By this point, we’re all very familiar with the pharmaceutical drug ads on TV that list off a number of potential side effects – many of them dangerous and life changing. With chiropractic, we could do the same thing  -only the “side effects” are the benefits!

Everyone knows that chiropractic helps with neck pain, back pain, and headaches, but most people don’t know that one of the benefits of chiropractic adjustments is the relief from sinus congestion. Many of our patients report sinus drainage after an adjustment many of them almost immediately!

In our experience, people with sinus issues also have neck pain, neck stiffness, and/or headaches.  This makes sense anatomically speaking.  The neck is where the spinal nerves that control your eyes, ears, nose, throat, and sinuses exit.  The neck also houses the nerves that go to the muscles in the head and neck as well as the nerves that control your immune system.

In addition, if the joints of the neck are not moving properly, the neck muscles can get tight and stiff.  This constricts the drainage ducts that run from the sinuses down the neck muscles.  This makes it difficult for the sinuses to drain properly, which can also contribute to chronic sinus congestion.

If the vertebrae in this region are not moving properly, have degenerated, or are out of alignment, there is pressure on the spinal cord and local nerves.  This added pressure hinders the ability of the body to properly communicate with the brain which in turn decreases your body’s function.

The tricky thing is our senses don’t have the ability to always know when this is happening.  In the case of the sinuses, most people don’t recognize that the problem is coming from the spine because the symptom or pain is felt in the sinuses.

While most people turn to a drug or pill for sinus relief, we all know that no pill or drug will ever move the bone.  If subluxation, or pressure on the nerve is causing your sinus issues, drugs will only at best provide temporary relief.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we look to the cause of the problem and work to correct the problem which ultimately leads to better health and a better life for you and everyone else.

As one of Minnetonka’s top chiropractors, we look to the cause of your problem with an examination and any necessary x-rays.  Once we better understand your condition, we get great results helping people of all ages with sinus congestion.

For more information you can visit us on the web at www.reliefplusmn.com.

Give us a call at 952-681-2863 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION and to see if chiropractic is right for you!

While many people go to the chiropractor to alleviate symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, or headaches, many continue to go once the symptoms are gone because of all of the benefits. One of these added benefits to the chiropractic adjustment is an increase in the immune system function.

Our patients report they get sick less often, and their kids under chiropractic care get sick less often!

So how does chiropractic strengthen the immune system?

Regardless of age, going to the chiropractor allows the body to adapt and handle your environment better. This is because when the structure of your spine is in alignment there is less pressure on the nerves and normal nerve flow is restored.

This nerve flow acts as the electricity running the body. The chiropractic adjustment reduces stress on the nerve flow, so the organs and cells function at a higher level.  Thus the body can more readily adapt to the changing environment.

If there are spinal misalignments, this can create neural dysfunctions that lead to a poorly coordinated immune response. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to boost the immune system’s response.

One study on the subject was done by Ronald Pero, chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventative Medical Institute and Professor of Medicine in Environmental Health at New York University. He studied 107 long-term chiropractic patients that were “genetically normal,” meaning they had no obvious genetic reasons for increased resistance or susceptibility to disease. The results found these individuals to have a 200% greater immune competence than those who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than those with cancer or other serious diseases. This study took into consideration a large range of ages, and it found no decline with age; it was uniform for the entire group.

Pero noted that “chiropractic may optimize whatever genetic abilities you have…..I’m very excited to see that without chemical intervention…this particular group of patients under chiropractic care did show a very improved response.”

Other Natural Remedies to Boost Immune System

Of course living a healthy lifestyle that includes sound nutrition, exercise, nerve flow, and mentality is key to avoiding illness.  If you do feel “something coming on,” here are suggestions to help you fight it off fast!

• Get adjusted as soon as possible
• Drink warm water with lemon
• Increase antioxidants – green tea!
• Get extra rest and clean water
• Avoid sugar, which depresses the immune system
• Zinc is a good immune booster
• Garlic is known for its action against viral and bacterial infections
• A couple of drops of Thieves essential oil on the feet fight viruses and bacteria

If you would like to have fewer sick days and feel better without the use of shots or medications, we encourage you to contact Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka to learn more and take advantage of a FREE CONSULTATION.  We look forward to meeting you and taking your health to the next level!

Diabetes is a serious condition significantly shortening the lives of many throughout the world. The life expectancy of 40 year old men with diabetes is shortened by an average of 11-13 years. Women with diabetes have their life expectancy cut by 12-17 years.

Not only is the disease shortening lives, it also negatively impacts quality of life. Unfortunately its rates are skyrocketing each year. In the last 20 years, Type 2 Diabetes has increased 10-fold (1000%). (Int’l Journal of Obesity) YIKES!

Does Chiropractic Help with Diabetes?

The average person probably wouldn’t recognize the connection between diabetes and chiropractic. It seems like the back and controlling blood sugar would have little to do with each other. However, the spine houses the central nervous system, so by taking pressure off the spinal cord and allowing for maximum nerve flow (i.e. communication between the brain and the body), the organs function better.

Chiropractic can improve a patient’s ability to handle sugar or help one taking medications to improve the quality of life.

The upper neck and middle back are two areas of the spine where the exiting nerves supply the pancreas.  Disruption to these areas means that pancreatic function is impaired. The pancreas produces enzymes to digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as well as insulin.  When these are disturbed, blood sugar and digestion become unbalanced. This can result in hypoglycemia or diabetes.

Research is finding that chiropractic adjustments can valuably contribute to a healthy lifestyle to help diabetes sufferers.

The December 7, 2006 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research highlights a case study where the glucose blood and urine levels of a patient with early onset diabetes returned to normal after a short course of chiropractic care. Other chiropractic journals such as Chiropractic Technique and the Chiropractic Research Journal have shown that diabetic patients improve while under chiropractic care.

Dr. Sara Hillesheim is a chiropractor in Minnetonka MN near Wayzata MN. At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we are here to help create a heather community for you to thrive in. To see how you can benefit from chiropractic and for your FREE consultation please call our office at 952-681-2863.

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 12^th visit and by the 27^th 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!

“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

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.