If you're a migraine sufferer, this post is for YOU!

Did you know migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world and affects 12% of the US population? 

Migraines are the seventh leading cause of years lived with disability, with a worldwide prevalence estimated at 11.6% (greater than 20% of chronic migraine sufferers are disabled and the likelihood of disability increases with the number of comorbid conditions).

Migraines are most commonly experienced between the ages of 18-44 years and not only affect men and women, but children as well.

• 6% of men experience migraines
• 18% of women experience migraines (about 28 million in the US)
• 10% of children experience migraines

For many migraine sufferers, migraine is a chronic disease that significantly decreases their quality of life and the overuse of medication is the most common reason episodic migraines turn chronic.
 
Interestingly, other common ailments for those with chronic migraine include anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.

what is a migraine?
A migraine is a common condition characterized by recurrent, throbbing headaches which include moderate to severe pain that can last up to three days. Migraine sufferers also report symptoms such as photophobia (light sensitivity), phonophobia (anxiety disorder/fear of loud sounds), and nausea.
 
Common migraine-associated signs/symptoms:

• Constipation*
• Mood swings*
• Food cravings*
• Neck pain, or stiffness*
• Increased thirst and urination*
• Frequent yawning*
• Visual phenomena (e.g. shapes, bright spots/flashes of light)**
• Vision loss**
• Pins and needles sensations in arms/legs**
• Weakness or numbness in face or one side of body**
• Difficulty speaking**
• Hearing noises or music**
• Uncomfortable jerking or other movements**
• Feeling lethargic
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to smells
• Sensitivity to sounds
• Throbbing (head/neck)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Auras (e.g. sensory [hearing noises/noise sensitivity], flashing lights, zigzag patterns, tracers)
• Or other vision or hearing disturbances including extreme sensitivity to light and sound

*may occur prodrome (1-2 days prior to experiencing a migraine)
**may occur right before or during a migraine (aura)
 
Migraines are often undiagnosed and untreated. Diagnosis of migraines is highly individualized and is often based on a person’s symptoms.
 
potential migraine causes + triggers
Potential migraine triggers include:

• Hormonal changes in women
• Alcohol (especially wine)
• Too much caffeine (e.g. coffee, soda, etc.)
• Stress
• Sensory stimuli (e.g. bright lights, strong smells, etc.)
• Sleep changes
• Physical factors (e.g. intense physical exertion)
• Weather changes
• Medications (e.g. oral contraceptives, vasodilators, etc.)
• Foods (e.g. aged cheeses, salty foods, processed foods, etc.)
• Food additives (e.g. artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, monosodium glutamate [MSG], etc.)

With this, the expression of a migraine may be influenced by specific dietary and/or nutrition-related factors that can play a role in inflammation, vasodilation, glucose metabolism, and attack frequency/severity.

Many foods are known to cause neurovascular and neurochemical effects in individuals prone to migraines either directly (i.e. endogenous or artificial chemicals) or indirectly (release of immune mediators such as inflammatory cytokines).

Examples of endogenous chemicals are the amines:

• Histamine
• Octopamine
• Phenylethylamine
• Tyramine (naturally found in aged cheese; aged, canned, cured, or processed meats; beans [e.g. fava beans, broad beans]; pickles; and canned soups)

Additionally, food additives such as nitrates (often found in processed meats) and MSG (found in meat tenderizer, soy sauce, Asian foods, and a variety of packaged foods) have also been associated with the presentation of migraines.

Other food substances often considered to be triggers include tannins and phenols found in:

• Apple skins
• Bananas
• Black tea
• Red wine
• Sulfites (prevalent in wines)

Other diet-related factors that may be associated with increased expression of migraine symptoms includes:

• Dehydration
• Fasting
• Skipping meals
• Alcohol use/withdrawal
• Caffeine withdrawal

common food-related migraine triggers

• Aged cheeses (e.g. blue cheese, cheddar, feta, gorgonzola, parmesan, Swiss)
• Alcohol (especially wine)
• Aspartame
• Caffeine
• Canned soups
• Canned, cured, or processed meats
• Certain beans (e.g. fava, broad, garbanzo, lima, pinto)
• Chocolate
• Citrus
• Histamine-releasing foods: bananas, strawberries, raspberries, oranges, and grapefruit
• MSG
• Nitrites
• Nuts
• Olives
• Onions
• Overripe avocados, tomatoes, and bananas
• Pickled foods
• Raisins
• Salty foods
• Smoked fish and cured meats
• Soy sauce
• Sulfites
• Yeast extract (not the same as nutritional yeast)
• Other:
  • Foods containing tannins and phenols (e.g. apple skins, bananas, black tea, red wine, sulfites)
  • Foods containing tyramine (e.g. aged cheese; aged, canned, cured, or processed meats; beans [e.g. fava beans, broad beans]; pickles; and canned soups)
  • Food containing additives (e.g. nitrates, MSG, etc.)

