Dr. Mike's Minute

Welcome to
Dr. Mike's Minute

Dr. Mike Olson

Dr. Mike's Minute is organized by the week it was written in.

Week One

As we venture out after the first snowfall of the year we are quickly reminded of how important our “footing” is. One misstep and “down we go!” Few people, including most doctors, ever consider the importance of footing any other time of the year.

Our feet are our foundation, upon which the entire weight of our body is balanced and supported. Without good feet our foundation becomes weakened and strained.

Over the next few weeks, I will discuss such conditions as heel pain, shin splints, bunions, flat feet, foot pain, knee pain, leg aches, back pain, hip pain and some of the reasons for them. Then also give you advice as to how to correct the problem.

Do you or a loved one suffer from any of the above pain? Look weekly for my one-minute message.

Week Two

While out deer hunting last weekend, I was reminded of the type of surfaces our predecessors walked on. Natural surfaces like grass, leaves, sand and earth allow for a cushioning support for our feet. Very few people spend their lives walking on “natural surfaces” anymore. Instead, we are walking on blacktop, cement, and if we are lucky, wood. Consequently, 50% of our population to age 40 have developed excessive pronation. For those of you over the age of 40, the percentage quickly and steadily increases.

As I stated in week one, if you believe the conditions listed do not pertain to you, you need to think again. The hard surfaces we now walk on cause our feet to roll inward to gain surface contact, causing our arches to flatten. Step by step, we are wearing ourselves and our shoes out more rapidly than ever before.

Next week - Pronation explained and how to spot it.

Week Three

Firestone tires are being recalled due to improper manufacturing. We all know that even properly made, brand new tires wear out prematurely if the front-end alignment is not correct. Improper alignment of our feet (pronation) will cause premature wear on our bodies and our shoes.

As discussed in week two, we now spend most of our lives on hard surfaces. As we walk, the outside of our heel usually strikes the surface first, then our foot rolls inward (pronation) as a compensatory movement. To determine whether you or someone else has excessive pronation, simply look at you shoes. If the outside of the heel is wearing unevenly, you provably have excessive pronation.

If your shoed are wearing out prematurely, what do you think might be happening to you? Do you believe that all knee and hip replacements are due to “old football injuries?” I didn’t know grandma played football!

We can’t do a foot recall, but we can easily and painlessly correct your foot posture.

Next week -- Heel Pain and Plantar Fascitis.

Week Fourteen

The family was riding on a pontoon boat on a local lake. The cute little blonde girl had crawled up onto the back couch and was enjoying the ride when the boat hit the wake of another boat. The jolt threw her onto the floor of the boat. When she went to get up, she could not stand on her right leg. It was quickly determined that her leg was ok; the problem was coming from her low back.

The parents were familiar with chiropractic care and brought her in to me. After examining her, I determined that she had subluxated her fifth lumbar vertebra. A subluxation is simply a misalignment, and the fifth lumbar vertebra L5 is the bottom most vertebra in the spine. Between L5 and the sacrum (week thirteen) is the L5-S1 disc. The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage between each vertebrae (except C1-C2) which provides cushioning and flexibility to the spine.

A gentle chiropractic adjustment to her L5 vertebra restored proper alignment, and she was up and running. Little children respond so well to chiropractic care that they are a joy to work on.

Next week: When big boys wrestle - L-4.

Week Nineteen

One of my favorite professors at Northwestern College of Chiropractic was Dr. DeRusha. He was dynamic and full of charisma; perhaps some of his energy came from his wife who had been one of the original Radio City Rockets! He had a saying that I will never forget. “The human body is intricately simple, and simply intricate.” Boy does that ring true when talking about the bottom thoracic vertebra, known as T12.

The next twelve weeks I will be working my way up the thoracic spine, which are the twelve vertebrae in which our rib cage is attached. Sympathetic nerve fibers from T12 affect the ovaries, testes, small intestine, kidney, large intestine, ureters, prostate gland, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the blood vessels of the abdomen. T12 is known as a transitional vertebra because it sits on top of L1 (week eighteen) and is changing from a full-fledged thoracic vertebra that has its ribs wrap around us and join to the sternum (breast bone) to having what is called a floating rib, which isn’t attached to the sternum.

The “simply intricate” part of Dr. DeRusha’s saying refers to the complexity of the sympathetic fibers that work automatically to regulate so many functions of our body. The “intricately simple” part of his saying refers to the simple solution to many of the decreased nerve flow problems. It is called a Chiropractic Adjustment.

I could spend several months discussing interesting cases that responded well to the adjustment of T12. With today’s work force doing so much repetitious twisting and prolonged sitting, the transitional area gets heavily over worked and susceptible to injury.

Week Twenty

Remember back when you were a young child and someone let you hold an infant for the first time? How excited you were to see the baby smile at you, and you would exclaim, she or he is smiling at me! Then you would hear the adult say, “no honey, that’s just gas.”

“Just gas? What does that mean?”

Well, what it probably means is that the baby’s intestinal tract may not have developed enough tonicity to keep the food moving through at a proper rate and fermentation has begun. Fermentation produces gas pains and the baby wiggles, squirms, and smiles, as it helps the gas pass.

This week’s vertebra is T11, and like T12 talked about in last week’s minute, it has sympathetic fibers going to many of our organs. It also has floating ribs. Should there be a mild misalignment of T11, a condition known as neurothlipsis can develop. Neurothlipsis comes from the Greek word neuron (nerve) and thlipsis (pressure). This pressure on a nerve is what Chiropractic concerns itself with. One of the possible affects of improper nerve flow to and from T11 is atonicity (lack of tone) and hypomotility (below normal movement) of intestines, reduced secretions from the intestinal glands leading to intestinal stasis and retarded digestion with consequent fermentation and gas formation. Thus, the baby “smiles.”

With more involved cases this condition is termed colic. Webster’s dictionary defines colic as 2. A condition in young infants characterized by loud crying for which no physiological or other cause has been found.

I believe one of the physiological causes of colic is described to you in this article. I also believe that God designed a human baby’s digestive tract for human mother’s milk, not cows, goats, or large corporate artificial milk. Think about it.

Week Twenty-One

Looking out across the fields south of our home, I am amazed at the small amount of standing water. With all the snow we had this winter you would have thought there would be water standing everywhere. But there was little frost and the earth is taking it in and filtering it down to the groundwater.

In our bodies it is the kidneys that do the filtering, and what a marvelous task they perform. Like the thirsty earth, our kidneys function better with an ample supply of clean water. Yes, juice, pop and coffee will also supply water, but they also put more products into our system that need to be filtered out. Do yourself a favor and drink one or two quarts of water per day. You will look and feel better.

This week’s vertebra is T10, and like next week’s vertebra T9, it supplies the nerves that help our kidneys function properly. Without proper nerve flow to and from our kidneys, they cease to function at optimum levels, and we build up toxins and may become ill. We all know what happens to a person with irreversible kidney failure, don’t we.

Two of the easiest things you can do for your kidneys is drink more water, and have your chiropractor examine T9 and T10 to make sure the nerve flow is at optimum levels.

Week Twenty-Three

A question we frequently get asked in our office is, “What can you do to help someone who is continually getting infections? My son or daughter always seems to be getting sick while the rest of us stay healthy!” While there are enough answers to fill a small book for that question, there are several simple approaches we use in our office to try to narrow down the list of causes.

This week’s vertebra is T8, and one of the main organs that it supplies with nerve flow is the spleen. The spleen is a large lymphatic organ, located under the stomach that filters blood. To stay healthy we need clean blood and a healthy lymphatic system so that the dead blood cells (phagocytes), dead viruses, and dead bacteria can be filtered out of your system.

When our bodies are overwhelmed with bacteria or viruses, our lymph nodes swell up (get clogged). People, especially children who hae chronically swollen glands, need to have their immune system stimulated. To stimulate the spleen, chiropractors adjust T8 to normalize nerve flow to the spleen so it can filter closer to its optimum level. We also work on a number of other areas to assist the lymphatic system to function properly. When I have completed my series on the spinal column, I will do a series on the immune system. For now just remember, “To help you feel great, we adjust T8.”

Week Twenty-Five

May at last, summer is in sight. Time to put some brats on the barbee. For some people, brats taste great but give them heartburn, so they have to avoid them.

I’m proud to say I’ve helped a lot of people get back to eating the foods they like, when they like.

This week’s vertebra is T6 and its target organ is the stomach. As food arrives in the stomach, specialized cells determine the quantity and type of digestive enzyme it may need. Without the optimum nerve supply to and from these cells, there is a good chance you will have “stomach trouble.”

Whether that means heartburn, gassy stomach, stomach aches, stomach ulcers, or hiatal hernias, a simple adjustment to T6 may be just what you need.

As stated in earlier articles, plenty of water is also a great friend to digestive happiness. If you would rather have beer with your brats, you better read next week’s article on T5.

Week Twenty-Six

Angie graduated from St. Cloud State this past weekend. You know that they have learned a lot when you move them to college in the back of your Explorer and a small trailer and move them home four years later with a full-size pick-up and a large trailer! Congratulations Angie, the stress of four years of studies is over.

Speaking of stress, this week’s vertebra is T5 and its target organ is the liver. Our livers are constantly under stress from what we consume, whether it’s a beer with your brat, prescription medication, or the tons of non-prescription drugs our country consumes. The fifth thoracic vertebra is located toward the top of the shoulder blades and is a common site for pain and tension in that region of the back. Maintaining proper alignment of T5 helps the nerve impulses “flow” properly and keep us from getting sluggish and run down. One of my favorite quotes applies to this topic. “To ward off disease or recover health, men as a rule find it easier to depend on healers than to attempt the difficult task of living wisely.” Rene’ Dubos

Live wisely, practice moderation in your consumption of drugs and alcohol, and keep your spine in line!

Week Twenty-Eight

What a difference a week makes! Last Tuesday I was cleaning my landscaping and parking lot in 93-degree weather. This Tuesday it is 50 degrees colder. (Must be global warming.) While blowing the parking lot off, I was glad I didn’t suffer from allergies, as there was a ton of pollen flying around.

So many people are suffering from breathing problems, whether it is from dust, mold, dander, or chemicals at work. Asthma seems to be on the rise, especially in our children. There is so much information about asthma that I will have to do a series of articles on it in the future. For now I will keep this article on lung problems in general as it relates to chiropractic.

The primary nerve supply to the lungs comes from the T3 region of the spine, which is up above the shoulder blades. Improper alignment of T3 can give you pain and tightness from the base of the neck to the middle of the shoulder blades. The ability of the lungs to function properly is of course dependent on the quality of nerve flow to and from them. Most patients with breathing problems have improved breathing with the adjustment of T3. The patients using inhalers and nebulizers generally find that they can decrease their use of these drugs, sometimes quite significantly.

So remember, to help you breathe, we adjust T3!

Week Thirty-One

What a great weekend we had . I thank God for my children, wife, and mom. They, along with a couple of “young men” and our aunt Elvira, spent a relaxing Father’s Day on the St. Croix River. The presents were appreciated of course. How many of you dads got a “Big Mouth Billy Bass” last year? Nonetheless, the nicest things about Father’s Day are the kind words that are expressed and the love that is ever-surrounding! This is the eighth year that we have been without my dad, and we all miss him greatly. However, knowing that he is surrounded by our heavenly Father’s love gives us a sense of peace and puts a lump in our throats.

That leads us to this week’s vertebra, C7, which is located at the base of the neck, and supplies the thyroid gland, bursa of the shoulder, and elbows. . . . Improper nerve flow from C7 can cause pain in the shoulders, elbows, and front of the neck. The thyroid is important to us in several ways. Growth and metabolism being the most well known of its functions, but the human physiology of the thyroid gland its hormone production and interaction with other hormones is extremely complicated. Even today the diagnosis and treatment of “thyroid conditions” can be a complicated process. However if you think about how easily the body responds to a goiter when proper iodine levels are introduced ,then you should also realize that the thyroid will need proper nerve flow to keep it working properly. Not everything needs to be complicated!! So before you get that lump in your throat come in and have your seventh cervical evaluated.

Week Thirty-Two

One of my childhood memories is that of having what seemed to me to be frequent bouts of tonsilitis - swollen glands, sore throat and fever. Mom would take me to the doctor, I would get a shot of penicillin, I would go to the pharmacy for a bottle of penicillin, and then we would be off to the new grocery store on the north end of New Richmond for a six pack of Seven Up and a couple boxes of popsicles. I had two favorite kinds: orange and "red" - I'm not sure what flavor that was. The penicillin killed the bacteria, the pop helped keep my hydrated, and the popsicles soothed my throat.

I got so sick and tired of being sick and tired that I remember asking mom if I could have my tonsils cut out. Fortunately for me the doctor said "no". He said that if God put them in us, they must be there for a reason. Of course he was right, but it wasn't the answer that I wanted to hear.

I was still having this problem when I started seeing a chiropractor for a chronic headache problem (another story). It wasn't until months later that I realized that not only were my headaches finally gone, but I also hadn't had a sore throat or tonsilitis since I started chiropractic care.

This weeks vertebra is C6. It supplies the nerve flow to the tonsils, neck and shoulders. Subluxation of C6 can lead to stiff neck, pain in the upper arm, whooping cough, croup, and of course tonsilitis. It has been thirty-two years since my introduction to chiropractic, and I have not had a sore throat or tonsilitis since that time. None the less, I still love orange and red popsicles!!

Week Thirty-Four

Something that gets my “nose out of joint” is the national and world “news” organizations that are supposed to present the news in an objective way. The reporters are supposed to have a “nose for news”, instead they have a political agenda. I’m afraid I do not have a chiropractic adjustment for that problem!

This weeks vertebra is C4, which has the major nerve supply to the nose, lips, mouth, and eustachian tubes. We have a lot of conditions coming in that we do have a chiropractic adjustment for as it relates to C4. For the nose it may be for acute sinus conditions. For the lips it may be for chronic recurrent cold sores which generally come from the herpes simplex virus. Have you ever stopped to wonder why, if it is a viral infection that attacks the cells of the lips that the entire lip is not affected? Or why the other lip that comes in constant contact with the infected lip doesn’t get infected as well? One of the answers is that the other cells have better immunity while the cells affected by the virus probably have a nerve supply to the infected area that is functioning at less then optimum standards. A simple adjustment to C4 may be very effective in stopping the sores from recurring. The same premise goes for canker sores in the mouth (obviously there are other things to consider such as diet). As for the Eustachian tubes, anyone who has kids with recurrent ear infections should give chiropractic a legitimate try. I may do an article on that condition later in the series.

Week Thirty-Five

Have you ever stopped to think of all the collaborative effort it takes simply to whistle a happy tune? You have to pucker your lips, contract the muscles of your cheeks, expand the thorax, raise the shoulders, process the tune in your brain, expand then contract the diaphragm, contract the thorax, lower the shoulders, extend and retract the jaw, control the tongue, and control perfectly timed movements of the head, neck, shoulders, and hips. Your brain can then allow you to whistle thousands of tunes simply from memory. Those of you that think life developed from inorganic matter better start thinking in earnest. The simple process of whistling a happy tune requires millions of perfectly executed nerve signals. These are what chiropractors strive to keep working for you everyday.

This week’s vertebra is C3 and has the nerve supply to the cheeks, outer ear, facial bones, teeth, and trifacial nerve. Patients with a C3 misalignment (subluxation) may experience facial pain, sagging facial muscles, tooth aches not related to tooth pathology, pain or paresthesia (a funny feeling) of the ear, or they may simply have difficulty whistling a happy tune! Now that’s not just “Whistling Dixie“!!

Week Thirty-Six

One of the first things we are taught in chiropractic college is how our profession got started. D. D. Palmer was a teacher, researcher, and man of many talents and interests. A janitor in a building where D. D. worked was deaf for over fifteen years after being run over by a team of horses. D.D. had been studying anatomy and physiology and had an idea for helping the janitor. Knowing that the nerve supply to the inner ear came from the C2 area of the spine, he examined the man and determined that the fellow had a misalignment of C2. He then did what is considered the first modern day chiropractic adjustment to C2 and the man’s hearing was restored! Thus the foundation of chiropractic was laid. As students we all couldn’t imagine what it would be like to help restore someone’s hearing. About five months into my practice, I had a mother bring her high school age son into my office. I will never forget that night. The young man had gotten injured in a wrestling match and subsequently had lost most of his hearing. After x-raying his neck, I found a subluxation to C2 and made a simple chiropractic adjustment. My hands were not even off his neck before he exclaimed he could hear. What an awesome feeling that was!!

This week’s vertebra is C2, and it affects so many things that I will be doing a series of articles on it. Just remember that all functions of the body are controlled by the nervous system, so you don’t have to have low back pain or pain of any kind to benefit from chiropractic care.

Week Thirty-Seven

Watching the demolition of the buildings across the street from my office I couldn’t help but marvel at the efficiency of the large backhoe as it pivots around on its body.

The human body has a similar situation in the form of the atlas as it pivots around the axis. The axis is another name for last weeks vertebra C2, and the atlas is the name of this weeks vertebra C1. This two segment complex is a marvel to behold. The base of the skull rests on the lateral mass of the atlas, and the atlas rests on the superior articular facets of the axis. This is the only area of the spinal column that does not have a intervertebral disc. This marvelous complex is highly mobile, yet must be stabilized from having too much motion or we would develop all sorts of health problems.

In this weeks upcoming musical at the Art Barn ,“Annie Get Your Gun”, Annie looks into Frank Butlers eyes and does a “double take” emphasized by Annie rolling her head around two times in a split second. For our star this poses no problem as her internal atlanto-axial ligaments are intact. The situation would be different for me, as my atlanto-axial ligaments were damaged in an auto accident forty-four years ago. Should I attempt to rotate my head like that I run the risk of subluxating my atlas which for me results in a sickening headache under the right side of the base of my skull.

The reason I said the atlas was the “master” vertebra is that it affects more areas of our body than any other segment. Improper nerve flow from this region routinely is found to cause; headaches, nervousness, insomnia, head colds, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, chronic tiredness, and dizziness. The next several issues will discuss in more detail the wonders of this area.

Week Thirty-Eight

Mother and daughter were sitting in the treatment room when I walked in. After introducing myself, I asked what I could do for the young lady. The girl was about four years old, so mom did the talking. She simply said, “She’s crabby! Fix her!”

To most people this may sound like a very strange request, but in our offices we hear very similar requests every day. If you read the first thirty-seven articles in this series, where would you first look to see if there is a chiropractic solution? The answer is C1, otherwise known as the atlas. As stated last week, this is the master vertebra when it comes to cause and effect. Subluxation of the atlas can cause so many seemingly unrelated problems that it has the chiropractic professional’s undying respect and warrants its own series of articles over the next few weeks.

When I entered the room for their second visit, the little girl gave me a hug and told me I had fixed her. The mother told me she had her little angel back. Over the years, I probably saw her fifteen or twenty times. In junior high and high school, a lot of the visits were sports related. Now in college, she came in a year ago and said, “I’m crabby! Fix me!” We both laughed, I adjusted her atlas, and she was on her way.

Week Thirty-Nine

At age eighty-five, she knew enough to sit on the edge of her bed for a minute before getting up to go to the bathroom. She took a few steps and turned her head to look at the clock. The dizziness hit like lightning, and she fell between the night stand and her floor lamp cutting her arm and bruising herself in several places.

Her sister brought her in the next morning. Her medical history revealed several episodes of mild to moderate dizziness over the past several weeks. On examination her pulse and blood pressure were within normal limits. X-rays revealed a subluxated atlas. Several gentle chiropractic adjustments later, she reported no further episodes of dizziness. She called one month later as per instructions and was doing fine.

How many people suffer from this condition and think they have to live with it? What happens if you get dizziness while driving? Some get into accidents, some quit driving, and some probably die. There are numerous causes of dizziness. Don’t live with it if you don’t have to.

Week Forty

Insomnia-the abnormal inability to sleep. This condition affects millions of people around the world. Like many other conditions, there are many causes for this. Stress is one of the most common causes and gets the blame for it all too frequently. Should you suffer from chronic recurrent insomnia and have never tried chiropractic care for it, you owe your body a chance to give it a try.

Numerous patients weekly come in for the treatment of headaches. Chiropractic care is certainly well over ninety percent effective in the treatment of most headaches (the subject of another future series of articles). The most common side affect of the chiropractic treatment of headache is that the patient also reports sleeping better and has increased energy. The simple reason for this is that the vertebra we most commonly adjust for headaches is also the one we most frequently adjust for insomnia. Yes that’s right; it’s the atlas.

Next week--Back to school blues!

