1 Degree Performance & Longevity

05/01/2026

👋 IS CARPAL TUNNEL AFFECTING YOUR DAILY LIFE?
💥Numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in your hands and fingers?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition caused by excessive pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, leading to symptoms such as those above. It occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in the wrist. You might struggle to maintain productivity, as pain can make even simple tasks feel impossible. Don't live like this!

Find relief at One Degree Performance & Longevity. Regardless of the severity or symptoms of your carpal tunnel, our advanced, non-surgical treatments help reduce pain and other symptoms, regain function and improve mobility.

At One Degree Performance & Longevity, we address the root cause — not just the symptoms — using proven therapies designed to stimulate tissue repair and restore function.
✔ No surgery
✔ No injections
✔ Personalized care
✔ Trusted locally in downtown Jacksonville, IL
👉 Book Your Consultation Today
📲 217-243-6358

04/29/2026

Our general direction on social media is honest, informative wellness posts.

Sometimes, however, we like to be silly.
But it’s not our fault - we just “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”

04/28/2026

✍️ Indeed, you ARE the narrator of your own life! Read on …

Health with the Hamels
Narrate your own story

By Clara Hamel
The Source Newspaper

Flipping through the towering stack of books in my office that I feel an ever burgeoning sense of obligation to read, I came across a line I couldn’t shake: “You are the Author of Your Life.”

I couldn’t get this line out of my head, and it continued to gnaw at me on my way home. It seemed a glib and reductive expression given so many would not write bereavement, illness and struggle into their story. The truth is we are not the author of our lives. We do not get to control the beginning of our story or many of the plot lines. If we were the authors, I imagine there would be a suspicious number of independently wealthy people who can eat anything they want and maintain perfect health, as well as a wildly disproportionate number of “just rolled out of bed” looking-superb people walking around.

No one would ever be Googling symptoms at 2 a.m., and nobody would be tossing and turning over what they said or didn’t say in a conversation. We would have all the social graces and our lives would likely reflect a series of Instagram-worthy moments strung together in a story that is a little too neat to be real.

Life would be absolute perfection.

But the problem with perfection is that it is just that — perfect. When something is perfect, there is not room for growth nor is there any drive to become more than what is. It is intrinsically stagnant.

So, no — we are not the author of our stories. But maybe we are something better — the narrator.

The narrator is arguably the most vital role in the interpretation of any storyline. They get to control the tone, the inflection and the lens through which the entire story is viewed. When these things change, the story changes; one could have the same events with completely different texture and meaning. Is it a chapter where everything falls apart or a chapter that is laying the foundation for something new.

A good narrator won’t skip over the negative bits of a story, but will weave them into a nuanced and layered narrative that gives them meaning. They offer glimpses of light within the darkness, tying each thread together and reminding you that the story is still unfolding.

So, narrate your life well, searching for meaning and purpose in every plotline. In a story told with skill, hope lingers in the valleys, humility rises in the peaks and grace threads its way through all that lies between.

**Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.

04/27/2026

MILD HYPERBARIC = the power of oxygen

💨 At One Degree Performance & Longevity, we believe that optimizing your health starts with oxygen. Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) is one of the most effective, non-invasive tools we offer to support full-body recovery and cellular repair. During treatment, you relax inside a pressurized chamber while breathing concentrated oxygen at levels higher than normal. This environment delivers more oxygen to your blood, which helps accelerate tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and improve your body’s ability to recover from stress and injury.

mHBOT has been studied for its role in promoting faster recovery, supporting brain function, enhancing circulation, and improving immune health. Whether you’re dealing with fatigue, brain fog, injuries, or chronic pain, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy gives your body the oxygen-rich support it needs to heal from within. Our modern chambers are safe, quiet, and comfortable. Each session is designed to help you relax while your body receives the therapeutic benefits of oxygen under gentle pressure.

👉 Call us at (217) 243-6358 or stop by our state-of-the-art facility at 46 N. Central Park Plaza in downtown Jacksonville, Illinois, to find out more!

04/22/2026

👉 Let US help YOU.
Stop by our state-of-the-art facility located in downtown Jacksonville, Illinois TODAY!

04/21/2026

Make sure your BODY is ready to take on the spring! 🙆‍♀️🙆‍♂️🙆

👉 Read on for tips!

Health with the Hamels
Warm up as it warms up

By Clara and Justin Hamel
The Source Newspaper

The beautiful spring days, while glorious, also mean it is time to get to work outside. Whether you are someone who revels in getting your hands in the dirt or someone whose yard work is fueled solely by the desire to not be the yard everyone in the neighborhood shakes their head at, it is important to remember yard work is just that — work. After a winter of partial hibernation our bodies can revolt at this sudden thrust into manual labor, and the season can quickly become one of sprains, strains and other injuries. Luckily, by utilizing just a few simple tips, you can clear the weeds with ease and have your yard and garden clean and pristine.

While gardening might not look like exercise, our bodies tell us a different story. All the bending, squatting, lifting and pulling can leave our muscles feeling fatigued and sore long after the flowers are planted and the mulch is laid. To prevent soreness, stretch for 10 to 15 minutes as a warm-up to yard work. Focus on your shoulders, back, hamstrings and wrists. This loosens stiff muscles and reduces your risk of straining them.

Next, remember the catchy little saying, lift with your back and you will crack. OK, so you may not actually crack, but you certainly could do some damage. Instead, when you’re lifting heavy items, you should lift with your legs, keep the load close to your body and avoid twisting. Also, remember if something feels too heavy ask for help or use a wheelbarrow to move it.

While it may be tempting to power through those gardening tasks, it is important to pace yourself and switch up activities every 20 to 30 minutes. Overexertion and repetitive motion are surefire ways to set yourself up for injury. Break tasks into smaller sessions, take regular breaks, and switch back and forth from physically demanding jobs to lighter ones.

Finally, use the right tools and use them correctly. While cleaning out the gutters may be high on your honey-do list, that precariously perched ladder is a great way to ensure hours of your day are taken up in the ER. Make sure ladders are stable and properly positioned, and use ergonomic tools with padded grips and the right length to reduce strain in your wrists and back. Keeping tools properly maintained can also help by minimizing the effort it takes to use them properly.

So remember, taming your landscaping this spring doesn’t have to be a race or a test of endurance. Work smart, take breaks and treat your body like the valuable piece of equipment it is. A little patience and forethought can go a long way toward keeping you comfortable and injury-free.

** Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.

04/14/2026

🐺 It can be easy to become reactive with our inner world. By actively “feeding” our inner thoughts, emotions and habits that nurture, we can grow and move closer to mental and emotional wellness. Read on …

Health with the Hamels
Which wolf to feed?

By Clara and Justin Hamel
The Source Newspaper

We can learn so much from ancient wisdom, parables passed down from generation to generation, and oral and written stories that share values and tradition. Across cultures and civilizations, these words of wisdom often contain common threads that teach us about ways to view and interpret the world.

One of these stories provides insight into the inner struggles we all face. “The Tale of Two Wolves” delves into the choices we face between peace and compassion or anger and fear. It is a story shared from an elderly Cherokee grandfather, the face of wisdom and perception, to his grandson, the embodiment of innocence and curiosity.

~ The story is as follows:

An old Cherokee elder sits with a young child and says, “A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other wolf is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The child thinks about it for a moment and then asks, “Which wolf will win?”

The elder replies, “The one you feed.”

This is a simple but powerful message—a message we can see reflected in many more fables and parables such as Plato’s chariot analogy, where reason must guide opposing internal forces, Buddhist teachings that compare the cultivation of weeds (the bad wolf) to crops (the good wolf), or Paul’s teachings on “the flesh desiring what is contrary to the spirit.”

By reflecting on these lessons, we see that our inner world is flexible. It is shaped by the thoughts, emotions and habits we “feed” daily. Choosing to nurture qualities like compassion, patience, gratitude and mindfulness strengthens our mental and emotional health, just as consistently tending a field produces healthy crops.

It is not about denying the “bad wolf,” but about seeing it as a temporary visitor rather than a permanent dweller. It is a fine place to visit, but it is not where we want to live. Everyone feels anger, fear or envy from time to time. That is being human. The key is not letting those emotions define you. Recognize them, observe them and mindfully choose how you respond.

This is balance, and the balance allows us to grow and learn needed lessons from the “bad wolf.” By nourishing and cultivating the characteristics, habits and perspectives that enrich us, we move closer to mental and emotional wellness.

The timeless guidance encapsulated in these stories provides insight into human nature and how we can harness it to provide growth, meaning and lasting well-being.

**Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.

04/13/2026

Shockwave Therapy finds the problems!

When our trained professionals run the shockwave applicator over healthy tissue, patients feel nothing. But when it goes over an area of inflammation, poor blood flow or injury/dysfunction ...
➡ it pinpoints that specific area of the body in need of treatment and triggers a powerful biological response.

Our advanced focal shockwave therapy uses targeted acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing deep within the body. It performs treatment, penetrating deep into tissue while maintaining its focal power at a controlled depth.
🔸Reduce pain
🔸Regenerate tissue
🔸Improve mobility
🔸Restore function
🔸Accelerate healing naturally
🔸Reduce inflammation
🔸Noninvasive and drug-free
🔸Precise targeting

👉 Book Your Consultation Today
📲 217-243-6358
My1Degree.com

04/11/2026

💥SUFFERING FROM ARTHRITIC KNEES?

Arthritic knees significantly affect your life by causing chronic pain, stiffness and reduced mobility, which can lead to various challenges in daily activities.

Many individuals experience difficulty walking, climbing stairs or performing simple tasks like reaching for objects, leading to a sedentary lifestyle and potential weight gain. The pain and physical limitations can even lead to depression and anxiety, impacting overall mental well-being.

The limitations imposed by knee arthritis can severely reduce the quality of life, making it essential for you to manage symptoms effectively through treatment.

Find relief at One Degree Performance & Longevity. Regardless of the severity or symptoms of your arthritic knees, our advanced, non-surgical treatments help reduce pain and other symptoms, regain function and improve mobility.

At One Degree Performance & Longevity, we address the root cause — not just the symptoms — using proven therapies designed to stimulate tissue repair and restore function.
✔ No surgery
✔ No injections
✔ Personalized care
✔ Trusted locally in downtown Jacksonville, IL

👉 Book Your Consultation Today
📲 217-243-6358
My1Degree.com

04/10/2026

This shot taken during his guest speaker presentation for at a recent Rotary Club of Jacksonville #3227 meeting incapsulates the essence of Dr. Justin Hamel. Not only is he professional and incredibly knowledgeable within his field, but he also has a great patient bedside manner. (In this metaphor, the crowd of Rotarians to whom he is speaking are the "patients." 🙂)

🙏Thank you to the Rotary Club of Jacksonville for having Justin and Clara Hamel as your guests! We appreciate the opportunity to share about the amazing health and well-being offerings at One Degree!

My1Degree.com

04/07/2026

WOW! 🤯 Journaling is a scientifically validated practice that enhances mental, emotional and physical well-being by providing a private outlet to process emotions, reduce stress and boost cognitive function. Regularly writing for 15-20 minutes can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure and improve immune function.

Check out this article from The Source written by our own Clara Hamel, LCSW! 📝

Health with the Hamels
The WRITE way

By Clara and Justin Hamel
The Source Newspaper

The written word is a powerful tool. It creates worlds, helps cultures preserve their identity, and carries narratives and experience through generations.

Still, you don’t need to create a New York Times bestseller or even have an audience for your words to make a difference. Using words to create your own narrative and bring the internal into the external has powerful emotional and cognitive benefits.

When we give our thoughts words, we create mental and emotional space—space to give chaotic thought structure, space to harness and express emotion, and space to create meaning from experience.

Writing allows us to slow down, process, and contemplate emotions and experience. This opens the possibility to reframe, learn and even reshape our understanding of what we have been through. What once felt overwhelming or unclear can become organized, meaningful and transformative. In fact, regular use of journaling (10-15 minutes, 3-5 days per week) has been shown to reduce stress, enhance mood and strengthen cognitive processing.

Many famous historical figures, authors and leaders have utilized journaling to manage emotions, foster creativity and reflect on their personal lives. Marcus Aurelius, Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill are just a few of the figures known to have kept regular journals. These journals were not meant for an audience, but as a means to understand themselves and the world around them. They understood what science is now reflecting: words matter—and giving tangible form to our thoughts allows us to move forward with greater understanding and more intention.

The beauty of journaling is there is no wrong way to do it. A lengthy narrative, messy scribbled thoughts, a concise list of felt emotions or a single heartfelt sentence are each effective. It is not about performance; it is about reflection.

You can start with a few simple prompts. For instance:

• What am I feeling right now?
• What has been consuming my thoughts or emotional energy?
• What has gone well for me this week, and what has not gone so well?
• What is a belief I want to reflect in my life? What is a belief I want to let go of?

As with so many things, it does not matter where you start or what you start with, just that you start.

Over time, you may begin to notice patterns in your thoughts and narratives. Reflecting on these is an opportunity for growth and insight, allowing you to recognize what no longer serves you and move forward with purpose.

Our understanding of life is encased in the narrative we create about our emotions and experiences, and by bringing that narrative into awareness, we gain the ability to question it, refine it and shape it with greater clarity and intention.

**Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.