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Doctors of chiropractic have extensive training in anatomy and physiology as well as diagnosing musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders. I was surprised to learn that there are currently over 130 different chiropractic techniques used worldwide. Most doctors of chiropractic master 8 to 10 approaches to treat a variety of patients. The majority of these techniques are manual (hands on), along with a variety of instrument assisted techniques and some table-assisted techniques. Personally, my favorite techniques are diversified adjustments, anterior adjustments, Arthrostim adjustments, Thompson Drop-table technique, and flexion distraction therapy.
Diversified and anterior adjustments are a classic hands on technique that I’d say 95% of chiropractors utilize in practice. It involves a high velocity - low amplitude thrust and commonly accompanies a cavitation or “pop”. A “sound” doesn’t always occur, nor does it signify a successful adjustment albeit many people think that. The cavitation or “pop” is simply gas being released from the facet joints similar to when people pull on their knuckle joints or crunch them to make a sound. Cavitation commonly occurs in the 24 moveable vertebrae of the spine during manual adjustments. My favorite technique for anterior head syndrome (forward head posture) utilizes an Arthrostim. An Arthrostim adjustment is considered a high speed low amplitude adjustment with an instrument for contact instead of the hands. The instrument impulses at 10-12 impulses per second. It has specific attachments to precisely contact the vertebrae to move it multiple times (as opposed to a traditional adjustment with one moment of contact.) Arthrostim adjusting is great for the patient who “tenses up” in anticipation of the adjustment. It’s also very gentle which is helpful for patients with varying degrees of arthritis. This technique has also been studied along with Digital Motion X-Ray. A motion x-ray shows the vertebrae spinous processes being “stuck” before the adjustment, the actual chiropractic adjustment using an Arthrostim, and then the spinous processes moving freely after the adjustment. This is all done in real time. It’s actually quite interesting to watch the studies being performed. To clarify, we do not offer Digital Motion X-Rays at our office. These are very specialized studies. For leveling the hips/pelvis I prefer using a Thomson drop table. This is another gentle technique that works through different forms of physics including gravity and inertia. The table pops up creating a gap between the patient and table. Using a precise contact, the table drops quickly using gravity. The sudden drop of the table followed by a stop when it flattens utilizes inertia (an object in motion stays in motion until acted upon by another opposing force- the table suddenly stopping). While this technique is “loud” it’s one of the gentlest ways to balance the pelvis. The last technique I’ll mention today is Flexion distraction therapy. I’m excited to share that I have a new table coming in early August to help combat cervical and lumbar compression and disc issues. Flexion distraction therapy is great for sciatica and stenosis patients. Oftentimes traditional chiropractic adjustments don’t provide the spinal decompression that some conditions need. This doctor assisted technique has helped in the reduction of peripheral nerve pain and aids in the regression of bulging discs. Did you know that it’s estimated that 70 percent of our population suffers from an asymptomatic disc bulge? This means that even though we may not currently have pain, our discs may be at a greater risk of damage while doing everyday tasks such as vacuuming, folding laundry, pulling weeds, or carrying groceries in from the car. While these are a few of my favorite techniques, I graduated from Palmer College so I’m well trained in the core Palmer Package. I’m also trained in soft tissue techniques like activated trigger points and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) but that’s a whole separate topic we can learn about a different day. Each patient has their own individual stressors and needs so utilizing a variety of techniques means that patients can receive the care they’re looking for.
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It’s a historic year for the United States of America. This year our country turns 250 years old. As a country we have gone through major developments and changes. As a society we still have a lot to learn. The beauty and challenge of America is that we’re such a large country with a broad range of cultures and traditions that have come together over the years. Oftentimes different groups have to fight for their place and this is actually true for the profession of chiropractic. Modern chiropractic was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer. Forms of spinal manipulation actually date back to Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece but the first formal college was started in Davenport, Iowa in 1897 at Palmer College. This is where I attended school. In order to become a chiropractor you have to start with 3-4 years of undergraduate work with a large focus in chemistry, physics, and biology. From there students must attend a 3.5 to 4 year Doctor of Chiropractic program with Chiropractic education focusing on anatomy, physiology, neurology, and diagnostics. During your studies you delve into radiology, spinal adjusting techniques, and extremity techniques. Every program also requires clinical experience with hands-on internships. Lastly students have to pass four parts of National Boards to prove competency before applying for state licensure. After being licensed, chiropractors must complete continuing education hours yearly to further their education and keep up with advancements in the field.
