Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects 100,000 people every year. This disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease affects people by degrading their neurons to where they slowly begin to lose motor control. You may also recognize it from the Ice Bucket Challenge that was popular on social media in 2015. Sadly, this disease is fatal, but can be more easily managed and understood with some simple lifestyle changes. This information is important for not only those who have contracted ALS, but also for those that care for them. Every day with an increased quality of life is priceless.

This information was compiled from a myriad of websites that can be accessed below for more information:
http://www.infographicspedia.com/als-facts-and-the-als-ice-bucket-challenge-infographic/
https://www.novusbio.com/antibody-news/antibodies/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-infographic
http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageNavigator/GW_challengeALS_what_is_ALS.html

CranioSacral Therapy is a type of manual therapy that releases tension in deep tissues that protect the central nervous system. This then allows the central nervous system- your brain and spinal cord- to act more efficiently. By releasing this tension, it greatly increases mobility and motility, especially in patients with neurological deficits. This is done through gentle pressure (no more than the weight of a dime!) in the fashion of a massage. This naturally eliminates pain and stress as it strengthens your resistance to disease and enhances health. This is especially helpful to people with head injuries or back pain. Our therapists offer these services and others that have patients leaving the clinic raving about how "refreshing" it feels and "amazed at the immediate results". Inquire about CranioSacral and other variations of physical therapy today and discover the healing power of a gentle touch.

Sunny days like today make all of us here at CPT look forward to summer! This sunshine also reminds us how much we need Vitamin D- something that can be hard to find in the long Alaskan winters. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient involved in bone density, skin health, and preventing autoimmune disease and depression. Many Alaskans take vitamin D supplements or find it in vitamin D rich foods such as fish (salmon, yum!), mushrooms, eggs, etc. The darkness is something we're all aware of in December-January, but don't forget the vitamin D after the winter solstice. The lowest levels of vitamin D found in blood tests of Alaskans is in March. So don't forget to continue to take your supplements as the snow starts to melt! If you're not that into fish or taking supplements, a short 20 minute walk will give you all the vitamin D you need for the day! So get outside and enjoy the warm sunny weather while it lasts!

For more information, ADN did an article on Vitamin D specific to Alaska that can be found at:
http://www.adn.com/article/how-get-enough-vitamin-d-alaska-during-dark-months

A fitness blog recently published an infographic on the effect that exercise can have on your brain and the importance of remaining active throughout the lifetime. That's right, lifting weights and walking isn't just for the young bucks anymore! Just 20 minutes of physical activity can improve memory, boost creativity, reduce risk of depression, as well as release feel good hormones. The infographic is attached below, and for more information feel free to visit the original website at http://guysandgoodhealth.com/2015/04/24/how-the-brain-benefits-from-exercise-infographic/.