A Fine Piece of Art


Michelangelo's David was sculpted out of an "undesirable" block of marble rejected by all of his contemporaries. The artist said that when he looked at a blank slab of stone, Read more

Children, ADHD, and Sensory Disorders


It is any parent’s greatest wish to see their children happy and healthy. There is nothing more joyful than seeing a carefree, innocent smile light up your child’s face. Read more

Children, ADHD, and Sensory Disorders

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Brain, Children, Chiropractic, Wellness Leave a comment  

It is any parent’s greatest wish to see their children happy and healthy. There is nothing more joyful than seeing a carefree, innocent smile light up your child’s face. We love our children so much, and we never want to see them hurt or sick. There are far too many children who struggle with their health and performance. ADHD and related disorders are an increasing epidemic that children and families struggle to overcome every day.

ADHD and sensory disorders are primarily neurological in nature. Similar to a car, the neurological system has a “gas pedal” and a “brake pedal.” A person can develop a functional imbalance of the brain and nervous system, but this imbalance can often be partially or completely corrected. An accumulation of physical, chemical, and emotional stressors can cause someone to become stuck in the gas mode, without the brakes engaging. Physical stressors include high-intervention pregnancy and delivery, intrauterine constraint, car accidents, falls, and other traumas. In 2008, the British Medical Journal noted that children with head injury or burn injury were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD by age 10.

Children with a diagnosis of ADHD, ADD, or autism spectrum disorder are often locked in a “fight or flight” state. Due to their altered brain function, they are easily over-stimulated by people, noise, lights, and even their own clothing. This may lead to a separate diagnosis such as SPD, or sensory processing (formerly integration) disorder. Often a child with ADHD/ADD also has headaches, postural problems like slouching, sleep disorders, and difficulty with managing emotions. The child’s symptoms can be very disruptive for families and cause poor performance in school, reducing a child’s potential to be their best.

Healthcare providers understand that neurological integrity plays a significant role in children’s learning and behavioral patterns. Doctors of chiropractic offer a non-drug and non-invasive alternative for people with ADHD and spectrum disorders that targets the underlying problems, not just the symptoms. Chiropractic care is designed to rebalance, calm, and organize the nervous system, so the function of body and brain both improve. Many parents have noted that their child’s medical diagnosis is downgraded or removed completely once they begin a program of chiropractic care.

Most people are familiar with the hands-on chiropractic adjustments that intend to create motion in joints. The key difference with our office is that adjustments are made with a gentle, low-force mechanical impulse device. Our protocol recommends that a person be adjusted differently every visit. This breaks the nervous system out of its unhealthful patterns and creates the potential for continuous improvements in body function and state of well-being. Regardless of the chiropractor’s technique, a gentle modified approach is always used, and children typically love to get adjusted.

If you are a parent concerned about your child’s health, please understand that there is hope. Restoring neurological integrity through chiropractic care may be the missing piece of the puzzle for your child. Call our office today at 651-757-5096 for a complimentary consultation. There is nothing that brings us more joy than seeing a child increase their vitality and capability. Our goal, like yours, is to maximize children’s potential to be their best.


ADHD and Spectrum Disorders: Restoring the Neurological Connection

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Babies, Balanced living, Brain, Children, Chiropractic, Healing, Posture, Pregnancy, Spine, Stress, Wellness Leave a comment  

It is any parent’s greatest wish to see their children happy and healthy. There is nothing more joyful than seeing a carefree, innocent smile light up your child’s face. We love our children so much, and we never want to see them hurt or sick. There are far too many children who struggle with their health and performance. ADHD and related disorders are an increasing epidemic that children and families struggle to overcome every day.

ADHD and spectrum disorders are primarily neurological in nature. Similar to a car, the neurological system has a “gas pedal” and a “brake pedal.” A person can develop a functional imbalance of the brain and nervous system, but this imbalance can often be partially or completely corrected. An accumulation of physical, chemical, and emotional stressors can cause someone to become stuck in the gas mode, without the brakes engaging. Physical stressors include high-intervention pregnancy and delivery, intrauterine constraint, car accidents, falls, and other traumas. In 2008, the British Medical Journal noted that children with head injury or burn injury were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD by age 10.

Children with a diagnosis of ADHD, ADD, or autism spectrum disorder are often locked in a “fight or flight” state. Due to their altered brain function, they are easily over-stimulated by people, noise, lights, and even their own clothing. This may lead to a separate diagnosis such as SPD, or sensory processing (formerly integration) disorder. Often a child with ADHD/ADD also has headaches, postural problems like slouching, sleep disorders, and difficulty with managing emotions. The child’s symptoms can be very disruptive for families and cause poor performance in school, reducing a child’s potential to be their best.

