Auto insurance is designed to not only repair our vehicles but also our bodies.  The best way to educate yourself about your insurance coverage is to understand your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage amounts and how to maximize them.  What most people don’t realize is that by law, insurance companies have a minimum set amount that is guaranteed (usually $15,000 per person) in every accident, without having to do complicated settlements.

Dr. Brenda Ku, chiropractic physician at Root Whole Body Health offers a 10-step checklist for navigating the complex process of how to take care of yourself if you’ve been in an auto accident:

1.  Exchange insurance information with the other driver and ideally take photos.

Immediately after an accident, and assuming you are able to move, swap insurance and personal information.  Taking photographs is also recommended.

2.  Call the police to report the accident, but don’t be surprised if they do not come to the scene.

Everyone thinks to call the police, but unless it is a major accident that is blocking traffic or with seriously injured individuals, they are unlikely to respond.

3.  If you are severely injured, go to the emergency room.  If not, make the next available appointment with a primary care physician (DC, ND, or MD).

Seriously consider how you feel and take your time to evaluate your condition before you drive and/or decide whether or not to go to the hospital.  If you think your condition is not life threatening, you may opt to avoid the high costs of emergency care, where typically they will take x-rays and send you home with a prescription for pain killers and muscle relaxants and instructions to follow up with a primary care physician within a few days for your whiplash or sprain/strains.  The cost of this visit may equal half to most of your PIP, leaving you with little money for actual treatment and rehabilitation.  The other option is to immediately phone a primary care physician from the accident and make the next available appointment.  Most doctors will be able to fit you in that day or within 1-2 days without the high cost of emergency care.

4.  The effects and injuries of an auto accident may take days or even weeks to uncover.

Be forewarned that even with a minor accident there can be muscle soreness, decreased mental acuity, headaches, anxiety and fatigue.  These symptoms can take several days or weeks to develop.  So even if you think you immediately feel fine, making an appointment for a few days after the accident is a good idea regardless.  You may be thinking (and hoping), “I just need some days to rest, and this will all go away.” Unfortunately, in cases of even the most minor car accidents, your body has sustained veritable trauma and a little rest and ice is unlikely to eliminate your symptoms completely.  Getting your PIP to pay out depends on a primary care physician (PCP) determining the medical necessity of your care and referring you appropriately.  This can be a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or Medical Doctor (MD).

5. Contact your insurance company to file a claim.   

The next crucial step is to contact your auto insurance company and get a claim number.  If the accident was not your fault, the other driver’s insurance will ultimately cover your bills.  If it was your fault, or your accident was with an uninsured motorist, your insurance typically covers it.  As previously mentioned, your PIP coverage is typically guaranteed up to $15,000 for medical bills, assuming you have medical proof of your injuries and referrals from a Primary Care Physician.  If that amount is exceeded, further levels of discussion are required, usually leading to a “settlement” and possibly requiring the help of an attorney who specializes in auto injuries.  These are the general and most common guidelines, but you must find out exactly what your coverage is for your particular situation.  Learn what your PIP coverage amounts are, how much insurance the at-fault driver has, and if you have coverage on your policy for an under-insured motorist (UIM).

6.  Do not settle with any agents that contact you, unless you are 100% confident that you feel perfect and will stay that way.  And remember, NO RECORDED STATEMENTS that can be used against you in the future.

Although the insurance companies will ultimately make sure you are covered, they are very eager to ‘contain’ their potential costs and get things over with as quickly as possible.  It is not uncommon for you to get a call or a visit within a week of your accident from an agent (from the at-fault driver’s company) trying to get you to ‘settle’ for a few hundred dollars.  Unless you believe yourself to be feeling 100% as you were prior to the accident, with no doubt whatsoever — this is a legal tactic for you to declare the case over – DO NOT TAKE THIS BAIT.  People can take months or even years to fully recover and you must not feel rushed into this.  And above all else, NO RECORDED STATEMENTS that can be used against you in the future.

7. As soon as possible, contact a Chiropractor, Medical Doctor or Naturopath that is familiar with managing auto accidents, and is open to referring you to other practitioners for the best possible care.  Do not delay.

