Monday, March 23, 2009

Can Chiropractic Benefit Your St. Paul Area Company?


Chiropractic Benefits Proposal For Your Business

1. Seminars and Workshops
Knowledge, motivation and training empower people to achieve more personally and professionally. We'll work with you to determine which seminars or workshops will have the best impact on your workforce.

List of Seminars:
--Injury Prevention
--Stretching Program Instruction
--Proper Lifting
--Stress Management
--Nutrition Workshop
--Starting and Sticking to an Exercise Program

2. Pre-Employment/Placement Physical Examinations

Job-specific screenings to make sure new employees are able to perform jobs safely. Eliminate risks for certain job descriptions by placing them in jobs they can physically handle.

This will serve 2 functions:
--Reduce Injuries
--Reduce severity of injuries when they do occur


3. Comprehensive Chiropractic Care: On-site or Off-site
The key is cost containment within health care is early detection and prevention. And the key to early detection and prevention is honest, ethical, and convenient care. Onsite access to health care maximizes your employee’s ability to get and stay healthy.

Based on analysis supplied by the Congress of Chiropractic Industrial Consultants, most companies can reasonably expect a 15% to 18% reduction in health care costs within the first 2 years of implementation of these plans.

Dr Douglas Yost of Advanced Chiropractic & Wellness Clinic of Shoreview, MN works with local businesses to teach their employees how to prevent injuries, perform proper lifting, and improve their overall health.

Please call 651-484-0151 to see if Dr. Yost can help your company.

www.acwclinic.com

13 Ways Orthotics Can Help

13 Ways Orthotics Can Help

1. Support for all three arches.
Arch collapse can have detrimental effects on all weight-bearing joints above the feet. Stability of each foot’s three-arch structure is essential in providing long-term postural support.

2. Add balance to life.
With custom orthotics, balance is restored, the body is no longer compensating and the result is that many pains and physical complaints are alleviated.

3. Shock absorption.
Along with arch support and restoration of balance, the need to decrease the heel-strike shock that our systems experience during daily activity of walking is of major importance. Heel-strike shock is a major cause of musculoskeletal difficulties that, when left unchecked, can lead to harmful consequences.

4. Help reduce biomechanical aches and pains.
Orthotics positively impact the three critical functions of the foot: support, locomotion, and shock absorption. By preventing or correcting the critical functions, orthotics relieve the problems before they begin.

5. Help counteract leg-length inequality.
Leg-length inequality can predispose an individual to structural instability, degenerative joint disease, and pain. Leg-length inequality responds well to custom-made orthotics.

6. Adapt to lifestyle changes.
The human body is constantly in a process of change, whether we’re referring to minor processes (such as nail and hair growth) or major consequential occurrences (such as weight increase, traumatic injury). For example pregnancy is a very obvious and consequential lifestyle change.

7. Improve the biomechanics of the knee.
Orthotics relieve stress to the knee caused by foot pronation and flat feet. Without the added stress, the knee stretches and rotates properly.

8. Align the body.
By addressing all of the above factors, orthotics improve foot alignment and symmetry, and ultimately help improve overall body alignment.

9. Attain better posture.
With the body in alignment and unburdened by aches and pains, you can concentrate on achieving correct stance and posture.


10. Alleviate complications from conditions that affect the feet.
With many diseases, such as diabetes, there is added stress to the feet that cause complications, which can lead to amputation. Alleviating the factors that bring about ulcer formation by using orthotics offers a cost-effective preventative measure.

11. Increase athletic performance.
Because orthotics significantly influence pelvic rotation and stride length, and also serve to reduce fatigue and improve balance, athletes experience a more consistent performance.

12. Put more “spring” into each step.
Most advanced custom-made orthotics now offer a propulsive material in the forefoot area that provides a “boost” during the toe-push portion of the walking cycle.

13. Satisfaction.
Orthotics help to relieve many symptoms and conditions, and along with chiropractic care, will sustain the benefits longer and increase satisfaction of care and treatment.


Dr Douglas Yost
www.acwclinic.com
We Carry Foot Levelers Orthotics

How To Manage Your Stress

What is stress?

