Pregnant patient sitting on an adjustment table being examined by the chiropractor for misalignments in her spine.

Three Ways Chiropractic Care Can Make Pregnancy Easier

Three Ways Chiropractic Care Can Make Pregnancy Easier

Pregnancy is a journey for expectant mothers, both physically and emotionally. The body undergoes numerous changes to accommodate the growing baby, it’s crucial to prioritize maternal health and well-being. One safe and effective way to do this is through chiropractic care.

Reduce Pregnancy Discomfort

During pregnancy, as the body is adjusting to making room for the baby, it is likely for the spine to become misaligned. This can cause symptoms like back pain, pelvic pain, and joint stiffness. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve these discomforts by realigning the spine and pelvis. This reduces pressure on the nerves which can provide relief from unpleasant symptoms.

Align Pelvis for Smooth Delivery

Pelvic alignment is important for a healthy pregnancy and a smooth delivery. Dr. Pulver is trained in the Webster Technique specifically for prenatal care and can identify and address any misalignments in the pelvis. By correcting these misalignments, it opens the pelvis and allows for the baby to get into the best position for delivery.

Reduce Complications

In addition to chiropractic care, adding pelvic floor exercises in your daily routine can improve the likelihood of a quick and smooth delivery. Pelvic floor exercises can benefit women who are pregnant as well as women who are postpartum. These exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor which reduces the risk of complications before and after birth.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care during pregnancy offers many benefits including alleviating discomfort, supporting pelvic alignment, promoting pelvic floor health, and preparing for a smoother labor and delivery.

 

For a more detailed explanation of pregnancy chiropractic and pelvic floor exercises you can view the following videos on our YouTube channel. One of the videos includes Renee Przystas, a women’s health physical therapist, who explains the pelvic floor and goes over four exercises to improve pelvic floor health.

 

Pregnant and experiencing discomfort? Find relief today by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Pulver. 

Assistant using tablet to set up a patient on decompression table in wellness room.

Introducing Three New Pain Relieving Treatment Options in Our Wellness Room

Introducing Three New Pain Relieving Treatment Options in Our Wellness Room

We have recently added a wellness room in our office. It has three new pieces of equipment that each have promising techniques that have gained popularity in the wellness world: vibration therapy, hydromassage bed, and a decompression table.

Vibration Plate

Our new vibration plate uses mechanical vibrations to stimulate the body’s muscles and tissues. Vibration therapy has many benefits including improved circulation and blood flow, enhanced muscle flexibility, alleviation of muscle soreness and pain, and increased bone density.

Hydromassage Bed

The hydromassage bed provides a soothing and therapeutic experience by combining the benefits of massage and hydrotherapy. The bed is equipped with strategically positioned water jets that deliver a gentle, pulsating massage. Some benefits of the hydromassage bed include relaxation and stress relief, muscle tension reduction, improved circulation and lymphatic drainage, and relief from aches and pains.

Decompression Table

Lastly, our decompression table is a specialized device used in spinal decompression therapy. This is a non-surgical technique designed to alleviate pain and promote healing in the spine by gently stretching it and relieving pressure on spinal discs. Benefits from decompression therapy can include pain reduction in the neck and back, relief from herniated or bulging discs, improved posture, increased mobility and flexibility, and relief for individuals who struggle with chronic spinal conditions.  Our Back on Trac unit can isolate either the lumbar spine (lower back) or the cervical spine (neck).

Schedule an appointment today to try one or more of these great new additions to our practice!

Chiropractor showing patient why their back hurts on spinal diagram.

Top 10 Benefits of Chiropractic Care

10 Benefits of Chiropractic Care:

Chiropractic care is a natural and non-invasive form of healthcare that focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Chiropractors use manual techniques to adjust the spine, relieve pain, and improve overall health.

Here are the top 10 benefits of chiropractic care:

Pain Relief

Chiropractic adjustments can provide relief from back, neck, and joint pain without the need for medication or surgery.

Improved Range of Motion

By adjusting the spine, chiropractors can improve the range of motion in your joints, making it easier to move freely.

Better Posture

Poor posture can lead to a variety of health problems, including back pain and headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve your posture and reduce these issues.

Increased Flexibility

Chiropractic care can help improve flexibility, which can reduce the risk of injury and improve athletic performance.

Improved Immune System Function

Chiropractic adjustments can help boost your immune system by improving communication between the brain and the rest of the body as well as help with detoxification, circulation and drainage.

Better Sleep

Chiropractic care can help reduce pain & discomfort and open up breathing pathways making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Reduced Stress

Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce tension in the body, which can lead to lower stress levels and a greater sense of well-being.

Improved Digestion

Chiropractic adjustments can help improve digestive function by reducing inflammation in the body and improving nerve function.

