We recently had this call from a prospective new patient…  

After looking at our online presence via Dex and our website, she decided that we were a good clinic from which to get some chiropractic care.  She had also read a sample of the many testimonials given by our patients, knew that we were what she was looking for, and gave us a call.  After getting a few of her additional questions answered and being filled in regarding insurance and payment for services, she booked her first visit with us.

During that conversation, she admitted that her husband was discouraging her from seeing us for her care due to the fact that we “work from home”.  She related to him all the positive points she had learned about us and dismissed his warning about using a chiropractor that “worked from home”.

I bring all this up about her husband’s opinion and hesitancy because to us, the chiropractors who “work from home”, we are totally trustworthy and, working from home is not only a huge benefit to us, it’s also beneficial to our patients!  Here are the major points:

a. We are able to offer very flexible and extended hours for care to our patients because our “commute” to the office is so short.

b. Our overhead is so low that we have no pressure to either lower our overhead nor increase our profits at our patient’s expense.  While most offices are paying $2000 to $4000 per month for office rental space, our office maintenance costs are a small fraction of that.  And though we would never consider “hard-selling” anyone, even if we had a larger overhead, we have no need to do that to cover our overhead.  Our guiding rule is, “Never treat anyone any differently than we would want to be treated”.

c. We have built the lower, walk-out level of our home into a professional clinic space.  It is not doing double-duty as a family rec-room or some other personal space.  It feels very professional, and our patients have often commented on it being that way, as well as clean, light, and comfortable to be in.

d. We offer our patients an unprecedented amount of time to address their concerns and treat those areas with skill and thoroughness.  Without pressure to be super-efficient, we allow time to address not only areas of prime concern but also secondary, potential contributors to the imbalances which have caused the problem at hand.  This offers not only a shorter healing time but also fewer treatments to schedule into your busy life.

e. We prefer and can operate on a low-volume patient flow because it’s better for the patient and better for the doctor.  High-volume clinics can often feel like cattle moving through the processing system.  It’s stressful for everyone, including the staff, and a patient’s needs are more likely to fall through the cracks than with a smaller patient load.  Maximizing profit is likely the overriding goal of a higher volume model.

   Levin and Chellen Chiropractic reception desk

There you have it!  If you prefer the more businessy model with the corporate look of “success”, that’s fine.  If you would please consider our words above, though, you may see that there is some sense in keeping some things simple with a deep value for service first and a mind to provide what truly matters in health care. If you need more convincing, take a look at the testimonials graciously provided by our many highly satisfied patients throughout the 20 plus years of our care for our community: TESTIMONIALS

Have you taken the time to assess your desk/ office work area for ergonomic correctness? That is, does your workstation/ desk area feel comfortable and provide you with the ability to spend many hours per day on task without feeling like you’re getting old or injured because of being there? The video provided here (by SAIF Corporation) is one of the best I have ever seen. It will take only 12 minutes to watch and provide you with ideas which could add years of comfort to your life! Be sure to pass it on to co-workers and even to your HR or safety team.

Good stuff to know! Why? Just pulling a tick off may squeeze its inners into your inners, injecting you with possible bacteria and other organisms within the tick.

Please pass this information on to friends and family.  It may save a life or at least a lot of potential illness.

You HAVE to learn this tick removal trick before you go camping

Disclaimer

Thank you for visiting the Levin and Chellen Chiropractic web page. Please note that the information located on our site is not intended to provide specific chiropractic advice. You should consult with a chiropractic doctor and not rely on any information contained herein regarding your specific condition. We welcome the receipt of electronic mail though not for making appointments, soliciting and sales, or inquiries which need immediate response. Please be advised, however, that the act of sending electronic mail to this office or to Dr. Sharon Levin, DC or Dr. Nels Chellen, DC does not alone create a physician-patient relationship. We will neither accept requests for chiropractic advice or treatment nor offer specific chiropractic advice over the internet. The information here is presented for general information purposes only and is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice.

