Kansas City Chiropractor, Baker Chiropractic & Acupuncture - Dr. Kristine Baker, Chiropractor Kansas City, Acupuncture, CranioSacral, Total Body Modification

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The Top 5 Reasons Every Runner Needs a Chiropractor

Posted on 2012-04-18 10:42:10

Kansas City Chiropractor Helps Sports Injuries from Running

Foot pain while running? Nagging knee pain? Stabbing hip pain or back pain? Feel like your gait is off and you can't run as smoothly?

These are all reasons that runners need a great Chiropractor. In over a decade of practice, I have treated a wide variety of sports injuries, especially in runners and track athletes.

Here are the Top 5 Reasons Every Runner Needs a Chiropractor

1. You want to cut time/improve speed:

Chiropractic Care is used by athletes around the world, and gaining in popularity each day. There are Team Chiropractors for nearly all professional athletic teams including the Kansas City Chiefs. Did you know that Chiropractors will be headed to the Summer Olympics to take care of our competing athletes?

Why would these famous professionals use Chiropractic for Sports Injuries?

Olympic and professional athletes understand that Chiropractic Care improves the communication of their nervous system, improves the alignment of their joints, and helps relax tense muscles. All of these components are critical for achieving the maximum potential of your body. Receiving Chiropractic Adjustments help improve the speed at which their body performs, and even a tenth or a hundreth of a second can make the difference between a gold and silver medal.

Even if you are just a weekend warrior, run for fun, or are training for a 5K or marathon, Chiropractic Adjustments can help increase your speed.

2. When you run, sometimes your gait feels off.

Gait is a term used for the coordination of your body movement. When you walk or run and pay attention to how you move, over time you can tell if your gait is off. Misaglinments in the hips, knees, and ankles will alter your gait, and can also result in injuries and pain due to the abnormal pressures on the joints.

Just imagine your feet keep hitting the pavement with a bone out of place in your foot. Now think about how many times that happens during the course of a one mile run. How long do you think it will take before you start to notice pain or try to adjust how your foot hits the pavement? Very minor changes in how the bones in your feet are aligned can make a huge difference with how easily you can run or walk.

3. You sit a lot for work.

Seated posture for long periods of time without a break can cause postural changes and changes in alignment of your joints over time. For example, if you sit at your desk and cross your legs, the top leg has an extreme amount of torque placed on the knee. If you sit like that for very long, that increased torque on your knee joint can result in a misalignment of the knee. Imagine running on that torqued knee. You may not even feel pain at first, but how many miles will you run before all of a sudden you start feeling twinges in your knee? What if it happens in the middle of a half marathon (and you have been training for months)? This is why it is important to see a Chiropractor who has experience with runners and treating feet, ankles, knees, and hips.

The same can be said for hunching over at your desk, leaning to one side on your armchair, or sitting crooked in the seat of your car. Any kind of poor posture that increases pressure on joints has the potential to set you up for running injuries.

Seeing a Chiropractor during your training phase and about a week before your run will set you up to have a better running experience, improve your speed, and reduce your potential for running injuries.

4. History of Previous Injury

Whether your previous injury was caused by a running injury, a car accident, or a slip on the ice, a history of previous injury makes you more likely to re-injure that area in the future. If you have never received Chiropractic Adjustments for a prior injury, it is critical that you are evaluated for proper spinal and joint alignment. Misalignments of the spine can be painless, and only over time, and with cumulative trauma, do some patients actually notice pain. Once the prior injury has been stabilized, it may require a periodic Chiropractic Adjustment to support the stabilization of that injury. I have countless patients that had never seen a Chiropractor for a previous injury, but call my office years later with chronic pain. Many times during the Initial Consultation and Exam we uncover a previous injury that has destabilized joints and contributed to their current state of injury or pain.

If you do not have history of prior injury, Congratulations! Stay ahead of the curve by establishing a relationship with a Chiropractor now for several reasons. First, it is valuable to have a Chiropractor that knows your body, and knows what you look like when you are not injured. Second, if you do get injured down the road, you will typically respond faster to treatment than someone who has never received Chiropractic Care before. Why? Because the Chiropractor has helped remove any irritation or compression to your nervous system from prior injuries, and now just has to focus on your current injury.

5. You are committed to being well and staying well for the long term.

Most runners I know follow a regimen for physical fitness including diet, water intake, rest, sleep, and of course running! Runners that understand the importance of muscle balance and alignment will use a Chiropractor to improve their performance. A Chiropractor can be a valuable part of your health care team, keeping you running longer and faster than you ever thought possible.

Ready to improve your speed and performance? Ready to up your game? Call me at 816-256-3603 to schedule your appointment.

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Better Health Is Just A Phone Call Away.

Kristine Baker, D.C.

