Friday, February 26, 2010

The Power of Positive Feedback


The Power of Positive Feedback


We seem especially skilled at pointing out the deficiencies in others, but we often seem to forget to give praise when things go well. The old adage, "What gets rewarded is what gets done" is at work here.
Giving positive feedback can be a powerful tool to reinforce a desired behavior. And it's a skill anyone can learn. Keep these things in mind:

Do it Now. Positive feedback is most effective when it is delivered as quickly after the desired behavior as possible. Don't save up all your kudos for the end of the day.

Do it Publicly. While negative feedback should always be delivered privately, positive feedback is most effective when given in front of others, multiplying its effects.

Be Specific. Don't give a general, "Well done, Sally." Instead, identify the specific reason or detail that's prompting your acknowledgment. "Great presentation in the sales meeting, Sally," or "Excellent job getting 100% on that spelling test, Sally" are much more effective acknowledgements.

Do it Often. Since positive feedback is "emotional fuel," don't neglect the small victories. Celebrate them too.

Be Authentic. Don't offer empty praise. People can see right through you. Mean it when you give positive feedback.

Giving positive feedback takes practice. Today, be on the lookout and try to catch someone doing something great. You'll make their day... and probably yours, too.

Wrist Pain? Is It All In The Wrist?


All In the Wrist?

Pain in your wrist means there's a problem in your wrist, right? Actually, we take a larger view, looking for nerve interference in several possible places.

Double Crush: No, it's not the latest wrestling move! Double Crush occurs when nerves going to or from the wrist are pressured in the carpal tunnel, and the spine, shoulder, neck or elbow. Resolving carpal tunnel problems requires looking beyond the wrist.

The Tunnel: The 8 small bones that run from your knuckles to your wrist are called carpals. They form a "tunnel" for the nerves and tendons that control your fingers to pass through. If any of the bones forming this tunnel loses its proper alignment, nerve pressure, inflammation and pain can result.

Chiropractic May Help: In carpal tunnel cases, chiropractic adjustments often produce excellent results. If you have wrist pain, conduct this simple test. If the findings suggest further evaluation, email our practice using the link below, or give us a call: 651-484-0151

What's For Dinner? Less Drug Use!

What's For Dinner?Less Drug Use!

Research shows that when families eat together, teens are less likely to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Plus, they tend to do better academically. But with families' crazy schedules, sharing a meal can be a challenge. Some tips:


• Pick a Meal It doesn't have to be dinner. Turns out, the positive effects are not limited to the evening meal.

• Plan Menus Design an entire week's worth of meals in advance. Reduce stress by having the ingredients you need in advance.

• Prep Ahead If you have time in the morning, wash and trim the vegetables and thaw the meat you intend to cook that evening.

• Think Fast Many nutritious meals can be stir-fried or grilled, two speedy ways to cook quickly. Save meals that are more elaborate for weekends.

• No TV Keep this time sacred. Share stories and the highlights of your day without the distraction of the news.


Given that frequent family dinners have such a positive influence on children, find ways to make this a habit in your family.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Can Chiropractic Improve Your Golf Game?


Can Chiropractic Improve Your Game?


It’s been called the "gentleman’s game," but more and more women are joining in as well. Many schools and colleges have teams and it's considered the perfect game for networking or negotiating important business deals. We're talking about golf, and golf courses are big business, from building them to maintaining them, as more and more players are getting into the game!


So… how can chiropractic care help you to improve your golf game?


• Many golfers suffer from chronic low back pain. Back pain responds exceptionally well to chiropractic adjustments, increasing mobility and range of motion.

• Chiropractic care can help to improve posture and flexibility, two components of longer and more powerful drives.


• We become less flexible with age and immobility (working at a desk job, sitting in a car driving everyday) contributes to that as well. Swinging a golf club requires collaboration on the part of many joints from the feet up to the hands, including ankles, knees, hips, spine, elbows and wrists. Lack of flexibility contributes to many repetitive motion injuries in the joints. Chiropractic care attempts to address, correct and prevent joint injuries.


