Many women suffer from menstrual cramps at some point during their life.  Commercials on TV tell you to just take a Pamprin, or other pain reliever. 

Have you ever wondered why you get cramps?  It's not because you have a PAMPRIN DEFICIENCY!

Common Causes of Menstrual Cramps:

-Tilted Uterus: Total Body Modification has soft tissue corrections that help reverse a tilted uterus.  A tilted uterus is sometimes implicated in women that have been diagnosed with infertility.  I have used the tilted uterus protocol to help MANY women with cramps!

-Dehydration: Just like a marathon runner that gets muscle cramps when they are dehydrated, so does your uterus.  Increase your water intake to 1 quart or liter per 50 pounds of body weight per day to see if increasing your water intake helps your cramps.

-Lack of Minerals:  Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium are minerals that are commonly deficient in women that have menstrual cramps.  I have patients use either a supplement or increase the amount of foods they eat that contain these minerals

-Omega 3 or other Essental Fatty Acid Deficiency:  Omega 3 and Evening Primrose Oil are two supplements that can help with menstrual cramps

-Diet high in fried foods and pro-inflammatory foods: Women that eat a lot of fried foods and starch, as well as other foods that increase inflammation in the body, usually notice increasingly severe cramps.

-Misalignment in the Pelvis or Lower Back:  The nerves that feed the reproductive organs also feed the hips and low back.  It is a two way communication system.  Problems with reproductive organs can cause misalignments in the spine, and misalignments in the spine can cause reproductive problems.  This is also a common problem with women and men that are diagnosed with infertility.  My grandma had 3 miscarriages in 10 years, and was told to have a hysterectomy.  Fortunately, instead my grandpa took her to a Chiropractor.  Shortly after that, she was pregnant, and the baby born nine months later was MY MOM!!!  (That's how my grandpa decided to become a Chiropractor by the way!)

-Energy imbalances in the Acupuncture Meridians:  The Spleen, Kidneys, and Liver Meridians are commonly imbalanced in cases of menstrual cramps.  There could also be other meridians like Heart and Pericardium involved depending on the amount of emotional stress the woman deals with on a regular basis.  I use a tool called Acugraph that measures the energy in the 12 main Acupuncture meridians so that I can digitally and accurately see where the body is out of balance, and create a customized treatment for each patient at each visit.  It's amazing! Check out this link on msnbc about Acupuncture and Menstrual Cramps!

If you have questions about menstrual cramps or other health conditions, please call me at 816-256-3603!

Better Health is only a phone call away!

 

Dr. Kristine Baker 

7 Tips to Help Fibromyalgia from a Kansas City Chiropractor

1. Drink water:  You should drink 1 liter or 1 quart of water per 50 pounds of body weight PER DAY!!!  Only water counts.  Tea, soda, flavored water, fitness water, carbonated water, or any other version that is not pure water doesn't count.  I do recommend that you drink filtered water if at all possible.  Pur is an inexpensive brand that carries a wide assortment of filters and water pitchers.  There are other higher end water filters that remove even more impurities, but for a start, Pur does a great job!

2. Avoid artificial sweeteners:  Any of the colored packets, pink, blue, yellow...aspartame, saccharin, Splenda, and NutraSweet tend to worsen the symptoms of many Fibromyalgia patients.  It may make your food taste sweet, but what else is it doing to your body???  (I even had a Type 2 Diabetic patient report that her blood sugar levels dropped after cutting out diet soda)

3. Become a Label Reader: Look at the labels on the food in your pantry and refrigerator.  Do the ingredients include a laundry list of items that you can barely read, much less pronouce?  That particular item is most likely loaded with chemical food additives and/or preservatives.  Many Fibromyalgia patients are very sensitive to food additives, chemicals, and preservatives.  If you must buy boxed food items, look for ones that have less ingredients total, and labels where you recognize the ingredients.

4. Shop the outside aisle of the supermarket:   That's where all of the whole food, and fresh and raw items tend to be.  The supermarket is loaded with sugary and chemical-laden foods in all those center aisles.  If you are lucky, you can go down the juice aisle and get not-from-concentrate and no sugar added juices.  Again, read your labels!

5. Find a Chiropractor that has experience with Fibromyalgia patients:  I have treated many Fibromyalgia patients, and when they follow my recommendations, they have all seen improvement in their energy levels and decrease in their pain levels.  Chiropractors are trained to detect subluxations or misaligments in the spine.  These misalignments of the spine often contribute to the varying pain levels in a Fibromyalgia patient.  Working with a Chiropractor to keep your spine in alignment is critical to improving your quality of life, even if you don't have Fibromyalgia!

6. Incorporate other forms of natural health care into your lifestyle:  Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy, and Total Body Modification are other techniques that I use in addition to Chiropractic that have DRAMATICALLY improved the results I've had with Fibromyalgia.  Also consider getting massage or taking a yoga class. I also recommend incorporating exercise into your routine at least 30 minutes 4 to 5 days a week (please get clearance from your Doctor before starting any exercise program).

7. Create a support system (family, friends, work colleagues, neighbors, etc.) that will help you when you have a bad day, or listen when you need them.  Many Fibromyalgia patients have been through, or are currently experiencing, an extremely stressful period in their lives.  Feeling supported and loved can make a whole world of difference!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me!  Better health is only a phone call away!

Dr. Kristine Baker

Kansas City Chiropractor Helps Patients with Neck Pain from Long Hours on the Computer

Are you reading this at your computer right now and thinking to yourself "Hmm...I have neck pain and I'm on my computer...what's the point?"

The point is long frequent periods of time in front of the computer can cause neck and back pain, as well as eye strain!

How can this happen?

-Poor ergonomic design of your workspace (meaning your computer, mouse, chair, keyboard are not in the optimum position for your body)

-Your monitor is set too high, too low, or off to one side or the other, causing your neck muscles to work overtime to hold your head in place

-If you are on the computer AND squeezing the telephone between your neck and shoulders, you are getting a double whammy of stress on the neck.  You should really get a headset or use speakerphone if at all possible.  The increased stress on your neck and upper back can cause the vertebrae (bones) in your neck to misalign, which can also create muscle spasms and pain.  You may even notice your neck turns better to one side than the other.

-Staying in one position for long periods of time without much body movement.  This causes your body to stiffen in some places, and overwork other muscles.  This is the perfect setup for neck and back pain, as well as weight gain if you are not exercising on a regular basis.

What can you do?

-GET ADJUSTED by a Chiropractor:  Chiropractors are trained to gently detect misalignments aka subluxations in the spine and joints, and then realign those joints, which takes pressure off of nerves and relaxes the muscles.

-Have your workspace evaluated by an ergnomics specialist, or discuss it with your Chiropractor.  During my extensive education in Chiropractic school, we were trained to help patients adjust their workstation to minimize the negative impact on their bodies.

-Eat protein every 2 to 3 hours.  You may combine this with vegetables or sprouted wheat bread to create a healthy snack or meal.  Eating small meals more frequently keeps your blood sugar steady so that your body can handle long days of work and other stressors.

-Drink a quart of water for every 50 pounds of body weight PER DAY.  This is the optimal amount of water for someone to drink and still stay well-hydrated.  If you drink coffee, tea, or soda, add the same amount of water to your total for the day.  A great way to measure your water intake is to use a polycarbonate or metal water bottle that is 1 quart or 1 liter. 

-Exercise 3 to 5 times a week.  At least 30 minutes of physical activity that gets your blood pumping and your body sweating has all kinds of benefits including stress reduction and more physical stamina.

Find a Chiropractor that is well trained in coaching their patients in all aspects of their health, including diet, water intake, and exercise, and you will have a partner that will be there to bring your body to it's maximum potential!

Drinking my water as we speak!

Dr. Kristine Baker

Shoveling Snow and Back Pain

People shoveling snow...its happening all across the country this time of year...

Do you know what happens to a lot of people after shoveling snow?

Their back aches.

Their neck aches.

Their arms and legs ache.

Why?

Combining the one sided motion of shoveling show with repeated lifting of the snow and dehydration is the "perfect storm" for aches and pains in the body.  I have seen some of my neighbors outside for over an hour shoveling 5 or 6 inches of snow, and I don't see them drinking any water to rehydrate as they are using the muscles of their back and body on overtime.