Today’s news includes around-the-clock coverage of natural and man-made disasters, hurricanes, wars, economic failures and terrorists’ attacks. Just 10 minutes of watching the network news can make your stress levels soar. Racing against deadlines, sitting in traffic, arguing with your spouse. Modern life is full of time pressure and frustration.
· All these make your body react as if you were facing a physical threat--Gave early humans “fight or flight” mentality, helped them survive
· External Stress—Hot or cold, poor living or working conditions, abusive relationships, crowding pollution
· Internal Stress—Worry, anxious about things beyond your control, tense, hurried approach to life, relationship problems because of your own behavior, overworked—achieve too much in too little of time

How it affects your body?

· Stress triggers the adrenal glands to produce stress hormones—cortisol & adrenaline
· They can focus concentration, speed reaction time, increase strength
· Return to normal after stress is gone
· When stress piles up one event after another, body can’t recover and hormone levels stay elevated=chronic stress
**Effects on the body= Increased risk of obesity
Insomnia
Digestive problems
Heart disease
Depression
Weakened immune system-sick more often
Reproduction problems
Memory, concentration, and learning problems
Pain-muscle and joint pain

Who is at risk?

Individuals at high risk
· Younger adults
· Women
· Working mothers
· Less educated
· Divorced or unemployed
· Isolated
· Target of racial or sexual discrimination
· People without health insurance
· Live in a larger city

How can I eliminate stress?

The goal is not to eliminate stress, but to manage it.
· Positive stress—Adds anticipation and excitement
· Negative stress—Leads to health problems

How can I manage stress?

1. Identify Sources of Stress
· Activities putting a strain on time and energy can trigger anger and anxiety
· Don’t ignore stress or gloss it over

2. Recognize What You Can Change
· Avoid or eliminate stressful situations if possible
· Shorter exposure to stress---Take a break, Leave the premises
· Which tasks are in your control and which are not
** Devote time and energy necessary to make changes in your life
--Set goals
--Time Management

3. Restructure Your Priorities
· Replace unnecessary time consuming chores with pleasurable activities
· Take long weekends or vacations
· If stress is at home plan time away—even for an hour or two
** Make time for recreation—It is as essential as bill paying or grocery shopping

4. Reduce the Intensity of Emotional Reactions to Stress
· Are you exaggerating the levels of stress
· Are you trying to please everyone
· Are you overreacting and viewing everything as critical or urgent
· Try to see stress as something you control rather than something that overpowers you
· Try to temper excess emotion
--Stop, Count to 5, Think, And Then React
· Do not labor on the negative aspects
** Use humor—Laughter reduces tension

5. Maintain Emotional Reserves
· Develop mutually supportive friendships/relationships
· Pursue realistic goals meaningful to you rather than goals others have for you
· Listen to learn
· Empathize with others
· Always be kind and gentle with yourself
** Expect some frustrations, failures, and sorrow

6. Keep Perspective and Look for a Positive Outlook
· First identify worst possible outcomes
· Rate the likelihood of bad outcomes happening
· Envision a favorable result
· Develop a plan to achieve a positive outcome
· Recall previous situations which seemed negative, but ended well
**Step back from conflict giving you stress

7. Build Your Physical Reserves
· Healthy diet—Eat well balanced nutritious meals
· Avoid nicotine, excessive caffeine, and other stimulants
· Get enough sleep—Consistent sleep schedule
· Mix leisure with work—Take breaks, daily pleasant activities
--If job is unendurable, plan and execute a career change
· ****EXERCISE –Amount of time is better than intensity
--Do cardiovascular exercises 3-4 times per week
--Aerobic activities
--Brisk walking
--Swimming
--Yoga
--Ladies Workout Express is Great!!

8. Get Help
· Changing habitual patterns is tough
· Psychiatrist, Psychologists are trained to help

What are some relaxation techniques?

1. Deep Breathing Exercises—Brugger’s Breathing Exercises
· Stand up with good posture
· Spread legs past shoulder width
· Arms raised to the side
· Tighten stomach muscles
· Inhale slowly through the nose to count of 10
· Exhale slowly and completely to count of 10
· Repeat 5-10 times, several times per day
** Brings needed oxygen to all parts of the body

2. Muscle Relaxation Exercises
· Lying down with arms at your side and legs not crossed
· Breath deeply
· Focus on one body part at a time
· Feel the muscles of that body part totally relax
Ex. Start with feet and work toward the head feeling all the muscles relax as you go

3. Meditation
· Sitting comfortably
· Eyes closed
· Quiet room
· Concentrate on deep breathing
· Observe the “out” breath
· If mind wanders, just return to the “out” breath

4. Massage Therapy
· Muscle manipulation, massage can reduce excess muscle tension

How can chiropractic help?

