HEADACHES

HEADACHES & CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Headaches are a very common condition, and chiropractic care can help! A cause of headaches can be from spinal bones in the neck that are not supporting your head properly. This can affect nerves, muscles, and even the blood supply to your head. Research has shown that the most common types of headaches respond well to chiropractic care.

Drs Kevin, Mary and Diane locate areas of the spine that are not moving properly. They notice spinal curves, posture, and your ability to turn and bend your neck. They are also highly trained to recognize signs of rare problems that may require immediate medical attention.

DO THE MATH
If you experience even 2 headaches per week, that is 144 PER YEAR!

HOW CAN WE HELP?
Drs Kevin, Mary, & Diane will evaluate you and your care will consist of a schedule of chiropractic adjustments (also known as your treatment plan). These help normalize spinal function, help restore essential spinal curves, improve circulation and reduce nerve irritation. Chiropractic care and periodic checkups are useful ways of eliminating the most common cause of headaches (subluxation of neck joints).

THE FACTS
Chiropractic care may help prevent unnecessary tension and/or irritation in the neck and head. In some instances, chiropractic adjustments can provide immediate relief. A study of 87 headache sufferers who were treated with chiropractic adjustments over a two-year period revealed marked improvement. The common migraine had ceased altogether or was much improved in all cases. Duke University released a headache evidence report revealing that compared to amitriptyline use, soft tissue procedures, physical treatment methods and chiropractic care produced sustained improvement in headache frequency and severity.

Over-the-counter medications may cover up the symptoms of a headache, but they do not correct the underlying cause. No headache is caused by an ibuprofen deficiency!

PREVENTION
-Maintain good posture to help reduce misalignemnts
-Avoid situations of pressure and tension that can bring on a headache
-Find time to take periods of rest to relax and close your eyes
-Exerciser regularly to stimulate the circulation of blood and maintain neuromusculoskeletal flexibility
-Do not sleep on your stomach - either sleep on your side with your head supported so that it is level with your spine, or on your back with a small pillow supporting your neck; a cervical pillow is best

Call 414-607-0366 to schedule your headache consultation today!

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

As we pack up our sandals for the season, we are reminded of the months just spent wearing flat or unsupported footwear that may give way for foot pain. Summer is a great season, but it can be challenging on our feet. One of the most common foot injuries is plantar fasciitis. Scroll below to learn more about your feet, and what can help your pain.

Plantar means ‘foot’, fascia is the ligament along the bottom of your foot, therefore fasciitis means ‘inflammation of the fascia’. The plantar fascia extends from your five toes and runs along the bottom of your foot, attaching to your heel. Plantar fasciitis (pronounced fash-ee-eye-tis) is a serious and painful condition that occurs when the long, flat ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears and inflammation. Serious causes of plantar fasciitis can possibly lead to ruptures in the ligament.

When you walk or run, you land on your heel and raise yourself on your toes as you shift your weight to the other foot, causing all of your weight to be held up by your plantar fascia. Such repetitive force can pull the fascia from its attachment on your heel and cause damage.

Many factors can cause plantar fasciitis to develop. When walking with a normal step, the ligament stretches as the foot strikes the ground. When walking with an abnormal step or when putting repetitive pressure on the heel, the plantar fascia ligament can stretch irregularly, become stressed, and develop small tears.

The pain from plantar fasciitis can be described as a dull ache or sharp pain. It tends to worsen after standing or exercising for prolonged periods of time, or after getting out of bed in the morning. Morning heel pain is one of the most common symptoms; as you continue to walk, the fascia ‘warms up’ and reduces the tension.

FUN FOOT FACTS
Each adult foot has:
26 bones,
33 joints
100 muscles, tendons & ligaments

WHAT CAN CAUSE PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
-Abnormal inward twisting of the foot, high arches, flat feet, tight Achilles tendon
-Repetitive pressure on the feet, prolonged walking, standing and running
-Being overweight or having poorly cushioned shoes
-Natural process of aging, aka ‘normal wear and tear’
-In rare cases, a single traumatic injury to the foot

WHAT CAN HELP PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
-Chiropractic adjustments to the feet
-Progressive resistance exercises
-Ultrasound
-Icing
-Light massage

Call 414-607-0366 to schedule your plantar fasciitis consultation today!

WHIPLASH

Are you suffering the effects of whiplash?

Chiropractic care can help! 93% of whiplash patients improve with chiropractic care!

