What is Chiropractic Philosophy?

Every healing art follows a philosophy. While medicine follows a mechanistic philosophical model (the body functions like a machine and is chiropractic philosophy unreactive), chiropractic follows a vitalistic philosophical model (the body is intelligent and reactive). 

Chiropractic recognizes that the ultimate healer is your inner healing ability that can heal anything – from a cut to cancer. Our purpose as chiropractors is to help your natural healing ability to function as close to 100% as possible. 

  We do that by correcting subluxations – structural distortions in the body that interfere with the flow of energy and information throughout the body. 

  Chiropractors are specialists in locating and correcting subluxations in everyone – from the newborn to the elderly – so you’ll function with more balance, harmony, and energy. 

To learn more about our chiropractic practice, please click here.

To schedule an appointment or talk to Dr. Charmaine or Dr. Ray please Contact us  or call 517.627.4547

The Latest from Charmaine: Early Fall 2020

Greetings all!photo3-300x198

Well, that was summer, wasn’t it? In the year of Covid did we actually have a summer?

Please know that, as the medical professions keep reminding you that the flu’ season is upon us, you really need to work on eating healthy to stay well.

That means less junk/processed food and way more fruits and veggies. That will keep your system more alkaline so that the cold and flu “bugs “don’t find a home in your body.

Norway has a great approach to the Fall and Winter weather…they actually actively seek opportunities to get out and breathe the fresh air!  Whoa, a novel concept!  This from a country that lets their little ones nap snug and warm, in a sheltered place, in the fresh air.  Norwegians are one of the happiest people on the planet and it’s because they embrace their environment, not bemoan it!

As Fall settles in (one of my absolute favorite seasons), and as we prepare to settle the garden in for winter…please plan carefully, hindsight is great but doesn’t take care of the aches and pains of foolish actions.

We await the arrival of Miss Lanjopoulos-Smedsrud in early October. I hope to be able to go and help out after she arrives, but if not, we plan on being over there for the christening over Christmas.

MEANWHILE, STAY SAFE, EAT LOTS OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES, DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, KEEP MOVING, AND GET CHECKED REGULARLY!

Drs. Ray & Charmaine

Click HERE to contact us or call 517.627.4547

Veggie bounty summer pasta

Click the link for the original recipe: Veggie bounty summer pasta      artichokes-1246858_1920

serves 2

Ingredients

  • 200 g / 7 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
  • 20 ml / 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 7 ozs zucchini (1 medium), cut into chunks
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • a good pinch of sugar (optional)
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • a good pinch of chili flakes
  • 4 charred artichoke heart halves, chopped
  • 8 Kalamata olives, de-stoned and chopped
  • chopped fresh parsley, to garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta just short of al dente (the pasta I used takes 12 min to cook al dente, I cooked it for 11 min) following the instructions on the packet, saving about 60 ml / ¼ cup of cooking water just before you drain your pasta.
  2. Heat up 2 tsp oil in a non-stick pan (I like to use a stainless steel one for this dish). Once hot, add zucchini and fry it on a gentle heat until caramelised, stirring from time to time.
  3. Once zucchini is almost done, add the garlic and allow it to fry in amongst the zucchini, stirring frequently. Do not let it brown as it will make it taste bitter.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and transfer out of the pan. Set aside.
  5. Add chopped tomatoes and a good splash of water (or vegan wine if you’d like) into the same pan.
  6. Allow the tomatoes to break down and thicken a little. Add a splash more liquid if the pan is getting dry.
  7. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, a pinch of sugar (if using), balsamic vinegar and a pinch of chili flakes if using. Stir well. Add cherry tomato halves to the pan, allow the cherry tomatoes to soften in the sauce.
  8. Add drained pasta to the sauce and a bit of pasta cooking water if needed. Coat the pasta in the tomato sauce. Mix well and adjust the seasoning if needed – remember that olives will add saltiness. At this point you may want to add a touch more olive oil for a more luxurious finish.
  9. Finally return fried zucchini and add chopped artichoke hearts and olives to the pan.
  10. Divide between two bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley

Researching Chiropractic: Strength Building, Failure to Thrive, Thyroid Issues

Chiropractic makes you stronger. We know that professional and amateur athletes love chiropractic. Now there is a simple study showing that chiropractic makes you stronger. In this study grip strength was recorded for 100 male and female patients before and after chiropractic care. The results were statistically significant.

