Blog Archives

Neuroplasticity and Brain Health

4/29/2025

Understanding Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life. This process is guided by two key principles:

"Neurons that fire together, wire together." When nerve cells are activated simultaneously through repeated practice or experiences, they form strong, long-term connections. For example, consistently engaging in behaviors like anger, frustration, or self-victimization reinforces neural networks associated with these emotions, shaping an identity tied to those patterns. On the positive side, regularly practicing gratitude, such as keeping a daily gratitude journal, strengthens neural pathways associated with positivity and contentment. Over time, this habit can reshape your emotional outlook, making optimism and resilience a natural part of your identity.
"Neurons that fire out of sync, fail to link." Conversely, interrupting habitual thought patterns or behaviors weakens the connections between nerve cells, allowing the brain to break long-term relationships and form new ones.

The brain cannot distinguish between external stimuli and internal memories, as both activate the same neural networks. By intentionally disrupting negative patterns and fostering positive ones, we can reshape our brain's wiring to support healthier habits and identities.

Benefits of Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity offers numerous advantages for brain health and cognitive function, including:

Enhanced Cognitive Cohesion and Intelligence: Strengthened neural connections improve problem-solving, creativity, and overall mental agility.
Protection Against Neurodegenerative Diseases: Neuroplasticity helps maintain brain function, reducing the risk of conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Mitigation of Age-Related Cognitive Decline: By fostering adaptability, neuroplasticity counters impaired cognitive functioning associated with aging.
Adaptation to Change and Recovery from Damage: The brain can reorganize to compensate for injury or adapt to new experiences and future challenges.

Strategies to Boost NeuroplasticityTo enhance neuroplasticity, introduce mild stress to the brain through novel and challenging activities that encourage new neural connections. Learning is the cornerstone of this process. Below are six effective strategies to increase neuroplasticity:

1. Whole-Brain Holistic Thinking
Engage both brain hemispheres—left (logical, analytical) and right (intuitive, creative)—through tasks requiring diverse motor skills and cognitive processes.
Examples include:

Playing a musical instrument or juggling to enhance coordination.
Brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand or balancing on one leg to challenge focus.
Learning a new language, which combines analytical thinking with creative expression.

These activities promote neural fluidity and adaptability, regardless of the specific hemispheric focus.

2. Practice Flow State
Flow is a state of complete immersion in a task, often described as being "in the zone." It enhances creativity and neuroplasticity.

To enter flow:

Choose an activity with clear goals and immediate feedback.
Ensure the task balances challenge with your skill level.
Eliminate distractions, focus intently, and avoid self-reflection during the task.
Take breaks to recover and evaluate progress.

Regular flow practice strengthens neural networks associated with focus and creativity. Check out our detailed video guide on entering flow for more tips.

3. Embrace Novelty
Expose your brain to new experiences to stimulate neural growth.
Try:

Learning a quick new skill, like basic calligraphy or a simple dance move.
Reading about unfamiliar topics to broaden your knowledge.
Taking a different route during walks or shaking up your daily routine.

Novelty forces the brain to adapt, enhancing flexibility and mental resilience.

4. Meditation/Prayer
Meditation enhances attention span, learning, and prefrontal cortex activity while increasing cortical thickness and gray matter density. It fosters coherence between brain hemispheres and reduces cortisol, a stress hormone that damages neurons. Regular meditation supports neuroplasticity and overall brain health.

5. Aerobic Exercise
Physical activity, particularly aerobic exercises like sprinting or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes neurogenesis (the creation of new brain cells). Aerobic exercise outperforms resistance training in enhancing BDNF levels, making it a powerful tool for brain health.

6. Nutrition and Intermittent Fasting
A brain-healthy diet and intermittent fasting support neuroplasticity by providing time for the body to detoxify between periods of food consumption, reducing inflammation, thereby promoting neurogenesis.