Week Forty-One

Last week’s column was written prior to Aaron and Eric Kipp’s tragic accident. This week’s column was to address “back to school blues.” For all the students, faculty, and staff it was a truly sad way to kick off the start of the school year. As a parent, my heart and prayers go out to Greg, Jan and Andrea.

It was my good fortune to have had the opportunity to participate in Eric, and Aaron’s health care since they were little guys. They were always on time, always happy, always quiet with just the right amount of twinkle in their eyes to let you know they had a hint of mischief in them. They were an excellent example of what’s right with the majority of today’s youth.

The majority of the students I have the pleasure of knowing are fine young men and women. They are a direct reflection of their parents and a positive sign of what’s right with the Osceola School System. They give us cause to be proud of ourselves and our community!

So, with sorrow, we said goodbye to two fine young men. We offer our prayers and support to their mom, dad, and sister. But rather than be “blue,” let us be “blessed” in having known them and for our being members of a community that loves and supports one another!

Next week--Sit up straight.

Week Forty-Two

When you are as short as I am, you don’t generally have to be told to “sit up straight.” But for a lot of people, slouching is a bad habit started in early childhood and continued on into adulthood. The start of the school year is a good time to remind ourselves and our children to sit up straight. If we can get our kids to develop a good habit instead of a bad habit, it will stay with them the rest of their lives.

So why is poor posture such a bad habit? For starters it makes you look bad. It conveys the appearance of laziness, fatigue, boredom, disinterest, and disrespect. From the aspect of physical health, poor posture does a lot of bad things to us as well. The spinal column has three primary curves in it when you look at a person from the side. Our necks should have a mild inward curve (cervical lordosis), the mid to upper back should have a mild outward curve (dorsal kyphosis), and the low back should have a mild inward curve (lumbar lordosis). When all the curves are in proper alignment, we have a twenty-seven to one mechanical advantage, finding it easier to work and play longer without fatigue. As soon as we change any of these curves from their proper alignment, we lose mechanical advantage.

My minute’s up.

Next week--There’s more to posture than meets the eye.

Week Forty-Three

Last week’s column touched on the outward results of poor posture. This week I will start to discuss the results of poor posture on your insides. Let us start with what happens to those who let their necks drop forward, losing the proper cervical lordotic curve.

First, this type of posture creates increased stress on the muscles of the neck which leads to fatigue of these muscles and then causes the incorporation of the upper back muscles to try and help you hold your head up. All this added strain could then cause chronic neck pain. This type of individual is generally found trying to massage his or her own neck and rolling the head back and forth and around and around to get some temporary relief.

Since our cervical vertebra contain the two vertebral arteries that supply the brain with about half of its blood flow, poor neck posture can lead to a diminished blood flow to the brain causing such conditions as dull headaches, chronic tiredness, poor memory, and decreased mental acquity.

As the years go by the additional stress of poor neck posture will lead to accelerated deterioration of the intervertebral discs and the early onset of osteoarthritis and arthritic spurring. With that you get chronic neck pain, stiffness, and increased likelihood of developing arm pain and numbness and thyroid and cervical gland dysfunction.

Next week--serious side affects of drooping shoulders.

Week Forty-four

Shoulders back, chin up, chest out, suck in that gut. Looking in my mirror it isn’t hard to see which one of those I need the most work on!! But again there is a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to stooped shoulders.

When we let our shoulders roll in it causes our thorax (rib cage) to drop down and compress inward. What’s in the thorax is rather important to us. The heart and lungs becomes compressed thus significantly diminishing their capacity to function. As discussed in week forty-two, fatigue and lack of energy is associated with poor posture. Now you know why.

The diaphragm needs room to expand and contract; it can’t if you are slouching. The liver, spleen, gallbladder, and stomach are all affected.

The muscles of the upper back and neck have to work much harder; again fatigue sets in. The vertebra of the thoracic spine are much less likely to develop osteoarthritis than the cervical spine, but increased dorsal kyphosis greatly increases your likelihood of developing it anyway.

If you have a predisposition for osteoarthritis the thoracic spine is most likely where it will affect you. Most of the spontaneous compression fractures occur in the thoracic spine, and if that occurs, the above problems get magnified!

Oh yah ladies, guess what happens to what’s attached to the front of the thorax when you slouch! Yep, that’s right.

Next week--high heel syndrome.

Week Forty-five

Twice in the past month tragedy has struck and causes me to alter the message I was going to write. Since this is a health column I simply want to address our health as a nation and our world as I humbly see it.

Thank God for the leadership we have in place in this country because we have the team in place to accomplish the objective of beating down terrorism across the globe. To think that we have China and Russia offering their assistance and co-operation is in itself a hopeful sign of a healthier, safer world. Before it gets better, it is going to get worse. The terrorists have a lot of weapons at their disposal. Pretending they will leave us alone if we leave them alone is like a patient who has serious health symptoms and hopes they will go away if they ignore them.

The most dangerous enemy we face is those who will loose their resolve as soon as the casualties start coming in and the terrorists start escalating their horrific deeds. Now is the time to act with strength and resolve. As I tell my patients,“the reason they call a person who sees a doctor a patient is because they must have patience.” The world is now the patient and each of us must have patience!

The level of evil is like rot on an onion. The onion has many layers and the rot goes deeper in some areas then in other areas. Like the onion whose seed is at its heart, evil’s seed is Satin and only faith in God’s plan will give us peace of mind to rest assured that evil will be overcome.

For your health, the health of our great nation, and the health of the world, pray to our Heavenly Father daily.

God Bless The U.S.A..

Week Forty-Six

Why do the skinny fashion models wear high heel shoes for most of their fashion shoots? Answer, because it causes a change in the biomechanics of the foot and ankle, leading to a change in the muscles of the legs, creating a change in the angles of the bones of the lower and upper legs, forcing the pelvis to rock forward increasing the sacral base angle. In other words, it makes their skinny buttocks protrude out creating a “look” that is considered attractive.

The posture of the low back is directly related to the angle of the sacrum which sits between our hips. The optimum sacral base angle is between 34-36 degrees. High heels cause an increase in this angle, and earth shoes which have a negative heel cause a decrease in the sacral base angle. Depending on your personal sacral base angle, you may feel better wearing heels or more likely will give you a back ache.

Good muscle tone of the abdominal muscles is crucial for helping us maintain proper lower back posture. More work for you and me! Without proper lower back posture it is almost impossible to have proper upper back or neck posture. So suck it in.

Next week--how to sit up straight.

Week Forty-Seven

    As I discussed last week, the angle of the sacrum is the key element in determining good posture for your entire spine. This is especially true when it comes to sitting. How many of you notice that your back gets tired or hurts when you ride in a car and that some cars are worse than others? The reason for this is because your buttocks sits down lower than your legs causing your pelvis to rock backward decreasing your sacral base angle. This all causes increased strain on your entire spine. It may not matter much on short car rides, but the longer you sit that way the more stress you put on your spine. Pretty soon you find yourself getting that tired ache in your mid back or neck as well as a burning feeling in your low back.
    Many cars today have lumbar supports built into their seats. These are generally helpful in giving us extra support but most of the time fall short of being very helpful. The reason they fall short is that they do not affect the sacral base angle; thus they do not improve your sitting posture, rather they simply add some support to the spine!
    Over the past four or five years, I have been working (in my spare time) on such a product and have asked several patients and friends to test it out. I have a product that works very well on bleachers (watching our kids performing), sitting on the floor (working with day care), or sitting in a canoe or fishing boat. Getting it to work in all the various types of cars and trucks is proving to be more difficult. For now, let’s just say you need to get your hips out of the hole and get some added support down across your sacrum (where your dimples are)! There, now sit up straight!
    Next week: Let’s switch gears and talk about ears.

Week Forty-Eight

   The better to hear you with my dear! Easy for the wolf to say; look how big his ears were. But for many young parents, having their kids crying and fussing with ear infections is no laughing matter! The very young have very small ears and ear canals, and that can pose a weakness as it relates to ear problems. But why only some kids and not others?
    There are a number of answers to that question. This week let’s address the food factor as it relates to ear problems. Early in my practice it was commonly thought that cow’s milk was a major player because it was a mucus producer. However true this is, all too often removing dairy from the diet doesn’t solve the problem. Over the past several years what is working is doing food elimination diets. That is start eliminating one food at a time to see if the child responds. Most of us have some allergic responses to certain kinds of foods. Most of these are delayed responses which we never associate with what we have eaten. For little ones, a food allergy can spell disaster. A mild allergic response causes the ear canal to swell slightly and with the size and angle of the tube it can cause it to close up making it a perfect target for infection. Antibiotics can treat the infection, but if the underlying cause is not addressed, the problem becomes recurrent and eventually the child is operated on to have a drain tube put in. Unfortunately, many times that is only a temporary “fix,” as many children end up with more than one set of tubes before they “grow out” of the problem.
    My minute’s up. Next week I will give you some good suggestions as to what to do.

Week Forty-Nine

Last week we talked about ear infections and delayed food allergies. This week I will continue with some recommendations that may be helpful for your child. First and most important is to breast feed your baby! No, that’s not a good excuse. You have taken the time to bring a child into the world, now take the time and effort to do what’s best and use your breasts. When you begin to add other foods to the diet, start with one food at a time and stay with that for a week or two, then add another and proceed in that manner. Keep a record on your calendar as to when each food is added so that if and when a problem develops you can clearly have a reference point. If the problem reoccurs you can start by eliminating the last foods you added to their diet. There is a blood test that we use at the office that is very accurate for detecting food allergies, but we try to use that on older children, and adults where the diets are more involved.

Next C2, and what to do.

Week Fifty

    Watching the Packers play today is a great example of how the nervous system controls the body. For us Packer fans, we started the game we confident reassurance that “our” team was returning to its early season dominance. All systems go. Then we start throwing interceptions and dropping the ball. All of a sudden your stomach starts feeling crummy and the sunshine loses its brightness.
    Now we know the sun is still bright and I didn’t start to get the flu, but my nervous system is malfunctioning like our quarterback!! So what’s the deal??
     When you have recurrent stomach upset or a nervous twitch in your eye, remember that it is not necessarily due to the flu or a fly in your eye. It could very well be a malfunctioning nervous system. Chiropractic may help you feel fine in no time.   Stick with your chiropractor like coach Sherman sticks with Farve and you will be a winner like the Pack.
Next week-- “a hunting tale”.

Week Fifty-Two

    The snap of a branch alerted the wily hunter that his prey may be approaching. But why did it have to be behind him? The “big ones,” always were the hardest to hunt!
    The noise, coupled with the vision of a massive buck, had kicked in his adrenalin and shot his heart rate from 61 to 143 in less than a few seconds.
    Quickly, he determined that he would have to pivot on his left foot to allow him to swing his bow to the left and into a firing position. Quietly, he began his pivot, but his boot caught on the metal grate and he stepped backwards to catch his balance. Unfortunately, he planted his right foot on the air surrounding his tree stand and “more adrenalin” kicked in!
    With amazing performance, gravity drew him to earth, and the big man bounced poorly. He wasn’t sure if his right hip , right low back, or the wind being knocked out of him hurt the worst. He didn’t even see the perky gray squirrel scurry up the tree he had just fallen out of.
(Continued next week)

Week Fifty-Three

(Continued from last week).

    Using the stout limb he had cut weeks earlier, in anticipation of dragging his trophy out of the forest, he instead dragged himself out to his truck and off to the ER he went.
    X-rays were negative for fracture or dislocation. Pain medication was prescribed and ice and rest recommended. Five days later he came into the office on crutches unable to bear weight on his right hip.
    Although not broken, his right hip bone (Ilium) was subluxated and the right acetabulum (hip joint) was inflamed. We spent the next two weeks correcting his subluxated Ilium and getting the inflammation out of his hip joint. He also was put on Glucosamine Sulfate for three months to assist cartilage repair in
the hip joint.
    Over the years I have seen him for various other conditions, so I know that his hip injury healed completely. Oh yeah, he has since invested in a tree stand with side rails to prevent further “gravity attacks”.
    Next week a Christmas poem for our college students.

Week Fifty-Four

    In December of 1998 I sent this poem to someone who was stressed out, coming into finals week at college. It got circulated around the dorms and hopefully helped decrease the stress levels of some of the students. If you like it, share it with someone in college before they come home for Christmas.
    Twas the week before Christmas and all through the land
    Finals week was stirring with tests and exams
    The students weren’t nestled all snug in their beds
    But rather were cramming vast facts in their heads

    Reading hand written notes and text with eyes that weren’t clear
    And beginning to wonder, “what the heck am I doing here”
    When suddenly they remember the true reason for joy
    The birth of our savior Gods own little boy

    With prayers bursting forth to that wee little lad
    From many who love mothers and dads
    No way could they stumble no way could they fail
    He saved us before on a cross with a nail

   So go forth with confidence trust in your soul
   There isn’t a subject that HE doesn’t know
   Together forever you’ll make quite a team
   Then come home for Christmas apple pie and ice cream

Next week-- hints for a healthy holiday season.

Week Fifty-five

I remember the first few times I heard that Christmas was a very stressful time of the year; it didn’t make any sense to me. Wasn’t it supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year?” Mom told me that some folks spent more time shopping for presents than reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. Forty years later the situation hasn’t improved; if anything it has gotten worse. We are bombarded by adds for every kind of toy, tool, article of clothing, or piece of jewelry imaginable. Then after the wrappings are on the floor and the tree is out the door, the credit card bill shows up and depression sets in.
Listening to the experts, here’s what helps us have a much more enjoyable Christmas season.
1. If you are celebrating Christmas you are a Christian, so remember the best present has already been delivered.
2. Set a budget and stick with it.
3. Buy your kids less toys and spend a lot more time playing with your kids and their toys.
4. If you can, leave the credit cards at home. If you can’t do that this season, start your shopping early next year and pay cash for them so you are not in this position again next year. I had a patient tell me that she already had ten presents bought and wrapped for next year.
5. Go to your church and see what you can do to help--decorating, music, helping with the children’s program, or buying presents for a family in need. “It is better to give than receive.”
6. GO TO CHURCH !

Next week-- The nerve of “ killer fruitcake.”

Week Fifty-Six

    Poor fruitcake. It has about the same reputation as mother-in-laws. I had a wonderful mother-in-law who I miss very much. I have also enjoyed some awesome fruitcake thanks to my mother and a wonderful patient who remembers me at Christmas every year!
     Making fruitcake and a lot of other goodies requires a lot of hard work and elbow grease. The nerves related to the making of killer fruitcake involve the brachial plexus. This complex system of nerves exits from primarily C4 toT3, which means from the middle of the neck to the upper back. Mixing the dough requires a repetitive firing of the nerves which control the fingers, arm, and shoulder muscles. This repetitive firing of the muscles can put stress on that area of the body. Pain, stiffness, and/or numbness may develop.
    So, if you are having trouble mixing that killer fruitcake or have developed pain or stiffness in the neck or upper back that just won’t go away, you may have a minor subluxation in that area of the spine. Chiropractic care can give you the fix that can help you mix.
    Next week--a Christmas message.

Week Fifty-Seven

    There is so much to be thankful for! For me, I thank God for being born in a land that is free, in a state that is beautiful, to a family that is Christian and for having a loving wife and four great kids. I am thankful for my profession every morning as I get up and go to work knowing that, every day I have the opportunity to make someone else’s day better and happier.
    Chiropractic this month at my office has helped headaches, ear infections, sore throats, low back pain, sinus and chest colds, upper back pain, constipation, arm and leg numbness, dizziness, digestive problems, asthma, arthritis, insomnia, pms, and much more. The ages of my patients run from eighty-nine to three months. Our office offers a very warm and friendly atmosphere and we will take good care of you.
    Start your new year with a new approach to your health care needs. Nine point four chances out of ten, we will be good for what ails you!
    Olson Chiropractic wishes you all a very Merry Christmas. May we all give thanks to God for the gift of His son.
Next week: a new years resolution or two.

Week Fifty-Eight

    Can it be that we are already two years past Y2K? Do you remember what your New Years resolution was last year? Probably only if you were successful at achieving your goal. To be successful we must resolve to be realistic in setting a goal, and the goal should have a positive effect on your life or the lives of others!
    Suggestions for a NYR as seen from a health providers perspective that are readily achievable and for many of us (myself included) a simple matter of minor life style changes are:
1. Go to bed at an earlier time. Many Americans are sleep deprived and staying up watching TV or playing video games makes for a tough day the next day and the effects accumulate!
2. Set a time three days a week to walk, swim, or work out for forty minutes. If you did suggestion one then this one will be easier to do.
3. Spend more time with your spouse or children. Have them join you in suggestion one or two.
4. Three nights a week have a menu planned that incorporates an “old fashioned meal”. By that I mean have it made from scratch, not out of a box or bag. Again incorporate the spouse and the kids in various aspects of the meal. If you do then you just covered suggestion three.
    See how easy it can be and how healthy that it would be for you, and your relationship with your spouse and children! Notice I did not say anything about the number one resolution that people make every year, which is to lose weight! Guess what? If you do just two of the above suggestions the weight will come off all by itself!
    Do the two for 2002, and the year will be good for you. Happy New Year!!
Next week--a sledding story.

Week Fifty-Nine

    Watching his daughter and her friends sliding gleefully down the hill behind the metal building at the fair grounds a feeling of youthful exuberance came over him. It wasn’t enough to simply lie down on the plastic sled; he had to “make a run for it” so as to show the kids he was not to be out done. However, he didn’t realize that his mass would add another ten miles per hour to his speed and the little jump the kids were going over was actually capable of launching him three feet into the air. Eight feet later he landed on the plastic sled knocking the wind out of himself and injuring his mid back and ribs. Although there was no lack of concern for him as he writhed on the hill, it didn’t help ease the pain or his embarrassment.
    When he can into the office, he was sure he had broken something. Several x-rays later I assured him that the only thing he had broken was his pride. He had landed on his chest hard enough to cause a subluxation of a rib where it attaches to the vertebra. This type of injury is very painful, but fortunately with proper care heals quickly. Three treatments later he was pain free; however, he assured me he had rode his last sled!
    Next week: Hip deep in the lake.

Week Sixty-One

                                Continued from last week.
         We helped grandpa get into the exam room and checked him over. X-rays were taken to further assist in the diagnosis. When he had fallen through the ice, his right leg had went in up to his hip with his left leg jammed up on the ice. This may not have been a problem for his grandson, but the older man wasn’t flexible enough to withstand the strain on his hip and pelvis. That, coupled with his struggle to get out, had really injured his low back.
    The sacroiliac joints as well as his left upper leg and hip muscles were all badly sprained. We used therapy on his muscles, balanced his pelvis, and aligned his sacroiliac joints. He was able to walk in on his own power by the third day. Grandma was in charge of his rehab, which consisted of rest, heat packs, low back, hip, and leg stretches. Grandpa had no choice but to comply! About six weeks later, he was back to normal and ready to get at those crappies, but Grandma said he had to wait until he had a boat under his butt. Oh well, at least he lived to fish another day.

Week Sixty-Four

    So you come into me with wrist pain and we diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, what are your options? If I feel that you are a good candidate for conservative care we would most likely start with gentle chiropractic adjustments to the lower cervical and perhaps upper thoracic vertebra. I would then check the shoulder, elbow and of course the wrist. We do this to make sure you have as good a nerve supply as possible to the affected extremity. Remember the wrist has two rows of four bones each that need to have proper alignment to allow the median nerve to get through the carpal tunnel without impingement.
    Next I may use such physical therapy modalities as interferential current or ultra sound, this would depend on what I found during the diagnostic workup. We would talk to you about water retention, types of medications you may be taking that may produce fluid buildup such as birth control pills. We would discuss postural habits at work, home, and how you sleep at night. Lots of people curl there wrists at night when they sleep, if that’s the case wrist splints can be worn to prevent that during your sleep.
    Instruction in the stretches I went over last week plus possibly a few more. If your work site is a major problem and we can’t figure out what to do I may have to come to your place of employment and see if we can assist you in decreasing some of the activities that are hurting you. Most employers welcome us in as you are a valuable employee and they do not want to see you hurt.
    My minute has run over.
Next week--further treatment options.