Should anyone share his or her personal health information with us via internet, telephone, or in writing, we will respect their right to confidentiality and abide by federal guidelines set forth according to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Therefore we present to you our Notice of Privacy Practices. This document is available to you through a link on the Resources page of this web site.

Stretching and the use of heat and ice are  excellent therapeutic devices, used properly!  Used improperly, however, they put you at risk for greater injury and a delay in the healing process you are seeking.  Get to know these principles AND apply them.

These exercises should only be performed after evaluation by a qualified professional and under their instruction. Failure to properly ascertain the reasons for certain injuries or the causes of pain may lead to further injury if these exercises are performed.

Should you experience pain or discomfort while doing an exercise, stop immediately. Follow only the exercises that your doctor has recommended to avoid the potential of further injury.

1. Do not try to be flexible.  Just learn to stretch properly and flexibility will come with time.  Flexibility is only one of the many benefits of stretching.

2. Don’t stretch too far, especially in the beginning.  Get a slight stretch and increase it after you feel yourself relax.

3. Breathe slowly, deeply, and naturally.  Exhale as you bend forward.  Do not stretch to a point where you cannot breathe normally.

4. Do not bounce.  Bouncing tightens the very muscles you are trying to stretch.  Stretch and hold most stretches for two to five seconds, adding time as you relax.

5. Do as many repetitions as you have time for and considering how much a muscle will be used in the activity you are preparing it for.  Also, old injuries  to a muscle may require extra attention.

6. Think about the area being stretched as you stretch it.  Feel the stretch.  If the tension becomes greater as you stretch, you are over-stretching.    Ease off into a more comfortable position.

7. Muscles work in opposing pairs.  As a muscle is contracted it automatically relaxes the muscle which moves the body in the opposite direction.  So, contracting your hamstring muscles while you stretch your quadriceps,  for example, may help you to get a better stretch.

8. Be sure to stretch both sides of the body.

9. Stretching should feel good, not hurt.

10. Never stretch a muscle you have just iced down.  Allow it to warm for a good hour before stretching it.  You may easily tear a muscle you try to stretch which is cold and tense.

And that’s not all…

OTHER THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:

• We are different every day.  Some days we are a little more tight, other days a little more loose.
• You have control over what you feel by what you do (and don’t do).
• Regularity and relaxation are the most important factors in stretching.  If you start stretching regularly, you will naturally become more fit and active.
• Don’t compare yourself with others.  Even if you are tight and inflexible, don’t let this stop you from stretching and improving yourself.
• Proper stretching means stretching within your own limits, relaxed and without comparisons.
• Stretching keeps your body ready for movement.
• Stretch whenever you feel like it.  It will always make you feel good.
• Stretching properly reduces the chances of injury and wear and tear on your joints.
• Stretching properly enhances your strength and athletic performance.

The importance of quality sleep has been getting a lot of coverage in media lately. Among the many factors which contribute to its quality is your mattress.

Given the amount of time we spend on our mattress, its just makes sense to invest wisely in the right mattress- for you.  As clinicians who listen to our patients as they tell us about the many things which are influencing their health and well-being, we get a variety of perspectives on many topics.  When it comes to mattresses, one thing is clear: mattress preference is highly individual.

Did You Know…     “Sleep also supports healthy growth and development. Deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes normal growth in children and teens. This hormone also boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues in children, teens, and adults. Sleep also plays a role in puberty and fertility.”   from the website www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Do you or someone you know self-manipulate (crack, pop, click, “adjust”) your/their own neck? If so, this is very valuable information. Please pass it on to someone you care about that self-manipulates. There have been people who have even torn the vertebral artery in their neck by doing this. That will quickly lead to a stroke. Professionally performed adjustments do not carry this danger.

A Doctor of Chiropractic is very well-trained in manipulation/ adjusting of joints.  Besides a background in basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, neurology, the muscular and skeletal systems, biochemistry, histology, and pathology, a chiropractic student spends many hours in the clinical sciences of physical diagnosis, neuordiagnosis, gerontology, pediatrics, and so on.  Along with these courses, the student has many courses in biomechanics and adjusting techniques.