​determining food triggers + cause
When it comes to determining the root cause of migraines, there is much controversy as to what exactly to consider. How a practitioner accurately determines the specific food triggers and/or nutrition intervention to mitigate or eliminate migraines is still inconclusive. There's a lot of discussion as to whether or not dietary intervention and/or elimination protocols are an appropriate, successful intervention in migraine prevention.

Emerging studies have identified support for the role of comprehensive diets in the prevention of migraines (performed under the care of a credentialed practitioner ensuring adequate macronutrient and vitamin/mineral intakes).

It has also been reported that a diet rich in omega-3 and low in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) appeared to decrease migraine frequency.

It may also be possible that a migraine is associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle, celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which is why an in-depth symptom diary and health history is vital for a practitioner in getting to the root-cause of the presenting migraine.

Migraines can also be triggered by impingement of the vertebral artery which is encased in the first 6 cervical (neck) bones of the neck.

Finally, keep in mind food sensitivities can be dose-dependent. This means that a client may experience symptoms with a certain amount of a specific food consumed (e.g. ¼ cup nuts = no symptoms vs. 1 cup nuts = symptoms present).

what you can do...
Because there are so many 'unknowns'' surrounding migraine, a full evaluation by a licensed chiropractor and integrative dietitian is a great place to start. Practitioners who focus on a root-cause approach can help to identify triggers or 'blindspots', address these areas, or suggest further testing. 

Once environmental, lifestyle, and hormonal factors have been ruled-out, a practitioner may suggest nutrition intervention in which the elimination of food triggers is used. If, after an introductory elimination diet is implemented and migraines persist, Mediator Release Testing (MRT) and a Lifestyle Eating and Performance (LEAP) dietary approach may help to identify food sensitivities that are contributing to migraine symptoms and allow a practitioner to suggest a more long-term approach to eating to best support the clients and his/her nutrition needs and symptoms.

Testing to identify food allergies and/or sensitivities can be useful in identifying an appropriate anti-inflammatory or anti-migraine diet. MRT and the LEAP protocol help to correctly identify foods or food chemicals that may be responsible for symptoms/hypersensitivity reactions and give the practitioner a framework for constructing a diet plan that will be beneficial for the client using ‘safe foods’.

The key? Every body is different. It may take time to experience symptom relief, identify triggers, etc.

nutrition + lifestyle practices to consider​

• Consume foods that help ease migraines such as Omega-3 containing foods (nuts, seeds, wild-caught fish such as salmon, sardines, etc.).
• Get adequate, uninterrupted sleep along with a consistent sleep-wake cycle.
• Engage in regular mindfulness and mediation practices.
• Engage in practices to reduce or manage stress.
• Limit stimuli such as strong smells, loud noises, or flashing lights.
• Optimize and support gut health.
• Keep a symptom diary; this will help you to track how/what you are feeling and when. This information also helps a practitioner to pinpoint whether or not specific foods or food additives are contributing to migraine incidence. In the diary, document the following (and timing of occurrence):
  • Foods consumed
  • Medications/supplements taken
  • Amount of water consumed
  • Notably, some reactions may not be immediate and could present over the course of a few hours to several days after a specific food is consumed.

• Get evaluated by a wellness-focused, licensed chiropractor.
• Meet with an integrative practitioner to identify food triggers, implement an elimination diet, and get appropriate supplementation recommendations (if appropriate).

supplementation considerations

• Studies have illustrated that a magnesium deficiency may play a role in migraines.
• CoQ10 has been shown to reduce migraine frequency.
• Riboflavin supplementation has been shown to prevent migraines.

Want more information on the above recommendations or to set-up an initial exam with our chiropractor? Make an appointment today and ask about our FREE Foundations Class!

For a complete nutrition assessment including nutrition-focused examination, recommendations, and more information on lab testing, contact our integrative dietitian.

to health + wellness,

October is the official month for Breast Cancer Awareness.  According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.  Prevention is key to reducing your risk of developing this devastating disease.  Some risk factors, such as family history, can’t be changed, but breast cancer prevention actually starts with healthy habits.  Here are some lifestyle changes that you can take toward breast cancer prevention.