Week Sixty-Five

    So you come to me with wrist pain and we diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. What are your options? If you are a good candidate for conservative care, we would most likely start with gentle chiropractic adjustments to the lower cervical and perhaps upper thoracic vertebra. I would then check the shoulder, elbow, and, of course, the wrist. We do this to make sure you have as good a nerve supply to the affected extremity as possible. Remember, the wrist has two rows of four bones each that need to have proper alignment to allow the median nerve to get through the carpal tunnel without impingement.
    Next I may use such physical therapy modalities as interferential current or ultra sound. This would depend on what I found during the diagnostic workup. We would talk to you about water retention and types of medications you may be taking that can produce fluid buildup such as birth control pills. We would discuss postural habits at work and home as well as how you sleep at night. Lots of people curl there wrists at night when they sleep. If that’s the case, wrist splints can be worn to prevent that during the night.
    Instruction in the stretches I went over last week plus possibly a few more would also take place. If your work site is a major problem and we can’t figure out what to do, I may have to come to your place of employment and see if we can assist you in decreasing some of the activities that are hurting you. Most employers welcome us in as you are a valuable employee who they do not want to see hurt.
    My minute has run over.
Next week--further treatment options.

Week Sixty-Six

    This week I finish up with the wrist. We have discussed ways to decrease the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. We have gone over exercises to help you try to decrease the pain and numbness once it has started. Then last week I went over conservative treatment options. These options work very well in most cases; however, if you have severely injured your wrist or have allowed the condition to persist for too long, there is one more option.
    Carpal tunnel surgery is that option. In the surgery the volar ligament is cut which frees up additional space for the medial nerve. This procedure works most of the time, with about five per cent of the patients having it reoccur some time down the road.
    Since I believe God designed us with a volar ligament it is highly recommended that we take care of ourselves and do what we can to prevent having surgery. If you missed the articles on exercises, prevention, and conservative treatments, please see weeks sixty-four, and sixty-five.
    Next week--elbow problems.

Week Sixty-Seven

Looking out of my reception room window at the frozen tennis court you would not expect to see many cases of “tennis elbow” coming into the office. Wrong. People with elbow pain are treated here on a daily basis.
True “tennis elbow” is actually caused by the disruption of the extensor muscle origin at the lateral epicondyle. In tennis players it is generally caused by hitting the ball with a “back-hand.” That action can cause a tear to the muscle and treatment of that could be the use of ultra sound, a tennis elbow brace, the possible injection of a steroid, or even surgery.
Around here it is much more common to see people with tennis elbow-like symptoms, but not true tennis elbow. The general population is too busy at repetitive work activities to be injuring themselves playing tennis. The most common type of elbow injuries we see are caused by repetitive work exposures. In this type of problem, there is pain at the lateral epicondyle but rarely any significant tearing of the muscle. The pain is generally increased by overuse of the arm or from bumping or touching the site.
The patients with this problem have generally had it for weeks or months; or they have generally started self-treatment by using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and some of them have gone to their medical doctor for further care. The treatment would again be similar to the treatment of tennis elbow.
Next week I will go into the treatment approach we use in the chiropractic office. If you haven’t dislocated, broken, or torn your elbow like my son Dave and some of his buddies have, we will have better than a ninety-three percent likelihood of fixing your elbow.

Week Sixty-Eight

Last week I talked about tennis elbow-type syndromes. If you missed it, the Osceola Sun has back copies you can purchase. This week I will talk about the treatment of elbow pain in our chiropractic office.
After we have heard the history of the problem, we would start by examining the elbow. We also examine the joints above and below the elbow (obviously the wrist and shoulder). We examine the wrist because the bones from the lower half of the elbow joint also articulate with the wrist. We examine the shoulder because, as we said last week, most of the patients we see with elbow problems have had it for weeks or months and they frequently have been over compensating with their shoulder muscles to take pressure off their elbows.
Finally, we examine the lower cervical spine to determine if the brachial plexus of nerves has an unobstructed path down the arm.
From that exam we go about correcting any of the problems we have found. By providing proper alignment of the entire arm and maximizing proper nerve flow, your body has a very good chance of healing itself. We may further assist it by using physical therapy modalities such as ultra sound, electrical muscle stim, and if needed an arm brace to take stress off the lateral epicondyle.
We also discuss the type of activities that have precipitated the problem in the first place and make suggestions to help you avoid repeated injuries. We may even go to your job site to better assist you and your employer in making any possible changes in the activity.
Next Week: Shoulder pain.

Week Sixty-Nine

    Driving the 9N Ford tractor as fast as it would go while Grandpa Oscar held onto the hay bales he had stacked on the wagon, we pulled the load under the massive old elm tree.
The ominous thunderstorm that had chased us out of the hay field was upon us as the driving rain turned into marble sized hail that hit us hard enough to put knobs on our heads. We were thirty yards from the red barn, and at ten years of age, I made it to safety first holding the entry door open for Grandpa. He moved pretty fast for a sixty-nine year old dairy farmer with bad knees. Unfortunately, when he came through the barn door, he didn’t pick up his feet as high as he needed to, and he tripped over the landing. The fall onto his shoulder produced the only utterance of severe pain I would ever remember hearing out of him!
    The fall had dislocated his shoulder, and seeing him in this acute agony gave me life long respect for shoulder injuries. They told us in school that the treatment of shoulders and knees would drive us crazy. The reason is the myriad of parts that make up these marvelous joints.
    In the shoulder we have bone protected by cartilage, attached to numerous ligaments and tendons, surrounded by bursa. All of these parts require blood flow and nerve innervations. When working in syncopated harmony, the joint is a wonder to behold. When injury or degeneration occurs, we can have a nightmare.
    Over the next few weeks I will go over some of the common shoulder problems and discuss treatment options.

Week Seventy

Childbirth and childhood can be hazardous to the health of the shoulder joint! During the process of passing through the birth canal, the clavicle (collar bone) can get hung up and may need to be repositioned to accommodate delivery. This can cause injury to the acromial-clavicular joint; unless it is quite obvious, it will go unnoticed and can lead to weakness in this area of the shoulder.
More common in childhood is the partial separation or subluxation of the shoulder joint itself. It occurs when mom or dad are walking hand in hand with their child and the child trips and starts to fall. The immediate reaction is to raise the child up by the hand they are holding. Most of the time this raises the child completely off his or her feet and applies a sudden jerk to the shoulder which can cause the injury. Again, unless it is quite obvious, it will go undetected and may lead to weakness in the shoulder. How many times have we seen or done this? We are walking along with little Johnny and we come to a mud puddle.
Instead of walking around the puddle or letting little Johnny jump in it like he wants to, we pull him up in the air and fly him up and over it. It is great fun, but what do you think it does to the shoulder?

Next week: Milk maids shoulder.

Week Seventy-One

    Back in the seventies and early eighties there were still a lot of family farms around Osceola. On the dairy farms one of the chores that had to be done twice a day was to feed the calves. When they were little they generally were fed milk or milk replacer in a pail. This job frequently went to the women in the family as the men were doing the heavier work.
    To feed them you held the pail in front of them and they would drink out of it, generally very vigorously, and frequently they would bunt the bottom of the pail. This caused a lot of strain on the person holding the pail, and the bunting caused a hard jerk on the arm. If the arm was extended straight out, the brunt of the bunt was transferred to the shoulder. This is where “milk maids shoulder” came from. The jerk on the shoulder did the same thing that I talked about last week when I described how young children got hurt when walking with adults. It could cause the ball of the humerus to be subluxated (pulled out of its normal alignment).
    This type of injury causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. If left untreated, it can lead to weakness and instability of the shoulder.

Next week--how we treat the subluxated shoulder.

Week Seventy-Two

    The past two weeks I have talked about shoulder problems in infants, children, women, and my beloved Grandpa Oscar. Today I will explain how we treat a subluxated shoulder in the chiropractic clinic. Remember a subluxated joint is one that is not in proper alignment, where as a dislocation is more severe and the joint is torn apart to a greater extent. As we have seen in the Olson household, even though a dislocation is reduced under anesthesia, it doesn’t mean the joint is in its proper alignment!
    He had been power lifting at the high school and felt his shoulder “pop out.” Having been a lineman in the NFL and a power lifter for many years, this wasn’t the first time he had injured his shoulder. He called my office and made an appointment to see me. When I walked into the exam room, I know he felt he had wasted his time, as I was at least a foot shorter and two hundred pounds lighter then he was. He told me what happened and what he had been doing when he injured himself. That combined with x-rays, which were negative for a dislocation, told me what I needed to know. He had an acute subluxation of the shoulder.
    The treatment is actually quite simple once you know what you are doing. We simply move the arm and shoulder into the proper position and adjust the joint back into place. I do have to admit that with this guy I had all I could do to get my arms around him to make the adjustment. His shoulder “popped” back into place and he and I both gave a sigh of relief. We then used some physical therapy modalities on him, and he went back to school. He required only two treatments since he came in as soon as it happened, and he was in great shape. However, most of these shoulder subluxations require a minimal number of treatments.

Next week--spring fever injuries.

Week Seventy-Three

    Spring fever has hit us with speed and fury. Wow, we’ve seen our first high eighties temperatures just a couple of weeks after our last snowstorm. So now that we are well into spring, what types of activities are we involved with?
    Raking, fertilizing, chain sawing, climbing ladders, removing Christmas lights, taking off and putting away snow plows and blowers, getting the lawn mowers ready to go. How about trying to find out where and how those darn ladybugs are getting into our house? Whatever the case, our bodies are working over time with longer daylight hours.
    With all this activity comes injuries. In my office we see a lot of low back and neck injuries from the repetitive bending and twisting from raking and the excessive strain of lifting heavy blades, blowers, and mowers. Then there are the stiff necks that come from looking over head while taking down the lights or stuffing insulation or chalk into cracks to cut down on critters. Whatever the case, you can decrease the likelihood of injury by following a few simple rules
    When raking, try to move your feet as you rake. Do not plant your feet and bend and reach with your back. When lifting bags of fertilizer, try to bend at the knees and lift with your legs not your back. Don’t be afraid to rest if you feel yourself fatiguing; your muscles are not used to doing this activity. When having to move heavy blades or blowers, have someone else help you. Waiting to have someone else’s help is a lot cheaper than paying for a herniated disc! When taking down lights and working on ladders, always have the ladder positioned carefully so that you can go up high enough to work on the lights at shoulder height, not above your head. When running a chain saw, again move your feet to keep yourself in proper position. Reaching out with a high-powered chainsaw puts a strain on your back and can lead to kick back injuries.

Next week--tips for golfers.

Week Seventy-Four

    The snow was still in piles around the parking lot, and the golfers were out on the course! With that rampant enthusiasm, how many of these fine athletes do you think took the time to properly stretch out before hitting that first towering tee shot? That’s right, not many of them. Before you put on your pants and shirt, and run out the door, do a few simple exercises.
    Start by lying on the floor and bringing one leg at a time up to your chest. Do this ten times with each leg. Next, bring both legs together up to your chest, do this ten times. Next, put your feet on the floor knees in the air. Keeping your feet and knees together, rotate your knees back and forth to each side trying to touch the outside knee to the floor on each side, do this twenty-five times. Now get up and sit on the foot of the bed. Sit up straight. Put your arms out and bend your elbows to a ninety-degree angle. Keeping your head looking forward and your arms up rotate your shoulders and trunk back and forth from side to side as far as you can go while keeping your butt on the bed. Do this twenty-five times. Now finish getting dressed and go to the golf course. Once registered and ready to go, do ten toe touches and stretch out while standing and twisting. Since you did the proper exercises at home, these brief final stretches should do the trick. Now get out there and have fun.
    Extra tip! If in the course of doing the above exercises you find your back is more stiff going from one side to another, or it hurts to do these exercises even after doing them two or three times a week, you probably have a fixation or subluxation in your mid to lower back. Coming in for a few chiropractic adjustments should fix you right up and probably help you shave a few strokes off your average.
   The exercises listed above can be done by anyone who wants to have less back trouble whether you are going to do the laundry or out to play football!

Next week--boater’s blues.

Week Seventy-Five

    Every chiropractor in the state over the next few weeks is going to see three or four patients with a spring condition I call “Bass Boat Blues.” No, it’s not a singing condition; it is a low back injury.
    Not rain nor sleet nor cold of night will keep the fishing opener from its appointed time nor the avid angler from attacking his prey! After a winter in storage the average fishing boat needs to be pulled out, cleaned up, and charged up. This is where the “Bass Boat Blues” develops. In the process of hooking up the trailer to the truck, many guys find it quicker to get their hitch close to the trailer and then simply lift the boat up and move it by hand onto the ball. Unfortunately, invariably some of these guys strain their lumbo-sacral muscles, and a few of them subluxate their sacro-iliac joint.
    Also improper lifting of the batteries causes the same thing to occur. Should this happen, do not put heat on it. Ice it as soon as possible. If you have trouble getting up out of a chair, standing up straight, or develop leg pain, get into your chiropractor as soon as possible. Every year we get several cases like this, and they wait to come to the office until the day before they leave to go fishing. Then we are supposed to fix them up in one visit, so they can go sit in a boat for two or three days. As good as we are at treating low back injuries, there occasionally will be someone who has to give up his trip until he can sit and walk without pain. What a tragedy!!
    Beat the “Bass Boat Blues” by being better at bending. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees, and use your jack instead of your back!! Now go out there and get some fish.

Next week--Mothers’ Day delights.

Week Seventy-Six

    Sunday was Mothers’ Day! Appropriately, it is in the spring of the year when the earth and most of us are coming back to life after a long winter. As usual, the Olson boys bought their mother a multitude of flowers and plants. We have to wonder if it is because she delights in gardening, or if it is because we delight in coming home to a yard full of flowerbeds that reminds use of our youth!
   For my mother Agnes, and my wife Peggy, gardening, and flower planting, represent a combination of enjoyment and hard work. The delight of getting numerous flats of plants on Sunday translates into lots of digging and planting on Monday. To protect yourself from back injury when gardening, refer back to the exercises I went over in week seventy-four. By stretching out prior to spending four or five hours in the flowerbed, you can avoid a few trips to the chiropractor.
    As is most often the case, it is the bending and twisting that brings on the low back injuries. By stretching out the hamstrings and lumbo-sacral muscles, the spring planting experience can be a good one for you, and may keep your kids from getting into trouble with their mama for another year. Love you mom!

Next week--C5 and the bee hive.

Week Seventy-Seven

    Stepping out on the front porch I followed the flight of a bee as it flew up to a warm corner between the siding and the soffet. That was when I was reminded of the auto accident I was in forty-five years ago. The slight stiffness I felt in the mid neck as I extend my head back is caused by damage to the anterior and posterior ligaments of the cervical spine and the subsequent degenerative changes that have developed over the years.
    In rear end collisions, the head is violently snapped back as the car and our body are shot forward. The results frequently lead to permanent damage to the soft tissue that surrounds the vertebra. Left to heal on it’s own, the ligaments heal in a haphazard way, and the final product is inferior to the original. Unfortunately, the pain and stiffness does not show up for years. In my case, it was twelve years before I started seeing a chiropractor. The treatments helped me so much that I decided to go into the profession. Unfortunately, the damage was so chronic that it could not be permanently fixed. For me,
one chiropractic treatment every three or four weeks keeps me feeling great--just as long as I’m not spending too much time looking at bee hive’s!
    Over the next few weeks, I’ll talk about what to look for, expect, and do, should you or someone you know become involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Next week--the impact.

Week Seventy-Eight

You pull up and stop at a stop sign. There are a number of cars coming along. When it looks like you can safely pull out, you begin to accelerate forward. Suddenly you change your mind as there is another car coming, so you brake to a stop. Bang!! You just got rear ended by the car that was waiting in back of you. This is one of the more common scenarios that I hear about in my office.
The impact in this type of accident generally does not cause a lot of damage to the vehicles involved, but, surprisingly, the chances of permanent damage to the neck is quite high. The reason for this is because the person involved underestimates the amount of force they were hit with. They probably do not go to a doctor, and if they do, they most likely will be told that they may be stiff for a few weeks, they can take over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, and, if the problem persists, to come back in in a few weeks to take some x-rays. Pain medication and anti-inflammatory medication are great products when used properly; however, they very well may mask the symptoms of the injury therefore proper treatment is not initiated in time to correct the damage. See next week’s article for the reason why proper treatment is necessary as soon as possible.

For Answers sooner, call.

Week Seventy-Nine

    Collagen Matrix. No, it’s not a suspense novel. It is an intregal part of the healing process. Last week I discussed a common type of rear end auto accident. This week I will go over the first two stages of a four stage healing process.
    Stage One-Active Swelling. Occurs in the first twelve to seventy-two hours after the injury. Motion is lost, and pain increases. Goals of care for active swelling: 1. Minimize pain 2. Minimize swelling. Care in stage one should consist of 1. Rest and support to the area. 2. Use ice to block swelling, pain, and spasm.
    Stage Two-Passive Congestion. Fluid trapped in tissue restricts motion, causes pain, and delays healing. This stage begins by the second to fourth day. Goals of care for passive congestion: 1. Remove fluid. 2. Pain relief. 3. Begin to restore motion. Chiropractic adjustments help by: A. restore motion. B. block pain. C. restore normal sensation. D. relax tight muscles. E. remove swelling F. accelerate healing. We use heat and cold to remove fluid. We use controlled motion exercises, and physical therapy in many cases.
          Next week stages three and four.

Week Eighty

    Last week we went over the first two stages of a four stage healing process. This week I will explain the reasons why you want prompt chiropractic care following a motor vehicle accident.
    Stage Three-Repair. Beginning five days after the injury, scar tissue is made, this process can go on up to six weeks. Lack of motion causes excess scar tissue in dense patterns disrupting normal function causing: 1. Excessive scarring 2. Chronic stiffness 3. Limited range of motion 4. Poor biomechanics 5. Chronic pain 6. Weak muscles and ligaments 7. Loss of normal sensation 8.Poor nutrition 9. Increased risk of re-injury 10. Accelerated degeneration. Goals of Repair Stage are: Restore normal motion, sensation, promote full healing, and relieve pain. If motion is restored and maintained, tissues heal in a much more functional way!
    Stage Four-Remodeling. Connective tissue remodels for better strength and flexibility. This often takes three to fourteen weeks but may take up to one year with severe injury. During this stage Chiropractic helps improve range of motion, restore and maintain function, reduce chronic pain and reduce risk of re-injury and degeneration
    As you can see by the healing time line it is extremely important to seek chiropractic care as soon as possible following a motor vehicle accident. For those interested in viewing a high quality videotape of various types of motor vehicle accidents and their affects on “real test dummies” give us a call and we will arrange a viewing for you.
   Next week--what you should do if you get in a motor vehicle accident.

Week Eighty-One

    Heaven forbid you become involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, statistics show you have a good chance of it occurring to you. So if it does, here are a few recommendations for you to follow:
    Stop--immediately and as close to the location of the accident as possible.
    Assist--the injured, call for an ambulance if in doubt about potential injuries, do not move the injured.
    Protect--the scene. Warn approaching vehicles with emergency flashers, flares, or even a flashlight.
    Call--an officer as soon as possible, and make sure a report is filed.
    Comment--only what is necessary, do not volunteer unnecessary information, you may be full of adrenalin and not able to make rational statements.
    Assist the officer--remain at the scene until the officer arrives, cooperate by giving the basic facts. No one can force you to give an opinion. Any statement you make may be used as an admission. You have the right to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
    Identify--the other driver, get name, address, and vehicle registration number, and note the drivers license number.
    Obtain--names and addresses of all witnesses. Ask them to sign a statement of what they observed.
    Take--your own notes and diagrams of what happened, pace off distances, and skid marks when scene has been secured, take pictures if possible.
    Do not--leave the scene unless injuries impel you to do otherwise.
    See--a chiropractor as soon as possible. We are trained to evaluate for the presence or absence of “hidden injuries”. Those are the type I discussed in the previous weeks articles.
    Next week--what to expect on that first exam following the accident.

Week Eighty-Two

    Today we talk about what to expect from my office should you come in for evaluation after a motor vehicle accident. First you fill out a simple one-page form, which is standard for all our patients. Then there is an auto accident form that you will fill out. On that form we will ask specifics of how the accident occurred, how you felt immediately after the accident, whether you lost consciousness, whether you were transported by ambulance to the hospital, and what treatment you have received and your response to treatment to this point.
    When you meet with me, or Dr. Mark, we will go over your form and make sure we know and document the mechanics of the accident. This is important because the direction of impact or impacts (whether the vehicle rolled or bounced and the approximate speed of the vehicles) all give us clues as to what possible injuries to look for.
    Next we go over any and all of your injuries or symptoms, whether any of this was pre-existing or new since the accident. Then based on the known injuries, we do the physical exam. Most commonly we examine the spine for tenderness or pain, check and document range of motion, examine any involved extremities, check any problems with the ribs or sternum. We examine and document any bumps, bruises, cuts, or scars. Since the majority of accidents are covered by insurance all of this documentation is necessary and may come in handy later should litigation become necessary. My minute’s up!
    Next week--I’ll continue with the initial visit and tell you why it is so important to be thorough.

