Monday, December 19, 2011

“Where Do You REALLY Live?”


What do you use to see with? If you said your eyes… you're wrong. How about hearing? If you said ears… wrong again! You don't see or hear with your eyes or ears. Those are just end organs for collecting light and sound waves. To actually see and hear you have to interpret those waves with your nerves and brain (Nerve System) first.


In reality, you LIVE in your Nerve System. EVERYTHING you experience in life is processed through it… what you see, what you hear, what you feel. That's why Chiropractors care so much about it keeping it healthy. If your Nerve System is stressed, there goes your ability to interpret your world, and there goes your ability to successfully navigate life.

Regular adjustments keep your Nerve System clear so you can respond to life's challenges in a positive way. If you're feeling a little foggy, or just disconnected from the world, maybe it's time for some Nerve System house cleaning. Give your Chiropractor a call today and get reconnected to Life.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, December 12, 2011

“The Most Important Life Line of them All…”




Fortune tellers read the life line in the palm of a client's hand. Cardiologists interpret the blipping life lines of a patient's EKG. But Chiropractors dedicate their work to the most important life line of them all… the spinal cord and its protective covering, the spine.

The spine itself is an engineering marvel. Made up of articulating bones called vertebrae, each segment lines up perfectly with the next to provide both support to your body and protection to the spinal cord. It's this critical relationship between spinal alignment and the flow of Life through the spinal cord that Chiropractors are devoted to. Distort the alignment of the spine and you distort the flow of Life through the cord. Distort the flow of Life through the cord and you distort the expression of health in your body.

For a Chiropractor, smooth lateral curves and plumb postures are more than just simple diagnostic findings. They’re the validation that Life itself is flowing freely through the patient like a river. And as long as Life courses through the line, healing is sure to follow.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, December 5, 2011

Clark Needs a Good Adjustment!


It's a classic holiday movie scene. Clark Griswold stands with bated breath and extension cords in hand as a childlike giddiness overtakes him. The family drum roll commences, he makes the much anticipated electrical connection and VOILA… nothing happens.


Clark has a power problem. Although the extension cords are all connected and each individual Christmas light has been inspected with precision, he's still not connected to the source. It isn't until his wife 'adjusts' an obscure switch in the garage, and turns the main POWER back on that the light show begins. She'd actually make a good Chiropractor!

If your wiring (nerve system) is connected and your body parts have all been dutifully inspected by the best doctor in the world, you still won't function to your potential if you're not connected 100% to your source… the Life creating power that flows from above, down, inside, out. Make sure you and your family stay connected to it with regular Chiropractic care during this bustling holiday season. You glow brighter when your power switch is on.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather L Giesen

Monday, November 28, 2011

Chiropractic Fires Up Your LIFE!

A chain reaction occurs when a small event ignites a reaction nearby, setting off another reaction, then another, until it produces an ultimate result. Getting your health back with Chiropractic care happens in a similar way.




Chiropractors start the process with a small event called an Adjustment. Spinal adjustments restore a state of Ease in your nerve system which ignites Healing. Over Time your body's internal Functions light up and you experience Benefits like stronger immunity, deeper sleep, greater physical performance and a confident sense of well being. The ultimate thing that lights up is your LIFE.

The goal of Chiropractic is to ignite Life within you so you can regain your health, fulfill your purpose and bring more joy to those around you. Staying 'lit up' with regular Chiropractic care is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and those you love the most.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, November 21, 2011

Harvard Agrees With Chiropractic


At first glance you'd think a Chiropractor was responsible for these words. But they were actually written by a Harvard medical school instructor in the late 1800's. While this belief is trivialized by the medical and pharmaceutical community today, it remains the core foundation of the practice of Chiropractic.


Chiropractors humbly acknowledge that "the ONLY thing that can heal the body is the Power that created it." The wisdom Dr. Cabot refers to in his quote is called Innate Intelligence by Chiropractors. It is the genius of Life that animates our cells, tissues and organs. It is the coordinating force that maintains our body's intricate chemical balance. It silently and knowingly orchestrates all steps involved in the healing process from mending a broken bone to putting cancer in remission. It is in favor of you living, rather than you dying.

The most important job of a Chiropractor is to teach you about this great force and keep you connected to it. If you want to meet the REAL doctor responsible for healing you, take a look in the mirror. It’s the one staring right back at you.

'Watching Your Back'

Heather Giesen, D.C.

Monday, November 14, 2011

“Pharmaceutical False Start”



Spike a fever – run for some Tylenol. Get an ear infection – dash for an antibiotic. Big Pharma wants us to race for a drug every time a symptom or illness challenges us. But is it better to let your body run its own race without interference from the drug companies?


Research reported in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology found evidence that elevated body temperature helps immune cells work harder to fight colds and the flu – so much for lowering fevers with Tylenol. Still yet another study from the journal Pediatrics reports doctors write over 10 million UNNECESSARY prescriptions for antibiotics every year, dangerously raising the risk of antibiotic resistant infections for society as a whole.