Key nutrients include:

Magnesium: Essential for over 400 physiological functions, including neuroplasticity and healthy cell maintenance.
Cholesterol: Comprises 25% of the brain's structure, supporting membrane function and learning.
Turmeric and Ginger: Potent antioxidants that protect against free radical damage and promote neurogenesis.
Vitamin B12: Critical for preventing neurodegenerative diseases; must be obtained through diet.
DHA: An omega-3 fatty acid vital for brain development and function.

Intermittent fasting boosts *BDNF levels, recycles damaged proteins, and enhances neural autophagy, further supporting brain health. *{BDNF levels refer to the concentration of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a protein in the brain that supports the growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons. Higher BDNF levels promote neurogenesis (creation of new brain cells), enhance neuroplasticity, and improve cognitive function, learning, and memory. Low levels are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Activities like aerobic exercise, intermittent fasting, and certain nutrients (e.g., omega-3s) can boost BDNF levels.} Neural autophagy is the brain's process of clearing out damaged cells and proteins to maintain healthy neurons. Enhancing neural autophagy improves this cleanup, promoting brain health and neuroplasticity.

Conclusion
By embracing novelty, challenging your brain, and adopting healthy habits, you can enhance neuroplasticity and unlock your brain's full potential.

Break old neural patterns, create new connections, and evolve into a more vibrant, resilient version of yourself. Incorporate these strategies daily to cultivate a flexible, adaptive, and thriving brain.

0 Comments

How a Functional Medicine Chiropractor Can Transform Your Health

4/26/2025

0 Comments

How a Functional Medicine Chiropractor Can Transform Your Health Care with Dr. Lizie in Addison, TX

When it comes to achieving vibrant health, finding the right support makes all the difference. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Lizie, you’ll find a full spectrum of health services — all under one roof. Whether you need posture corrective spinal care, injury rehabilitation, injury prevention, post-surgical recovery, functional health solutions for chronic conditions, or hormone balancing, Dr. Lizie is here to help you correct underlying issues and get your body functioning optimally.

Let’s take a closer look at how working with a Functional Medicine Chiropractor like Dr. Lizie can be a game-changer for your health!

What is a Functional Medicine Chiropractor?
Unlike traditional medical care that often focuses on treating symptoms, functional medicine looks at the root cause of your health concerns. A functional medicine chiropractor blends the science of chiropractic adjustments with the art of whole-person healing — addressing nutrition, movement, metabolic function, toxicity levels, hormonal balance, and overall lifestyle.

Dr. Lizie doesn’t just treat the surface; she investigates deeply to uncover and correct the real problems, guiding you toward lasting, sustainable health.

Your Personalized Journey with Dr. Lizie
1. Comprehensive Assessment
Your path to better health starts with a thorough evaluation. Dr. Lizie takes the time to:

Review your full health history
Discuss recent surgeries, injuries, and medications
Perform a physical examination and measure vital signs
Use imaging (like X-rays) if needed
Assess your strength, posture, and range of motion

This complete picture allows Dr. Lizie to design a customized care plan tailored just for you.

2. Nutrition Guidance
What you put on your plate fuels (or fights) your healing. Dr. Lizie will:

Help you optimize your daily nutrition
Recommend adjustments to reduce inflammation and improve body function
Support healthy metabolism and digestion
Teach you how food choices affect energy, pain, and recovery

You may even work together to track your eating habits and create new, sustainable routines that nourish your body from the inside out.

3. Movement and Exercise Support
Proper movement is essential to restore and maintain health. Along with chiropractic care, Dr. Lizie provides personalized exercise programs that:

Build strength and stability
Improve flexibility and balance
Enhance recovery from injuries
Support healthy weight and overall vitality

Your plan will adapt over time as your body strengthens and heals.

4. Integrative Therapies
Healing is a team effort. Depending on your needs, Dr. Lizie may incorporate:

Non-invasive diagnostic testing to detect and correct underlying health conditions
Massage therapy for muscle tension and chronic pain
Nutritional counseling for advanced support
Detoxification and cleansing protocols
Referrals to trusted specialists when necessary

Everything is carefully coordinated to deliver the most complete care possible.

