Chiropractor Minnetonka MN

Award Winning Chiropractic Clinic

At Home Tips to Support Chiropractic Adjustments for Infants

By Leave a Comment

Limit Time Spent in Car Seats

Infants, especially younger ones, spend most of their day on their backs in various baby contraptions. While car seats are important, they are not the ideal form of transport for the infant when not in the car. Infant seats cause lumbar imbalances and “restricted postural options which can impact your baby’s developing cranium and spine” (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association). The position of the baby as well as the tight fitting straps contribute to this.

When the baby is born, there is a “C” shape curvature to the spine. The “S” shape curve found in older children and adults is developed as the baby grows and begins to hold up the head, crawl, etc. Various baby holders can keep the spine in a “C” shape configuration and can inhibit the natural curves forming in the spine.

Another good reason to get babies off their backs is that it can be difficult for babies to attain the muscle strength necessary to hold their large heads up if they are not exposed to gravity very much.

In addition, babies who spend much of their times on their backs or in carriers may end up with plagiocephaly (deformed skulls, flattened on the back or side) and deformed bodies with poor muscle tone (Bonnet,1998).

Carrying Baby

Contact between parent and baby is essential for the baby’s physical, emotional, social and neurological development. Thus it is great for the baby to be held by the parent and baby wearers make it even easier.  It is prudent to vary baby wearers to expose the infant to different positions.  Carriers that allow the baby to be facing the parent with good leg support are ideal.

Sleeping, Feeding, Playing

Do not put infant to sleep on the belly. Instead, rotate sleeping positions onto both sides and back. For an infant with head tilt, offer head support for sitting positions, and we recommend sleeping on his/her side to counter balance the tilt.

If your child is being fed with a bottle, parents should alternate feeding sides for neurological development.

Do not use walkers or jolly jumpers in order to prevent lumbar and hip strain. Once the baby is able to support herself, these devices could be used if safety precautions are taken. It is important to note that walkers are a common cause of injuries from falls down stairs subsequently injuring the head. 97% of baby walker accidents result in neck and head injuries.

Give the child plenty of “tummy time” to strengthen cervical muscles and promote crawling strength.  Crawling before walking is imperative for proper brain development. In fact, cross crawl exercises are used for older children with learning disabilities.

Exercise caution with diaper changing to avoid rolling the baby on the head and neck which can hyperextend the neck.

Use inversion to the child to allow for meningeal stretching, or stretching of the deep connective tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. Inversion to the child also allows for pumping of intercranial fluid. This helps to release tension on the brain and spinal cord that can be a source of dysfunction in the body.

Getting your baby’s spine checked by a chiropractor gives your baby a start to a healthy life. It is important to have proper nerve flow with their fast rate of development. One of the greatest traumas to the neck is the birth process. We often exhibit great caution with handling a newborn’s neck, but this is not the case during delivery where the neck is twisted and torqued to get the baby through the birth canal. Getting a baby checked by a chiropractor can significantly change the course of the child’s life.

If you have any questions or would like to take advantage of a FREE Consultation with Dr. Sara Hillesheim at Relief Plus Chiropractic, contact us today at (952) 681-2863. We love to work with spines of all ages. You will love coming to our chiropractic office in Minnetonka!

Chiropractic Helping Kids with ADHD – Minnetonka MN

By Leave a Comment

Kids should be Active and healthy! If a child exhibits hyperactivity or inattention on a regular basis you may be told that he or she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, just like 10 percent of kids in the United States. These kids can be difficult to handle and are typically prescribed drugs.

Symptoms of ADHD

  • Inattention
  • Inability to complete tasks
  • Easily distracted
  • Hyperactivity
  • Impulsive
  • Restlessness
  • Constant motion
  • Inability to wait in line or take turns
  • Difficulty following directions/listening
  • Forgetfulness/organization problems
  • Fidgeting/squirmy

Drugs are not always the best choice due to their common side effects.

RITALIN COMMON Side Effects

  • Addiction
  • Stomach ache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Heart palpitations
  • Decreased appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Nervousness, agitation, anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Tic

A study done by Dr. Lidy Pelsser in The Lancet journal showed that 64 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD are actually experiencing a hypersensitivity to food. It suggests that with a very restrictive diet, kids with ADHD could experience a significant reduction in symptoms.