• When combined with stretching and corrective exercises, chiropractic care is a cost effective, all-natural way to improve mobility… which translates to consistency during the four - five hours it takes to play 18 holes.


Fancy new high-tech clubs, shoes with the right spikes and the latest golf attire do nothing to improve your game. However, increased flexibility and mobility can certainly improve your golf score. Just ask the pros - nearly 75% of them receive regular chiropractic care while on tour each year.


Jeffry H. Blanchard, golf professional and author of The Geometry of Golf stated, "The chiropractor is the perfect choice to evaluate, educate, treat, condition and train those who choose to play golf."

The Truth About Energy Bars


The Truth About Energy Bars


Energy bars are fine once in a while, but they can't replace a balanced meal.


You're driving in your car, speeding to your next appointment. It's 2:30 p.m. and you realize you've had nothing to eat all day. You glance around the car for something (anything!) to eat and you spy an energy bar on the back seat. Perfect! It's quick, it satisfies and it's good for you, right?


They're the rage - you see people eating them in the gym. Runners eat them during marathons. Many who are trying to maintain a weight-loss program believe they help them lose weight. Kids eat them as "breakfast on the go" and air travelers stock up to munch on them while they're watching an in-flight movie.


Want to separate truth from hype when it comes to energy bars/protein bars/meal replacement bars?


• Read nutrition labels. Some bars contain a ton of sugar, cleverly disguised as high fructose corn syrup, sucrose and corn syrup. Ingredients are listed according to the amount used - so if sugar in any form is the first or second ingredient, you're eating a chocolate bar with some protein.


• Check out the fat content. Not just the number of fat grams, look at the kind of fat grams. Some of these "nutrition" bars contain the kinds of artery-clogging fats that cause cancer and heart disease. These usually show up in ingredient lists as hydrogenated oils, coconut oils, palm kernel oils or other types of tropical oils.


• If you're trying to lose weight, check out total calories and the protein to carbs ratio. You want a bar that has more protein than carbs (a 2 to 1 ratio of protein to carbs is good).


• Power bars, designed for athletes, are extremely high in carbs, loaded with sugar and have very little protein. That's ok if you're burning calories like crazy during high-intensity training and work-out sessions, but not so good if you're sitting at your desk job all day.


The bottom line is that nutrition bars are a huge business. In order to make them taste good, they have lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners, neither of which is good for you in any form. Add in the saturated fat content and the calories and you're heading for some serious weight gain, cancer or a heart attack if you eat these regularly!


One thing is for sure, these bars can't replace the natural ingredients found in fruits and vegetables, and they definitely don't satisfy the bulk of your nutritional needs. A bar once in a while is fine; a steady diet of these bars is certainly not!

What is Military Neck?


What is Military Neck?

Military neck doesn't come with the uniform!

Have you ever heard of "military neck?" Actually, it has nothing to do with problems in your neck caused by active or past military service. It has to do with the straightening of the natural curve in your neck. It's called military neck because the condition, also known as straight neck or cervical kyphosis, resembles the standing up straight and tall posture of a soldier standing at attention.

The normal neck has a forward curve, called a lordosis, which from a side view looks like the letter C. This curve is designed to support the weight of your head and to facilitate movement. If there is just a mild loss of this curvature, you probably won't even become aware of it because there are usually no symptoms.

If curvature loss is significant, however, you might experience symptoms such as neck pain/stiffness, shoulder pain and headaches. Loss of proper nerve function as a result of this condition can interfere with communication links between the brain and the body. Over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers might eliminate painful symptoms, but pain will return as soon as the pain reliever wears off. That's because they don't address the cause of the condition.

What causes military neck? Whiplash injuries, poor posture, repetitive movements and occupational conditions, such as looking down at a computer screen all day, can certainly contribute to this condition.

Is it possible to regain the proper C curve once you lose it? Perhaps, depending on a number of factors, such as the degree of curvature lost, whether there is disc degeneration or osteoarthritis in the neck, and how well you cooperate with the recommendations of your chiropractor! It can take some time, however, so patience is needed. You lose the curve over time so it can take time to regain it.

