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Questions to ask your doctor when pursuing scoliosis treatment

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/03/2018)

Dr Woggon lists sample questions to ask your doctor to find the best possible fit when pursuing scoliosis treatment

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT FOR SCOLIOSIS

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/04/2018)

Scoliosis is an intricate disease. Experts still don’t know what causes 80% of scoliosis cases, and there is no cure. But there’s still hope! There are proven methods to treat scoliosis and reduce its symptoms. X-rays allow doctors to  measure the unique, three-dimensional curve of each person’s spine in order to determine the best method of treatment. Chiropractic treatment for scoliosis involves regular adjustments, with the hands or a device. The goal is to realign the muscles, bones and joints. There are two types to choose from: traditional and scoliosis specific. TRADITIONAL CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT FOR SCOLIOSIS Traditional chiropractic treatment applies a general approach, similar …

SCOLIOSIS EXERCISES

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/04/2018)

When discussing scoliosis and exercise, it’s important to distinguish therapeutic exercises, like physical therapy, from recreational exercise, like sports and activities.  This section deals with therapeutic scoliosis exercises to help improve balance and posture.  For more information on sports and activities, please refer to the Sports and Activities page. Most experts agree that general physical therapy exercises (such as sit-ups, pelvic tilts, etc.) are not effective in reducing the severity of scoliosis nor preventing progression.  However, scoliosis-specific exercise (SSE) programs are different from general physical therapy in many ways.  The assumption that exercise cannot help scoliosis is based around studies that did not …

DEGENERATIVE SCOLIOSIS

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/04/2018)

Scoliosis is most commonly seen as a disease found in children and adolescents, but degenerative scoliosis is prevalent in older adults as well. Unlike adolescent scoliosis, there is a known cause for degenerative scoliosis in adults. It occurs when the spinal discs begin to deteriorate and the spine falls into an unnatural curve without the support of those discs. Also called de novo scoliosis, which is Latin for ‘from the new,’ degenerative scoliosis is not generally found in anyone under 40 years old. CAUSES OF DEGENERATIVE SCOLIOSIS Spinal discs do not necessarily degenerate as people age. However it is common to see discs deplete …

SCOLIOSIS IN TEENS

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/04/2018)

The most common form of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) – scoliosis with no known cause, diagnosed in a teenager. While some sources claim that treatment is unnecessary for most cases of AIS, this is a narrow point of view that does not take into account the preferences of the person living with the condition. If their scoliosis is not causing pain, nor affecting their appearance, physical function, or emotional well-being, and they are not concerned about the long-term effects of living with it, then it is within their rights as an individual to decline treatment. However, many cases …

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/04/2018)

The CLEAR Scoliosis Institute believes that participation in sports and physical activities plays an important role in developing physical, intellectual, and social well-being in adolescents.  It is the goal of the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute and CLEAR-certified doctors of chiropractic to support adolescents in encouraging healthy and safe participation in these activities. Most sports and activities will not have a negative effect upon the spine, and should be encouraged.  The best activities for a person with scoliosis to participate in are swimming (with the exception of the butterfly stroke), diving, cycling (not off-road), walking, hiking, and sprinting (avoid long-distance running), aerobics (such …

TREATING SCOLIOSIS

Dr. Josh Woggon, DC practices at Clear Scoliosis Institute and has 15 years of experience (07/04/2018)

When someone decides to undergo scoliosis treatment, it is important they understand all of their options, and the typical results of each treatment.  There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating scoliosis. Just like each person is unique, each case of scoliosis is unique, and deserves to be treated as such. WHEN IS TREATING SCOLIOSIS NECESSARY? Most medical guidelines state that cases of mild scoliosis (defined as a Cobb angle of under 20 degrees) are undeserving of treatment.  These guidelines do not take into account the preferences of the patient, nor their health status.  The Cobb angle has a very poor correlation with most things that matter …

The term Regenerative Medicine, first used in a 1992 article on hospital administration by Leland Kaiser.

Dr. Ron Hanson, M.D., Pioneer in Regenerative Medicine practices at Orthocure Clinic and has 22 years of experience (07/04/2018)

About Active Release Techniques® (ART®) (History)

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/04/2018)

Foods for a Better Mood

Life is great when your spirits are high; what are some foods to help support a good mood? Salmon.  Salmon and other fish like sardines, cod, tuna, and halibut are high in Omega 3 fatty acids.  These healthy fats keep your brain working well, and have been shown to alleviate depression.  Eating salmon or other fish twice a week will supply the needed healthy fat. Nuts.  Nuts are sources of healthy fats, and they have high levels of tryptophan.  Tryptophan is required to produce serotonin, a substance that the brain needs for a happy and calm mood.  Just eat a small amount …

SPICES: MEDICINE WITH FLAVOR

Spices.  They are used to add flavor to food, but did you know they are also medicine?  Historical records show that spices have been used as medicine for at least 4500 years.  Modern scientific research is discovering the many benefits of these tasty foods, and why they are traditionally used to both flavor food and treat disease.  It turns out that spices are a delicious and sensible way to improve health! Cinnamon Cinnamon is a familiar seasoning.  Its marvelous when sprinkled on a hot beverage, makes a baked apple taste like pie.  Cinnamon also is very healthy.  It can help reduce cholesterol …

