Seasonally Decreased Immune Function Around the Holidays

Shorter days and colder weather cause people to stay inside more, reducing the amount of natural vitamin D they make, which is a key immune system booster.

The human immune system is highly complex and multi-faceted. Seemingly an infinite number of things can affect our internal landscape and alter how our immune system defenses respond to and fight foreign invaders to keep us healthy. The misconception a lot of people have is thinking that we want a super active immune system that is like Rambo, an ultimate killing machine! Really what we want is a balanced immune system, that neither swings into hyperactivity nor falls into decreased function. If our immune system functions too high, we end up with autoimmune disorders – this is when the immune system attacks our body’s cells, not just foreign invaders, if it is not functioning as it should, when exposed to germs we get sick and have to fight off an illness.

Did you know that just the time of year can affect our immune system function? Just the fact that the daylight does not last as long can cause our immune system to be less responsive. Shorter days and colder weather cause people to stay inside more, reducing the amount of natural vitamin D they make, which is a key immune system booster. An alternative for the individual not wanting to go outside is supplementing Vitamin D into their diet.

Another thing that can depress our immune system function is increased sugar intake. High sugar intake causes a process in the body that creates an inflammatory response. This inflammation taxes the immune system making it more difficult to fight the germs it needs to. Decreasing sugar intake and getting 15-20 minutes of sunlight each day can normalize and improve immune system function.

One last note on stress, our immune system is affected by the presence of the stress hormone Cortisol. Increased levels of Cortisol in the body will fatigue our immune system to the point where it cannot keep up with the presence of foreign material. This is why people who are undergoing chronic stress tend to get sick more frequently. Finding ways to manage stress around the holidays can keep you out of the doctor’s office!

Remember the goal is to have a balanced immune system. Enjoy your holiday, get some sunshine or supplement vitamin D, reduce sugar intake, and manage stress for a healthy holiday!

Dr. Jeremiah Morgan is a licensed Chiropractic Physician, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Certified Active Release Technique provider. He practices in Downtown Matthews at Pro Active Chiropractic.

Avoid the Summer Injuries

“More injuries occur during the summer months than at other times of the year.”

With the warm weather approaching, people are getting outdoors and becoming more active. Accordingly, the health care profession is gearing up to start treating summer-related injuries. Adults and children are both getting outdoors and being active more with the changing of the seasons and whenever people are more active, the more likely they are to get hurt. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “More injuries occur during the summer months than at other times of the year. In addition, injuries are much less frequently reported near the end of the calendar year.”

One of the reasons for Spring and Summer injuries is the quick transition from being indoors and inactive to being outside and exercising. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments are not used to producing and transmitting force which can result in either traumatic injury (like a sprain) or an overuse injury (like shin splints). Either way, you could be trading your summer of fun in for a summer of Physical Therapy.

Here are two ways you can do to help avoid summer injuries:

Warm-up

This is the #1 way to help avoid injury during activity. It doesn’t matter if it is yard work or a pick-up game of basketball, spending five minutes could save you weeks of recovery. Warm-ups not only prepare your muscles to contract better, they also improve your nervous system function, cardiovascular health, and will actually help you perform your task at a higher level. So if you are looking for a leg up in your backyard ultimate frisbee game, take the time to warm up If you are unsure about what a proper warm-up routine looks like, here is a good instructional video from YouTubers TheLeanMachines.

Spend 3 weeks going slow

If you are trying to get back into shape over the summer months and have been inactive for a long time, then you should spend the first three to four weeks doing lighter weight and lower intensity during your workouts. This may sound like a long time, but the biggest threat of injury comes with going to hard too soon. It is better to take three weeks and let your body accommodate to the workload. Remember, health is cooked in a crockpot, not a microwave.

Summer should be about fun, vacations, and activities. Avoid a trip to your local doctor by taking the time to avoid injuries before they happen!

Dr. Jeremiah Morgan is a licensed Chiropractic Physician as well as a Certified Active Release Technique provider. He currently practices in Downtown Matthews at Pro Active Chiropractic.

2810[high]5: Places to Practice Yoga

Matthews may not have a dedicated yoga studio, but there are plenty of opportunities to get your Savasana fix. We’ve rounded up a few, but if you know of more, share them in the comments!