In the early 1900’s mainstream medicine actually pushed back at chiropractic and tried to eliminate the profession as a whole. There was a major lawsuit in 1976 Wilk v. American Medical Association (AMA) where four chiropractors filed suit against the AMA for trying to destroy the chiropractic profession. What’s crazy is that 1976 really wasn’t that long ago at all. That’s the year the United States celebrated the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. And here we are, now celebrating 250 years. The court case took more than 10 years before Judge Getzendanner ruled in favor of chiropractors when she concluded the AMA engaged in a boycott of chiropractic designed to restrict cooperation between MDs and Chiropractors. To this day, oftentimes there seems to be continued miscommunication between traditional MDs and Chiropractors. The reality is that both groups of doctors need to work together to keep Americans healthy which seems to be an increasingly difficult job. I’m grateful to be living in a country that has so many freedoms but I also am surprised daily of the challenges we as humans encounter living somewhere that was founded on wanting peace and equality for all. I’m grateful to be raising my children in this northwoods community where more often than not we still take care of our neighbors, work to support each other, and value protecting nature. Peak equine riding and competing season is officially here. I’ve had such a fun few weeks meeting with and adjusting some of my favorite horse patients. Just like us, I think they too found the winter to be never ending. Some of the most rewarding moments of my job are watching senior horses who after being adjusted go galloping into the field like they’re a foal again. You can tell that they are feeling and moving so much better. And this might sound silly but sometimes I feel like I can seed a nod of thanks when they look back towards me as I load up my car to head to the next stop.
People often ask how I am able to adjust horses and even cows. I have a large purple “block” that I stand on. This allows me to be up and over the large animal so I can palpate through each of the joints in the spine and pelvis to see what’s moving properly and what’s restricted. Sometimes it takes an animal a few minutes to figure out what this block is for and if they feel like getting that close to it. And other horses (many who are having a follow up adjustment) stand so still next to the block knowing that after that stillness they will be feeling better. People often think that an animal chiropractor must be super strong to be able to adjust horses and cows. The reality is that the actual chiropractic adjustment has nothing to do with the amount of strength, force, or pressure applied. The adjustment has everything to do with the angle of the adjustment, tissue pull/tension applied to the joint, the willingness of the animal to accept the adjustment, and speed. When meeting an animal I spend a few minutes petting them, moving slowly, taking in their personality. I never get to work too quickly, because the horse or cow needs to trust me to stand close to them. During the chiropractic adjustment, many animals close their eyes, drop their head, or have a soft swinging tail. These are signs that the animal is relaxed and enjoying the therapeutic time. The other question I am frequently asked is if I have a favorite area of the animal to adjust. I actually have two spots. The first is upper cervical (neck) - both the atlas bone and C2. These vertebrae sit so close to the brain stem that adjustments in this area can help bring the animal from fight or flight into a more relaxed state. Upper cervical adjustments also can be beneficial to balance, hearing, and rotation of the neck. Just like humans who often hold a lot of stress at the base of the skull, horses share a similar spot of tension. Oftentimes the horse shows a moment of surprise by the atlas adjustment and then almost instantly show a sign of relaxation. My second favorite area of the horse to adjust are the intertransverse joints. This joint is unique to horses and rhinoceroses. The intertransverse joints are very important for stabilizing the spine and transferring power from the hind legs into the back for athletic movement. The reality is that intertransverse joints that have never been adjusted by a certified animal chiropractor frequently develop arthritis and oftentimes fuse together in older horses. This can lead to stiffness and low back pain which is often mistaken for sacroiliac (SI) pain. Many horses over the age of 15 have some sort of intertransverse arthritis developing. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity of mobilizing these joints for my patients to bring them some comfort and pain relief in this often overlooked area. Adjusting animals brings me great joy during the week. I love being able to bring comfort to aging pets as well as bring some moments of stress relief to animals who compete. Traveling to horse barns in the area on the weekend also brings me to more scenic areas of the Northwoods as well as helps me find the best local coffee shops, bakeries, and hidden local eats. I’m definitely feeling grateful for the beautiful spring and summer ahead! Happy Easter! With Easter comes celebrating with family, the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, and deviled eggs. Easter egg hunts began many many years ago with people traditionally hiding real decorated hard boiled eggs. Over the years, this has evolved to the brightly colored plastic eggs typically filled with candy, small toys, or even some $. My boys have had a blast the past couple years searching for eggs and they have fun hiding them for each other even after Easter passes.