One of the first rules or axioms learned in chiropractic college is, “It is just as important to know when NOT to adjust as when to adjust!”

A lay person can not know all these things and is very likely to apply non-specific  forces rather than specific forces to the joint. There is also a real possibility of too much force and at an angle which is destructive rather than therapeutic.

The top picture also illustrates that self-manipulation will often affect the “wrong” joint (the already overly mobile joint) which destabilizes it all the more.  Meanwhile, the under-mobile, or stuck joint, remains stuck and contributes to more destabilization because it does not contribute to the overall interdependent joint movements of nearby joints.  These nearby joints have to compensate for the stuck neighboring joint by over-reaching their normal movement, putting stress on the ligaments and other associated joint tissues.  The stuck joint continues to irritate the area and to experience cartilage degradation due to the death of its cartilage cells in the absence of motion which bathes the cells in regenerative nutrients.

No, it is NOT OK to “crack” your own joints.  Get a professional.  See a doctor of chiropractic.  

We would love to help you!  Please call us for a free consultation to see if we may be of help to you.

(952) 474-1777

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascial (connective tissue) support strap which lies on the bottom of our feet.  The damage is from a “pulling away” type stress, most commonly at the attachment to the heel bone (calcaneus).

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition in our society. Our “over-use” of footwear may be the reason for the prevalence.  It’s possible that foot muscle atrophy (weakening) has occurred because shoes are doing the support work for the muscles of the foot which no longer have the ability to create the arch and stability needed to keep the tissues from being  damaged during activity- even normal activities!

Orthotics, while a “life-saver” for those with PF and other foot ailments, may be contributing to the problem by allowing the foot muscles to get away with minimal work.  This seems to be especially true of rigid orthotics which also prevent the foot from going through its normal wave of motion with each step by holding the foot in an unnatural rigidity of its own “foot posture”.  Weaning ourselves off of external supports whenever possible may be the best cure.  This needs to be done gradually and systematically to prevent giving the weakened foot too much too soon.

In addition to these self-care strategies, we have found that chiropractic adjusting of the foot a few times during the “reconstruction” phase adds great benefit to symptom relief and shortening of healing time.

Above all, it is important to consider what is causing the problem!  Obviously, treating symptoms only without addressing the cause is an unending struggle and a waste of effort, time, and money.

Do you need to lose weight?  Do you need to buy new/ better shoes or orthotics?  Do you need to train less?  Train on a different surface?  Do you need to reevaluate your nutritional status?  Is your genetic predisposition (eg. ligamentous integrity) a factor?  Is the activity you are involved in just not a good one for your body type and/or body challenges due to genetics or past health and injury history?

In addition to the above investigation, consider the following self-care activities:

Ice; this is an inflammatory condition, ice is a wonderful anti-inflammatory.  Be sure to follow proper icing procedures and never put stress on a freshly iced part/area.  Let the foot warm up a while before putting your full weight back on it.   Never, ever stretch any body part while it is being iced or if it has been recently iced!  The tissues are not pliable and you can easily tear them, causing further injury.

Anti-inflammatory medications do have their place used short term.  Used long term can lead to: 1) gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. 2) inhibition of your body’s natural anti-inflammatory activity. 3) liver and/or kidney damage. 4) inhibition of your body’s ability to repair itself through building of new tissue.  Better yet, be sure to eat an “anti-inflammatory” diet (https://www.deflame.com/deflaming/diet/) and take anti-inflammatory supplements such as vitamins C and D and omega-3 fish oils.

Ball rolling/stretching of the plantar fascia; use a golf ball or foot-roller device to gently and consistently stretch the bottom of the foot.  Never do this when the foot is freshly iced! (see STRETCHING TIPS)

Strengthen the foot through the use of progressively increasing repetitions and sets of 1. “writing” the alphabet with your big toe, 2. toe-ups, 3. towel/newspaper scrunches, 4. dowel/pencil or marble lifting and moving using your toes.