Many suggest that a paradigm shift is needed when it comes to ADHD. The percentage of kids diagnosed with it has increased over recent years, and we must look to the cause.  Pelsser compares ADHD to eczema.  “The skin is affected, but a lot of people get eczema because of a latex allergy or because they are eating pineapple or strawberries.” It turns out diet is causing symptoms in several children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.   At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we recommend starting by removing gluten and dairy from the diet and possibly trying an elimination diet.

Work to remove sugars, dyes, and preservatives along with the following toxins.

AVOID these TOXINS

  • MSG
  • Red #40
  • Nutrasweet or Aspartame
  • Sodium Nitrate
  • Over the Counter Drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, etc. – all weaken the immune system by suppressing white blood cells
  • Propylene Glycol
  • EDTA
  • Antibiotics – kills healthy intestinal flora which weakens the immune system
  • Pesticides – Buy organic

Chiropractic Found to Help ADHD

Chiropractors offer a non-drug approach to helping with ADHD. They work to decrease nerve interference in the body by keeping the spine in alignment.  By restoring proper nerve flow, the body functions at a higher level and can effectively heal. In addition, any musculoskeletal imbalances will create brain imbalances which is what is happening in many ADHD patients.

One study, in the October 2004 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, followed a 5 year old boy with a history of a complicated birth and diagnosed with ADHD at age two. He had been prescribed Ritalin, Adderall, and Haldol for three years, but the combination of the drugs was unsuccessful in helping him.

Upon visiting a chiropractor at age five, he was found to have spinal distortions and immediately began care. His mother noticed positive changes by the 12th visit and by the 27th visit he had expressed a significant reduction in symptoms. At his next visit to the pediatrician MD, he was taken off of the medications he had been on for three years.

A study comparing chiropractic care to drug treatment in children with learning and behavioral problems found chiropractic care to be 24% more effective than commonly used medications. Chiropractic works for children as well as adults and does not have the side effects or worry that comes with medications!

If you or someone you know has been suffering from symptoms associated with ADHD and are looking for an alternative method to get to the cause of your symptoms, we encourage you to call our office and take advantage of a FREE Consultation. Dr. Sara Hillesheim is a Chiropractor in Minnetonka MN at the intersection of County Road 101 and Minnetonka Boulevard.  She is a Minnetonka chiroprator dedicated to spreading the message of chiropractic and helping as many people as possible achieve a lifetime of health and wellness. Call our office today at (952) 681-2863!

Minnetonka Chiropractor Gives Backpack Safety Tips

By Leave a Comment

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!

Infertility & Chiropractic – Minnetonka MN

By Leave a Comment

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.

Breathe Easier with Chiropractic for Asthma – Minnetonka MN

By Leave a Comment

Most people are familiar with asthma and probably know someone who has it.  It is a condition often found in kids and young adults, but it can persist into adulthood that restricts breathing. There are different types of asthma, but those who have this condition are often forced to use a prescribed inhaler to help keep the airways open. It is important to note that these inhalers consist of steroids – not something you want to be using regularly over several years if you can avoid it!  The steroid mist allows for the dilatation of the airway, but can have harmful side effects. There was a study in 2005 that showed 80% of the 5,000 asthma related deaths were due to drug treatment, not the disease.

Understandably, many parents are concerned about the side effects and are looking for natural methods to help their asthmatic child.

Children’s Asthma and Chiropractic

An article published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (Vol. 1 No. 4) showed positive effects of chiropractic care on 81 children with asthma.  It concluded that “Based upon information currently available, chiropractic care represents a safe non-pharmacological health care approach, that may be associated with a decrease in asthma-related impairment, reduced respiratory effort, and a decrease incidence of asthma attacks.  The correction of vertebral subluxation could reduce or eliminate the need for medication, and potentially ease the severity of the asthmatic condition.”

Study after study shows remarkable improvement for asthma suffers who undergo chiropractic care. Improvements include decrease in symptoms as well as decrease in the use of the acute asthma attack medication. This is great news as chiropractic is completely natural and does not have the dangerous side effects that medications can have!

With chiropractic care, we have kids that no longer use their inhalers because we get their bodies working naturally. An area of the spine that we look to for asthma is between the shoulder blades. In a person with asthma, there may be pressure on the nerves that exit at those vertebral levels.  Those nerves go to the smooth muscle lining of the lungs. Like any muscle when there’s an injury to an area, the muscle tends to spasm. This shortens the lung capacity by 30-40% so there is labored breathing. Chiropractic care takes the pressure off the nerve so the body restores itself, making the breathing easier.