Eggs are a morning staple over at our house. We are so grateful that spring is around the corner and several of our patients with chickens have finally been starting to lay more eggs again (post molting). After the long winter, we’ve been enjoying those golden yolks of farm fresh eggs again. After reading a few Winnie the Pooh books, Campbell has begun to call yolky eggs “honey”. Farm fresh eggs truly do have a beautiful golden color and a more superior rich taste when cooking and baking with them compared to conventional eggs. Grocery store eggs have gotten a bad rap nutritionally over the years. The reality is that true farm fresh eggs are actually a nutrient dense superfood as compared to grocery store eggs. The difference between farm fresh eggs and grocery store eggs is mainly that farm fresh eggs are laid by chickens who are able to roam and eat all the bugs that are surrounding them. Many chicken owners share some of their food scraps with their chickens so they can have a more diverse diet. These chickens generally have more fresh air and are happier than their mass produced counterparts. Many of our patients actually name their chickens and spend time with them so I’d say these chickens have a pretty great life. This therefore changes the nutritional makeup of the eggs themselves. Farm fresh eggs have around 6 grams of high quality protein and higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Farm fresh eggs are richer in vitamins like A, D, and E. Contrary to outdated beliefs, farm fresh eggs can actually raise HDL (good cholesterol) and have lower levels of saturated fats. Eggs are also a major source of choline which supports brain development and memory. All this talk about eggs has got me craving some deviled eggs over here. Don’t tell my mom, but some of her secret ingredients are diced jalapeno (without the seeds), white onion, and a bit of dill pickle juice, along with a few other ingredients. I’ll be busy making a batch of those. Hope you also have a very happy Easter this year! St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating a little Irish luck with four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, and maybe even a rainbow or two. While luck makes for a fun holiday theme, our health shouldn’t depend on chance. The truth is, we’re incredibly fortunate to live in a time where natural conservative healthcare options like chiropractic exist. Whether we’re busy raising kids and grandkids, young athletes training for a competition, busy caring for our animals, or simply trying to stay active through a long Northwoods winter, here are five reasons we’re lucky to have chiropractic care.
