News/Articles
October 30, 2009
H1N1 sickness dominates the news…but have you considered the basics of staying well, instead?
I was forwarded a simple email. A medical doctor from India offered some very basic and inexpensive tips I’d like to pass along to you to use to stay well.
Germs are everywhere and while we can’t prevent contact, we can fight against infection! The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. It generally takes 2-3 days after initial exposure in the throat/nasal cavity for germs to proliferate (attack and cause symptoms or sickness). Here’s what to do to prevent germs from attacking:
- Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
- "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face.
- Blow your nose. Give a good hard blow, at least a couple times a day. Germs that enter the nose can be removed before they infect.
- Swab the nostrils with Q-tips dipped in warm salt water or use a nasal spray of saline mist to keep the nasal cavity flushed and clean. The truly talented may use Neti pots for the same cleansing effect.
- Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt…) Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tami flu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method!
- Drink warm beverages as much as you can. This has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. Warm beverages wash off proliferating viruses from the throat to the stomach where they cannot survive.
- *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits). *We have Zinc lozenges with Vitamin C – taste like sweet-tarts. Make sure your Vitamin C also has Zinc to boost absorption and boosts your immune system. Stay away from sugar… bacteria feeds on it.
- Just in time for Daylight Savings time November 1st: (Turn your clocks back!) Continue your daily exercise routine and get plenty of rest. Exercise stimulates every bodily system; rest is the time your body needs to strengthen itself against attacks.
- Here’s my personal addition to these otherwise excellent tips:
Get your chiropractic adjustments! Correcting your spine keeps the neurological system working, sending and receiving messages to every other system in your body, so you have a fighting chance to stay well!
Mention this email and receive a free gift at your next adjustment appointment if you schedule next week (November 2nd – 6th only).
March 23, 2009
Hello friends,
Here’s our testimonial of the week. This
was sent, unsolicited, from a patient seeing our massage therapist, Stevie
last week.
“I'm sure glad you've learned all those great "stretching techniques," because they're the answer for almost all my aches and pains. I mean, a massage works wonders--for a day or two--but, if I'm going to relieve the pain and stiffness on a daily basis, I'll need to force myself to do some serious stretching every day.
I'm sure you don't need me telling you this... but, as far as I'm concerned, I consider you to be more of a "physical therapist" than a massage therapist. Does your boss realize how much more you can do than your average massage therapist?”
B.C.
First, YES, I do know how much more than average our massage massage are!
- Our massage therapists are certified.
- They have specific training as it pertains to massage care with chiropractic care.
- They are WAY above and beyond an “average” massage therapist. The THERAPEUTIC in our massage is not just a word. It’s a VALUE that our patients enjoy time and time again.
Ask for a “sample” massage on your next visit. We will be happy to explain the benefits of massage for you as we guide you to optimum health.
March 13, 2009
The following “story” is from an email I received from a chiropractor in Burnsville, MN. She was so excited about the benefits of Cold Laser Therapy that she wrote this:
My mother in law has cancer and had her chemo on a Thursday morning and they take all the vitals and blood counts before treatment. She was given a vaccine after therapy and that night ended up in the emergency room with a 103 degree temp and a reaction at the injection site the size of an orange, very red and very warm. She called me up on Saturday and asked if there's anything I could do for her. By the time I saw her that morning it had swelled to the size of a grapefruit and had the classic orange peel appearance. She couldn't sleep, it itched, she couldn't move her arm she was desperate so I thought why not? I cold lasered in two small areas actually within the margins of the reaction the MD's had circled on her arm. She called me Monday ecstatic wanting to do it again. Her MD had said it would take 4-6 weeks to calm this infection down and after 2 minutes of cold laser she wasn't itching, it wasn't painful to the touch, and it had shrunk about a quarter inch from the margins the MD had circled on Friday. After two treatments, the infection had disappeared and when she was able to have her next week's chemotherapy on schedule her doctor was amazed and asked what she had done. Of course he didn't believe the cold laser had anything to do with it, BUT if you ask my mother in law she'll tell you otherwise!
I just thought this was a great story. It didn’t come from our office goes to show what happens in other offices.
We are getting some very good results using Cold Laser on a quite severe case of psoriasis. The patient’s skin is looking much healthier and she is having much less flaking of the skin. Since her case is on her head we’ve also noticed that her hair seems to be getting thicker! (No promises to you bald guys!)
The point is - Cold Laser can be a valuable “push” your body can use toward your Journey to Health! Call or write to me with questions.