In this study 95% of the patients had a more than 5% increase in grip strength immediately after chiropractic care. A majority (31%) of the patients showed between 11-15% increase in grip strength; some had over 40% increase and one patient’s strength increased by 85%!

From the paper: Removal of vertebral subluxation can lead to improved motor function, better body function and healthier well-being. (1)

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Failure to thrive, oral thrush and inconsolable crying in a 4-month-old. The baby was medically diagnosed with “failure to thrive” (FTT) and MDs recommended surgical insertion of feeding tubes (i.e. gastrostomy) into the baby’s stomach. The mother refused and sought alternative care.

At 4-months-old the baby was brought to the chiropractor. In addition to FTT she suffered from inconsolable crying, chronic diarrhea and was dangerously underweight. Chiropractic examination detected vertebral subluxations at C1-C4 (upper neck) and T3-T4 (upper back) that were adjusted on the first visit.

Following the first visit, she slept a few hours continuously, without waking up and crying. After three visits she stopped arching in extension and screaming and her stools were becoming a normal color and well-formed. Eventually, she was sleeping through the night and was notably a happier baby, consistently gaining in strength and health each week. The child did not have the gastrostomy surgery.

Five years later the child was healthy and well-developed. (2)

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Hypothyroidism reduction. A 44-year-old woman with upper shoulder pain and pain between the shoulder blades that occurred after a motor vehicle accident 23 years earlier sought chiropractic care. She also suffered from low-thyroid function (hypothyroidism) and was taking Armour ThyroidT. Spinal X-rays revealed a significant loss of normal neck curve (hypo-lordosis) in addition to vertebral subluxations.

She received spinal adjustments to reduce her vertebral subluxation complexes (VSC). In addition to improvement in her pain, she began exhibiting signs/symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Her endocrinologist found improved thyroid function and instructed her to significantly reduce her thyroid medication. (3)

back-5163495_1920 (1)

Taking Out Adenoids Does NOT Help Ear Infections

Removal of the adenoids, often associated with swollen tonsils, is the first surgical treatment for many babies and young children. Although recommended for ear infections, it is not effective. (4) If your child is suffering from ear infections bring him/her in for a chiropractic checkup and adjustment so you may avoid drugs and surgery.

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Resources:

  1. Ng K. Improvement in motor function measured by grip strength following chiropractic adjustments to reduce vertebral subluxation in 100 subjects. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. March 23, 2020: 33-42.
  2. Neally R, Alcantara J. Resolution of failure to thrive in a 4-month-old infant following adjustment of subluxation: case study & selective review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2015;4:149-153.
  3. Bak AD, Engelhardt PR. Improvement in cervical curve and hypothyroidism following reduction of subluxation utilizing Chiropractic Biophysics: a case study & selective review of the literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. December 10, 2015:226-237.
  4. Koivunen P, Uhari M, Luotonen J et al. Adenoidectomy versus chemoprophylaxis and placebo for recurrent acute otitis media in children aged under 2 years: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2004 Feb 28;328(7438):487.

The Latest From Charmaine: Late Summer 2020

Greetings all!photo3-300x198

Well, in the year of Covid, where nothing is “normal” anymore— It might be that time when our kids head back to school or maybe when they head to the kitchen table and go to virtual school.

There are so many negatives that are coming out of this current time that are affecting our emotional and mental health– that I am asking you all to make a special effort (and I know you are overloaded in SO many ways), but please, make an effort to touch base with friends and families and REALLY take time to talk and make sure they feel connected.   Depression and suicidal tendencies are mounting along with an increase in violence in the home as people take out their frustrations on those closest to them.

