A Functional Life Chiropractic Clinic

11/08/2025

I'm the announcer at the World Cup!

11/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AweCDchRP/

11/06/2025

Some current events

Dr. Fred Clary's Podcast · Episode

11/06/2025

Quick, easy listen

Dr. Fred Clary's Podcast · Episode

10/30/2025

10/30/2025

The Power of Functional Analysis Chiropractic Technique on Sleep

🧠 Biological and Neurological Insights

1. Circadian Rhythm Regulation

The brain’s **suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)** in the hypothalamus acts as the master biological clock. It synchronizes with natural light exposure to regulate **melatonin** production by the pineal gland.

When this rhythm is disrupted—through irregular schedules, late-night screens, or artificial light—the sleep–wake cycle becomes misaligned, reducing sleep quality and cognitive function.

2. Sleep Stages and Brain Function

Sleep alternates between **Non-REM (N1–N3)** and **REM** phases:

* **N3 (deep sleep):** essential for tissue repair, immune function, and **growth hormone** release.
* **REM sleep:** supports **memory consolidation, creativity**, and **emotional balance** through communication between the hippocampus and cortex.

During deep sleep, the **glymphatic system** clears toxins like beta-amyloid from the brain—a crucial process for long-term neurological health.

3. Neurotransmitters and Hormones

**Adenosine** builds up during waking hours, creating natural sleep pressure.

**Cortisol** peaks in the morning and lowers in the evening; excessive stress keeps it elevated, preventing deep rest.

Balanced levels of **GABA**, **serotonin**, and **dopamine** promote relaxation and stable mood cycles essential for healthy sleep architecture.

🌙 Healthy Sleep Hygiene Principles

1. Consistent Sleep Schedule

Maintain the same bedtime and wake-up time daily—even on weekends—to reinforce your body’s circadian rhythm.

2. Optimize Light Exposure

Morning: seek **natural sunlight** for 10–20 minutes to set your internal clock.

Evening: dim lights, reduce screen exposure, and use warm lighting to signal the brain that night has begun.

3. Create a Restful Environment

Ideal temperature: **60–67°F (15–19°C)**.
Keep your room dark and quiet; blackout curtains and white noise can help.

4. Limit Stimulants and Alcohol

Avoid caffeine after **2 p.m.**

Alcohol may cause drowsiness but disrupts REM and deep sleep later in the night.

5. Establish a Nightly Routine

Prepare for rest with **calming activities**—gentle stretching, slow breathing, Scripture reading, or meditative prayer—to activate the **parasympathetic nervous system**, allowing the body to unwind.

6. Nutrition and Exercise

Avoid heavy meals before bed.

Moderate daily exercise promotes restorative sleep, but high-intensity workouts should be done earlier in the day.

7. Healthy Habits in Bed

Use your bed **only for sleep and intimacy** to train your brain to associate it with rest.

⚡ The Power of Functional Analysis Chiropractic Technique on Sleep

Sleep is a **neurological process** influenced by the **autonomic nervous system**—the balance between sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) activity.
**Functional Analysis Chiropractic Technique (FACT)** enhances sleep by addressing spinal and neurological imbalances that interfere with these systems.

Chiropractic adjustments, particularly those guided by **functional analysis**, improve **neural efficiency** between the brainstem and the rest of the body.

Since the **brainstem regulates respiration, heart rate, and circadian synchronization**, improving its communication through spinal adjustment can help restore natural sleep rhythms.

By reducing **mechanical stress, muscular tension, and subluxations**, FACT allows the body to shift into a **parasympathetic-dominant state**, enhancing relaxation and deeper, longer sleep cycles.

Clinical observation shows improved breathing patterns, reduced nighttime arousals, and increased REM consistency after consistent FACT-based care.

Simply put, a properly aligned spine supports **optimal brain function**, which in turn promotes restorative, high-quality sleep—the foundation of both physical recovery and emotional resilience.

💤 Practical Summary

* Morning:Get sunlight, hydrate, and move your body.

* Afternoon: Limit caffeine and sugar.

* Evening: Unwind naturally; dim lights and avoid electronics.

* Night: Maintain spinal health and calm your mind through prayer, breathing, or light stretching.

* Weekly:Consider regular **Functional Analysis Chiropractic adjustments** to support your body’s innate sleep mechanisms.

