Chiropractic Services Beyond Adjustments

The focus on spinal adjustment is what makes doctors of chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients.  The chiropractic adjustment, however, is not the only procedure a chiropractor may use in managing a patients care.

• Heat and cold - Chiropractors may alternate between heat and ice therapy to help patients treat back pain.  Ice packs may be used for a 10-15 minute period and then switched with a heating pad to restore blood flow to the area and promote faster healing.
• Exercise - Chiropractors may provide patients with instructions for an exercise program focusing on stretching and strengthening the back.
• Massage - Chiropractors may massage the soft tissues to improve circulation, reduce swelling and inflammation, and encourage quicker healing.
• Dietary management - Many chiropractors will provide patients with tips on how an improved diet may help with back pain and may recommend supplements after spinal manipulation.
• Ultrasound - With ultrasound, sound waves create deep heat therapy that is applied to the soft tissues and joints.  Basically micro-massaging the soft tissues and joints, ultrasound therapy can help reduce pain, stiffness, and spasms. It can also increase blood flow and accelerate the healing process.
• Electrical muscle stimulation - During this therapy, electrodes are placed on the skin and send light electrical pulses to different areas of the body with the purpose of reducing inflammation, curtailing muscle spasms, and relieving pain.
• Traction - A chiropractic traction massage may include the patient lying face up as a system of rollers move about the back, all the while stretching and massaging the muscles in the back.
• Cold laser therapy - With cold laser therapy, particles of energy are carried in a laser and absorbed by the cell membrane's photo receptors after penetrating the skin surface.  The cells and tissues then convert this light energy into biochemical energy, fueling a biological process that is believed to decrease swelling, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve circulation.
• Pelvic stabilization - When leg-length deficiency, flat feet and/or subtalar instability are present, the chiropractor may place a small heel lift in the shoe on the short leg side and/or prescribe corrective arch supports to stabilize the pelvis.

So if your chiropractor recommends a service beyond an adjustment, you can rest assured that the service is meant to reduce your pain and speed your healing.

Content provided by Spine-health.com

Free Detox Seminar January 15, 2015

Join Dr. Laura Kemps for a FREE Detox Seminar at our Appleton office on January 15, 2015.  The seminar will be from 5:30 to 6:30 and Dr Laura will be available for questions after the presentation.

Dr. Kemps will discuss the reasons for detoxing, who should or shouldn't do a detox, and how to follow her prescribed plan.

This seminar is now full.  If you are interested in future detox seminars, please email our office at patientservices@schubbeappleton.com.

How to Improve Your Sleep

Does your brain go into overdrive as soon as your head hits the pillow?  Or do you fall asleep and then wake up two hours later?  Maybe one of these unconventional tips will help you get to sleep and stay asleep so you can wake up rested and refreshed.

• Nap every day - to make napping work, you must stick to these 3 rules:
• Nap at the same time every day - this allows your body to regulate itself to fall asleep more quickly at that time.
• a 10-20 minute power nap provides enough sleep to help you feel refreshed and more alert, yet it won't interfere with falling asleep at night.
• The optimal time for napping is 20-30 minutes after lunch - usually early afternoon.
• Force your worries - if worrying kicks in just after you close your eyes, schedule a daily "worry time" well before you go to sleep.  Choose a 15 minute period at the same time every day when you try to think of every possible worry, and then tell them to a trusted confidante or write in a journal.
• Get out in the sun - when you wake up, don't lounge around in bed.  Don't even stay inside.  Get out int he morning sun soon after getting up.  The bright sunlight (or any bright light) tells our body's natural biological clock that it's time to wake up.  And that same clock will then be set to tell your body it's time to go to sleep about 14 to 16 hours later.
• Avoid hot baths - the body needs to lower its temperature in order to fall asleep, so a hot bathe will actually keep you up.  If you enjoy a soak in a hot bath, just be sure to finish your bath at least 2 hours before bedtime so that your body has enough time to cool down.  To reduce any built-up stress or tension, enjoy a hot pack applied to your neck and shoulders before going to bed.
• Make your room colder - again, your body needs to cool down to sleep s do what you can to make your room cool. This will also allow you to nestle into your blankets and some people find that action very soothing.

Information was taken from Spine-Health.com 

October is National Chiropractic Health Month

Hosted by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) is a national public awareness and education campaign held each October. NCHM strives to teach health care consumers about the benefits of chiropractic services and to promote the expertise of doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in helping their patients reach optimal levels of health and wellness.