Your rate of rehabilitation and healing are directly related to how quickly you respond to your injuries with a doctor visit.  Each day that goes by without treatment will lengthen your recovery process.  Patients who have sought treatment within a day or two post-accident have often recovered in less than half the time of someone who waited a week or longer.

8. Be diligent with your treatment plan so that you can get back to 100% as quickly as possible.  

Your recovery can be accelerated and improved with an active and thorough approach to your care.  “The worst you thing you can do is nothing,” says Dr. Ku.  From her experience, “getting 80% better happens relatively fast, but that last 20% may never come without good hands-on restorative care and rehabilitation”.  And she warns not to neglect care for little ones that may have been involved, even if they can’t tell you how they feel. Children of any age are extremely vulnerable and should be evaluated even in minor accidents.

9.  If your case becomes complicated and you are concerned about exceeding your coverage, you may need to contact an Attorney.

There are several criteria to consider in choosing the right lawyer, and your Doctor will often have a referral for a good one.

10. Record the details.

Keep a daily log of the amount of time you spend dealing with all elements of the car accident.  Document everything from the time on the phone with agents, the auto shop, providers and lawyers, to your appointments, as well as how you are feeling each day.  This will all be very helpful in your final settlement.

For a complete and holistic approach to MVA (motor vehicle accident) care, visit Dr. Brenda Ku or one of the other chiropractors or naturopathic doctors at Root Whole Body Health to assess your injuries, treat your physical and emotional trauma and refer you to exceptional acupuncturists and massage therapists.  Private exercise therapy and sauna services are also available.  Accidents are stressful enough — recovering from it doesn’t have to be.  Contact Root Whole Body Health at (503) 288-7668 immediately should an accident occur and we’ll help you navigate your insurance and care.

As I return full, and truly nourished, from our Kauai Retreat this fall and as we celebrate our 7th anniversary, I’m filled with gratitude for our regulars and members – many of whom have grown with us – who bring their energy and intention to our amazing community every day. May this upcoming holiday season be one of joy, gratitude and the ability to pause – and allow the spirit of the holidays to truly sink in. ~ Pat Johnson, Founder.

Imagine floating on an ocean of sound as dozens of beautiful Himalayan and Tibetan singing bowls carry you to a place of calm, tranquil peace deep within yourself. Part concert, part meditation, and equal parts science and magic… Uma and her singing bowls will stir your soul, touch your spirit and bring ease to both body and mind. Please join us for this special event.

We have it pretty easy here in the Northwest.  Temperatures drop below 30 only on rare occasions.  Occasionally, the wind blows hard enough to make you pull your scarf tight around your face.  Our skin doesn’t suffer quite as much during winter months as those poor Midwesterners shoveling piles of snow from their driveways, their skin tight, their lips threatening to crack and bleed.  Still, our skin isn’t quite the same as it is in sunny summertime.  Even our heaters dry out the air in our homes.  And so, with the season’s change, it’s time to change your skin care regimen.  As our estheticians here at Root Whole Body will tell you, your skin adapts to the products you use.  It’s a good idea to switch it up now and then.  Elle suggests switching to a gel moisturizer for the cold months, but if you want to know what’s right for unique you, schedule a consultation here at Root.  Elle also reminds us to keep exercising and hydrating even when it’s more difficult to get outside.  (May I recommend a little yoga?)  Movement encourages blood flow and a healthy glow.  And don’t ever slack off on your SPF protection!  It might feel funny to slather on the sunscreen when the clouds are thick, but did you know that clouds can actually magnify the effects of radiation?  Take care of your skin this winter.  It’s an important and beautiful part of you.

Here at Root we offer organic facials, LED light treatment therapy and Eminence Organics products.  We even have a Winter Skin Hydration Package specially priced to keep your skin healthy this winter.  Got questions?  Give us a call!

+ pause and listen

+ regroup, decompress and get a massage

+ when overwhelmed, politely say “no”

+ boost your immune system with acupuncture

+ eat simpler, more whole foods

+ get into rhythm with your yoga practice

+ be aware of your posture and gait, movement should flow

+ start a creative project

+ journal, get to know yourself all over again

Ways to reconnect this fall:

+ $49 New Student Offer || $99 Unlimited Yoga + Sauna Membership

+ Weekend Warrior Relief Clinic with Dr. Brenda Ku

Learn foam-rolling techniques to maintain a flexible, active and pain-free body.