Drug-Free Treatment

Chiropractic care is a natural, drug-free form of healthcare that can provide relief without the need for medication or surgery.

Improved Overall Health

By improving spinal function and reducing pain, chiropractic care can help improve your overall health and quality of life.

 

In summary, chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for those seeking a natural, non-invasive form of healthcare. By improving spinal function, reducing pain, and promoting overall wellness, chiropractic care can help you feel your best and live life to the fullest.

Schedule your chiropractic appointment today.

Put Spring in Your Step; 5 Tips to Feel Great!

Put Spring in Your Step; 5 Tips to Feel Great!

The days are getting longer, outdoor sports have begun, flowers are budding and you may be wondering how to feel your best to enjoy all these moments. While you’re spring cleaning your home, you can also take the time to make sure your body is ready for a change of season as well. Here are some tips to help you feel great in the transition!

  1. Try a detox or cleanse – Give your body a rest from sugar, grains, alcohol, and caffeine for added energy and better sleep at night. This can be as simple as a 24-hour juice cleanse , a little more intentional with our 7-Day Health Reset or as intense as 14 to 21 days full detox/cleanse. Your body will appreciate the opportunity to rid itself of some toxins and stored fat.
  2. Move – Walking in the fresh air is beneficial for your emotional and physical health. Lace up your shoes after dinner and walk around your neighborhood or check out a local nature trail. Grab a family member or friend and build relational connection or use the time alone to pray and meditate.
  3. Eat your veggies – For the freshest and most economical choices, select what is in season. Spring in Michigan is a great time for asparagus, various green lettuces such as arugula and spinach, beets, and carrots. Incorporate them into lunches and dinners, as snacks, or throw spinach in to breakfast smoothies!
  4. Try something new – Spring brings the feeling of excitement and new beginnings. Find something you haven’t done before and see how it works for you! Challenge yourself with a Couch to 5K program, discover new sights through hiking, discuss the latest reads at a book club, go fishing with your kids, or relax at the end of the day with a gentle yoga routine.
  5. Allergies – Often with the beauty of spring comes the runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. To ease the discomfort of spring allergies, make sure you drink plenty of water, consume a low-inflammatory diet, try a Neti-pot, and schedule regular chiropractic adjustments to help with circulation and drainage.

Bonus tip: Get adjusted to improve alignment, mobility and circulation!

Chiropractor in Spring Lake Michigan, Dr. Levi Pulver

New Year’s Mobility Test and Three Indicators of Early Death

New Year’s Mobility Test and Three Indicators of Early Death. 

This year, I’m (Dr. Levi) starting a New Year’s tradition by taking a mobility test. Sounds exciting, right? Well, working in health care and struggling with my own health recently, I feel the need to check in with myself and identify what changes I need to make. After all, if we’re supposed to do an annual physical looking at blood pressure, blood sugars (and everything else on a blood panel) and body fat shouldn’t we also look at mobility indicators that affect our longevity?

My favorite test for mobility is the Sitting Rising Test (SRT) and guess what? I FAILED it, miserably. I used to be able to do it and score an 8 or sometimes even a 9 on a 10-point scale. But, with holiday weight gain, emotional stress and lack of simple walking and yoga, my old injuries reared their ugly head resulting in diminished pelvic/lower back and core function. Other than being uncomfortable and being limited in my daily functions, why should I worry about this? Simply put, if you can’t move well, you’re not healthy. Immobility leads to injuries, weight gain, susceptibility to illness and metabolic stress. Ultimately, this leads to premature death. There are a couple other indicators as well, so keep reading. The SRT is just the one that I’m struggling with.

Here is a summary of three major indicators that can predict premature death and what you can do about it.

  1. Frequent Falls. Falling a lot suggests that your body awareness is hindered (Being Mortal, Atul Gawande) and leads to significant injuries. Often times this starts with dysfunction in your feet. Try stretching your feet (additional video), reading this book to minimizing foot stress and improving your balance. Additionally, spinal imbalances contribute to falls at any age and are easily improved with regular chiropractic care. If you haven’t been to your chiropractor in a while, now’s a good time to get in for a tune-up!
  2. Poor Mobility. Try the Sitting Rising Test (SRT). Your performance, or lack thereof, can predict your longevity. Did you score less than eight points? Start moving in ways your body isn’t accustomed to. Use these videos as a starting point for adding new movements to improve mobility and perform the SRT once a week.
  3. Grip Strength. A 2015 study found that poor grip strength can be a stronger indicator of morbidity than blood pressure. The reason is simply that people with stronger hands tend to move their bodies more. But don’t go out and buy grip strengtheners. Rather, start raking your own lawn, shovel snow with a shovel (when possible), practice hanging (or even repetitions of pull-ups) for long periods of time, plant a garden and care for it daily or carry your small children on a walk rather than use a baby-carrier. Basically, try to add as much variable activity to everything you do! (Movement Matters)

Want to learn more about how to improve your mobility? Try Chiropractic! If your spine is not functioning optimally, all three of the previously mentioned categories will be hindered. Call us today to improve alignment and well-being to live longer, happier and healthier!