Here is a video which will explain and show some good exercises.  These exercises are good for all feet, not just those doing “minimalist running”.  If you lack the equipment needed for some, improvise or go with other exercises which are done without those props.

Calf and Achilles tendon stretch (Soleus and gastrocnemius muscles)

• Stand with one foot in front of the other, feet at hip width apart, knees soft and slightly bent, feet flat on floor.
• Gently bend the back knee further down until you feel a stretch along the back of the back leg (soleus muscle.
• Hold for 5 to 15 seconds.
• Straighten the back leg and lean your hips forward until you feel another calf stretch (gastrocnemius).
• (this stretch is also seen in the above video)

1. wash and dry foot

2. apply tape non-weight-bearing, not too snug to a relaxed foot

3. start with a strip across the transverse arch of foot/ across metatarsal heads as an anchor

4. lay a half figure-8 beginning at base of big toe and going down and around the heel, back to base of big toe

5. lay a half figure-8 beginning at base of little toe and going down and around the heel, back to base of little toe

6. lay another strip across the transverse arch and proceed down in 1/4 inch overlaps, shingle style, to lay successive transverse strips toward the heel.

7. you may keep this on your foot as long as a week if you can stand the smell!  Otherwise, reapply every few days. You must keep your foot taped for at least a week (but no longer than 2 weeks) for the healing process to be complete enough.

NOTE: you may want to shower with a plastic bag on your foot secured with a rubber band.

(if this seems too complicated, try an internet search for “plantar fasciitis taping” for some good pictures and possibly a video instruction on how to do it)

Tips for safe and successful use of the net pot for sinus irrigation

• The article below does not mention that you should always use kosher (non-iodized) salt (1/2 teaspoon per cup of water).   USE NON-IODIZED salt! It will not sting like iodized salt can. Do not use sea salt! It is full of other stuff you do not want in your sinuses. You can also buy prepackaged neti salt at some stores like Lakewinds Natural Foods Co-op, Walgreens, CVS;usually any place selling the pots.

• Your water should not be tap water due to chlorine content and possible micro-organisms; use distilled, bottled, well-filtered, or boiled water.  

• Body or bath temperature water is recommended. When your sinuses are really inflamed this may be too warm and a cooler water temperature would be better to calm and de-flame your sinus tissues.

• Never microwave in plastic! It can release carcinogens and other toxins into the contents of the vessel. Warm your water in a glass jar or on the stove in a pan. I use a 3 cup glass jar to warm and mix up 3 cups at a time as it often takes that much to get a good sinus rinse.  

• Plastic neti pots are nice for travel, and are unbreakable.  

• Rather than let your nose drain over the sink, and possibly splash around the counter, consider having a catch basin like an old Tupperware container to catch the used water as it exits.

• Sometimes my sinuses are so plugged up I can not get any water to flow through them and I have to lay on my back for a few minutes and wait for a clearing to occur, then I rise and attempt it again.

• Be sure to keep your neti pot clean and dry between uses. You should check for residue and mold with a peek inside the pot before each use.

Internet Resources

• “Nasal Saline Irrigation and Neti Pots”: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-11/neti-pots

• Next, here is a video demonstration so you can see it being done. VIDEO:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDSlUuAOnN0

See? The person is NOT drowning. Neither will you. Do not inhale or you will feel like you are drowning.

Good luck and better breathing!

For many other useful articles, links, and videos featuring tips for healthful living, visit:

https://sites.google.com/site/informationchiropractic/home

Live Long and Prosper

Consumer Alert: “Fosamax is a drug that is designed to prevent osteoporosis. Serious side effects can include permanent jaw bone damage and crippling bone fractures. (what the manufacturer, Merck, does not want you to know).

Click Here to read original article: Bone Building Drugs