Dr. Patrick Ess

06/03/2026

☀️ The Sunlight Story We’ve Been Missing?

Most people think the health benefits of sunlight come primarily from Vitamin D.

But emerging research suggests there may be another powerful pathway at work: UVA light and nitric oxide.

When UVA rays pe*****te the skin, they can trigger the release of stored nitric oxide—a molecule that helps relax blood vessels, improve circulation, and support healthy blood pressure.

Here’s why that matters:

✅ Nitric oxide helps blood vessels dilate and function more efficiently.

✅ Some studies suggest sunlight exposure may support cardiovascular health in ways that Vitamin D supplements alone cannot replicate.

✅ Blood pressure and cardiovascular events tend to increase during the winter months when sun exposure decreases.

✅ Nitric oxide stores are supported by nitrate-rich foods such as leafy greens, arugula, spinach, and beets.

The takeaway?

Health is rarely about a single nutrient or supplement. Our bodies evolved in relationship with the natural world—sunlight, movement, quality sleep, nutritious food, and meaningful connection all matter.

As always, balance is key. Enjoy sensible sun exposure while protecting your skin from excessive UV damage.

🌞 Sunshine isn’t just about Vitamin D.

It may also be helping your body create one of the most powerful cardiovascular molecules known: nitric oxide.

Have you noticed a difference in your energy, mood, or overall well-being when you spend more time outdoors?

👇 Share your thoughts below!

🏆 Voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026.

06/02/2026

🚨 The Order You Eat Your Food Matters More Than You Think! 🚨

Most people focus on what they eat. But science suggests that the order you eat your food can dramatically affect blood sugar, energy, cravings, and long-term metabolic health.

✅ Eat vegetables and fiber first
✅ Then eat protein and healthy fats
✅ Save starches and carbohydrates for last

Why?

When carbs hit an empty stomach first, blood sugar can spike rapidly, often leading to an energy crash, increased hunger, and those late-night trips to the refrigerator. Eating fiber and protein first helps slow digestion, supports satiety hormones, and creates a more stable glucose response.

This becomes even more important after age 50, when insulin sensitivity naturally begins to decline.

A simple strategy:
🥗 Start with a salad or vegetables
🥩 Follow with your protein
🍠 Finish with potatoes, rice, bread, fruit, or dessert

Small changes can create big results when repeated daily.

💬 Have you ever noticed feeling more energized when you eat protein and vegetables before carbohydrates? Share your experience below!

📞 If you’re looking for a natural approach to better health, energy, and nervous system balance, give our office a call and schedule an evaluation.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026. We appreciate your trust and support!

06/01/2026

A study involving 498 Danish mother-child pairs for a decade after randomly assigning pregnant women to either 2,800 IU/day of vitamin D3 or the standard 400 IU/day from pregnancy week 24 through one week postpartum. At age 10, children of mothers in the high-dose group scored meaningfully better on verbal memory and visual memory tests.

Vitamin D receptors are found throughout the developing brain, and the nutrient plays a key role in how brain cells grow, connect, and protect themselves.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00856947.

05/31/2026

🔹 Is Your Neck Pain Trying to Tell You Something? 🔹

Most people think neck pain is simply a muscle, joint, or posture problem. And sometimes it is.

But what if there’s more to the story?

In many mind-body traditions, the neck represents flexibility and perspective. It’s the bridge between the head and the body. When neck pain shows up, it may be worth asking:

👉 Where am I being inflexible?
👉 What situation am I refusing to look at from another angle?
👉 Am I resisting a change that I know needs to happen?

Of course, neck pain can have very real physical causes including poor posture, spinal misalignments, injuries, muscle tension, and degenerative changes. But stress, emotional tension, and unresolved life challenges often show up physically as well.

At our office, we look at health through three lenses:

✅ Neurophysical – How is the body functioning mechanically?
✅ Neurochemical – How are nutrition, inflammation, and biochemistry affecting health?
✅ Neuroemotional – What stresses and emotional burdens might be impacting the nervous system?

Sometimes the greatest healing begins when we ask better questions.

Have you ever noticed your neck and shoulders tighten during stressful periods of your life? Share your experience in the comments below.

