Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays I like to share some of the experiences I’ve had during the week with patients and in my personal life that I’ve found significant in some way. I like to share them in hopes that you might find value in them and have something resonate with you in your life.
Something I was told that meant the world to me. Last week my ex-wife shared with me a text she’d gotten about our 11-year-old son. It was from the mom of another boy in his 5th grade class. As it turns out, the boy is autistic, has not made many friends and for him, school has been very tough. Apparently however, my son has partnered often with him in class, has been kind to him and talks with him a lot. His mom explained that as bad as school has been for him, he lights up when he speaks of being around my son and this has been a big bright spot for him. She mentioned that she wanted to share this because too often all we hear about are the negative things.
This made me so proud, and I told my son this. I told him that hearing what I did meant more to me than any athletic or academic success ever could because it spoke to his character. In addition, I told him how powerful it can be to have even one person befriend or believe in us, especially when we are going through a tough time in life.
A concept I strongly believe in. I have a saying I learned years ago from a colleague that I use to this day – “don’t make people wrong.” This means that when you’re in a situation where someone is sharing some of their thoughts with you in a benign manner, the last thing you want or need to do is hammer them and make them feel stupid or bad.
For example, as a chiropractor I hear from patients, family, and friends every single day that are making health choices I wouldn’t or have beliefs contrary to mine. Do I get in their face and try to make them feel stupid? No, I accept them where they’re at. If they ask for an opinion or information, I am more than happy to provide it, but it’s not my job to jump all over them. Not making people wrong is not about backing down or hiding your feelings, it’s knowing when the right time is to make your voice heard and when is a good time to just let certain things slide. Believe it or not, people will trust and respect you more if they know you are not waiting to jump down their throat at the slightest statement.
A good way to help your neck. When it comes to your lower back, there are a million exercises you could do to improve it. When it comes to your neck, exercises can help but far it is more important to avoid what aggravates it. Specifically, poor ergonomics while on your devices/computer and poor sleeping position tend to both the neck most. I’ve had patients with painful necks that historically required lots of chiropractic pain relief for their neck/upper back make changes in these areas, improve quickly and require less care. To keep the advice simple – your neck muscles should always feel relaxed and if they’re in a neutral position they will be. If you’re looking down into a screen this won’t be the case and if you’re sleeping with your neck too low or too high (or sleeping on your stomach) this will also not be the case. Try to make some positive changes in these simple areas and trust me, it’ll help.
Simple medical advice I recommend everyone follow. In my experience, most people will take more time to research and read reviews before they buy a $20 toaster from Amazon than they will on researching something they will put into or have done to their body. When it comes to your body and health, take nothing for granted, there are no sacred cows when it comes to your own personal health. Read up on ingredients, potential side effects or adverse reactions, expected protocols, etc. Never feel badly about going against a doctor’s advice or wishes if you do not agree with it yourself. If you follow this simple advice, you’ll either feel even better about what you’re doing or will feel great that you didn’t do it. It’s a win-win.
Some quotes I love.
“Lions never forget who poked them through the cage.” – Ray “Cash” Care
” The fears we don’t face become our limits.” – Robin Sharma
“Don’t sleep like you’re rich. Work like you’re broke.”
“Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that’s an outrage.” – Sir Winston Churchill
“The man that masters himself through self-discipline can never be mastered by others.” – Napoleon Hill
“To do better, focus on what you aren’t doing well, aren’t doing at all, or don’t know how to do or don’t want to do. That’s how to reach your potential.” – Ben Altadonna
“We are all something, but none of us is everything.” – Blaise Pascal
Want more?
- Don’t forget to follow Dr. Kenney on Instagram @Coloradochiropractor
- To see previous Friday 5 Spots, visit www.newbodychiro.com and go to “blog”
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