Week Eighty-Three

    After a careful history and physical examination as discussed last week it may be necessary to do some x-ray studies. Because of the shear dynamics of motor vehicle accidents more damage is sustained then the vast majority of other types of injuries.
    Obviously x-rays are taken of what ever area has been injured. By far the most common injury involves the neck. With symptoms of neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness and mental dullness the patient should be radiographically examined to rule out fractures, dislocations, and subluxations. A common x-ray study is called a Davis Series and helps evaluate damage to the anterior and posterior ligaments of the cervical spine as discussed in week seventy-eight.
    At this point in the initial visit we have arrived at a diagnosis and treatment can be initiated. Again careful documentation is key to your case should you end up with permanent health problems as the result of the accident.

Next week-----Boot Scoot Boogie

Week Eighty-Four

    Boot Scoot Boogy, Electric Slide, and YMCA have replaced the Flying Dutchman, Schadish and Polka at today’s wedding dances.
    One of our Godson’s got married over the weekend so the Olson’s got quite a workout for the past three days. Being on your feet Friday night for several hours and then again Saturday basically from noon until midnight I was glad I had my orthotics in my dress shoes. Yesterday, the father of the groom thanked me for the orthotics I had made him a few years ago. He said the shoes that came with the tux were so bad that he would not have been able to stand or walk more than an hour or two if he would not have had the orthotics to wear. Instead he was dancing up a storm.
    You have heard me talk about the importance of proper foot support in the past. In the next couple of weeks I will have the most advanced electronic foot and postural analysis system up and running in my office. My associate, Dr. Mark Oas, will be at the Osceola fair with it to allow many of you to take advantage of a free evaluation.
    Next week-----Reasons other than the Boot Scoot Boogie for checking into custom foot supports.

Week Eighty-Five

    So why do you suppose the big city cops got referred to as “flat-foots?” The reason is because many years ago when most people still worked and lived on surfaces made of earth or wood it was uncommon to see people with flat feet. However, since the larger cities like New York or Chicago had cement sidewalks, and because they also had their policemen walking their “beats,” after a few years of walking on the cement, their arches wore down and they developed obvious “flat feet.”
    Now think about today. How many people spend their life standing or walking on cement surfaces? Of course everyone who works in a factory, from the workers on the floor, to the secretaries, to the CEO’s. Just because there is carpet on the floor doesn’t mean you are spared the affects of the underlying concrete; it just takes a little longer to get you! What about all the teachers, janitors, cooks, and secretaries in our school systems? Of course. Then lets think about the students who walk the halls, from age five to age seventeen or eighteen. Isn’t that what is called the formative years? What form do you think they are taking on?
    Growing up many decades ago I remember shopping at Horse Creek Store and Heuer’s General Store in down town East Farmington. They both had wooden floors. When was the last time you went shopping and spent your time on a wooden floor? Yep, it was probably decades ago. Every sales person from groceries to mercantile to cars is on concrete eight to ten hours a day. Some of my very best patients are nurses because they see the effects of worn out feet, knees, hips, and backs. Standing at an operating table for two to eight hours at a time while these parts get repaired or replaced is a grueling job and gives them time to realize that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
    So did I miss you? Now you see why I spend so much time talking about feet! THEY ARE OUR FOUNDATION AND OUR FOUNDATION IS CRUMBLING!
    Next week--healthy heels.

Week Eighty-Six

    Heel strike is a term that could be used to describe professional baseball players if they decide to go out on strike again. However, in the health care community it refers to the act of walking where the first part of the foot to come in contact with the ground is the heel. The forces the heel can withstand are very impressive thanks to our magnificent maker’s design. However, as discussed last week, man has altered our world to the point where we are placing more stress on it than it can withstand.
    Excessive strain on the heel produced by contact with cement surfaces, intense sports activities, and “the most common cause of all” foot pronation, can lead to unhealthy conditions in the heel. Heel pain, pain into the Achilles tendon, heel spurs, and tendonitis are all common ailments of the heel.
    Remedies are easier said than done for most of these conditions. As discussed last week, avoiding concrete surfaces is almost impossible, especially if you are working. Then if you are retired and living in apartments or in an extended care environment you are on cement! People involved in sporting activities generally hate to give them up, especially if there is another solution. For most of these conditions the solution is to fix the pronation of the feet. A simple foot exam by someone who knows and understands the biomechanics of the foot is all it takes to find out if you are a candidate for foot orthotics.
    The orthotics themselves are rarely seen. In most cases you simply remove the generic insert that comes with the shoes and replace them with the custom made inserts we have made for you. The satisfaction rate is ninety-seven percent with these products, so look for us at the Osceola fair.
    Next week--beat bunions before they begin.

Week Eighty-Seven

    Going back forty-two years to my childhood, my recollection of the women with the big bad bulges by their big toes is that they were always the little old ladies. You know the “grandma types” with the flower print dresses and the stockings rolled down around their ankles! I simply do not recall many young women, the “mom types,” that had the bulging big toes. If they did, I probably thought of them as getting older and wearing out.
    That simply is not the case anymore. More and more young women today are walking around with the big bad bulge at the big toe, known by the name bunions. You notice that bunions is plural meaning it usually affects both big toes. It can be on only one foot, but that is rare, and if you examine the other foot, you will see the start of a bunion on that one as well. Does this mean that women today are genetically inferior to their matriarchs? The answer is no. However, if your grandmother and mother have them, the chances of you developing them as well are very high, almost a given!
    The reason girls in their teens and twenties are showing up with bunions is because as I said in week eighty-five, we spend our lives on concrete. How many children go to day care centers from infant to school age, then it’s thirteen years of school for nine to ten months out of the year. Even most of the recess time is spent playing on blacktop. All that time on concrete stresses the arches of the feet. As the arches begin to drop and roll inward, the big toe begins to “point outward,” and the bunion has begun!
    Stop by our booth at the fair for a fast, free, and friendly foot evaluation. There will be absolutely no obligation to buy and no follow up contacts after the fair. Simply a state of the art foot evaluation and print out for you to show you the state of your “FOUNDATIONS IN HEALTH!”
Next week--medial collateral ligament lament.

Week Eighty-Eight

    Football season is upon us. My son Dave and quite a few other high school athletes both male and female have been in the weight room all summer long in an attempt to get bigger, stronger, and faster. With a little luck, it will prevent them from getting injured while participating in the upcoming athletic events.
    In football a common injury site is the medial aspect of the knee. Although I get my share of patients with knee injuries, I see a lot more patients with knee problems unrelated to sports activities. When the bones of the foot, lower leg, upper leg, pelvis, and spine become misaligned, trauma or injury occurs to the knee and its supportive tissues. The second and most common cause of knee pain is pronation or flattening of the foot. Pronation causes the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) to rotate inward, putting torque or pressure on the knee joint, muscles, and ligaments. Since the knee is a hinged joint, pressure or torque from the side can increase the muscle and ligament stress and focal weight-bearing pressure. This increased biomechanical stress can lead to roughening of the kneecap’s undersurface (chondromalacia patella) and/or medial knee degeneration (osteoarthritis). Increased stress can also predispose the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligaments to injury.
    The problem affects you whether you are on the gridiron or just running an iron. Of all the people you know who have had knee surgery, ask yourself how many of them injured themselves in sports or an accident. It is much more likely they just had chronic knee pain that led to the problem. Don’t let your medial collateral ligaments lament; come in and see what we can do for you!
    Next week--hammer toes and shin splints.

Week Eighty-Nine

    Can wind sprints cause shin sprints? Absolutely. By running vigorously on your toes you can cause micro tears of the muscles attached to the tibia. Considering I see very few of us doing wind sprints these days, there must be another reason why so many people suffer from pains in the front of the lower leg. Shin splints are small tears in the leg muscles at their point of attachment to the shin. They are most commonly caused from imbalances and insufficient shock absorption caused by excessive pronation.
     Hammer toes are a condition in which the ligaments on the plantar surface (bottom) of the foot connected to the toes become taut, causing the toes to bend or “scrunch” up. They look like they need to be hit with a hammer to flatten them back down. Dropped metatarsal heads, the bones connected to toes at the ball of the foot, are usually responsible for this condition. When these heads drop, they cause the ligaments connected to the toes to become taut, forcing the toes to contract. This condition is usually associated with excessive pronation. So before you need a “bigger hammer,” let Dr. Mark or myself give you a simple foot exam to see how your foundation is holding up!
    Next week--lovely legs limp laboriously.

Week Ninety

    She came in with her mother, a beautiful young lady about my Angie’s age. It was track time in high school, and although she was an excellent athlete conditioned very well, she was struggling in track. Her long legs would cramp up on her about one-half hour after starting practice. Both the young lady and her mom could not understand why this was happening since she had just completed a successful swimming season that saw her compete at state level. All through the swimming season she had no trouble with leg cramps.
    The fact that she had no cramps while swimming, to me pretty much ruled out nutritional deficiencies. Upon physical examination, she had moderate pelvic unleveling, her knees rotated inward, and checking her feet and ankles, we found that she had significant foot pronation. We casted her feet that day, and a week and a half later she came in to get the orthotics. Three chiropractic adjustments and a week later her leg cramps went away.
    The pronation problem didn’t affect her while swimming, but as soon as she started running, the excessive motion of the legs and knees caused by the foot pronation caused the leg muscles to overwork in an abnormal position of function
     If you have been having problems with leg cramps and muscle spasms in your legs, remember it probably isn’t because you are “getting older.” It may be because of a nutritional imbalance, a neurological condition, or vascular insufficiencies, all of which we would evaluate for you. It is much more likely it is due to your feet pronating causing the legs to fatigue and cramp up.

Next week--the granny look in children, not very becoming.

Week Ninety-One

    Kids love to be “stylin’” these days. It seems that younger and younger children are wearing fashion jeans and the latest in name brand shirts, blouses, and shoes. From the cost of these items, it is also obvious that parents allow this, as the cost of the name brand clothing can be outrageous and beyond the cost of a child’s allowance.
    There are various “looks” that go with the times. The “punk look,” and the “grundge look,” to name a couple. If you have been following my recent group of articles, you know what I am talking about when I mention the “granny look.” That look takes an eighty to one-hundred and fifty dollar pair of Air Jordans and turns them into a ratty looking pair of sneakers in just a few short months. The once proud high medial arches sag in and down, the back of the heels wear off to the outside, and the lateral sides of the shoes push themselves off their foundation. The faster a new pair of shoes wears out, the more serious the need for custom made shoe orthotics!
    Since the “granny look” isn’t “stylin‘,” chances are you are back at Foot Locker
or the Tread Mill spending another wad of money on another pair of shoes. Last week I finally threw away a pair of tennis shoes that I had bought at K-Mart in Stillwater about three years before they had closed. Since they closed in about 1995 they were ten years old. They made many a trip up the Osceola Bluff and down to the Cascade Falls in a vain attempt to keep their owner slim and trim. Despite their age, they did not have the “granny look,” but they did look kind of ratty! Like saying good bye to a faithful dog, I reluctantly buried them in the trash, but not before taking out a ten year old pair of “power soles” and putting them into my new shoes.
    Save wear and tear on your pocket book and your kid, and stop by our booth at the fair this week.
Next week--thoughts on twenty-five years of practice on main street.

Week Ninety-Two

    Today September 3, 2002 is my twenty-fifth anniversary in practice here at 307 Cascade Street. It seems to have just flown by until I sit and look out the window and recall all the changes I have observed while here.
    Across the street was the Dairy Treat, which was replaced by the Peppermill Restaurant that of course has been replaced by the River Bank. In 1977 the River Bank was the Bank of Osceola and was where the Post Office is now. Parent Cleaners was on the corner of Cascade and Third Avenue. When the bank burned, it moved up to where Parent Cleaners was, the Post Office moved to where the bank was, and the cleaners moved to where the Post Office had been.
   There were pickup trucks and tractors coming in and out of town bringing in grain and leaving with ground feed from the feed mill which was torn down and the roller rink went up. That was replaced by the hardware store. The hardware store has moved from down town (now Remax,) to on the corner (now Osceola Pharmacy,) to up the street where the Hicks building is now, then to the present location.
    Trinity Lutheran Church was also across the street and I watched that go down and become Hardee’s; what it will be next, we don’t know. Out the north window, Harris and Marlene Parent had a beautiful home. We watched that literarily move up the road to County Road S, and in it’s place we have S&C Bank.
    So many changes for our beautiful little town. Grocery stores coming and going, video stores, dentists, chiropractors, lawyers, plant shops, mill shops, antiques, and so much more. Right now our pretty little town looks beat up with the “Labor Day” flood, but we’ll get it cleaned up and life will move on.
    For Peg and me, we hope to see a new office building sitting at 307 Cascade Street by this time next year. Until then, our 150 year old building will do just fine.
    Thanks Osceola for twenty-five great years!!
Next week--changing gears.

Week Ninety-Three

    Like most things in life, we take for granted the ability to drive our cars, trucks, and tractors. However, there are actually quite a few conditions that develop that cause us to realize just how important a healthy body is.
    For example, lets talk about what is required to change gears if you are driving a stick shift vehicle. You have to let off the gas, depress the clutch, move the shift lever to the proper gear, slowly let out the clutch, while gently depressing the gas pedal. Remember to do this all in a smooth synchronized motion. Breaking this down, lets talk about the act of depressing the clutch.
    Just the simple act of lifting the left leg up to put the foot on the pedal can be a painful experience to a person with a stiff painful knee, sciatica, hip pain, sacroiliac pain, or low back pain. Today lets talk about that stiff painful knee.
    Most knee problems do not require surgical intervention. The problems generally involve strains or sprains to the muscles of the knee or misalignment of the knee joint. If there is a misalignment, we correct it, if it is a strain/sprain problem, we use various physical therapy modalities to encourage the body to heal faster. With the volume of traffic these days, you do not want to be impaired with slow reaction times to your clutch.
    Next week--the case of the baggy panced truck driver.

Week Ninety-Four

    His wife called and set up the appointment for him. She asked to talk to me before he came in. Over the phone she told me that her husband wasn’t much for going to the doctor nor articulating his health problems. However, she thought it was time to get him in as she found out he was wearing baggy pants to help him drive his truck. I asked her what she meant by that. She said she found out he was wearing baggy pants so it was easy for him to grab hold of the pant’s leg of the left leg to assist his clutch leg when shifting gears in his semi-truck!
    We agreed that we better get that fixed as soon as possible. When he came in, it didn’t surprise me that it was left low back pain that he was having trouble with. The combination of long hours of sitting and the jarring of the highway had taken its toll on him. Not only was he having lower back pain and spasms, but by his refusing to take time to get treatment, he was well on the way to loosing the functional use of his left leg. It was no wonder he had to assist his leg by pulling on his pant’s leg.
    Although his lumbar x-rays showed a fifty percent loss of disc space, his response to chiropractic adjustments was remarkable. I had him take a week off from driving to rest and heal up. We put him on an exercise regimen and explained how to use the steps of his rig to step off from, not jump down from. Also, when he went back to work, I stressed the point that driving a big rig without the proper use of his legs was not good policy. It was a good message, as he came in periodically after that whenever he started to get stiff again. He retired several years ago without any accidents on his record.
    Next week--Mazda elbow.

Week Ninety-Five

    Yesterday morning I bent over and lifted a mattress to tuck a sheet under it. My right T8 rib slipped out of place, and my intercostal muscles went into spasm. What a sense of humor the Lord has. It gave me the perfect opportunity to write about another condition that gives people trouble when trying to shift their cars.
    Peg and I had play practice for the up coming musical, “Two By Two,” at the Art Barn last night. After three hours of rehearsal, I was having trouble just standing up, so when it came time to drive home I almost couldn’t lean forward enough to shift my car from park to drive. If I would have had a four or five speed, Peg would have had to drive, as I would not have been able to keep shifting.
    My treatment will consist of heat, massage, and chiropractic adjustments to realign my posterior rib head into the articular facet where it belongs. Once that is accomplished we will use ultra sound to decrease the muscle spasms in the articular ligaments. It has been my experience over the years that this type of injury usually responds favorably in one to five visits, depending on the severity of the damage to the ligaments and the activity level of the patient.
    Since the old adage, “the show must go on,” applies to this patient, I would venture to guess that I will be treated several times this week so that I am ready to run and jump and roll around on stage come opening night this coming Friday.
    Next week--Mazda elbow.

Week Ninety-Six

    It isn’t just big truck drivers who have trouble shifting gears! Anyone who sits behind the wheel is susceptible to problems. Sometimes the problem is caused by elbow pain. We had a lady who worked as a word processor in the Twin Cities area and had developed chronic pain in her right elbow. The pain had gotten to the point where she was wearing a tennis elbow brace continuously, was taking large quantities of anti-inflammatory medication, and was seriously considering trading in her Mazda “which had a five speed” for a car with an automatic transmission.
    She was convinced that her problem was due to her job since it hurt a lot to stay at the keyboard. They had made adjustments to the position and height of her keyboard, but it had not made any difference in the pain level she was experiencing.
    Upon taking her history, I found out that she had fallen on ice about nine months earlier but had thought nothing of it. She had jumped up to avoid embarrassment and thought she had simply bruised her elbow. X-rays were negative for fractures. What we found was that her elbow was subluxated, causing a chronic strain on her elbow joint and surrounding soft tissue.
    Treatment consisted of chiropractic adjustments to the elbow, myofascial therapy to the muscles of the upper and lower arm, and the use of electrical muscle stim to enhance the healing process. If she would have come in right away, her treatment would have only taken two or three visits. However due to the chronicity of the problem, it took us about seven treatments. Even at that, she was very happy to get rid of her arm pain and equally happy to keep her sporty little Mazda.
    Next week--bicepital tendon impingement syndrome.

Week Ninety-Seven

    If you suffer from bicepital tendon impingement syndrome, you are better off driving a five speed then an automatic. The reason is that the closer that your arm gets to a ninety degree abduction (arm raised out away from the body) or from ninety degrees flexion the more compression is placed on the rotator cuff.
    Impingement syndrome is one of the most common shoulder problems. When the arm is abducted past ninety degrees, the tuberosity of the humerus compresses the rotator cuff against the acromion causing pain and decreased motion in the shoulder. The biceps tendon is a very important tendon to the shoulder. It is attached to our humerus (upper arm bone) and actually runs thru a grove in the humerus called the intertubercular grove.
    When everything is lined up and working properly, we take the use of our shoulder for granted. However, if we have misalignments in the shoulder our use of that shoulder can become painful and restricted. Most of the patients we see with shoulder pain and loss of range of motion respond very quickly to having the shoulder re-aligned (adjusted). The treatment is simple and many times offers instant relief. Further treatment may consist of simple exercises, physical therapy, and trigger point therapy.
    Should you be suffering from shoulder “problems,” and are getting tired of taking medication all the time, come in and see if we can “put you back in the grove!”
    Next week I will start talking about allergies.

Week Ninety-Nine

    Allergy self test--
--Do you have frequent cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease, acid reflux or ulcers?
--Do you suffer with migraine, tension or sinus headaches or seem to be constantly depressed?
--Do you have rheumatoid or degenerative arthritis, muscle or bone pain, fibromyalgia?
--Do you have chronic stuffy nose or post-nasal drip, nasal or sinus polyps?
--Do you have bad breath, frequent sore throat, metallic taste or canker sores in the mouth, or hoarseness?
--Do you have asthma, chronic cough, tightness in the chest, or bronchitis?
--Do you have rapid or irregular heartbeat or edema of the extremities?
--Do you get fatigued after meals, are you irritable, impatient, forgetful, unable to focus, have mental confusion, or have a short attention span?
(FEMALE)--Do you have chronic yeast infections, vaginal itching or discharge, PMS, fluid retention, menstrual or severe cramps?
(CHILDREN)--Does your child suffer from colic, recurrent ear infections, bed wetting, skin rashes, hyperactivity, ADD, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, high blood pressure or growing pains?
    If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your body may be sensitive to foods or environmental chemicals, food dyes, or additives. Your immune system is probably weakened. If you follow the next several weeks of articles, you may get some information that will be of good use to you!