Chiropractic adjustments, along with neck extension, strengthening and stretching exercises can help relieve pain in the short term and, hopefully, resolve the condition in the long term.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Spine Problem Shows Up in Wrist! Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chiropractic

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chiropractic

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often helped with chiropractic care.

No longer limited to factory workers, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect anyone with structural problems in the neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist.

If your hand and fingers remind you with a throbbing pain, it’s tempting to think the problem is localized in the wrist. After all, that’s where the pain is. But we take a more holistic approach, looking for nerve interference in several possible places between the wrist and your brain.

Double Crush

No, it’s not the new coffee sensation. The Double Crush is a common phenomenon in which nerves to the wrist are being pressured in the carpal tunnel, as well as the spine, shoulder, neck or elbow. Resolving carpal tunnel problems requires looking beyond just the wrist.

The Tunnel

Feel the ridges along the back side of your hand. The eight small irregular bones that run from your knuckles to your wrist are called carpals. They form a “tunnel” held together with ligaments that form a passageway about the size of your pinky finger. The median nerves, along with nine tendons that control your fingers, pass through this narrow tunnel. If one or more of the bones forming this tunnel loses its proper relationship with the others, nerve pressure, inflammation and painful symptoms can result.

Can Chiropractic Help?

We conduct a thorough examination of the upper spine, shoulder and elbow with carpal tunnel cases. If our evaluation reveals neurological compromise, chiropractic adjustments can often produce excellent results. If you, or someone you know, suspect a carpal tunnel problem, you can conduct a simple test to find out. If your findings suggest further evaluation, email me using the link below, or give us a call.

Minneapolis, MN Lift Proper! Technique for Proper Lifting

Technique for Proper Lifting

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than a million workers suffer back injuries each year, and they account for one out of every five workplace injuries or illnesses.

Incorrect Lifting

Bending at the waist invites trouble!

Many back injuries, both on the job and in the home, are the result of improper lifting. Remember to practice proper lifting technique to prevent serious injury to your back.

Plan ahead – know the weight of the object and where you are going; clear the path you will be using.

Make sure you are on firm footing; keep your feet spread apart, one foot slightly ahead of the other.

Squat down - bend at the knees, keeping your back straight and your head level, to pick up the object.

Avoid jerky movements; lift smoothly as you straighten your legs.

Keep the object close to your body -holding it away from you places stress on your back.
Turn with your feet instead of twisting your body at the waist.

Never bend at the waist to pick up an object!

Keep in mind that if an object is particularly heavy, you may need a hand truck, a dolly, or another person to assist you with moving it. Don’t compromise your safety or your back to lift any object.

Are chiropractors bone doctors or nerve doctors?


The Master System: The Nervous System


The nervous system is made up of two parts: the central nervous system, or CNS, and the peripheral nervous system, or PNS.


The brain and the spinal cord comprise the central nervous system. The spinal cord transmits sensory messages to the brain and motor messages from the brain. Sensory nerves carry messages from receptors to the brain. If you touch a hot stove, pain receptors on certain types of nerve cells tell your brain to move your hand. Motor nerves send signals from the brain to the muscles in the body. These nerves help us to do things such as walk, kick a ball or pick up an object.


The peripheral nervous system transports the messages between the central nervous system and the body. It consists of cranial and spinal nerves that carry messages to and from every sensory and motor nerve in your body.


Part of the peripheral nervous system is called the autonomic nervous system. The actions of the autonomic nervous system are automatic and include such actions as breathing, your heartbeat and digestion.


The autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system alerts the body when there is an emergency or danger. When this happens, your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises and your pupils dilate in what is called a "flight or fight" response. The parasympathetic system returns your body to normal once the danger has passed.


Chiropractic care is designed to restore the integrity of your nervous system so that everything works the way it's supposed to. That's why it's vital to have your spine checked regularly for optimum health and well-being.