All of the hard work clearing your driveway often stresses the body to the point where vertebrae (the bones in your back) are pulled out of alignment.  This misalignment can cause pain right away, and sometimes for days or weeks afterwards. 

I ask every patient that I see shortly after a snowstorm if they have been shoveling snow.  In almost all cases, I have noticed that their spine is torqued and twisted and the muscles of the hips, low back, and shoulders are extra tight.

They need a good adjustment after all of that bending and twisting!

Bending and twisting at the same time puts excessive pressure on the discs between the bones in your spine.  This excessive pressure often sets people up for a disc irration, bulge or in the worst cases...a disc herniation. 

OUCH!

Keep in mind that most people are not thinking about whether they are holding the shovel properly or twisting their back harder while they are digging out of a pile of snow.  They want to get it done...and get it done fast!

If you have been shoveling snow, make sure you follow up with your Chiropractor to realign your spine and joints.

If you don't have a Chiropractor, find one!  A long term relationship with a great Chiropractor can drastically improve your health and quality of life, potentially saving you from more costly health care down the road.

For more information or to get your questions answered, please call me at 816-256-3603.

Dr. Kristine Baker

Woman Falls on Ice: Kansas City Chiropractor Helps Realign the Spine

A woman I know slipped on the ice a week ago and yesterday she was having pains shoot in her hips and down her legs.  She had never been to a Chiropractor before, and emailed me asking me if a Chiropractor should be her next step in regaining her health.

 YES! YES! YES!

When someone falls, they jar their entire body.  The impact can misalign their hips, back, shoulders, neck, arms, forearms, ankles...and more!  Chiropractic care is used by professional athletes after an injury to get back to work, so why not you?

How does Chiropractic help my body after a fall?

Falling or even slipping without actually hitting the ground can misalign joints all over the body.  Over time if this misalignment is not corrected, you may experience pain, numbness, burning, tingling, swelling, and more.  If this isn't addressed for years, a person may be diagnosed with a bulging or herniated spinal disc, or even arthritis in the joints that took the hardest hit.

 Chiropractors are experts that are trained in DETECTING and CORRECTING these minor misalignments of the body.  Keep in mind that just because these are called minor misalignments, know that many times they cause MAJOR problems if left untreated!

Think about what happens to your car after you go over a really deep pothole...some car owners not only have to get an alignment of their car, but in the worst cases have to buy a brand new TIRE!  If your car is pulling to the left, you would get an alignment, right?  Why?  Because you don't want to be forced to buy new tires after they have worn unevenly.

 You can buy new tires!  You cannot buy a new back!  Get yourself adjusted as soon as possible after a fall or slip to get your body back in proper alignment.

 Call me at 816-256-3603 to get your spine realigned!

Dr. Kristine Baker

Good afternoon everyone!

I'm sitting at my computer thinking "wow, there's got to be at least 50 people in Kansas City having neck pain as they stare at their computer screen." 

So this blog's for you!

Do you have your monitor at eye level?  Is it straight ahead from where you sit, or do you constantly have your head turned?

Is your mouse easily within your reach or do you have to stretch your arm?

 If your monitor or mouse is not in the proper position, or "ergnomically correct", at some point your neck and shoulders will start to bother you. 

Why does this happen?

When your sitting posture is strained in any way, or you have to hold your neck in a slightly turned position for long periods of time, your body has to adapt to this imbalance by firing your muscle fibers for a longer period of time on one side of your body.  This imbalance puts strain on your neck and can cause the vertebrae, or bones, in your neck to become misaligned.  Forty hours a week of this, and it won't be long before you'll be looking for a solution to your chronic achy neck and back.

What's the solution?

Chiropractic!!! And proper ergonomic coaching from that Chiropractor!

 A Chiropractor will relign the bones in your spine and talk with you about the ergonomics, or positioning of your workstation.  I also use CranioSacral Therapy and other techniques to relax the muscles as well.  I find that many times a combination of techniques is most effective. 

If you are experiencing pain that you think might be a result of your work posture, call me now at 816-256-3603 to schedule an appointment.

Yours in Health,

 Dr. Kristine Baker

I just received a call this morning from a woman asking me about neck and back pain.  She was also complaining of a jaw problem.  After speaking with her for a few minutes she told me how badly she was hurting and doesn't know why her back and neck had been bothering her off and on for 10 years.