Week One-Hundred

    Last week I gave a list of ten categories of conditions that can be strongly linked to allergic response mechanisms. Over the next several weeks I will work my way through the list and explain why a lot of these conditions can really be caused by our own body’s response to something we are breathing, touching, or ingesting.
    Category one--do you have frequent cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s Disease, acid reflux, or ulcers?
    Think about what all those conditions have in common. It is the digestive tract from the mouth to the rectum. If we come in contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or nettles, we generally break out with a rash on our skin right? So why not have problems break out inside us from touching something we put into ourselves? For those who have a rapid response reaction to a food, it is easy to link what we ate to what is wrong with us. However, if we have a delayed response, the link is generally never made because there is no immediate response to what we ate or drank. We simply do not make a connection, yet once we start to investigate and put two and two together, the culprit sticks out like a sore thumb.
    For many years I worked with my patients to help them figure out what food was causing their problems. It was guess work, trial and error. Many times it was a long and tedious task to figure out what “ailed” them. However, about six years ago I met an otolaryngologist (eyes, ears, nose, and throat specialist) that worked at a lab in Florida called Sage Systems that specialized in detecting delayed allergy responses. The detection is done through blood analysis. This technique, although not perfect, helps put us to within about ninety-three percent of our target allergen.
    Next week--category two.

Week One Hundred-One

Allergy category two--Do you suffer with migraine, tension, or sinus headaches or seem to be constantly depressed?
    As a chiropractor I see a lot of patients suffering from headaches. Although the vast majority of our patients respond very well to standard chiropractic treatments, we occasionally run into cases that do not respond as anticipated. For those patients we have to do more diagnostic work. As discussed over the past few weeks, a simple blood test called the Sage Test may be recommended. Depending on the circumstances, we may test for delayed food allergies, food dyes, food preservatives, and\or environmental chemicals. The latter refers to products like cleaning solvents, cleansers, chemicals in makeup, nail polish, hair spray, etc.
    As an example I will use the case of a high school student who seemed to have migraine headaches only when she was in school. She had been seen several times by her medical provider with no response to treatment. When I first saw her, it was shortly before Christmas vacation. After a few treatments, she seemed to be feeling better. She had no headaches throughout Christmas vacation, but as soon as school started back up, her headaches returned. How many of you have been told it is “all in your head” when you have had a condition that was not diagnosed or treated properly? It would have been easy to say that this young lady’s condition was psycosomatic relating attendance to school.
   We ordered a Sage Test which gave us a small list of possible food allergins. Following the procedures we prescribed, the cause of her headaches was found. It was an oil used in the production of certain kinds of peanut butter. She ate peanut butter at school and at home; however, the school peanut butter contained the oil whereas the home peanut butter did not! By avoiding this oil she no longer had her migraines.

Week OneHundred-Two

    Allergy category three--Do you suffer from rheumatoid or degenerative arthritis, muscle or bone pain, or fibromyalgia?
    If you suffer from any of these conditions, you probably already know some of the foods you have to avoid or “pay the consequences.” Those foods are the ones that have a rapid response in your system. What I mean is that it is easy for you to know they adversely affect you because soon after you eat the food you begin to stiffen up or hurt. However, there is a very high likelihood that there are delayed food allergies that are causing you pain that you haven’t got a clue about.
    One patient who came into me had been suffering for several years with severe chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. After taking the history and doing the initial examination, I recommended doing a Sage Test to see if she had any delayed allergies that may be affecting her conditions. The test results shocked her, and she followed through with my treatment plan. Within two months, her life had started to change. She was able to start doing her own housework again, and as the years went, by she has pretty much regained a “normal” life.
    Our lives are so much more complicated than a generation ago. Think about the foods we eat. Fifty years ago we ate fresh vegetables, fruit, unprocessed grains, and meat raised on farms without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. Now you almost have to find a “health food” store to get food like that. It is one of many reasons why we have such a huge increase in chronic health conditions in this country.
    There are definitely things you can do to get long lasting relief from the above conditions. Stop in and see what we can do for you; you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Next week--category four.

Week One Hundred-Four

    Today we talk about allergy categories four and five. They pertain to problems with chronic stuffy nose, post nasal drip, nasal or sinus polyps, bad breath, frequent sore throats, metallic taste or canker sores in the mouth, or hoarseness.
    Should you suffer from any of these problems on a chronic or regular basis, you may be suffering from a delayed allergy response syndrome. Although I have talked a lot about delayed food allergies, it can also be from delayed environmental chemicals. Depending on your circumstances, it could be a product in your finger nail polish, cleaning solution, a chemical at your place of work, or even from a piece of jewelry that you wear.
    Of course these are easy to figure out when it is a rapid response allergy, but the delayed responses can really baffle you if you have no clue as too what’s triggering these problems. A nurse who was having a chronic problem with sore throats came in for evaluation. Of course she had under gone many tests over about a three year period of time. It was suspected that she had some kind of sensitivity to something, but what it was had remained a mystery. After a Sage Test, we went over the list of positives. One of the positives was orris root and another was nickel sulfate. Orris root is found in perfumes and cosmetics. Nickel sulfate is found in jewelry, eye glass frames, hair pins, and medical instruments, to name a few. She was very concerned that it was from her work environment, but after going through the avoidance phase and challenge phase of the program, it ended up being from a certain type of make-up she wore. I had her switch to an Aveda product that was clear of the Orris root and her sore throats are now gone.
    Next week--popcorn kids, category six.

Week One Hundred-Five

Several years ago, a mother brought her two young girls into my office. Both young ladies were suffering from significant breathing problems related to asthma.
Both girls used inhalers and nebulizers to get through a normal day and had been doing so for several years.
Following the history and exam, I explained to the mom that my first course of treatment would be to treat the girls with chiropractic adjustments for four to six visits then re-evaluate the results. Furthermore, I felt there was a significant chance that they would have delayed allergy findings.
On a positive note, the girls both improved approximately fifty percent within the first six visits. On the negative side, they still had mild breathing problems on a regular basis. Therefore, we ran a Sage Test on both young ladies. Several positive results were found. Following the elimination phase, which provided further improvements in both girls the challenge phase was initiated. Making a long story short, it was apparent that corn was the primary antigen. Eliminating corn combined with chiropractic adjustments had the girls almost off their inhalers and nebulizers.
Up at grandpa’s cabin, the girls entered the cabin where grandpa was popping microwave popcorn. Within less than one minute, both girls had the onset of asthma attacks, had to leave the cabin, and use their nebulizers. Obviously, these kids are highly allergic to corn and are careful to avoid it, in all of its forms.
Next week--Allergy Categories Six and Seven.

Week One Hundred Six

    Santa Claus is coming to town! That statement to a young child could cause allergy category seven; “rapid irregular heart beat.” For us older kids, the holiday season will more likely illicit allergy category eight; “fatigue after meals.”
    Obviously these particular conditions are not likely due to a true allergy, however, if you have these conditions on a frequent basis, it may be due to delayed allergy responses. Other symptoms associated with these two “categories” are: edema of the extremities, irritability, impatience, forgetfulness, lack of focus, mental confusion, or short term attention span.
    Most of us have some of those symptoms on rare occasions, but not on a frequent basis. Should you have these symptoms, it may be due to your diet or environment. Just like people who work in a “sick building” (a building where a high percentage of employees are frequently or continuously ill) it is an overload on our immune system of an antigen. In buildings, it is generally a mold or chemical. In life, it is more likely a food we eat on a regular basis. The Sage Test may be what you need to help you find out what ails you.
    So, if the fatigue of to much HO, HO, HOING, continues long past the holidays, you should give us a call and get yourself tested.
    Next week--a Christmas message.

Week One Hundred Seven

    Happy New Year!! Or is it? For us Packer fans the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003 was pretty depressing. What happened to the Packers is what happens to a lot of us. Micro-traumas. Those little injuries, that ding us and we keep going without too much thought to it. Then we get another little injury in another location and we ignore it. Pretty soon you have had one insult after another, and we begin to stop doing some of the activities that we were used to doing. Left unchecked, the function of our bodies and the performance of our normal life style has taken a severe dive.
    For the Packers, it was a season marked by injury after injury, and it finally took its toll on them. No excuses, it is simply the nature of the sport. For you and me, it may require us to pay closer attention to our health. I am a perfect example of this. In mid December I was told I would need a root canal, but with work, Christmas, two wrestling tournaments, and several post graduate classes I had scheduled in, I figured I would wait until the first week in January. My body gave up the ship on New Years Eve, and I spent two hours in the dental chair having a great time! There were a few people who reminded me that I should know better than to let it get that bad. So, besides the typical New Years Eve resolution to loose weight and get in better shape, I must remind myself to take better care of myself.
    How about you? Take some time to do a body check for yourself. The next few weeks I will go over some ideas for doing the evaluation on yourself and the ones you love.

Week One Hundred Eight

    We become so accustomed to our everyday appearance we rarely notice asymmetry. A simple visual check may be done to reveal possible spinal misalignments. In front of a mirror, stand up straight with your arms relaxed, looking straight ahead. Is your head tilted to one side? Look at the level of your shoulders. Is one shoulder higher than the other? Next, look at your hip level. Compare each side at the top of your hip bones. Is one side higher than the other? Do you have your clothes altered because of a “short leg”?
    Ask a family member to view you from behind. Turn your head to the right and left. Are you able to turn further one way than the other? Are your shoulders symmetrical? Does one shoulder blade protrude? Do the muscles seem to be bulkier on one side? Is one knee slightly bent when you are standing?
    Many times, deviations such as those above can be a source of aches and pain.
    All young children should have a spinal examination at least once a year. If caught early, much can be done for spinal curvature, avoiding painful procedures like surgery and braces.
    Just like the tooth of mine I wrote about last week. It didn’t hurt at all, yet was failing for a long time before it finally needed a root canal. It is possible to have structural deviations without pain, but sooner or later, they will usually cause pain and are one of the major causes of osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases.
    Next week--health checklist.

Week One Hundred Nine

    The following checklist pertains to conditions frequently seen in chiropractic clinics.
    Migraine headache              Insomnia
    Numbness                           Pinched nerves
    Stiff or painful neck            Ringing in ears
    Nausea                               Poor circulation
    Dizziness                            Mental dullness
    Double vision                    Tremors
    Painful back                       Rapid heart beat
    Muscle spasm                    Constipation
    Nervousness                      Early arthritis
    Tingling in limbs                Painful joints

    If you have any of these symptoms there is at least an 80 percent likelihood we can help you. If you do not see any of your symptoms in this week’s list, read next weeks article as I will list another twenty frequently seen symptoms which we treat.

Week One Hundred Ten

    Last week I listed twenty frequently seen symptom complaints. This week I will list another twenty. Then the following forty weeks I will take one symptom at a time and explain what we do to treat our patients with these symptoms.
    Tension                                     Loss of balance
    Ache all over                             Loss of hearing
    Fatigue                                     Cold hands or feet
    Bursitis                                     Shortness of breath
    Neuritis                                     Poor memory
   Tendonitis                                  Anxiety
    Loss of neck motion                 Eye strain
    Blackouts                                 Period of depression
    Muscle swelling                        Diarrhea
    Night blindness                         Any change from pre-accident state

    I will take these forty symptoms in order, so you may wish to save these last two articles to follow along.

Week One Hundred Eleven

    Migraine headaches afflict approximately eleven percent of the population. They most commonly occur between ages ten and thirty and are more common in women. There are a wide variety of causes some of which include hormone imbalances, stress, food allergies or hypersensitivity to certain foods or odors not to mention excessive sun exposure, alcohol consumption, vasoactive medications, and spinal subluxations.
    Millie’s migraines were a combination of cervical and lumbar subluxations and were related to altered sleep patterns. We discussed the lack of a good night’s sleep as it related to heavy snoring. The cervical adjustments involved C1, and the lumbar vertebra was L4. By correcting the subluxations, the frequency and intensity of the migraines diminished by about eighty percent. I also referred her to her medical clinic to get a sleep evaluation. It was determined that she had sleep apnea and now uses a CPAP machine that prevents sleep apnea and snoring. Last year she only had two migraines all year, and her over all health has improved greatly. Oh yeah, her husband is much happier also!
    For hormone imbalances we use a lab that tests the hormone levels through evaluation of saliva. Many of the imbalances are then treated by the use of progest cream, which is derived from Mexican yams. For some of the stress and behavior problems, counseling may be necessary. For patients taking vasoactive medications for such conditions as hypertension or tachycardia, you need to consult your medical doctor. And, of course, if you are having food allergy problems, we do a Sage Test and determine what it is you are allergic to.

Next week--nasty numbness.

Week One Hundred Thirteen

    Her husband had tilled the raised flowerbed. Pat was hoeing along the edge of the bed, and bent forward to grab a clump of dirt that wasn’t breaking up. She lost her balance and fell forward out of the garden, landing on top of her head. The impact stunned her, and she felt a sharp burning pain in the neck. After she got her bearings, they got her into the house and put an ice pack on her neck. It didn’t take long to decide she better go in for x-rays and treatment.
    When she came into the office, her head was laying off to the left side, almost onto her shoulder. X-rays fortunately showed no fractures or chips in the neck. The neck pain was brought on by a couple of reasons. One reason was that the impact caused an acute cervical subluxation at C3. The other reason was that the impact had jammed the facets, causing an acute inflammation of the facets. Normally, over the counter anti-inflammatory medication is sufficient to get the inflammation down, but this lady had really done herself up good. After I adjusted the C3 vertebra, and got done with the physical therapy, I gave her the x-rays and sent her to see her M.D. to get some stronger medication.
    Between the chiropractic treatments, and medication we had her back in the garden in three days. Pat’s pain in the neck fully resolved in about two weeks. Should she have decided to tough it out, and simply medicate herself, the chances of developing osteoarthritis at the C3-C4 inter-space would have been high. With the combination of jammed facets, and cervical subluxation, the chronic irritation would have prematurely worn down the disc space. Most of the degenerative disc problems that we see in the office are due to people who have an injury they ignore, or self medicate until the acute pain is over. As the years go by the disc wears down and eventually the simple injury turns into a chronic problem.
    Next week--the nuisance of nausea

Week One Hundred Fourteen

    It is very unlikely that anyone of us has not suffered the misery of nausea. Although it is generally associated with having the flu, there is a certain segment of the population that suffers from the nuisance of nausea absent of any other symptoms.
    The nausea comes on in waves and is generally induced by bending forward then standing up or from turning over in bed. The head movement sets it off, and the person has to sit down until the nausea passes. The most common cause of this type of nausea that we treat in our office is a subluxation of either C1 or C2. The treatment is simply to correct the misalignment and have the ligaments stabilize around the area involved. Depending on how long the patient was suffering from the problem, it may only take one or two treatments to elevate the condition.
    Another area that may induce the recurrent nausea is from an imbalance in stomach acids. This imbalance can produce heartburn and hiatal hernia type symptoms as well. In this case, the chiropractor will look for a subluxation complex involving T5 or T6. Again the response to care is generally quite quick.
    Next week--Donalds dizziness

Week One Hundred Fifteen

    Bending over to tie his shoes, turning over in bed, or just turning his head to look right or left caused Donald to almost loose his equilibrium and fall down. The condition came on all of a sudden, and after three days of the onset, he was convinced he had a brain tumor. With great fear he made an appointment with his clinic and went in for the bad news.
    Due to the method of onset of the condition and the lack of neurological symptoms, Donald’s doctor felt that a course of medication was indicated. After a week on medicine his condition continued undaunted. Now he was really worried. An MRI was ordered to evaluate his brain. Fortunately, the MRI was negative. Which of course, is a “positive” finding. Being assured that he was not in mortal danger, Donald was given another course of medication, which again was non responsive.
    The next week he was referred to a clinic that does a positional treatment for certain types of dizziness that is caused by a floating fragment in the inner ear. Based on the increased dizziness Donald experienced in certain positions he had to do by turning his head, and the fact that the procedure again was unsuccessful, he was asked if he had seen a chiropractor. They told him that it may be a problem in his neck, and based on the lack of response to treatment thus far he should see a chiropractor.
    After taking his history, and going over the tests and treatments he had undergone thus far, I felt pretty certain I could help him. Tests and x-rays guided me to the C1-C2 region of his cervical spine. Within about two hours of his first cervical adjustment, the dizziness began to loose its intensity and frequency. It took about five visits before it was gone for good. Since that time I have had the opportunity to treat him for a few other conditions, but the dizziness has not re-occurred.

    Next week—a double dose of double vision.

Week One Hundred Sixteen

    If you have ever suffered from double vision, you know it is about as much fun as being nauseated. Many years ago one of my patients actually went through two bouts of double vision after a motor cycle accident.
    The full face mask helmet he was wearing spared his head and face from serious damage, but one arm and leg suffered some serious damage. He spent close to five weeks in the hospital. While in the hospital, he kept complaining about having double vision. Although tests and x-rays were taken, no apparent cause was detected. After about the second week, the bouts of double vision faded away, and everyone just figured the problem was caused by some minor head trauma he had sustained in the crash.
    While going through a home physical therapy exercise routine designed to re-strengthen his injured leg, he lost his balance and fell. Not wanting to land on his injured arm and leg, he twisted his body on the way down. He landed awkwardly, but spared his arm and leg any further damage. Unfortunately, he developed double vision immediately. This time he knew he had not even come close to hitting his head. He couldn’t understand why the condition had returned. After a few hours he realized that it got worse when he looked to the left, and was gone when he looked to the right. That is when he called me to see if I could help him.
   Since he had already had a series of tests to rule out brain trauma, I took some neck x-rays and ran my own tests on him. His atlas vertebra was subluxated to the left. Since rotating his head to the left brought on the condition it made perfect sense. A very simple adjustment to his C1 vertebra pretty much eliminated the problem as fast as it had come back.
    Next week—painful backs

Week One Hundred Seventeen

    Yes, I know; I didn’t have an article in the paper last week. It was good to hear from a number of you that you missed reading my Dr. Mike’s Minute.
    Peg and I took our first vacation in eleven years. We took Mike and Dave to Mexico for a week. While down there, I had backaches every morning from sleeping on a very hard mattress. This type of backache generally does not require active treatment. Rather, it requires doing some stretching, and movement and the stiffness goes away.
    The kind of backaches that do not go away shortly after getting up and moving around are the kind of backaches that should be evaluated by a doctor. Of course I recommend a chiropractic examination since that is our specialty.
    The low back is about seventy percent more likely to give you trouble. Generally, that is because it carries the majority of our body weight. Whether we make our living standing on our feet, or sitting on our buttocks, the weight of our upper body rests on the L5-S1 disc space. That is why it is generally the first disc to show wear and tear.
    The low back examination is quite simple to perform. Depending on the mechanism of injury, or duration of the problem, as well as your age, x-rays may be recommended. So if you are waking up with backaches that don’t want to go away with gentle stretching and movement, give us a call. We’ll fix you up in no time!
    Next week—muscle spasm.

Week One Hundred Nineteen

    The war and unrest in the Middle East has made a lot of people nervous. Unfortunately, I do not have an adjustment for that type of nervousness. For that type I highly recommend prayer.
    For other types of generalized nervousness, chiropractic care can prove surprisingly effective. Since we work to normalize the nervous system, a lot of patients are impressed with the calming effect chiropractic care produces for them. The upper cervical region known as C1-C2, are generally involved with this condition. As explained in earlier articles, this is also the same area where you get your “tension headaches.” Makes sense doesn’t it!
    Also, since chiropractors generally do a lot of soft tissue work, our treatments help the neck and back muscles to relax. With that relaxation comes decreased stress, tension, and nervousness. The most common area for the muscle tension is of course the area just below the skull, the neck in general, the trapezius muscles (the large muscle that extends out of the neck and out across the top of the shoulders), and the muscles between the shoulder blades.
    This particular topic could be discussed at great length. There are emotional components, nutritional components, genetic components, spiritual components, and as I am beginning to study in great depth, allergy related components. Our treatment plans must take into account a lot of information if your problem is deep seated.
    Next week—tingling in the limbs.

Week One Hundred Twenty

    Yes, I know; I didn’t have an article in the paper last week. It was good to hear from a number of you that you missed reading my Dr. Mike’s Minute.
    Peg and I took our first vacation in eleven years. We took Mike and Dave to Mexico for a week. While down there, I had backaches every morning from sleeping on a very hard mattress. This type of backache generally does not require active treatment. Rather, it requires doing some stretching, and movement and the stiffness goes away.
    The kind of backaches that do not go away shortly after getting up and moving around are the kind of backaches that should be evaluated by a doctor. Of course I recommend a chiropractic examination since that is our specialty.
    The low back is about seventy percent more likely to give you trouble. Generally, that is because it carries the majority of our body weight. Whether we make our living standing on our feet, or sitting on our buttocks, the weight of our upper body rests on the L5-S1 disc space. That is why it is generally the first disc to show wear and tear.
    The low back examination is quite simple to perform. Depending on the mechanism of injury, or duration of the problem, as well as your age, x-rays may be recommended. So if you are waking up with backaches that don’t want to go away with gentle stretching and movement, give us a call. We’ll fix you up in no time!
    Next week—muscle spasm.