The nerves in the cervical, or neck region, should also be checked carefully as they contribute to lung function.  At Relief Plus Chiropractic we check the entire spine to make sure that your body has full nerve supply and can work at its full potential.  When there is good communication between the brain and the organs via the nerves, the body is able to express life better.  With chiropractic, we focus on preventing the asthmatic attacks rather than trying to chase the symptoms.  Experts will agree that a fully functioning nervous system, that is free of interference, allows the best opportunity for the expression of health.

Get Asthma Relief!

If you or someone you know has been suffering from asthma and is looking for an alternative method to get to the cause of your symptoms, we encourage you to call our office and take advantage of a FREE Consultation. Dr. Sara Hillesheim of Relief Plus Chiropractic is a Minnetonka chiropractor dedicated to spreading the message of chiropractic and helping as many people as possible achieve a lifetime of health and wellness. Our office is located near the intersection of County Road 101 and Minnetonka Boulevard near Wayzata MN and Deephaven MN.  Call our office today at (952) 681-2863! – See more at: http://www.reliefplusmn.com

Chiropractic for Arthritis in Minnetonka MN

By Leave a Comment

Arthritis is a condition that can be both painful and debilitating. It can significantly affect one’s quality of life.

There are many forms of arthritis. In some cases it occurs when the cartilage that lines the joint surface wears out, and in others it is an autoimmune disease and inflammatory.  Chiropractic adjustments have been proven remarkably effective in helping with arthritic symptoms including stiffness and pain.

Chiropractic addresses the issue of increasing the motion in the body by decreasing restrictions in spinal joints.  Our spinal joints are present to allow us to bend and twist, so when the small joints of the spine aren’t moving properly, neither are we. This can be limiting as well as painful.  When the spine is able to move more freely, the need for pain medications decreases or ceases altogether.

Prevent Arthritis from Getting Worse

Like many health conditions, it is much easier to fight it before it gets to the point of pain and symptoms. It is highly encouraged to be proactive with your health, especially arthritis because once present it is typically permanent.

While chiropractic can aid in the management of arthritis, it can also prevent arthritis, as well as its progression, and all of its damaging effects. When one makes appropriate lifestyle modifications to their diet, exercise, and maintaining the body’s alignment, s/he can offset the health problems that accompany arthritis.

The greatest contributor to degeneration of the spine is misalignments of the vertebrae. This leads to improper biomechanics which stresses the joints and causes the wear and tear.

As the bones shift out of place from trauma or everyday activity, the body will try to stabilize the joint by laying down more bone over time.  This causes the bone to become denser and possibly create osteophytes, commonly known as bone spurs. This added bone means added pressure on the spinal cord, nerves that exit at that spinal level, and spinal discs.  This added pressure hinders motion and function and can cause pain.

These changes can be seen on a spinal x-ray as bony outgrowths or loss of disc height between vertebral bones. Unfortunately you cannot sense this process so it usually goes undetected until it’s irreversible degenerative effects have taken place.

Conventional medicine is usually more reactive to arthritis than proactive. There are drugs and medications that can cover up the pain symptoms.  However these drugs can be addictive, have harmful and unpleasant side-effects, and do not address the underlying problem. If left undealt with the problem can lead to surgery, which has risks and often does not attain the desired results.

Choose Chiropractic

Chiropractic is based on the body’s ability to heal itself.  When spinal misalignments are addressed by a chiropractor, there is a greater ease of movement and decrease of fluid buildup in the joints that is often found with arthritis.

Chiropractic is a better choice for relief of symptoms than NSAIDS (such as Advil or Tylenol) or over the counter medications that have harmful side effects, especially with long-term use.  In fact the American Medical Association recommends a limit of 1,000 Tylenol per lifetime to avoid major liver damage. This is not something you want to be popping daily!  The good news is that chiropractic is completely natural, non-invasive, and will help your organs function better –not harm them!

If you or someone you know is suffering from arthritis or looking for a plan to prevent arthritis check out your Minnetonka chiropractic office today. Dr. Hillesheim and the staff at Relief Plus Chiropractic are experienced and ready to help you reach your highest potential throughout your life. Call us today at (952) 681-2863!

Chiropractic and Bedwetting – Minnetonka Chiropractor

By Leave a Comment

“Nocturnal enuresis,” also known as bedwetting, is a common pediatric condition that is inconvenient as well as a source of embarrassment for many children and families.  While there are many possible causes, there are not many sources of relief like chiropractic.  It is safe, easy, and completely natural.

