Dr. Patrick Ess

Dr. Patrick Ess Corrective Care Chiropractor, Fitness Consultant, Nutrition Coach, Detoxification Specialist and Wel

🫐🍌 Could Your “Healthy” Smoothie Be Canceling Out Some of Its Own Benefits?Most people think adding more fruit always ma...
06/16/2026

🫐🍌 Could Your “Healthy” Smoothie Be Canceling Out Some of Its Own Benefits?

Most people think adding more fruit always makes a smoothie healthier.

But science says it’s not just WHAT you eat… it’s WHAT you eat TOGETHER.

A fascinating study published in Food & Function found that adding just one banana to a smoothie rich in berries dramatically reduced the body’s absorption of beneficial compounds called flavanols.

Why?

Bananas contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO)—the same enzyme that causes a banana to turn brown after it’s peeled. Researchers found this enzyme rapidly breaks down flavanols, reducing their absorption by about 84% compared to a berry smoothie or a flavanol capsule.

Why should you care?

Flavanols have been associated with supporting:

❤️ Healthy blood vessels
🧠 Brain function and cognition
🔥 Healthy inflammatory balance
🩸 Cardiovascular health

This doesn’t mean bananas are unhealthy—they’re still an excellent source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, and natural carbohydrates.

It simply means your food combinations matter.

✅ If your goal is maximizing flavanol intake from:
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Apples
• Cocoa
• Green tea

…consider blending them with lower-PPO fruits like:
🍍 Pineapple
🍊 Orange
🥭 Mango

…and enjoy your banana as a snack later.

Sometimes better nutrition isn’t about eating more—it’s about combining foods more intelligently.

What goes into your morning smoothie? Let me know below! 👇

📍If you’re looking for natural ways to optimize your health, our team would love to help. Call today to schedule your consultation and discover how we can help your body function at its best.

🏆 Proud to be voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

Study note: The research was well-controlled but involved a small number of participants, so larger independent studies are still needed to determine the long-term clinical impact.

🧠 TIRED ALL THE TIME? IT MIGHT NOT BE YOUR AGE.When most people think about fatigue, they blame stress, lack of sleep, o...
06/15/2026

🧠 TIRED ALL THE TIME? IT MIGHT NOT BE YOUR AGE.

When most people think about fatigue, they blame stress, lack of sleep, or getting older.

But what if part of the problem is happening at the cellular level?

A recent study published in Nutrients followed over 600 adults and found that higher levels of homocysteine—a marker often associated with low vitamin B12 and folate status—were linked to greater physical fatigue in men and lower motivation in women.

Why does that matter?

B12 and folate play a critical role in a process called methylation. Methylation is involved in:

⚡ Energy production

🧠 Brain function

😊 Neurotransmitter production (dopamine and serotonin)

❤️ Cardiovascular health

🧬 DNA repair and cellular maintenance

When methylation isn't functioning efficiently, homocysteine levels can rise, and the body's ability to produce energy and support optimal brain function may suffer.

While this study does not prove that low B12 or folate directly cause fatigue, it adds to a growing body of research suggesting that nutrient status may influence how energetic, motivated, and mentally sharp we feel.

If you're constantly fatigued despite getting adequate sleep, it may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider whether testing markers such as B12, folate, homocysteine, and methylation-related nutrients could provide additional insight.

Remember: Sometimes the body isn't lacking effort—it may simply be lacking the building blocks it needs to function at its best.

👉 Have you ever discovered a vitamin deficiency that was contributing to your fatigue? Share your experience below.

📞 If you're looking for a natural, whole-body approach to optimizing your health, give our office a call and schedule a consultation.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

The study found associations, not proof of cause and effect, but it highlights an often-overlooked connection between nutrient status, brain function, and energy levels.

👀 Ever Catch Yourself Covering Your Eyes When You’re Exhausted?What if that instinctive habit is actually your body’s bu...
06/12/2026

👀 Ever Catch Yourself Covering Your Eyes When You’re Exhausted?

What if that instinctive habit is actually your body’s built-in reset button?

When you gently cup your palms over your closed eyes—a practice often called “palming”—you may be activating several natural pathways that help your nervous system shift into a calmer, more restorative state.

Here are three reasons it may feel so relaxing:

✅ Pressure & Relaxation Response
Gentle pressure around the eyes can stimulate nerves connected to the brainstem, potentially encouraging a parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) response that slows the body down and promotes relaxation.

✅ Darkness & Brain Recovery
Completely blocking light reduces visual input to the brain. This may help the visual cortex shift from a highly alert, information-processing mode into a more relaxed state associated with mental restoration.

✅ Warmth & Circulation
The natural warmth of your hands may increase local circulation around the eyes and surrounding tissues, helping relieve some of the strain that accumulates after long periods of screen time.

💻 If you spend hours on computers, tablets, or phones, try this simple protocol:

⏱️ Cover your closed eyes with your palms for 60 seconds:
• Mid-morning
• After lunch
• Mid-afternoon

Many people report reduced eye strain, improved comfort, and a noticeable mental reset.

⚠️ If you have a history of retinal detachment, glaucoma, recent eye surgery, or other eye conditions, consult your eye doctor before applying pressure around the eyes.

Sometimes the most powerful health tools aren’t complicated—they’re built right into our design.

👇 Have you ever tried palming? Did you notice a difference in your focus, stress level, or eye fatigue?

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

📞 Curious about simple ways to support your nervous system and overall well-being? Contact Stanly Wellness Center to schedule your consultation and learn how a balanced nervous system can help you function at your best.

🧠 What If Your Body Isn’t Broken… It’s Just Struggling to Communicate?One of the biggest misconceptions about healthcare...
06/11/2026

🧠 What If Your Body Isn’t Broken… It’s Just Struggling to Communicate?

One of the biggest misconceptions about healthcare is that the goal is to “fix” people.

As a chiropractor, I’m not here to change a diagnosis.
I’m not here to treat a symptom.
I’m not here to change a patient’s past.

What I am here to do is support how the brain and body communicate.

Every second of every day, your brain is processing information from every organ, muscle, gland, and tissue in your body. Stress—whether physical, chemical, or emotional—can create interference in that communication.

Think of it like static on a radio.

The message is still there, but it may not be coming through as clearly as it should.

That’s the foundation of Zone Technique.

Zone Technique recognizes six major systems of the body:

🧠 Nervous System
❤️ Circulatory System
🫁 Respiratory System
🍽️ Digestive System
🛡️ Glandular/Immune System
💪 Muscular/Skeletal System

The goal isn’t to “heal” you.

The body already possesses an incredible ability to heal and adapt.

The goal is to help restore neurological balance within these six systems so your brain and body can communicate more efficiently—even in the presence of life’s many stressors.

I’m not fixing anything.

I’m helping create an environment where your body can function, adapt, and respond at its highest potential.

Sometimes when interference is reduced and communication improves, meaningful changes begin. 🌀🤍

💬 Have you ever noticed how your body performs differently when you’re less stressed, sleeping better, and feeling more balanced? Share your experience below.

📞 Ready to see if Zone Technique could help your nervous system function at its best? Schedule your consultation today at Stanly Wellness Center.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026

🚨 Your Nails Might Be Telling You More About Your Health Than You Think…Most people look at their nails for cosmetic rea...
06/10/2026

🚨 Your Nails Might Be Telling You More About Your Health Than You Think…

Most people look at their nails for cosmetic reasons.

But your nails can sometimes provide clues about what’s happening inside your body.

Here are a few signs worth paying attention to:

🔹 Brittle or Cracking Nails
May be associated with aging, frequent water exposure, nutrient deficiencies, or thyroid issues.

🔹 Spoon-Shaped Nails (Curved Upward)
Can sometimes be linked to low iron levels.

🔹 Vertical Ridges
Often a normal part of aging, but significant changes should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

🔹 White Spots
Usually caused by minor trauma to the nail—not a calcium deficiency as many people believe.

🔹 Yellow Nails
May be associated with fungal infections, smoking, or certain medical conditions.

🔹 Dark Lines or Streaks
Especially if new or changing, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

🔹 Clubbing (Rounded, Enlarged Fingertips) as well as blue or purple color changes
Can occasionally be associated with heart or lung conditions.

⚠️ Remember: A single nail change doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Nails are just one piece of the puzzle. The body often gives us subtle clues long before bigger symptoms appear.

Your health is best supported by focusing on the fundamentals:

✅ Eat nutrient-dense foods
✅ Stay physically active
✅ Get quality sleep
✅ Manage stress
✅ Stay hydrated

💬 Have you ever noticed a change in your nails that made you wonder what was going on? Share below!

📞 If you’re looking for a natural approach to supporting overall health and nervous system function, contact Stanly Wellness Center today and schedule a consultation.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026

🚨 Are Your Supplements Helping… or Just Expensive Urine? 🚨One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that takin...
06/09/2026

🚨 Are Your Supplements Helping… or Just Expensive Urine? 🚨

One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that taking a supplement automatically means they’re getting the benefit.

Here are 5 key principles to get more value from your supplements:

✅ 1. The RDA Isn’t Always Optimal
Recommended Daily Allowances are often designed to prevent deficiency—not necessarily to support optimal health. Some nutrients may require higher therapeutic doses under professional guidance.

🥗 2. Supplements Can’t Outrun a Poor Diet
No amount of vitamins can fully compensate for a diet loaded with sugar, processed foods, and nutrient-poor choices. Food first. Supplements second.

🔑 3. Nutrients Need Their Partners
Many vitamins and minerals work together. For example, Vitamin D3 relies on magnesium and Vitamin K2 to function properly. Ignoring these cofactors can limit results.

⏰ 4. Timing Matters
• B vitamins are often best earlier in the day.
• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) absorb better with meals containing healthy fats.
• Magnesium is commonly taken in the evening to support relaxation.

🌱 5. Form Matters
Not all supplements are created equal. Some forms are absorbed far better than others. For example, magnesium glycinate is generally absorbed more effectively than magnesium oxide.

The bottom line? Successful supplementation isn’t just about what you take—it’s about the right dose, the right form, the right timing, and the right nutritional foundation.

👇 What supplements have made the biggest difference in your health? Share below!

📞 If you’re looking for a more personalized approach to your health, we’d love to help. Contact Stanly Wellness Center today.

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

🌿 Did Jesus Teach That Healing Starts Within?One of the most fascinating themes throughout the Gospels is that Jesus oft...
06/08/2026

🌿 Did Jesus Teach That Healing Starts Within?

One of the most fascinating themes throughout the Gospels is that Jesus often connected healing to something deeper than physical symptoms.

Again and again, He said things like:

“Your faith has made you whole.”

What if faith was more than simply believing something intellectually?

What if it involved trust, forgiveness, peace, and alignment with truth?

Many modern researchers now study the connection between the mind, emotions, and physical health. Stress, chronic worry, resentment, and unresolved emotional burdens have been shown to affect hormones, immunity, inflammation, and overall well-being.

Jesus seemed to understand this connection long before modern science existed.

✨ He taught forgiveness.
✨ He taught freedom from anxiety.
✨ He taught trust instead of fear.
✨ He taught that the “Kingdom of God” is not merely a future destination, but something experienced within.

This doesn’t mean medical care isn’t important. In fact, the healthiest approach may be combining physical care with emotional, mental, and spiritual healing.

Consider these questions:

➡️ Is there someone you need to forgive?
➡️ Are worry and stress stealing your peace?
➡️ Are your daily thoughts creating health or creating fear?
➡️ What would change if you truly believed healing begins from the inside out?

Perhaps one of the most overlooked health principles is that the body, mind, and spirit were never designed to be separated.

Healing may not be about becoming someone new.

It may be about removing the barriers that prevent us from becoming whole.

👇 What are your thoughts? Do you believe emotional and spiritual health affect physical health?

⭐ Voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026

Your arteries are aging right now — but the speed depends on what you do today.Here’s the biology most people never lear...
06/08/2026

Your arteries are aging right now — but the speed depends on what you do today.

Here’s the biology most people never learn:

Your blood vessels are lined by a living tissue called the endothelium — and it has microscopic sensors (called the glycocalyx) that literally detect how much you’re moving. When you move, those sensors signal an enzyme called eNOS to release nitric oxide — a gas that relaxes your arterial walls, widens blood flow, and keeps vessels soft and flexible.

When you don’t move consistently? The arteries stiffen. Elastin breaks down. Sugar-related chemical bonds (called advanced glycation end products) accumulate. Your heart works harder. Your brain and kidneys take the hit downstream.

The good news? You don’t need a marathon.

Research by physiologists Hirofumi Tanaka and Douglas Seals confirms that just 20–30 minutes of rhythmic movement daily — like a brisk walk — is enough to maintain arterial flexibility and protect downstream organ function.

And one more tool worth adding: Magnesium (glycinate or malate) taken at night supports vascular smooth muscle relaxation, complements nitric oxide pathways, and has been shown in research to help reduce arterial stiffness — especially in people who are deficient (which is most Americans).

The takeaway: arterial health isn’t permanent — it’s daily. Your vessels respond to the signals you give them every single day.

📍 We help patients build a plan that protects their cardiovascular system from the inside out.
📞 (980) 355-7600 | askdrpatrick.com
🏆 2026 Best Chiropractor in Stanly County

🌱 What If the Secret to Better Health Isn’t Adding More… But Getting Back What We’ve Lost?For most of human history, our...
06/06/2026

🌱 What If the Secret to Better Health Isn’t Adding More… But Getting Back What We’ve Lost?

For most of human history, our daily lives naturally included the things that kept us healthy:

✅ Walking 8,000+ steps a day
✅ Eating real, whole foods rich in fiber
✅ Strong community and social connection
✅ Natural sunlight and healthy sleep rhythms
✅ Purposeful physical activity built into daily life

Today, many of those health-building inputs have been replaced with:

❌ Sedentary jobs
❌ Ultra-processed foods
❌ Social isolation
❌ Artificial light and disrupted sleep
❌ Technology that minimizes movement

The result? Rising rates of chronic disease, inflammation, obesity, anxiety, and poor sleep.

What’s fascinating about the world’s “Blue Zones”—regions where people commonly live healthy lives into their 90s and beyond—is that they don’t rely on complicated health hacks. Instead, they consistently practice simple principles:

🚶 Move naturally throughout the day
🥗 Eat mostly whole, plant-based foods
🍽️ Stop eating before feeling completely full (the Okinawan principle of Hara Hachi Bu)
🤝 Stay deeply connected to family and community
🎯 Live with purpose (Ikigai)
☀️ Align daily habits with natural rhythms

The lesson?

Health isn’t usually found in the next supplement, test, or trendy diet. It’s often found in restoring the foundational inputs our bodies were designed to receive.

At our office, we believe in keeping health simple:

✔️ Eat balanced meals
✔️ Move your body daily
✔️ Get quality sleep and recovery
✔️ Manage stress and maintain meaningful relationships
✔️ Keep your nervous system functioning at its best

Sometimes the path forward is really a path back.

👇 Which of these areas do you feel modern life has taken away from you the most: movement, sleep, nutrition, community, or purpose?

🏆 Proudly voted Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026! If you’re looking for a natural approach to improving your health and function, we’d love to help.

🧠⚡ Is Your Body Out of Balance?What if many health challenges weren’t just random symptoms, but signs that your body’s c...
06/04/2026

🧠⚡ Is Your Body Out of Balance?

What if many health challenges weren’t just random symptoms, but signs that your body’s communication system is out of sync?

Zone Therapy is based on the concept that the body functions through six major systems, or “Zones”:

✅ Glandular
✅ Eliminative
✅ Nervous
✅ Digestive
✅ Muscular
✅ Circulatory

According to the teachings of Dr. Thurman Fleet and the development of The Zone Technique by Dr. Peter Goldman, physical, emotional, and chemical stress can disrupt the communication between the brain and these vital systems. When that happens, the body may struggle to function and heal at its best.

The goal of Zone Therapy is to identify imbalances within these six systems and help restore harmony between the brain and body, allowing the body to do what it was designed to do—heal and regulate itself more efficiently.

Many people seek Zone Therapy not only for aches and pains, but also for challenges involving energy, digestion, stress, circulation, immune function, and overall wellness.

🌟 Your body is incredibly intelligent. Sometimes it just needs the right signals to get back on track.

🏆 Proudly serving our community as the Best Chiropractor in Stanly County for 2026!

📞 Curious if Zone Therapy could help you? Call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation and find out if you’re a candidate.

Address

712 Main Street W
Locust, NC
28097

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12pm
3pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 12pm
3pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
3pm - 6:30pm
Thursday 8am - 12pm
3pm - 5:30pm

Telephone

+19803557600

Website

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