Chiropractor's acknowledge that symptoms are your body's attempt to save itself… not the start of a 100 yard dash to CVS. Current best practice is to wait for natural responses like fever and inflammation to do their job, instead of 'false starting' with drugs and interfering with what nature knows best. As long as you're in adjustment (clear Nerve System), your body will innately know how to run its own healing race.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

“Clocks and Chiropractic…”


LESS LIGHT! OK, I can hear all the groaning… we're really stretching it this time. But in some way this statement is true. The primary purpose of Chiropractic is to locate and correct subluxations. When you break the word down into it's roots, SUB-LUX-ATION you get this…


"SUB" – means less than, or lower than normal
"LUX" – is latin for LIGHT and
"ATION" – is a state of being, or a condition

The literal definition of subluxation is a state or condition of less LIGHT or power than normal. Subluxations occur when spinal bones mis-align and restrict the normal flow of “light” through the spinal cord and nerves. The effect… your body gets less of the Life energy or “light” it needs from the nerve system to maintain health and vitality.

When Chiropractors locate and correct subluxations, they're removing blockages to the light so it can flow freely through your nerve system, illuminating every cell, tissue and organ in your body. If sub-lux-ations produce darkness in your health, Chiropractic adjustments bring EN-LIGHTEN-MENT.

So don’t let the shorter, darker days get you down. Fall back into a healthy Chiropractic routine and keep your nerve system lit up. Life is brighter when you’re subluxation free.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, October 31, 2011

“Patience: Healing Zone Ahead”

Construction zones are hectic. Traffic congestion, safety cones guarding hazardous areas and heavy equipment buzzing everywhere. It’s amazing anything gets done amid the chaos. But underneath that chaos is organization: A team of skilled engineers and contractors carefully working the plan until it reaches completion. It's similar when you heal under Chiropractic care.


Like a construction zone, organic healing with Chiropractic can appear disorganized and chaotic at times. You might see an improvement in unrelated aspects of your health before your chief complaints begins to respond. But like the construction zone, behind the scene is a sophisticated innate wisdom inside you, moving the process forward with a mastery beyond comprehension.

Sometimes care feels like 'stop and go traffic.' But be patient. Amid the chaos, healing is happening – with precision and patience, the job is getting done. You’ve got the right plan (Chiropractic Care) and the best engineer (Innate Intelligence) working for you.

'Watching Your Back"
Dr. Heather Gesen

Monday, October 24, 2011

“It Starts with a Solid Foundation”

A house built on a strong foundation, lasts. The same goes for your health. If you want a healthy body for Life, you need to start with a solid foundation of health care that can support it for a long time.


Chiropractic's foundation is its Principle which acknowledges we all posses an intelligent, vitalistic force within us that maintains our existence and keeps our bodies working in perfect order. When this Power is allowed to express itself 100%, we have health. When the Power is interfered with, we have Dis-Ease. Eating properly is important, and so is exercise… but if the Power doesn't flow, your house will crumble.

Health built on a foundation of drug therapy is risky and cannot stand for long. Health built on a foundation that supports the innate wisdom of the body, can weather any storm. What foundation is your health standing on?

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, October 17, 2011

“Garbage in Your Nerve System”

What would happen if your garbage didn’t get picked up for a few weeks? Your house would get pretty stinky wouldn't it? The same can be said for you, if your Nerve System garbage isn't dumped regularly too.


Physical, chemical and emotional stresses that accumulate in your Nerve System are called Subluxations (Chiropractic term for nerve interference). If not cleared regularly, stress from Subluxations can spill over into your body and cause poor sleep, fatigue, weakened immunity, chronic pains, anxiety or poor digestion.

People who keep their Nerve System 'clean' with regular Chiropractic adjustments report having more energy, better recovery from injuries and an improved state of mind. If you’re feeling sluggish, weak and bogged down, maybe it’s time to dump your nerve system garbage. Get to the Chiropractor today!

'Watching Your Back'
Dr. Heather L. Giesen

Monday, October 10, 2011

Flu Shots and Airport Security

When anything other than food enters your body, it gets 'screened' in the mucous membranes of your nose, mouth and gut with suspicion and rejected if necessary… like TSA Agents screening luggage for dangerous materials before they're allowed on a plane. Sneezing, runny noses and coughs are your body's natural way of preventing harmful dust, germs and foreign chemicals from 'getting on board.'


When you INJECT foreign virus material and chemicals from a flu shot directly into your body, this natural innate screening process is bypassed and hazardous materials are allowed to pass freely into secure areas, like your blood stream and soft tissues. The potential for trouble begins.

How comfortable would you feel getting on a plane knowing the bags didn't get X-Rayed first? If your answer is 'not very comfortable' then consider how safe your body feels when chemicals in the flu shot like Mercury (in the form of Thimerisol), Formaldehyde and Glycol are allowed bypass your body's check-in and go for a ride inside you. There are safer, natural ways to protect yourself from the flu this year. Ask your Chiropractor how.

'Watching Your Back'
Dr. Heather L Giesen

Monday, August 29, 2011

“Will You Save a LIFE?”



What does it take to save a Life? Do you need to pull a helpless swimmer from the ocean or perform CPR on a drowning victim to qualify? Or can something as simple as sharing your Chiropractic story with others count too?


If your story helps someone find a solution for their debilitating migraines… you just saved a Life. If your story empowers a family member to reduce their prescriptions, and lowers their risk of becoming another 'drug error' statistic… you just saved a Life. If your story encourages a friend to stop blindly placing their health in the hands of doctors, and start placing the Doctor inside them in charge of their health… then you just saved a Life.