1. Maintain a healthy body weight: weight gain in midlife as well as having a body mass index above 25 have been shown to significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
2. Limit your alcohol consumption: the more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer.  Try to limit yourself.
3. Don’t smoke: long-term smoking is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women.
4. Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution: high doses of radiation such as those used for medical imaging have been linked to breast cancer risk, so limit your exposure by having test only when absolutely necessary.  Research also suggests a link between breast cancer and exposure to chemicals found in gasoline fumes, vehicle exhaust and parabens found in some shampoos, lotions, deodorant, and makeup.
5. Exercise regularly: research shows that physical activity can reduce overall breast cancer risk by 10-30 percent!  Even a simple 30-minute walk five days a week can be effective.
6. Keep a healthy diet: a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, which is a key factor in breast cancer prevention.  Eat a diet high in vegetables and fruits and low in refined sugar and carbohydrates.  Choose lean proteins and whole grains and avoid processed foods while limiting your intake of red meat.   It’s also important to consume an adequate amount of Omega-3 fats.

Prevention is the most powerful weapon you have against breast cancer!  Keeping a positive mental outlook and embracing an overall healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of breast cancer as well as many other diseases so you can enjoy a long fulfilling life.

If you have any questions or need anything... Call your Elkhorn Chiropractor today! 

The Results Are In! 

Perception: 68.7% of patients chose chiropractic care as their first choice for musculoskeletal complaints and 21.2% went in for general health and well-being.

Demographics: While 67.1% of survey takers were female patients of chiropractic care mostly between the ages of 45-65, both men and women frequent chiropractors for their health.

Satisfaction: So far only a small portion of the population in Australia sees a chiropractor, yet most survey takers would receive chiropractic care again as 97.5% were satisfied with their service.

Although 68.7% of patients chose chiropractic care as their first choice for muscle and joint aches, they usually discover chiropractic LAST for help with chronic disease? Chiropractic as a profession has ridiculed, called "quacks" and even been taken to court for claiming to help such cases of chronic disease. The main argument on the other side is, "the reason the patient was able to get such great results with chiropractic was because it was ALL IN THEIR HEAD". 

So the argument is; this same patient who chose medicine FIRST (obviously having more faith in medicine than non-allopathic approaches), didn't get the results they were looking for, left the model of care and then chose chiropractic (obviously having less faith in this model since it wasn't their first choice) and GOT RESULTS?!? 

The same goes for chiropractors who adjust babies and animals... How do these two populations get measurable and reproducible results if it's based on "belief level"? 

Chiropractic is SCIENCE. We explain it every Tuesday at 7pm and Saturday at Noon.  Just RSVP and we'll save you a seat! 

Chad Schleiger, D.C.
Elkhorn's pediatric and wellness chiropractor
262.215.2292 or [email protected]

After calls like this one above, it was time to get back to the way things were meant to be.

Right now, many people are using medications in order to keep their bodies going during a crisis situation. And while your body keeps going, these drugs don’t allow your body to function anywhere near as well as it was designed to, and the end product is nowhere near as meaningful or fun as it could/should be. It’s time to get back to the way things were meant to be.

Chiropractic care helps your whole spine function optimally, so that your whole nerve system can function optimally. And when your whole nerve system functions optimally, your whole body and your whole mind can function optimally. AND, when your whole body and mind function optimally, your WHOLE LIFE is better, and you legitimately win, every time.

If you're tired of bad calls and bad refs, Call Us! 

Chad Schleiger, D.C.
Elkhorn's pediatric and wellness chiropractor
[email protected] or 262.215.2292

What your pediatrician forgot to tell you...Once your child is born, it is not necessary for the hospital to take your baby to the nursery to be bathed and weighed.

Also, while at the hospital, your baby does not   necessarily need:

1. a vitamin K injection.
2. a hepatitis vaccine.
3. eye drops to prevent infection.
4. formula supplementation “just to be sure” in case you can’t produce breast milk.
5. water supplementation if your baby is jaundiced.

Babies who are breastfed are healthier than those who are artificially fed.

Although car seats are critical while your baby is in a car, at all other times your child ought to be held close to your body in a soft carrier rather than being pushed around in a stroller.

It’s healthy and often desirable to sleep with your baby.

Your baby is probably not underweight, no matter what your pediatrician’s growth chart says.

Milk is not an important source of calcium.

Your child’s “misbehavior” may be an indicator of neurologic compromise from some type of trauma (C-section, normal birth process, breech position, in-utero constraint, early childhood falls/slips)


Boys (and girls) who have trouble paying attention should not necessarily be medicated. 