Why Choose Dr. Lizie?
When you work with Dr. Lizie, you're not just getting a chiropractor — you're gaining a trusted partner in your long-term health journey. With deep expertise in functional health, spinal care, rehabilitation, hormone balance, and metabolic wellness, Dr. Lizie is passionate about helping you live fully, move freely, and be at the top of your game.

You deserve a body that works for you, not against you. And you don’t have to settle for temporary fixes. Together, we can correct underlying conditions and help you achieve optimal health for the long term.

Ready to Feel Better — for Good?
If pain, discomfort, fatigue, or chronic health issues are standing in your way, it’s time to experience the complete care you deserve.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lizie today and start your journey toward a healthier, more vibrant life!

Request An Appointment

0 Comments

Why Am I Always Tired? Exploring Functional Health Solutions for Fatigue and Hormone Imbalance in Addison

4/24/2025

0 Comments

Do you wake up feeling more exhausted than when you went to bed? Or maybe you power through the day relying on caffeine, only to crash by mid-afternoon? If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why am I always so tired?”, you’re not alone — and it’s not “just part of getting older.”

Let’s uncover what might be draining your energy and how functional health solutions in Addison, Texas, can help.

Common Causes of Fatigue (It’s Not Just Lack of Sleep!)Sure, staying up too late binge-watching your favorite show doesn’t help, but chronic fatigue often goes much deeper. Some hidden culprits include:

Hormone Imbalance – When your thyroid, adrenal glands, or sex hormones are out of whack, your energy plummets. Conditions like hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, and estrogen dominance can zap your vitality.
Nutrient Deficiencies – Low levels of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and vitamin D can leave you feeling sluggish.
Blood Sugar Imbalance – Fluctuating blood sugar leads to energy spikes and crashes. (Yes, that mid-afternoon slump isn’t just in your head!)
Chronic Stress – Your body’s fight-or-flight response is designed for short bursts, not all-day stress. Over time, it depletes essential hormones and neurotransmitters, leaving you running on fumes.
Poor Gut Health – Believe it or not, an unhealthy gut affects nutrient absorption, hormone production, and even mood — all contributing to fatigue.

How Functional Health Addresses Fatigue at the Root CauseUnlike the traditional “take a pill and move on” approach, functional medicine digs deeper to uncover the root causes of your fatigue. Here’s how we tackle it at our Addison wellness center:

Comprehensive Testing – We go beyond basic labs to evaluate hormones, gut health, inflammation markers, and micronutrient levels. Knowing what’s out of balance is key to crafting a personalized plan.
Targeted Nutrition Plans – Food fuels your body. We’ll create a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory eating plantailored to your unique needs.
Hormone Balancing – If your thyroid, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone levels are off, we use natural methods to restore balance — often without pharmaceuticals.
Chiropractic Care – Misalignments in your spine can disrupt nerve signals, contributing to poor sleep, sluggish metabolism, and low energy. Gentle adjustments help restore nervous system function.
Lifestyle Optimization – Sleep, stress management, and movement are essential for sustained energy. We help you build sustainable habits that support long-term vitality.

When Should You Seek Help for Fatigue?If you’ve been dealing with exhaustion for more than a few weeks — even after improving sleep, diet, or exercise — it’s time to dig deeper. Chronic fatigue isn’t normal, and you shouldn’t have to accept it as your everyday reality.

Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?Imagine waking up refreshed, having the energy to tackle your day, and finally feeling like YOU again. At Addison Functional Health & Chiropractic Care, we’re passionate about helping you reclaim your energy — naturally.

👉 Book a consultation today and start your journey toward vibrant, lasting energy. Your body will thank you!

Call Now

0 Comments

Neuroplasticity and Brain Health

How a Functional Medicine Chiropractor Can Transform Your Health

Why Am I Always Tired? Exploring Functional Health Solutions for Fatigue and Hormone Imbalance in Addison

Author

Categories

Archives