Week One Hundred Twenty-One

    This week’s topic is on insomnia. With all the decisions I have had to make over the past six months as it pertains to designing a new office building, I can tell you I now know what it is like to lie in bed trying to get to sleep. In my case the insomnia is based on an over active thought process. For many people, that reason holds true. However for a lot of folks, the inability to sleep at night is based on physical pain, or neurological dysfunction.
    It still surprises me that so many patients return for a follow up visit marveling at how well they have been able to sleep since their onset of chiropractic care. Most of the time they hadn’t even mentioned their insomnia at the time of their first visit.
    Unlike a lot of conditions, insomnia is not specifically linked to any one vertebral segment. Common areas that have frequent positive results on insomnia are
- upper cervical region
- mid-thoracics
- upper lumbar.
    By improving the function of the nervous system, the body is able to function more ideally. The upper cervical region affects the proper function of the brain. The mid- thoracics affects the proper function of the digestive system, and the upper lumbar region affects the colon and kidneys. We all feel better when we can think clearly, eat properly, and eliminate regularly!
    Next week—pinched nerves.

Week One Hundred Twenty-Two

    He pointed to the base of his neck and said, “I have a crick in it, right here.” Since I got this, ”son of a buck,” in my neck I have developed pain in my arm down to the elbow.
    At age ninety-two he was doing really very good. The problem with his arm was probably due to the “crick” in his neck causing pressure on the brachial plexus. Most people refer to it as a “pinched nerve.” Technically it is not that involved, but the pain or numbness it produces needs to be treated. In Ed’s case the exam was straight forward, and the x-rays showed no serious problem in his neck. His bone density appeared good, and he had only moderate degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
    The “crick” was gone after the third visit. The pain in his arm was gone by the fourth adjustment. His daughter tells me he is “slowing down,” but otherwise pretty feisty for ninety-four now.

Next week----Ringing in the ears

Week One Hundred Twenty-Three

    With all the technology around us today, it is rare to have quiet during the day. Radio, television, computers, heating and air conditioning noises, to name a few. That is why most people who complain about, “ringing in the ears,” say they notice it mainly at night when they go to bed. Chances are that it was present most of the day; they just didn’t notice it with all the background noise they are surrounded with.
    As with many conditions, “ringing in the ears,” can develop for a lot of different reasons. You may have high blood pressure, or you may have been exposed to too much of the background noise I mentioned earlier. I remember while growing up on the farm we had an old Ford Major diesel that had lost its muffler. After disking for seven or eight hours with that roaring in your ears, you definitely had some serious, “ringing in the ears.”
    In the chiropractic offices we see a lot of people with, “ringing in the ears,” as a complaint. If you are a regular reader of this column, you should be able to guess which area of the spine is most frequently involved. That’s right, the C1-C2 area has the major nerve supply to the ears. A misalignment causing “nerve pressure,” can instigate the condition. If you haven’t had the ringing for too long, it frequently only takes a few visits to eliminate the problem. For those who wait for it to “just go away,” it will generally take up to five or six visits.

    Next week—poor circulation.

Week One Hundred Twenty- Four

    Plethsmography is a technique and instrument that measures and graphs blood volume changes through any pulsatile artery or through the peripheral capillary beds of the fingers and toes. Doppler ultrasound measures and graphs blood velocity flow changes in arteries and/or veins. Temperature gradient (skin thermography) is the comparative measurement of skin temperature for the evaluation of vascular insufficiency.
    These are some of the diagnostic tools we use in our clinic to do differential diagnosis, as well as to do before and after evaluations. Some of the tests will tell us to refer the patient out for further testing, while others will tell us we are properly suited to do the treatment.
    A frequent example would be a patient with arm pain and numbness into the fingers. This condition is frequently caused by nerve pressure on the brachial plexus causing a decrease in “nerve flow” down the arm. Another much less common cause would be from a condition known as “thoracic outlet syndrome.” This condition is due to a decrease in “blood flow” down the arm. In the latter’s case, this could be a case that may need surgical intervention (although in twenty-seven years I have referred a handful of patients to a vascular specialist and have never had them elect to operate.) In most cases of thoracic outlet syndrome, a combination of chiropractic adjustments to the cervical and or thoracic spine, along with physical therapy modalities and specific exercises are the treatment of choice. We can evaluate the progress using the diagnostic tests mentioned above.
    Next week—mental dullness

Week One Hundred Twenty- Five

    There are times when my wife Peggy thinks I suffer from today’s topic. She will ask me to go downstairs for a quart of peaches and a power head for the vacuum, and I will return with the peaches and ask, “what else did you want?” Perhaps I need to pay closer attention to her requests, or need to decrease the number of “irons in the fire.”   Whatever the reason, I feel confident that mental dullness is not yet one of them.
    Mental dullness can occur at any age. However, the causes will very from case to case. From a chiropractic perspective, we would take into consideration the age, sex, occupation, life style, dietary habits, and physical condition of the patient. Overall spinal health is important, but as with many conditions the C1-C2 area is of significant importance. Dietary habits can be of significant importance as well. Simple poor nutrition especially in the young and old can lead to lowered brain function. Also the more I study about, and work with allergies, the more I am convinced that allergies can be extremely detrimental to our mental function.
    Life style can be of importance. Long days and short nights on a regular basis will have a detrimental effect on us. Too much alcohol or nicotine is bad, not to mention all the illegal drugs out there today. While on the topic of drugs, it is important for us to work with the medical doctors to watch for changes in mental acquity of our loved ones on medication. This is especially true of those in extended care facilities .Exercise, even only a twenty-minute walk, three times a week, is great for our bodies and our minds.
    This topic is too involved to do justice in this column. However it should give you some ideas as to what to look for if you or someone you love, “just can’t ever remember the power head!”
  Next week—tremors.

Week One Hundred Twenty Six

    This week's topic is tremors. No, it is not the same ones that you see on the TV show "Tremors." Where the actors and actresses are chased by giant worms that shake the ground. These folks seek refuge from the giant worms, by climbing onto the tops of buildings and rock formations. Unfortunately for many people the tremors they experience in your body are not that easily relieved.

   In fact, for many folks, the tremors that they experience may be of a permanent nature. The definition of tremor is: Rhythmic, alternating, oscillatory, movements produced by repetitive patterns of muscle contraction and relaxation. Tremors produced by brain disorders, brain or spinal cord lesions may be permanent in nature. Fortunately for many, their tremor problems are of a less serious nature.

    Tics for example, are a brief rapid simple or complex involuntary movement. Simple tics (example blinking) often begin as nervous mannerisms in childhood, or later and disappear spontaneously. Complex tics often resemble fragments of normal behavior.

    From a chiropractic point of view, the patient presenting with tremors must be evaluated to determine what type of tremor they are dealing with. If it is determined that the patient's tremor is one that may respond to conservative care, we then try to determine the cause of the tremor. As with many conditions, there can be many causes of tremors. A simple example would be the overconsumption of caffeine whether it is from coffee, pop, or some other product. Many years ago I had a patient who presented with tremors' and when I asked him how much coffee he drank a day, he said ten. When I told him that 10 cups of coffee a day may be too much for him, he said, "no doc, not 10 cups, 10 pots." You can imagine what that was doing to as nervous system. We got them off the coffee, with marked difficulty, but his health improved in many ways.

    Because tremors are produced by involuntary, repetitive, movements, chiropractic care of the spinal column to the involved area are many times successful in eliminating simple tremors. Other causes of tremors can involve drug or alcohol involvement, nervousness, or anxiety. All of these causes must be addressed in an appropriate manner.

    Next week-- we will discuss rapid heartbeat.

Week One Hundred Twenty Seven

    The medical term for “rapid heartbeat,” is tachycardia. If you are experiencing irregular heartbeat, along with increased heart rate, it is called arrhythmic tachycardia.
    Back about twenty-eight years ago, my dad was having problems with arrhythmic tachycardia. Medically he was prescribed a couple of kinds of medicine to attempt to slow down and regulate his heartbeat. At that time I was still in college. One of my instructors in acupuncture was Dr.Geri Kari, who had a chiropractic clinic in Forest Lake. I asked dad to go over to him, to see if he could help his condition without having to take the medication.
    Dr. Kari found that dad had a subluxation at the T2 level, which is the level that has nerves that supply the heart. By correcting the T2 subluxation, he was able to eliminate the arrhythmic tachycardia. Dr. Kari found out through his history, that dad had a habit of carrying heavy sacks on his shoulder. That was probably the underlying cause of the T2 subluxation. By having dad use a feed cart, or wheel barrel, the stress on his back was eliminated, and his thoracic spine remained fine!

    Next week—constipation.

Week One Hundred Twenty Eight

    Everyone who knows that I am writing about constipation this week laughed when I told them about it. However, for the 3.5 million people who suffer from it, it's no laughing matter. About two-thirds of that 3.5 million seek medical attention for this symptom. That's right, constipation is a symptom rather than a condition. This symptom can be brought on for many different reasons.

    Common causes of constipation are: not enough liquids, not enough fiber in the diet, lack of exercise, medications, pregnancy, old age, travel, abuse of laxatives, structural problems with the colon and rectum, stroke, and problems with intestinal function(chronic idiopathic constipation).

    Common solutions for treatment of these symptoms therefore are drink more fluids, water and fruit juices are good choices, coffee, tea, pop, and alcohol, are poor choices. Eat more fiber, both soluble and insoluble, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Exercise more. Since a large majority of individuals who have constipation are over the age of 65, the importance of daily exercise cannot be stressed enough. If you are a common reader of my articles, you know how firmly I believe in walking. One 20 min. walk, every other day, would do wonders for a lot of people suffering from constipation. As far as medications, abuse of the laxatives, structural problems, and stroke, we would let the medical professional who is treating the patient manage that patient.

    Pregnancy, old age, and problems with intestinal function, known as chronic idiopathic constipation, are all successfully managed in the chiropractic office. With pregnancy, some women become less active, they change their diet, or their metabolism changes. They also may have increased pain and discomfort in the low back. We would work with these ladies to decrease their back pain and discomfort, counsel them on their diet , water intake, and exercise. For the elderly, we would work with the patient to decrease their back pain and stiffness, improve the mobility of their feet and knees and hips, and put them on a program of diet and exercise that is befitting their age and physical abilities.

    Chronic idiopathic constipation is also a problem frequently corrected in the chiropractic office. By restoring proper nerve supply to the large intestine, the ability of the colon to function properly is greatly enhanced. Nerve supply to the large intestine is usually found in the upper lumbar spine.

Next week-- early onset of arthritis.

Week One Hundred Twenty Nine

         Within the first couple weeks of opening my practice, a young woman came into my office with severe arthritis. Her hands and fingers were already deformed with inflammation and swelling. She walked very stiff legged due to pain and swelling of both her feet, her ankles, and her knees. Her face was puffy from the medication she was taking. She had neck, midback, and low back pain and stiffness.

         In the weeks and months that followed, I was able to help her improve the range of motion of her neck, midback, and low back. However, there was very little I could do to help her with the inflamed and swollen joints of her upper and lower extremities. We did use a number of nutritional supplements that gave her some relief. I also counseled her on avoidance of certain types of foods. Red meats, refined white sugar, and white flour are among the main irritants. These foods tend to cause increased inflammation of the joints. But she found it difficult to avoid these food products. She loved her sweets, as well as her bread.

         Twenty-six years later, some of the techniques that I used with her would still be used today. However, we now have new physical therapy devices that are beneficial for the joints. We have new adjusting tools that make treatment of patients with painful, or brittle bones safe and easy to treat. With the onset of products such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroiton, and several other herb, homeopathic, and nutritional supplements, it is now possible to improve the quality of health of many people who suffer from arthritis.

         This summer I am beginning to take a course on allergies. It is my hope that this new knowledge will be useful for a wide variety of arthritic sufferers. Dr. Mark, and myself are also looking into the latest improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. By the time my knew office opens up, it is our goal to have a health care team that will work together to provide the finest care and home instruction available.

         Next week--painful joints.

Week One Hundred Thirty

    Last weekend I was in Los Angeles, California for a seminar. The doctor sitting next to me in the classroom was a medical doctor from southern Texas. She told me that she had taken this class to learn the technique that had helped her daughter so much. When her daughter was five years old, she was diagnosed with acute juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and all so scleroderma. She had taken her daughter to the medical college she had attended, but her daughter continued to get worse. She and her husband brought their daughter to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. There were no more answers for her there, then there was in Texas. Over the next year they travelled to India, and Malaysia, where they heard of special clinics, but still there was no improvement in their daughter.
   About a six months ago, they heard of a clinic in Canada that utilized chiropractic, acupuncture, and kinnesiology. She and her husband made arrangements to travel to Canada for two weeks to see us they could get some help for her there. This clinic specialized in treating people with allergies, and although they were not aware of any specific allergies they followed through with two weeks of care. The improvement in their daughter was astounding. The doctor from Canada made arrangements to find another clinic in Texas that used the same procedures. Since that time, her daughter has been able to resume a normal life.
    Prior to this treatment course, her young daughter was unable to close, or open her hands. She was unable to fully extend either leg at the knee, and was unable to squat more than 20 percent of normal. She introduced me to her at the lunch break. She was able to walk without a noticeable limp, she could fully squat and standup without assistance, and her fingers and hands had normal full range of motion. If I needed tangible proof of how good this technique was, the Lord provided it for me in the first four hours of my first class.
    It will be interesting to see what further improvements can be made between now and October when we return for our next class. The philosophy behind the treatment plan is complex, and will take some work on my part too incorporate into my practice. However, the treatment protocol is simple, painless, and noninvasive.
    Next week-- tension.

Week One Hundred Thirty One
    This week's topic is tension. In this fast-paced world which we live in, the amount of stress and tension which we experience seems to increase as the years go by. This stress and tension can manifest itself in many different ways. Physically, mentally, and emotionally we all respond in different ways. Some people before they have to give a speech or play in a big game, get so sick that they throw up. As discussed before, one of the most common types of headaches that we see in our office is tension headaches.

    Back twenty-seven years ago, for a six-week period of time I experienced daily tension headaches as I awaited the results of the Wisconsin chiropractic examining board test results. The emotional stress of knowing that if I did not pass the exams, that I would have to wait six more months before I could retake the exams, caused the muscles in my neck and upper back to tighten up. Dr. Luchsinger worked on the physical manifestation of the condition for me, but we both knew that the problem would continue until the underlying stress was eliminated. Fortunately for Peg and I, I passed on the first go around. When I got the results, it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. My headaches were gone, and I was ready to move along with my new career.

     Still remember if you're suffering from tension type disorders, chiropractic care can help you in many ways. Like my weekly health column says, we like to find the underlying cause of your health condition, and address that. Then we will arrive at the "Foundation in health."

   Next week--ache all over.

Week One Hundred Thirty Two

   This week's topic is about "ache all over." Since we are planning to move from our present office to our temporary location in the old River Bank building this coming weekend, it may be very appropriate that I heed my words of advice. I get that ache all over feeling just thinking about all the equipment, files, plaques, diplomas, artwork, and other office supplies that are going to have to be moved this coming weekend.

    Some of the best advice I can give patients about stiff achy joints, is to not try to do everything by themselves. Rather, it never hurts to get help from others when we have too large a job to do, too big a box to lift, or having to do activities that we are not used to doing. Let's see if I behave myself, and not over do it. Fortunately for me, I will have Dr. Mark to put me back together as soon as I hurt myself. For many patients it is that "maybe it will go way" syndrome that turns an acute minor injury , into chronic aches and pains. For other patients, that ache all over feeling, may be coming from improper foot support, unstable low back problems, or some other mechanical instability.

    For others, that ache all over feeling, may be coming from the food they eat, the chemicals they smell or absorb at work, or some other environmental allergen. All of us are exposed to a larger array of chemicals then our parents and grandparents were. There is no question that these chemicals are contributing to a greater number of chronic physical, emotional, and psychological disorders. The dramatic increase in childhood asthma, autism, ADD, ADHD, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and various forms of arthritis, can all thank their origins from allergic responses to the environment around us. As the years go by, more and more research will point to this. It is all of our best interest to pay attention to our diet, our environment, in the chemicals that are around us, and note what we have come in contact with just prior to becoming ill. That may help you and your doctor arrive at the cause of your health condition.

    Next week-- fatigue.

Week One Hundred Thirty Three

    Well, we made it! Olson Chiropractic Clinic has successfully moved to the old river bank building. For the next several months we will be located at 204 3rd Avenue. As I stated in last week's column, it took a lot more horsepower than old Dr. Mike to get everything moved one block. However, I must say I did my share of the lifting and hauling. But, I'm happy to report I did it without injury. As far as this week's column is concerned, the topic being fatigue, I expected to report to you that I was in a state of fatigue. But, I'm also happy to report that I'm full of energy and ready to go! After a 16 hour moving day on Saturday, I was exhausted. But the cause of that exhaustion was a long hard day's work. The remedy to that exhaustion was rest.

    When we talk about true fatigue, we are generally talking about people who have that tired rundown feeling most of the time. They may have an hour or two during the day, or maybe a few hours where they feel like they can get something accomplished, but as soon as that little burst of energy is gone they are back in a state of fatigue. Just like last week's topic, there can be many causes of the fatigue. At my office we would discuss your situation as it regards to the fatigue you're experiencing, with a sincere attempt to get at the cause of your fatigue. Like many conditions that we see at the chiropractic office, one of the very important places that we look is at the very top of your spine, the vertebra known as the Atlas if subluxated can be a major source of chronic fatigue. Physical, mental, or emotional stress can also play a very important role in your fatigue.

    Long-standing allergy problems can wear down the immune system, interfere with proper body functions, and quietly create a state of fatigue, the cause of which may be difficult to pinpoint. Once the phone lines are in, we have found a place for everything we need at the new building, and my schedule gets back to some semblance of normalacy, I will implement my new allergy protocol.

    Next week--"Im not sure, I miss placed my list." It will be a surprise!

Week One Hundred Thirty Four

    I'm impressed! I found my misplaced list. This week's topic is on bursitis. So what do you think of when you hear the word bursitis? While most of us think of shoulder pain, there are actually many types of bursitis. The term bursa actually refers to a saclike cavity filled with a viscous fluid and situated at places in the tissue in which friction would otherwise develop. To have bursitis than means to have an inflammation of the bursa or that saclike cavity.
    Because bursitis is an inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications are the general course of treatment. However if this condition continues to reoccur, one would want to get at the bottom of this reoccuring condition. In the case of shoulder bursitis, the most likely candidate is going to be a misalignment of the shoulder joint itself. Because our shoulders do so many things for us, they tend to get over abused. This past weekend we moved the x-ray machine from our old office into the new location in the Old River Bank Building. The three of us Olson's certainly abused our shoulders moving this heavy piece of equipment. Should a patient enter our office with bursitis we would take the appropriate history, and find out what types of treatment they've already undergone, types of medication they may be taking, and try to ascertain what activity they've done to bring on this condition. We would use physical therapy modalities to loosen the inflamed joint, and make the necessary adjustments to the shoulder joint. Many times exercises are prescribed, in-home treatment is explained, and a few treatments may be necessary to get this condition resolved.
    Next week-- neuritis.

Week One Hundred Thirty Five

    This week's topic is neuritis. Neuritis is the inflammation of a nerve. The condition as attended by pain and tenderness over the nerves, anesthesia, and paresthesias, paralysis,waisting, and disappearance of the reflexes. Essentially, this is what we see in our office every single day.
    A simple example would be a case were one of my patients came in and was complaining about pain that came off and on as she breathed. Her history indicated that she had had surgery for a lung condition several years ago. In that surgery, the surgeons removed a portion of one of her ribs. This of course can lead to some instability of the upper thorax (rib cage). The resultant instability, can lead to a subluxation of the thoracic vertebra causing impingement on a nerve root, resulting in neuritis of the intercostal nerve. The fact that she came in right away when this condition began meant that she only required two visits to get the neuritis to go away. Generally, the longer a person lets a condition like this go, the longer it will take to get the inflammation out of the nerve root.
    Certainly one could take anti-inflammatory medications to decrease the inflammation in the nerve root. However, if the underlying cause of the neuritis is not taken care of, the individual may find themselves taking numerous doses of medication to decrease the inflammation. A simple chiropractic adjustment or two would have corrected the problem.
    Next week-- tendinitis.