📞 Ready to find out what’s really contributing to your neck pain? Contact our office today and schedule an evaluation.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

05/28/2026

Healthcare has become incredibly complicated.
Genetic testing. Endless lab work. Radical diets. Expensive biohacks. Conflicting advice everywhere.

But sometimes better health starts with getting back to the basics.

Here are 4 simple foundations most people need more of:

✅ Eat balanced meals
Real food. Protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and moderation.

✅ Move your body
Walk. Lift weights. Stretch. Exercise is one of the best forms of preventative healthcare.

✅ Prioritize rest & recreation
Quality sleep and time to recharge are essential for a healthy nervous system and healthy mind.

✅ Keep your body clean
Good hygiene, clean environments, fresh water, and taking care of yourself daily still matter more than most people realize.

Health doesn’t always have to be complicated to be effective. Consistency with the basics often beats perfection with extremes.

If you’re ready to simplify your health and help your nervous system function at its best, we’d love to help guide you naturally.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

📞 Call today to schedule your consultation and start building health from the foundation up.

05/27/2026

⚡ Back Pain May Be More Than Just Muscle Tightness ⚡

Many people suffering from back pain also experience nerve irritation or “nerve imbalance” that can affect how the body functions and feels.

When the spine and surrounding muscles aren’t moving properly, it can contribute to:
✔️ Back and neck pain
✔️ Muscle tension and spasms
✔️ Tingling or numbness
✔️ Sciatica symptoms
✔️ Poor mobility and stiffness

At Stanly Wellness Center, we focus on identifying underlying spinal and nerve-related dysfunction patterns to help patients improve mobility, reduce pain, and support better overall function naturally.

Every patient is different, which is why care plans are tailored to each individual’s needs and goals.

🌐 Learn more: www.askdrpatrick.com

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05/26/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/sCO8p9MnxkA?si=OGgdFZ-i_cofOoNi

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Today we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their courage, service, and dedication to this country will never be forgotten.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served and continue to serve our nation. Because of your sacrifice, we enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted every day.

This Memorial Day, may we reflect, remember, and give thanks. ❤️🤍💙

Please take a moment today to honor a veteran, remember a fallen hero, or simply say “thank you” to those who served.

🏆 Proudly serving our veterans and our community in Locust since 2014. Voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026.

05/24/2026

What if most chronic health problems don’t start where you think they do?

What if disease and dysfunction usually come from just 3 major stressors attacking the nervous system every single day?

In chiropractic and functional health, we often look at three major categories:
🧠 Neurochemical
💥 Neurophysical
❤️ Neuroemotional

And when the nervous system gets overwhelmed in one—or all three—your body starts losing its ability to adapt and heal.

Your body is designed to heal, regulate, and adapt… but only when the nervous system is functioning properly. That’s where Zone Therapy and Low Level Laser Therapy work together to heal your body.

If you’re feeling stuck in stress, fatigue, tension, inflammation, or chronic health challenges, it may be time to look deeper at what’s overloading your nervous system.

Send us a message or schedule an evaluation to see how chiropractic care may help your body adapt and heal more efficiently.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

www.askdrpatrick.com

05/22/2026

🧠🐟 Did you know your brain is nearly 60% fat… and a large portion of that is made from Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA?

Low levels of EPA and DHA have been linked to:
⚠️ Brain fog
⚠️ Mood imbalance
⚠️ Inflammation
⚠️ Memory decline
⚠️ Poor nervous system function

One of the best natural ways to support your brain and nervous system is through quality seafood intake — especially wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and other cold-water fish rich in Omega-3s.

But here’s the important part…
You don’t have to guess if your levels are healthy.

🩸 EPA/DHA blood testing can measure your Omega-3 status and help determine whether your brain and body are getting enough of these critical nutrients for optimal neurological function and inflammation control.

Your nervous system controls EVERYTHING in the body. Nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and spinal health all work together to help your body function at its best.

If you’ve been struggling with focus, fatigue, inflammation, or overall wellness, it may be time to look deeper at your health from the inside out.

📞 Call our office to learn more about neurological-focused chiropractic care, blood tests and ways to support your body naturally.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

www.askdrpatrick.com