All posts tagged: New Body Chiropractic

Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot

On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant.  I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.  

A recent reminder of an important concept.  One of my sons has been frustrated with his role on a new football team.  Much of what he’s feeling is justified and we discussed the specifics why.  However, after we did so, I told him it was time to stop worrying about what we couldn’t control and start affecting what we could.  A phrase I love to illustrate this is “chop wood and carry water.”  This is a way of saying we must pursue the small but challenging tasks and habits each day that will lead to success.  In this instance, my son and I came up with workouts, drills, practice habits, and a mindset that would translate into even better on-field performance and hopefully fulfilling the roles he desires. 

There will always be situations we feel are unjust or unfair.  Spending too long complaining about them will only cause us to waste our energy and feel worse.  Instead, our best course of action is to do what we can to improve, get stronger, and become ready when our opportunity arises.  When you encounter a situation you don’t like or think is unfair, don’t whine about it; start chopping wood and carrying water.

A great question I was asked.  “What percentage of people would you consider to be strong and capable?”  I was asked this earlier in the week and found it interesting.  My definition of strength would involve a combination of mental, physical, and emotional characteristics.  In other words, it’s not about having the biggest muscles or the ability to win a fight, it’s a combination of attributes that combine to make someone better able to endure challenges and hardships. 

Having said this, I believe that 100% of people possess the ability to be strong and yet only about 20% of people do.  Certainly, no one sets out to become weak or incapable, but it can happen to anyone if we aren’t careful.  Following the crowd, lack of responsibility, not challenging ourselves, constant complaining, bad relationships, poor physical and nutritional decisions, and more are all common causes of weakness in my opinion.  No one will be perfect but taking steps each day to develop mental, physical, and emotional strength will make us stronger and more resilient; and the world always needs more of those people.

Something I heard and loved.  This week I heard the phrase “Don’t think less of yourself but think of yourself less.”  I found this to be very succinct and pertinent advice for two reasons. 

First, it is vital to have a high sense of our own personal worth, high self-esteem, and to maintain lofty expectations for ourselves.  We must think well of ourselves and our abilities because it sets the tone for how we want to be treated and what we expect to attain.  Second, there is a tendency to spend too much time in our own heads over-thinking our circumstances and situations.  This creates stress and at times, isolation.  If we can focus on others, much of that stress and worry subsides naturally.  We grow stronger and deepen relationships with those around us while simultaneously decreasing our own worries.   

Something I believe.  At my office, we have been undergoing plumbing repairs for months.  It’s an older building and poor installations over the years caused accelerated breakdown of the pipes which have caused a series of problems.  Just as poor decisions in plumbing installation can cause issues, poor decisions in life do as well.

Poor behavior can take the form of bad habits, lack of drive, inconsistency, dishonesty, poor actions, lack of integrity, and more.  Initially, these often go unnoticed and become forgotten.  However, over time they cause a breakdown within our lives of self-esteem, trust, relationships, finances, and so on.  This can happen for years and then without warning, we wake up one day and realize things are a mess.  To avoid this, give thought to how you truly want to live your life.  Consider what is most important to you, then craft actions that honor that and allow you the chance to become successful.

Some quotes I love.

“Be careful what you tolerate, you are teaching people how to treat you.”

“Watch what a man does when he stumbles, and you’ll see his true character.  Good times are easy to navigate.  Challenging times require something more.  The challenging times are more revealing than the prosperous ones.” – Ryan Michler

“When you have something to say, silence is a lie.” – Jordan Peterson

“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.” – Kenji Miyazawa

Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot

On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant.  I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.  

A study I love.  During a study at Harvard in 1957, Dr. Curt Richter placed rats in a pool of water to test how long they could tread water.  On average they’d give up and sink after 15 minutes due to exhaustion.  Rather than let them drown, the researchers would pull them out, dry them off, let them rest for a few minutes and put them back in for a second round.  After only a brief rest and nearly drowning a minute before, the rats lasted an average of 60 HOURS before sinking again due to exhaustion.  The conclusion was that since the rats BELIEVED that they would eventually be rescued, they could push their bodies way past what they previously thought impossible.

I can promise you from personal experience that if you can convince yourself that you are strong and resilient, you can achieve far more than you thought possible.  Much like the rats, you will also find that your results are not slightly better than they were but dramatically so.  Most people give up on themselves at about 40% of their true output as a protective mechanism against discomfort.  When you make yourself push past that point, you will find that you have unlocked an entirely new level of your abilities that will take you places you once thought impossible.