COMMON WHIPLASH SYMPTOMS
neck pain blurred vision
headache ringing in the ears
shoulder pain nausea
low back pain fatigue/weakness
blurred vision irritability
dizziness vertigo

***Whiplash doesn’t just occur in an automobile accident, it can be caused by contact sports, repetitive stress, or from a fall.***

Your treatment plan depends on the severity of your whiplash injury. During the acute or immediate stage of treatment of whiplash, the goal is to reduce inflammation through stretching, trigger point therapy, massage, ice/heat and ultrasound. Once the inflammation is reduced, the pain will decrease and spinal manipulations (adjustments) will restore normal motion of your neck.

Our bodies are designed to adapt, and it is common for symptoms of whiplash to not occur until weeks, months, even years after the initial injury. Restoring and maintaining motion in your spine will alleviate this and many symptoms as you recover.

Call us at 414-607-0366 to schedule a whiplash consultation today!

Immune System Support

We are approaching a season that challenges our immune systems!  With school starting, the temperatures dropping, the days shortening, and the holiday season approaching - we are embarking on the most wonderful time of the year! :)

There is a misnomer about our immune systems - many products and services claim to 'boost' the immune system.  This is a false representation of how our immune systems function - in reality, when our immune systems are 'boosted'....we are already sick.  It is not appropriate to 'boost' your immune system, because then you are asking it to work in overdrive, which will cause it to burn out.  We want to debunk the 'boost' claims and shift gears to immune system support & maintaining strong immune system response.

First, we must identify immune system challenges.  Aside from the exposure to more germs as we re-enter classrooms and are cooped up inside, other challenges throughout the entire year include stress, inadequate sleep, poor eating habits, and general aging (see below).  These challenges can make you vulnerable to illness and less equipped to fight.  Maintaining a strong immune system response with nutrition and herbal supplements can help prepare you for seasonal stressors.

What is the immune system?
The immune system helps the body defend itself against everyday & acute stress.  The immune system is a complex makeup of organs, tissues, and cells that have the ability to produce, store, and carry white blood cells.  If there is a weakening in the system, it is challenging for the body to maintain optimal health.

What can cause a less than optimal immune system?
Chronic stress - Over 1/3 of Americans report that stress has a strong physical impact.  Long-term and/or extreme stress can adversely affect your immune system.
Natural aging - As people age, immune system function continues to decline, leaving vulnerabilities to illness.
Lack of sleep - Over 1/3 of Americans do not get enough sleep on a regular basis.  Inadequate sleep is linked to impaired immune system function.

What can you do?
Chiropractic adjustments are a GREAT way to keep your nervous system functioning at an optimal level for protecting and healing.  Adjustments not only help us feel physically better, but they also enhance our ability to fight infection and disease.  Chiropractic check-ups are an effective and low cost way to keep you and your family healthy this season and all! 

Combined with adjustments and a diet rich in vegetables & fruits, immune system support can be supplemented.  We offer an array of supplements, ranging in price and acuity of need.

Echinacea Premium by MediHerb - 40 tablets for $35.90
(Recommended for every day immune support, especially for long-distance air travelers.)
Immuplex by Standard Process - 40 capsules for $32.74*
(Recommended for every day immune support)
Congaplex by Standard Process - 90 tablets for $24.29*
(Recommended for acute immune system support)
OxyPro by Metagenics - 60 capsules for $20.06
(Recommended for every day immune system support)

*To see product research studies, visit www.standardprocess.com/immune .

NATIONAL AVENUE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Greetings!  The City of West Allis released their Fall 2018 magazine, and on page 8, you will find an entire article dedicated to National Avenue construction updates.  We are sharing their updates verbatim, below.

NATIONAL AVENUE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES - BE IN THE KNOW
National Avenue: Planned to be reopened to all traffic by November 1st, 2018.

Stage 2: Construction on National Ave. from 70th-76th will begin on Aug 13, after the end of State Fair.

• National Ave will remain closed to traffic between 70th and 76th.  As of Aug 13, a new restriction will be in place where 76th St will only be open for northbound 76th St traffic while work is done in the intersection of 76th and National.
• Southbound traffic on 76th St will be detoured via Greenfield Ave to 84th St to Becher St and back to 76th St.
• Access to the library will remain unchanged in Stage 2, with the current detour to 75th and Lapham St remaining in effect.

Stage 3: Detours will take effect a few weeks after Stage 2.

• National Ave remains closed to traffic between 70th and 76th.
• Southbound traffic on 76th St will continue to be detoured via Greenfield to 84th to Becher.  At this point, 75th St will briefly be closed and access to library will be provided on the new National Ave pavement between 76th and 75th St while 75th St is completed.

MCTS Detour: During Stage 2 and 3 is as follows:

• When southbound 76th is closed, MCTS will divert their Route 76 on 76th St to use established 70th/68th St route.
• Rote 76 will be detoured to 70th/68th for the southbound direction only as follows: 76th to Greenfield to 70th to Mitchell to 68th to Becher to 76th again.
  
