Live Well Chiropractic CenterNews
How To Know When It’s Time To Buy A New Mattress
By Dr. Kim Wermert Physio

How To Know When It’s Time To Buy A New Mattress

Mattresses are expensive. With some costing several thousands of dollars, it’s reasonable to delay this purchase. While a quality mattress can last up to nine years and still be in decent condition, here are some tell-tale signs it’s time to take the plunge and buy a new one.

Old Age

Even if your bed is still in great shape, it’s best to replace your mattress every seven to nine years. The main reason? Dirt. Even the most diligent housekeeping can’t stop your mattress from accumulating dead skin cells, pollens and even bodily fluids. The average person sheds a half-billion skin cells every day, and dead skin is a feast for dust mites. A study from The Ohio State University states the average mattress has anywhere between 10,000 to 10 million dust mites.

Allergens

Not only are dust mites disgusting, but they’re also a culprit for allergens. Dust and other allergens can accumulate in your mattress, leading to you waking up with a runny nose or sneezing. If you or your partner suffers from severe allergies or have asthma, we recommend replacing your mattress more frequently, and investing in a high-quality mattress protector.

Sagging

If your mattress has obvious signs of sagging or visible lumps, it’s definitely time to buy a new one. Mattresses are supposed to support your spine, and a sagging mattress means your spine will be curved while you sleep and your muscles will have to work harder to keep your body supported.

Noise

If your mattress makes noises when you get in or out of bed, or when you roll over, odds are the springs are not as effective as they once were. Not only is this annoying, but poor spring support can also mean waking up in pain from lack of support.

If you’re waking up frequently feeling stiff or sore, it’s best to make an appointment with your chiropractor. At Live Well Chiropractic Center, we’re here to help you live as pain-free as possible. From pain relief to nutritional support, call us today at 513-285-7482 or email info@livewellcc.com to schedule your consultation to learn more about the services Dr. Kimberly Muhlenkamp-Wermert offers. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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The Importance of UV Protection
By Dr. Kim Wermert Health

The Importance of UV Protection

We’re thrilled to enjoy a normal summer once again (minus the cicadas). It’s great to be able to exercise and have fun outside by ourselves, with our families, and even in groups. While it’s normal to want to enjoy ourselves again, it’s important to remember to care for our bodies in the intense summer sun.

UV Radiation

Sun damage to the body is caused by invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces including water, cement and sand. Sun exposure can cause sunburn, skin aging, eye damage and skin cancer, the most common of all cancers. While dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen indoors and out year-round, we understand that not everyone will do that. You should at minimum apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before venturing outside to allow the sunscreen to bind to your skin. Reapply every two hours of exposure and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Sunscreen Guidelines

The CDC does not recommend sunscreen for infants younger than six months old. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they have to be in the sun.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone aged 7 months and older — regardless of their skin tone — wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

How To Choose A Sunscreen

Use a sunscreen that says broad-spectrum on its label. This ensures it will screen out both UVB and UVA rays.

If possible, avoid the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone because of concerns about hormonal properties. Remember, though, that it’s important to take steps to prevent sunburn, so using any sunscreen is better than not using sunscreen at all.

For sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and shoulders, choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These products may stay visible on the skin even after you rub them in, and some come in fun colors that kids enjoy.

Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.

Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.

We hope you remember to take care of your body inside and out while you’re exercising this summer. If you experience any pain from exercising, consider scheduling an appointment at Live Well Chiropractic Center. We help treat and prevent pain and injury through our focus on nutrition support and supplements, exercise and spinal health. Schedule your appointment today by calling 513-285-7482 or emailing info@livewellcc.com. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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Creative Ways To Stay Hydrated This Summer
By Dr. Kim Wermert Health

Creative Ways To Stay Hydrated This Summer

Now that weather is nice out, odds are you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. Hooray for fresh air and natural Vitamin D! In addition to following the American Academy of Dermatology’s guidelines for applying sunscreen, it’s important to stay hydrated, especially when exercising in the heat.

How Much Water Should I Drink?

According to Harvard Medical School, an average adult needs at least six cups of water a day to avoid dehydration. It is recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces per day. Also, it is possible to take in too much water if you have certain health conditions, such as thyroid disease or kidney, liver, or heart problems; or if you’re taking medications that make you retain water, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opiate pain medications and some antidepressants. For the exact amount of water you need, consult your physician.

Does Anything Other Than Water Count?

While some of us can drink nothing but plain water all day like a champ, not everyone feels the same way. It’s better to think of fluids as a traffic light. Considering your physician’s recommendations, think of non-carbonated spring or tap water as a green light so drink as much as you like. Unsweetened water that has been enhanced with electrolytes is the constant green arrow as far as hydration is concerned. Unsweetened herbal tea is also a green light as long as it is not caffeinated.

Speaking of caffeine, this is where the light changes colors to yellow. Use caution to proceed because caffeine can actually cause dehydration. Yes, that soda or regular iced tea is a fluid, but it’s not hydrating your body in a healthy way. And while an occasional glass of wine or bottle of beer is also a liquid, these drinks are red lights and can cause dehydration.

Pep Up Your Water And Stay Hydrated

A great way to add a little pep to your water is to add frozen organic berries or fruit slices. Even adding a slice of rind from a peeled orange, lemon or lime gives water a great flavor.

Eat Your Way To Hydration

Summer is the perfect season for watermelon, celery, grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, all of which are high in water. Stone fruits are another good choice. These fruits get their name from the pit or “stone” in their center that is encased in a fleshy outer area. These foods are all healthy, and they can help keep you hydrated.

At Live Well Chiropractic Center, we want all of our patients to live happy, healthy lives. We understand that nutrition is a huge part of your overall health and wellbeing, and are proud to offer a variety of supplements and support products. Give us a call at 513-285-7482 to find out how we can help improve your nutrition and overall health! Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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How To Relieve Lower Back Pain
By Dr. Kim Wermert Exercises, Therapy

How To Relieve Lower Back Pain

If you’ve ever had pain in your lower pain, you know how much it hurts to move even your arms, legs or neck. A good way to stop constant low-back pain, aside from treatment, can be by exercising. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, sure, but exercise can help. Until you’re ready to go for a run or lift weights, consider swimming, a low-impact aerobic workout that relieves pressure on the joints and spine while exercising the muscles in the back.

What Causes Low-Back Pain?

Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. In addition, the pain may radiate down your leg or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking.

The most common cause of low back pain is muscle or ligament strain. If you do not have a strong core, this can also cause low back pain from the strain of carrying extra weight.

Bulging or ruptured disks in your spine could also be the culprit. Disks are the cushions between the bones in your spine. The soft material inside a disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve, causing the pain.

In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis. In rare cases, it could be osteoporosis, when your spine’s vertebrae develop fractures from porous or brittle bones.

If your back pain is accompanied by pain radiating past your knees, unexplained weight loss, bladder/bowel problems or is a result of an injury, call your physician.

How Does Swimming Help Pain In Your Lower Back?

When you’re in the water, you’re in a non-weight bearing environment. This reduces stress on your joints and allows a greater range of motion. The hydrostatic pressure in a pool also increases blood flow to the muscles in your back.

Depending on the severity of the pain in your lower back, and of course with your doctor’s OK, start slowly with a simple walk through water that completely covers your core. The friction from the water gives a light resistance that will strengthen the muscles in your back, as well as your core. As you heal, work your way up into swimming laps or taking a water aerobics class.

Are you experiencing lower back pain? Consider comprehensive chiropractic care with Dr. Kimberly Muhlenkamp-Wermert at Live Well Chiropractic Center. We help treat and prevent pain and injury with non-invasive healthcare services and a focus on nutrition, exercise and spinal health.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Kim today by calling 513-285-7482 or emailing info@livewellcc.com. Her extensive understanding of body mechanics will get you feeling better! Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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Colic and Chiropractic Care
By Dr. Kim Wermert Parenting

Colic and Chiropractic Care

You’ve fed, changed and comforted your baby, but he or she is still fussy and crying — and has been for hours. While it is completely normal for babies to cry, especially newborns, when crying lasts for a long period of time and happens a few nights a week, it could be more than simple crying. It could be colic.

What Is Colic?

In general, colic is defined as crying for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks.