Something I’d like to share.  In 2018, I was the head football coach for a team of eight-year-old boys.  Near the end of the season, a mom came to me and told me her son would not be able to finish our final two games.  I assumed it was an ankle sprain or something similar, but it was a rare form of liver cancer.  He left to go through treatments no one should have to face, especially a young child.  A year later he rejoined our team and almost a year to the day, his cancer returned.  At his final game, I played him more than usual and we beat our biggest rival in a game in which we were huge underdogs.  It was inspirational and we carried him off the field.  I think of that day often.

This little guy underwent a liver transplant a few years ago and seemed to be doing well.  However, I learned on Tuesday that his cancer returned aggressively last year, he is now in hospice care, and expected to pass within days.  I read his father’s description of fulfilling his son’s final wishes and it broke my heart.  I have watched my aunt and uncle, parents, and in-laws all lose children at early ages and know all too well the grief that comes with it.  It is cliched but please remember to take time with the people you care for most.  We get busy and stressed with things every day, but in the end the relationships we have with our family and friends are far more important.  Enjoy those you love and take nothing for granted.

Something I encounter often.  As a chiropractor, I encounter people daily that have been in pain for weeks, months, or even years.  Some of these people suffered serious injuries and some have challenging diseases or conditions, but those are rarer than you may think.  More commonly, I speak to people who have been in pain for long periods but have done nothing to deal with it.  They often come in frustrated that they haven’t gotten better but don’t correlate it with the fact they have done little to nothing to fix it.  Even worse, these cases are usually easy to help if a person is simply willing to do something about it.

I am not suggesting that the second you feel an ache or pain you need to run out to have it checked.  Some things are minor and will resolve easily but more serious things may require at least some assistance, especially those showing no signs of resolving on their own. Your body is a sophisticated machine with amazing healing and recuperative abilities when cared for properly.  However, much like a machine, if it isn’t running well, it may require someone to diagnose and fix it.  If you are suffering from something that is negatively impacting your life, it is worth going to a professional for help.  You may also be pleasantly surprised to discover that the solution to your long-standing issue may be much easier to attain than you thought. 

Something important from a recent seminar.  I attended a seminar last weekend that went into depth on all the specific scientific links between the brain (mind) and all aspects of our health.  These included complex and comprehensive details about how our minds can affect physiology, immune function, cancer cells, and more.  It’s too dense to write about here but suffice it to say, there are vast and proven links showing that your mind drastically affects how your body works.

What struck me most was how negative thoughts can damage the body.  Decreased immune function, pain patterns not tied to injury, proliferation of cancer cells, and more have all been proven to be affected when someone is chronically stressed, angry, and/or negative.  You can literally make yourself sick or worse from the way you think.  Since that is the case, the reverse will also be true.  When you maintain a positive outlook and manage stress as best you can, your body will respond by keeping you healthier and fighting off disease more effectively.  Youl have upwards of 60,000 thoughts per day, learn to use them to your advantage.

Some quotes I love.

“Your focus on hating yesterday is killing your opportunity to love tomorrow.” – Gary Vaynerchuck

“You have power over your mind, not outside events.  Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The struggle you are facing is a test to see if you are truly committed to the life you say you want.” – Marc Bernacchi

Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot

On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant.  I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.  

Something that resonated with me.  I listened to someone speak this week about the differences between “trying and training.”  Trying is wanting a result but not outlining any specific steps to get there.  For example, saying that you want to try to eat better, exercise more, or behave differently is great but tends to fail the second it becomes even slightly challenging.  Training is when you have a goal that you are taking consistent action steps toward achieving.  You are following a plan toward an accomplishment, so you take the necessary steps in effort, equipment, and time management to get there.

If you have found yourself struggling on the path toward a goal, it is likely because you have only been “trying.”  You want it, but you aren’t putting the right plan of action into place to achieve it.  I have made this mistake at times throughout my lifetime.  Now, if something is important to me, I take a different path.  First, I outline my goal as specifically as possible and then break it down in terms of the time it will take, effort it will require, knowledge or equipment I will need, and more.  If you want amazing results, start training instead of trying. 

Something I believe.  In life, there is consumption and production.  Consumption is the things we buy from essentials to the toys we want to own or possess.  Production is what we create such as our personal impact on others, friendships, and relationships.  Our society puts a premium on consumption and minimizes production, but I believe there should be a better balance. 

Obviously, it is important to have the things we need from such as housing, food, and insurance. However, a focus on consumption brings our attention to attaining and flaunting things we really don’t need so that we can impress people we don’t care about.  I like technology, toys, and gadgets as much as most, but I try to maintain my focus on what I produce as a father, husband, doctor, friend, coach, and leader.  If I can manage to uplift those around me, that will be rewarding to me and valuable to my circle of influence.  Give thought to how much you produce in life versus what you consume.

An important distinction.  I spoke to someone recently going through tough times that referred to themselves as “broken.”  To me, becoming broken is when you refuse to go on, quit, and accept things as they are.  For that reason, most people even in their worst times are not broken, they’re just “banged up.”  That is the term I like to associate with times of great mental or physical pain or challenge that often seem insurmountable. 

I have suffered through some tough times in life.  When I was younger, I would allow them to control me and would essentially “break.”  As I got older, I faced harder and more serious challenges but had developed a different mindset.  Now, even in my worst times I have confidence that no matter what happens, I will go on.  I might have to deal with physical pain, sadness over the loss of someone I love, uncertainty, or some unforeseen circumstance; but I will continue onward and will not break.  The next time you feel life closing in on you, remind yourself that you will not be broken, you’re only banged up and it will get better somehow. 

Something I’m excited for.  I have a friend that recently opened a chiropractic practice.  He is an excellent adjuster and clinically competent but is new in business and struggling.  He’d asked me for guidance, and I told him we would start having a weekly phone or Zoom meeting to discuss business ideas. 

I get excited to collaborate with people that are younger in their careers than me because I enjoy sharing the knowledge I have attained.  Teaching aspects of my life or talents I possess to someone else helps me gain a greater grasp and expertise of the material.  Furthermore, it energizes me when I interact with people that are just beginning to climb the ladder to success.  Usually, they are more willing to try new things, consider different approaches, and have time and energy to burn.  That carries over to me by reminding me of how far I have come, rekindling some of the passion and drive it took to get there, and helping me to gain new insights.  If you are new to an endeavor, seek out someone with experience because I promise, it will benefit both of you.

Some quotes I love.

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

“You can’t help where you were born and you may not have much to say about where you die, but you can and you should try to pass the days in between as a good man.”

“Learning the distinction between ‘help’ and ‘rescue’ is one of the most important lessons in your child’s course on responsibility.” – Brandi MacDonald

Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot

On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant.  I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.  

Some important lessons.  When I run, I often seek out hills (or mountains) to enhance my training.  Hills are more difficult and put higher demands on the body in terms of oxygen requirements, muscles, and joints.  There are three lessons I have gained from this training that I think apply to daily life because hills are just another name for challenges.

First, the fear or anxiety of climbing a hill defeats more people than the ascent itself.  If we believe the challenge is too great, we psych ourselves out and fail before we begin.  Second, it is crucial to attack the hill with whatever you have.  Sometimes that will be speed, other times the slowest of shuffles.  The point is, give it whatever you have in the moment.  Finally, conquering the hill makes you instantly stronger and more resilient.  Proving to yourself you can conquer a challenge makes you more powerful going forward. 

A recent observation.  “They say” is something I hear in conversations often.  For example, “They say it’s good for you” or “They say you shouldn’t do this.”  We’ve all heard this when talking to others, we’ve probably even said it ourselves.  

What I have come to believe is that “They say” is usually another way of expressing that a person has no idea what they’re talking about and has not taken any time to try and find out.  Most times, it ends up being a piece of a headline, some stereotypical viewpoint, or badly outdated way of thinking.  Depending on the situation or topic, this can be significant.  I tend to notice this most often in topics that concern health and important events transpiring around us.  These should require us to do research to form opinions and strategies to help us deal with them but often we don’t.  Nothing is more important than our health and livelihoods, so take the time to get informed and don’t trust what “they say.”

A question I ask myself daily.  I have always enjoyed learning about miliary tactics, conflicts, and warrior cultures for a variety of reasons.  Something that has always stood out to me is how some of the biggest battles are often fought for the smallest of territories.  In instances such as these, the question always becomes whether ground is being gained or lost in the battle because every foot matters.  I like to ask this same question of myself in all endeavors of my daily life.

We are in constant battle with our health, businesses, habits, relationship building, faith, and so much more.   When we make more good decisions than bad, we take a small step forward.  If we can do this daily, the small steps turn into major changes.  If not, then we begin to lose momentum and our results suffer.  In every aspect of your life, give thought to what specific actions will lead to small gains in ground and repeat those things as often as possible.

An important concept.  As a chiropractor, my specialty is obviously assisting people with my adjustments.  However, I am often asked why I don’t add in nutrition, supplements, various modalities, and other things to assist my patients.  In no way am I against those other things, but I choose to keep my focus in one area.  The analogy I use to explain this is that you can either be a diner or a fine dining restaurant.

A diner will offer you hundreds of choices for your meal.  The variety is amazing, but the quality will suffer, and nothing will stand out.  Conversely, a fine dining restaurant will have a limited menu so that everything can be of the highest quality and amazing.  I don’t want to be the type of chiropractor that offers everything and then delivers lackluster care because the treatment is what people need most from me.  Thus, my goal is to focus my attention only on delivering the best chiropractic care possible.  If you have a gift or talent you want to shine, don’t dilute it with too many other things.  Be the fine-dining establishment instead of the diner.

Some quotes I love.

“The thing about mental toughness is that it continually comes down to a choice.  You can’t blame others for your reactions to setbacks and failures.  When you choose to take responsibility for everything in your life, you reach a new level of mental strength.” – Sally McRae

“Warriors are not the ones who always win but they are the ones who always fight.”

“People will throw stones at you.  Don’t throw them back, collect them and build an empire.”

“Self-control makes the man.  A man without discipline is a boy full of reactions, rather than a man of good actions.” – Greek Proverb

Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot

On Fridays I like to share experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant.  I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.  

A lesson I’ve learned from sports.  Whether playing or coaching, a constant lesson I have learned and taught is to always keep moving.  When you stand still, you become easy for an opponent to deal with, take yourself out of the action, and make it nearly impossible to create a positive outcome.  Conversely, when you are in motion, you become unpredictable and more likely to make a good play.  The point is that you must keep moving to keep up with the action around you.  Life is no different.

In life, one of the worst things we can do is to stop moving or become stagnant.  Examples include lack of exercise, not seeking new knowledge, accepting bad habits, and falsely believing we cannot change.  Rather than doing that, we want to remain in motion through exercise, reading, interacting with new people, attempting new things, and more.  Whether it’s in athletics or life, make sure you keep moving because your results depend on it.

Something to remember.  I had several conversations this week in which people expressed to me why they didn’t want to do something challenging because they preferred something easier.  For example, “I don’t like the taste of water, so I drink a lot of soda.” or “I’d rather sleep in than do a workout.”  These people are expressing displeasure with pursuing a habit or activity that would help them while comparing it to something that is counterproductive.  I think of this like comparing apples to footballs, they are in no way similar.

As a doctor and expert in exercise and nutrition, I have encountered this way of thinking countless times over the years.  We all enjoy relaxation, rest, and recreational activities that are fun. However, those things are not designed to make us better or lead to higher levels of achievement.  The habits and activities that create growth and success are difficult.  They challenge us mentally, physically, and in how we budget our time.  If you want to succeed, you will need to embrace doing the hard things.  Do not waste energy comparing things that elevate you and bring you out of your comfort zone to things that do not.

A recent (and funny) reminder for me.  One of my quirks is that I do not believe in using an umbrella.  I find them foolish and refuse to own or use one.  My family knows this, and we have a lot of fun with it.  At my church, I am a greeter and welcome people at the front door.  Recently, it was pouring rain as people were arriving for the service and I was asked to stand in the rain with an umbrella and walk people to the front door.  I agreed, and so for the first time in decades, I used an umbrella and my family made sure to take plenty of pictures of this.

I walked in dozens of moms and older women, and they were all extremely grateful and told me how polite I was.  Though I wish my family had not taken pictures of this, it made me feel better to help than it would have to watch people get soaked to the bone.  As simple and silly as this is, it was a reminder that sometimes the right move is to humble ourselves and help those around us.

Something that resonated with me.  I listened to a talk this week and the speaker mentioned grapes.  He talked about how grapes are grown and then eaten or sold for a small amount of money.  However, the grapes that are crushed can become wine.  Those grapes transform from something that is common and inexpensive into something that sells for hundreds or thousands of dollars, and can be served to kings, queens, and dignitaries.  The grapes are the same, but what the grapes go through changes everything. 

Life works the same way as these grapes.  Look to anyone who is successful in any field or endeavor.  I guarantee they have had to go through an incredible struggle to get to that point.  Just like the grapes, they’ve been crushed but turn into something more special and valuable.  Throughout your life, you will inevitably be broken down and suffer at times.  Those times may hurt, but if you utilize them properly, you will be able to turn them into something better and far greater than you imagined. 

Some quotes I love.

“Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.” – Calvin Coolidge

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing the monkey bars.  You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” – C.S. Lewis

“Understand people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.”

“Reward loyalty with loyalty and disloyalty with distance.” – Brandi MacDonald

“The truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie.” – Mark Twain