Carrying a backpack is a repetitive maneuver that students do on a daily basis for several years.  It can wear and tear at the spine and body, so it is smart to educate yourself on the proper way to select and wear the backpack.

IMPORTANT: Follow these simple guidelines to help your child pick out a backpack that they like while avoiding serious back problems:

Choosing a Backpack

• Select a backpack that’s appropriate to the child’s size and age, school backpacks come in different sizes for different ages.
• Many parents choose a large backpack.  This is not necessarily a wise decision as the child will tend to put more in it and it will become heavier.
• The backpack should not be wider than the child’s torso.
• Choose one that has well-padded shoulder straps that are adjustable.  The shoulders and neck are rich in nerves and blood vessels that when constricted can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands.
• Another feature to look for is a padded back which helps increase comfort.
• Multiple compartments are a good – they help to position contents effectively.

Loading a Backpack

• Load heaviest items closest to the spine and lightest items furthest away from the spine.
• Pack neatly and use any compartments available to avoid items shifting and moving the weight.
• Do not carry more than 10-15% of the body weight.  For example, if a child weighs 100 pounds the backpack should never weigh more than 10-15 pounds.

Wearing a Backpack

• Wear both straps to evenly distribute weight at all times. Wearing the straps to one side can cause the spine to curve with the added weight and leaning posture.
• Adjust the straps so that the backpack fits securely to the student’s back. If it is too loose, the pack can pull backwards and strain the muscles between the shoulders.
• The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should not rest more than four inches above the waistline.  If it hangs too low, it increases the weight on the shoulders which causes the child to lean forward while walking.

If a child does report symptoms of headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, or neck pain, these should not be ignored! The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that backpack related injuries sent more than 7,000 people to the emergency room in 2001 alone. Many times adults with neck and back pain started with problems back when they were younger students carrying a heavy backpack.  One of the best things you can do for your child is to take them to a chiropractor to have their spines checked on a routine basis. It is a good idea to make sure that the spine is not developing abnormally while the spine is still developing.

As chiropractors we are interested in helping people express the most life through optimal health and wellness. Backpacks when abused or overloaded can be a major form of stress, especially on a young and developing spine. This stress creates subluxations or spinal misalignments that can have serious effects on the child’s health. The spine is of importance because it houses the spinal cord and nervous system, and a properly functioning nervous system allows for a better functioning body and mind. A healthy spine is essential; for kids, this could mean improvement in academic and athletic performance.

Dr. Sara Hillesheim is a chiropractor at Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka MN. We are located at the intersection of County Road 101 and Minnetonka Boulevard near Wayzata MN and Deephaven MN. At Relief Plus Chiropractic, it is our mission to help as many families as possible achieve a higher quality of life through better health.  Please contact our office today for your FREE consultation! Call 952-681-2863 or visit www.reliefplusmn.com for more information!

Women typically do not seek out chiropractic care to help with infertility. But it is not uncommon for women who have been unable to get pregnant to conceive while undergoing chiropractic care.  Why is this?  With chiropractic care, fertility is enhanced as the overall body function improves.

Chiropractic care is a natural approach to enhancing the body’s function by reducing nerve stress.  The nervous system is the Master Control system. In many cases, chiropractic improves the structure of the body which also can play a role in fertility.

What Causes Infertility?

Fertility issues can be a mystery, and often times they are associated with improper nerve function, poor nutrition, high stress, and poor lifestyle habits. There are numerous possible causes including damage to the fallopian tubes, hormonal imbalances, and nervous system dysfunction.

Fertility and the Nervous System

You cannot consciously control your reproductive organs. They are directed through the autonomic nervous system that is ultimately controlled by the central nervous system. The central nervous system  (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord.

The autonomic nervous system directs the peristaltic motion of helping the smooth muscle contract to help the egg travel to the uterus after being fertilized. If this peristaltic motion is disturbed, it could get backed up and deliver uterine tissue into the abdominal cavity or ovaries, leading to endometriosis.

How Chiropractic Can Help

Chiropractors check for subluxations; these are any misalignments in the spine. Subluxations result in altered joint motion, put pressure on the spinal cord, and irritate nerve flow between the body and the brain. Misalignments, especially in the vertebrae in the lower back compromises nerve communication between the reproductive organs and the CNS. The decrease of function is dictated by the severity of the subluxation as well as the amount of time it has been sustained.

If the brain cannot clearly direct the reproductive organs, their ability to function is diminished. In some cases, this could result in an inability to conceive or endometriosis. Chiropractors work to remove any interference so that the body can heal.

One study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research looked at how effective chiropractic care is for infertility.  The study consisted of 15 women who ranged in age from 22 – 65 with a history of infertility.  14 of the 15 subjects became pregnant within 2 – 20 months of starting chiropractic care. The 65-year-old did not get pregnant, but after a lifetime with no menstrual periods, she began menstruating four weeks after beginning chiropractic adjustments.

Conventional medicine will treat infertility with medications, surgery to remove cysts or scar tissue, and/or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Chiropractic care can be used in conjunction with other approaches to resolving infertility and can greatly improve the chances of success in medical procedures such as IVF.

