacerbating my symptom.
So simply stated, Franson Family Chiropractic is more than physical care and subluxation correction (which is paramount) but it is also about wellness care and prevention of illness. This is accomplished by a partnership of patient and doctor, a commitment to proper Chiropractic adjustments and ACTION by the patient to make the lifestyle changes that will improve ones health. I promise you….The Franson Approach Works!
Thank you for sharing your story with us, John!
Please share this testimonial to inspire others to begin their journey back to wellness.
Eye of the Storm
Chaos is overrated. So are drama, stress, and busyness. You can keep ’em.
Then again, balance is also overrated.
Balance is at best fleeting and is often the casualty of a life lived with meaning. Harmony trumps balance when you are trying to get something worthwhile done.
I find myself vacillating between the desire to get more done and the need to stop and breathe on an hourly basis. Big visions birth great opportunities – and with them, responsibilities, details, disappointments, surprises, distractions, support, challenges, wins, and losses. At the end of the day, I simply want quiet.
Not the quiet that you find in laying on your back in a meadow, shaping clouds and tracing planes, but the soundless, calm, and stillness found only in the eye of the storm.
Step left or right, tilt, lean, or drift away from center, and feel the wind. Sense the total chaos surrounding you – the energy, the noise, the busyness.
Step back to center and focus.
You cannot stand still in the eye of the storm. Storms move. They are dynamic.
To stay in the quiet, calm center you must be deliberate. You must be mindful. You must keep moving.
SF
Dr. Stephen Franson
On the first day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
An adjustment will keep you healthy.
On the second day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Two dozen burpees
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the third day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Six grams Fish Oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Seven hours of sleeping,
Six grams Fish Oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the eighth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Eight months breast-milking,
Seven hours of sleeping,
Six grams Fish Oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Nine types of stretching,
Eight months breast-milking,
Seven hours of sleeping,
Six grams Fish Oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Ten minutes napping,
Nine types of stretching,
Eight months breast-milking,
Seven hours of sleeping,
Six grams of Fish oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Eleven smoothies drinking,
Ten minutes napping,
Nine types of stretching,
Eight months breast-milking,
Seven hours of sleeping,
Six grams of Fish Oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
and adjustments will keep you healthy.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My Chiro said to me…
Twelve times deep breathing,
Eleven smoothies drinking,
Ten minutes napping,
Nine types of stretching,
Eight months breast-milking,
Seven hours of sleeping,
Six grams Fish Oil,
Five L-hold rings,
Four days’ vacation,
Three organic meals,
Two dozen burpees,
…And adjustments will keep you healthy.
Why do we do better when we have eyeballs on us?
You know that this is true. Intrinsic motivators are the strongest drivers, but we all do better when we know that someone is watching us.
The Elf on the Shelf is the penultimate example of the Big Brother Effect – or as behavioral psychologists call it – the Hawthorne Effect. It turns out that just the thought that someone could be watching drives better performance in any domain. If we know that we are accountable to another party, we simply do better.
Leverage this. Buddy up, hire a trainer, bet someone some money, rent a billboard, post it on FaceBook…plop an Elf on your shelf…whatever form feeds that innate need for consistency between pronouncement and performance – just do it.
We all need all the help we can get.
With eyes on you,
Doc
Dr. Stephen Franson
Health is one of the most precious gifts of the holiday season. And it is all too easy to put off improving your healthduring the stress of the holiday season. But don’t wait for the New Year!
The team from Franson Family Chiropractic will be a part of the North Shore Holiday Fair this Sunday at the Holy Ghost Society Hall in Peabody. Meet the team, learn how chiropractic can help you, and enjoy lots of other fun holiday stuff for the family.
Sunday, December 11th, 2011 at the Holy Ghost Society Hall in Peabody, MA from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
At the Gift & Craft Fair, guests will have the opportunity to shop all types of vendors – crafters, retailers, independent sales consultants, etc. It will be an excellent opportunity to get a jump start on your holiday shopping and find something for everyone on your list!
FREE Admission
Holiday Kids Zone
Live Holiday Music
Holiday Character and Santa Appearances
)She will be continuing to CrossFit, receive regular chiropractic care, teach the Bonfire Health lifestyle to everyone she meets, and spend more time with her wonderful boyfriend who is stationed down there in the Navy! Sarah’s last day will be Thursday, December 22nd. Please keep up with her adventures at http://sarahtymann.blogspot.com/“The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for.” — Zig Ziglar
Yes, I am thankful for Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for the way it allows me a whole day with people that I love, a day to speak aloud all the wonderful things that have happened over the last year (or three wonderful things as is the case in my family…we have to limit ourselves. It would take a week, or more, if we were all able to say everything)!