To begin with, chiropractic is a natural option for pain relief. One of the greatest gifts of chiropractic is that it offers a drug-free approach to pain management. Some of the most common reasons people seek care include back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint discomfort. Instead of masking symptoms, chiropractic focuses on restoring motion, improving alignment, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. This actually helps to slow the progression of arthritis and long term pain. In a world where quick fixes are common, it’s refreshing to have a healthcare approach that works with the body rather than against it. That’s something worth celebrating. Over the last decade, awareness around opioid overuse has grown significantly. Studies have shown that patients who seek chiropractic care for spine-related pain are less likely to fill opioid prescriptions compared to those who don’t pursue conservative care first. To be honest, that’s a big deal. Having access to chiropractic as a first-line treatment gives people an alternative path that can reduce exposure to addictive medications and the long-term consequences that sometimes follow. Chiropractic can support performance and not just treat pain. The amazing part about chiropractic is that it doesn’t just have to be when something hurts. It’s also about optimizing movement and function. When joints move better and the nervous system communicates efficiently, the body performs better. I’m fortunate to see a large percentage of my patients on a regular basis who are looking to utilize chiropractic to continue living their daily life to the fullest and working to prevent chronic pain in the future. From youth athletes to weekend warriors to hard working parents, grandparents, and business owners, maintaining spinal and joint mobility can mean fewer injuries, quicker recovery, and better overall resilience. Prevention is always better than repair and we’re lucky to have a tool that supports both. Here’s something many people don’t realize: chiropractic isn’t just for humans. Animal chiropractic has become an incredible resource for senior horses and dogs as well as competitive performance animals. Whether it’s a horse that feels “off” in its stride or a dog struggling to jump onto the couch or go down the stairs, gentle chiropractic adjustments can help restore motion and comfort. For working animals, performance horses, and beloved pets alike, this natural approach can improve quality of life in ways that are both subtle and powerful. We’re fortunate to live in a time when our animals can receive the same thoughtful, movement-based care that we do. Lastly, chiropractic empowers people to take ownership of their health. Perhaps the biggest reason we’re lucky to have chiropractic is that it encourages personal responsibility. It opens the conversation about posture, movement, recovery, exercise, stress management, and lifestyle habits. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong, chiropractic invites people to stay proactive. These conversations shift the mindset from reactive, “I’m hurt and I need help” to preventative, “help me continue living my life to its fullest.” This St. Patrick’s Day as you celebrate with friends and family, remember that real luck isn’t random. It’s built through smart choices, consistent habits, and supportive care. And having chiropractic as part of that journey? That’s something truly worth feeling lucky about. I don’t know about you all but this winter has felt like a true northwoods winter (and it’s just now the start of February). Being inside with subzero temperatures has honestly led to our family watching a couple more Disney movies than usual. One of the first movies that both my boys sat down to watch all the way through together was Finding Nemo. There’s something about the mysterious ocean with all the bright colors and tropical fish that can hold just about anyone’s attention. And there’s something soothing about the ocean waves and the way fish swim and anemone moves that helps your nervous system go ahhhhh (and relax). This has led me to my newest endeavor, a salt water fish tank. I’m currently still in the research phase alongside Marshall learning about how a saltwater fish tank is considered an ecosystem. Marshall started with a small terrarium at Christmastime, and he’s learning that these closed systems when they’re well balanced can continue to thrive all on their own. A saltwater fish tank is much the same. There’s balanced water, fish, cleaner fish, plants, rocks, corals and they all thrive and work together in a closed container. The past couple weeks I’ve also learned that there’s a lot that goes into a successful saltwater fish tank. I’m welcoming all the knowledge and excitement because honestly before this I was feeling the effects of all the snow removal, cold subzero temperatures, and was feeling a little bored with the monotony.
If you too are feeling the winter this year– I have a couple suggestions. First do a quick check in with your own body’s ecosystem. Make sure to be eating a wide variety of foods including fiber, tons of veggies, lots of protein, and fruits. Try to find some fresh options even though this time of year, produce can be a little hit or miss. Eat fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi to introduce good bacteria into your digestive system. Limit your intake of sugary or highly processed food to keep inflammation low. Keep getting good restful sleep, around 7-9 hours nightly. I’ve personally started listening to a nightly sleep meditation for the past week. I’ve found that I’ve had less negative racing thoughts before bed as I’m focused on mindfully relaxing. And I have been feeling better rested in the morning. Continue finding ways to exercise (even though it’s been cold outside). Try yoga, body weight exercises, or check out the swimming pool and sauna at the Gateway Lodge in Land O’ Lakes. Try to focus on staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water, turn on your humidifier, and moisturize your skin. This time of year, the air tends to be so dry! Lastly, try to get some sun. On these crazy cold days, that’s when the sun tends to come out. These are the days you should open all your blinds, find the sunniest spot in your house and sit there and soak it all in. Read a book, sit quietly, or do some gentle stretches. Incorporating some of these suggestions daily is going to help your ecosystem thrive! Onward to my new hobby research. If you have a successful saltwater ecosystem at home, please send me an email with your biggest tips for a beginner. ([email protected]) I welcome any insight and help. And if you’re currently in your own winter slump, I hope that you also find a new hobby to love! Hopefully I’ll be able to share some pictures with you all once I get this saltwater tank up and running. Wish me luck. Hope you all had a very happy holiday season! The boys and I had a great time visiting with family and friends. We had some warmer weather down in IL, but as I write this, the weather forecast is predicting a “bomb cyclone” in Land O Lakes the next couple of days. I’ve learned what a polar vortex was since moving here but the term bomb cyclone I had to look up. For those of you who don’t know- there’s a major barometric pressure drop (24 mb at least) which typically results in a large amount of snowfall along with high winds. I figured it was a good time for annual snow shoveling reminders.