5 Tips to Keep You Healthy This Summer

Summer Health Tips

When you live in the Midwest, you live for summer. And dealing with a nagging health issue is the last thing you want to worry about. Follow our top five tips to stay happy and healthy this summer!

  1. Don’t let your sunscreen drag you down. Many commercial sunscreens contain harmful neurotoxins and block healthy vitamin D absorption. Go sunscreen free for limited amounts of time and use non-toxic sunscreens when necessary.
  2. Watch your sugar intake. Cookouts, graduations, weddings, boats, beaches, pools, sports drinks and happy hours are a recipe for excess sugar (and alcohol) intake. Make a plan for what you’re going to eat at social gatherings and outings just as you would at home. Ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable if needed.
  3. Stay Hydrated. Your body needs more water during warmer temperatures so give your body what it needs! Take a full water bottle with you every time you leave the house. If you suspect dehydration in yourself or a child, mix up some honey, sea salt and lemon juice in a class of water to replace minerals and electrolytes more effectively than sports drinks. Also, coconut water and (unflavored) Pedialyte can be effective when needed.
  4. Fats are essential. Healthy fats from coconut oil, avocado, nuts and fish help heal your skin from any sun damage as well as lower inflammation in your joints. Consume as much as you can from food and supplement when necessary with capsules, lemon flavored liquid formula or Rosita’s for those who want the best despite it’s taste ?
  5. Let music boost your mood. Create a mix for the boat, beach or pool and save it for a rainy day or next winter. Music, and associated memories, are a great way to boost your mood when you’re down.

Bonus tip: Get adjusted to improve alignment and mobility!

What I learned from my 10-day reset.

What I learned from my 10-day reset.

Recently I focused on adding three new healthy habits to my daily routine. One task per health category: movement, nutrition and emotional well-being. It was tough but sharing my plan online helped hold me accountable and motivated me to see it through. Here’s how I did!

Nutrition-No Sugar: You might not know this about me, but I can eat a plate of cookies if they are dairy and gluten free, won’t get out of the car for ice cream unless it’s at least medium-sized, love to eat (dairy free) chocolate after dinner and put a quarter cup of honey in my tea. Baking something with the kids? I always lick the spoon and bowl clean. Well, that needed to stop. My wake-up call has been stomach issues that are related to a systemic candida infection. Ever heard of that? Let’s just say it gets worse with sugar intake. Therefore, I decided to go without sugar for 10 days. I wasn’t looking at ketchup bottle labels for sugar content, but I did cut out all the things I mentioned above. I still put dates or bananas in my smoothies and did have a sugary mocktail at a birthday party but nothing else. After 10 days my stomach improved significantly, even started sleeping better, but after talking to my doctor about my candida issue I decided to cut the dates and bananas from my smoothies and prolong the no sugar plan indefinitely.

Movement- Yoga: Years ago I went to a yoga workshop at a Buddhist retreat center in Northern Colorado. We did yoga two to three times a day along with going for runs in the mountains and spending time in meditation. I felt amazing coming home but have never been able to be consistent with regular yoga, which my body needs along with regular adjustments (adjusting others all day long is hard on my own spine!). I don’t hate yoga, I just don’t love it and enjoy several other forms of exercise more. But I know it’s something I need to get back to with consistency, so I downloaded an app and got started a couple months ago. After starting and re-starting multiple times so far this year, I re-committed with this 10-day plan and completed 20-minute sessions on nine out of ten days. I easily saw benefit after the fourth or fifth day and am starting to look forward to it! If I don’t do it first thing in the morning, it usually doesn’t happen. My goal going forward is to commit to five morning sessions a week.

Emotional-Media Fast: This was probably the hardest task for me to complete as I decided to avoid all social media, news, sports blogs and television. I still used my computer for work & email and my phone for calls & text. I still posted a few times on social media but didn’t scroll my feeds or even look to see how our posts were doing. Tv’s were on at the gym and my kids watch their shows while I’m nearby but no intentional watching on my part. The first couple days were tough as I was constantly picking up my phone only to catch myself and then put it down. Or start typing in a website on the computer before stopping. The funny thing is that it only took a couple days before those habits started to break. I thought I would just check my email more but after cleaning out my inboxes, I actually started checking them less. Even went an entire day without checking them at all. And I didn’t miss a thing! Same goes for bank accounts. What did I do instead? I finished a book, I started and finished another, listened to a couple podcasts, listened to half of an audio book, played games with my kids, worked in the yard, wrote some blog posts, finished a new addition to our website, made some stretching videos AND did some work for our favorite charity. Needless to say, I probably benefited the most from this aspect of my reset and will minimize my media intake going forward.

