Ken Whidden

Getting Naked at Emerald Coast Chiropractic

February 4, 2015 by drken Leave a Comment

So, you’ve decided to come in to get a thirty or sixty minute massage and either you’ve never had one or never had one in a chiropractic office. Since some folks don’t know the procedure or not sure about proper etiquette, here is your massage therapy primer or Chiropractic Massage Therapy 101.

Once you come in (hopefully a few minutes prior to your scheduled time) you will be asked to complete a very abbreviated amount of paperwork, giving us your contact information and areas of concern. You will then be escorted to your room by one of our licensed massage therapists. They will review your paperwork and try to determine your areas of concern and brief health history. They will then leave the room after advising you to disrobe down to your comfort level. Some areas of the body can be more easily accessed if you are fully disrobed and most people do disrobe completely. They will indicate whether you need to be face up or face down to start and will not re-enter the room until you are ready and under the sheets.

Our massage therapists are fully trained to respect your modesty and address your musculoskeletal issues to enhance your quality of life and health care goals. Your short escape from today’s life stress may be the only quiet time you have all day. They understand that some patients like to talk and others simply like to relax and go to their happy place in their mind. We train our therapists to “speak only when spoken to”. Don’t be afraid to tell them if the massage pressure is too light or too much.

Once your time is up, you will be left alone to recover your senses and your body so that you face the rest of your day with renewed vigor and possibly a better attitude.

While tipping is not a requirement, they do accept and appreciate gratuities. The work they do is very physically demanding and delivered with the hope that your health has been enhanced in the process. We have several therapists on staff. Please feel free to try another therapists on your next visit.

Contact our office at 850-654-1850 to schedule your next massage.

Grand Boulevard Office Is Now Open!

January 22, 2015 by drken Leave a Comment

We are really excited that our Grand Boulevard office is finally open. We are a full service office now offering chiropractic and massage therapy for our new and existing patients. This office has been in the planning stages for over 3 years and we are very proud of how it has turned out and very excited for the future.

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and take a look at what we’ve been doing the last few months. We are located just east of Sandestin in the Grand Boulevard Town Center between Chan’s Wine World and Pros for Clothes dry cleaning. If you need an appointment, contact our office at the same number, 850-654-1850 and speak with one of our friendly voices to book a time to visit with us.

New Chiropractic Office Set To Open in Miramar Beach

November 20, 2014 by drken Leave a Comment

We are very excited to announce the opening of our new office in Miramar Beach. We will begin seeing patients at our Grand Boulevard location near the Publix location in Grand Boulevard at the beginning of 2015. We have been busy setting up the new office and getting it ready to give the same level of service we have been known for in Destin for the past several years.

We have been located in the Medical Office Building at Sacred Heart for the past four years and are ready to expand our practice and services to the Miramar Beach / Santa Rosa Beach area. This new location will include chiropractic and massage services conveniently located for the South Walton, Miramar Beach, Sandestin, and Santa Rosa Beach residents.

Our newest location is located between the Pros 4 Clothes and Chan’s Wine World location adjacent to the Grand Boulevard Publix. Please call our main office number to schedule an appointment at 850-654-1850.

Our physical address will be 655 Grand Blvd D-103, Miramar Beach, Florida 32550.

My First Half Marathon: Race Day Preparations

February 2, 2014 by drken Leave a Comment

Once I decided to do my first half marathon race and chose a training program that worked for my abilities and schedule, I set off on my journey. Running became a part of my routine at least three times a week. I was committed to my schedule and to the challenge.

During my training, I began learning that completing a half marathon successfully is not just about running, but by preparing yourself for the actual event. As you can imagine, there are several different food and drink options available to runners to supplement the depletion of energy stores over long durations. No two runners are exactly alike, and to find out what works, you must experiment! I tried different gels, chews, energy beans and even peppermints on my runs to figure out what would work for me on race day. It is also important to decide what you should eat before a race. The night before you may increase your carbohydrate intake moderately, but do not eat something so heavy or spicy that it comes back to haunt you the next morning. Breakfast the morning of the race should be something plain like a banana and a piece of toast. Remember pre race meals are also something you can and should experiment with ahead of time!

Wearing clothes that are appropriate for the race day temperature is important! Layering will be the key in colder climates and moisture wicking, breathable materials are crucial for those hot runs. There may be an urge to get a new outfit for your big race day, but I would advise against it. You want to be in clothing and shoes that you have worn before on longer runs. This way you can avoid any materials that may leave you chaffed or blistered!

Know the course for your race, especially if you are running your first half out of town. Take a drive along the route before the big day and visualize the areas that you will need to hydrate or eat. Be familiar with how far apart water stations and bathrooms are along the course. You definitely want to know what to expect from the course. This was where I learned a huge lesson! I looked up the course map on my race’s website a few weeks before the big day, and I discovered that the last quarter mile of the race was in sand! If I had not realized that beforehand, I would have been so discouraged that far in my run to discover a new obstacle. Thankfully, I knew it was coming, and I was able to muster up that last bit of energy to cross the finish line!

Get adequate rest in the nights before your race, and let your nerves be added energy to push you through! Lastly, enjoy it because it will be over before you know it (seriously!).

Dr. Kelly J. Donaldson

Winter Weather and Injuries

January 30, 2014 by drken Leave a Comment

I never thought I would be writing a blog about winter weather and injuries in Destin, Florida, but there is a first time for everything! Over the last week, we have experienced some rare ice and snow here on the Emerald Coast. Ice covered driveways and windows probably forced you to dig out some winter tools that you have from a time when you lived somewhere else!

If you are like me, you stepped out your front door and did a slide that resembled a scene out of Risky Business. Some of you might have even tried out the ice sledding that I saw in several photos and videos posted by local news outlets. All kidding aside, many people injure themselves in this kind of weather. When your muscles are not warmed up, you are more likely to strain or sprain a ligament or tendon. A body that is not conditioned is at an even greater disadvantage. Just being out side in frigid temperatures may stir up an old muscle or joint problem.

If you are suffering from soreness or an injury, try icing (yes, more cold) the muscle or area of pain (20 minutes on/20 minutes off). You can repeat this cycle a few times a day. This will help reduce inflammation. Stretch the injured area. Remember the rule of R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compress, elevate) if you have an injury that is causing swelling. If your injury is not resolved within a day or two, you may need to see your local chiropractor for further diagnosis and treatment.

Hopefully this icy weather is behind us, but on the outside chance that there is more to come, remember to be safe and stay warm!

Dr. Kelly J. Donaldson

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