February 17, 2009
How many of you have had Shingles or know of someone who has? For some the pain is extreme and there is very little if any relief from medications.
My case of the week is Tara*. She is a 47 year old Registered Nurse who came into our office less than a week ago. She had a severe headache, couldn’t stand lights on in the room (luckily we have other windows in the room) she could barely open her eyes, felt nauseous, and in extreme pain with any pressure in the upper neck. The outbreak of the Shingles for her was around the right eye, up her forehead into the scalp over the head to the right upper neck at the back of the head. She had been seen at Mayo Clinic and had received strong pain medication, was taken off work, and she had not noticed any improvement. She was not able to sleep at night due to the pain and was up 3-5 hours trying to get comfortable.
My examination revealed severe pain and spasm in the upper neck. The blisters from the Shingles were fluid filled and looked like chicken-pox. A few of the blisters were starting to dry up. Her neck movements were reduced and very painful. My impression was severe pressure on nerves in her upper neck which weakened them leading to the pain and Shingles infection.
We started a treatment program of relief including spinal adjustment and acupuncture. We added Cold Laser Therapy on the second visit. Today I saw her for the fourth time. She has stopped ALL pain medication, her blisters are drying up and hardly noticeable and she wants to go back to work. According to the Mayo Clinic website** for information on Shingles, the drying and disappearing stage for Shingles is about 4-5 weeks – which is two to three weeks from now!
Cold Laser is a valuable tool to stimulate your body’s natural healing. Acupuncture is great at relieving pain that doesn’t respond to other methods. Chiropractic adjustments regulate the nerves to function normally. All this came together for Tara. She’s happy and she’s another RN convinced that chiropractic care works!
January 21, 2009
Your body can heal itself.
This basic fact is central to chiropractic. Chiropractors everywhere tell their patients that they remove nerve interference which allows your body to function normally. If this is so, and there is a mountain of research to prove it, we begin to understand how we can achieve the small miracles we see in this office daily.
Our case of the week is Susan. She came to this office interested in Acupuncture. Her history was that she’d injured her lower back about ten months earlier. She had many treatments from another chiropractor and overall was satisfied with her recovery. She was unable to work in her yard, do the heavier housework, and she lacked endurance whenever she was walking, shopping, or socializing.
After our examination of her condition we began treatment using Chiropractic Adjustments and Acupuncture. After three weeks of care she felt her energy levels were returning gradually and reported that she was getting though some days without stopping to rest. She also reported that the lower back pain was significantly less than when she had started her care in this office.
She gradually increased her home exercises, increased the work she was doing at home and now noted how happy her husband was that he didn’t have to help with her work as he’d had to do previously.
Research shows Activator (when compared to most standard types of chiropractic adjustments) is 18% more effective. This also results in 20% fewer office visits than in most offices. It reduces pain twice as fast in the first two weeks of care.
Come in and, by the way - send in your friends. Settle down for the journey back to health (that’s why you’re called a “patient”) and see what Advance Chiropractic could do for you.
January 09, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
It’s time again for New Year’s Resolutions. Most people I’ve talked to in the past week just don’t make them. Many have an attitude that they will fail anyway. Personally, I think it’s wise to have some personal goals. Take a look at your life and made a decision to change one thing. Stick to it and if you are still fairly successful by spring, March 21st, make another resolution. Here’s someone who made a resolution…
My case of the week is Marlis. She is a 57 year old woman who has been a patient in this clinic since 2004. Her initial complaints were successfully treated and she has continued to receive occasional chiropractic treatment to stay on top of things. I saw her in November last year. She hadn’t received an adjustment since August and came in with a pain in the face by the upper teeth on the left side. She said she was also being seen at Mayo Clinic for this complaint. She was scheduled for oral surgery in late November. Now skip to December. She had the surgery, the sutures were taken out and I saw her on December 12. She was almost crying because the pain was as bad as ever, the surgery hadn’t changed a thing, and she didn’t know where to turn for help.
We set up an intensive care plan for Marlis. After a thorough examination including up to date x-ray studies we planned three visits per week for three weeks. We began utilizing Chiropractic Adjustments, Percussor therapy, Therapeutic Massage and Cold Laser. By the end of one week she said, “I am feeling so much improvement.” The pain was remarkably reduced. At the end of two weeks the pain was barely noticeable. By the holidays it was almost gone. Apparently to me the pain was a nerve irritation and adjustments in the upper neck and jaw area helped tone down the nerves. It took multiple approaches at each visit to get the results because the irritations to her nerves were so intense.