Do you have the power and capability to save a Life? If you know the Chiropractic story, you bet you do! The question is will you? You can't be a Chiropractic Life saver if you don't spread the word. So please, don't keep your story a secret. Tell others how your Life has benefited from Chiropractic care. You'll be saving someone's Life when you do.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen


Monday, August 22, 2011

“Spine Low on Adjustments?”


What would you do if your car's low oil light came on today? Would you top off your engine with some 10W-30 weight or put some black tape over that little annoying light so you wouldn't have to deal with it any more?


Ignoring the warning sign will cause your engine to seize down the road. And if you were checking the dipstick regularly and adding oil when needed, the light might not have come on in the first place. The same goes for your spine and regular Chiropractic check ups.

When your spine gets too low on adjustments, pain is the warning light. Unfortunately by the time the pain shows up you've been out of adjustment too long. If that's the case, don't 'black tape' the pain with Tylenol or any other pain killer for that matter. Bring your spine in for a proper Chiropractic Adjustment today and avoid a catastrophic seize event tomorrow.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen



Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Back-To-School: Backpack Safety

It is that time of year again when the kids are getting ready to head back to school.  This means making sure we have the perfect Backpack for the occassion.  This year when shopping consider the Function of your backpack, not just how Fashionable it may or may not be.

What To Look For:
  • Find a bag that will fit properly, making sure it isn't too long or too short.  The bag should rest on the back and should not hang below the pant line.
  • The bag should have wide, adjustable, padded straps to ensure they are properly positioned and hold the bag tight to the body.
  • There should be a hip strap that connects in the front.  This will distribute a portion of the weight to the hips, easing the load on the spine and shoulders.
How Much Should It Weigh:
  • The consensus is a child should not be burdened with more than 10-15% of his or her body weight. 
  • The bag of a 60 pound child should not be more than 9 pounds and 100 pound child should not carry more than 15 pounds!
Common Mistakes That Are Made:
  • We often carry bags that are far too heavy.
  • Keep the straps too loose.
  • Carry bags improperly
When looking at a backpack we may not think it could have a damaging effect to our spine.  But the consistent weight over time will take its toll and can lead to greater potential for injury.  In fact carrying excessive weight could lead to long term back pain and other serious health conditions including numbness of the shoulder, arm or hand, muscle spasms, headaches and postural deterioration.  Children's spines are still developing and any excess weight will be even more detrimental to the spine.

Proper Loading and Carrying:
  • Be sure to pack the heaviest items first and allow them to rest closest to the back.
  • Parents should do weekly checks to make sure the backpack isn't exceeding the 10-15% rule and if it is, take a look and see what can be changed to lighten the load.
  • Carry the bag with both straps over the shoulders.  When a bag is carried over just one shoulder, that shoulder is required to carry the burden that both shoulders and back should be sharng equally.
  • Make sure the straps are secure and the bag is resting against the back.
By using the tips that we have outlined here along with your regular chiropractic adjustments, you are protecting your spine so it will be taken care of to serve you in the future.

Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy 2011-2012 School Year!!

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

“When Your Lights are Out…”



Ever have one of those days where you just don't feel as bright as you should? Your diet's good, you're getting enough exercise but for some reason you still feel drained and unproductive. Maybe it's time for a trip to the Chiropractor…


Think of your Nerve System as electrical wires and your body a 100 watt light bulb connected to it. When the wires are clear and electricity flows freely, your bulb glows to 100 watts. But if power is restricted in the wires, your bulb dims. Chiropractors call it being Subluxated or in a 'state of less light/less energy.' And the only thing that can 'light you up' again is a specific, loving Chiropractic Adjustment.

Eating properly and getting enough exercise is important, but you'll never shine to your full potential if you're Subluxated… and you can't afford that. The world needs you beaming at 100 watts. So don't wait until your light's completely out… get adjusted and shine bright with regular Chiropractic care!

It really is that simple!!!

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

What Does My Posture Have To Do With It?

How often do you pay attention to your posture when you go about your day?  If you are like the average American, it probably isn't something that is commonly on the forefront of your mind.  Poor posture is an epidemic among the American population and the effects of it are quite detrimental to our health. 

Ideal Posture

As illustrated above, from front to back, our spine should be straight leaving our head, shoulders and hips level.  From the side, our spine should contain three curves which aid in keeping the spine healthy.  A correct position would have the middle of our ear lining up with the middle of the shoulder, much like a golf ball sitting on top of a tee.

The most common postural problem I see is something we call Foward Head Posture (FHP).  We live in a forward facing world from working on computers to watching T.V and playing video games.  Other activities that can lead to FHP are reading, sitting in school and carrying backpacks, just to name a few.

The repetitive activities and motions  we do strengthen the nerve and muscle pathways making it more easy to move into the forward direction.  The repetitive movements coupled with poor ergonomics and trauma more readily cause our body to adapt to FHP.

The effects of poor posture, or more specifically, FHP are becoming more evident.  The abnormal position for long periods of time not only leads to muscle weakness but the tissue and muscles will start to deform and these changes can become permanent and lead to a flattened neck curve.  If the curve becomes straight or flat the nerves get compressed causing premature arthritis to develop.  Other thing we tend to see as a result of poor posture are things like muscle fatigue, aching back, sore neck, headaches, jaw or bite problems (TMJ), arm pain, hand pain, carpal tunnel, mood disorders, chronic fatigue, blood pressure problems and lung capacity problems, just to name a few.