10/30/2025

By popular demand

Dr. Fred Clary's Podcast · Episode

10/29/2025

When doubting yourself becomes a problem!

Dr. Fred Clary's Podcast · Episode

10/29/2025

Breathing Mechanics, Sleep Apnea, and the Role of Functional Chiropractic Adjustments

Introduction

Breathing is our most fundamental movement—an act that should be efficient, rhythmic, and effortless. Yet, many people live with **poor breathing mechanics** during the day without realizing that this same dysfunction often continues at night, leading to or worsening **sleep apnea**, fatigue, and other chronic health problems.

Poor Breathing Mechanics: The Daytime Problem

During waking hours, poor posture, prolonged sitting, shallow chest breathing, or structural imbalances can alter how air moves through the lungs.

Over time, this creates **restricted rib cage motion, diaphragm weakness, and compensation patterns** in the neck and back.
Instead of the diaphragm descending fully and the ribs expanding laterally, many individuals rely on **accessory muscles** of the neck and shoulders to breathe—creating tension, headaches, and reduced oxygen exchange.

The Nighttime Consequence: Sleep Apnea and CPAP Use

When these dysfunctional patterns persist during sleep, the consequences can be serious:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Collapsing airways due to poor neuromuscular control and posture of the tongue, jaw, and cervical spine.

Central apnea:Poor coordination between brainstem breathing centers and respiratory muscles.

Dependence on CPAP: While CPAP is lifesaving for many, it treats the *symptom*—airway collapse—rather than the *root cause* of poor breathing mechanics.

The Biomechanical Chain

Breathing is a **whole-body process**, dependent on:

* The alignment of the spine and rib cage

* The mobility of the thoracic vertebrae and costovertebral joints

* The balance of the pelvic diaphragm and thoracic diaphragm

* The proper activation of deep core stabilizers such as the transversus abdominis and multifidus

When the thoracic spine becomes restricted or the rib cage loses flexibility, the diaphragm cannot fully descend.

This creates **chronic under-ventilation**, increased sympathetic (stress) tone, and poor oxygenation—all of which worsen nighttime apnea.

Functional Analysis Chiropractic: Restoring the Breath

Through **Functional Analysis Chiropractic techniques**, structural corrections and neuromuscular retraining are aimed at restoring **proper respiratory mechanics**:

Chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic spine, ribs, cervical spine, and upper airway structures free joint restrictions and restore segmental motion.

These precise adjustments also **increase efficiency in the brainstem**, the control center for respiration, by improving afferent and efferent neurological communication throughout the spine and nervous system. This enhanced signaling allows the brainstem to regulate breathing rhythm, airway tone, and muscle coordination more effectively.

Because the nervous system integrates movement and function as a whole, **adjustments anywhere in the body**—from the pelvis to the feet—can positively influence breathing mechanics by reducing compensations and improving global neurological efficiency.

* Functional Analysis Assessment*identifies inhibited muscles critical for breathing, such as the diaphragm, scalenes, and intercostals.

* Reflex and proprioceptive retraining restores normal coordination between the brain, spine, and respiratory muscles.

By improving posture, rib motion, and neuromuscular timing, patients often experience:

* Easier, deeper breathing
* Reduced tension and fatigue
* Better oxygenation and sleep quality
* Decreased reliance on CPAP or improved CPAP effectiveness

Conclusion

Poor breathing mechanics during the day create a cascade of dysfunction that continues into sleep.

Through **Functional Analysis Chiropractic care**, the body can be rebalanced and re-trained to breathe efficiently, both waking and sleeping. Chiropractic adjustments restore optimal communication within the brainstem and throughout the nervous system, promoting the natural rhythm of life’s most vital act—the breath.

10/27/2025

What are C15 fats and why are they important to me and why I need to know it now

Here’s a breakdown of what makes **C15 fats** interesting and important:

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# # # 🧪 **Basic Info**

* **Chemical name:** Pentadecanoic acid
* **Formula:** C₁₅H₃₀O₂
* **Type:** Saturated, odd-chain fatty acid
* **Found in:** Dairy fat (butter, milk, cheese), ruminant fat (beef, lamb), and certain fish oils.

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# # # 🥛 **Dietary Sources**

The richest natural sources include:

* **Butterfat** (especially from grass-fed cows)
* **Whole milk and cream**
* **Cheese**
* **Beef and lamb fat**
* **Some marine oils**

These foods contain small but significant amounts of both **C15:0** and **C17:0 (heptadecanoic acid)**.