816-256-3603

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Pregnant and Looking for a Chiropractor? 8 Must Ask Questions

Posted on 2012-04-14 07:16:25

8 Questions You Must Ask When Looking for a Chiropractor during Pregnancy

Dr. Kristine Baker answers 8 Questions you must ask before seeing a new Chiropractor during Pregnancy:

1. Do you feel comfortable adjusting a pregnant woman through her entire pregnancy?

Yes, I have adjusted women through their entire pregnancy, up to and past their due date. I often see patients who are near the end of their pregnancy and want to have their pelvis in the best possible alignment for an easier and shorter labor and delivery. Pregnant women also seek me out for care to keep them comfortable as they enter the last trimester of pregnancy and have more back pain and difficulty sleeping. Chiropractic can also help pregnant women with fatigue and malaise, pubic bone pain, turning breech babies, and help kick start labor in women who are past their due date or being threatened with a pitocin induction.

2. Have you helped a lot of pregnant women stay comfortable near the end of their pregnancy?

It is one of my specialties. My most recent pregnant patient said she felt so much better after getting weekly Chiropractic & Acupuncture treatments for the last 5 weeks of her pregnancy. She couldn't believe how much the treatments decreased her swelling, and increased her energy level and overall sense of well-being.

If you are also interested in receiving Acupuncture treatments, or if your baby is breech or you are overdue, seek out a Chiropractor that also offers Acupuncture. Establishing a relationship with a Chiropractor that offers both Chiropractic and Acupuncture is important because that Doctor will be familiar with your history and your body if you need both types of treatment, and will save you time and money establishing yourself at another care providers office.

3. Do you have any experience in helping start labor?

Yes, I have helped encourage labor to start in many women. If the mom and baby are both ready, labor usually starts within 24 to 72 hours of treatment. When a pregnant woman is past her due date or being threatened with a pictocin induction, Acupuncture is an extremely powerful and gentle way to encourage labor. The best possible combination of treatments to start labor is Chiropractic & Acupuncture in the same visit. Acupuncture helps relax the mom and encourage labor to naturally start on its own, and Chiropractic helps balance and align the pelvis and encourage better positioning for the baby. Both of these treatments encourage shorter labor times and a decreased need for pain medication.

4. Have you ever attended any pregnancy related classes?

Yes, I have attended many classes for that discussed how Chiropractic, Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy and Total Body Modification can help women in all trimesters of their pregnancy. I have also taken a doula training class.

5. Have you ever attended any births where you provided care to the laboring woman?

I have assisted with Chiropractic, Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy and Total Body Modification with 8 births. Most recently, I successfully induced a woman who was a week overdue, and within 5 hours we headed to the hospital and her son was born that day. Midwives have also referred many patients to me who are overdue or have a baby in the breech position.

6. Do you have any experience in turning breech babies?

Yes, Acupuncture is excellent for turning breech babies. Acupuncture gently encourages a breech baby to turn into the vertex position. It is extremely safe and does not have all of the potential risk factors of an External Cephalic Version (ECV). An ECV is the traditional medical approach to a breech baby and carries some big risks like potential fetal distress or problems with the placenta, both of which can result in an emergency C-section. If you are looking for a natural non invasive way to help turn your breech baby, Acupuncture is what you are looking for!

There are also other home care suggestions that can encourage a breech baby to turn, and I give those tips to my patients during their visits to the office. It can take a series of treatments to get the baby to turn, so it is best to start as soon as your care provider is concerned about positioning. Do not be discouraged if you are 38, 39, or even 40 weeks pregnant and your baby is still breech. It is not too late for you to start Acupuncture! Did you know that babies can even turn vertex (head down) during labor?

7. How long do you spend with your patients at each visit?

Patients have the option of a 15 minute or 30 minute Chiropractic appointment. Acupuncture usually takes 30 to 45 minutes per treatment.

8. Are you willing to see me outside of business hours if necessary?

If you are near the end of your pregnancy and we are working together to turn a breech baby or encourage labor to start, I will often see patients on the weekend. Sometimes that one extra treatment can make all the difference for the patient, especially if they have been put on a deadline by their care provider.

These 8 questions will help you find the best Chiropractor for you during your pregnancy. There are a lot of different subspecialties in Chiropractic, so it is extremely important to ask questions about your particular situation before seeing a new Chiropractor. I am a 3rd generation Chiropractor with over a decade of experience, and I am extremely passionate about helping women during pregnancy and starting their labor naturally. If you are looking for an experienced Chiropractor that will support your body through the rest of your pregnancy, call me now at 816-256-3603 to schedule your appointment.

Better Health is Only a Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

816-256-3603

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Frozen Shoulder aka Adhesive Capsulitis: How to Get Better Faster with Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Posted on 2012-04-11 13:23:31

Chiropractor in Kansas City Helps Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) Naturally

Having trouble raising your arm? Do you have trouble sleeping on the side of your painful shoulder? Difficulty brushing your teeth or your hair? Is it impossible to reach into the back seat of the car? Has your Doctor told you it could take weeks or months or years to improve?

This post is for you!

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, can come on gradually or suddenly and take months if not years to improve. Some Doctors take a watch and wait approach, telling you to just wait it out and it will get better.

If you are not the type to wait it out, and want to take proactive measures to start the healing process, then keep reading!