Chiropractic care is cost –effective and has the potential to save couples a large amount of money.  Each IVF attempt can range from $10,000-$20,000.  Chiropractic care can reduce or eliminate the need for these procedures to achieve conception.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we recommend that all women try natural chiropractic care along with addressing nutrition and lifestyle habits before choosing medical intervention.  While chiropractic is not a “cure” for infertility, we have seen first hand how optimizing the body’s function can lead to amazing results!

If you or someone you know are thinking about becoming pregnant or have struggled with infertility, please call our office at (952) 681-2863 to take advantage of a Free Consultation!

Dr. Sara Hillesheim is a chiropractor at Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka MN.  She is dedicated to helping her community achieve the highest level of health possible throughout life!  For more information visit www.reliefplusmn.com.

Poor posture has become an epidemic in our modern day world, and it’s much more serious than people imagine.

Posture is one window into the spine, and the spine is what connects the brain to the body.  This powerful relationship affects organ and even cellular function.  Because of this connection, poor spinal health from poor postural habits leads to a reduction in brain and organ function.

Vertebral subluxations are the misalignments of the spine that cause nerve irritation.  While they may manifest as pain, many spinal nerves do not transmit pain or sensation.  In these cases, they may go unnoticed by an individual.  When there is subluxation, less signals are getting to the brain, meaning there can actually be less perceived pain signals by the individual.

Neck Posture

The natural curve in the neck should represent a backwards “C” shape and measure at 40-45 degrees.  Many chiropractors and neurosurgeons refer to this curve as the “arc of life” because it is in place to help protect the brain stem, spinal cord, and nerves that travel to every part of the body.

One pattern of subluxation is the forward head posture.  This is often created by whiplash trauma or poor posture.  For example, an individual who works at a desk leaning forward to see the computer day after day is likely to display such posture and subluxation pattern.

Lack of this curve along with forward head posture can also be caused by birth trauma (especially with forceps or vacuum delivery), sports injuries, car accidents, or falls.  In today’s world, where people spend hours each day in front of a computer, TV, and or a cell phone (texting) poor posture can cause the head to shift forward and create a lasting forward head posture.

This is harmful to one’s health and well being because the head can be compared to the weight of a bowling ball, and when shifted forward it pulls and stretches the spinal cord along with it. Rene Cailliet, University of California’s director of physical medicine an rehabilitation notes that “this forward head posture can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage pulling the entire spine out of alignment and may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity.”

Decreased lung capacity affects the body from effectively oxygenating cells. This could lead to asthmatic conditions, blood vessel problems, nutrient absorption problems, and heart disease. A lowered oxygenated body also depletes endorphin production which can turn the perception of non-painful sensation into pain experiences.

A 2009 study by Mornignstar and Jockers showed that by correcting the forward head posture through chiropractic care lung function was dramatically enhanced.  As more oxygen gets in to the body, blood flow into every organ system of the body dramatically improves overall function.

Uneven Shoulders

Another pattern is a raised shoulder or asymmetrical shoulder heights. Handbags and gym bags are trending to become larger in size, which may not be a good thing for your health.  As you can see in the x-ray above the body compensates for the weight of the shoulder bag.  The neck leans away and the shoulder carrying the load rotates backward and is often raised up .  These adjustments are done subconsciously to help balance the extra load.  However, over time muscles can become strained and sprained and the posture can become long-lasting, even when the bag is released.  This leads to chronic neck and back tension, headaches, along with overall decreased function in the body.

If you are experiencing neck or back pain or other symptoms from poor postural habits, chiropractic can help!  Dr. Sara Hillesheim, chiropractor at Relief Plus Chiropractic, helps people everyday gain relief and better function.  Relief Plus Chiropractic is located at the intersection of Minnetonka Blvd and County Road 101 in Minnetonka MN near Wayzata MN.

Headaches are common, yet they are not normal. Yet they are a regular part of life for many Americans, and as a nation we spend billions of dollars each year on prescription and over-the counter medication for headache relief. Unfortunately the drugs can have harmful side effects that are worse than the headaches themselves!  For example, NSAID’s a type of medication that includes brands like Advil, Motrin, and Excedrin have side effects like stomach bleeding, ulcers, liver failure, and even headache!

In addition, even if you are able to escape the side effects, the drugs are simply covering up the symptoms, and not addressing the cause. At Relief Plus Chiropractic we focus on finding the cause of the problem, and every headache has a cause.

What Causes Headaches?

Headaches are a symptom that something is wrong.  Factors contributing to headaches are varied.  Muscle tension, high blood pressure, hormonal changes, sinus infections, and/or blood sugar changes are just some of the potential factors that can contribute to headaches.

Some doctors may order expansive testing such as CT scans or MRI.  However, this type of testing isn’t always effective as it has been reported that only one in 11,200 patients with headaches have a problem that shows up on MRI or CT scan.

Easing Headache Pain DrugFREE

Try these simple methods for reducing discomfort temporarily:

• Get regular massages, especially in the upper back and neck.
• Apply an ice pack to the area of pain.
• Use a heating pad on the shoulders and upper back to help ease muscle tension.
• Reduce Stress
• Soak a towel in water, roll it up and stick it in the freezer.  Use the towel to support the neck as you lie down to rest for 5-20 minutes.
• Maintain a peaceful environment avoiding loud noises and bright lights

How do I Prevent a Headache?