Then I asked her a critical question..."Did you have a car accident or other trauma about 10 years ago?"

She said "You know, about 10 or 11 years ago I had a car accident.  It wasn't that bad, but I do remember my neck hurting a little bit afterward."

I had the "AHA!" moment of her history!

Most likely, her car accident when she was 16 started a cascade of pain and muscle tightness which gradually worsened over time.  Unfortunately, she had never received Chiropractic care for the seemingly minor injuries she sustained in that Motor Vehicle Accident.  Now, in her late 20's, she suffers from chronic neck, back and jaw pain. 

This is all too common the history I see in my patients who enter my office with years of neck and back pain.  They have a history of a car accident, big fall, broken bones (and subsequent limping on crutches), or the most surprising history which was a patient who in her words "pile drivered her head into the sand surfing in Hawaii".

These patients did not know that Chiropractic could have made the difference and prevented years and years of neck and back pain.  In extreme cases, if Chiropractic care would have been utilized at the time of injury, patients would have much less arthritis and degenerative changes in their spine.  

How does Chiropractic help return the body to pre-injury status?

During an injury, the body absorbs all kinds of energy from the force of the impact.  This force jams the vertebrae of the spine together, triggering swelling, pain, muscle spasms, and in severe cases, bruising. 

Adjusting these misalignments in the spine helps take the pressure off of the nervous system, thus reducing muscle spasms, pain, and swelling.  It is important to receive regular Chiropractic adjustments at first immediately following an injury because the body will not hold the proper alignment for long.  Over a period of time (and each patient is different) the body begins to hold it's adjustment for a longer period of time.  As my patients stabilize and they see results, their treatment frequency is reduced.

Neck and back pain are among the most common complaints I see in my office.  I am an expert in helping people with neck and back pain.  I look at the body from a holistic perspective, including asking questions about:

-diet/nutrition

-exercise

-sleep and sleeping posture

-stress level

-thorough history of accidents and injuries

If you are suffering from neck and back pain, and are ready to take action to improve your health, please call me.

I would be happy to help!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Kristine Baker

Good afternoon!

 This time of year I see many patients start to feel down or depressed.  They can usually tie it to one of the following factors:

-STRESS

-the Holidays

-SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

-Poor eating habits

-Lack of exercise

-Traumatic life events years ago around this time

 Did you know that many times Acupuncture can make a HUGE difference in the symptoms of depression?

Depression is often feelings of hopelessness, or anger you feel that you don't have a right to have, according to Louise Hays "Heal Your Body".

When I was first in practice as a Chiropractor, I had pretty severe depression being worried about starting a practice, having enough patients, and paying my bills.  I would feel like it would be just fine with me if I could crawl in a hole and never come out.  Fortunately for me, a friend of mine was wanting to refresh her Acupuncture skills!

She would come to my office about once a week and we would trade Acupuncture treatments.  We would start with testing each other's Acupuncture meridians with the Acugraph system, and then we would each get treated according to what was indicated on each of our graphs.  I would tell her what points to use in addition to help me with depression.

I had been receiving Acupuncture since I was 11 years old, but even I was amazed at the results I personally experienced with Acupuncture.  In 20 minutes, I would go from feeling like I didn't care if the world ended tomorrow, to being peaceful, relaxed, and totally ready to face the day.  It was absolutely awesome!  I could hardly believe it worked that well, and I had been around Acupuncture for A LONG TIME!

 After a series of weekly Acupuncture treatments I was feeling so much better and I felt like I could face the day and be happy again.  Of course each case is different, and many times Acupuncture is part of a multi-faceted treatment plan which includes modifications to diet, sleep, exercise, and in the most severe cases, medication may be necessary to help.

It is important to have a thorough consult with an experienced Doctor regardless of the severity of your symptoms.

 If you or someone you know may need Acupuncture, I am here to serve and make a difference.

Please call me at 816-256-3603.

 Dr. Kristine Baker

I'm sitting in my office and I can just feel the cold weather creeping in.  My shoulders and back are starting to stiffen up from the weather changes, and I feel so much pressure in my sinuses.  I'm MISERABLE!

 Sound familiar???

I hear this all the time in my office this time of year.  Their shoulders are extra tight from the weather changing from cool to downright cold!  Many of my patients also complain about sinus irritation or pressure as well this time of year.