Now that we have our parents or grandparents voices in the back of our mind telling us to "sit up straight", it is time to listen and pay attention to your posture.  Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough examination to determine if there are any spinal subluxations or misalignments contributing to your posture problem.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, August 8, 2011

"We're All In The Same Boat..."




We have lots of patients who thank us everyday for giving them their health back. They say things like 'doc, you really did a great job…' and 'doc, you helped me when no one else could.' But the truth is… we can't take all the credit for it.

While medicine gives most of the credit for healing to the physician or the drug, Chiropractors see it as a team effort with three key players – the Chiropractor who clears interference from the nerve system, the innate wisdom within the patient which orchestrates the healing and the patient who practices good lifestyle habits to support the process.

We're ecstatic when you see results from our service. But never forget, we're not the only one rowing the boat. There are two other oarsmen pulling in unison… and together we make the perfect, healing team!

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen




Monday, July 25, 2011

“One Down… the Rest of Your LIFE to Go!”

How many healthy meals does it take to lose 20 lbs? Or how many miles on the treadmill does it take to shed 5 inches? It obviously takes more than just one, and you've got to stick with it to maintain the results. Well, the same goes for your Chiropractic care.
It takes more than one adjustment to change your state of health. It's true the body has a greater potential to improve even after just one adjustment. But like eating well and exercising, you achieve lasting results only with repetition and consistency.

So how long should you stick with your new diet regimen, exercise routine or spinal maintenance plan? The answer is, as long as you want to be healthy… and hopefully that's for the rest of your Life. In the world of fitness, healthy eating and Chiropractic, there's no such thing as 'one and done.' You've got to stick with it to reap the rewards.


'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather L Giesen

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Monday, July 11, 2011

“Wringing Out the Stress of LIFE.”


Your Nerve System is the ultimate sponge, soaking up all the experiences, sensations and stresses you encounter every day. Like a sponge, it can only absorb so much before it becomes over-saturated and spills stress into your body. The result… PAIN, SICKNESS and WEAK PERFORMANCE!

The best thing you can do to prevent Nerve System Over-Saturation is to get checked by your Chiropractor regularly and adjusted when necessary. Adjustments gently “wring out” accumulated tension in your Nerve System before it has a chance to build up and affect your health negatively.

If you're feeling super-soaked from the stress of Life, bring your saturated nerves to the Chiropractor for some TLC. You'll experience more energy, improved sleep and a better overall feeling of wellness if you do.


'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, June 27, 2011

“The Dow Jones of Healing”

The Weekly Sticky | The Dow Jones of Healing

Healing is like the stock market.  It never progresses in a straight line.  You've got to expect some ups and downs along the way.
You might experience a surge of relief when you first start your Chiropractic care only to be followed by a relapse.  Soon you're back on track again.  Progress continues with bouts of highs and lows, and you might even experience a plateau or dip in your improvements.  But don't make the mistake of 'pulling out of the market' early. 
Keep the big picture in mind.  Like stocks, the gains in Chiropractic care are best seen over time.  When you look back and see how far you've come since your first visit, you'll realize the dividends are paying off.

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, June 13, 2011

Don't Forget Dad This Father's Day...

Health is the greatest gift we can give ourself.

This year in honor of Father's Day we have a new patient special...
$19 for the first 19 people

Between now and 6/30/2011, the first 19 people with receive
  • Consultation
  • Chiropractic Examination
  • Computerized Nerve Analysis
  • X-Rays (if necessary)
  • Complete Report of Finding.
That is a savings of $176

Give us a call today at 952-758-8760 to schedule your examination!

'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather L Giesen

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

"One Adjustment and a Bottle of Windex..."


If you've ever tuned into the A&E television program Hoarders, it doesn't take a genius to quickly realize it's going to take more than a bottle of Windex to clean up all the garbage, moldy food and rotting animal poop that's been accumulating in those houses for years and years and years...

But some people accumulate health problems the same way, and unrealistically believe it will take just a visit or two at the Chiropractor's to fix all their issues. From years of neglect, bad advise and denial, their chronic illnesses pile up until they can no longer recognize the healthy state their body used to be in. By the time they decide to see a Chiropractor, they've got a real 'dis-ease hoarding' problem and unfortunately one adjustment isn't enough to clean up the squalor.

The goal of Chiropractic isn't to temporarily sweep your symptoms under a rug to make things look good on the surface, but to actually roll our sleeves up and get rid of the underlying clutter once and for all. Sure it might take a little more time and a bit more elbow grease to transform your health our natural way, but in the end your human house will be clean, pristine and habitable again.


'Watching Your Back'

Dr. Heather

Monday, May 16, 2011

"Sleep Like This Again..."




Did you know that 40 percent of the population currently suffers with sleeping problems? It isn't uncommon for Chiropractors to find a misalignment of the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis, in people who suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea.


Since a good night's sleep is one of the most important requirements for complete healing, restoring normal sleep is a desired effect of any Chiropractic care plan. It's common for many regular Chiropractic clients to see an improvement in sleeping habits within the first week of care, regardless of the condition they come in with. Sleeping better is a common 'side effect' when normal alignment is restored at the C1/C2 area, and no drugs have to be involved!