• Workout on a regular basis to maintain flexibility and stimulate circulation to the head.
• Sleep on your back or side, but avoid sleeping on your stomach.  A cervical pillow is best for supporting the head and neck curvature.
• Don’t smoke
• Use good posture to help with good alignment of the vertebrae in the neck and upper back.
• Find time to unwind with meditation or going on a walk.

Chiropractic for Headaches

Chiropractic addresses the cause of the problem by working with the nervous system.  The brain and nervous system control and coordinate all other body systems. If there is an area of the spine that has lost function, the spinal nerves are irritated creating interferences with the communication that occurs between the brain and the body. Regular chiropractic adjustments positively affects the transmission of the nerves and the body’s ability to heal itself.

A major study done in 1995 compared drug therapy to chiropractic care in the treatment of headaches.  It found 82 percent of patients who were given drug therapy experienced side effects such as drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, and heart-related problems.  Those who received chiropractic care experienced NO SIDE EFFECTS.  Furthermore, it found that after four weeks of treatment, patients who had used the drugs began having headaches again while those in the chiropractic group continued to have headache relief as well as higher levels of energy!

If the tiny bones in your neck are not supporting your head properly, it can affect your muscles, nerves, and even blood supply to the brain.  Chiropractic for headaches is not treated like an aspirin.  Repeated visits, even when you feel better will help retrain and strengthen the muscles that support the spine. If you know anyone who suffers from headaches, let them know they can be drug free and that chiropractic can help! They will thank you!

Everyone knows that pregnancy brings change.  In fact there are millions of different hormonal and chemical reactions in both mom and baby, all of which are controlled and coordinated through the nervous system.  Pregnancy is a time that requires a nervous system that can adequately respond to all the changes in the body.  Now more than ever is the time to maintain a healthy nervous system!

Often women will accept pregnancy discomforts such as heartburn, constipation, headaches, nausea, when they can be helped with chiropractic care.

With increasing weight gain in the abdominal region, there is also an increasing pull of the lower spine.  Additionally breast size increasing can cause upper back problems.  This can change your gait and center of gravity which can be the perfect storm for neck and back pain.

As you get closer to labor the body also secretes a hormone called Relaxin, which loosens ligaments. This effect can exaggerate spinal problems.  Rib pain can also happen more frequently during pregnancy as the baby moves and grows causing the lower ribcage to expand and shift.

Recent studies show that chiropractic care during pregnancy allows for increased comfort during pregnancy and delivery as well as a decreased need for pain medication.  In one study, Dr. Joan Fallon found women under chiropractic care had a 24% reduced labor time with their first pregnancy and 39% reduced time in labor with second or third pregnancy.  Another study showed a 50% reduced need for pain medications during labor.  The risk of back labor, sharp pain and contractions in the low back, is significantly less when chiropractic care is received throughout pregnancy.

Also, a study by Dr. Irvin Henderson MD (AMA Board of Trustees) was able to show that “Women who received chiropractic adjustments in their third trimester were able to carry and deliver their child with much more comfort.”

This is exciting!!!

Spinal Care Tips During Pregnancy

• Refrain from wearing high-heels
• Avoid lifting heavy objects
• Avoid standing with your hands on your hops and pushing your belly forward
• Rather than sitting up from a lying position using your abdominal muscles, turn to your side and push yourself up with your arm
• Allow other young children to walk whenever possible rather than carrying them
• Perform regular moderate exercise and gently stretch your body daily
• Strengthen the pelvic floor before, during, and after pregnancy
• Use Cat and Camel type stretching for pelvic rocking
• Squatting helps prepare for labor
• Have your spine checked by a chiropractor regularly

Along with your spine, It is also to prepare you mind for birth.  Childbirth is instinctual and inherently safe and uncomplicated.  Chiropractic care is a great way to promote balance between mind and body.

Correcting misalignments in the spine releases chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins which increase our sense of well-being.  Studies show that those who receive chiropractic care are less affected by stress, have more energy, think more clearly and have a greater quality of life.

During labor, body position is important.  When the mother is on her back the apex of the sacrum can close off crucial space needed for the baby to get through the pelvis.  This position is the main reason why so many births are traumatic, labor is slowed, the mom becomes fatigued and overcome with pain, so the use of epidurals, forceps, episiotomies, vacuum extraction and caesarean increases.

The preferred position is squatting which allows gravity to help and keeps the pelvic outlet open better.

Continuing chiropractic care post pregnancy is also beneficial.  Chiropractic care has also been shown not only to help new moms produce more milk, but it also reduces the chance of postpartum depression.

We are not always aware of spinal misalignments or nerve dysfunctions, and they can exist like irritating noise in the background of our lives which affects our moods and well-being.  Left unresolved, it can result in sickness and disease.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka MN, we have adjusting tables designed for comfortably treating pregnant patients.  Dr. Sara Hillesheim also has been certified in Webster Technique, which helps the baby lie in optimal position for delivery.