03/19/2020
To: All the friends, patients, and patrons of Cedar Health Center and Arizona Digital Motion X-ray.
I am sure by now that you have been bombarded with COVID-19 updates by every company that you have ever done business with. Unfortunately, most of these have only been talking about ways for avoiding the virus, (washing hands, cough or sneeze in elbows, avoid shaking hands, etc).
This is only half of the equation. I would like to add to it the other side of this equation with the hopes that you will find peace and encouragement with my addition.
I believe, what I am calling, the “Panic-demic” could have a far more damaging effect than the COVID-19 pandemic ever will. Federal, state and local leaders are doing their best to mitigate the spread to this virus. While the risk is low, the ability of this virus to spread is what has caused the concern and the reasons for the decisions leading to social distancing.
Diseases will come and go. This virus is not new in the sense of health calamities that the human race has before or will in the future face.
During the days of the bubonic (black) plague, there were those taking care of the plague victims that didn’t get sick. Why? Their immune systems were strong.
They did things to strengthen their immune system.
There are some things I would like to present to you for your consideration while making decisions pertinent to your health and protection.
Before I do, however, I would like to mention one risk avoidance strategy that I have not yet seen anyone mention. I personally think that this one thing is probably the most overlooked essential step to decreasing risk, especially RIGHT NOW!
Stress is the silent killer. It weakens the immune system, causes irrational decisions. When we are in a state of panic, we are stressed. When we witness others panicking, we are stressed. When we find we cannot get needed supplies like toilet paper, we are stressed.
Here is the list of improving your health so that you can weather this virus storm.
1) Decrease your stress and worry. I know this can be challenging in light of all that is happening. Here are some effective ways to do that.
a) Limit exposure time to negative news or social media posts.
b) Spend time with just you. Meditate, pray, and listen to relaxing music.
c) Watch uplifting movies and avoid highly stressful movies.
d) Read good books
e) Continue to get your chiropractic adjustments, they are short visits that can
greatly reduce stress and help the body relax and perform its functions
better. Massage takes longer, but helps with relaxation even more.
f) Get outside. This does not mean be around people. It could be a balcony, a back yard, anything away from people that can still give you fresh air and sun.
2) Take supplements that have been shown to boost the immune system. Call for a phone consult.
3) Eat good foods that help strengthen the immune system. (fruits, vegetables, etc.)
4) Avoid foods that stress the immune system. (sugar, alcohol, etc.)
5) Perform light stretches and exercise to your ability
6) Take more slow and deep breaths and exhale through the mouth.
7) Get proper rest, but avoid over sleeping.
I’m sure there is even more, but these are a great start to improving your health safety net.
We will continue to stay open to give everyone a chance to improve their health and decrease their stress. We have stepped up our sanitation efforts as well as spacing patient visits out in order to minimize social crowding. In order to be successful in our efforts to provide you with safe effective treatments, we need your help with the following:
1) Please do not come in if you are sick. Our office is not equipped to handle sickness at this time. We will turn you away.
2) You can call our office and have a phone consultation with Dr. Cooke if you are needing prescription or supplement services. You can have someone pick them up for you, or for additional fees, we can mail them to you. We can take your payment over the phone for the consultations and supplies. You will still have to go to the pharmacy for your prescriptions.
3) If you need to cancel, please give us as much notice as possible. We are working on limited schedules and a, “no show” visit will prevent someone else from treatment and hinder the providers abilities to see people.”
As we work together and not panic, this virus shall become a thing of past and we all shall return to normal, and hopefully continue the healthy steps we have been taking to avoid, prevent and decrease these communicable risks.
We thank you for your continued support and patronage to our office and look forward to helping you improve your health, especially in circumstances we are faced with today.
Sincerely,
Bruce B. Lee, D.C.,MUA-C
Rebecca L. Cooke, NMD, LMT