Chiropractic Care can help Frozen Shoulder

Chiropractic Adjustments can help frozen shoulder because they promote improved nervous system communication and increased range of motion. Any joint that loses its motion loses its hydration and nutrition. By gently reintroducing motion into stuck joints, the joint begins to work better as its alignment, hydration and motion improve. In many cases of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), the limited range of motion is severe, and has to be addressed in a step-by-step manner. Even if the frozen shoulder is completely stuck, adjustments to the neck, upper back and middle back can help.

How can adjustments to the neck and upper back help Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)?

The nerves that exit the spine in the neck and upper back region also send nerve signals to the shoulder and arm. By increasing the body's ability to transmit nerve signals to this area with Chiropractic Adjustments, it is not uncommon to see increases in shoulder range of motion. This is especially important if the frozen shoulder is severe and cannot tolerate a lot of attention directly on the shoulder.

Will you adjust the shoulder itself?

It depends on the severity of limitation and inflammation in the area. Excessive inflammation may need to be addressed first before giving Chiropractic Adjustments to the shoulder. This is why the Initial Consultation and Exam is so important. For example, 10 patients could come in with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), and the severity of the shoulder pain, lack of motion, and misalignment in the spine will all be different. Thoroughly discussing and examining your body's condition allows me to make the most appropriate treatment recommendations to result in the best possible outcome.

Is there anything else you would do to improve the range of motion in my frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)?

Yes, there are different muscle relaxation and stretching techniques that I recommend combining with a Chiropractic Adjustment to get the most improvement in the shortest amount of time. I believe that a combination of Chiropractic Adjustments and attention to the tight muscles and trigger points can be one of the best ways to address frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis).

What about Acupuncture for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)?

There are Acupuncture points specifically for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) that relax the joint capsule and result in increased range of motion. With frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), I use a combination of the Acugraph Meridian Analysis along with Acupuncture points traditionally known to help frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). The Acugraph tool gives me the ability to see exactly which Acupuncture Meridians are out of balance with your frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis).

The Acugraph readings will change as your treatment progresses, and can also be impacted by your energy levels, diet, exercise, water intake, and stress. If you choose to receive Acupuncture with a Doctor that uses Acugraph, not only will you be getting a treatment for your frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), but you will also be receiving a full body balancing treatment. Long before you have physical symptoms, the energetic imbalance begins. Acugraph gives us a real-time picture of what is happening with the energy in your body right now. This allows the Doctor to give you a customized, accurate, up to date treatment with each visit!

Can you work on increasing my range of motion and decreasing the muscle tightness along with Acupuncture in the same visit?

Yes! I believe that targeted muscle relaxation and release techniques are a critical part of any frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) treatment protocol. At my office, we have a range of services available, all of which can help frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis).

After your Initial Consultation and Exam, I will discuss your treatment options in detail and will work with you to create a plan that is individual to your particular needs. Every patient is unique, and will receive customized care.

One of the advantages to coming to Baker Chiropractic & Acupuncture is that you have a wide variety of treatment options in a single location. This gives you the option of switching treatment protocols (i.e. from Chiropractic to Acupuncture) without having to go to another Doctor and pay for another Consultation and Exam.

How long will it take for me to see results?

Most patients see improvement within 4 to 6 visits, with many noticing a difference immediately following their first visit. Results are different for each person, and if noticable improvement is not seen within 4 to 6 visits, when we discuss other treatment options.

Will I need to do anything for my frozen shoulder at home between visits?

All of my patients receive home care instructions that will help you maintain your improvement between visits. Following these home care instructions can improve your results dramatically.

If this is making sense to you, and you are ready to start healing your frozen shoulder, call me now at 816-256-3603.

Better Health is Only a Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

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Allergies Driving You Crazy? Tips to Help You Feel Better During Allergy Season

Posted on 2012-04-02 19:26:22

Kansas City Chiropractor Helps People Reduce Their Allergy Symptoms

It's that time of year again. Are you sniffling? Eyes watering? Runny Nose? Eyes Itching or Puffy?

If you are sick and tired of suffering with your allergies, then this is for you. I have worked on countless patients dealing with seasonal allergies and year round allergies, and it is always so gratifying to see their symptoms start to improve, often within a few visits. Here are a few tips to help you balance your body and decreases your body's response to allergens:

Did you know that there are five main causes of allergies?

1. Dehydration -

Ideally one should drink one quart of water (preferably filtered) per 50 pounds of body weight per day. Unless you are on liquid restrictions from a Doctor for a chronic or terminal illness, increasing your water intake to this level can drastically decrease your body's response to allergens. For example, if you weight 175 pounds, that would mean 4 quarts of water per day. Only water counts towards this total. Pure water turns on your nervous system, while lemon, sugar, stevia, or any other additives to clean filtered water will turn on your digestive system as your body recognizes this as food.

2. Blood Sugar Control Issues -

Poor blood sugar control is another contributing factor to allergies. You don't have to be diabetic or even pre-diabetic to have blood sugar control issues. Nearly every patient I treat that is eating the SAD (Standard American Diet) has blood sugar control issues, EVERY allergy patient I've seen has blood sugar control issues. Using Total Body Modification techniques, and modifying eating habits and foods can help this issue that contributes to allergies.

Things that Improve Blood Sugar Control:

-eating every two to three hours

-eating protein, especially eggs, meat, and nuts

-eating at least 9 ounces of red meat per week - preferably in the form of a steak, as rare as you can handle it

-eating lower glycemic vegetables and fruits

-getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night

-lowering stress

-exercise

Things that Worsen Blood Sugar Control:

-not eating breakfast

-waiting longer than 3 hours between meals/snacks

-eating refined carbohydrates including bread, sweets, cookies, etc.

-increased stress

-less than 7 hours of sleep a night

-interrupted sleep

-not eating enough protein

3. Disharmonization to Bees -

In Total Body Modification, we find that an energetic disharmonization to Bees can be a factor in allergies. If you think about it, bees touch plants, which we eat. So if you have a disharmonization to Bees, you can start having an allergy to anything they touch. Total Body Modification has simple corrections for this issue.

4. Disharmonization to Bee Pollen

Just like with Bees, Bee Pollen is nearly everywhere. It floats in the air, and can get ingested by the animals we eat as well. This is a very common disharmonization in patients with allergies, and can be helped.

5. Disharmonization to Mercury

Mercury is a very common disharmonization found in allergy patients due to several factors. Mercury has been commonly used in dental fillings, vaccinations, and as a preservative. Using Total Body Modification we can minimize the impact of this on your body, even if you do not remove the mercury based fillings in your mouth. I have seen drastic improvements in patients' allergy symptoms once the disharmonization is corrected.

More Treatments to Help Allergies

Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractors are trained to detect misalignments in the spine and other joints that can cause irritation in the nervous system. It is very common for me to find misalignments in the neck and upper back of patients that come in for their adjustment complaining of allergy or sinus symptoms. Every week, I have patients that get adjusted and can then breathe better through their nose and notice less itchiness in their eyes. It is absolutely amazing how well Chiropractic Adjustments can bring a drastic turnaround of allergy symptoms by realigning the spine.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a system of treating energetic imbalances in the body using small fine needles that are gently inserted into the skin at various points around the body. By using a tool called Acugraph, I am able to measure the energy in your body, and see exactly where your body is out of balance. Allergies are a symptom of an energetic imbalance, and there are various points that are well known to decrease allergic responses in people. Note: Laser Acupuncture (which is needle-free) is an option for patients who are too young or too scared to handle needle Acupuncture. I have seen many patients have an immediate improvement in their itchy eyes and stuffed up noses even after one treatment for allergies.

Nutritional Supplements

Each patient is unique, and there are different supplements known to help allergy symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of allergies, as well as the age of the patient, I will provide customized eating guidelines as well as nutritional supplement recommendations. I have personally helped many small children decrease the need for allergy medications and prednisone with a combination of treatment at my office, and changes in dietary habits, water intake, and the addition of supplements. I will not tell you to stop taking any medication, as that is a choice for you to make with your prescribing Doctor.

In summary, there are a wide variety of natural options for allergies that can make a profound immmediate and lasting impact on your body. As you balance your body, your symptoms will decrease. Allergies are a symptom the body uses to get your attention. Instead of covering up or masking the symptoms, why not address the cause of the allergies and help it disappear.

Call me now at 816-256-3603 and let us work together to get you on the road to better health!

Dr. Kristine Baker

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TMJ, jaw tightness, or neck pain? How Chiropractic & CranioSacral Therapy work wonders!

Posted on 2012-03-20 15:06:20

Chiropractor in Kansas City Helps TMJ, Jaw Pain, and Neck Pain with Chiropractic Adjustments and CranioSacral Therapy

Does your jaw hurt? Is your jaw tight? Do you wear a bite guard at night, or get headaches after a stressful situation? These are just a few symptoms that I ask about when a new patient comes into the office with jaw or neck issues.

Why would I ask about the jaw if someone is having neck pain or vice versa?

I find that the base of the skull (also known as the suboccipital area) is often tight and difficult to relax when the jaw muscles have tightness in them as well. Often, one side of the jaw is tighter than the other, and patients may be completely unaware of tightness in their jaw. That's when I ask the question "Do you grind your teeth or wear a bite guard?" I am suprised with how frequently patients reply "yes". I then explain how I find that tightness in the jaw and neck are connected and how if the neck will not relax during their Adjustment, that adding in CranioSacral Therapy on the jaw and inside the mouth can make a profound difference in how their neck and head feels. I often recommend the combination of Chiropractic Adjustments and CranioSacral Therapy in a single session for the maximum improvement with neck pain or TMJ Syndrome.

It is always so gratifying whenever a patient is surprised and relieved that after their Chiropractic Adjustment and CranioSacral Therapy appointment they feel so much better.

I have heard comments like:

"I feel like I have a whole new jaw"

"I can't believe how much more I can open my mouth"

"I didn't even know my mouth wasn't opening very far"

"My headache is gone!"