Week One Hundred Thirty Six

    Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon. This week I should have developed tendinitis in my index finger from all the phone calls I made trying to find someone to move the old office building. I'm just too stubborn to give up the idea that it could be saved. Anyway, to the subject at hand. We see a lot of tendinitis in the chiropractic office. Frequent areas that we find inflamed, are thumbs, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet, and toes. Of course, tendinitis can also be developed in the spine. But for the most part, we do a lot of work with tendinitis in all of the movable joints. If you move it, you can stretch it too far and injure it.
    Treatment of tendinitis is basically the same for all the areas mentioned. If the joint is misaligned, it is re-aligned for you. Physical therapy modalaties such as ultra sound, are employed to enhance healing, massage of the adjacent muscles to decrease the strain on the joint, and range of motion exercises are initiated to restore full range of motion. Then we send you home with recommendations for home care to assist the treatment process.
    Tendinitis generally responds very to conservative care. Like most injuries, the longer you delay treatment, the longer it will take to heal the damage. In some cases, the type of work, or recreational activity, may need to be modified to prevent re-occurance. We are happy to work with you, and your employer to remedy the problem.
    Next week--loss of neck motion.

Week One Hundred Thirty Seven

    Loss of neck motion occurs in all of us if we live long enough. The major reason we loose cervical range of motion as we age is the degeneration of the intervertebral discs and the development of osteoarthritic spurs. Damage to the neck when we are young can predispose us to the degenerative process at a much earlier age.
    Rear-end auto accidents are a prime example of the kind of trauma that will produce serious consequences down the road. Most people who are rear-ended take medication, which masks the pain and stiffness. After several weeks the torn muscles and ligaments have healed, and they think they are then all right. Unfortunately for them, their torn ligaments have probably healed in a mechanically inferior position, and in the place of organized soft tissue, they now have disorganized scar tissue. Ten or fifteen years later they don’t understand why they have to turn their body to back the car up instead of just turning their heads!
    Oddly enough, the worst stiff necks we see in the office do not come from auto accidents. Instead it is from sleeping in a “funny position”! The person wakes up and their neck is locked in a fixed position. This may appear to be more serious then the auto case, but in actuality it is not. In our office, that problem is completely eliminated in generally one to three visits. Sleeping on a proper cervical pillow like my patented “Victory Pillow,” can be very helpful in preventing this type of problem.
    Next week—blackouts.

Week One Hundred Thirty Eight

         This week's topic is blackouts. With out a doubt this is a condition that is treated with care by any responsible clinic. There can be numerous reasons for the blackouts: too much heat and dehydration, heart problems, space occupying lesion in the brain, neurovascular compromise in the cervical spine. Of course a severe emotional stress can cause blackouts or psychosomatic disorders such as fainting at the site of blood, can also do the trick.

         Taking a good history to find out how often it happens, what you were doing when it happened, what, if anything you may have eaten, smelled, or come in contact with just prior to it happening can all be reasons for the blackouts. Also were you involved in any physical activity that may have contributed to the blackout? Of course your age as well as your sex can play a major role in helping us narrow down the cause of the blackouts. Elderly are more apt to have vascular insufficiencies, heart disease, or diabetes. Young woman are more apt to be pregnant, young men or women are more apt to be involved in strenuous work or play.

         In the chiropractic office, once we have ruled out conditions that may require medical referral, we would then concentrate first on the upper cervical region of the spine. As I discussed in many articles prior to this one, this region of our spinal column is of prime importance in many conditions. Should the blackouts be caused by an upper cervical subluxation complex, the chiropractor would correct the subluxation, and in most cases the blackouts should disappear within only a few visits. Obviously, more complex cases involving chronic recurrent blackouts, cardiovascular or diabetic conditions, are going to require a more closely watched treatment plan. Cooperation between the chiropractor and medical doctor would in this instance be very beneficial to the patient.

         Next week--muscle swelling.

Week One Hundred Forty

    This week's topic is night blindness. Coming from someone who was legally blind without glasses for most of his life, I can really appreciate the fact of being blind. With my glasses on I was able to see 20/20. Prior to having the lasix surgery, my eyes were rated 20/830, when not wearing my glasses! The twenty minute surgical procedure has given me 20/20 vision without glasses. You would think that medical science could come up with a way to cure night blindness. However, for many people this is much more difficult to correct, than it was to correct my eyes from their myopic state.

    From a neurological point of view, chiropractic would again pay close attention to the C1- C2 vertebral complex. Just like any other part of the body, the complex eye requires the proper neurological input to work correctly. If the nerve pathways are partially obstructed, the target organ (in this case the eye) will not function properly. If that is the cause of your night blindness, simply correcting the vertebral subluxation at C1- C2 will correct the problem.

    Of course we all know that Vitamin A is necessary for good eye health. Supplementing the diet with Vitamin A has been a recommendation of mine for patients suffering from night blindness for the past 27 years. Something I did not know, nor have I ever pondered until recently, is that if a person is allergic to Vitamin A, their body may not absorb the Vitamin A and utilize it properly. What that means is you can supplement or consume as much Vitamin A as is reasonable and the body is not able to assimilate it. Therefore, in this case the night blindness continues. The more I read and study about allergies, the more fascinated I become with this topic. In two in half weeks I'll be out in Los Angeles to study further on the topic.

    Next week-- loss of balance.

Week One Hundred Forty One

    This week's topic is loss imbalance. Like many other conditions we have discussed, there can be a number of different reasons for a person to develop problems with their equilibrium. The majority of these causes involve the brain and nervous system. Fortunately, the more serious conditions such as brain tumors, aneurysms, and scar tissue on the brain are relatively rare. By far the most common cause of lack of balance is a minor decrease in blood flow to the brain itself.
    There are four major arteries which supply the brain with blood. There is the right and left carotid artery, which is located in the front section of the neck. Those are the arteries which are frequently used to check a persons pulse should they be unconscious. They generally have a strong pulse and are easy to get at. There is also the right and left vertebral arteries, which run through openings in the cervical vertebra. These arteries you cannot palpate, because they are surrounded by bone. Should there be a problem with the alignment of the cervical vertebra, a decrease in blood flow to the brain can occur. This condition can therefore lead to a loss balance.
    As chiropractors there are tests that we perform, possible x-rays which may need to be taken, combined with the age and history of the patient helps lead us to the proper diagnosis. Should the diagnosis include cervical subluxation, we simply correct the subluxation with a gentle chiropractic adjustment. As the alignment of the vertebrae improves, so does the balance.
    Next week-- loss of hearing.

Week One Hundred Forty Two

         Harvey Lillard was getting along pretty well until that team horses ran him over back in 1880! Besides a lot of bumps and bruises, there was one serious injury that he sustained in the accident. For the next 15 years Harvey was deaf. He worked as a janitor in a building where a man by the name and D. D. Palmer was working. D. D. Palmer at the time had been studying anatomy and physiology and it was his belief that the nervous system controlled all functions of the body. He surmised that one of the possible causes of Mr. Lillard's deafness was a lack of nerve supply to his inner ears. From his studies, D.D. Palmer knew that the nerve supply to the inner ear exited from the C1- C2 region of the upper spine. After communicating his idea to Mr. Lillard, Palmer decided to examine Mr. Lillard's upper spine; he found what he felt was a misalignment of the vertebra.
         D. D. Palmer then made what is considered the first chiropractic adjustment of modern time. He realigned Mr. Lillard's C1- C2 vertebra, and as if by a miracle Mr. Lillards hearing was restored. This adjustment took place in 1895 and is considered to be the start of modern chiropractic medicine.
         You do not have to be deaf to benefit from chiropractic care. Hundreds of my patients with various degrees of hearing impairment and ringing in the ears have benefited from the same type of adjustment that D. D. Palmer made back in 1895. The examination is really quite simple and x-rays if needed are minimal. You simply won't know if chiropractic care can help you if you haven't tried it!
         Next week-cold hands or feet.

Week One Hundred Forty Three

    Cold feet. I suppose I could get that with the thought of flying to Los Angeles tomorrow morning. But with the good Lord as my captain, I know my flight will be smooth and safe. As far as cold hands are concerned, that is something my patients have never accused me of.
    As with many of the conditions that we have talked about, cold hands and cold feet can be the symptom of many different conditions. Obviously, the thyroid gland which has a major role in our bodies metabolism can be a major player in those people suffering from cold hands and cold feet. The patient's age, sex, family history, and personal history can all be important pieces in the puzzle that leads to the correct diagnosis. Lab tests, x-rays, and physical examination assist us in getting at the cause of the condition.
    Fortunately, a high percentage of patients who respond favorably to chiropractic treatment of cold hands and cold feet do so in a short period of time. Again, with many conditions that we have talked about, the cervical spine or neck provides the major nerve supply to the thyroid gland. Without proper nerve signal from the thyroid gland to the brain and back, the thyroid gland will not function properly and symptoms will develop. Once we correct the nerve signal from the brain to the thyroid gland and back, the chances of proper thyroid gland function increases, and the chance of having cold hands and cold feet decreases.
    This weekend I am off to take the next phase of my studies in allergy diagnosis and treatment. Without a doubt, I will learn valuable information that will help people suffering from cold hands and feet!
    Next week--a snyopsis of what I learned from Dr. Devi in LA.

Week One Hundred Forty Four

    You know that Neil Diamond song that says," L.A.'s fine the sun shines most the time and the feeling is laid back." Well that might have been true thirty years ago, but from what I've seen in the eight days I've spent there this summer and fall it is not true anymore. When you fly in to land at LAX, you descend down from bright sunshine into what they now call haze. I think the sun burned its way through the haze a total of eight hours in the eight days I was there. With a million cars traveling at eighty miles an hour this old country boy did not get a feeling of being laid back.
    Any thought we had that the second seminar was going to be laid back was squashed in the first fifteen minutes of the class. After opening introductions, there was a fifteen minute review of the material from seminar one, and off we went into new material. The woman sitting next to me was a pediatrician from Boston, and she took notes on a laptop computer. Fortunately her typing skills were a little better than mine, as she must of taken fifty pages of notes. I asked her on one of our breaks how a physician from Boston with all the years of formal medical education, and residency training would become interested in an alternative medical approach. She said that was simple, more and more of her pediatric patients were receiving wonderful help through the elimination of allergies from the doctors who are being trained by Dr. Devi. After seventeen years in practice, she decided to learn the technique herself.
    As far as a synopsis from this weekends seminar, let's just say that for the patient, the allergy elimination technique is noninvasive(there is no needles or shots), it is very safe even for those patients who suffer from anaphylactic allergy responses, when the proper treatment protocol is followed. There are no pills or portions that you have to take. However, we did learn a few recipes that are designed for the patients to make at home that will boost the immune system, therefore shortening the period of time required for treatment, and enhancing their chances of a complete recovery from the conditions they are suffering from.
    This technique is not chiropractic, it is not allopathic, nor is it homeopathic. Nowadays some people would call it "energy medicine". It is based on the theories of acupuncture, which more correctly would be called meridian therapy. By correlating the western physical and physiological medicine principles, and the Eastern energy medicine principles (which derive their basis from quantum physics), we arrive at the technique which allows us to to convert our bodies improper response to an energy, to that of the proper response to the energy. Thereby allowing the patient to become allergy free.

Week One Hundred Forty Five

    This week's topic is shortness of breath. If we take away the conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and a host of other chronic lung diseases, we can then talk about uncomplicated forms of "shortness of breath."
    Of course, if you're the one suffering from shortness of breath, it may not seem uncomplicated to you. As with so many conditions, there can be many causes of this condition. In my office it is not uncommon to have a patient show up complaining of upper back pain and after receiving two or three treatments, come in and exclaim that their breathing problem has gone away. Of course they forgot to tell me about their breathing problem when they came in with the back pain because they were so used to putting up with it.
    Important area one in relationship to the lungs is the T2-T3 area of the spine. This region is just a little ways below the neck. By improving the nerve supply from this region to the lungs, you stand a good chance of improving the lungs ability to function properly.
    The next important area in relationship to the lungs is around the T7-T8 area. This area is in the mid back and has the nerve supply to the diaphragm. The diaphragm must function properly to allow for the expansion and contraction of our lungs. Again with proper nerve signal to and from the diaphragm you improve your chances of having better breathing. Remember your choir teacher telling you to sit up straight and and breathe with your diaphragm? In regards to the sitting up straight part of that comment, people who suffer from poor posture, scoliosis of the thoracic spine, or increased dorsal kyphosis all will suffer from some degree of restricted breathing. Guess what profession works best for the treatment of all of those conditions?
    Next week-- poor memory.

Week One Hundred Forty Six

    So what adjustment do we have to help you with your poor memory? If you guessed the atlas or axis (C1-C2) you guessed correctly. That means you were able to remember how important the upper cervical region is for proper brain function. Without a good blood supply to the brain, the brain does not recieve enough oxygen to function at an optimal level.
    Other considerations for the improvement of memory is eating a well balanced diet. Utlizing a good suppemental nutruional program. Notice I said a "good nutritiional program". Please be careful in where and what you buy, as you can easily pay way too much, or buy a cheap product only to get very little product for your effort. Last week I had one of my patients bring in an expensive nutritional product called Focus Factor. I had heard it advertised on the radio, but had never evaluated the product. What it contains is twenty-three nutrtional vitamins and minerals, which is a very good product, better then One A Day brand, or Centrum, etc. The problem is that it was about fifty dollars more expensive than a professional brand that I carry, and had much smaller amounts per tablet. It pays to ask someone who works with nutrition all the time to help you in choosing what and how much you need.
    Ginko Biloba is another product used to enhance circulation, but there are a couple of contraindications that you would what to ask about before using it. The new clinic will have someone available to assist you in this process. For now it is Dr. MIke or Dr. Mark.
    Next week--anxiety.

Week One Hundred Forty Seven

    It's Halloween today, and already there's been about 100 cute little ghosts, goblins, clowns and dinosaurs at our office. Hopefully there was no anxiety among the little children as they went from business to business getting their treats. But for a lot of people, anxiety is a frequent and unwanted guest.
    Anxiety is a general feeling of being worried. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time as a result of life experiences, but those with generalized anxiety disorder feel anxious frequently or excessively, not necessarily as a result of a particular situation. Signs and symptoms are: muscle tension, trembling, fast heartbeat, fast or troubled breathing, dizziness or impaired concentration, palpations, sweating, fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
    Besides the standard medical history physical and laboratory exams, your health provider may spend more time talking with you to find out when it is or what it is that makes you feel anxious. From the medical perspective there is a wide range of prescription medications that are prescribed for feelings of anxiety. As far as treatment options and complementary alternative therapies go there is a wide range of options. Nutritionally, we would recommend that you avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, refined foods, and cut down on foods that are known to cause allergies(common food allergens are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, treatments, wheat, fish, dates, corn, food colorings, and additives.) Some of the common herbal remedies that are prescribed involve such things as, Kava kava, St. John's wort, Passionflower, Oatstraw, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Skullcap.
    Homeopathic remedies include: Aconite, Arsenicum, and phosphorus. Therapeutic massage can be helpful in reducing anxiety and alleviating stress. In the chiropractic office we would again pay close attention to the C1-C2 area of the upper cervical spine, as well as work with the trapezius muscles, thoracic, and lumbar paraspinal muscles. We will also work to decrease or eliminate any other spinal subluxations.
    Like so many conditions, there is no one specific cause, and there's no one specific treatment plan. A combined team effort would be of greatest benefit to the patient.

    Next week-- eye strain.

Week One Hundred Forty Eight

    This fall I enjoyed going over to my building site after work to see what the construction crews had accomplished for the day. But now with the time change, and the diminishing hours of daylight, it is too dark to see what they have gotten done. Therefore, I try to do a walk through at lunch break.
    This week's topic is eye strain. If you suffer from eye strain, obviously the first thing you want to do is to get your eyes examined by a good optometrist such as Dr. Beck here in Osceola. Provided that you have done this, then there are few other things that you can do that may possibly reduce your eye strain.
    From a chiropractic point of view, we would look at the upper cervical vertebra, this area has the nerve supply to the eyes, and if the nerve signal to and from the eye is not functioning properly, your eye is not going to work properly. If you do a lot of work in the evening, such as working outside in poor light, driving at night, or working in poorly lit areas, then we would also talk about nutritional supplements, or dietary changes to improve your night vision. In most cases this would involve increasing the intake of vitamin A and zinc. It is generally recommended that an adult not exceed 25,000 IU of vitamin a per day, and 55 milligrams of elemental zinc per day. The more easily absorbed forms of zinc are zinc picolonate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, and zinc gluconate. Many of you may be familar with zinc gluconate lozenges which are used for the treatment of colds.
    For more stubborn forms of eye strain you may need to have laboratory tests performed, a neurological workup, and possibly a brain MRI to rule out more invasive pathology.
    Next week-- diarrhea.

Week One Hundred Forty Nine

    Remember back a few years ago there was a television commercial about this weeks topic and the lady whispered the word "Diarrhea"? Perhaps it is not a pleasant topic to discuss, but it is even less pleasant to experience.
    Although there can be many different causes of diarrhea, the actual varieties of treatment are limited. Most commonly the more intense bouts of diarrhea come from acute infections from viruses or bacteria. These bouts generally only last one to three days and are self-limiting. The most common treatment of this type of diarrhea is over-the-counter medications such as Peptol Bismal or Ammodium AD.
    Another common cause of diarrhea is "nervousness." If a person has an overactive nervous system, it can stimulate the digestive tract to also be overactive. Individuals who have a "nervous" constitution, have to learn how to control their emotions, try to decrease their stress level, and limit their intake of stimulants such as caffeine.
    Another form of diarrhea is more difficult to self-diagnosis. That is the kind that comes and goes at sporadic intervals. You can't trace it to any illness nor from something you're eating. If you come into the chiropractic office with this problem, we will of course take a good history to see if we can determine any underlying cause, and then we will pay close attention to the mid and upper lumbar region of your spine. This is where the nerve supply to your large intestine comes from. Should you have a subluxation in the L1 to L3 region of your lumbar spine, the nerve supply to the intestines may not be functioning properly, and guess what? You can have diarrhea! By correcting the subluxation to your upper lumbar vertebra many times the mysterious bouts of diarrhea disappear.
    Next week-- a continuation of this topic.

Week One Hundred Fifty

    Happy Thanksgiving! In this country we have a lot to give thanks for. For the first time in history, social scientists estimate that roughly one billion people on the planet are underfed, which roughly equals the number of people on the planet who are overfed! So let us truly give thanks for the blessings that we have in this country.
    Now back to the last week's topic of diarrhea. Since we will be eating many different kinds of foods this Thanksgiving which we may normally not eat, some of us may develop diarrhea. The question is, is the food that affected us not a healthy food to eat, does it affect everyone else who ate it in the same way? The most likely answer to that question is no. Then why did it cause the problem? The most likely answer to that question is it is an allergic reaction, and this particular allergen creates a hypersensitive reaction in our digestive tract. Of all the underlying causes of diarrhea, by far the most common cause will be from an allergic response to something we have ingested.
    For those of you who take prescription medications, if you read the fine print you'll probably see that diarrhea is listed as a common side effect. Again, it is not because the medication itself is unhealthy, but that many people who take it are actually allergic to something that is in it. As I am slowly incorporating the new allergy technique I learned this year into my practice, I am amazed at how well our bodies can respond to the right input.
    I apologize to my patients who are waiting for me to call them to come in for treatment of their allergies. The amount of extra time required of me to get my new office building built, has taken away from my time to establish a new treatment protocol. But in the long run it will all be worth the effort. May I say that on behalf of my wife Peg and I, we truly give thanks to all the patients who over the years have made it possible for us to build this new professional building. It is our pledge to you, that our new clinic and staff will only improve on our foundation of service to you and the needs of our growing community.
    Again, thank you very much!
Next week-- tips on winter safety.