In 2014, NCHM will use the theme “Conservative Care First!” to educate the public on why a conservative approach to pain management and health enhancement is both sensible and effective. For years, many patients would find relief through conservative forms of care such as chiropractic services only after unsuccessfully trying a range of other, more complex and riskier treatments. Today, that approach has been reversed, with more medical research and guidelines supporting the idea that patients should exhaust conservative approaches to pain management before moving on to other options.

During NCHM, doctors of chiropractic will share information with the public about chiropractic’s conservative approach and why it is especially relevant in today’s health care system—and urge them to become their own best health care advocates by insisting on “Conservative Care First!”

Pilates and Yoga Programs End at Neenah Office 8/29/14

All good things must come to an end...

Hello to all,

I am writing this with a sadness in my heart. I have decided to disband the Pilates and Yoga program at Schubbe Resch. There are many reasons that have been mounting over the past 6 months. I kept trying to hang on due to my passion of the Pilates practice. It has come time to accept that all good things must come to an end.

Topping the list is becoming a Network Health Physical Therapy provider that has grown my Physical Therapy practice considerably. I need to put my efforts in this direction in the coming years.

Several of you have been loyal participants that I dearly value and will truly miss.

The last class will be Friday, August 29th and there will be no class Wednesday, August 20th. Refunds will be given. Please contact Malynda at our office via email at mb.srcpt@gmail.com or 920-720-0660 to request refunds.

I wish the best to all of you,
Kari Resch
Physical Therapist and Pilates Instructor

Technology and Health Care at Schubbe Resch Chiropractic and PT

Over the years, we have made many technological advancements to improve patient care.   Here are a some of the ways technology has been implemented at our offices:

1. Access to EPIC - As the first chiropractic office in the Fox Valley to be granted access to EPIC, we can bow routinely review records, reports, and images prior to seeing a new or existing patient.  This prevents duplication of images, saves staff time with records requests, and improves the efficiency with which care is delivered.
2. Digital X-rays read by Radiology Associates of the Fox Valley - We have also established a relationship with Radiology Associates of the Fox Valley.  Our digital x-rays can be electronically forwarded for pathological review and second opinion evaluation.
3. Implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) - In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, our offices have implemented EHR software that meets all government requirements.  We routinely collect and record information on patient's blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), and smoking status along with our treatment notes.  If a patient does not have a family physician, we encourage them to develop a relationship with a primary care physician to further manage their health conditions. Our software also allows us to offer electronic health records to our patients.
4. Voice Activated Dictation - Our Appleton office has implemented the use of Dragon Medical voice activated dictation so we can complete patient notes immediately, eliminating delays in communication.  Patient records can be quickly faxed to medical offices to be scanned into the EPIC system for any provider to use.
5. Monthly Email Newsletters - Our E-newsletter lets us communicate with our patients and inform them about different services offered in our clinics.  Topics include recent certifications, new techniques, and free workshops in addition to office news.
6. Social Media - Our offices share information on topics ranging from diet and nutrition to chronic medical conditions.  Check out more articles on this blog, and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter @SchubbeChiro.

Schubbe Resch will continue to implement technology to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care in the future.  This allows us to collaborate with other physicians and provide better and more efficient treatment to our patients.

Laptop Setup

Laptops are designed with portability in mind rather than with sound ergonomic principles.   If the screen is at the right height, then the keyboard is too high - if the keyboard is in the right position, then the screen is too close and too low.

Given these challenges, here are some tips for laptop setups:

1. Use a large screen - purchase a laptop with the largest screen possible to avoid the stressful posture that results from straining to see the text on a small screen.  If you still find yourself straining to see your screen, increase the font size.
2. Place the screen at eye level - set your laptop height and screen angel so you can easily view the screen without bending or rotating your neck.  Put it about arm's length in front of you.  To do this, you will usually need to elevate the laptop a few inches above your desk, which you can do by placing it on a stable support surface, such as a laptop stand or a thick book.
3. Don't slouch - propping your laptop on top of your lap requires you to slouch down to see the screen. So if you must work on your lap, put the laptop on your briefcase so you can raise it up slightly.
4. Use a separate keyboard - when using a laptop for extended periods, use an external, full sized keyboard and position it at a height that allows your shoulders and arms to be in relaxed position, with your elbows at 90 degree so your wrists can stay in a flat position.
5. Use a separate mouse - use a separate mouse rather than the one that is incorporated into your laptop.  Consider placing the mouse on an adjustable position platform so you can keep your wrist flat while using it.

These tips were taken from a Spine-Health.com newsletter.