Chiropractic Fights Ear Infections

Ear pain is the number one reason for child visits to chiropractors. Many chiropractors believe that there is a strong link between the birthing process and recurrent ear infection, also known as otitis media. During the birthing process, cervical (neck) vertebrae can become misaligned, disrupting nerve function, which can affect the eustachian tube. This may lead to fluid buildup in the middle ear and cause otitis media.

Ear infection or otitis media accounts for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Antibiotics, the usual treatment, are not always effective and may even lead to a recurrence of ear infections. Many children are dealing with a continuing cycle of repeat ear infections, which lands them back at the pediatrician for more antibiotics. For nearly 100 years, the chiropractic profession has claimed that ear and other upper respiratory infections respond favorably to chiropractic adjustments.

A promising study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics indicates that there is a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections...(read more)

SOURCE: http://www.healthychild.com/

Spinal Decompression

DTS (Decompression Traction System) is a procedure designed to reduce pressure on the tissues of the nerves on your spine. The various angles of decompression cause a negative pressure within the vertebral discs that creates an optimal environment for nutrients, water and blood flow thereby allowing healing to take place.

Indications for decompression traction are to relieve peripheral radiation/sciatica and pain associated with: protruding, bulging, herniated, prolapsed disc, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, acute fact syndrome, radicular pain, spinal root impingement, hypo-mobility, degenerative joint disease, compression fracture, joint pain and discogenic pain.

DTS uses an intermittent pull at a pre-determined level of force to help separate the joint surfaces and/or to elongate the surrounding soft tissue. It also uses a progressive/regressive mode that slowly builds up to the maximum level of pull and then gradually returns to the minimum level.

There are two different types of clinical protocols that are done at Lifestyle Chiropractic: Lumbar and Cervical.
Lumbar decompression traction can be done prone (on stomach) or supine (on back). A thorough evaluation will determine which position is best for each individual. Treatment frequency varies by condition and individual, and as frequency is reduced, the program of care will become more aggressive.

Cervical decompression is done in a reclined seated position. Typical starting force will be 15-20 pounds and any increases to tolerance to 25-30 pounds, in five pound increments.

Spinal decompression has evolved into a cost-effective non-surgical treatment for herniated and degenerative spinal disc disease, one of the major causes of back pain. Traction can be billed through your insurance, and through our services, we will verify your benefits.

Visit Lifestyle Chiropractic Helps Back Pain For More Information

Lifestyle Chiropractic welcomes a new Massage Therapist!

Missy Wright graduated from Northwestern College in Roseville with an Associate’s degree in Arts and Bible. While working full-time in an administrative job and at the suggestion of her father, Missy decided to pursue her passion in the healing arts. She enrolled in the evening massage therapy program at Sister Rosalind Gefre’s School of Massage in West Saint Paul. Missy graduated from Sister Rosalind’s with a certification in Professional Massage Therapy. Since then, Missy has helped many people heal naturally with her massage techniques.

Missy joined Lifestyle Chiropractic this May and is very excited to work with Dr. Fugleberg! Missy has over 800 hours of training in the following massage techniques: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, Acupressure, Pre & Post-Natal Pregnancy, Geriatrics, Chair Massage, Sports Massage and Reflexology. Missy is also a Professional member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals(ABMP). When asked what she likes most about being a Massage Therapist, Missy said, “I feel very satisfied in knowing that anyone can walk through the door with any sort of problem and that I have the skills and training to send them back out that door in better health than when they arrived.”

In her spare time, Missy enjoys spending time with her husband of 4 years, Jon, as well as with family and friends. She enjoys rollerblading, photography, Twins games, and crafts. Her values, ethics, faith, and yearning for excellence contribute to the level of care she provides her clients!

Fire department or Maintenance man?

As many of you know, Lifestyle Chiropractic experienced a small fire last week. Thankfully, minimal damage occurred and the office did not need to close! Amidst the lessons learned, I was reminded of a valuable analogy that explains the differences between medicine and chiropractic.

For this analogy, your mind and body are your house, medical doctors are the fire department and chiropractors are renovation and maintenance experts.

Now, imagine your house is on fire. It is an emergency. Who should you call, the fire department or the renovation and maintenance experts?

I hope you said the fire department. Now, what will the fire department do when they get to your burning house? Well, what they do will depend on what tools they have to work with. What tools does the fire department have? The tools that they have developed are very effective in their goal to put out fires. They have axes and fire hoses. What will they use these for? They will use the axes to break out all your windows, to chop down your door, and to chop open your walls. They will use the hoses to soak the entire interior of your house and all your cherished belongings.

What is the result? If you are lucky, if they got there in time and did not make any big mistakes, they will save the life of your house. For this you should be eternally grateful. But, what is left? A huge mess to clean up! In fact, your house is now in far worse shape that it was before the fire ever started!

So now what will you do? Who will you call to restore order to your house? The fire department? Do you think more axes and fire hoses could ever restore your house to proper order or function? Of course not, that is absurd. Now is the time to call on the maintenance and restoration experts to restore the "health" of your house.

So who is better? The fire department should be a last resort for building health but the first resort when there is a fire. The restoration and maintenance experts should be the first resort for health and a secondary resort in the event of a fire. The goal should be to ALWAYS utilize them regularly.

We need to ask the right questions. Wouldn't spraying down houses with water cause them to rot? Yes it would, that is called a side effect. This does not, however, erase the fact that these houses were saved from the ravages of fire! The fire department is simply responsibly for treating the symptoms at hand...a blazing fire. They are not responsible for restoring the order and function after their intervention.

Long story short, Lifestyle Chiropractic fared pretty well last week. Small emergency? Yes, and I am thankful for the work of the fire department! Since then, I am more thankful for the work of the maintenance and restoration experts who have restored the order of the office!

Remember to maintain YOUR body and health!

Dr. Joel

(adapted from Dr. James Chestnut-fire dept analogy)

Research on Lowback Pain

"There's been an escalation of clinical and basic science research on manipulative therapy, which has shown there is a scientific basis for the treatment of back pain by manipulation. The physician who makes use of this resource will provide relief for many patients."
(Canadian Family Physician 1985; 31: 535-540.)

"The treatment that chiropractors offered for low back pain was more effective than that provided by the medical clinics."
(British Medical Journal, June 2, 1990. 1431-1437.)

For years people have known that chiropractors treat back pain. Chiropractors have terrific success in providing relief. What our current healthcare system needs is more collaboration between medical professionals for the benefit of the patient. Try conservative chiropractic care FIRST and more invasive/aggressive procedures only in a crisis.

Now, all that being said - Chiropractic used MERELY to relieve pain is neglecting its real power. A chiropractic adjustment is first and foremost about restoring balance. An adjustment may be necessary with or WITHOUT the presence of pain.

Being adjusted is not so much about what is done TO you, but more about what it ALLOWS your body to DO - ADAPT to everyday stressors more readily.

Reminds me of a saying:

An ounce of prevention is worth... (you know the rest).

FACTS ABOUT DRUGS

Americans spend $250 billion/year on prescription drugs. We spend more than all the people in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom combined (Melody Peterson, Our Daily Meds, Sarah Crichton Books, New York, NY 2008, pg.5.).

Prescription drugs -taken as directed- kill 300 people every day in America (Haley D, “The Other Drug War,” Alt Med Mag, Sept. 2001 Issue-3. Gary Null et al., “Death by Medicine,” Life Extension (March 2004 web special).

Spending on drugs increases by 12% every year. Drugs are the fastest growing part of the staggeringly high American health care bill (Public citizen, “2002 Drug Industry Profits: Hefty Pharmaceutical Company Margins Dwarf Other Industries, “Congress Watch (June 2003), http//www.citizen.org/congress/reform/drug_industry/corporate/articles.cfm?ID=9923).

$400 billion spent on prescription drugs worldwide (Public citizen, “2002 Drug Industry Profits: Hefty Pharmaceutical Company Margins Dwarf Other Industries, “Congress Watch (June 2003), http//www.citizen.org/congress/reform/drug_industry/corporate/articles.cfm?ID=9923).

Dr. Allen Roses (top exec from GlaxoSmithKline) has said that 90% of drugs work in only 30-50% of the people who take them (Connor, “Glaxo Chief: Our Drugs Do Not Work on Most People,” The Independent (December 8 2003).

(adapted from Dr. Rodger Murphree's article "Swimming in a Sea of Green." TAC. Dec 2008. http://www.theamericanchiropractor.com/articledetail.asp?articleid=1038&category=12)

Quality of Life Improved!