Healthcare providers understand that neurological integrity plays a significant role in children’s learning and behavioral patterns. Doctors of chiropractic offer a non-drug and non-invasive alternative for people with ADHD and spectrum disorders that targets the underlying problems, not just the symptoms. Chiropractic care is designed to rebalance, calm, and organize the nervous system, so the function of body and brain both improve. Many parents have noted that their child’s medical diagnosis is downgraded or removed completely once they begin a program of chiropractic care.


Top 10 Solutions for Stress

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Balanced living, Brain, Chiropractic, Digestive Health, Healing, Nutrition, Stress, Supplements, Wellness Leave a comment  

Aside from making you grouchy, stress can damage your body. High levels of stress hormone can damage your brain and your digestive tract. Signs of stress overload include fatigue, insomnia, food cravings, weight gain, muscle & joint pain, anxiety and focus issues, lowered libido and weakened immunity.

Top 10 drugless solutions for stress:

  1. Eat breakfast every day to maintain steady blood sugar levels through the day.
  2. Eat protein and fat with every meal or snack to maintain steady blood sugar.
  3. Get enough omega-3 fatty acids, which are building blocks for your brain.
  4. Take adrenal gland (stress-handling gland) supporting supplements if needed.
  5. Prepare for sleep by turning off lights, using an eye mask, and creating a ritual.
  6. Plan for fun activities; even a 5-minute break can help to re-set your mood.
  7. Exercise regularly with intensity to decrease stress hormone levels.
  8. When you talk to yourself, use empowering words: I choose, I will, I can. A daily gratitude journal can help you shift the words you use.
  9. Perform pattern interruptions – breathe deeply, walk for 5 minutes, or snap a rubber band on your wrist when you feel overwhelmed or anxious.
  10. Get adjusted to reduce the effects of accumulated stress on your body and brain.

Excess stress affects both muscle tension and nerve function. This creates patterns of distortion in your body and makes you use more energy for normal daily tasks. When you re-set your nervous system through chiropractic adjustments, your life starts to work better because your body and brain are working better.


Your Information Highway

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Brain, Chiropractic, Spine, Wellness Leave a comment  

Ever notice how traffic backs up if there’s an incident in the ditch distracting all of the drivers? Your body operates on the same principle: If there is interference along your information highway, things don’t work so good (to use a clinical term). Once your information highway is running at top speed, things start to “work good” again. It is as simple as that.

Your nervous system is your information highway. It connects your brain to your body. This is what I share with all of my new clients at their first visit. People are often surprised that there is a neurological connection between the upper neck (Cranial, C1, C2) and common problems like ADHD, fatigue, and sleeping problems.

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Your neurological connections(scroll right to see the entire image)

About the author: Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP, is a wellness-certified family chiropractor at Vital Life Chiropractic in Eagan, Minnesota.

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Kids and Chiropractic

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Asthma, Babies, Children, Chiropractic, Medicine, Research, Stress, Wellness 6 Comments

Every parent wants to grow a happy, healthy child that lives up to their potential. But the stresses of life can keep this from happening. Many problems in children and teenagers can be traced back to a difficult birth process. If a newborn’s head is pulled or twisted during delivery, they can develop spinal misalignments. This distorts the infant’s nerve system function, resulting in motor control issues like torticollis, or digestive issues like acid reflux, colic, and constipation. These issues often clear up after a course of gentle chiropractic care.

Nerve system malfunction (subluxation) frequently results in chronic ear infections. In preschool or elementary school, subluxation can cause problems like asthma, ADHD, emotional difficulties, and learning difficulties. The goal of chiropractic care is to treat nerve system malfunction so the body can return to normal function. Ideally, children will never develop the health problems that held back their parents and grandparents. Childhood should be spent enjoying life, not managing chronic health conditions.

 Kids enjoy getting adjusted while cuddling with mom or dad.

In 1989, a survey of the children of chiropractors and medical doctors showed striking differences between the two health care approaches. Chiropractic children showed stronger immune systems than medical children. Regarding ear infections (otitis media), 80% of medical children suffered from this problem, while only 21% of chiropractic children had ear infections. For medical children, 88% had taken antibiotics, but only 51% of chiropractic children had.

Safe. Natural. Effective. What more could a parent want for their child’s health care?

About the author: Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP, is a wellness-certified chiropractor at Vital Life Chiropractic in Eagan, Minnesota.