Here are the common causes of sinus flare-ups this time of year

-excessive sugar in the diet (especially after Halloween and approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas)

-excessive dairy in the diet from pies, cookies, and sweet holiday drinks

-dryness from the heat produced from the furnace

-STRESS

-misalignments in the neck and upper back

-imbalanced energy in the Acupuncture meridian system

The first 4 reasons I listed can also cause the last two!

What can you do?

Chiropractic Adjustments reduce the pressure on the nervous system that communicates directly with the sinuses, head and neck.  There are so many times that a patient will be in the middle of receiving an adjustment and be pleasantly surprised that their sinuses start opening up.

Acupuncture helps reduce blockages of energy in the body that can be caused by many different factors, several of which I have listed above.  In fact, there are Acupuncture points SPECIFICALLY KNOWN to help with sinus problems.  I use the Acugraph system to check the energy in the 12 main acupuncture meridians, and treat their energy imbalances accordingly.  This helps me give them the most accurate treatment possible at the moment they step into my office.  I have many patients who see me when their sinuses flare up because they know that Acupuncture is extremely effective when they are having sinus problems.

Changes in the weather have you all stiffened up?  Sinuses have lots of pressure, or just feel uncomfortable?

Call me at 816-256-3603 and see if I can make a difference for you!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Kristine Baker

Good evening!

Many women have PMS,  PMDD, or suffer from painful periods.  TV ads tell you to just take a Midol or some Advil. 

Here's the thing...taking Midol or Advil, while it dulls the symptoms and may reduce inflammation temporarily, does nothing to actually get to the underlying cause of the PMS and cramps.

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) or PMDD (Premenstraul Dysmorphic Disorder) is caused by hormonal imbalances in a woman's monthly cycle.  This can be caused by stress, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, being overweight, or an underlying imbalance in the pituitary or other master glands of the body.

What can be done from a holistic perspective?

Chiropractic Adjustments - Adjusting the spine and removing interference/pressure on the nervous system allows for increased functioning of hormone secretion and uterus and ovarian function.  I pay special attention to the low back and pelvis in my patients who have problematic periods.  The nerves in these two regions travel to the ovaries and uterus.

Acupuncture - By using Acugraph, a state-of-the-art diagnostic program, I can detect energetic imbalances in the acupuncture meridians.  Energy in the acupuncture meridians become imbalanced before hormone levels and the uterus and ovaries start to malfunction.  These organ and hormonal malfunctions are a symptom of the meridian imbalances.  The Spleen, Pericardium, and Liver Meridians are three of the meridians that are commonly associated with PMS, PMDD and cramps.  Of course, all patients are different, so that is why it is critical to use the Acugraph program to check the 12 main meridians.  This ensures that the patient gets the most effective treatment to work on their individual energy levels.

CranioSacral Therapy - CranioSacral Therapy can also be used to help relieve cramps and other symptoms associated with PMS and PMDD.  This therapy helps unwind soft tissue restrictions in the body, including the tilting of the uterus that is commonly found in women with cramps.  Many women have also reported feeling more relaxed, centered, and peaceful after a CranioSacral session.

Total Body Modification - This technique can be used to help untilt a uterus, which is the most common cause for cramps.  I have helped many women have easier periods with the Tilted Uterus protocol.  In fact, several women have started subsequent periods with little to no cramping...their period comes as a complete surprise!

Nutrition - I also look at what may help from a nutritional perspective.  The following supplements commonly help with PMS, PMDD and cramps:

          - Quality Multivitamin/Multimineral

          - Magnesium and Calcium in a 1:2 ratio

          - Evening Primrose Oil or Omega - 3 supplement

There are many different holistic techniques that can make a difference with Cramps, PMS, and PMDD.  Hopefully now you know there are resources available to help improve the quality of your life, and lessen the discomfort many women experience with their menstrual cycles.  Every person is different, and that is why it is important to consult with a Chiropractor who will customize a plan for you based upon your individual needs.

 If you or someone you love needs a Chiropractor in the Kansas City area who practices from a holistic perspective, please call me at 816-256-3603.  I am happy to answer your questions.

Have a great weekend!

 Dr. Kristine Baker