Matthews Community Center: Fit a work out in over your lunch break with Chris Robertson on Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. 100 E McDowell St, Matthews

Lifetime Fitness: Join Mandi Murrow Brown on Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m. for heated Vinyasa yoga. Email Mandi for more info. 9915 E Independence Blvd, Matthews

Stumptown Park: Elinor Edvi Miller will guide you through Vinyasa and deep stretch yoga Fridays at 9:30 a.m. on the stage in the park. 120 S Trade St, Matthews

Brace YMCA: With classes for every skill level every single day, there’s bound to be a class for everyone. You’ll have to have a monthly Y membership, though. 3127 Weddington Rd, Matthews

McDowell Arts Center: Practice yoga while surrounded in art, Katrina Whelchel leads slow flow yoga in the arts center on Thursdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. 123 E McDowell St, Matthews

I.T.S. Athletic Training: The Extra Mile is Built on Character

Follow Fit.by.Felando on Instagram

In 2014 Felando Clark was at a crossroads in his life. His pastor asked him a few questions: 1) What do you dream of doing? 2) What do you feel when someone else does something really poorly? (And, in what field would this be?) 3) What would you do even if you could do it for free? The answer was simple. Within days he quit his job and became a personal trainer. He opened I.T.S. (Impact Training Systems) Athletic Training.

Today, at 50, the Mint Hill resident has numerous successes under his belt – all won through I.T.S.

Last year, one of his clients was a first-round draft for the NFL; this year, three of his clients/kids are entering the NFL draft. Another client was just signed to play professional arena football.

In 2014, he started an eighth-grade football training program designed to help athletes prepare for high school football. Of the 13 kids enrolled in that program, eight of them went on to play football in college.

During football season (July – October), he helps train kids who come from all over the country to attend the nearby Jireh Prep School, hoping to shore up their sports or academic skills necessary to transfer to a Division I team.

His current success? A female middle school student who is one of the top middle school soccer players in North Carolina, playing on a state team which travels to and competes with other state-teams. Felando believes she’s so good that she might end up qualifying for the USA soccer team, in a future Olympics.

Although Felando clearly has a fire in his belly to win (as do many of his kids), he places as much emphasis on the character and leadership qualities he has helped instill in them. He says he knows that talent, alone, will not take them very far (or give them longevity) in the professional leagues – it is the innate qualities which will also help make sports stars. And, in many cases, both he and they are aiming for the top.

But, Felando does not just measure success by his client’s professional achievements, he also helps senior citizens, and dozens of other adults get fit, find confidence and become healthier. He takes innate pleasure in assisting them to reach their own goals and seeing them push through to conquer their personal challenges.

Retelling his four-year journey, Felando marvels at his fork-in-the-path story, his subsequent life-choice, and his well-deserved happiness with its successful outcome.

What are Felando’s favorite quotes? “Go the extra mile – the lines are shorter,” and “I can’t’ is not an option!”

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

I.T.S. Athletic Training
640-E Matthews Mint Hill Road/Matthews Executive Park
704-449-8843
Facebook: @ITSCoachClark

Morning Minute: Tuesday, January 1, 2019

News About Town: It’s time again for the monthly Meet with the Mayor at Miki’s Restaurant (say that 10 times real fast). This Saturday, from 8 to 9 a.m.,  Take some time to sit down with Mayor Bailey at Miki’s (1819 Matthews Township Pkwy) and ask about what’s going on in town. 

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

News Around Town: If you’re looking for a new hobby (or to practice an existing hobby further), the Park and Rec Department has lots of options. From yoga to art-making, there’s something on their roster to fulfill your New Year’s goal. No need to camp overnight to get a spot for your yoga mat at the gym, each class has a limited number of spots. The affordability is a bonus: get fit, be more creative, and save some dough in 2019.

One Good Thing: We’re constantly discussing what works and doesn’t work on the Matthews Beacon site as a whole, and one difficult task has been organizing archived articles. We've added three indexes for easier access: Articles by Author, Articles by Category, and Articles by Date. When you click on Latest News, you’ll see a drop down menu for these options. Give it a whirl and let us know what you think.

Outdoor Bootcamp for Modern-Day Gladiators

Driving past Stumptown Park, drivers may catch a glimpse of men and women working out in a variety of ways. Called “Camp Gladiator,” they’re seeing individuals participating in an outdoor-only fitness boot camp, which offers classes three times/week;  three times a day to nearly 60 clients.

Based on increasing interest, Stumptown Park is one of two workout locations for Camp Gladiator franchise owner and born and raised Matthews resident/personal trainer, Jeff Kelly, 27. He hopes to double that number by early next year.

While average age is 25-45, this year-round camp is intended for “all fitness levels. It’s a go-at-your-pace boot camp,” said Kelly, adding that he’s “here to push you….(It’s for those who) want to maintain their health and fitness or they want to get back to where they (once) were.”

“Our campers can bring their kids – several bring babies in strollers and (their) children,” he said.  “One camper uses her child as a weight,” he added, laughing.

Gladiator offers 10 five-week camps each year;  themes are structured around endurance training, strength and agility, metabolic training, peak and a wrap-up week.

Kelly said he’s thrilled to be bringing a sport he loves to a town he loves even more.

Crews Road: Where line dancing is alive and well

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Driving down Sam Newell Road near Crews Road, on Wednesdays, between 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., one might hear the sounds of songs like “Achy Breaky Heart,” “Electric Slide,” and “Uptown Funk” along with laughter and exclamations emanating from the Crews Recreation Center.

Here, line dancing is alive and well, thanks, in part, to a determined long-time Matthews resident, Belinda Burgess-Purcell, 68, who is the class teacher.

“It’s all about having fun and getting some exercise,” she said. “I make so many mistakes that it makes them real comfortable,” said Belinda, laughing. “I have two rules – try to go in the same direction and have fun.  Just stand there and boogey. I don’t care what you do, but keep moving.”

Five years ago, Belinda approached the town to offer her services. “I don’t get many opportunities to dance anymore,” said this lifelong dance enthusiast. “We don’t go to bars, or across town to (other) line dancing… (This type of dance) reaches out to a bigger crowd. It’s good exercise without having the (expectations) of other dance classes.”

Now, five years later, the crowd continues to grow. On a recent Wednesday, twenty people, ages 40-90, attended the class. Nearly all of the participants were women.  “There are more women who love to dance than men,” said Belinda. “Most of these ladies’ husbands don’t dance; it’s hard to get on the floor by yourself and dance. For people who are a little bit shy, it allows them (some anonymity),” she said.

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Having struggled recently with ailments and surgeries, this is an opportunity for Belinda and the others to keep moving. “I do this because I want to do this,” she said. “The biggest thing about this class is that sometimes others get real serious about line dancing.”

“I have two rules – try to go in the same direction and have fun.  Just stand there and boogey. I don’t care what you do, but keep moving.”

— Belinda Burgess-Purcell

“At the beginning of the class, I tell them this is for fun, this is exercise….It’s more about doing an activity,” Belinda said. “Dance affords cardio, balance, rhythm - all the things we can (focus on) as we get older. Losing our balance becomes more (prevalent). I’m trying to work in stuff (routines) that’s supposed to help.”

Line Dancing with Belinda Burgess-Purcell

Crews Rec Center 1201 Crews Road, Matthews, NC 28105
Phone: 704-708-1287 Wednesdays, between 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Mojo Saturday Morning Bike Run

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

At 7:30 a.m. on most Saturdays, dozens of bikers will gather to start their weekly exercise from the train rails in front of Mojo’ Cycles on an approximately 30 or 50 (sometimes 70!)-mile loop which will bring them back home again. (They might also have taken a similar ride on Tuesday or Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.)

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

This is a chance to meet up with friends, see the countryside or just get some exercise. The average rider here is in his/her 40s, prompting bike shop owner Jimmy Johnson to comment that this is a great aerobic exercise they can do – one which only requires muscle, stamina and a tweaking of accessories to accommodate aging bodies.

As millennials stake a claim to leaving cars parked during weekends, Johnson sees “more interest in biking than ever,” especially off-road biking, made possible by the increasing number of Greenways and biking trails being constructed in and around Charlotte.

To accommodate the often large crowd during holiday runs, the group is often escorted by police to Independence Boulevard and beyond, ensuring their safety.

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

This is a decades-old tradition Johnson feels strongly about continuing, adding, “It’s good to leave from a bike shop, (just) in case you need something.”

Mojo Cycles
105 W Charles Street
Matthews, NC 28105
704-817-0009

TUESDAY - FRIDAY: 10am - 6pm
SATURDAY: 9am - 5pm
SUNDAY &  MONDAY: Closed