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Vitamin B12 Deficiency is More Common Than You Think!

July 15, 2024

Really, I only thought vegans were deficient. Well, believe it or not, vitamin B12 deficiency is becoming more common than ever before! Who May Be Vitamin B12 Deficient? Those who eat plant-based diets, vegans, vegetarians, and the elderly are the most common subtypes. In addition, approximately 2% of the population cannot metabolize B12 efficiently. Medications that decrease the production of stomach acid also decrease the absorption of B12. What Does B12 Deficiency Look Like? Everyone experiences different symptoms. Some patients will have none. Others may have one or more of the following: anemia, fatigue, poor balance, memory loss, numbness, shortness of breath, tingling feet,...

How to Eat Your Inflammation Away

May 15, 2024

Poor dietary and lifestyle choices over a period of time can lead to a build-up of systemic inflammation. This type of inflammation is not as easily seen with the naked eye. It will not appear as swelling or redness, but nonetheless, your body will begin to break down. Inflammation is the body’s best defense for healing; however, when it becomes long-standing and chronic, disease and pain occur. It has been speculated to be the underlying cause of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, strokes, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancers. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet will slow or reverse the...

Can Altered Breathing Patterns Cause Pain?

April 15, 2024

Did you know that poor breathing mechanics can lead to neck pain, core stability issues, low back pain, and other issues? Yes, something that is so second nature to us is actually very complex! Normal breathing is an automatic and effortless action; however, breathing is a coordinated effort. The act of breathing requires our lungs to expand as well as a series of coordinated muscle efforts from the chest wall, the rib cage, movement of large and small muscles, nerve signaling, ligament stretch, and even the spine. Although we often think of our lungs as being within our chest, the tops...

Mapping Pain: Where Does It Hurt?

March 15, 2024

Pain science is a cutting-edge, complicated and growing field of research. What makes it so challenging is that pain is never a one-size-fits-all experience; not only does it vary from person to person, but it is very common for pain to be felt in a different area than where the actual cause is. Furthermore, what someone experiences as pain varies greatly and is highly individualistic. In our experience, what one person may consider a minor annoyance could significantly impact another person’s activities of daily living. Pain is an individualized experience varying from person to person, body part to body part,...

Piriformis Syndrome: It’s Not About the Tennis Ball

February 15, 2024

Pain in the buttocks? Then you may have heard about placing a tennis ball in a chair and sitting on it. The pressure from the tennis ball helps to relax gluteal muscles and relieve pain. But why is this? The answer is something called piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is a common neuromuscular problem traditionally caused by spasms or enlargement of the piriformis muscle, resulting in compression or pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts in your lower back and travels near the piriformis, which is a deep muscle in your buttock. The piriformis muscle attaches from the lowest part...

The 5 Best Strategies to Restarting Your Exercise Programs

January 15, 2024

It is not uncommon for patients to tell me they would like to "get back to the gym," but they are not sure where to start, especially after injury or quarantine! They are confused about what exercises they should do and what exercises are safe and are sometimes discouraged because they can not do what they used to be able to do. You are not alone! Many patients feel like this! For most people, exercise goals are simple: Feel strong enough to accomplish any normal daily activity, play some recreational sports at a decent level and not wake up not being...

Snow Shoveling Injuries: How to Properly Clean Up After the Storm

November 25, 2023

With the massive snow covering this past weekend comes the inevitable dig-out. Most people, like myself, had to shovel out. Shoveling can cause a host of injuries from strains and is occasionally lethal; three people died from a heart attack during the last storm. The following details how to properly shovel the snow and what not to do when picking up the white stuff. Proper shoveling technique Always face toward the object you intend to lift; have your shoulders and hips facing the snow. Bend at the hips, not the lower back, and push the chest out, pointing forward. Then, bend...

Wallets + Purses = Back Pain?

October 15, 2023

How many of you were taught that your wallet has to go in your back pocket? Despite being taught this, we were not told that stashing our stuff can strain our backs or joints excessively. Who knew that sitting on a bunch of folded bills or stashing coins and lip balm in a shoulder bag can wind up causing aching shoulders, back, and neck pain? Rather than teach us how to live better, we had consumerism marketing masquerading as advice. The result: new purses were bought to help alleviate shoulder pain, and new jeans were purchased whenever the back pocket wore...

The 10 Healthiest Spices

September 15, 2023

Spices not only taste good, but contain many vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that can improve your health and prevent disease! Many times, these spices are viewed as a flavor enhancer, but they also pack a nutritional punch! You will be surprised how good they actually are! Here are my top ten healthiest spices! Cinnamon Cinnamon may help fight inflammation, is an antioxidant and may fight off bacteria. Cinnamon also reduces blood sugar and may help those that have diabetes. Cinnamon is also sweet and is recommended over other artificial sweeteners. t can be added to almost anything! Turmeric Turmeric may be my favorite spice....

MN Spine and Sport Nominated in 5 “Best of Minnesota” Categories!

March 12, 2023

We've been nominated in 5 categories for "Best of Minnesota"! Use this link to vote daily from March 12 - April 5, 2023. Winners will be announced August 13th! Vote MN Spine and Sport We've been nominated for: 1). Best Chiropractor 2). Best Acupuncture 3). Best Sports Medicine 4). Best Physical Therapy 5). Best Wellness and Recovery Services...