A misaligned atlas or axis can be determined with simple Chiropractic tests like Thermography, Upper Cervical X-Rays or posture analysis. If you know someone suffering with poor sleep, tell them to save their money on a new pillow and have their upper neck evaluated by a chiropractor. If we can get you sleeping better, we can get you healing better.


'Watching Your Back'


Dr. Heather Giesen

Monday, May 9, 2011

"Treating the Bark vs. Adjusting the Cause"




You walk into your Chiropractor's office, hop on a table and point to where it hurts... expecting to get adjusted right in that very spot. But the Chiropractor starts working on a totally different part of your spine, not even close to where you feel the pain. Why is that?


There's an old saying that goes when you step on a dog's tail, it barks out the other end. In Chiropractic that means, where you hurt (the bark) isn't necessarily where the problem is (the tail). Many times the pain you feel in one area is actually a referred symptom from somewhere else. For example, someone with sciatica may feel pain down their leg, but the source of their problem is a Subluxation (vertebral misalignment) in their spine.

Chiropractors recognize that if you remove the cause of someone's symptom, the body will no longer have a need to produce it. That's why the main focus of a Chiropractic visit is to locate and correct the underlying problem, and not the superficial effect. Chasing after symptoms is like a dog chasing after its own tail. You only end up spinning around and around until you get dizzy, confused and frustrated. It's much smarter to address the underlying cause.

'Watching Your Back'
Dr. Heather Giesen

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!!

Mother's Love

~Author Unknown


There are times when only a Mother's love

Can understand our tears,

Can soothe our disappoints

And calm all of our fears.


There are times when only a Mother's love

Can share the joy we feel

When something we've dreamed about

Quite suddenly is real.


There are times when only a Mother's faith

Can help us on life's way

And inspire in us the confidence

We need from day to day.


For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith

And a Mother's steadfast love

Were fashioned by the Angels

And sent from God above.




Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day has always been a special day in remembering and sharing the love of my mother. This year the day holds more significance now that I have my own son to spend it with.

This year for Mother's Day, don't forget about you or your loved ones health. Afterall, it is our most valuable possession!

For the rest of May we have a special offer for all new patients.



  • Consultation

  • Chiropractic Examination

  • Computerized Nerve Scan

  • X-rays (if necessary)

  • Complete Report of Findings

All of this for only $47


If there is something specific you are concerned about or just want to learn more about what we do, now is the time to act!


Call 952-758-8760 to schedule your evaluation.


"Watching Your Back"


Dr. Heather

Thursday, April 7, 2011

"My Neck is Killing Me"

When patients present with neck pain, they always ask, “where is the pain coming from?” Of course, this can only be answered after a careful history and thorough evaluation is completed, which is what we do in this office. Let’s take a closer look at what this involves.

The History: This includes a careful description of how the injury occurred, if there was an injury. For example, in a slip and fall injury, it makes a difference if the patient fell forwards, sideways, or backwards; if they landed on their knees, hips, buttocks, back or if they hit their head on the ground. Also, if there was a dazed feeling or loss of consciousness in the process. If there was a head strike, were there any signs of concussion: fatigue, mental “fog,” headache, difficulty communicating or forming words or sentences. When there is no specific injury, we will ask if there were perhaps one or more, “mini-“ or “micro-“ injuries that may have occurred sometime within 2-3 days prior to the onset of the neck pain. The cumulative effect of several small “micro-injuries” can result in a rather significant onset of symptoms several days later. The next batch of information gathered includes factors that increase and decrease the pain, the type of pain quality (sharp, dull, throb, burn, itch, etc.), pain location – “…put your finger on where it hurts and “does it radiate into the arms or legs, severity (pain level 0-10), and timing such as, “it’s worse for the 1st 30 min. in the morning and then loosens up.” Information regarding past history, family history, medical history (surgeries, medications), social history, habits (caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, etc.), and a systems review (heart, lungs, stomach, nervous system, etc.).

The Physical Exam: This includes vital signs (blood pressure, etc), observation – the way the head is positioned (forwards, to the side, rotated, etc.); palpation – touch/feel for muscle spasm, trigger points, spinal vertebra position and motion; range of motion, orthopedic and neurological tests. The exam procedure may also include x-ray, depending on each case.

The Diagnosis: This is determined after taking all your information and “…putting the puzzle pieces together” to determine what is causing your pain.

The Treatment: Chiropractic spinal manipulation (often referred to as “adjustments”) is performed by applying energy or force to the misaligned or fixed vertebra structures by one of many methods depending on the patient’s size, pain level, tolerance, and so on. Other “manual” treatment approaches include soft tissue therapy such as trigger point therapy, active release, massage, vibration, and others. The use of physical therapy modalities such as ice, heat, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, light – laser therapy, and/or others, again, depending on your specific situation and needs can also be very helpful. Similarly, exercises to teach you how to hold your proper posture, to improve flexibility or range of motion, and to strengthen the muscles that are weak really help to make the adjustments “hold” and the beneficial effects last longer. A work station/job assessment may also be needed if that appears to be irritating your condition.

We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR NECK PAIN!

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 952-758-8760

Friday, March 25, 2011

Low Back Pain and Weight

Have you ever been told (or at least heard it said): if you could just drop a few pounds, your low back pain would improve? It’s pretty well accepted that excess weight contributes to low back pain. So, if that’s the case, which dietary approach is “…the best?”