She made a decision to take action and stuck to it. She’s very glad she did. How about you?
Healthy New Year!
December 19, 2008
I’ve worked on Santa. Well, he looks like Santa and gets jobs as Santa so that’s as close as I’ve come. Our “Santa” is a great patient. He’s a 58 year old man* with white hair and beard. He gets adjusted twice per month – year ‘round. He’s learned about his nervous system and how it controls ALL aspects of his body. Now when he comes in he says, “Will you check the area of my back for the stomach? I’ve been having more heartburn lately.” Or “Will you check the area of my spine for the sinuses?” Or “…the arm?” Or “…the eyes?” etc.
It’s great because I know what he means and he trusts that his body is working better after his adjustments. Our “Santa” also understands about good nutrition and takes several supplements that we’ve recommended. He says that he knows when he doesn’t take them…he has less energy and feels worse. Some information on this is on our website for nutrition. Also, check our website for nutrition companies.
Chiropractic Christmas Poem
Author Unknown
T'was the day before Christmas,
but there was no cheer.
No jingle bells jingled,
no sound of reindeer.
The word had got out that Santa was sick.
There'd be no friendly visit from jolly St. Nick.
The people were sad; no gaiety sounded.
For Christmas had come,
but Santa was grounded.
He walked down the street,
and what should he see?
On a small sign was printed, Advance Chiropractic.
Now, Santa was not one to like a new tactic,
But all else had failed, so he'd try Chiropractic.
He entered the office and saw at a glance
In a place such as this illness hasn't a chance.
For all were smiling; the music was snappy,
With all the patients contented and happy.
In a very short time, to judge by the clock,
He was in the adjusting room, talking to Doc.
"It must be the hurry, the tension and all.
I simply can't seem to get on the ball.
Life used to be easy, just toys, guns and whistles.
Now I have to dodge fall-out,
space ships and missiles."
"And Doc, take a look at the size of this pack!
Have you any idea what it does to my back?"
Poor Santa was miserable; just barely able
With the help of the doctor, to get to the table.
The doctor was gentle. Without fuss or tussle
He examined the vertebrae
and relaxed the muscles.
He spotted the trouble, and then with a click,
Started aligning the ailing St. Nick.
And Santa felt aches and pains slipping away.
In no time at all he began to feel gay.
The air was a tingle with a new fallen snow.
And a healthy Kris Kringle was rarin' to go.
As he went out the door, he threw all a kiss.
Why, it has been centuries since
he'd felt as good as this!
Then once more he shouldered the bag full of toys.
His heart overflowing with true Christmas joys.
So, may we, your friends, echo this cheer?
Merry Christmas to you and to all a good year!
*Name is changed to protect patient privacy.
Have a healthy, Happy Holiday!
December 12, 2008
Our winter weather is bringing patients with injuries we see repeatedly this time of year. During the past three days I’ve had patients who have slipped on the ice whipping their necks and backs, patients who injured their backs while shoveling snow and patients who have fallen down (and the older we are the harder we fall!). Then there are also the weather related automobile crash injuries…but that’s another email.
The case of the week is about Maurine*, a 68 year old woman who has been a patient since 1994. She initially came in with neck and back complaints which improved. Since then she has continued her care by returning when she felt she needed to come in. Usually her visits are every 3-5 weeks apart. She says she likes to stay healthy instead of trying to “fix it back up” after an injury. She came in this morning with increased lower back pain after she shoveled snow yesterday. We performed an examination to see what was wrong. During the exam I reviewed her records to find that it was about two years ago that we had completed x-ray studies of her lower back. At that time I explained to her that she had curvature of the spine, worn discs and degenerative joints. In addition she had osteoporosis, which is a thinning of the bone due to lack of sufficient calcium and minerals. Osteoporosis puts patients at risk of bone fracture and increased pain and is a condition we treat. We completed her evaluation and I adjusted her spine. I also recommended updating the x-ray studies since bones change enough in two years to see significant differences. She said she felt considerably better after her adjustment and followed my recommendation to schedule one more appointment this week and two next week to get the pain under control.
As I stop to think about this, I think it is incredible that this 68 year old woman feels healthy enough to shovel her own snow! She had pain and came in immediately to correct it. And importantly, she will likely only need three or four visits to fix her problems!
I know that I sound like a broken record when I talk about taking care of your spine on a regular basis. Maurine’s case is a great example of the outcome of regular care. Sure, she hurt her back, but it won’t debilitate her. She can still work her regular clerical job, do all the recreational activities she wants, and she only needs minimal care to get back to her normal healthy state.