Several studies have shown how children suffering from bedwetting can benefit from chiropractic care.    One study of 171 children with an average of seven nights of bedwetting per week underwent chiropractic care.  After initial chiropractic care the average child reduced the number of wet nights to four per week.

In another study 46 enuretic children were studied in which 31 received chiropractic care and 15 did not.  While the 15 without chiropractic care showed no change in bedwetting, the group that received chiropractic care showed a 17.9% decrease in wet nights.

Amazingly, improvement in some of the studies was shown to be immediate after the very first adjustment and remain stable.

These and other studies have shown that bedwetting can be resolved when a chiropractor addresses any vertebral subluxations present in the child’s spine.  Vertebral subluxations create nerve interference or disrupted communication between the brain and spinal cord, and ultimately to all parts of the body.  When the nerve interference is minimized through chiropractic care the body’s ability to heal itself and function better is maximized.

The phrenic reflex is a spinal reflex that affects the relaxation of smooth muscle during sleep.  It is not fully developed in infants and so it is normal for infants to relax their urinary bladders at night.  As the child grows the reflex matures and the child’s bladder is able to retain its fluid. This reflex typically develops more slowly in boys, which is why it is more common that boys suffer from bedwetting.

The phrenic reflex may be disturbed by vertebral subluxation (spinal misalignment). These nerves that control the phrenic reflex are located in the neck region.

Other nerves that go to the muscles that control the bladder as well as the urinary organs are exit the spine in the low back and sacrum regions.  You can see that it is a good idea for the child to have a full spinal check-up.

The brain regulates the bladder along with all other organs in the body. If the nerve messages are compromised between the brain and the bladder there may be lack of bladder control. These nerve messages travel from the brain down the spinal cord and out between the spinal vertebrae to serve the bladder.  Any extent of spinal misalignment can decrease the strength of these communication signals. Chiropractors reduce the nerve interferences to the bladder and the whole body using all natural methods. The child that is bedwetting and can be helped with chiropractic care does not necessarily exhibit back pain. In fact they rarely do! Even a subtle spinal misalignment can cause the bedwetting symptom and it is common to have spinal misalignments present without any pain.

While chiropractors don’t treat bedwetting, they know there is a good chance that it can help stop or reduce bedwetting if it is related to a spinal misalignment. If you or someone you know has been suffering from bedwetting and is looking for an alternative method to get to the cause of your symptoms, we encourage you to call our office and take advantage of a FREE Consultation.

Dr. Sara Hillesheim of Relief Plus Chirorpactic is a Minnetonka MN chiropractor dedicated to spreading the message of chiropractic and helping as many people as possible achieve a lifetime of health and wellness. Call our office today at (952) 681-2863! – See more at: http://www.reliefplusmn.com

Chiropractic: a No-Brainer for Low Back Pain Minnetonka MN

By Leave a Comment

Eight out of ten people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, and it is one of the most common health complaints. Pain in the lower back can become unbearable if not taken care of properly. It can be acute and can last many years. Chronic low back pain is defined as lasting three months or longer. Chiropractors work with people with low back pain whether it is a new experience or a source of chronic pain.

It is well known that chiropractic adjustments help alleviate low back pain. Chiropractic specializes in the spine and nervous system, and it is completely natural. Chiropractors are trained in the management and prevention of low back pain.

There is more and more evidence supporting chiropractic’s effectiveness and health-care cost benefits compared to conventional medicine’s approach, which often leads to drugs, needle injections, and ultimately surgery. Chiropractic is much safer than surgery, needle injections, long periods of bed rest, or medications. Surgery is usually unnecessary and should only be considered when conservative methods fail.

What causes low back pain?

There are many causes such as sudden injury, impact to the spine, or repetitive motions and postures. Many people would gauge that their low back pain is due to a bad mattress, excess weight, or genetics. While these may play a role in the person’s low back pain, there are cases when the cause cannot be pinpointed.

Often people will “throw out” their back from a simple and seemingly harmless maneuver such as picking up a piece of paper, or the pain can seem to appear “out of nowhere.” In these cases it is often the case that the problem has been developing in the individual’s body silently.

Back pain can be caused by any problem with any of the structures in the spine. The skeleton of your body has a purpose to protect your brain, spinal cord and organs. When it is out of alignment, it can strip you of better health and well-being. This is why it is incredibly smart to have your spine checked regularly by a chiropractor.

How does Chiropractic Help with Low Back Pain?