Even though weight loss is very important, it can be very challenging for patients because it takes commitment to achieve long term success. Sure, we can lose weight with the Adkins Diet, the Mediterranean Diet, the South Beach Diet, through Weight Watchers and a host of other approaches. But, why do we seem to gain it right back once we discontinue the diet plan? There must be a way to take the weight off and then keep it off.

We have a very similar genetic makeup to our Paleolithic (cave man era) ancestors. Since this is a fact, we can look at the type of food that the cave man consumed and logically draw the conclusion that the “Paleodiet” or “caveman diet” would be a great alternative to our current diet. Thankfully, this does not mean that we change our wardrobe and lifestyle to the point that we go back and live in caves and throw spears to hunt and gather!

What it does mean, however, is we consume similar foods: grass fed animal meat (the more lean the better) and food that grows off the land – that is, fruits and vegetables. These foods are easily broken down and assimilated without alerting our body’s defense system (the autoimmune system) that some foreign particle is inside of us resulting in an army of antibodies showing up to ward off these enemy particles. By avoiding this autoimmune response, at the same time, we are reducing or avoiding all together the inflammatory process, which is a common denominator to all illnesses including musculoskeletal conditions.

So, what do we eat too much of now that the cave man didn’t eat? The answer is gluten! Most flour based products (bread, pasta, cookies, cake, and many more) contain gluten and are “pro-inflammatory” or, cause systemic inflammation. Over time, this can lead to weight gain, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, stroke, as well as a host of many other conditions. The reason glutens are bad is that our bodies are not genetically able to handle the breakdown of these large “macromolecules.” When glutens are detected, we produce antibodies to attack these particles that are resting on the intestinal wall, which, in turn, is damaged in the process, resulting in a “leaky gut” allowing absorption of the large particles. This in turn, results in yet further autoimmune responses as these large (normally not absorbed) macromolecules are detected in our blood stream furthering the inflammatory process. This damage leads to further malabsorption syndromes (“leaky gut”) and a vicious cycle is created. So, what can we do to prevent this from happening and, how can we reduce the inflammation through our diet?

Easy! Just stop eating glutens! Go to the grocery store’s “gluten-free section” and buy products that are gluten-free. Over time, your weight will drop, your energy levels will increase, and the mental fog lifts – you’ll feel 10 years younger and, you’ll be able to enjoy life more completely. Sound too good to be true? Try it – prove me wrong - I dare you!

If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR LOW BACK PAIN! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 952-758-8760

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Join Us At The Baby Fair!

Dr. Heather will be available to answer any questions you have about why chiropractic is not only important for children but essential for growth and development.

The event is directed towards expectant parents and parents of babies newborn to 11 months old.

Saturday, April 16th from 9am-12pm
Early Childhood Center in New Prague
Call 952-758-1670 to register!

Special Guest Speakers:
Stacy Stats, PT - "The Importance of Tummy Time for Babies"
Mary Taylor, Registered Dietician - "Your Kids are What You Feed Them"

There will also be a professional photographer available for free, gift bags, food and prizes!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

2,000 Year Old Story Helps Dr. Heather’s Patients Relieve Pain

Dear Patients and Friends,

If you would like to know how a 2,000 year old story is helping patients relieve their pain – you will love this.

Here is why…

I’m sure you’ve heard of Aesop’s fables. But, here’s something interesting you might not know. Aesop was a Greek citizen who lived approximately 2,000 years ago and wrote, considered by some experts, among the first printed works in the vernacular European language. Probably the most amazing thing is that his fables hold true today just as much as they did 2,000 years ago. For example… check out this great fable entitled: “The Lion and The Eagle.”

“AN EAGLE stayed his flight and entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him

to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, ‘I have no objection, but you must

excuse me for requiring you to find surety for your good faith, for how can I trust

anyone as a friend who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he

pleases?’”

And, of course, every Aesop’s fable comes with a moral. And the moral to this fable is: Try before you trust.

So, what does this have to do with us? Well, our entire practice is based on the principle of, “try before you trust.” That means, everyone should be able to check out our practice before committing to anything. This has worked out great because so many patients have started care and referred family members because they know they will not be pushed into any long-term treatment plan they may not want. In other words, patients love telling others because they know whoever they send will be treated like they are a family member.

So, we would like to thank you for trying us before you trusted. And also thank you for telling others about our practice. Helping someone get out of pain is one of the best things you can ever do for them – and they will remember you for the rest of their lives.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all businesses allowed you to try before you trust?

And if there is anything we can do to help, just give us a call at 952-758-8760.

Sincerely,

Dr. Heather Giesen

P.S. We are always looking for ways to make our practice better and serve our patients more. If you have any suggestions, please give us a call and tell us what’s on your mind. We love hearing from patients – after all it’s “your” practice too. J

In Good Hands

A Free Monthly Newsletter For The Friends and Patients of:

Giesen Family Chiropractic

www.giesenfamilychiropractic.blogspot.com

"We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us." ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Scientists Warn: Television Watching and Computer Game Playing “Damages The Heart

Research Reveals: How Many Hours It Takes To DOUBLE Your Risk Of Major Cardiac Problems…

No Matter How Much Exercise You Do!!! All that, plus:

How coffee protects against diabetes!