"My jaw isn't clicking as much, and it is much more lined up."

"I feel so much better. I didn't know my mouth was so tight."

"I think you took 6 weeks of stress out of my head."

I get frequent headaches. How will I know if Chiropractic Adjustments and CranioSacral Therapy can help my headaches?

The only way to know for sure is to try a trial of care which is usually 4-6 visits. It is very important to receive a thorough consultation and exam by a Chiropractor to determine whether your specific situation is likely to benefit from Chiropractic and CranioSacral Therapy. Once you begin treatment, most people will notice an improvement within the first few visits, and very commonly after the first treatment. I have treated many patients with headaches and so many have seen drastic improvement, especially with a combination of Chiropractic and Craniosacral Therapy.

Are there any other recommendations you give a person with TMJ, jaw pain or neck pain?

YES! During your consultation and exam I ask questions about water intake, diet, sleeping patterns, the pillow you sleep on, posture, and more. If there is any habit that needs to be altered, we discuss that during your first visit. At your follow up appointments we continue to talk about your water intake, sleep, posture, etc. so that you can get the most benefit from your Chiropractic Adjustments and CranioSacral Therapy sessions. These minor modifications can make such a big difference and help your body maintain the improvement you get for the long term.

Please call if you have any questions, or if you are ready to feel better!

Better Health is Only a Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

816-256-3603

Five Tips To Help Low Back Pain

Posted on 2012-03-06 10:57:30

Chiropractor in Kansas City Helps Low Back Pain

Is your lower back hurting after sleeping all night? Tweaked after exercise class? Sore after yardwork? If you are ready to do something about your low back pain, this blog is for you.

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons a patient seeks out care at my office. Here are some tips to help your low back pain resolve quickly!

1. Drink plenty of water! I generally recommend a quart of pure, preferably filtered water per 50 pounds of body weight per day. If you weigh between 151 and 200, that's 4 quarts for you. If you weigh 201-250, you will be drinking five quarts of water a day. This amount of water hydrates your body tissue to allow for maximum performance and healing and gets you ready to...

2. Get Chiropractic Adjustments!

Chiropractic Care has been shown to be highly effective in helping low back pain, especially low back pain from overuse, exercise, injuries, and pregnancy. Chiropractors are trained to examine the spine, find where your back has misalignments, and put your spine and joints back into proper alignment. Misalignments, also known as subluxations, can put excess pressure on a joint and the nerves, muscles, and tendons that surround that joint. The body responds to this misalignment by creating inflammation and/or pain in the area. Patients are often motivated to see a Chiropractor because the pain, muscle spasms, or stiffness have gotten in the way of their normal daily activities. I highly recommend that you see the Chiropractor the moment you notice a problem. It will take less visits, and your body will stabilize much sooner if you come in a day or two after low back pain has started vs. waiting until you have severe pain that limits your ability to function.

There are many different methods of adjusting the spine and joints. I personally know several different Chiropractic Adjustment techniques so that I can adapt to the needs of my patients. The techniques I use on a newborn are different that I would use on a 20 year old, or even an older person with advanced arthritis. I thoroughly enjoy customizing each patients Chiropractic Adjustment to what works for their body.

3. Get treated with Total Body Modification!

Total Body Modification has amazing low back pain and low back disc corrections, that when combined with a Chiropractic Adjustment, have resulted in absolute miracles! I took care of a pregnant ER Doctor who had such severe low back pain that she had to stand to complete her new patient paperwork. She could barely walk, and her upper body was leaning to one side because she had a disc that was bulging. It took her nearly two minutes to lay down on my adjusting table. By the time I adjusted her, and performed some Total Body Modification corrections on her low back, she was able to turn over and sit up with ease after her treatment. She was fascinated and impressed that she could stand up almost perfectly straight, and had a 70% reduction in her lower back pain after just one visit.

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is also highly effective in treating low back pain. Several years ago, I had an episode of severe low back pain where I was leaning to the side from a disc bulge. I emptied my bladder just before my dad, Dr. Dennis Baker, placed the Acupuncture needles on my body. About 15 minutes later, I had to take the needles out early because my bladder was very full and I couldn't wait to use the restroom again! Amazingly, when I stood up after my Acupuncture treatment, I could stand almost perfectly straight and my pain had lessened. I was impressed with how quickly the Acupuncture had made a difference in my low back pain. In my office, I have seen so many patients have profound results and drastic improvements with Acupuncture for low back pain.

How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is a way of treating energetic imbalances in the body. Energy courses through pathways in your body called Acupuncture Meridians. Injury, illness, emotional upset, chronic disease, spinal alignment, and more all influence the energy in your Acupuncture Meridians. By using a tool called Acugraph, I am able to map the energy in the 12 main Acupuncture Meridians and get an accurate real-time picture of the energy in your body. We use the Acugraph before every treatment to measure your progress and make any necessary changes to your treatment. As your body changes, we make sure your treatment is a perfect match for you along the way. In my office, I combine the Acugraph results with Acupuncture points that are classically known to help with your condition. This combination of treatment drastically increases the effectiveness of your Acupuncture treatment!