It is really important for the health of the family and the community that we each have a checklist of people to reach out to let them know they are not alone. Another Covid consequence that is bugging me is the way companies are  forcing the use of single use plastics on us all. I was doing so well with reducing the use of plastic in our house and then the rules changed.  From now on, I will take my own bags into Meijer and pack my own groceries – (don’t give me the evil eye if you are behind me in line. Single use plastic bags are one of the biggest issues in landfills.)  I will also take my mesh bags that I bought before Covid hit and place my greens in those instead of another type of single use plastic bag.

Check out  The Tiny Life website for some ideas to help reduce and reuse and recycle.

Have a GREAT LABOR day weekend and make sure your spines are checked to keep yourselves as healthy as possible and eat lots of VEGETABLE , GREENS and FRUIT!

Farro, Cannellini Bean, Parsley Pesto Salad

Farro is one of my favourite grains, chewy, nutty and packed with goodness (Dr. C.)

Parsley Pestopesto-2228269_1920

  • 1 bunch of parsley (roughly 2 cups once stems are picked)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup brazil nuts (or almonds/walnuts/pine nuts)
  • 1 tsp coarse salt
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

Salad

  • 2 cups, farro, rinsed and drained well (found in the rice section @Meijers)
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 cups /good handfuls baby spinach
  • 1 can white kidney/cannellini beans
  • 1/3 cup parsley pesto
  • Pepper and salt to taste
  • 1/2 lemon juiced

Directions: 

  1. To make the parsley pesto, in a food processor, combine parsley, olive oil, nuts, salt, garlic, nutritional yeast and lemon juice and process until uniform in texture and the parsley has been completely chopped into small bits.
  2. Cook farro in 6 cups of water over medium heat. Cover and stir occasionally to check texture. Once cooked through (the ends will have
    popped a bit and they'll be tender and chewy), add the spinach and cook until wilted. Drain and rinse with cold water and drain.
  3. To make the salad, toss farro, spinach, beans, and parsley pesto until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle lemon juice on top to serve!

Researching Chiropractic: Hypothyroidism, Constipation, Trigeminal Neuralgia

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care?  Probably most of them.

Hypothyroidism reduction under chiropractic care. back-5163495_1920

After a motor vehicle accident a 44-year-old woman suffered from upper trapezius (upper shoulder) and inter-scapular pain (pain between the shoulder blades) for 23 years! In addition, she had been prescribed Armour® Thyroid in order to treat symptoms of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism).
X-rays of her neck revealed a 80.7% loss of normal neck curve (hypo-lordosis) in addition to vertebral subluxations. The patient received spinal adjustments to reduce her subluxations and to improve her spinal and postural alignment over a seven-month period. Thirty days into care the patient began exhibiting signs/symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). After serum lab evaluation, the patient’s endocrinologist instructed the patient to significantly reduce her thyroid medication. In addition, her shoulder and scapular pains gradually disappeared. (1)

Constipation in a three-year old. girl-996635_1920

A three-year-old suffered from constipation for one year, needing laxatives in order to have a bowel movement. She would have no bowel movements on her own. After 4-5 days her parents would give her laxatives. Chiropractic examination included spinal thermography, postural analysis, supine leg length comparison, range of motion, static and motion palpation of her spine. She was diagnosed with vertebral subluxations of the cervical region with related dysautonomia.

Chiropractic adjustments were utilized to correct the cervical subluxations. After two office visits, the toddler started having daily bowel movements. Within a three-month period of weekly chiropractic visits and adjustments, her constipation resolved completely. (2)

Trigeminal neuralgia (Tic douloureux). woman-3809444_1920

A 77-year-old woman suffering from severe right-sided trigeminal neuralgia (TN) for seven years started chiropractic care. Her TN pain was only initially helped by medication and was made worse by chewing, talking and smiling. When her symptoms were their worst, she was unable to eat or talk well for 4 days.

When she began chiropractic care she rated her pain 10 out of 10; describing it as a constant hot, throbbing, burning sensation that progressively got worse. Subluxations at C1 and other segments were located and adjusted. After six visits the patient saw significant reduction in pain; after four months she went off her medication and at 6 months was pain free. (3)

Do you know anyone with the above issues?

Please refer them to us. We can help! 517.627.4547

1. Bak AD, Engelhardt PR. Improvement in cervical curve and hypothyroidism following reduction of
subluxation utilizing Chiropractic Biophysics: a case study & selective review of the literature. Annals of
Vertebral Subluxation Research. December 10, 2015:226-237.
2. Merkovich AP. Resolution of chronic constipation & dysautonomia in a three-year-old female following
chiropractic care: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health,
Chiropractic. August 23, 2019:100-104.
3. Zielinski E, Mankal K, Pirini J. Resolution of trigeminal neuralgia following chiropractic care utilizing
Chiropractic Biophysics and diversified techniques: a case study. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation
Research. November 6, 2014:177-183.

200 Infants a Week Being Saved Thanks to Lockdown

A silver lining to the lockdown?

Approximately 700 infants die each week in the US. Recently researchers Mark F. Blaxill and Amy Becker discovered something shocking.
Infant deaths have dropped to under 500/week by mid-April and throughout May. Ironically as deaths in nursing homes have increased all over the country, approximately 30% fewer children have been dying.

This is incredible, over 200 babies per week that were expected to die did not. Was this a protective effect of school closures? No, because school-age children or adolescents showed no such benefit. The evidence indicates that as less babies were brought to pediatricians for well-baby visits, including childhood vaccines (given at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 months, etc.) less babies have been dying from Crib Death or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

From the paper: SIDS deaths are one of the two largest causes of death among infants aged 1 month to 1 year.
U.S. mortality rates have declined among young people during the lockdown, especially among infants. These trends have gone largely unnoticed and remain unexplained.

[Coincidentally] public health officials are bemoaning the sharp decline in infant vaccinations as parents are not taking their infants into pediatric offices for their regular well-baby checks. …the reduction in expected deaths is highest in infants…the lives of over 200 infants per week were saved during the month of May. Combining the number of lives saved in infants and children aged 1-4, demonstrates a smaller but comparably large and beneficial effect: roughly 145,000 life-years saved among children under 5. (2-3)

lockdown

2.https://healthchoice.org/lessons-from-the-lockdown/
3.https://www.ageofautism.com/2020/06/lessons-from-the-lockdown-a-white-paper-from-health-choice.html

Chipotle Lime Dressing

Makes about 12 servings

Spicy and creamy, perfect for a Mexican-inspired salad or even stirred into some rice for a burrito.

  • 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (such as Vegenaise /Just Mayo)
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce , finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Add everything to a clean jar, screw on the lid, and shake like crazy until mixed well

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Chiropractic: Run Faster, Jump Higher, Be Stronger

It’s summertime and we’re out playing. Can Chiropractic really help sports performance? It certainly does, and that’s why professional sports teams keep chiropractors on staff so their players’; bodies are more balanced, their nervous systems are healthier, their muscles function at their peak and, if they get hurt, they recover faster from injuries.

Name the sport:golf-83869_1920

  • golf
  • tennis
  • football
  • soccer
  • track
  • swimming
  • hockey
  • martial arts
  • wrestling
  • all the others

Chiropractic can give you the winning edge. Of course, you don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from chiropractic;
anyone who uses his/her body needs it to function at its peak. That means everyone, including you, your family, your friends and sports team, can have the winning edge. (1-3)

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1.Haldeman S. Spinal manipulative therapy in sports medicine. Clinics in Sports Medicine 1986;5:277.
2.Lauro BM. Chiropractic effects on athletic ability. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and
Clinical Investigations. 1991;6(4):84-87.
3.Interview with Nick Athens, DC Chiropractic Achievers. November/December 1989;38.