Looking for the Master Plan

My passion, professionally that is, is helping people maintain and improve their health. Chiropractic care is the first line of treatment I use, obviously. It's what I've spent my career doing and it's the best way I know to get and stay healthy. But, there is more to being healthy than structural therapy.

Like I wrote about in an earlier blog post, us Chiropractors look at the "Triad of Health" a.k.a the Body-Mind-Chemical balance theory.

In this is a three part theory, Chiropractic adjustments handle the "body" piece, and other practitioners are typically taking care of the "mind" piece. But what about the "chemical"/nutrition piece? That's a huge part of health, obviously. And it became more evident through the years to me and my partner (Dr. David Monson), that this was worth exploring more in depth.

Why, you ask? Well, first of all, to improve the results we were getting with patients pain symptoms in general. So, we started the journey to learn more about nutrition therapy. I have to say, it's been a long and bumpy ride. Last year I added up the hours we've taken over the last 20 years and it was right around 1000 for each of us. Considering that a weekend seminar has 8-12 hours of training....that's a lot of weekends!

Taking seminars is work, but it can be so interesting. To me, the harder part is figuring out how to fit the knowledge into what you already know. And... how to implement it into your practice. I've taken enough seminars to know that when the brochure states "you'll be able to start using this on Monday morning." Well, that's wishful thinking at best. But still the quest continues... even for one more seminar or system that will make sense of all you've learned to date.

Sometimes, the one piece you're looking for is there all the time, but you may not have been ready to explore it. I believe that in my case, I have figured out what that is for me. See, the last year or so, I've been using Hair Analysis testing. Not that it tells all, but because it sets up a plan to follow, its a great place to start. And at certain intervals the test is repeated, maybe several more times too, until you reach a point of "homeostasis." That's a kind of fancy way of saying balance, but it has more to do with bodily systems and function.

One big reason I find this type of testing so useful for my baseline nutrition work is that it helps me set up a plan. In health care talk, we call this a "treatment plan." It's so easy to get caught up in patients changing symptom patterns that you overlook the core issues.

Hair Mineral Analysis works on the theory that the vast majority of people on this stressful polluted planet we live on have toxic overload of heavy metals which impede the healthy uptake of nutrient minerals and vitamins leading to poor glandular health. Glands, meaning thyroid and adrenal mainly, but not exclusively. So that's why the repeat testing, because you need to get rid of the bad/toxic/heavy metals first.....OR maybe you have to replenish as best you can the glands first if the persons adrenal glands are really tanked.

No the word tanked isn't a medical term, but I think you get the picture.

Anyway, I've been using this work for about 1.5 years and all results have been positive. It's a process, like all journeys to health, but the results are encouraging. And the latest case (I really don't like to think of my patients as "cases," they're people!) is particularly exciting. And I did get an okay to mention this individual's case in my blog. (I do respect my patients privacy!)

This individual has been struggling with high-stress situations for the last few years (was out of work, etc.) Even though he takes care of his health pretty well, the stress had taken a toll with sleep issues, mind-racing, and he was unable to relax. It was all really starting to affect his ability to perform at a new high-stress job, one with lots of overtime. When we reviewed his results, it revealed exhausted adrenal glands, blood sugar issues and plenty of other baddies. With the report and chart right there for him to see, we could map out a plan. First things first, we started him on new vitamins. The very next day I got a phone call from him saying that he already noticed a big change in his symptoms.

Over the next week other positive results started to appear. And this is the way it's been for pretty much everyone, myself and Dr. Dave included. Oh, there's ups and downs, but that's to be expected.

I don't really have a nifty wrap-up here.  Just that this is the most useful functional tool I've found to start patients on that are looking for a nutritional advice and want to get on a system. Because systems are what make the most sense. Otherwise, you're just symptom-chasing--Oh, you can't sleep--let's try this, etc... That is just a time waster. And I don't want to waste anyone's time, including my own.

Organic or Conventionally Grown Food: Is There A Difference?

I don't know if you heard about the recent Stanford University study which compared vitamin and mineral levels in organically grown versus conventional foodstuffs.

Here's the jist:

Produce, dairy and meat were analyzed and compared and they found that there was very little difference between conventional and organically grown items.

It's not hard to believe that not much difference was found, actually, because in most croplands in the United States, the topsoil has been severely degraded over the last 50-100 years. I'd much rather see differences between long-standing organic farmland such as the rice-growers "Lundberg Farms" in California and a box of instant rice from the shelf. With that, there's so much more at stake than vitamin/mineral status.

I've eaten organic products since picking up tiny, spotted apples in a Nutrition World at Har-Mar Mall in Roseville... that's Roseville, Minnesota, not California. This was way before the USDA standards were imposed in 2002. Matter of fact, America's oldest certification program, Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (I love the acronym, MOGFA), was formed in 1971.

I think it's important to point out what national standards regulate. The following are prohibited in organic products: artificial colors, flavors and preservatives; added growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, insecticides, sewage sludge (do you remember the fight over that? the good guys won), radiation and genetically modified foods (GMO's).

