Do You Think You Can Dance? Then you need proper nutrition. Part 2

As for any athlete, proper nutrition should be integrated into a dancers’ daily routine. They should follow the basics of an anti-inflammatory diet just as anyone should. This means plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken and grass fed beef, eggs and limited grains. The rigorous training of a dancer and possible injury leads to inflammation in the body, and smart nutrition can correct this. Essential fatty acids in the source of high quality fish oils, flax, black currant seed oil or sesame oil are a must.

Antioxidants are also a must as oxidation is a byproduct of athletic training. During times of extensive preparation for a performance it would be wise to supplement to help with recovery. A few sources of antioxidants include, but are not limited to zinc, quercetin and other flavanols, vitamins A, C and E. Other nutrients to consider include calcium, vitamins D and C, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin K and natural hormones. These nutrients support healthy bone formation, which can be a concern for dancers, especially young female dancers. For more information on bone health and dance nutrition visit IADMS: Resource Papers.

A general guideline for a dancers' daily routine for classes, rehearsals and performances should be this:

• Eat breakfast - This will provide you with energy to start your day as well as balancing your adrenal hormones after a night of fasting.
• Combine protein and carbohydrates - This helps a dancer to maintain energy and balance blood sugar. Avoid less healthy options such as muffins, candy and sugar and opt for whole grains, potatoes, oats and fruit.
• Eat small meals throughout the day - Doing this will ensure you maintain energy throughout the day. Plan ahead by packing small snacks to have between classes and rehearsals. Fruits, vegetables, nut butters and hummus are good choices.

You may have other dietary considerations such as a food allergy or sensitivity that may be causing headaches or fatigue. I consider myself a good resource for this, but also "Hidden Food Allergies" by James Braly, M.D. would be a good read for you if this is something you are concerned about.


If you would like specific nutritional advise based on your needs please contact me for a nutritional consultation.

Happy dancing!

Do you think you can dance? Then you should see a chiropractor… Part 1

I have the opportunity in my practice to care for some young lady dancers. This has prompted me to learn about the specific needs of these young athletes and how chiropractic care can benefit them.

Dancers, like any other athlete, can benefit from chiropractic care. The high demand of their training and performance requires that they be strong and flexible. Chiropractic aims to align the spine as well as extremities which will create symmetry in the body of the dancer. What this means for a dancer is improved proprioceptive input to the nervous system increasing balance and coordination. Chiropractic adjustments will also improve mobility in joints which can improve a dancer’s performance and reduce the risk for injury.

Balance in muscle functioning is another point of focus which can also improve performance and prevent injury. I have training in a technique called Applied Kinesiology which focuses on muscles, their function and how they relate to other body systems. Can stress cause dysfunction of a muscle? Yes. If an organ system and a muscle have the same nerve supply than they can absolutely have an effect on each other. 

While I strongly recommend chiropractic care to anyone with a spine, I would also like encourage dancers to see a chiropractor. If you need a dance chiropractor in Miami, please come see me. I so enjoy working with dancers. Follow my page for more upcoming blogs on dance health.

Why I am drawn to alternative medicine and choose to embrace holistic chiropractic care...

Because it searches for the answer to WHY?

I was watching a video yesterday of another holistic chiropractor named Dr. Schmitt to freshen up on some new information. In this video he was talking about patients who use chondroitin sulfate for joint health and respond well to using these supplements. Then he went on to explain the biochemical pathways where this is used and why patients respond well to these supplements. The point of this is to find why the person responds well to these because your body should make these things on its own. Maybe you don't need to give your body the end product, but instead give it the correct supplement it needs in making that end product. This would be even better because that nutrient may be needed in other processes throughout the body, but if the person is only thinking of their joint health and not their fatigue for example; they really are not solving the problem.

Chiropractors in general and alternative medicine seek to answer this why question. This is part of what drew me to the profession. Click here to find out why I became a chiropractor. The answer may surprise you.

The physical side to golf...

There are several components to a good golf game. There is the technical component of the golf swing and then there is the mechanical. There is also a mental side as well as physiological. I come from a family of golfers and have had the fortunate experience of learning under my uncle who is a PGA golf instructor. I recently attended Dr. Blanchard’s golf seminars to learn more on how to help golfers as a physician. Here are several tips to get your body into shape for golf.

1. Drink water and snack during game. Hydration and blood sugar balance are important to your performance.

2. Flexibility and balance of several muscle groups is key. The golf swing requires extreme flexibility in the shoulders, back and hips. Any dysfunction in these muscle groups can alter your ability to effectively play and can lead to injury. To find a doctor trained to evaluate muscle dysfunction in golfers, visit www.golfinjurydoctors.com. Pilates and yoga exercises can be used by golfers to gain flexibility.

3. Alignment from head to toe is needed to have proper form and freedom in range of motion for that ideal golf swing. Staying under the care of a chiropractor will be of great benefit to the golfer. Proper lumbar and pelvic alignment aid in the extreme rotation, lateral flexion and extension movements required. Also, proper foot biomechanics should be evaluated for balance and to handle the stress of prolonged walking during a game. Orthotics should be utilized by every golfer.

4. As for any athlete, proper nutrition is a must. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet of lean meats, fish, lots of fruits and vegetables and whole sprouted grains. Avoid dairy, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods. Supplement with fish oils, vitamin D3, probiotics and as needed. Find out if you have any allergies or hypersensitivities to outdoor allergens, foods or pesticides. There are a number of environmental factors to consider when on the greens, so be prepared. Allergies can many times be treated through nutrition. I suggest trying this first.