I crave that time to pause, sit with loved ones, and to reflect on what the year has brought me. Every year I find that I leave Thanksgiving dinner (usually after a long nap) wishing that there was a tiny bit of Thanksgiving in each day.
So, this year I was inspired to do something different. My dear friend, Heather, said that she was going to record the things she was grateful for each day, in the month of November, on Facebook leading up to Thanksgiving. I have decided to join her!
Why should we only express gratitude on one day a year?!
Here are some of mine from the month:
“Day of Thanks #4: Coffee with Alexis before work, crisp fall air, feeling really productive today, eating leftovers from the soup I made last night, naps on the couch with the warm sun shining on me, working out at GymCore CrossFit and lifting way more weight than I thought I could (and getting two new PR’s!), thanks to the epic combo of encouragement and butt kicking from Greg, sweet surprise notes from old friends from high school, sore muscles from a good workout, having a landlord who is going to deal with the squirrel issue. ”
Sarah T. that's me!
This is me just 2 months ago...when I thought that 65# was too heavy!
“Day of Thanks #8 and #9: Dates with Jordan and Julie , lululemon athletica wunder unders (how are they SO amazingly comfortable all the time? I may never take them off). Quiet office all to myself, coffee in a red mug that looks like a bucket, sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, new haircut…expectation of great things to come in this day.”
See what I mean? Its just....so happy!
“Day of Thanks #19: Fall leaves blowing in the wind, candles that smell like Christmas cookies, new songs to learn and write on my heart, flannel sheets, breakfast with my amazing, wonderful, consistent, wise, humble, and favorite Dad, new brakes in the car, snuggle time with beautiful little ones, joy, hope, the smells of fall, crisp air with sun in the sky, a cup overflowing. ♥”
My Dad and Me: How could you NOT love this man?
Not only was this super fun, but what I have found over the last month is that these gratitudes completely overpower any minor bump in my day. The bumps seemed to pale in comparison to the sheer number of things big and small to be grateful for. I found myself looking forward to the surprises of gratitude I would see in the day ahead: a sunrise, hug, phone call, my favorite song on the radio, time to read a book, my family.
I have decided to offer myself up a challenge, and I would love for you to join me. I am deciding to not let Thanksgiving be the only time I outwardly express my thanks. This year, I am going to use Thanksgiving as a launching point for the weeks and months to come, to meditate each day on even just ONE thing I am grateful for. I think you will find, as I have, that as Zig Zigler states, “The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for.”
Some other things I am grateful for this year:
Crazy and Wonderful Friends: Cass and Alexis
My inspirational parents.
Cousins
Paleo Food to FUEL my life
My Phenomenal Boyfriend
My Roommates
The Lord allowing my Dad to survive his heart attack.
My Church
The amazing team I get to love alongside every day.
With Gratitude, Thanksgiving and Love!
Sarah
Food Drive Supporting Beverly Bootstraps’ Food Pantry for Local Families
We want to help families in need. But our mission to teach families to get healthier was not being served by collecting and donating processed, lifeless, dead foods. We just did not feel right giving needy families processed, sugary junk.
So we created a new way to have a food drive. Rather than collect the leftovers from the back of your cupboards, we started from scratch. We partnered with Beverly Bootstraps to deliver a huge stash of fresh, local produce right to local families. To do this, we collect cash donations that have our team pick up and hand deliver the proceeds to Beverly Bootstraps, which has specific spots earmarked for this great stuff to go. And to cap it off, we add recipe collections to ensure that everyone knows how to make the best-tasting meals with real, whole foods.
Spine and Nerve System Stress Screening, Courtesy of Franson Family Chiropractic
See how chiropractic can help you get your health back
Our team of skilled, friendly doctors will be available onsite. They will perform spine and nerve system stress screenings to determine where you may be experiencing nerve irritation. For every person who gets checked who decides to schedule a full, in-office evaluation, Franson Family Chiropractic will donate 50% of the examination cost to the Beverly Bootstraps Food Drive. Further, a full in-office examination, which typically costs $285 dollars, will be available to schedule for $47!
Help families in need have a healthier Thanksgiving!
All of the proceeds of the food drive will be donated to Beverly Bootstraps to supply local families directly with what they need for food for Thanksgiving. Beverly Bootstraps is a local, independent charity in Beverly that directly aids the local families in need on the North Shore.