Saturday, Sept 22 at 1:30pm

+ RECONNECT: Health + Wellness Event on Sunday, September 30^th

   Meet our Clinic team and experience mini-massage and acupuncture

treatments, body composition + other health screenings, product + organic food

sampling

+ Fall/Winter Class Schedule begins October 8^th

+ The Art of Transition Weekend Workshop with Nathan Mills

Learn to pay attention and transition artfully through life.

Saturday, October 27^th and Sunday October 28^th at 1:30pm-3:30pm

+ Pre-Holiday Cleanse (October)

Time for your seasonal cleanse!  Join us before the holidays to give your

digestive system a much needed break.

A bit about Debra:

As a certified nutritional therapist, I help people get healthy and stay healthy with a properly prepared, nutritionally dense, whole food diet. I work one-on-one with clients to assess their current health, nutrition, weight and energy. We work together to create diet and lifestyle changes that fit their individual bodies and lives. By the time we’re done, they understand how to hear their own body’s needs, how to negotiate grocery store aisles and food labels, and feel healthy and energetic.

I came to nutritional therapy after several years of working in the natural foods industry, where I consulted with customers about choosing and cooking food. The more I learned about nutrition the more I yearned to share my passion about the inextricable link between what we eat and how we look, feel and function.

As with many people in this industry, my excitement about the power of good food and nutrition comes from my own experience. Over the years, I have dabbled in several of the popular diets – the Zone Diet, the Blood Type Diet, Atkins, and the ever popular but sorely misunderstood low-fat diet.

It was only when I stripped away the hype and marketing and got down to a life of real, whole, often living food, that I stabilized my weight effortlessly, emerged from the brain fog I had been living and working in, and abolished the need for medications I had been taking for years.

When I am not working with clients I am often digging in my organic vegetable garden or playing in my kitchen brewing up all manner of healthful, probiotic foods, like kefir, yogurt, kombucha, sourdough and sauerkraut.

While everyone is a biochemical individual, a properly prepared, nutritionally dense, whole food diet benefits everyone – especially you! If you have concerns about your diet, weight or general health and wellness, I can help. I offer a free one-hour health consultation to get started, feel free to schedule online or call (503) 288-7668.  Or, if you have any questions, email me at debram@rootwholebody.com.  I look forward to helping you achieve your optimum self!

Schedule a Nutrition Appointment

Also, a private class can be as customized as you want to suit your unique needs. For example, those with injuries can get the time they need to address which poses and modifications can be most beneficial and healing.  Serious runners can fine-tune a practice that will open their chest to enable deeper breathing, and can find poses that will lengthen their tight leg muscles.  Students with stress and anxiety issues can bask in a deep restorative practice created exactly for their personality. It’s all about you, and that’s okay!

One of the best parts of a private yoga class is that it will allow you to create a personal relationship with your teacher that cannot be found in large yoga classes.  Your teacher will have the opportunity to get to know the complete you – your body, your intention, your fears, your strengths, your blockages, etc. You get to ask any question that comes to mind, when it comes to mind.  In a private class, you can feel free to take a second to say ‘In this pose, I hurt here.  Why? How can we change that?’ In a group class many students do not want to draw attention to themselves or interrupt the flow of a class.

So what are you waiting for?  For yoga beginners or regulars wishing to deepen their practice, consider a series of one-on-one sessions.  Purchase here.

Most pain is caused by an imbalance or trauma in the body. Our body is made of millions of electrical channels, we are energetic beings. With issues of chronic pain, either not enough energy (qi, or chi, as your practitioner may call it) is able to get to a certain area due to a blockage somewhere, or on the flipside, too much energy is pooling in one area. Acupuncture opens up the energy channels in your body and gets everything flowing smoothly – bringing nourishing energy to places in your body that may not have received it in a while, and it also eases up old blockages.

Acupuncture can be used for all types of pain relief – back pain, migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual cramps…you name it. But don’t sign up for one session and expect it to erase all of your troubles. Strongest, most lasting results occur when you commit to a series of appointments. Acupuncture can also be used as part of a preventative maintenance routine, and sessions can be done seasonally even if you feel in good health. Just as you may do a cleanse, or treat your body to massages – love yourself enough to keep your body in tip-top condition.