5. Get your head in the game. A large portion of this game is mental. Any emotional stress you have should be dealt with. Then learn how to focus during those few seconds of swing time.

6. Take lessons under a PGA instructor. Not only will they teach you everything you need to know about the game, they will be able to evaluate you and give specific advice based on what they observe. They will teach you the proper way to play, which will ultimately help in preventing injury. Also, most instructors will video your swing so you can see what mistakes you are making and how to correct them.

If you are in the Miami area and would like my help in some of the above areas, please contact my office.

To gain access to the best PGA instructor in the industry (in my opinion) click HERE.

Sebastian Camillo- PGA instructor at the John Pallot Golf Academy located at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida.

A little lesson on chiropractic...

Nervous System Physiology

Virtually every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body is controlled and regulated by your nervous system. And while the complex chemical and electrical nature of this vast network is best left to others, here are four key things you should know:

When the neurological circuits have integrity, your body works as it was designed.

When spinal vertebrae pinch or choke nerves, affected organs and tissues don’t work the way they should and ill-health results.

Efferent Communications

Nerve impulses are sent from the brain out to the organs and tissues of your body.

Afferent Communications

Nerve impulses are sent back to the brain to make sure everything is working correctly.

Compressive Lesions

If spinal vertebrae pinch or choke nerve tissue, signals going from or to the affected organ or tissue can be diminished. (i.e., constipation.)

Facilitative Lesions

If spinal vertebrae chafe or irritate nerve tissue, signals going from or to the affected organ or tissue can be excited. (i.e., diarrhea.)

The nervous system is vulnerable where delicate nerve tissue comes into proximity with the moving bones of your spine. That’s why we're interested in your spine!

(From my office web page: www.miamichiropractor.net) Visit for more information on chiropractic and health issues. 

Why Breast is Best...

Mother's milk really is irreplaceable. It supplies the baby with the perfect meal for development and provides a nourishing experience for both mom and baby. Here is some great information taken from my reading in a book titled "The Crazy Makers".

• Mother's milk contains about 100 elements that are missing from formula (including friendly bacteria, immunoglobulins, enzymes, growth factors, hormones and nonessential amino acids
• "Mother's milk contains growth factors that promote the development of the GI tract, these are missing in infant formula."
• The amino acids in mother's milk promote brain growth while the amino acids in cow's milk promote the growth of muscle and fat. This is because cow's milk is meant for the nourishment and development of baby cows.
• The act of breastfeeding "activates hypothalamic and other brain stem structures which regulates the sleep wake cycle and increases attention and vigilance through cortical activity."
• A mother's milk production is different from meal to meal and from the beginning of the meal to the end, giving the baby exactly what she/he needs. 
• Fatty acid and cholesterol content is unique in breast milk and is not duplicated in formula or cow's milk.
• "the mineral content differs in some formulas by as much as 500%"

Mom's diet while breastfeeding should include:

• Omega 6 and 3
• Eliminate trans fats (this is for anyone)
• Magnesium
• Healthy protein
• Variety of colorful vegetables
• Avoid exposure to toxins

Planning Parenthood...

Lately I find myself reading up on pregnancy and pediatrics in relation to health topics more and more. As my desire to become a mother grows, I get the feeling that I am studying for my board exams on motherhood. I have studied up on pregnancy and infants since getting married about 6 years ago, and while I have no intention on having a child right now, I figure that I went to school for 8 years to become a chiropractor (and continue to study), so why would I not study up on how to become a mother?

I say all this to encourage women to take charge of their health and the health of their family at whatever stage they are in. I have met many mothers who struggle with their diet and exercise because of busy lifestyles. The parents’ lifestyle is then passed on to the kiddos. I understand how great a responsibility it is to be a mother and also see how raising a healthy child is difficult. I know I have no experience and therefore have no place to judge. I only want to encourage. I have seen and experienced mothers who have made a change in the lifestyle of their family. So for those who those who need hope, you have it.

The greatest weapon we have is knowledge. Here is a list of the top things a parent should be aware of and some helpful resources.

•        What are you and your family eating? You should be aware of the effect of certain “foods” and the chemicals in them. Is your family eating real food or manufactured “food”? Think about making all food at home if you can, even baby food. (Books: “The Crazy Makers”, “Inflammation Nation”, “Hidden Food Allergies”, “Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven”)
•         Are you a woman with no intention of getting pregnant? Did you know that what you do to your body now affects your future child? (Magazine: “Pathways”, Book: “The Crazy Makers”)
•       Don’t even think about doing anything but breastfeeding. This is one of the greatest things you can do for your baby. Look into milk banks if you cannot breastfeed. AVOID milk from animals and formulas (they don’t even come close to breast milk). “Book:“The Crazy Makers”)
•          Do your own research on vaccines and come up with what you think is best for your family. (web site: www.nvic.org)
•       What skin products are you using on your child? Are they safe? (web sites: “Skin Deep” www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, www.ewg.org, www.healthychild.org
•        Chiropractic should be a part of every family’s health plan. (web sites: www.icpa4kids.com, www.miamichiropractor.net)
•          Know that wherever you are in your health, you can always decide to make a change. The body is incredibly forgiving with all the damage we do.