What’s the best time of day to work out? Should you work out on an empty stomach or eat first? New research has answers…

The dangers lurking in your iPad - and a simple way to protect yourself.

Not sleeping? This may be the simple solution.

The secrets of 100 people who never get sick!

Heroic Stories… In this issue, we pay tribute to the average everyday person who risks everything to save the life of another.


N

ew Prague- Are you sitting down? If you aren't, please find a seat because when you read this, you might get a little weak in the knees. According to The Telegraph, a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found, "The risk of heart disease and premature death from any cause doubled for those spending more than four hours a day glued to a screen, it was claimed. Metabolic factors and inflammation may be partly to blame, the report said.

"Research revealed those who devote more than four hours watching television, surfing the web, or playing computer games are more than twice as likely to have major cardiac problems."

Here’s The Really Shocking Part

The study found there was a 48% increased risk of all-cause mortality and an approximate 125% increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in those spending more than four hours in front of a screen.

“The risks were irrespective of factors such as smoking, hypertension, BMI, social class, and even exercise.”

In other words, from the results of this study, the negative effect of watching television and being on a computer may not be lessened by exercise.

Like most health issues, more research is always needed for definitive answers… but limiting television and computer time may not only make you more productive… it might save your life.

Another Important Heart Related Topic…

A new study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association is the first to look at added sugar and heart disease risk in adolescents.

According to Ivanhoe Newswire, “Jean Welsh, M.P.H., Ph.D., R.N., study author and post-doctoral fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, was quoted as saying. ‘The higher consumers of added sugar have more unfavorable cholesterol levels. The concern is long-term exposure would place them at risk for heart disease later in adulthood.’”

What Is “Added Sugar?”

Added sugars are any sugars that are added to food (or drinks) during processing and preparation.

Ready for some good news?

How To Maximize

Your Results From Working Out

According to a Study published in the Journal of Physiology on November 1, 2010, “A fat-rich energy-dense diet is an important cause of insulin resistance.”

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas and it helps the cells of the body absorb glucose. When people are insulin resistant, their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin. As a result, their bodies need more insulin to help glucose enter cells. The pancreas produces more and more insulin until it basically gets worn out and starts to fail. This can lead to diabetes.

How is this all linked to exercise? According to the study’s author, This study, for the first time, shows that fasted training is more potent than fed training to facilitate adaptations in muscle and to improve whole-body glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity during hyper-caloric fat-rich diets.”

In other words, the best time to work out seems to be on an empty stomach, which is usually first thing in the morning.

One more thing about diabetes…

Researchers Discover How

Coffee Helps Prevent Diabetes

According to redorbit.com, “Researchers at UCLA have discovered a possible molecular mechanism behind coffee's protective effect. A protein called sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) regulates the biological activity of the body's sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen, which have long been thought to play a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. And coffee consumption, it turns out, increases plasma levels of SHBG.” The article also said that decaffeinated coffee was not associated with the benefits.

Scientist Finds Music Releases Same

Chemical As Food, Drugs And Sex

Music is universal. It can both motivate and relax. Some even say it can “tame the savage beast.” It’s probably safe to say that everyone loves music – in one form or another. But, why does it have such a deep impact on so many lives?

Science may finally

have found the answer…

According to a new study from The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, “Scientists have found that the pleasurable experience of listening to music releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain important for more tangible pleasures associated with rewards such as food, drugs, and sex.”

This study, published in the journal, Nature Neuroscience, also found that just the anticipation of pleasurable music is enough to trigger the release of dopamine.

According to The Neuro at McGill University: “These findings provide neurochemical evidence that intense emotional responses to music involve ancient reward circuitry in the brain,” says Dr. Robert Zatorre, Neuroscientist at The Neuro. “To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that an abstract reward such as music can lead to dopamine release. Abstract rewards are largely cognitive in nature, a

nd this study paves the way for future work to examine non-tangible rewards that humans consider rewarding for complex reasons.”

…And don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in your lifelong good health.





Research: The Dangers Of Second-Hand Smoke

In Cars With Children

According to Science Daily January 10, 2011, “While the evidence is incomplete, there is enough available to support legislation against letting people smoke in cars with children,” states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

The article goes on to say that even though second-hand smoke was not shown to be 23 times more dangerous as some had claimed – “It can still be very harmful to children.”

Furthermore, “The authors conclude that there is enough evidence to make a valid decision to legislate against smoking in cars with children.”

Inspirational Story Of The Month

(Names And Details Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)

The Hero Next Door

A Tribute To The “Average” Men And Women
Who Turn Into Superheroes When The Opportunity Arises


“Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.” ~ Baltasar Gracian, 1601-1658
Every day, we see and read nothing more than hype and sensationalism. Words like, “awesome,” “unbelievable,” “genius,” flow like wine at a Imperial Roman feast.
They have become so common, they have lost their meaning.
Everyday, people do more and more sensational things in an effort to get noticed.
The drive for recognition and to become a “celebrity” is so great that many are willing to do just about anything for it.
Reality TV instantly comes to mind.
But the good news is not all people are self-serving. Because these people aspire to be a hero instead of just appearing to be one, they usually go completely unnoticed.
For example, there is a hero by the name of Mike Jones.
Chances are you have never heard the name Mike Jones. But, he was on the news not too long ago.
Here’s Mike’s amazing story:
On December 14, 2010 a gunman in Panama City Florida took hostages at a local school board meeting and started shooting them.
Mike Jones was the security chief at that school board meeting and Mike risked his life in a dramatic shootout with the crazed gunman.
Mike saved several lives that day while risking his own.
For that act, Mike can easily be considered a hero. But, that’s not the REAL reason Mike is a hero.
Mike Has Consistently Been A Hero… Over And Over… For 27 Years
Jones is a retired police officer. While working as a police officer, Jones came in contact with numerous families who were too poor to afford Christmas gifts. So, he started “Salvage Santa” and spent his free time restoring bicycles.
For 27 years, Jones has restored bicycles, raised money and collected toys to give to needy children.
He partnered with Early Education and Care, Inc. so the families who needed toys were able to get them just before Christmas.
But, it only gets better and more “heroic”… According to a news article written about Jones, "Every year, on Christmas Day, Jones got a phone call from some parent, somewhere, who was down on their luck and needed a toy for their child."
When he should have been spending time celebrating with his family or just resting after a long year, Jones always found “one more present to give to those children,” friends said.
“Mike’s a real special and unique person,” said Luther Stanford, the senior pastor at Jones’ church, Northside Baptist. “He is a servant through and through. Each and everyday, Mike is doing something for somebody else. Whether it is for Salvage Santa or the school system… I don’t know that I have ever seen him when he didn’t have a smile on his face.”
You see, Jones is a “silent hero.” He’s not an actor who plays a hero. He’s not a publicity seeker who runs a scam to make himself look like a hero. He is a hero who lives each and everyday doing things a hero would do.
The next time someone says altruism doesn’t exist, tell them about Mike Jones.
This newsletter would also like to pay tribute to the “silent heroes” from the recent Arizona shooting. They deserve more praise than this newsletter can give.
A special “silent hero” thanks to: Bill Badger, Patricia Maisch, Roger Salzgeber and Joseph Zamudio. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by that tragedy.
We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger! Don’t be a stranger.

Did You Know?... A few little tidbits… 1. If you are right-handed, you will tend to chew your food on the right side of your mouth. If you are left-handed, you will tend to chew your food on the left side of your mouth. 2. If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water because, when a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off. 3. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying. 4. Your tongue is germ free only if it is pink. If it is white, there is a thin film of bacteria on it. 5. The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45 percent when a person looks at something pleasing. 6. The average person who stops smoking requires one hour less sleep at night. 7. Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day. 8. The roar we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in our ear. 9. Your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart. 10. When you blush, the lining of your stomach also turns red. 11. The attachment of the human skin to muscles is what causes dimples. 12. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.
Tip Of The Month – The Danger Lurking In Your iPad?
Plus: The Secrets Of 100 People Who Never Get Sick.

Here’s a very interesting story reported by CNN. A man named J.D. Moyer from Oakland, California had a problem sleeping. So, he decided to do a little experiment. As soon as the sun set, he turned off all the lights in his house. This included every single source of light including laptop computers and the inside of his refrigerator. J.D. did this for an entire month and the results were remarkable. After just 30 days, JD, who used to struggle to fall asleep at midnight was conking out easily at 9pm (and waking up the next day well-rested and refreshed). According to the CNN article, he felt so well-rested during the test, he said that friends remarked on his unexpected morning perkiness. “A number of times I had the experience of just feeling kind of unreasonably happy for no reason. And it was the sleep… Sure, you can get by with six or seven hours, but sleeping eight or nine hours – it’s a different state of mind.” J.D. Is Not The First To Discover This. There are a growing number of experts who believe artificial lights are fooling the brain to think it’s daytime. In other words, using electronic gadgets like a laptop computer or iPad late at night may be directly contributing to not sleeping well and even insomnia. According to Phyliss Zee, a Neuroscience Professor at Northwestern University and Director of the school's Center for Sleep & Circadian Biology. “Potentially, yes, if you're using [the iPad or a laptop] close to bedtime ... that light can be sufficiently stimulating to the brain to make it more awake and delay your ability to sleep.” It should be noted that laptops and iPads shine light in the eye from a close distance and can have a greater effect than a television that is across the room. So What’s The Simple Solution To Sleeping Better? "I wish people would just take a boring book -- an old-fashioned book -- and [read] by a lamp. Make sure that it's not too bright -- just so you can read," said Alon Avidan, Associate Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at UCLA. "And if they do that, I think they'll feel a lot better and they'll be able to relax." Now it’s time for…The Secrets Of 100 People Who Never Get Sick. Have you ever known someone who never seems to get sick? When everyone else is miserable with the flu or a cold, he or she always seems to escape without as much as a sniffle! Well, have you ever wondered WHY they never get sick? There must be a reason. Sure, it’s easy to just chalk it up to great genes. But as we know, genes are only part of the human puzzle. Now, there may be an answer. Here is why: Gene Stone is a very interesting man who set out to find the answer by interviewing 100 people who never get sick and his results may shock you. What he found was more philosophical than scientific. You see, the most important factor to people not getting sick was their positive mental attitude and, whatever they believed, they did it every day. In other words, what they did was not as important as their belief and consistency in doing it. According to Gene, “People believe in health as a daily habit. I think that's a large part of why they stay healthy."
Remember, we’re always here, to help your body heal and maintain the health you deserve.

This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please call our office at 952-758-8760