Sounds like stuff you don't want in your kitchen, on your table, or in your mouth, right? So before I give you my opinion on the findings, I just want to point out that even if the thought of eating this stuff doesn't bother you, just having less of a toxic load in the environment they're produced in is better in general. Be kind to Mother Nature. As one of my patients put it recently, "It's better for the earth, too!"

But back to the study. It was a "meta-analysis," which means that the results of a bunch of papers were added up. One of my issues with the study was pointed out by the "Organic Consumers Association," an advocacy group based in Finland, Minnesota. They discovered that there were papers included in the study which pre-dated the onset of the USDA standards formulated in 2002. This harms the credibility of the data, obviously. If there are no standards in place, there's no way to compare products.

I would not stake my decision of whether or not to eat organic foods on this study's findings. The chemical residues and hormones in conventional products and the integrity of the farmland which is being threatened by the use of GMO crops is a much more important issue to base a decision. Where is that study, eh?

Well, it's time to go make dinner: Organic rice with tofu, homemade pesto with homegrown basil, yummy stuff. Must have some veggies in the fridge to throw in there...

What Does A Balanced Lifestyle Mean To You?

 What's the big deal about balance and what does a balanced lifestyle mean to you? 

It varies from person to person. And within each persons life, too. Let's start by looking at what the word actually means.

I looked it up. Along with weights and measures, there's this:

Balance = A means of judging or deciding

I liked that. What it tells me is that achieving some balance isn't impossible, and that it depends largely on the decisions we make regarding exercise, diet, and other things that are in control. We truly have the ability to change one of these parts, or components, if something isn't working.

Oh, yes, components.

Chiropractors have been talking about the components of a healthy (balanced!) lifestyle for around 100 years. We call it the "Triad of Health."

We break it down into the following three parts.

1) Structural - physical components, such as the spinal column, joints (This is the Body)
2) Emotional - or Spiritual (This is the Mind|)
3) Chemical - or Nutrition

That covers it, if you think about it. And they're all interconnected. If one is ailing, the effects will show up in the other two.

So, when I'm evaluating a patient, whether it's their first visit or fiftieth, or just listening to their concerns, I keep all of those in mind.

Because you have to keep it in balance.

Is There a 'CURE' In The House?

Cure... is a word I truly dislike. To me, it's one of those four-letter words.

I don't use this word in my professional life, or private life, for that matter. I have to be honest: I'm actually not allowed to use that word professionally because my "scope of practice" in Minnesota, where I'm licensed, says I can't. As a matter of fact, only health care practitioners who are overseen by the state Medical Board can use the word in reference to their work - folks like M.D.'s, D.D.S.'s and D.O.'s.

That's okay with me, though. Because I'm allowed to say other things.

I can say that my therapy helps alleviate pain; assists the body's return to health from various conditions and injuries; helps restore normal function to the nervous system and helps restore normal motion to the spine and other joints in the body.

Research over many decades has shown Chiropractic therapy and adjusting can do that and so much more. Those are pretty great others in my opinion. And it's so gratifying to see it work!

So... back to that word I dislike: cure. Why do i dislike it so much? It gives all the power to the practitioner. I, like many Chiropractors, prefer this six-letter word: innate.

According to Merriam-Webster, here's the definition:

Innate: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth.

Chiropractors use innate like this: "You body has an innate ability to heal itself."

Wow! Who has the power now?!

This doesn't mean if you break you leg or they have a nasty disease I'm the doc to see. But for many conditions including pain, inflammation and loss of normal bio-mechanical function, Chiropractic care can help immensely.

And because I'm trusting the innate to finish the job I start, I'm showing my respect for this wondrous creation we use to navigate this world, our physical bodies.

To your health!
http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com

Dr. Dave's 1st Blog Post: Ergonomics and You

Hi, I’m Dr. Dave. As the “other half” of Boulevard Natural Healing Arts (Dr. Jeanne being the other!), I’ll be popping up this blog from time to time to offer up thoughts on my areas of expertise. 

Today's topic: Ergonomics! 

Almost everything I needed to know about ergonomics I learned from my piano teacher in the 4th grade. 

For those of you that didn’t take piano lessons, the basics are sitting up straight, not looking down at your hands, and keeping your wrists straight or “floating” over the keys.  

The funny thing is... typing at a computer and playing the piano are almost the exact same motion.  Now, this formerly free advice has turned into the big business of ergonomics. Who knew my piano teacher was so ahead of her time?

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is a fancy name for how your body moves and supports itself with the use of muscles, ligaments and bones in relation to mechanical supports and tools.  (I.e.: sitting at a computer.)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are most likely sitting at your computer incorrectly right now. This is by no fault of your own - most people don't even know that they are, or... that sitting at a computer incorrectly can put you at risk for health problems, including fatigue, body discomfort, headaches and emotional stress.  

So just adjust the way you sit at your desk and get no more midday headaches?