We Can’t Afford to Be Sick

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Aging, Balanced living, Children, Medicine, Research, Wellness Leave a comment  

We will pay for our health, whether it is good or bad. It just depends when you want to spend the money. Investing small amounts in health-enhancing activities can offset an expensive health crisis down the road. It’s no secret that health care costs are increasing. Most illness in this country can be prevented through improving lifestyle. Before this post starts to seem too preachy, let’s look at some facts:

  • An American couple retiring today at age 65 will need $230,000 in the bank to pay for medical costs, not including long-term care.
  • If we spread out the costs of the top 10 chronic illnesses among everyone, a family of four pays $30,000 per year.

Now let’s talk about the next generation.

  • 500,000 children are taking antipsychotic medications, with 1 in 10 10-year-old boys taking daily stimulant drugs for ADHD symptom control.
  • 1 in 6 children are diagnosed with a developmental disability (ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or other physical challenge).

What treatments and therapies will these children need as adults, and how much will that cost? Keep these concepts in mind as you consider the costs of investing in your health. What could you do with an extra $30,000 per year?

About the author: Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP, is a wellness-certified chiropractor at Vital Life Chiropractic in Eagan, Minnesota.


Childen: Healthy by Design

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Brain, Children, Healing, Immune System, Stress, Wellness Leave a comment  

Last week in USA Today, a special series on children’s health reported:

The rate of chronic disease in kids … has doubled in the past two decades: 26% of children now suffer from a long-term health problem, says a 2010 study of more than 5,000 children ages 2 to 8 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. And more than half of children in that study have had some kind of chronic illness — one that limits their abilities or requires special medication, equipment or services for at least 12 months — sometime in the past six years, the study says.

Did you read that? We are talking about kids between the ages of 2 and 8! Unhealthy lifestyles are to blame for the recent doubling of chronic disease: food lacking in nutritional value and a lack of exercise. What if parents knew they could help to counteract the effects of modern living?

Through my postgraduate training in wellness, I studied four areas in depth: Eating well. Moving well. Thinking well. Maintaining a clear neurological connection between brain and body. When you achieve all four of these things at the same time, for a period of time, you move toward wellness. If one of these four aspects is neglected, you move toward chronic illness.

What do parents report about their kids under chiropractic care? From my client surveys, we see:

  • Decreased use of inhaler for asthma
  • Improved attention span and behavior
  • Faster recovery from colds and flu

Children were born to be healthy, not sick! In this imperfect world, we can reduce the effects of unhealthy lifestyle by maintaining a clear neurological connection between brain and body. What more could a parent want for their child than to see them grow up strong and healthy, with minimal use of medications or emergency room visits?

Make the decision to keep your child healthy by choice, not by chance!

www.vitallifechiropractic.com


Well-being, the Brain, and Chiropractic

Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Balanced living, Brain, Chiropractic, Healing, Spine, Stress, Wellness Leave a comment  

Torque Release Technique is a “tonal” chiropractic technique. That is, it is concerned with relieving tension in the deepest layers of the body. In addition to the spinal joints, TRT addresses the tension (tone) within the skull, spinal cord, and protective coverings (meninges) of the brain and spinal cord. When these body systems are functioning properly, communication within the nervous system occurs smoothly and efficiently. This creates optimal function of mind, body and emotions.

TRT evolved out of a 1996 university-based study to test the impact of chiropractic care on participants’ ability to complete a 30-day residential addiction treatment program. The astounding results of this study were printed in Molecular Psychiatry, a publication of the prestigious scientific journal Nature. What happened? All of the residents (100 percent) undergoing Torque Release Technique chiropractic care were able to complete the program. Traditionally, the completion rate is about 56 percent. Participants receiving TRT care also reported significant decreases in anxiety and visits to the nurse.

People with addictive and compulsive tendencies can experience improved states of well-being from TRT care. This gives a hopeful alternative to adults and children affected by depression, anxiety, ADHD/ADD, and substance abuse. Between 2003 and 2010, additional case reports noted significant positive changes in people affected by autism, ADHD, depression, and traumatic brain injury.

Like other chiropractic techniques, TRT can also benefit people with pain, stiffness, and fatigue. TRT protocol recommends that a person be adjusted differently every visit. This breaks the nervous system out of its unhealthful patterns and creates the potential for continuous improvements in body function and state of well-being. The body continues to correct and realign itself in the time between adjustments. TRT chiropractic care leads to profound neurological changes that can benefit every body system. It is an excellent, economical approach to developing vibrant health.

www.vitallifechiropractic.com