1. Aligning the spine
· Chiropractor can check the spine for “subluxations” or misalignments, which may be causing some tight muscles and painful joints, adding to the stress

2. Nutrition Supplements
· Recommend nutritional supplements
--Natural way to reduce tension and stress

3. Stretching techniques
· Develop a stretching program for tight muscles

4. Exercise Plan
· Tailor an exercise regimen based on your body and level of fitness

5. Diet
· Recommend healthy foods for the diet and which foods to avoid

Five Unrealistic Desires or Beliefs That Cause Anxiety---Albert Ellis

1. The desire to always have the love and admiration of all people important to you.

2. The desire to be thoroughly competent at all times

3. The belief that external factors cause all misfortune

4. The desire that events should always turn out the way you want them to, and that people should always do what you want

5. The belief that a past bad experience will inevitably control what will happen in the future.


Dr Douglas Yost
http://www.acwclinic.com/


Benefits Of Stretching

Benefits of Stretching

1. Increased flexibility and better range of motion of your joints.
--Flexible muscles can improve your daily performance. Tasks such as lifting packages, bending to tie your shoes or hurrying to catch a bus become easier and less tiring. Flexibility tends to diminish as you get older, but you can regain and maintain it.

2. Improved circulation.
--Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles. Blood flowing to your muscles brings nourishment and gets rid of waste byproducts in the muscle tissue. Improved circulation can help shorten your recovery time if you’ve had any muscle injuries.

3. Better Posture.
--Frequent stretching can help keep your muscles from getting tight, allowing you to maintain proper posture. Good posture can minimize discomfort and keep aches and pains at a minimum.

4. Stress Relief.
--Stretching relaxes tight, tense muscles that often accompany stress.

5. Enhanced Coordination.
--Maintaining the full range of motion through your joints keeps you in a better balance. Coordination and balance will help keep you mobile and less prone to injury from falls, especially as you get older.


Stretching Essentials

1. Warm up First.
--Stretching muscles when they’re cold increases your risk of pulled muscles. Warm up by walking while gently pumping your arms, or do a low intensity exercise for 5 minutes.

2. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.
--It takes time to lengthen tissues safely. Hold your stretches for at least 30 seconds—and up to 60 seconds for a really tight or problem area.




3. Don’t Bounce.
--Bouncing as you stretch can cause small tears (microtears) in the muscle, which can leave scar tissue as the muscle heals. The scar tissue tightens the muscle even further, making you less flexible—and more prone to pain.

4. Relax and breathe freely.
--Don’t hold your breath while you’re stretching.

5. Stretch both sides.
--Make sure your joint range of motion is as equal as possible on each side of you body.

6. Stretch before and after.
--Light stretching after your warm-up followed by a more thorough stretching regimen after your workout is done is your best bet.
**If you only have time to stretch once during your workout do it afterward.



No gym required.
--Stretching is something you can easily do anytime, anywhere—in your home, your work, or even when you’re traveling. Aim to stretch with every workout and at least 3 times per week. At least once per day will be the most beneficial.



How can Chiropractic Help?

1. Increased Flexibility
2. Increased mobility and range of motion
3. Spinal and extremity pain relief
4. Headache relief
5. Decreased stiffness and muscle spasms
6. Increased performance and energy
7. Increased balance and coordination
8. Reduced degeneration and risk of injury


***If you have a condition related to muscles tightness or joints for more than a few days, especially chronic conditions lasting for months, it is a good idea to get a chiropractic checkup to evaluate your spinal health.

Dr Douglas Yost
www.acwclinic.com
Shoreview, MN
651-484-0151

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Dr. Douglas Yost A Guest of Larry Elliott on BlogTalkRadio

Dr Douglas Yost was a guest of internet radio host Larry Elliott on BlogTalkRadio.com on March 10, 2009. Larry and Dr. Yost discussed chiropractic, how it can help everyone, and how Dr. Yost practices a whole body and wellness approach to chiropractic.

You can listen here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/larry-elliott/2009/03/10/minnesota-chiropractor-helps-patients-with-acute-pain-and-works-to-slowly-incorporate-wellness-into-