Allergies and asthma can be prevented or helped considerably with methods other than medication.

Eczema flare-ups should not be controlled simply by use of steroid creams.

Ear infections can be prevented and are almost   always the cause of immobility of the upper neck.

Fever need not be controlled with fever-reducing medication. (Let the fever run it’s course - if fever is greater than 104 degrees for longer than 3 days, get a second opinion).

Most childhood illnesses go away on their own, often faster without medication and provide the child with life-long immunity.

No study has ever been done to prove that children who take the recommended vaccines on schedule are healthier than those who don’t. (The evidence actually suggests exactly the opposite of what we’ve been told over the last 2 decades)

“Natural immunity” lasts a life-time, “synthetic immunity” lasts 8 years, maximum.

Your child should get plenty of time in healthy sunshine. 

Call your Elkhorn Pediatric Chiropractor today! 

We all know the old question, "Which came first? The chicken or the egg?"
Just as Adam and Eve preceded their eggs (and hence offspring) so too did the chicken precede it's egg. 

But what does this have anything to do with symptoms or dysfunction?

The answer is simple.  One has to precede the other.  And in this case, and most all other cases, the Dysfunction precedes the symptoms. 

Because our bodies are so adaptable, we often manage in spite of a growing problem that keeps nagging us. We may not yet have obvious symptoms, but our capacity to adapt is diminished.

Then, all it takes is a sneeze, tying our shoes or the stress of a deadline to put us over the edge and symptoms appear.

You might say, “But I didn’t do anything!”

Actually, there were probably subtle signs that something was amiss. We all have a different threshold of “body awareness.” Become more aware of your body. Take note of even small changes in your energy level, sleep habits and elimination. Take action while your body is still whispering, rather than waiting until it’s shouting for help!

Call your Elkhorn Chiropractor today and start the road to prevention and wellness.  Experience what it feels to be fully adaptive through your nervous system! 

You weigh yourself on the scales. You take the temperature of your child. A doctor takes your pulse and measures your blood pressure. These measurements are compared with hundreds of other people from which averages are obtained.

Which begs the question, “Is average normal?”

Averages have a place, but they can distort reality and treat us as if we were mechanisms, like a wristwatch.

Most watches don’t know when you’ve changed time zones. Or that daylight savings time has ended. In other words, your wristwatch doesn’t have the INTELLIGENCE to ADAPT to the environment. But your body does.

That same intelligence that grew and developed you inside your mother’s womb is the same intelligence that lives inside your nervous system today!

The Brain and Nervous System allow us– to think, move, perceive, coordinate…ADAPT! 

This is why we shouldn’t see fevers,  elevated blood pressure or other such findings as the problem. They’re just signs that the body is ADAPTING to something. 

Have you ever went out for a jog and your pulse rate went up?? (I hope it does).  Well, you better get on some Statins because that’s not “normal”.

Have you ever walked into a doctor’s office (nervous) and had your blood pressure reading be thru the roof? (white coat syndrome). 

Does, 65 year old, Mr. Jones really have heart disease because he is running low on cholesterol lowering medications or is it because his nervous system has lost it’s ability to adapt to his lifestyle over the years? 

This is where the problem lies: At the same time the body is giving us a sign that something is changing, modern medicine and pharmaceuticals are telling us that the body is incapable of adapting and we need to cover up our symptoms.

Where Chiropractic sees the body as an ADAPTING creation, modern medicine sees the body as a mechanistic wristwatch that dysfunctions and needs intervention, breaks down easily and needs pieces replaced frequently to work properly. 

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Most people automatically think that a fever is something bad that should be lowered as quickly as possible. Not so fast!

It’s important to remember that by itself a fever isn’t an illness.  It’s usually a sign of some underlying problem. What’s the problem with your blood pressure going up when you go for a run? 

The problem is: Your legs NEED MORE blood and oxygen with an increase in activity! – this is normal – your nervous system perceives your environment (physical stress), and instead of doing nothing and your legs cramping up, your nervous system, tells the heart to kick it up a notch.

So, what’s the problem with a fever? Nothing, really. It’s a natural way the body responds to fight viral and bacterial infections. Rushing in to artificially lower the body’s temperature can actually serve to lengthen the time it takes the body to do the needed work. To tie this in with the example above, if your heart did not pump any faster when you went out for a 5 mile run, it would obviously take much longer to go 5 miles than if your heart was functioning normally.

Most fevers are usually not cause for concern until they reach a temperature of 104 degrees F and only then if the fever lasts for three days or longer. This doesn’t mean you should ignore the fever so keep an eye on it and monitor it. 