5. Assess your posture while sleeping, at work, and at home.

With each patient, I ask questions about posture. Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach? Sleeping on your stomach can cause neck and low back pain. I recommend sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs, or sleeping on your back with a pillow underneath your knees. This allows for a neutral sleeping position that will help alleviate your low back pain while sleeping. It is also important to evaluate your workspace. Is your chair at the right height compared to your desk? Is your monitor directly in front of you? If you head is turned to the side even slightly, it can cause neck pain. Is your mouse comfortably within reach? Do you sleep on your couch with your head on the armrest? This can cause all kinds of spinal misalignment issues!

There are more factors than this that contribute to lower back pain. At my office, we discuss all of these factors to get to the source of the problem, and to help develop and treatment plan that includes any necessary lifestyle and posture modifications to speed healing. Being a 3rd generation Chiropractor, I come from a very holistic background, and I have worked with countless patients that experience low back pain. I welcome questions from my patients about their treatment options, and enjoy creating a partnership to improve their health together.

Tired of dealing with your low back pain? Call me today!

Better Health is Only a Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

816-256-3603

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Recovering from Brain Fog and Fatigue After General Anesthesia or Surgery? 5 Tips to Help You

Posted on 2012-02-21 12:26:16

Kansas City Chiropractor Shares Five Tips For a Better Post-Anesthesia Recovery

I have personally experienced the fatigue and brain fog from having general anesthesia. I have been through being tired, exhausted, and knowing my brain wasn't working at top speed. As a Holistic Chiropractor I was determined to feel better as quickly as possible. In both my personal experience, and through treating patients that are dealing with the lingering effects of general anesthesia, I have the following tips to speed your recovery.

1. Drink Water

It is so important to drink enough water every day, and especially after general anesthesia. I woke up incredibly thirsty after surgery, and the nurses were amazed at how much water I drank. I told them not to worry, I drink 5 quarts of water a day.

I suggest that people drink one quart of water for every 50 pounds of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 175 pounds, that would mean drinking 4 quarts of water a day. Between 201 and 250? You need five quarts of water a day. If your body can't seem to handle that much water, you can try sprinkling some sea salt on your meals, or even just put a dash of sea salt in your mouth. This will help keep your sodium levels balanced in your body if you tend to be low on sodium.

Words cannot express how much better I feel when I am consistent about my water intake. Remember, only water counts towards this total. If you add lemon or other flavorings to your water, your body will interpret it as food. Pure water turns on your nervous system. Food, and water with flavor added, turns on your digestive system. If you are currently taking pain pills, increasing your water intake may also help with the constipation that is a common side effect of pain pills.

Note: If you are on water intake restrictions due to a chronic disease or other illness, please do not deviate from those instructions.

2. Eat Protein and Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced.

It is critical that your body get enough quality protein as you recover from surgery. Your body will need the protein to help repair tissue that was injured during surgery. Keeping your blood sugar stable by eating protein, vegetables, nuts, or some fruit every few hours of the day will help tremendously as you recover from surgery. I usually recommend eating protein at least 3 times a day (or more) to meet your body's protein needs.

3. Receive Acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture has helped my patients recover from surgery and the side effects of anesthesia at a much faster pace than usual. Acupuncture has decreased their pain, helped them relax, and decrease their brain fog. Acupuncture is a system of balancing the energy in your body by stimulating certain points on the body.

I use the Acugraph program to evaluate a patient's Acupucture Meridian System prior to treatment. This allows me to get an accurate picture of what is happening in your body on an energetic level at this very moment. By combining the Acugraph readings with Acupuncture points known to help with brain function and detoxification, I see extremely fast results for my patients. Acupuncture can also be used to speed healing at the site of surgery.

4. Chiropractic Adjustments to boost your nervous system.

The Nervous System in your body is strongly impacted by anesthesia, especially general anesthesia. Chiropractic Adjustments help reduce interference in your nervous system and increase the efficiency at which your brain and body communicate back and forth.

Of course if you are recovering from surgery, the area near the surgery will not be adjusted. Even though Chiropractic Adjustments are usually very gentle, it is usually advised to avoid adjusting near a surgical site until the area has stabilized and healed for a period of time. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you cannot receive Chiropractic care at all. The Chiropractor can adjust other areas on your body to maximize your nervous system's functioning while you are recovering.

For example, I just took care of a woman who had a D & C, which is a procedure done on the uterus. She came in to the office three days after surgery. We did not do any kind of stretching or twisting adjustments that would have put any pressure on her uterus or pelvis. I was able to adjust her mid back and neck, as well as give her an Acupuncture treatment. She told me immediately after her treatment she felt so much better, and felt like she had more energy and less brain fog. The brightness in her eyes and the smile on her face said it all.

It is especially important to receive Chiropractic care if you are recovering from a surgery or injury that makes you limp or walk abnormally, as this can cause misalignments and irritation to your nervous system throughout your body. Each patient is different, and this is why a thorough History and Chiropractic Exam is needed on each patient to determine what level of care is appropriate.

5. Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important factors for healing after surgery or anesthesia. It is very common to not sleep well right after anesthesia or surgery, due to the after effects of the anesthesia drugs as well as post-surgical pain. Your body repairs itself while you sleep. It is important to do your best to have uninterupted sleep at night. Turn off or move all sources of light that could keep you awake, like alarm clocks, cell phones, etc. Turn off the TV while you sleep. Make sure your sleeping area is dark and cool, and you have enough covers to keep you warm. Some patients find they sleep much better if they use darkening blinds or even a sleep mask that covers their eyes and blocks the light.

If you are recovering from surgery or anesthesia and want to help your body improve faster, and decrease the after effects like brain fog, please call me!

Better Health is Just a Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

816-256-3603

Pregnant with a Baby in the Breech Position? Try Acupuncture to turn that baby!

Posted on 2012-02-16 08:07:52

Chiropractor in Kansas City Uses Acupuncture to Turn Breech Babies in Pregnancy

Are you pregnant with a breech baby? Researching options for a woman who is pregnant and wanting to turn her baby and avoid a C section?

This blog post is for you!

It is well known amongst natural healing practitioners that Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for turning breech babies. I have seen claims that up to 85% of breech babies will turn with Acupuncture treatments.

There are specific Acupuncture points that help turn the baby, and these can be treated safely at any time during pregnancy. I highly recommend seeking out an Acupuncture specialist that works with pregnancy and is knowledgable with pregnancy and labor. Depending on your particular Doctor or Midwife, you may only be allowed to be pregnant with a breech baby until 39 weeks, at which point they will want to schedule an external cephalic version, or ECV for short. During an ECV, they manually try to force the baby into a vertex (head down) position. This can be very uncomfortable for the mother and can potentially result in an emergency C-section. An ECV is usually performed closer to your due date due to the risk of an emergency delivery.

Acupuncture for a breech pregnancy is a great way to naturally encourage the baby to turn, and does not carry the risks of causing damage to the placenta or conditions that call for an emergency C-section. An ECV is an attempt to turn a baby without being able to tell if there are any reasons for the baby to stay breech. With Acupuncture treatment, the baby will turn from breech to vertex if the path is clear. If the baby has an obstacle in its way (like the cord around an arm or the neck) that makes it better for the baby to stay in a breech position, the baby will stay in the breech position.

Acupuncture is performed by inserting very thin Acupuncture needles into specific points on the body. The needles stay in place for 15 to 30 minutes and stimulate the body to move and balance the energy of the body through pathways called meridians. There are certain Acupuncture points that are known to be good for specific conditions including a breech pregnancy. I combine the breech pregnancy Acupuncture points with the results I get from a diagnostic meridian testing device called Acugraph. Acugraph allows me to get a real time picture of the energy in your Acupuncture meridians, including where there are deficiencies and blockages in energy. In many cases, I can look at the Acugraph reading and point out different emotional states and physical illnesses that they are currently experiencing. Patients are amazed and blown away that the Acugraph tool can give me so much information on their body. I use the Acugraph at each visit to test your body and get an updated picture of your Acupuncture Meridian system before treatment. This allows me to always be giving you an accurate and up-to-date treatment based upon how your body is right now, and not based upon your symptoms three weeks ago.

It is amazing to see pregnant women experience Acupuncture. Many times they come in for their appointment anxious and rushed. Afterward, they leave more relaxed and peaceful...which is a much better emotional state for mom. The increased relaxation in her body can make it that much easier for the baby to turn.

It may take a series of treatments to have your baby turn from breech to vertex, so it is important to start the Acupuncture treatments as soon as you know your baby is breech, especially if you are near 37 weeks pregnant.

Breech babies can turn at any point even at their due date. If you would like Acupuncture to help turn your breech baby, please call me! I would be happy to help!

Oh, and if that baby turns into a vertex position, and you are past your due date, Acupuncture can help induce labor as well. This is a great way to naturally stimulate labor and avoid a pitocin induction, as well as other interventions that can result from the pitocin induction. Click here for more information!

Better Health Is Only A Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

816-256-3603

Chronic Neck Pain? Why Chiropractic & Acupuncture may be just the help you need!

Posted on 2012-02-08 09:03:34

Neck Pain Patients in Kansas City get Relief with Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Is that same spot in your neck hurting again today? Or are you one of the lucky ones that woke up with neck pain for the first time today? Tired of taking muscle relaxers, pain pills, and anti-inflammatories, only to have it all hurt just as bad 4 or 6 hours later?

This article is for you!

How can Chiropractic help Neck Pain?