Week One Hundred Fifty One

    It's Monday evening the 24th of November and it's been a long day. Yesterday was the first big snow fall of the year, and already we were busy taking care of patients with low back injuries from shoveling the heavy wet snow. Of course it's good for business, but there are so many ailments that people suffer from that are not necessarily under their control that when we have an opportunity to help someone to avoid injuries we are going to take that opportunity to help them. With a little luck, maybe we can help you avoid an injury.
    In shoveling wet heavy snow, remember how much I have stressed the importance of a good foundation. Wear good boots or shoes that offer your feet proper support. Make sure that they have treads that prevent you from slipping and falling. Take a shoulder with stance, bend at the knees, try to tip your pelvis in such a way that you maintain the lower inward curve of your low back. As you take a shovelful of snow, try not to reach too far in any direction keeping the shovel as much in front of you as possible. When you need to get the next shovelful a little to the side, move your feet instead of twisting your low back. This also holds true for when you throw the snow; avoid twisting your back as much as possible. Instead, move your feet in the direction of the throw.
    Unless you shovel for a living, you're not going to be in condition both from a musculoskeletal point of view and a cardiovascular point of view. Therefore, it is important that you take periodic rests to give your heart and lungs, as well as your arms, back, and leg muscles a chance to rest. While heavy snows bring sprains and strains into my office, they also bring heart attack victims to the emergency room. So be smart, think before you act, give yourself enough time to get the job done, or quit and come back a little later.
    Next week-- more winter safety tips.

Week Ond Hundred Fifty Two

    Last week I wrote about how to safely shovel heavy snow. This past week I was cleaning up some light fluffy snow around the sidewalks and ran into a crack in the cement. The impact stopped the shovel instantly while the force of the impact transferred up my extended arm to the right shoulder. The pain was an excellent reminder of todays winter safety tip.
    When you are pushing a shovel or scrapper, try to keep your elbows bent. Then, should you run into an immovable object, the force will cause your elbows to bend, thus transfering the forces away from your joints. With the elbow locked liked mine was, the force had nowhere to go but into the shoulder. Nice of me to figure that out for you!!
    Fortunately, with a couple of treatments from Dr. Mark, some well placed electro muscle stim pads, the pain was gone quickly. Add some increased calcium/magnesium, shark cartilage, and glucosamine sulfate for a few days and the damage was repaired.
    Last year at this time I began the design of my new clinic. This weekend I begin the interview process and develop the holistic team approach to my new clinic. It has been a long year, but finally I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel! With a little luck, in a few more weeks we may even have light in the new building.
    Next week--the caroling,carloing, through the snow muscle spasm.

Week One Hundred Fifty Three

    With 10 or 11 inches of new fallen snow and two weeks away from Christmas Eve, we should all be getting into the Christmas spirit. For some of us that means a lot of Christmas caroling.
    One of the important muscles related to singing is the diaphragm. This is the muscle that allows us to take a deep breath and sustain our notes, giving our rendition of "Silent Night," that smooth, beautiful sound. Just like any other muscle in the body, our diaphragm requires a proper nerve supply to make it function properly. Although we do not see a lot of people complaining about their inability to sing due to diaphragm spasms, we do treat a lot of patients with difficulty breathing or with the inability to take a deep breath due to pain either in their chest or their rib cage.
    So if you plan on going caroling, caroling, through the snow this Christmas season, and you're having trouble sustaining your notes or are having difficulty in taking a deep breath, you might want to come into our office for a simple examination of your thoracic spine. In most cases, we should be able to correct the subluxation that is causing a decrease in nerve flow to and from your diaphragm, thereby correcting the cause of your inability to breathe deeply. Therefore, affording your listening audience harmonic perfection!
    Next week—holiday havoc.

Week One Hundred Fifty Four

    This week's topic is holiday havoc. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, many people find themselves running here and there all around the square playing catch me if you can! The result is tired, worn out, stressed out, angry, frustrated, and even suicidal people.
    Being told by TV ads what presents are best to guarantee holiday cheer are probably going to lead you astray. From the latest in the new fad toys, to the plasma screen TVs, and even as I saw on Monday night football, a commercial showing the joy of giving and receiving a Porsche sports car are strong examples of how the world is being led away from the true meaning of Christmas. The Monday night football crowd must be an affluent audience! In my opinion, the amount of affluence or the lack thereof, will not a happy holiday season make. Rather we should diminish the role of the holiday season which has been over commercialized to the point of forgetting which season it really is. The best advice I can give to myself as well as to you is to remember that this is the Christmas season. The Christ Child’s birth. Not Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty. Rather then spending days running around trying to find the latest toy for your child, sit down and read the Nativity stories for children with your kids, play some of the games you have in the closet you bought in the Christmas's past (you probably have several to choose from.) Make plans to participate in the church services at your church. Join a choir, go caroling, do something nice for someone in need. Despite the cold temperatures it will warm your soul!
    May God Bless you and yours with peace and joy.
    Next week--a New Years Message

Week One Hundred Fifty Five

    Ironically, last week’s article was in titled “Holiday Havoc!”   With the Osceola Sun’s change in advertising dead lines from Monday back to Friday, havoc is what has happened to “Dr. Mike’s Minute.” Since I have written the majority of these articles at work over my lunch break on Mondays, it is difficult to find the time to switch to Fridays. I managed to get “Week 154 “ written, edited, and re-typed, but a meeting with the electricians took up the rest of my time over the lunch period. By the time I finished with patients on Friday night I had missed the deadline. If you want to read that article, you’ll have to wait until my web page comes online; that should be within the next four to six weeks.
    To avoid missing this week’s deadline I am writing this at 4:30 a.m. on December 26th. I want to make sure I get to thank the people who made this past year so successful for me. First of all, I want to thank my patients for trusting me with their health. I want to thank Helen and Mary for taking the hundreds of phone messages from architects, contractors, bankers, business’s looking for rental space, etc… A special thanks goes to Craig Danielson and The River Bank, for making sure I have a great place to work in while the new office is being built. Another special thank you goes to Barb Erickson and The Rural American Bank, for always coming through for me. Thank you to Gary Brunclik, Kelli, and Barb for their help in making this building project become a reality. A special thanks to Dr. Mark who has wonderfully taken up the slack in my practice, that has allowed me the extra time needed to work on my building, to fly off to classes, and begin to develop the “new clinic team” we will have next year. A very special thanks to my daughter Barb, who is my editor. Of course my mom, thanks for all the prayers, and love you give me daily!
    Now, to my wife Peggy. Thank you for believing in me, loving me, encouraging me, praying for me, and as of tomorrow being married to me for 28 years!!
    Finally, thank you Lord for picking me up, changing my course, guiding me through all the decisions I have had to make this past year, and bringing me to a destination I could never have imagined!
    May 2004 be a wonderful year for all of you. Oh Yeah, thank you for reading this column!!

Week One Hundred Fifty Six

    Last week I gave thanks for all the things that I was able to accomplish in 2003. I also gave thanks to just a few of the people that helped me along the way. This week I will give you some of the goals I hope to accomplish in 2004.
    We hope to get the third-floor of the office building finished so that we can move in sometime in March 2004. Also by that time it is my goal to have leased out the bottom two floors, and have that construction well underway. It is also my goal, to assist the other businesses who have talked to me about renting space from me, find other suitable space here in Osceola. Sometime in late March or early April, Mr. Pruno and his crew should be putting on the exterior brick and stone.
    My new clinic will be called Foundations In Health, just like this column. Dr. Mark Oas has been hired as office manager, and will be assisting me in getting our web site up and running, doing interviews of perspective health-care professionals who will be hired to work alongside of us in an effort to provide you with the best in conventional and alternative health-care. It is our goal to have this health team put together by June 2004.
    By June we should have the parking lot blacktopped, a new retaining wall put in and the landscaping completed. As soon as the lower two floors are completed and my office and the new business or businesses are moved in, I think we should have an open house!
    A New Year's resolution would not be complete for me if I did not vow to lose 10 more pounds this year.
Next week-- some ideas on how to shed those pounds.

Week One Hundred Fifty Seven

    Last week I told you that one of my new year's resolutions this year would be to lose 10 pounds. Well, that was before I stepped onto the scale on Monday. Let's just say that I upped the ante to 15 pounds! I certainly want to thank the many patients who brought us homemade cookies, candies, fruitcakes, and boxes of chocolates. Oh, yeah... do you know that there is a very nice lady in town who makes the most fantastic peanut brittle? It literally melts in your mouth and not in your hands! Unfortunately for me, it hasn't melted around my waistline.
    So, as I write this article, please keep in mind I am speaking to myself as well as to those of you it pertains to. First of all let's keep in mind it has to go through our lips before it gets to our hips. When I was young, I couldn't put on weight, but since about age 19, it is a daily battle to keep weight off. Needless to say I know both sides of the the metabolism connection. For basics we must decrease our intake of calories on a daily basis. I am a firm believer that a balanced diet is still the way to go. However, most of us need to diminish the amount of bread and butter, cookies and cakes, as well as ice cream and candy that we're adding to our "balanced diet!" We also need to exercise at least 20-30 minutes a day at least five days a week. Walking works very well for me, but of course by looking at the scale I can see I have gotten out of my routine. Peg bought me a pedometer, and even though I put on about 4 1/2 miles a day while seeing patients, it is not the kind of exercise that is burning my excess calories. We need to get our heart rate up and sustained for the 20 to 30 minutes if you really want to burn fat!
    People ask me about various diets. To tell you the truth, I am not knowledgeable enough to give you a good answer about them. However, Dr. Mark and I have agreed that diet, exercise, and healthy living skills, will be one area that we're going to become very knowledgeable and proficiant at. If the medical doctor who came to see me a couple times a few years ago who runs several weight loss clinics in the twin cities area would please give me a call, I would really like to spend some time talking with him. If you are reading this, I remember what I treated you for, but unfortunately I do not remember your name, and the brochures you gave me to put in my office were all taken.
    Next week--ailments from an ice auger.

Week One Hundred Fifty Eight

    Unfortunately, all is quiet on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field! However, on the frozen tundra of many of the local lakes, all is not quiet. Due to the recent cold front the ice on many lakes is now sufficient for both man and vehicle to move upon. Back when I was a young lad and I got to go ice fishing with my dad, we used an ice chisel to make our holes in the ice to go fishing. The ice chisel has since been replaced by the ice auger, and the ability to search for the right spot has improved. With this ability has also come increased activity.
    The most common injuries sustained while using an ice auger are strains and sprains of the upper back and shoulders. The mechanical torque produced by the auger sometimes exceeds the musculoskeletal strength of the individual using the auger. The result is pain and stiffness in the shoulders and upper back. Should this occur, do not run home and lay on a heating pad. Remember to always apply ice to an acute injury. This will decrease the swelling and give the body time to heal the tears in the capillary blood vessels. In one to two days you then may apply heat. Should the pain in your shoulders and upper back continue, you'd be well advised to see your chiropractor. If you come in while the condition is still in the acute phase, chances are high that you will only require one to three visits to correct the damage done.
    Next week--jigging, knitting, and crotcheting.

Week One Hundred Sixty One

Antibiotics were discovered in the 1940s, and quickly became the superstars of the medical profession. Diseases that were once considered life-threatening became treatable due to the ability of the antibiotics to kill bacteria. Please pay attention to the word bacteria. I did not say viruses! Antibiotics have no effect on conditions such as the flu and the common cold. They do not cure them or make them better.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently estimated that half of all antibiotics in the United States are inappropriately prescribed for viral infections, especially in children. That is a large percentage which carries a huge price tag. Your medical doctor knows that the antibiotic is not going to do you any good, the pharmaceutical company knows that it's not going to do you any good, and even some of you know that it's not going to do you any good, but you just want something to make you feel better. If your medical doctor tells you that you just have the cold or flu you need to listen to them, and stop insisting on getting medication. By taking antibiotics for viral colds and flu the only positive effect goes in favor of the bacteria, because they are able to mutate and become resistant to the antibiotics. That is why so many of you who rely on medicine to treat your sinus infections , tonsillitis, and pneumonia end up having to be put on two or three different types of antibiotics before you get to one that works!

Next week-food chain awareness

Week One Sixty Two

America's latest, greatest obsession: fast food. Approximately every five minutes, network programming cuts to a slew of commercials touting such nutritious creations as bacon cheeseburgers, Pop Tarts and microwavable pizza roles. Guess who's watching(and learning from) this continuous advertising deluge? Children.

A recent study commissioned by Gerber products found that American children have startlingly poor eating habits, and that these habits are cultivated almost as soon as they emerge from the womb. Just take a look at these frightening statistics: by the age of nine to 11 months 3% of the babies are eating candy, 2% pizza, 4% sweetened beverages, 9% French fries, 7% hot dogs, sausage, and bacon. By the age of 19 to 24 months, 10% are eating candy, 11% pizza, 23% sweetened beverages, 21% French fries, and 25% hot dogs, sausage, and bacon.

If those figures aren't bad enough, consider that the study also found that 18 to 33% of infants and toddlers under the age of two consumed no vegetables daily. For those who did consume one vegetable per day the most common type of vegetable for children under 15 months of age was French fries!

It is no wonder that obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are on the rise. We cannot feed our children like this and expect them to grow up healthy. It is obvious that I will have to add a new category of classes to those that we will be giving at our new clinic.

Next week-- politics as usual, a report from Madison.

Week One Hundred Sixty Three

    Politics as usual, or is it? Early in January a series of proposals were introduced for the Wisconsin legislature to consider. Supposedly these proposals would help the insurance industry save money and reduce premiums. The leadership of the Wisconsin Hospital Association came up with a plan they called, “Healthier Choices.” One portion of that proposal was the elimination of chiropractic benefits from Wisconsin insurance plans. The Chiropractic profession and its patients did not find that to be a healthy choice at all; when what it would have done, was promote a medical monopoly, and eliminate the right to choose what kind of health care provider you could go to. Since the insurance industry and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce came on board to support the plan, it had a very strong chance of getting put into law. Also since most employers and their employees knew nothing of it, there would be no opposition to it.

    Fortunately, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association found out about it, researched the proposals and sent out the message to all its members. Last month our patients sent so many faxes and e-mails to their local senators, and state representatives that we were asked to stop the campaign. All proposals were removed except for one. On Wednesday, February 18th, there was a hearing at our state capital on AB 814. AB 814, would be a “pilot study” that would allow three chambers of commerce the legal right to be exempt from following the Wisconsin insurance laws. The insurance industry does not want mandated chiropractic care, mammograms, HIV medication, alcohol treatment, diabetic supplies, drug abuse, and a couple of dozen other items covered. Oh by the way…did you know that anyone in the state could join any chamber of commerce they pay dues to? So much for a “pilot study!”

    Again our patients rose up. Over four thousand people showed up for the hearing at the capital. We were told it was by far the largest crowd to have ever showed up and registered for a hearing. To their credit Senator Sheila Harsdorf, and Representative Mark Pettis met with us and expressed their support to defeat this bill should it come out of committee. They also admitted that this was exactly the way the political system was intended to work.

Week One Hundred Sixty Four

I had someone last weekend tell me that they had heard that if they needed back surgery and went to a chiropractor the surgeon would no longer be able to perform surgery on them. Of course that is not true. There is nothing we would be doing that would disqualify you for surgery. However, the number of patients that no longer suffer from chronic low back pain or are relieved of severe acute low back pain after seeing a chiropractor is very high! Therefore, it would be accurate to say that you may no longer need surgery or would be able to postpone it for years.

Should you have questions about chiropractic care, whether it is about what we can do, what we would do for a certain condition, how long care might take, or what type of treatment we would perform you should ask a chiropractor. My son-in-law is a dentist, and I have always gone to a dentist, but I do not give dental opinions. Consequently, the only person qualified to render chiropractic opinions or advice is a chiropractor.

Week One Hundred Sixty Six

Twenty-two years ago my little brother Danny won his second state wrestling championship. This past weekend the Osceola wrestling team came home from state competition with one first, one second, and two thirds! Truly, a very strong finish to an outstanding wrestling season. Those of you who have been following this years wrestling team know that next year's team should also be very strong.

From a professional point of view, I find it very interesting to note that of all the various strains and sprains, of fingers and ankles and knees and elbows and wrists and shoulders and of the numerous wrestlers that I had the opportunity to care for over the course of the season, that none of them presented with low back pain or injury. Considering the intensity of wrestling competition, with its repetitive bending, lifting, and twisting, you would think that a good number of them would develop low back pain. As chiropractors and physical therapists tell their patients, the key to a strong low back is a strong abdomen. Consequently, our young lads on the wrestling squad obviously have been doing their weight training and strength training properly. Therefore, any of you who are reading this column and suffer from chronic recurrent low back pain can take a lesson from our young wrestlers. Get out there and work on those abs. Although as I have pointed out to my son Dave, it's a lot easier to have those “six pack abs” as a teenager, then it is as an adult. You see as an “adult,” we have honed and perfected our excuses as to why we don't have time to exercise.

Next week-bicycle injuries!

Week One Hundred Sixty Nine

Snap, snap, snap! That's the sound of three Asian beetles banging off the inside of the vacuum cleaner hose on their way to the vacuum cleaner bag. From the comments I’m getting from the majority of people, the Olson household is not the only haven for these pesky little bugs. Although they were imported to help control the aphid population in the United States, they have also helped boost the economy in many ways.

Think of how much electricity Xcel Energy has been able to charge to its customers who are using vacuum cleaners 30 minutes out of every day just to suck up these pesky little bugs. Hardware stores are selling hundreds of cans of bug sprays. Medical clinics are treating bug bites, and allergic reactions to their touch or smell. Chiropractic clinics such as mine see patients with hyperextension strain/sprain conditions, particularly of the neck, and low back, from people standing with vacuum cleaner wands extended above their heads sucking bugs off the ceilings!

As we extend our necks to look at the ceiling, we are performing an activity that we are not in condition to do. Consequently, the paraspinal muscles, which run from the base of the skull down along the spine all the way to the low back can become irritated from lactic acid production, weakened from overactivity, and the vertebra can become subluxated from imbalance and compensation. The treatment for this type of injury is simple and non-invasive. We work with the soft tissue of the paraspinal muscles to get the lactic acid out and adjust the cervical vertebra to re-align the segments. This type of care generally only requires one or two visits.

Hopefully, soon now the beetle’s will beat it for the fields, and we will be free of them until fall!

Next week - Building Update

Week One Hundred Seventy

Today is Holy Thursday April 8, 2004. This is a building update, as Peggy and I are constantly being asked, "when is your new building going to be ready?" The game plan as of now is to get the brick finished on the exterior, then the drain spouts have to go on, then the parking lot has to be torn up, then new sidewalks, gutter, retaining wall, and pavement have to be built. The time frame on that is around the 15th of May. That of course is if all goes well. We are still at the mercy of the weather when it comes to the exterior work.

People are also asking, “which floor the office is going to be on?” The answer is that we are going to be on the top floor which is level 3. And yes, there is an elevator for those of you who do not wish to, or are unable to walk up our beautiful ceramic tile stairway. Currently the finishing work is being done on the top floor, the stairwells and elevator are being completed and brought up to code so that they can be inspected and declared safe for occupancy.

Another question that we are asked is, "what are you going to have on the other two floors?" Up until Tuesday, April 6, we had been holding both lower levels open for the Wild River YMCA. However, at their board meeting on Tuesday, they had to abandon their plan for leasing my building as they simply do not have enough membership to justify entering into a lease agreement at this time. It is understandable since the Wild River YMCA is less than a year old here in Osceola. It really would have been nice for the community, my new clinic, “Foundations In Health,” and the YMCA to have been located on Main Street. There were a number of businesses that had approached us asking for space, so now I will be going back and contacting them to see who is interested in leasing from us.

Although there is a lot of work left to be done, there's no question as to who has been in charge of this project. The Lord is pulling the wagon, and we're just along for the ride! I wonder what He has in store for us next?

Next week-- sticks and stones.

Week One Hundred Seventy Three

Aunt Lizzy used to call me her little,“stick tight.” However, I can still remember the day I walked into the kitchen carrying the head of a beautiful, fragrant peonies. I brought it in for her, but she was less than impressed with the fact that I had picked it off of the plant minus the stem and without her permission. Aunt Lizzy was my grandma Annie’s sister. She did the cooking and the gardening, while grandma liked to be out driving tractor. She had bed after bed of gorgeous flowers.

When it comes to gardening, the biomechanics of low back strain /sprain injuries apply; just as if you were working in a factory. Using a tiller is great if the soil isn’t too hard, otherwise your shoulders, arms, and neck can take a beating. Use a long handled spade to avoid having to bend over so far with each shovel full. When weeding, use a kneeler pad or scrap of carpet so you can get down to “their” level, thus avoiding long periods of time with your back bent over.

Just like preparing for an athletic event, you would be well served to do five to ten minutes of stretching exercises prior to hitting the flower bed. This particularly applies to stretching out the calf muscles, hamstrings, and lumbo-sacral muscles. A few minutes before the work should save you from hours or days of muscle aches and pains.

If you find that gardening causes you to have frequent, “ charlie horses,” you may well be in need of getting your calcium/magnesium ratio improved. Also, you would be well served be drinking more water.

Next week—my first form of spinal traction.