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# # # ❤️ **Health and Biological Roles**

Recent studies have found that **C15:0** may act as a *beneficial “essential” fatty acid*, with several promising effects:

1. **Anti-inflammatory effects**

* Helps reduce chronic low-grade inflammation linked to metabolic and aging disorders.

2. **Improved metabolic health**

* Higher circulating C15:0 levels are associated with **lower risk of type 2 diabetes**, **heart disease**, and **fatty liver disease**.

3. **Cell membrane stability**

* Strengthens and stabilizes cell membranes, promoting longevity and reducing oxidative damage.

4. **Potential “essential fat” status**

* Unlike even-chain saturated fats (often linked with adverse effects), C15:0 may be **protective** and necessary for maintaining healthy cell function.

5. **Epigenetic and mitochondrial benefits**

* Early research suggests it may enhance mitochondrial function and gene expression linked to longevity.

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# # # 🧬 **Clinical and Research Highlights**

* **Harvard Nurses’ Health Study & others**: higher blood levels of C15:0 and C17:0 correlated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

* **Animal and cell studies**: C15:0 acts as a *partial PPARα and PPARδ agonist*, meaning it helps regulate metabolism, inflammation, and energy balance.

* **Comparison to omega-3s**: some researchers now call C15:0 the “**first new essential fatty acid discovered in 90 years**,” complementing omega-3 and omega-6 fats.

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10/27/2025

Butter. Let's remove the negative attitudes right now.

Butter—especially when sourced from grass-fed cows—can play a modest but meaningful role in supporting **gut health**, though it should be consumed in moderation. Here’s a clear breakdown of how butter affects the gastrointestinal system:

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# # # 🧈 1. **Source of Butyrate (a Key Short-Chain Fatty Acid)**

* **Butyrate** is a compound naturally present in small amounts in butter (its name even comes from “butyric acid”).
* In the gut, **butyrate** is also produced by beneficial bacteria fermenting dietary fiber.
* Butyrate is essential because it:

* Feeds and strengthens **colonocytes** (cells lining the colon).
* Helps maintain a **healthy intestinal barrier**, reducing “leaky gut.”
* Has **anti-inflammatory** and **antioxidant** effects in the colon.
* Supports a balanced gut microbiome by discouraging the growth of harmful bacteria.

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# # # 🧬 2. **Supports Fat-Soluble Vitamin Absorption**

* Butter provides **vitamins A, D, E, and K2**, all of which require dietary fat for absorption.
* These vitamins contribute to:

* The **integrity of mucosal linings** in the gut.
* Proper **immune regulation**—much of which occurs in the gastrointestinal tract.

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# # # 🧫 3. **Contains Healthy Fatty Acids**

* Grass-fed butter has higher levels of:

* **Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)** – linked to reduced inflammation and improved immune responses.
* **Omega-3 fatty acids** – which may help balance the inflammatory response in the gut.

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# # # ⚠️ 4. **Moderation and Individual Sensitivity**

* Butter is **high in saturated fat**, which can be excessive if eaten in large quantities.
* People with **dairy sensitivities or lactose intolerance** may experience bloating or discomfort from butter, although clarified butter (ghee) removes most lactose and milk proteins.
* Industrial or grain-fed butter has fewer beneficial compounds and more omega-6 fats, which can promote inflammation if overconsumed.

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# # # 🌿 5. **Traditional and Modern Perspectives**

* **Traditional diets**, such as those promoted by the Weston A. Price Foundation, value butter as a “sacred food” for digestive vitality.
* **Modern nutritional science** tends to agree that **moderate butter intake**, especially from grass-fed sources, is compatible with good gut and metabolic health when part of a balanced diet rich in fiber, fermented foods, and whole plant matter.

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# # # ✅ **Practical Tips**

* Choose **grass-fed, organic butter** for higher butyrate and CLA content.
* Pair with **high-fiber foods** (vegetables, whole grains, legumes) to encourage natural gut butyrate production.
* Use **ghee** if sensitive to dairy.
* Combine with **fermented foods** (yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir) for a synergistic gut-health effect.

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10/23/2025

Cool topic

Dr. Fred Clary's Podcast · Episode