Chiropractors work to reduce any interference to the natural nerve flow in the low back through specific spinal adjustments. When the low back spinal nerves are aggravated, they can cause muscles to malfunction, tighten, or spasm.

Chiropractors check for proper motion of the spinal joints. If any one level is stuck out of position, it can affect that entire area of the body. It can compress the spinal cord as well as spinal disc. When this occurs, the individual may or may not experience stiffness in the joint and surrounding muscles. A chiropractor works to restore normal motion in the joints which will help restore normal nerve flow in the low back.

Chiropractors are very good at reducing low back pain, but what’s even more fun is making sure that pain doesn’t happen in the first place! We find it easy to follow a wellness model with dentistry-we go to a dentist to keep your teeth healthy to prevent problems. This wellness model should be used with your spine as well.

If you or someone you know has been suffering from low back pain, we are here to help you! We encourage you to call our office and take advantage of a FREE consultation.

Dr. Sara Hillesheim is a chiropractor at Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka, MN. She is dedicated to helping as many people as possible achieve a lifetime of health and wellness. We are located at the intersection of County Road 101 and Minnetonka Boulevard. Call today! (952)681-2863

Minnetonka Chiropractor Gives Natural Solution for Digestive Disorders

By Leave a Comment

Many people turn to drugs for digestive relief from heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, gas, irritable bowel, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive symptoms.  These can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, and digestion issues can lead to other health problems such as toxicity, poor skin, body pain, bad breath, body odor, and much more. While digestion issues are becoming more prevalent, chiropractic offers a powerful solution.

Many times we want to take something to control symptoms. However the symptoms are present to communicate to you that something is wrong; they are an alert as well as a mechanism to try to get you back to neutral.  In fact with digestion, you could experience symptoms in which the body tries to rid itself of an invading organism. A lot of times people will take something to try to stop that symptom. Who do you think is healthier – the person that gets rid of the invading organism right away or the person who holds it inside for hours or even days?

With chiropractic, we work with the spine and nerves in the body to improve function. The spinal nerves control the speed your food passes through you, the amount of blood flow to the digestion organs, an increase or decrease in the amount of digestive juices secreted, and other functions of the digestive process. Any interference to this nerve flow could show up as back pain or as digestive symptoms. Any chronic undetected spinal misalignments (called subluxations) can have significant effects on the absorption of nutrients and digestive processes.

Chiropractors work with the nerve system to allow the body to heal itself. Through specific adjustments, chiropractors restore nerve flow, and the function of the organs is enhanced. By taking pressure off the spinal cord, the connection between the brain and the body is strengthened. This not only decreases symptoms, but also improves quality of life immensely.

The vagus nerve innervates the digestive organs and therefore stimulates the digestion process. This nerve travels out of the brain stem and near the atlas bone in the neck.  There are also nerves coming from the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions that control digestion.

Many studies have shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care in resolving digestive disturbances. In a unique study, scientists surgically created an artificial vertebral subluxation in rabbits. Within 30 seconds, there were changes in the stomach and duodenum that could cause the upper GI tract to become susceptible to dysfunction.

Yet another large study on 5607 patients found many reported improvements in digestion with chiropractic care.  It has relieved symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomach, ulcers, colitis, constipation, and gastritis.

A 2008 study looked at three different infants with infrequent bowel movements from once a week to once every 3 or 4 days.  Their parents had tried different laxatives, dietary changes, cod liver oil, and mineral oil without any results.  The infants underwent chiropractic care ranging from three weeks to three months.  All three had almost immediate improvement and by the end all three had bowel movements at least once every day.

In another published case study a young women with IBS symptoms once or twice a week for several years noticed an easing of symptoms after one adjustment.  Soon she was symptom free and 2 years later as the report was being published she was still without digestive problems.

So much evidence points to the fact of chiropractic care providing relief as well as taking care of the underlying problem.  While drug therapy alone may be able to provide temporary relief, it can lead you to believing that your problem is gone simply because the symptom is gone.  It’s not unusual to hear of people who are taking prescription or over the counter medications for years and years.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic our advice is to avoid drug therapy and surgery as much as possible. A change in diet and nutrition may be necessary, and it is prudent to look into a system of health care that looks at the underlying cause rather than masking symptoms. Chiropractors are trained to find areas of the spine causing nerve irritation and affecting your internal communications. A spinal adjustment will allow the body to heal and help prevent future problems from happening again.

Better Posture for Better Health! Minnetonka Chiropractor

By Leave a Comment

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.