Yes -  if you know what you're doing. There are actually several other issues that have to be addressed to make a completely ergonomically friendly workstation.

As an Ergonomics expert, I've gone into many local businesses throughout the Twin Cities to set up work stations using SittingSafe® standards. That's step one.

The second step is showing employees the proper way to sit at computer stations to alleviate aches and paints and help prevent new problems stemming from poor posture.

The bottom line is this: You need allow your body to sit (or stand) correctly with the least amount of stress and then move the equipment to support and fit you, rather than forcing your body to adapt to the equipment.

It's time to get these tools to work for you.  You are allowed to move office equipment to fit your own physical size and shape, and if something doesn’t fit, see if you can replace it.   

For example: a mouse.   

There are a multitude of mouse sizes and shapes available - so change them up to prevent repetitive stress injuries. I usually recommend having 2 or 3 different ones to switch around if my hand gets tired. Like a carpenter has several different sizes of hammers, you can have a different mice (or is it mouses??)

So, if you find yourself slouching in your chair, hunching forward to see the monitor, or anchoring your wrists down on the desk when keying, not only would you be a pretty bad a piano player, you are putting unnecessary stress on your body and working much harder than you need to be at your computer.   

If you'd like more information about how I can help you or your business, let me know!

Yours in health, 

Dr. Dave

http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com 

Office: 612.259.7323

Licensed vs. Certified: Theres a BIG difference

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Did you know...

There’s a difference between being "Licensed" and being "Certified"?

I know, I know… I’m sure it's not a question you've been burning to see addressed in this blog, or anywhere else. However, I will occasionally see a doctor advertise him/herself as a "Certified Doctor of Chiropractic" or a "Certified Chiropractic Doctor."

The fact is, being “certified” means very little. I myself, along with my partner in life and business, Dr. David Monson, both have probably a dozen certifications between us. And although we learned very useful information earning them, as far as what we can or cannot do to assist people trying to maintain their health, or reduce musculoskeletal pain syndromes, it doesn't legally mean anything.

All that being said, certification isn't useless. It typically means that you've been to a weekend or series of weekend seminars, often passing a test at the end and have new services to offer patients. Some certifications are quite rigorous, and some require yearly classes to keep current. But what you really need to make sure of is that your doctor is licensed.

Licensure involves a weekend long test to become an official Doctor of Chiropractic – where – after 4 years of intense schooling, you get to put a little D.C. after your last name and start helping patients. Pretty cool, right?

The test is HARD. Plenty of it is hands on – you have to prove that you know all aspects of handling patients: from taking a history, through a physical examination, making a diagnosis, x-ray analytical skills, spinal adjusting, physical therapy questions… you get the idea.

Chiropractic licensing started with Kansas and North Dakota in 1913 and ended with Louisiana in 1974. And in my home state of Minnesota there was an attempt as early as 1905! (We’re so ahead of the curve!) By the mid 1920's, two dozen states had licensure and 43 by the end of WW2. It’s now available in all 50 states of the US, but it’s also interesting to note that each state has it's own "Scope of Practice." Kansas has probably the most lenient scope, and they can even call themselves Chiropractic Physicians. Not so in Minnesota. We are officially called Doctors of Chiropractic.

You can check out information on each states "Board of Chiropractic Examiners" website. Not too difficult to understand, even for this non-lawyer!

So, the moral of this story is that when choosing a health care provider, you should know the difference between Certified and Licensed, and if your doc is certified but not licensed – then he is or she isn’t a doctor!

Make sure you tune in next week - Dr. David is going to write a post about ergonomics and how it affects you.

Yours in health,

Dr. Jeanne Masanz, DC

http://northwestminneapolischiropractor.com 

Office: 612.259.7323

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Welcome to our Blog!

Greetings!

Welcome to the new blog of Boulevard Natural Healing Arts.

I hope you enjoy my take on timely health issues. I will attempt to be educational, informative and interesting. And, I'll even throw in some humor now and then. Being a doctor, sitting in my office, looking over patient files, worrying about how they're doing... I need to do something different! I need some extra fun!

As a Chiropractor, you can imagine I treat a lot of people with pain in one or many joints: neck, back wrist, knee, hip... the list goes on and on. That's very rewarding, as the results are usually reasonably quick and the next time someone needs my help, they just call me up and say, "Fix me doc!"

The more challenging cases are when the care of a patient involves lifestyle changes. That's why I feel this blog will be a great resource, because I can reach more people and share my expertise in hopes that the people reading this will gain knowledge for themselves to live healthier lives. (FYI: I won't give any advice other than the most general recommendations, as there is no doctor-patient relationship present. Thought I should get that out of the way. :)

I should warn you that I have been practicing as a licensed Chiropractor for 21+ years. I say that tongue-in-cheek because as a group, Chiropractors are  kind of "different." We all have an individual way of doing things, but we all practice what is called "alternative health care" in some form or another.

And so it begins!

In Good Health,

Dr. Jeanne