5 Seeds for Health

5 Seeds for Health Seeds are an excellent addition to a healthy diet.  Seeds provide fiber, Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and simply taste good.  Eating a variety of seeds benefits your digestion, energy, skin, and much more.  Seeds are very high in fiber, so they help you feel full and satisfied.  These seeds are healthy, and each kind has some unique qualities. Flax:  Flax seeds are a super food.  They are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients and help reduce blood pressure, improve mood, and support health.  Flax has a particularly high amount of nutrients called ligans, …

Which is worse? Is it fat or is it sugar when it comes to our diet

Lynda Enright, M.S., RDN, LD, CLT practices at Be Well Nutrition Consulting and has 25 years of experience (07/06/2018)

Which is worse? Is it fat or is it sugar when it comes to our diet. Is it fat or is it sugar which is a bigger culprit, you know with heart disease or just in general? Yeah, we have really focused, well it's been up and down over the years right? There's the low sugar and then there's the low fat and we go back and forth. The research is really coming out in just really quite recent years here talking so much more about how sugar is really one of our bigger problems and the fat hasn't been as …

Relieving Headaches With Active Release Techniques

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/08/2018)

It is very uncommon for our practice to go an entire day without seeing a patient who isn’t seeking our help to resolve their headache. Headaches are not only painful, but they can also be disabling.  They can impair your quality of life by negatively affecting your life at home and at work. Many live in fear or anxiety as they wait for the next headache to come out of no where. There are over 150 different types of headaches, with tension headaches and migraines toping the list. The most common type of headache is a tension headache, often called stress headache. They most commonly present with …

I don’t play tennis, why am I experiencing tennis elbow?

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/08/2018)

Lateral epicondylitis/epicondylosis, also known as tennis elbow, is a painful condition in which the soft tissues on the lateral aspect of the forearm become strained from overuse, commonly referred to as repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). It is commonly seen in laborers who work with tools/instruments, anything that requires maintaining a stronger than usual grip strength for an extended amount of time can contribute to this condition. When the muscles on the lateral aspect of the elbow finally breakdown and cannot handle the repetitive strain any longer, the muscle fibers microscopically tear. The pathophysiology of lateral epicondylosis is degenerative. Non-inflammatory, chronic degenerative changes …

Lateral Knee Pain?

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/08/2018)

When someone walks into our office with pain, they usually tell us where it hurts and what may have led to the injury. This is helpful but it does not tells us much regarding what is directly causing the pain. If the pain is due to an acute/traumatic injury, typically the first thing on our list is damage control/pain relief/symptomatic care. There are many that walk in with pain and have no information to give other than where it hurts. That being said, asking the right questions and gathering as much information before starting treatment can help save a lot …

Are Your Hamstrings Working For You Or Against You?

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/08/2018)

Managing pain and/or dysfunction in the lower extremity can be difficult to pinpoint at times. Most of us have more than one way to treat a patient if they walk into our office with pain. Regardless of the type of assessment and treatment you provide, most often you will help someone move better, feel better and make them more aware of what they might be doing to aggravate their condition. That being said, you can also treat areas with mobilization techniques such as joint manipulation or soft tissue manipulation and make someone feel much worse. I am guilty of this …

Managing Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain with Active Release Techniques (ART)

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/08/2018)

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can be extremely painful for some and others may have no pain, but experience issues with opening and/or closing their jaw. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) itself is primarily a hinge joint, similar to our knee and elbow joints.  It does allow side to side movement as well. There is a small disc within the joint that can be involved at times. The joint connects the jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones of your skull. This allows us to chew our food, speak to one another and open/close our mouths as needed. Problems can arise for this joint …

Managing Sciatica With Active Release Techniques (ART)

Dr. Brian Gervais, DC, CCSP practices at Chanhassen Chiropractic and has 17 years of experience (07/08/2018)

Lower back pain is an extremely common condition in today’s world that is often poorly managed. There are many ways to define back pain as well as many conditions and injuries that are responsible for it. For today’s discussion, we’ll focus on sciatica nerve pain. The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness in the leg. Many will have unbearable pain while sitting while others can hardly stand on the affected leg. A sharp, stinging pain down the leg is commonly felt with this condition. Sciatica originates in the lower back and travels through the …

Who should be a hypnotist?

Ms. Roberta Fernandez, Board Certified Hypnotist & Certified Instructor practices at Fare Hypnosis Center and has 12 years of experience (07/10/2018)

Who wants to be Hypnotist? That's a really good question. I find that most Hypnotists are in second or even third career like myself. Most of them have had an experience with hypnosis, it has profoundly change their life. They want to help people they care about people some of them are people that want to enhance what they already do, like a massage therapist or a dentist or nurse. Nurses are natural Hypnotists. They just want to expand their skills. I think that it draws from a wide variety of professions. It is hard to find those people. If I …