Overall, this was a good challenge for me and hopefully some of you will try a version that suits your own personal needs. I’ll likely do it again with different goals soon and try to recruit more of you to join me. So, stay tuned!

Chiropractor in Spring Lake Michigan, Dr. Levi Pulver

Join me for a 10-day health reset!

What is a health reset? An opportunity to get back on track with healthy habits. Focus on just one change in each of the three health categories: physical, emotional and nutritional. The best part is you decide what to do! Anything goes as long as it promotes health and is not something you already do daily.

For example, a beginner plan could be to walk 20+ minutes, cut out all liquid calories and read for 20-minutes each day for the ten-day period. A more moderate plan would be to do a yoga class (online or in person), refrain from all sugar (including artificial sweeteners) and pray or meditate each day. An aggressive plan could entail a high intensity interval workout, a cleanse-type diet consisting of no sugars, grains or dairy and going on a “media fast” (no news or social media).

Interested? Look at your calendar and map out a time frame for when you are most likely to succeed. Tell a friend (including us!) and think of a reward for yourself if you complete it. Not a sweet treat, something health & wellness related like a massage, new pair of tennis shoes or even a fit bit.

How to have a healthy vacation

How to have a healthy vacation

 

We’ve all been there before, you go on a wonderful vacation and come back heavier, sore and sometimes even sick. I get it, we all want to have fun and enjoy ourselves. And yes, I (Dr. Levi) have been there before. Through personal experience and insight from others, here are a few tips to help you not only enjoy your next vacation but to come home in one piece and still be able to fit in your clothes.

Water-Drink water on the plane, in the car, when you first wake up, throughout the day, etc. Dehydration is very common on vacation and can easily lead to overeating, sore joints and illness.

Veggies-have some veggies on hand to eat with every meal. Order veggies on the side with every artichoke dip, queso sauce or guacamole. You’ll consume fewer tortilla chips and pita bread if you use vegetables with the dips.

Walk/Exercise-Many people do great with extra walking on vacation but be intentional about getting some regular exercise. Whether it be a walk on the beach, climb up & down a hotel stairwell for 20-30 minutes (my favorite!), or even find a gym to use daily, there should be plenty of options wherever you are.

Mobility Props (Pictured)-got any resistance bands, lacrosse balls or foam rollers? Bring them! Whatever is lightweight and fits in your bag will be worth bringing.

Intravenous Vitamin therapy-elective IV’s are a newer way to boost your immune system and recover from traveling (and also athletic events, pregnancy & illness). A simple web search should locate a clinic that does this therapy for you. It can get pricey but so is being sick after already being off work from vacation. Schedule one ahead of time for when you return home to help optimize your immune system.

Resolutions, Goals and Action Steps

How are your resolutions going? Did you even make any? Most resolutions fail because they are too aggressive, focus on the wrong things or are often “negative based.” For example, I’m not going to eat sugar or I’m going to work out every day are difficult to sustain. Once the first birthday party or big football game comes up, it’s easy to relapse on the diet. Same with the next big snowstorm preventing you from going to the gym. Also, we often try to do too much in January when we’re still recovering from the holidays. That’s why I waited until now to share this post because we’re in a better headspace to commit to forming new habits.

So, where to start? Throw the resolutions out the window and start with a goal. One thing that would make your life better. From that goal, think of three action steps you need to do to hit that goal.  For example, say your goal is to have more energy. Three action steps could be to get up at the same time, drink the correct amount of water and move (walk, yoga, jump on a mini trampoline) for 15 minutes each day. Or a bigger goal could be to run a 10K race six months from now. Three action steps would be to commit to a training plan, find an appropriate nutrition plan and see your chiropractor regularly to minimize injuries and improve your gait 😊.

Regardless of your goal, breaking it down into simple, attainable action steps that focus on a positive behavior will set you up for success. What about me (Dr. Levi)? Did I make any goals this year? As a matter of fact, I did! My goal is for more energy and focus. My action steps are waking up at the same time every day, complete a 45-day sugar detox and to read every day. How did I do? Well, I have been great with waking up, good with reading and horrible with the sugar. I fell victim to setting unattainable goals and trying to do too much. I also learned that I’m better at reading in the morning than at night. I tweaked my nutrition plan to make it more positive and hopefully February goes better than January. Even with suboptimal success in my action steps, I’m already seeing marked improvements in my energy and focus.

Don’t be afraid to re-visit both your goal and action steps and make changes in your daily routine to help you succeed. And, of course, tell your family, friends or even your health care providers and don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice.