stop chronic pain

All About Neck Pain

Neck pain is the third most common chronic pain condition in the United States. It isn’t just a pain in the neck .It can have devastating effects on your daily life, work experience and over all physical well being.

Neck pain can occur at any age and can have many causes:  muscle strain from exercise or sports, sleeping wrong and waking up with a “wry neck”, whip-lash injuries resulting from a car accident or neglected, untreated accidents or injuries earlier in life.

Neck pain is not infrequently also associated with headaches or migraines or symptoms in shoulders, arms and hands.

Minor neck problems often resolve in accouple of days with rest and stretches. Persisting or more severe pain should be treated, to not develop into chronic or more severe conditions.

The cervical spine (neck) consists of seven vertebrae with disks in between each segment. The cervical spine encases the brain stem and the cervical part of the spinal cord. Between each vertebral segment there are nerve roots that exit and supply and control the function of the face, neck and arms. The cervical spine is a very delicate structure that is surrounded by muscles to allow for mobility and support. Treatment of the cervical spine should only be done by experienced health care professionals.

If you struggle with neck pain, weather it is chronic or an new injury, you can be confident that you are in good hands at The Brost Clinic. We are  experts at diagnosing neck conditions and can suggest a treatment plan to correct the problem instead of covering up the symptoms with potentially harmful drugs. We work with you to minimize your symptoms and support your body’s natural healing process.

Don’t put off getting help. Life is much more fun without neck pain!

-Dr. Barbro Brost D.C.

Feet – Your Body’s Foundation

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.

Why everyone with a spine needs a chiropractor!

image of chiropractors at the beach
Dr. Shawn Sailer with his son, Cole, nephew, Kai, and brother-in-law, Alex Brost.

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.

Goodbye Covid

chiropractic springOver 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

Winter Injuries

The white Minnesota winter can be beautiful on a cold, sunny day. A winter sunrise over Wayzata Bay is something to behold! But winter can also be dangerous. Slippery roads and icy walk ways set the stage for both slip and fall injuries and car accidents. Shoveling snow is tough on your back, even starting a snow blower can cause a back injury. Ice skating is fun but a fall on the hard ice can cause damage. Sledding down a hill, hitting bumps can cause back and neck injuries, especially for parents and grandparents who try to keep up with their kids! Skiing or snowboarding is great exercise but, again, if you fall, you can get hurt.

IMG 8475We clearly can’t live in fear of possible injuries. We need to get out to enjoy and have fun in the snow! But, if injuries happen know that good chiropractic care can help speed up the healing process!

If you hurt after shoveling snow, have a fall or end up in a car accident, the team of chiropractors at The Brost Clinic have your back! We have the experience and the equipment to get you back to feeling good again.

If you have a car accident, even a fender bender or a slip and fall, getting in or out of your vehicle, you are covered for any resulting care needed under your car insurance policy in Minnesota. We always recommend an exam even for minor injuries, since they can develop into more severe problems if untreated.

So, enjoy the snow and the beautiful winter season with the comfort of knowing that we are here to help if you should need us!

-Dr. Barbro Brost D.C.

Car Accident Injuries

car accident chiropractorDid you know that in Minnesota your car insurance, by law, has to cover treatments of any bodily injuries related to a car accident? This includes medical and chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, psychological and any other care necessary to restore you to pre-accident status. Most people don’t know that they have this coverage and assume that the car insurance is just for repair of the vehicle or property damage.

With health insurance deductibles getting higher and coverage gradually becoming more limited every year, this information is important to know, should you be involved in a car accident; YOU ARE A HUNDRED PERCENT COVERED! Untreated whiplash or other injuries can lead to long term problems and degenerative disc and joint changes in years to come. If you have an accident, it is important to get a thorough exam by a healthcare provider that is experienced in treating car accident-related injuries. The sooner care can be started- the better the outcome.

If you are severely injured, visit an emergency room for medical care. Mild to moderate injuries, that do not warrant a trip to the hospital, are best treated in a chiropractor clinic. The Brost Clinic has 35 years of experience in treating car accident-related injuries, combining gentle chiropractic care with acupuncture and massage therapy. We have x-ray as well as computerized thermal scan on site and easy access to MRI and CT scans, if necessary. Having treated thousands of car accident victims throughout the years, we are experienced with necessary documentation and communication with insurance companies and attorneys.

If you, or anyone you know, are involved in an accident, give us a call for a free consultation. We are here to help!

-Dr. Barbro Brost D.C.

Staying Healthy Through the Winter

Image 1 fall chiropractorThe 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.

2021 chiropractor

7 Steps to a Great 2021

We are all happy to put 2020 behind us and look forward to a much better 2021! Some things are outside of our control, but there is much we can do to ensure health and happiness in the new year. Last year taught us that healthy people, with well functioning immune systems, were able to bounce off the Covid-19 virus and not get sick or had fairly mild symptoms. Many of the underlying problems, that worsened the outcome and lead to serve illness, hospitalization or worse, are lifestyle related. Obviously we can’t change our age, since being older is one risk factors, but we can greatly affect our general health and strengthen our health and immune systems with some daily lifestyle changes. They are all simple, but require daily attention!

  1. Eat right! Healthy, preferably organic foods nourish us, supports healthy body composition and ensures optimal function of all our body systems. Weight loss is usually the most common new years resolution. This year, setting a healthy weight goal and reaching it, is more important than ever. Being overweight is one of the major risk factors for disease and immune compromise, if attacked by Covid-19 or any future virus.
  2. Take vitamins and supplements that are known to increase health and boost immune function! Vitamin D3, Vitamin C and Zinc are important. A good multivitamin, Omega 3 fish oils and calcium are basics that everyone need in todays world.
  3. Exercise daily! Even a half hour walk or why not enjoy the Minnesota snow and ice and go skiing, snowshoeing, or skating! These are great ways to both get exercise and fresh air!
  4. Sleep 7-8 hours a night! Sleep is important for our bodies to rest and rejuvenate. Melatonin, that is naturally produced in our bodies during sleep, is an important factor in immune function. Melatonin is also the precursor to Serotonin. If you tend to suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) during the darker time of the year, sleep is even more important to help manufacture the building block to the “Happiness hormone”!
  5. Water intake! A simple role of thumb is 8 glasses a day. Even slight dehydration makes your organs function less efficiently, makes you less focus and increases depression.
  6. Regular elimination! If you follow the above outlined lifestyle this will take care of itself! Constipation or other bowel issue are almost always the result of an unhealthy lifestyle.
  7. Get regular chiropractic care to eliminate any painful or restricted joint problems promote healthy body mobility and a body free from nerve interference. A well adjusted body is a healthy, happy body!
stop chronic pain

Safe Chronic Pain Solution

An estimated 25 million Americans live with chronic pain. Many of the chronic pain issues are back pain, neck pain, and osteo-arthritis of the hip, knee and hand.  New research from Yale school of Medicine recommended non pharma-cological options to be considered as front-line treatment ahead of any medication for musculoskeletal pain.  Chiropractic and acupuncture are recommended treatment for many of these conditions.

New clinical guidelines are developing as a result of the severe opioid crisis in this country.  Preventing opioid addiction and overdose continues to be a significant public health priority.

Medscape Medical news reports on research out of Yale Medical School, reviewing six selected studies of a total of 62,000 patients revealing that “patients who visited a chiropractor for a musculoskeletal pain condition were 49% less likely to receive an opioid prescription than their counter parts, who went to other health care providers”.

This is an eye-opening study, since the opioid problem virtually can be cut in half if patients first saw a chiropractor for back and neck pain, as well as other musculoskeletal problems!

130 people die everyday in the USA as a result of opioid overdoses.  The most common reasons why they started on these medications is back pain. This does not take into account the millions who were prescribed Oxycodone, Vicodin or other opioids and then get stuck in the spiderweb of a life long addiction.  It is a tragedy created by big pharma, who now continues to profit from coming up with medications to substitute for the medication that created the addiction and rehab programs that are costly and not very effective.

“The Opioid manufacturers and other drug makers are being sued across the country.  To counter this they have adopted a 50-state strategy that includes hundreds of lobbyists and millions in campaign contributions to help kill or weaken the measures aimed at stemming the tide of opioid prescriptions” according to the Associated Press.

It is an outright war where patients, with conditions that can most often be resolved with chiropractic care, acupuncture and other natural means, are the losers.  So, if you or anyone you know, suffer from back or neck pain or other muscle or joint pain, consult with a good chiropractor first.  If other treatments are warranted, they will let you know!

sports injury treatment

Sports Injuries and Chiropractic

There is a broad spectrum of injuries that can occur during sports and athletic events.  Most of these injuries fall into the category of sprains and strains, but we have had a lot of media attention on head injuries and concussions, especially in contact sports, the past few years.

Injuries can range from a mild muscle strain, or ligament sprain to more severe injuries, where muscle, tendons and ligament tears, even fractures can be part of the picture.

Mild injuries often heal by themselves with rest, ice therapy and elevation.  Moderate to severe injuries warrant professional evaluation and care recommendations.

Chiropractic care in combination with appropriate physiotherapies such as ultrasound or infrared laser therapy can often dramatically speed up injury healing.  By freeing up nerve flow to the injured area, the brain, which is the master “computer” that controls and coordinates all the body’s functions, is better able to direct and control the repair process.  Chiropractors are experts in diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries and conditions and promote healing without drugs and surgeries. Slight misalignments of joints often occur with sports injuries both in the spine and extremity joints.  Chiropractic is the treatment of choice to correct that.

Naturally, there are times when surgical repairs are necessary or when there are fractures that require orthopedic intervention and referrals to appropriate medical experts are made.

Pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs are seldom found to be necessary and often interfere with the natural healing process or result in more damage being done, because the pain signals are masked.

Acupuncture is an excellent alternative to dangerous and potentially addictive pain medications.  Ice therapy has in studies been shown to be as effective as morphine for musculoskeletal pain.  And, it has no side effects and is free!

There are excellent natural herbal anti-inflammatory preparations and proteolytic enzymes that are as effective as over the counter pharmaceuticals.  This can help the body more effectively go through the healing process.

The Brost Clinic is a proud sponsor of both the Orono and Wayzata high school athletic teams.  We have helped local athletes optimize performance, prevent and speed up healing of injuries for over 30 years.

If you have any questions regarding athletic injuries, feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation.

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The Brost Chiropractic Clinic