A fever means the body is in a battle and has “set the thermostat a bit higher,” using temperature to help subdue the enemy. 

Which ultimately means: you are ADAPTING NORMALLY! (Healthy)

"Healthy kids get sick because they've made poor nutritional decisions and they need to get adjusted."



Chad Schleiger, D.C.
Elkhorn Chiropractor

Sports Chiropractic in Elkhorn

Chiropractic is an integral part of the care that many professional athletes receive. But just because you aren’t going to the Olympics doesn’t mean that you too can’t improve your health and performance with chiropractic care.

When it comes to sports injuries, weakness or improper stretching can put you at risk of getting hurt. There are two basic types of sports injuries: the first is the result of a trauma inflicted by incidents like a collision or a slip or a fall. The second type is caused by the overuse of a muscle group or joint whereby the repetitive movement of the same area causes an inflammation or injury.

It is vitally important to get proper care for any injury to prevent the development of chronic problems or permanent damage. Chiropractors are trained in treating sports-related injuries, so can advise you in the best way to heal an injury and how best to prevent it from recurring. In fact, earlier research has suggested chiropractic is the most effective conservative treatment option for athletes with back pain.

Chiropractic care for sports injury can range from massage therapy to joint manipulation, or specific exercises that target problem areas and strengthen previously injured or weakened muscles and joints.Working in conjunction with a qualified trainer and a chiropractor can help you stay in great shape and prevent injuries.

Call your Chiropractors in Elkhorn today to schedule an appointment. 

5. OMG I think I’m getting sick again, I need to get some pills from my doctor.

6. Oh I can never give that up, I’m Italian.

7. What’s the point, I’m too old.

8. It runs in my family, there’s nothing I can do about it.

9. Exercise is too hard and it’s not for me.

10. Oh she’s healthy and skinny, she’s so lucky…..it must be good genes.

11. Everything in moderation!

12. I feel fine, if it ain't broke don’t fix it.

13. I’m depressed, I think I need another pill to fix it.

14. Eating healthy is too expensive.

15. Diet Coke please. What? It's sugar-free. 

16. I’ll get the low fat one.

17. Water…ewww, I don’t like the taste.

18. I’ve tried EVERYTHING and nothing works.

19. Make sure you sanitize that, and wash your hands!

20. Don’t feed that to the dog, it’ll make him sick! That’s for the kids.

Resolution Of Constipation, Vomiting, And Leg Pain In A Child Undergoing Chiropractic.

A case study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health on November 14, 2013 documented the "Resolution of Severe Constipation, Vomiting and Leg Pain in a Child Undergoing Subluxation Based Chiropractic Care."

In noting the growing popularity of chiropractic care for children with serious health issues, the authors of this study state, "The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the pediatric population continues to grow; particularly in those children with chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma, ADHD, diabetes, ear-nose-throat infections, and irritable bowel disease, to list a few. Of the practitioner-based CAM therapies, chiropractic is the most popular and highly utilized for children."

The term "complementary and alternative medicine", or "CAM" for short, is a common term used in healthcare research to describe healthcare that does not directly fall under the medical model. Although most chiropractors do not describe chiropractic as an "alternative", many medical and scientific references consider chiropractic to fall under the alternative category.

In this case, a 6-year-old boy suffering from constipation and leg pain was brought to the chiropractor by his mother. The boy was suffering with severe constipation since age 2, and had been on medication for the past 2 years. At the time he was brought to the chiropractor, the boy was on four different medications daily.

A chiropractic examination was performed which revealed postural abnormalities along with multiple areas of the boy's spine showing inflammation and sensitivity. It was determined that multiple areas of subluxation were present and, with the mother's consent, a course of specific corrective chiropractic care was initiated.

On the third visit, the boy's mother reported that her son was having bowel movements on a daily basis. The bowel movements were no longer painful, as they were prior to care. By the sixth visit the boy's mother reported that, since her son was responding to the chiropractic care so well, she had decided to stop all of his medications. By the boy's seventh visit, his appetite was better, he was reported as eating "much better", and he started to gain weight. The boy's leg pain also resolved.

In a follow up 15 months after the initiation of chiropractic care, the boy's problems had not returned. His mother noted that her son’s appetite was "voracious," and he was continuing to gain weight. It was also noted that the prior year the boy had missed 45 days of school, but since starting chiropractic care he had only missed 2 days.

Visit your Elkhorn, WI Chiropractor today!  And experience the benefits of living life Subluxation-Free!