Contact us immediately if you’ve hurt your back. Delays in care make the outcome worse. Use ice on new injuries to reduce swelling and pain. Get back on track quickly with proper chiropractic care. We’re here to guide you to optimum health!
Happy, healthy holidays,
Denis Boerjan, DC
December 1, 2008
Hello friends!
One holiday is past and more are on the way. Here are several pointers to keep your stress levels down during this hectic season.
- Vitamin B (Complex) is
a great stress reducer. In general take all the B Vitamins
together since they help process one another in your system.
We have a great time-released Vitamin B which helps to avoid
the “flushing” that comes from taking niacin (Vitamin B3).
Did you also know that Vitamin B3 is prescribed to help reduce
cholesterol? Ask about nutritional counseling.
- Exercise is
also a great stress reducer. In our holiday celebrations there
is a tendency to sit around way too much. Our family has discovered
Wii Fit and other games that get us up and moving. Walking
is still one of the best all-around exercises.
- Get outdoors
as much as possible for fresh air. Lack of sunshine is a concern
in the northern climates. Recent studies show Vitamin D3 is
helpful as a supplement to reduce chronic pain and the effects
of lack of sunshine. Ask Advance Chiropractic doctors about
nutrition.
- Consider shopping locally and preferably from local businesses (versus Big Box Stores). This helps our local economy and the gifts are sometimes much more personal. Advance Chiropractic offers gift certificates. These are commonly used to help pay for a potential patient’s first visit, to purchase a massage for someone or to help someone buy supplies they need. Massage gift certificates are the most common. Did you know we also sell Mineral Care Dead Sea products?
I have a 58 year old patient in Iowa. When she started in our office in 2005 she was seen multiple times per week for chronic pain in the neck, back, elbows and knees. She golfed frequently and the pain was interfering with her game. After initial care over several weeks she has reduced her visits now to an “as needed” basis. She comes in every 6-8 weeks as symptoms start to resurface. Her favorite treatment however is therapeutic massage. Every year she receives 8-10 gift certificates from her friends for therapeutic massage at our office. She says this helps her to stay healthy and feel great! And while her golf game hasn’t improved, she feels better as she’s playing.
Why not give someone you know a similar gift?
You can contact our office several ways. Add Gift Certificates to your shopping list and reduce your shopping stress.
Happy, Healthy Holidays!
November 21, 2008
Dear Friends,
Prevention is the GREAT key
to health. Chiropractic care is the GREATEST tool to improve
your natural ability to stay healthy. (Read
the research to back
up this claim). Also, this time of year GIVE THANKS for good
health and work to keep it.
In the next couple of weeks we will be sending you a letter in the mail. We are offering you the chance to help your friends and family. Watch your mail after Thanksgiving for our annual Holiday Letter in which we invite you give the gift of better health to those friends.
This reminds me of the case of the week. Ken* is a 44 year old man who had lower back pain for years. About two weeks before his first appointment his back pain worsened and he had sciatic pain, which was pain shooting down his left leg. He could not find comfort in bed, with resting, or with medication so he was sitting in my office wanting help. He had seen other chiropractors, the last one about a month ago. He told me that he wasn’t sure about the Activator because the other chiropractors had used it and it didn’t work. He thought he preferred to hear his joints “pop.” Last Friday was his third visit. He was feeling much better with no more leg pain. He said, “I’m going to bring my kids in here. They’ve seen a chiropractor and it’s hard to get them to go because they hate having their necks twisted and their backs popped.” I told him Dr. Post is great with kids and to set up the appointment soon.
So, here is a guy whose understanding of chiropractic was limited by the past chiropractic doctors he’d seen. We do things differently at Advance Chiropractic and even if your friends have a chiropractor, it wouldn’t hurt for them to check us out. You’ll have the chance to give them a Holiday Gift when you receive the letter in the mail. Watch for it, make your list and get ready to change someone’s life!
Denis Boerjan, DC
P.S. If for some reason you DON’T receive a letter, PLEASE CALL. We’ll get one out to you ASAP!
November 19, 2008TOYS
FOR TOTS!
Advance Chiropractic Clinic is proud to participate with the US Marines Toys For Tots campaign again this year.Patients can bring a new, unopened, unwrapped toy to our front foyer for collection. The collection dates are from November 13th through December 22 at Noon. The need is greater than ever this year; please join us as we bring joy to children in our community!