Chiropractors are extensively trained to detect misalignments in the spine that cause neck pain and other symptoms. A Chiropractor can determine after a history and examination whether Chiropractic care can make a difference for your neck pain. Misalignments in the spine increase pressure on the joints and activate pain receptors. These pain receptors get your attention and tell you that you have neck pain. Chiropractors perform adjustments of the spine and joints that reduce the misalignment in the joints, which results in reduced irritation to your pain receptors, and you guessed it, decreased neck pain. Doctors of Chiropractic can use a variety of methods to perform these adjustments for neck pain including using a small hand held instrument, or using their hands to gently relign the joint. Sometimes when a Chiropractor uses their hands to adjust you (also known as a Manual or Diversified Adjustment) you can hear a clicking or popping sound, which is just nitrogen gas escaping from the joint space.

How fast will my neck pain feel better?

Each patient's body is different. I have many patients that report immediate improvement in their neck pain after their first adjustment, in some cases before they even leave my office. Other patients will start to see noticable results in 4 to 6 visits. It depends on several factors including:

-hydration

-sleep quality and quantity

-diet

-stress level

-how long you have experienced neck pain

-history of accidents or injury

I had one patient come into my office with such severe neck pain that she was taking 20 Tylenol a day, and it still wasn't helping. After her first visit, she only needed 6 Tylenol a day, and within a few more visits she was completely off the Tylenol for her neck pain! She didn't have a Tylenol deficiency, she was trying to mask the pain signals her body was sending her letting her know something was wrong with her neck! Finally her body complained loud enough and she found a Chiropractor!

I know I have arthritis in my neck. Is it safe to get Chiropractic Adjustments if I already have arthritis?

In the vast majority of cases, it is completely safe to receive Chiropractic Adjustments if you have arthritis. I work on patients with arthritis in my practice on a daily basis and they find that Chiropractic helps their body function better even in the areas they thought would never improve because of a diagnosis of arthritis. It is always important to have a thorough history and examination to make sure that you are a good candidate for Chiropractic Care. Chiropractic Adjustments help increase range of motion in joints. Joints get their nutrition by movement. If a joint is stuck, it no longer receives all of its nutrition. What happens to anything that doesn't get proper nutrition? It starts to wear down, get sick, or show signs of degeneration. Arthritis is a sign that the body has had increased stress in a joint with decreased joint motion. If you can increase joint motion with Chiropractic Care, then guess what happens? Chiropractic Adjustments slow down or in some cases even stop the progression of arthritis!!!

How does Acupuncture help neck pain?

Acupuncture is a system of healing that balances the energy in your body. Anytime you have pain, illness, discomfort, fatigue, it is a sign of energetic imbalances in the body. Energy may be too high, too low, or out of balance between the left and right sides of the body. I use a tool called Acugraph to measure the energy in your 12 main Acupuncture meridians, which helps me get a picture of how your body is out of balance. By combining the treatment recommendations from the Acugraph readings with Acupuncture points for neck pain, my patients see improvement at an even faster pace. After all, I could see 10 neck pain patients, all of which have a different energy pattern in their body. If I treat them all with the exact same points without customizing the treatment to their body, their treatment could potentially not be as effective. Many patients with neck pain also report an increase in their stress level or poor sleep quality in conjunction with their neck pain. I will also add in Acupuncture points that will help with those issues as well as their neck pain.

Will I need Acupuncture and Chiropractic Adjustments to help with my neck pain?

Each patient is different and depending on your history and examination results, as well as your personal preference, I will discuss different treatment recommendations with you before we start your treatment plan. Some patients would prefer to start with just Acupuncture or just Chiropractic, while other patients understand the exponential benefit of combining treatments and want to start with both right away. I am flexible in regards to having your input and preferences shape your care...after all, it is your body and your health! I strive to empower my patients to listen to their body and start to understand the signals their body is sending them, including when it is time for another treatment. If I can help you understand your body's signals, then you are better able to take care of yourself, and chances are you won't wait until you are in severe pain to get your Adjustment or Acupuncture session in the future for your neck pain!

What else can I do for myself to help ease my neck pain until my appointment?

-Increase your hydration to 1 quart of water per 50 pounds of body weight per day (unless you have water restrictions due to kidney, heart, or other diseases that limit your water intake)

-Eat protein several times per day, and eat something (preferably protein, vegetables or fruit) every 2 to 3 hours. It doesn't have to be a full meal, but just enough to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Low blood sugar, or drastic swings up or down in blood sugar will increase pain and inflammation in the body.

-If there is inflammation or heat in your neck where you have pain, ice 20 minutes of every hour can be helpful as well. Please do not use a plug in heating pad for your neck pain, as it increases inflammation, which increases pain.

Note: While these suggestions may help reduce your pain, they will not fully address the problem. Please do not use these suggestions as a substitute for proper evaluation and treatment of an underlying condition.

I am in a lot of pain now. Should I come in now or wait until the neck pain has subsided?

I always recommend treatment to begin sooner rather than later. The longer you wait to address the problem, the longer it usually takes to fully heal. Think about it this way...if your car didn't have proper alignment, would you wait until your tires showed uneven wear or an exposed cord before you took your car in for an alignment? You can buy new tires, but you can't buy a new neck! Take good care of yourself now to prevent permanent damage and long term chronic neck pain and arthritis!

If you have any questions, please call me!

Better Health Is Only a Phone Call Away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

816-256-3603