Author Archives: Alex Brost

Feet are often ignored when it comes to health care, but they can be an underlying

cause of many health problems and musculoskeletal conditions.

Your feet have three archers, the medial, lateral, and metatarsal arch. As we age, and

especially with weight gain, these arches tend to collapse. This causes stressful weight bearing

on all of the small joints in your feet and also sets the stage for plantar fasciitis and the

development of bunions. To keep your feet happy, custom-made arch supports or orthotics are

recommended for most people over 40 and for anyone that is overweight or has a job where

they are on their feet all day.

Pronation or decreased archers, also can gradually undermine the alignment and create

stress on your knee and hip joints. This can eventually lead to knee and hip joint degeneration

and arthritis.

So, be kind to your feet! Wear good shoes and get a computerized foot scan to evaluate

the need for custom-made shoe supports. Orthotics can prevent many painful conditions and

allow for an active lifestyle, which helps your overall health!

-Dr. Barbro Brost D.C.

Just like anyone with teeth needs a dentist, to examine for cavities before they develop into a bad toothache, anyone with a spine needs a chiropractor to examine and treat spinal decay or misalignments before it develops into severe problems that can lead to pain, decreased mobility and possible need for surgeries.

If you stop and think about it, your teeth can be replaced and we can live without them, but you can not live without your spine and it can not be replaced! Your spine is what holds up your body, allows you to move and bend and twist and it houses and protects your spinal cord, which is the lifeline and communication highway between the brain and all your different body parts and systems.

Spinal misalignments can be caused by repetitive stress, injuries, bad ergonomics and mini traumas throughout life.

Misalignments cause decreased mobility and leads to degenerative changes (osteoarthritis) in the small joints between the vertebrae. It also gradually leads to disc degeneration and weakening of the discs, which sets the stage for disc herniations. Much suffering from stiffness, pain and decreased function as people age can be prevented by regular chiropractic checkups and care.

If you have never experienced chiropractic healthcare – now is the time! Taking pain pills to cover up pain and discomfort does nothing to correct the underlying problem and allows the situation to gradually worsen. Side effects of long-term medication use is also a problem.

Chiropractors have the same amount of education as a medical physician but the focus is on helping the body to heal naturally, without pharmaceuticals and surgeries. The human body is a self-healing mechanism if in a harmonious state with a freely operating nervous system, without interference by misalignments. A well-adjusted body is a happy and healthy body!

-Dr. Barbro Brost D.C.

Over two years of disruptions to our lives are finally coming to an end. Most people are vaccinated or have acquired natural immunity by catching the virus. Herd immunity has been reached and we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Restrictions are gradually being dropped, masks are disappearing and life can start to return to normal. Many lessons have been learned and studies are continuing to be released.

One of the main lessons is that people, that take good care of themselves and their health, were much less at risk than people that are overweight and suffer from chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure etc.

It is important that we remember and learn from these lessons and continue to take responsibility for our personal health, since new viruses will always develop in the future. The healthier your body is and the more resilient your immune system, the better you can survive any future diseases.

Eating healthy: lots of vegetables, fruit, berries, and lean protein is a good foundation. Taking nutritional supplements to promote good immune function and general health is more important than ever.

Regular exercise at least 3 times a week, should be part of everyone’s schedule, especially since sitting in front of the computer is often unavoidable in our daily lives. As spring gets here, go out for walks and breathe fresh air!

Water is an important component of a health regimen. About 3 quarts a day is a good guideline. Remember that your body’s composition is 70% water!

And last, but not least, regular chiropractic checkups and adjustments ensure that your brain which controls everything in your body, can communicate freely with all your organs, glands, and tissues, through your spinal cord without interference. Subluxations (misalignments) in your spine disrupts this important communication pathway and leads to less optimal functions. Removing subluxations restores optimal function.

A well-adjusted body is a healthy, happy body!

Dr. Barbo Brost, Chiropractor

The summer is over and the days are getting shorter and darker. In Minnesota, we don’t get the benefit of natural Vitamin D from the sunshine this time of the year. Our immune system is dependent on adequate Vitamin D levels to function optimally, so supplementing Vitamin D through the darker time of the year is crucial. Other nutrients that are helpful, to enhance our natural immune defense is Vitamin C, Zinc and Quercetin, garlic and Echinacea are also good immune enhancers. Aside from COVID-19, there are always the usual cold and flu viruses circulating. It is impossible to totally avoid exposure while living everyday life, so the name of the game is to stay as strong and as resilient as possible to be able to fight off and recover as quickly as possible if you get attacked by a virus. Think of your immune system as your internal army that conquer and fight off invaders. The bigger and stronger your defense army is, the better you can handle an attack!
A healthy diet, low in sugar, regular exercise and chiropractic adjustments, to keep your body healthy and strong, decreases your risk of sickness significantly. Taking immune enhancing vitamins and supplements assure your immune “soldiers” can do their best work possible to keep you healthy.
A trip south to get some rest and natural sunshine Vitamin D is also a great idea in the winter when you live in Minnesota!

By Dr. Barbro Brost D.C.