If you are afraid of needles, have no fear. The needles used are MUCH thinner than any other needle that you have probably been poked with. It has been said that a half dozen to a dozen acupuncture needles could fit inside of a typical hypodermic needle. Once the needle is inserted, you may notice a warm feeling in that area, or you may actually begin to feel energy strengthening and running through your body. Many people become incredibly relaxed. And if it makes you feel any better, even conservative publication Good Housekeeping has recognized that acupuncture is a safe option for pain management: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/womens-health/acupuncture-pain-relief. If you want to see how the needles are inserted, or get to know some other techniques that may be involved in an acupuncture session to move energy through the body (such as ‘cupping’ and the use of ‘moxa’), check out this short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w48cqNh5_a4

You deserve to know what it feels like to move in your body pain-free. Pain does not have to be tolerated. It should be nothing more than a signal that there is an imbalance somewhere in your body – and that you should take care of it. Well, acupuncture is one great, easy way to do so! So sign up now for your first session, and be that much closer to a pain-free you.

Summertime can be a time which inspires you to be your most active, your most healthy – or it can turn into the time when you hole up in air conditioning, skip your yoga classes, and live off of a diet of ice cream and mojitos (hey, that mint in there has to count as some sort of green, no?).

The following are some easy ways to help keep you on track, so that when autumn rolls around, you are healthier, more vibrant, and with more mental and emotional clarity than ever before!

Monthly or bi-monthly Chiropractic

Do not underestimate the power of chiropractic work.  A chiropractic session for your body is like getting a tune up for your car – something that should be done to to remove any barriers to movement or any hesitations in your body’s mechanics.  It is an easy thing to do to keep your body working at its most optimal and pain-free.

Bi-weekly or monthly Massage

Who needs too many reasons to be talked into a massage, anyway?  Massage work is important in preventing any knots or build-up in muscles or joints, and to manually stretch muscles that might be difficult to do on your own. It is also a great way to ease stress and anxiety, to keep your mind as healthy as your body.

Yoga

Do not wait for autumn to start back up with your practice!  You should be doing as much yoga as you can for ideal physical and mental health.  Sign up for a class, some private lessons which can work around your busy summer schedule, or even just enjoy some sun salutations outside as the sun goes down – it doesn’t matter, as long as you just do something with yoga!

Food as fuel (and medicine)

Nature is our pharmacy and you may want to get an assessment of how well you are fueling your lifestyle and activities.  If you are low in energy or wish you had increased stamina, diet alone could be a reason.  Make an appointment with a nutritionist, or start honestly looking at your food intake to see where you could make improvements.  At the very least, you should easily be dramatically increasing the amount of fresh, organic fruits and veggies that you are eating, with the abundance of farmer’s markets and neighbors’ gardens that are overflowing in the summer with delicious, healthy food!

Acupuncture

In Oriental Medicine, prolonged stagnancy can result in illness and ultimately death.  All of the tools used in acupuncture (cupping, moxa, needling) are designed to keep your chi moving strongly to flush out any toxins or ailments that would stand in the way.  In China, many have weekly maintenance acupuncture sessions and we encourage that here too. We offer discounts for multiple sessions to make it easier to fit consistent acupuncture into your budget.

Sun Protection for your Skin

While we certainly encourage getting out and enjoying that delicious summer sun, please love yourself enough to prevent premature aging, sun damage and skin cancer by using an all-natural, organic sunscreen (may we suggest one from the Eminence Organics line we carry?).

Sauna

So many people think that the sauna is to be saved for the cooler autumn and winter months. But the benefits of sauna, especially to for lung clearing and detoxifying, are great regardless of the season.  So get sweating and get well on your way to a deep internal cleanse – it is also great for your skin!  Make sure to rehydrate well afterwards.

Get outside!

This cannot be emphasized enough!!  Enjoy the summer months to the fullest.  Go for long walks.  Take in as many golden sunsets as you can.  Swim in a lake, river, or waterfall pool. Breathe fresh air. Listen to the birds singing joyfully. Take a picnic with organic foods fresh from the farmer’s market. A healthy dose of Vitamin D and nature will support your physical and emotional health!

So we encourage you to try to implement as many things from this list as possible this summer. Make every day an opportunity to be healthier than you were the day before – for your body, mind and emotional health!