Pain is Not the Problem

Pain is Not the Problem

Many people begin chiropractic care because of an ache or a pain. Pain can be distracting, debilitating, irritating or annoying. Pain can be chronic, acute, intense or intermittent. Pain can be sharp or dull. And pain can be localized or general.

Pain may be a pain, but pain is not the problem!

Pain is a symptom. A signal. A sign. An indicator. A warning. Pain is no more a problem than a traffic signal or your alarm clock jarring you awake.
If there's a problem, it's the meaning we attach to the pain.

When we meet patients who are in pain, our first thought is that they must have exceeded some physical, chemical or emotional limit to which they can no longer adapt. So, while we're interested in the pain, we're even more interested in what was the underlying cause of the pain. Did it just happen? Has it been present a long time? What circumstances brought it on? Plus, what change(s) should be made to avoid this in the future?

Do you know someone who thinks pain is a problem? Please send them our way. Because in our practice, pain is never a problem!

Dr Douglas Yost Arden Hills, MN Chiropractor

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Car Accident Pain Relief Shoreview, MN

Auto accident Shoreview, MN

Don’t be misled by the minimal damage to your car. People react much differently than glass, plastic and metal!

It started with a routine trip to the store.

Suddenly you hear a screeching of tires and the harsh sound of metal hitting metal. In the split second before you can brace yourself, you feel your car moving from some unseen force!

Hidden Damage

It’s tempting to minimize your own injuries because your car has sustained little or no damage. Research shows that occupants can be injured considerably more than what you’d expect from a dented fender or a broken taillight.

The Medical Solution

If you visit the emergency room, you may be given a clean bill of health because you don’t have any broken bones. You might get a prescription to reduce the muscle spasms caused by structural changes in your neck or lower back.

After what you've been through, you'll need a health professional that truly understands soft tissue injuries, spinal biomechanics and rehabilitation strategies. Call our practice.

We Can Help

Whether it was a little incident in the parking lot, or two cars attempting to occupy the same space in an intersection, you need people who know how to work with lawyers and insurance companies.

If you’ve been in a car accident, give us a call. We’ve been through this many times. Not only can we usually offer drug-free care, we can help put this behind you once and for all.

Common Questions

Q: Why do I have pain in my arms and hands?
A: Because the nerves to the arms and hands exit the spine through the injured area of the neck, numbness and tingling are common. Even lower back pain can result directly from the trauma, or as a reaction to the loss of proper spinal curves.

Q: Why did my headaches start more than a week after my accident?
A: Whether you’ve been in an accident, stressed at work, or over-exerted yourself in the garden, your body is constantly adapting to the environment. When your capacity to adapt is exhausted, symptoms can appear. This can take days, weeks, months or years to occur.

Q: Will I ever be normal again?
A: Many chiropractic patients report improved spinal function and a reduction of their symptoms. Those who delay seeking appropriate care often discover that scar tissue and long-standing spinal instability increases the recovery period.

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Car Accident Pain Relief Shoreview, MN

Dwight Freeney: Superbowl hopeful, using chiropractic to heal ankle

Source: Examiner.com

Dwight Freeney's ankle injury is a major story leading into this weekend's superbowl. Though the Colts have kept their cards close to the chest on the whole matter, some details have leaked as to what they are doing to treat the issue.

We do know that the Colts are very active with their treatments and Freeney is using some methods that have helped him in the past. The main one is Dr. Leon Mellman, Freeney's Chiropractor, is making sure not only his ankle is getting the proper care, but is also monitoring how his newly guarded walk is effecting the rest of his body. Most notably how his lower back could be adversely effected due to his newly acquired limp.

Freeney's injury is being treated as any other low ankle sprain would be in the NFL with some minor tweaks. Although he was seen in a boot very recently, he spoke openly about keeping the motion in the ankle joint to promote healing. Very recently this became common place in joint surgeries; where immediately following the surgery, the joint is put into passive motion to prevent adhesion buildup and promote a quicker recovery. Freeney was spotted walking the beach without his boot on, most likely advised by team doctors for the same reason: a quicker recovery.

Sports Chiropractor Shoreview, MN