Do I Have to Come Forever?

One of the misconceptions of chiropractic care, is that once you start with chiropractic, you have to keep going for the rest of your life. Of course you don't have to, and many of my patients don't. They come in when they are in pain and I don't see them again until the pain returns.

You don't have to keep coming in for chiropractic care forever.....But what if you took the same attitude to other beneficial habits most of us take for granted....

You don't have to brush your teeth every day....You don't have to change the oil in your car every 3month/3000 miles.....You don't have to exercise after you lost the weight...You don't have to get a haircut anymore.....You don't have to change the batteries in your smoke detector...

Do you see a pattern?

Can you imagine the scene in a mechanic's shop:
Mechanic: Your oil change is done, you'll need to come back in 3 months and do it again.
Car Owner: But you just changed it, and my car runs fine now. How 'bout I call you if anything goes wrong.

Do you take better care of your car than you do of your body?

Think of chiropractic care as a healthy habit, an oil change and tune-up for your body. Of course if you are injured or in pain, we can help you. But the best way to utilize chiropractic is as preventive care.

Remember the old Framm Oil Filter commercial..."You can pay me now, or you can pay me later."

It's always more expensive and time consuming to "pay me later."

Love to hear your comments. Please, just let me know you stopped by and read the post.
Thank you!

Day In The Life Of a Roller Derby Doc

I am fortunate to have the privilege of working with two Women's Flat Track Roller Derby Teams. The Fox Cityz Foxz http://www.foxcityzfoxz.com/ and the Paper Valley Roller Girls http://www.papervalleyrollergirls.com/

I get to attend each teams practice once a week and provide chiropractic adjustments, injury care, training advice and get to watch these great skaters up close and personal. Most of these "ladies" practice 3 times a week on skates, as well as, some off skate workouts. They take this sport very seriously. Even the scrimmages that take place in practice can get very spirited.

But the real fun is "Bout Night!"

I definitely get one of the best seats in the house for derby matches. Right next to the team bench, track side. I will adjust some of the skaters before the match, some at half time and the rest after the match. Sometimes I have to adjust the same skater more than once. They take a real beating sometimes and I can't imagine how sore they would be without the adjustment.

The Foxz consist of 3 club teams that skate against each other. Rivalries are starting to form as bragging rights are up for grab each month. The PV Roller Girls are a traveling team, taking on talent from throughout North America. Last weekend, the PVRG hosted a team from Toronto, CN Power. this team was an all-star team from the largest derby club in North America. If you missed this bout, you missed one heck of a show as the underdog, home team came away with a 9 point victory.

I've had the opportunity to work with several sports clubs, and Roller Derby is much like Rugby as far as sportsmanship is concerned. The host team provides food and parties with the guest team that night. Everyone has a great time, sharing stories and tactics. I even adjusted about 10 of the Toronto skaters after the match. They seemed very appreciative.

Both groups are very entertaining and if you want to see some Hard Hitting derby Action, visit the web sites above and get your tickets early as both clubs usually sell out quickly.

Love to hear your comments or questions, leave a note!

Ice, Snow and Cold

This has been a pretty tough winter so far, and it is just starting. In some ways this has been bad, and in other ways has been very good.

First the bad, due to the cold, many of my elderly patients have not been able to come in as regularly as they would like to. But when it gets warmer, they will definitely will be in.

For the good, with the snow and ice I have seen a lot more auto accident cases, slips on the ice and low back strains from shoveling snow. I say this good, not for selfish-profit reasons, but because the people I have seen are getting the help they need. With the chiropractic care they are getting, they are getting stronger, improving their flexibility, and boosting their immune systems.

I have seen more people in the last two weeks who had never been to a chiropractor before. And without the injuries, due to the weather, they otherwise may have never thought of seeing one. Now these people are experiencing the wonder "Life" benefits of chiropractic care. Decreased pain, increased range of motion, improved strength, and enhanced immune system function.

While I am truly sorry that these people had to suffer an injury to begin the path of better health, I feel more sorry for those who are injured and have not decided to try chiropractic.

If you know of someone who has fallen, hurt themselves shoveling, sledding, skiing or been in an auto or snowmobile accident; have them give me or their local chiropractor a call. For information please visit our web site at http://www.newcaredoc.com

I encourage your comments. Be sure to let me know what you want to read or share your stories.

Titanic

In my treatment rooms, I have a white board that has little sayings or phrases designed to stimulate conversation. This week, "Titanic" is the word on the board. What does the Titanic have to do with health care?

The question is, What sank the Titanic? Most normal people answer correctly with it hit an iceberg. But I have received some unusual responses this week, including a "Big Hole in the boat" and my favorite from an engineer, "It failed to weigh less than the water it displaced." While those answers are technically correct, the iceberg response is what I am looking for.

As far as the iceberg is concerned, which part sank the Titanic; the part you could see, or the part under water you couldn't see? Of course the answer is the hidden part under the water. Which like most health conditions, it is the part you don't see (no symptom) that sinks you.

Diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and others, do not have obviious symptoms, but can be very deadly. So be sure to get regular check-ups and do everything you can to stay healthy. Regular chiropractic adjustments, getting plenty of rest, exercise and good nutrition are vital to good health.

Enjoy the new year and have a healthy 2009.

The Wrestling Injury That Changed My Life

I was quite an active athlete in high school (still am), ten letters in three sports. One of the sports I participated in was wrestling. My high school had a very strong wrestling program and benefited from great alumni support. Former wrestlers would actually come to our practices and work out with the current team. Being a heavyweight, I got to practice against all these alumni. Some included former state champions, Pan-Am Games medalist and other great wrestlers. These guys would "tag-team" me every practice. Getting your butt kicked every day really made a difference at match time.

My Junior year, we had a lot of alumi come to practices. During one of our take-down drills, I landed on the left side of my neck and shoulder. I felt an immediate "electric" shock go from my neck all the way down to my left hand and thumb. I had no strength and could not move or feel my arm. The feeling that did come back was an intense burning sensation. My coach suggested I see a chiropractor for this. I had never been to one before, but I remember my younger brother had seen the "Firecracker" for a neck injury from pulling off a ski mask.

The injury happend on a Tuesday, and I was able to see the chiropractor on Wednesday. I received an examination, x-rays were taken, and the doctor rubbed some "smelly" ointment on my neck, shoulder and upper back. He adjusted my neck, back, hand, elbow and shoulder. I felt immediate relief. I could move my arm, the numbness and tingling was almost gone. The only thing that remained was the tingling in the tip of my left thumb. I saw him again on Friday and the thumb tingling was gone.

Now that weekend, we were to wrestle in the Valley City Tournament. I had a slow start to the year, barely over .500 and was not expected to do very well in this tournament. Going in unseeded, I pinned my first opponent (first seed) and my second opponent to move to the finals. After leading 6-2 in the finals, I made a mistake and got turned and was pinned. My coach, team and I were surprised and excited at the turn around I had.

It was at this point, knowing I wanted to get into a health care field, that I decided to become a doctor of chiropractic. It had helped me and now I get the chance to help a lot of other people.