[originally published in KCN, May 1999]
No, you won’t find this in any anatomy book, and the treatment of mentally deranged nerves was never brought up during my years in chiropractic college. However, ask anyone who has had the unfortunate displeasure of suffering from the intense leg pain that this “nerve” generates, and they will emphatically stand by this tongue-and-cheek, layman’s designation. (more…)
[originally published in KCN, April 1999]
As a chiropractor, going to dinner parties and other social functions can often be an interesting experience. Invariably, one of the guests, upon learning of my degree, will announce for all in the room to hear, why he would never need my professional services, as he proceeds to make a public display of theatric proportion, “cracking” and “popping” every joint his spine has to offer — an auditory performance that would certainly make Orville Redenbacher green with envy. (more…)
[originally published in KCN, July 1998]
As my daughter, Paige, enters into her eighth month of life, it’s not uncommon for people to make a joking remark, here and there, that she has “wonderful posture” and “appears to be well adjusted” — of course that’s what you’d expect from a chiropractor’s child, right? Then the same people will ask with a concerned look on their face, “You don’t really adjust her spine do you?”
[originally published in KCN, April 1998]
No, I’m not referring to your spouse, your parent, your unruly child, or anyone else that comes to your mind. What I’m really referring to is taxes!… Seriously, what I am talking about is a condition known as coccygodynia — simply put in layman’s terms: tailbone pain. We doctors refer to the tailbone as the coccyx. This name originates from the Greek word meaning “cuckoo” because of its resemblance to the bird’s bill. The coccyx is formed by 3 to 5 fused caudal (tail) vertebrae at the very end of the spinal column and forms a joint with the triangular sacrum bone above. While most other animal tails are considerably longer than humans (the cat has about 20 caudal vertebrae) and have obvious functions such as offering locomotion (whale), maintaining balance (kangaroo), or expressing emotion (dog) — the human “tail” is nothing but a small cuckoo bill that serves only for the attachment of certain nearby muscles and ligaments.
[originally published in KCN, March 1998]
Okay, so “Rusty Joints” may not be the correct scientific verbiage for the condition, however, it does paint a picture. What I’m referring to is the “Wear and Tear” Arthritis commonly called Osteoarthritis. If you haven’t heard of this term, that’s okay, because there’s a lot more that describe essentially the same thing. Osteoarthrosis, Degenerative Joint Disease, Degenerative Disc Disease, Degenerative Arthritis, Subluxation Degeneration, and Spondylosis are several that spring forth in my mind. But let’s not get hung up on what to call it, instead, let’s focus on 1) what it is, 2) who’s at risk, 3) effective ways to manage it, and 4) why a chiropractor is writing this article.
[originally published in KCN, February 2009]
It’s not uncommon — when I query someone who has come to my office, if they have any neck pain, headaches, or lower back pain —for them to say, “Yes but….”
“Yes, but… my neck pain is because I have a bad pillow.”
“Yes, but… my headaches are brought on by stress.”
“Yes, but… my lower back pain is because I drive a lot.”
And my response is, “That may be so, but….” (more…)
Log Drivers size up a notable logjam at Taylors Falls on the St. Croix River, Minnesota. (circa 1884)
[originally published in KCN, January 2009]
It was her third adjustment. She had already endured my chiropractic monologue over the previous two visits — explaining the basics of chiropractic and how it related to her. So, you’ll understand then, I was a bit surprised when, as I was preparing to adjust her, she asked, “Just what is it that you are DOING?”
“Doing?” I responded. “I’m adjusting you,” I stated matter-of-factly.
“Yes, I realize that,” she returned. “But just what is it that the adjustment is DOING?”
I paused, a bit disheartened, realizing that my initial communication efforts had been completely ineffective. Obviously a rehash of my script from the days before wasn’t going to cut it. And then it hit me, as the image of a profession from yesteryear sprang forth in my mind. “What I’m doing,” I stated, “— what the adjustment is doing — is breaking up logjams.”
Don’t worry, we aren’t suffering from an aspirin inventory crisis. No, my title for this article really has nothing to do with that. Instead, its about a concept that is so basic — so logical — that it alludes many in our population. 
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