Symptoms of colic may include the following:

  • Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain
  • Crying for no apparent reason, unlike crying to express hunger or the need for a diaper change
  • Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished
  • Predictable timing, with episodes often occurring in the evening
  • Facial discoloring, such as reddening of the face or paler skin around the mouth
  • Bodily tension, such as pulled up or stiffened legs, stiffened arms, clenched fists, arched back, or tense abdomen

Excessive, inconsolable crying may be colic or an indication of an illness or condition that causes pain or discomfort. Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for a thorough exam if your infant experiences excessive crying or other signs or symptoms of colic.

What Causes Colic?

The cause of colic is unknown. It may result from numerous contributing factors. While a number of causes have been explored, it’s difficult for researchers to account for all the important features, such as why it usually begins late in the first month of life, how it varies among infants, why it happens at certain times of day and why it resolves on its own in time.

How To Help Babies With Colic

While many people equate chiropractic care as the solution only for neck or back pain, it is actually more than that. Chiropractic care treated the central nervous system, which controls all the functions of the body.

During both vaginal and C-section births, the baby’s head can be turned, resulting in spinal shifting and misaligning the vertebrae. While it is impossible to know if this results in colic, studies have shown that chiropractic care may be helpful in reducing the symptoms of colic, and that help can last for years to come.

Live Well Chiropractic Center’s Dr. Kimberly Muhlenkamp-Wermert is one of the few female chiropractors in the Cincinnati area that is certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association in the Webster Technique. A mother of 4, she specializes in chiropractic care in all phases of life, from pre-conception to pregnancy, post-delivery, infant and elder care. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim, email us at info@livewellcc.com or call us at 513-285-7682. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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Watch Out For Sugar And Saturated Fats
By Dr. Kim Wermert Health

Watch Out For Sugar And Saturated Fats

Food and nutrition play a crucial role in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, more than half of U.S. adults have one or more diet-related chronic disease, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease or certain cancers.

Everyone, regardless of health status, can benefit from lowering their sugar and saturated fat intake to follow healthier diet patterns. Here are a few of their recommendations:

Minimize Sugar

Sugary drinks are among the worst things you can put in your body. If you’re used to adding sugar to your coffee or tea, try reducing the amount you use before giving it up altogether. If you drink a lot of soda, transition to flavored sparkling water before transitioning to water with lemon or berries. Sugar can be a strong addiction, so if you try to cut it out too fast you could end up with side effects including increased cravings and mood issues.

The new guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10 percent of calories per day for ages 2 and older, and to avoid added sugars for infants and toddlers.

Limit Saturated Fats

Eating foods that contain saturated fats raises the level of cholesterol in your blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. The new guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2, and the American Heart Association recommends limiting these to no more than 6 percent.

Examples of foods with saturated fat are: fatty beef, lamb, pork, poultry with skin, beef fat (tallow), lard and cream, butter, cheese and other dairy products made from whole or reduced-fat (2 percent) milk.

In addition, many baked goods and fried foods can contain high levels of saturated fats. Some plant-based oils, such as palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil, also contain primarily saturated fats, but do not contain cholesterol.

Dr. Kimberly Muhlenkamp-Wermert and the team at Live Well Chiropractic Center knows that nutrition is a huge part of your overall health and well-being. We are proud to offer a variety of supplements and support products, as well as a full suite of chiropractic care, orthotics and corrective exercise for your entire family. Give us a call at 513-285-7482 to find out how we can help improve your nutrition and overall health. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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How Chiropractic Care Can Help The Healing of Bone Fractures As We Age
By Dr. Kim Wermert Elder Individuals

How Chiropractic Care Can Help The Healing of Bone Fractures As We Age

The old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is relevant when it comes to broken bones and healing – especially as we age.

A broken bone doesn’t heal as quickly when we are 50 as it did when we were 20. This is because of age, but also because of the physical changes that affect the skeletal system, such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.

Patients with osteoporosis are often more prone to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. According to the American Chiropractic Association, “half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.”

Lifestyle choices, such as inactivity, smoking, using alcohol in excess or a poor diet, also contributes to the risk of osteoporosis. Chiropractic care can help patients alter those life habits and improve chances for a better healing outcome after a fracture.

Aging also impacts the immune system and can disrupt the body’s normal inflammatory response to healing. This means an elderly person who falls could have a more serious bone fracture, such as a broken hip.

How Chiropractic Care Helps With The Healing Process

Chiropractic care can help as you heal and recover from a bone fracture. As chiropractors, we evaluate and test a patient’s bone density, and create an individualized plan to help regain and maintain optimal bone strength.

Manipulation treatments (also known as adjustments), along with rehabilitation, relaxation techniques, and nutritional and dietary supplement counseling are some common techniques used to help our patients heal faster and their body and bones become stronger.

Our focus is to help you and your broken bone heal well through increased mobility and range of motion.

Not only can these treatments help in your recovery – they are preventive in nature by strengthening your muscles, reducing stiffness, improving nutrition and reducing pain. Other benefits to chiropractic care after a bone fracture are:

  • Reducing risk of future fractures
  • Increased strength, balance, agility and flexibility

Women Have Their Own Unique Considerations

Women are more prone to losing bone density and strength that can factor into an increased risk for a bone fracture. This is especially true after a woman goes through menopause. Chiropractic manipulation, corrective exercise, and nutritional counseling help a woman’s body function and heal better. This helps the healing process after breaking a bone, but also serves as a preventive measure for later in life.

After The Fracture …

At Live Well Chiropractic Center, we help you heal from a fracture by relieving your pain, stabilizing your spine and joints, and creating a personalized wellness program. We are committed to keeping you healthy and your body stronger. With regular maintenance and adjustments, you will be at a lower risk for fractures. Contact us at 513-285-7482 to schedule an appointment. For more tips and our latest updates, be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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What to Know About Sciatic Pain
By Dr. Kim Wermert Physio

What to Know About Sciatic Pain

If you have it, you know it. Sciatic pain (also called sciatica) is a common back ailment that impacts approximately 40 percent of adults at some point during their lifetime. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body. About the same thickness as your thumb, it begins in the lower back and extends to the foot.

Characterized by shooting pain that travels the length of the nerve, sciatica can be mild or severe. It can prevent mobility or at the very least, be uncomfortable and irritating.

Symptoms Of Sciatic Pain

In addition to the shooting pain, people who suffer from sciatica may experience other symptoms such as:

  • Numbness or weakness of the leg
  • Difficulty moving the leg or foot
  • Inability to stand up
  • Burning sensation in their back, hips and legs
  • Chronic pain on one side

What Causes Sciatic Pain?

Sciatic pain occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed. Conditions that could cause this compression include spinal stenosis, degenerated disc disease, a herniated disk, or a bone spur on the spine. Smoking, injury or regular wear and tear from age can also be to blame. All of these conditions result in numbness, pain, stiffness of the leg, or inflammation.

How Is Sciatic Pain Diagnosed?

Sciatic pain can be diagnosed by a chiropractor after a complete assessment. The doctor will begin with a medical history and ask about the location and severity of the pain. A series of tests, such as the Straight Leg Test or Braggard’s Test, will be conducted that focus on your reflexes. The doctor may ask you to perform certain stretches and exercises to determine what aggravates or relieves your pain.

How Is Sciatic Pain Treated?

The good news is most people usually get relief from sciatic pain without invasive procedures or medications. Here are a few treatment options that a chiropractor can offer:

  • Ice or cold therapy. Applying ice or cold compress to the area reduces inflammation and eases pain.
  • Ultrasound. A gentle heat that penetrates deep into the muscle, these sound waves increase circulation and reduce cramping, stiffness, inflammation and muscle spasms.
  • Spinal manipulations. At the core of chiropractic care, these adjustments restore misaligned vertebrae to their proper position and improve movement of the spine.
  • TENS. TENS therapy, otherwise known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, uses electrical currents to control pain and reduce muscle spasms.

Chiropractic care is an effective way to treat sciatic pain because it focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems and the conditions that impact them.

At Live Well Chiropractic Center, our goal is to help you feel better so you can engage comfortably in the activities you enjoy most. If you or someone in your family is experiencing sciatic pain, you don’t have to suffer any longer. We can help you determine the cause of the pain and then develop a non-invasive treatment plan that is best for you. Give us a call at 513-285-7482 to schedule an appointment! Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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How To Stay Healthy This Winter With Chiropractic Care
By Dr. Kim Wermert Exercises, Physio

How To Stay Healthy This Winter With Chiropractic Care

Staying healthy during the long winter months is a challenge facing most of us. Not feeling well or dealing with an injury makes day-to-day life more challenging. Whether it’s the seasonal flu, winter sports injuries or just feeling the impact of the cold weather on your joints, chiropractic care is one way to proactively prepare for the change in temperatures and stay healthy during the winter.

Here’s how visiting your chiropractor during the winter months can help:

Reduce body stiffness

When the temperature drops, your muscles contract in an effort to keep you warm. Unfortunately this well-intended reaction often results in stiffness and less flexibility in your muscles or joints, making you more prone to discomfort and injury. An adjustment to your spine can help your spine stay properly aligned, which will relieve your body stiffness.

Prevent colds and flu

The spread of colds and flu is more prevalent in the winter. Combine that with compromised immune systems, sleep deprivation and stress, and it’s no wonder why most of us get sick in the winter. Spinal adjustments can boost your nervous system, which in turn can strengthen your immune system.

Heal sports injuries

If you’re a skier, snowboarder or like to exercise outside, chiropractic care can ensure your body is loose and properly aligned before you venture out into the elements. When your muscles are already warmed up and flexible, you are less prone to injury.

If you do sustain an injury, chiropractic care can help you rebuild your strength and coordination. This gives your body a chance to heal and correct itself naturally without medication or invasive procedures.

Relieve symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that occurs with the changes of season. While there is no cure for this, chiropractic care can regulate hormone production to the nervous system. Because the spine acts as the central nervous system’s communicator to the rest of the body, spinal adjustments can help you get better control of your feelings, thoughts and emotions.

Manage stress

Our muscles contract when we’re feeling stressed, resulting in tension in our shoulders, back, neck and other muscle groups. Muscles that are constantly tense impact the bones, tendons, ligaments, joints and nerves as well. When a chiropractor adjusts the spine, it relieves the pressure and results in an immediate sense of relief, which is freeing both physically and mentally.

If you’re ready to stay healthy this winter and alleviate the aches and pains the cold weather brings, give Live Well Chiropractic Center a call. We are available to answer any questions you have about joint or muscle stiffness, sports injuries, or the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder on your body.

Contact us today at 513-285-7482 to schedule an appointment, or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest tips and updates!

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How To Fight Stress With Chiropractic Care
By Dr. Kim Wermert Physio

How To Fight Stress With Chiropractic Care

Stress can have an overwhelmingly negative impact on your body and your health. If left untreated, it can lead to other issues such as tension headaches, migraines, back pain, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, and physical problems including high blood pressure and heart disease.

Stress can be debilitating, impacting your work, relationships and general happiness. Fortunately there is a way to deal with stress that doesn’t involve extreme measures or medicines with potential side effects. Because it takes a holistic, mind-body approach to treatment, chiropractic care has proven to be successful in helping to minimize stress and keep you focused and calm.

Here’s how visiting your chiropractor can help you alleviate stress:

Chiropractic care reduces muscle tension

Stress and muscle tension feed off each other. The more stress you feel, the more your muscles tense. The more your muscles tense, the more stress you feel. Muscle tension impacts your posture, and how you walk, sit or stand. It can also have an impact on your focus and your sleep. But a visit to your chiropractor can help. Your chiropractor can adjust your spine, relieving muscle tension and restoring your body’s natural balance.

Chiropractic care restores physical function

Your backbone is the pathway your brain uses to communicate to the rest of your body. It controls every organ, tissue and cell. So when you feel stressed, it impacts your backbone. A spinal adjustment from your chiropractor can restore function to your body. It increases nerve flow to your brain’s limbic system, which regulates your emotions. All of this makes you feel healthier, more energetic, more relaxed and less stressed.

Chiropractic care reinforces good nutrition

Many people turn to comfort foods during times of stress. Unfortunately, overeating or choosing unhealthy foods can make you feel sluggish, bloated and oftentimes even more stressed.

Good nutrition is the foundation of your overall health, and that includes your ability to deal with stress. When you eat clean and healthy, it can have a big impact on your stress level.

Your chiropractor does a lot more than spinal adjustments. Because they take a whole-person approach to care, chiropractors can coach you on full-body wellness. This includes exercise, physical therapy and lifestyle habits including nutrition, food and any supplements you may be lacking. After considering your whole medical history, chiropractors can help you build healthy and sustainable life habits that will help you reduce stress and feel better overall.

Are you tired of feeling the effects of stress? Are you ready to get some relief? At Live Well Chiropractic Center, we believe that life is too short to deal with stress and the pain associated with it. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment. Be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for our latest updates and tips!

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