How Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners Secretly Fuel Pain and Inflammation October is Drug-Free Pain Relief Month, and I want to share something that might surprise you, sugar causes inflammation, and inflammation causes pain. So if you're dealing with chronic discomfort, what you're eating and drinking may be playing a bigger role than you realise. And before you reach for a 'diet' soda as the safer option, here's what the research actually shows. Artificial sweeteners such as

In my last blog, I reported on findings from the book Nature and the Mind. One of the factors that improves your physical, mental, and social well-being that I did not tell you about is bird song. After listening to my next book, Bird School: A Beginner in the Woods by Adam Nicolson, I am inspired to get back to you with that health tip. Our Birds Are Disappearing Unfortunately our population of birds is dwindling dramatically. Some, as you know, are already extinct. Others h

The latest book I'm listening to is by Mark G. Berman, PhD, pioneer creator of the field of Environmental Neuroscience. Author of Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical and Social Well-Being is worth checking out. In the introduction, from his original research and others, Dr. Berman states that: Just 11 more trees on your street can decrease cardiometabolic disorders like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Short walks in nature can incr

We are so fortunate in the summer to have a greater variety of fruits and vegetables available to us. Today I am sharing some of my favorite recipes from my book Internal Cleansing, which is full of natural and effective ways to fight challenging health issues through food. Why Summer Is the Perfect Time to Nourish Your Body Summer is a time when we sleep a little less and do a whole lot more. That makes it even more important to fuel your body with foods that give back as mu

In my quest to eliminate suffering and elevate well-being for myself and my patients, I continually seek to learn new and better ways to fulfill that goal. A Regenerative Therapy That Winds Back the Clock Recently I have been introduced to a regenerative therapy that winds back the clock to a younger and healthier you. Mesenchymal stem cell exosome therapy is one of the most exciting developments in regenerative medicine today, and my personal experience with it has been rema

Summer travel should be about making memories, not managing pain. Whether you are heading out on a road trip with the kids or catching a flight to somewhere you have been dreaming about, the last thing you want is to arrive at your destination feeling stiff, achy, and exhausted before the fun even begins. Dr. Sherry McAllister, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and author of Adjusted Reality, recently appeared on Access Carolina to share her practical anti

When I heard that snack sized workouts were named one of the biggest wellness trends of 2026, I had to find out more. I learned from Dr. Sherry McAllister, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, that it’s mainly the time frame. So What Is a Snack Sized Workout? It is exactly what it sounds like. A short burst of movement, think push ups, lunges, squats or sit ups, lasting anywhere from 20 seconds to 10 minutes. No gym. No commute. No special equipment. Just mo

Taking a walk may be the most underrated way to maintain your health and fitness. The more obvious benefits include preserving a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, reducing stress, and increasing energy. But the benefits go much deeper than most people realize. Additional Physical Health Benefits of Walking A brisk 30 to 60 minute walk five days a week can deliver benefits that might surprise you: Decreases the impact of weight-promoting

What if the secret to living a long, vibrant, and healthy life wasn't found in a pharmacy — but in the daily habits of five extraordinary communities scattered across the globe? I was honoured to be invited to speak to the Marin County Section on Aging, where I shared my presentation: Live Long and Healthy: The Blue Zones Way and Beyond. It was one of those conversations I wish everyone could be part of — so I'm bringing it to you here. The full 30-minute talk is linked belo

This information is from Master Mantak Chia, Dr Linda's Taoist teacher. Most of us move through seasonal changes without noticing them. But ancient traditions remind us that nature's rhythms offer powerful guidance for our own health and healing. In traditional Chinese wisdom, we are currently in the period of Gǔyǔ — Grain Rain — the final transition from spring into the first warmth of summer. It is a time when rainfall deepens, roots are nourished, and new life pushes upwar

Spring has a way of instigating runny noses, coughing, and sneezing from the amount of pollen in the air. Have you ever seen an enlarged picture of pollen? No wonder it causes trouble when you breathe it into your respiratory tract. Pollen looks like one of those mace balls that knights in armor used in medieval jousts. Pollen granules look like round ball with spikes poking out all over them. Histamine release is a normal part of your body’s defense response, but during pe

Do you have pain that won’t go away? Since chiropractic doctors help you feel your best without drugs or surgery, we often include other therapies in addition to spinal adjustments to get you where you want to be. One of those therapies that I use in my office is Laser Therapy. I discovered Laser Therapy at a Chiropractic Conference. Because of years of walking with an abnormal gait, I developed arthritis so bad in my left hip that I couldn’t stand or walk without pain. After

Feeling nervous before your first chiropractic appointment is completely normal. Knowing what to expect can make all the difference — and at Dr. Berry's San Rafael practice, every first visit is designed to be welcoming, thorough, and pressure-free. Your First Visit Starts With You Before anything else, Dr. Berry takes time to understand your full health history and listen to your goals. This isn't a rushed intake — it's a genuine conversation about where you are and where yo

Healing doesn't stop at the adjustment table. What you eat between visits plays a significant role in how quickly and completely your body recovers. Why Nutrition Matters for Chiropractic Recovery The body needs the right raw materials to repair tissue, reduce inflammation, and maintain the structural changes made during chiropractic adjustments. Without proper nutrition, even the best care can be undermined by what's happening at the cellular level. How Inflammation and Nutr

How Chiropractic Adjustments Reduce Migraine Symptoms Headaches and migraines are among the most common complaints chiropractors see — and in many cases, the root cause isn't where people expect it to be. Why Headaches and Migraines Are Often a Spinal Problem When the upper spine is misaligned, it can irritate nerves and restrict blood flow, triggering recurring head pain. Muscle tension in the neck and shoulders compounds the problem, creating a cycle that medication alone r

The body holds onto stress and trauma in surprising ways. Chronic tension, headaches, digestive issues, and back pain can all be connected to unresolved emotional stress — and treating the physical symptoms alone often isn't enough. How Stress and Trauma Show Up in the Body Most people don't realise that emotional experiences leave a physical imprint. When stress goes unresolved, the nervous system stays in a heightened state, keeping muscles tight, disrupting digestion, and

Modern lifestyles often involve long hours sitting at computers or looking down at phones. Over time, poor posture strains the spine and muscles. Common symptoms include: Neck stiffness Upper back tension Headaches Lower back pain Dr. Linda Berry offers posture and foot scans to evaluate alignment and identify imbalances. Corrective adjustments help restore spinal balance and prevent chronic issues.

This advanced therapy works by delivering light energy into damaged tissue, increasing blood flow and accelerating healing at the cellular level. Laser therapy can help with: Joint pain Sports injuries Arthritis Tendonitis Neck and back pain Patients in San Rafael choose laser therapy because it is painless, drug-free, and requires no downtime. Combined with chiropractic care, laser therapy enhances healing and speeds recovery.

When most people think about visiting a chiropractor, they think about back pain. But chiropractic care is about much more than pain relief. At my clinic in San Rafael, CA, the focus is on whole-body wellness — helping you feel healthier, more energized, and better balanced. What is holistic chiropractic care? Holistic chiropractic care looks at your whole self, not just your symptoms. That means considering things like: Lifestyle Posture Nutrition Stress Nervous system healt

Did you know that 85% of North Americans will suffer with back pain at some point in their lives? No wonder it's one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. Whether it's caused by poor posture, stress, injury, or long hours at a desk, chronic back pain can negatively affect your quality of life. One recent US Surgeon General said that sitting is the new smoking, considered one of the greatest health risks we face. And yet so many people are still just being