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Thank you to the City of West Allis Fall 2018 contributors for this comprehensive update on our street.  Contributors include Jenny Kosek, Brenda Schmid, Lt. Jessica Johnson, Deyana Petrick, Jason Schaak, Ashley Tannert, Jennifer Bartel, West Allis Downtown BID, WAWM Recreation & Community Services, WAWM School District, City Staff.

West Allis Mayor's Challenge

Donnelly Chiropractic is a PROUD sponsor of this year's Mayor's Challenge!

Gardening Safety

Spring is officially here, and here to stay! We are all eager to begin our gardening and lawn care, but the long days can bring about aches and pains.  Read the tips below to learn how to plant and rake without the ache!

Gardening can be a great workout, but the bending, twisting, reaching and pulling can make even the strongest accident prone.  The back, upper legs, shoulders and wrists are the major muscle groups to stretch before and after gardening.  Simple stretches before and after can help prevent injuries, pain and stiffness.  Stretching should not be painful - stretch as far as and as comfortably as you can. 

Be aware of body technique, form and posture while gardening.  Kneel, do not bend, and alternate stance/movements as often as possible to keep muscles and your body balanced.

Below are some stretches to help prevent gardening injuries.

1. Hamstring Stretch - Stretch your leg out in front of you, keeping your leg straight and prop your heel on an elevated surface. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of your elevated leg (your hamstring muscle). Hold for 15 seconds.  Repeat twice on each side.

2. Hands Overhead Stretch - While standing, weave your fingers together above your head with your palms to the sky.  Lean slightly to one side for 10 seconds, then the other side for 10 seconds.  Repeat three times.

3. Tricep Stretch - Stand with your chin tucked in, with both arms raised with a bend at the elbows.  Hold your left elbow with your right hand, as your left elbow bends and left palm faces down between your shoulders.  Press with your right hand to stretch your left arm.  Hold for 30 seconds.  Repeat on the other side.

4. Change It Up! Make sure you are alternating positions and movements as often as possible.  Alternate kneeling knees, side twisting/reaching, etc.  

If the aches from gardening still bother you, give us a call for a check-up.  A simple adjustment keeps the injuries small and short-lived.  

STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and we are breaking down the human body, the effects of stress on our bodies, common sources of stress AND ways to manage stress.

THE HUMAN BODY
The body is made up of about 37 trillion cells (ex bone, blood, muscle & nerve cells).  Cells are collected into tissues, which are then arranged into organs.  Organs combine to form systems (ex cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, immune systems), and these systems make up the human body.

Our cells work best when the body's internal environment is kept constant, and our bodies have many systems in place to keep us stable despite changes in external environment.  When the body is unable to maintain a stable internal environment (despite our hard-working systems), cell function is disrupted.

THE EFFECTS OF STRESS
Stress disrupts the body's internal environment.  Under small amounts of stress, the body can correct the disruption with hormone regulation and toxin reduction.  High or chronic amounts of stress can overwhelm our systems, challenging our ability to regulate.  Initially, stress effects our cells, which is often unnoticed.  When stress is high or long-lasting (chronic), our cells continually cannot function normally.  Cell malfunction cascades to our tissues, organs and finally, our body systems.  This is when measurable and visible effects are noticed.  Optimal body function is compromised with this imbalance.  Below you will find an info-graph of common symptoms of stress, and what body system they arise from.

COMMON SOURCES OF STRESS

Environmental Toxins (air pollution, water pollution, UV rays)
Psychological (emotional troubles, relationships, childhood trauma, media overload)
Nutritional (processed foods, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, overeating, metabolism)
Physical (sedentary behavior, illness/injury, intense exercise, lack of sleep)
Financial (job loss, decreased income, student debt, rent/mortgage)

STRESS MANAGEMENT
We know stress is often unavoidable.  While we cannot always control stress, we are very much in control with HOW much it can effect us.  Take the time to invest in yourself and create your wellness arsenal.  Some of the ideal stress relievers (working out, more sleep, yoga) can be momentarily out of reach (ex following an intense staff meeting), but there are smaller versions that you can do now for relief.  If you are in a high-stress situation and the relief of a workout is not accessible, take a brief walk.  The change of scenery and increase of heart rate will give similar benefits.  Maybe you have a work deadline and are falling behind on sleep.  A long nap may be out of reach, but meditating or resting for 10/15/20 minutes can have similar outcomes.  

Make a hierarchy of stress relievers based on accessibility and time.  The key is stress reduction, and no matter how small or how little time, any reduction is better than nothing at all.  Investing in yourself will always pay off.  Stress is something that we feel begins in our mental body and overflows into our physical body and function.  If you need more ideas on simple stress management exercises, visit our prior blog post called '40 Days of Wellness'!

Therapeutic massage and chiropractic adjustments are great ways to manage stress.  Therapeutic massages are not only relaxing, but are proven to decrease the symptoms of high-stress.  Chiropractic adjustments are a great way to support your immune system during stressful times.  Self-care is not selfish!

40 DAYS OF WELLNESS

This month, we are giving you a Wellness Wednesday BONUS!  This Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of the Lenten season.  These 40 days prepare us for Spring.  Regardless of your religious beliefs, this is a great time of year to devote time for self-growth.  We compiled a list of 40 acts of self-care to practice once a day.  The 40 Day Challenge begins Wednesday, February 14th and is complete on Sunday, April 1st.  In actuality, the season is 46 days, as Sundays are not included.  On Sundays, repeat an act of self-care or spend time preparing for future acts of self-care.  The list below does not need to be completed in order, it is simply a guide for your 40 days!

Enjoy your journey of practicing self-care!

1. Take an Epsom salt bath

2. Go to bed early tonight

3. Avoid social media

4. Drink a cup of hot tea

5. Complete your favorite exercise

6. Take a yoga class

7. Spend an evening with your family

8. Spend an evening with your friends

9. Spend an evening with your partner

10. Spend an evening with yourself

11. Drink 128 oz (1 gal) of water

12. Meditate for 30 minutes

13. Make a homemade meal

14. Begin or complete a book

15. Journal about your day

16. Schedule an adjustment

17. Avoid sweets today

18. Get a massage

19. Drink 8 oz of water first thing in the AM

20. Skip coffee today

21. Wear a facial mask

22. Go for a walk

23. Organize a room in your home

24. Donate unused items to a shelter

25. Learn something new today

26. Spend time outdoors

27. Write a letter to a loved one

28. Floss your teeth

29. Do one thing that makes you happy

30. Practice a breathing exercise before bed

31. Take a nap

32. Live today focused on gratitude

33. Smile at every person you interact with

34. Make a list of what you LOVE about yourself

35. Complete a puzzle

36. Eat vegetables at every meal

37. Have a dance party

38. Journal about favorite childhood memories

39. Avoid television today

40. Reflect on your self-care journey

Chiropractic Care and Women's Health!

Chiropractic care is for everyone at every stage of life, from infancy to geriatric, but we are going to focus on chiropractic care for WOMEN!  

All babies can benefit from chiropractic care!  Babies experiencing reflux, colic, ear pain and difficulty nursing, to name a few, show great outcomes of these symptoms with just a few chiropractic visits.  A Gutmann study showed that approximately 80% of babies experience some sort of nerve dysfunction during labor.  Chiropractic care's primary focus is to restore nerve function.  (www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org)

Young children and athletes benefit from chiropractic care!  A study conducted by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine concluded that chiropractic care can help hip joint extension ability, which in turn can increase running velocity. (www.journalchiromed.com).  In addition, a study again conducted by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine concluded that chiropractic manipulation of the spine, pelvis and extremities will treat and manage chronic, recurrent ankle sprains in young athletes. (www.sciencedirect.com).

Chiropractic care is beneficial for young women as they begin puberty and with their menstrual cycles.  Chiropractic adjustments are a safe, non-pharmaceutical alternative to treating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which affects 3 out of 4 women.  Adjustments of the lumbar spine and sacrum, specifically L2 and L3, affect the sympathetic and parasympathetic symptoms, which control hormone regulation.  In multiple studies, women reported less bloating, headaches and cramping while under chiropractic care. (www.chiroone.net)

Chiropractic manipulations can help ease the symptoms of menopause, something all women will go through in their lifetime.  Common menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats and sleep issues, which can be attributed to a change in levels of estrogen and progesterone.  As mentioned above, adjustments of the lumbar spine and sacrum can help with hormone regulation. (www.chiroone.net)

Chiropractic care is vital during pregnancy and post-partum!  There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy.  Dr. Kevin & Dr. Mary are trained to work with women who are pregnant, in fact, it is routine care for most chiropractors.  During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur, including: protruding abdomen and increased back curve, pelvic changes and postural adaptations.  A misaligned pelvis may cause intrauterine constraint and make it difficult for the baby during delivery.  Chiropractic care has also been shown to control symptoms of nausea, relieve back pain and prevent potential cesarean delivery.  Often after birth, the mother's pelvic biomechanics change, which can bring discomfort with nursing, walking and sleeping.  Chiropractic manipulations, exercises and stretches can help mobilize the pelvis and spine.  (www.americanpregnancy.org, www.themotherbabycenter.org)

There is SO much research, articles and resources supporting why chiropractic care is vital for a woman's health.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!  We strive to be your wellness resource, our staff has decades of combined experience and we are here for YOU!