For the safest snow removal, begin by making sure you’re properly hydrated and fueled up. Starting to shovel or snow blow when you’re already dehydrated or hungry can lead to feeling weak, dizzy, or tired before you even get started. (Coffee doesn’t count.) Start by drinking some water. You can add electrolytes or trace minerals to your water for an extra boost. Have a quick snack including protein and fat—- a handful of nuts, some eggs, or avocado toast might be a good choice. Next, lightly stretch any overly tight muscles. Specific areas to pay attention to include your neck, shoulders, low back, and hamstrings. A few easy stretches include neck rolls, arm circles, cat cow yoga pose, and a standing hamstring stretch. Next, add light layers of clothing. You don’t want to be sweating while shoveling, but you want to stay warm. I love a wool base layer to stay comfortable and mittens are actually warmer than gloves. Make sure to pick a boot with a good tread. This will help reduce your chances of slipping. If it is icy outside, don’t forget to do the “penguin walk”. Point your toes slightly outward, take short shuffled steps while keeping your knees bent and loose and arms off to your side. If possible, push snow. Don’t lift. The more you can push the snow in front of you, the better off you’ll be. If you do have to stack snow, pick up your shovel and move your feet. Rotating while going to “throw” the snow is when most back injuries will most likely occur. While shoveling, be mindful of your breathing. Take deep breaths, don’t hold your breath while exerting yourself. While shoveling or snow blowing, take frequent breaks. Pushing through discomfort and rushing is never a good idea. Our bodies need time to rest and rehydrate. If you ask Marshall his opinion, when you’re done shoveling, make a snow Angel! Not only is this fun, but it will make you smile too. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, winter season! The holiday season has a way of speeding up life. Between shopping, school concerts, community events, and the familiar Northwoods scramble to beat the next snowstorm, December can leave even the most organized families feeling stretched thin. While it’s a time meant for joy, gratitude, and togetherness it often becomes a season of stress, skipped routines, and overindulgence. Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of the best wellness practices are found in slowing down and returning to the simple intentional choices that make us feel grounded.
This year, our family decided to take on a project together by making homemade vanilla for our relatives. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t fancy, and it didn’t come from a store shelf. We spent time together splitting vanilla beans, filling bottles, and laughing about who made the biggest mess. It was simple, but it was ours.Twice a week we have to remember to pause, take out the bottles and give them a shake. Sometimes we remember and I’m not going to lie, there’s been a couple weeks the bottles were only shaken once. And that process reminded me of something important: wellness isn’t always about big routines, perfect meal plans, or intense workouts. Sometimes it’s about slowing down long enough to enjoy being with the people who matter most. Activities like cooking, crafting, and creating something together actually lower stress, encourage mindfulness, and help shift your body out of “go-go-go” mode. Sharing something homemade becomes more than a gift, it becomes a memory. Speaking of shaking, movement matters even during the busy season. It’s easy to let exercise slide when schedules fill up, but this is when our bodies need movement the most. Cold weather tightens muscles, holiday travel disrupts routines, and long hours cooking, cleaning, or driving can leave joints stiff and sore. Movement doesn’t have to mean a full intense workout. Some things to try: 20-minute family walk after dinner. A few minutes of mobility when you wake up. Shoveling snow in smaller intervals. Stretching on a yoga mat while watching Christmas movies. These small bursts of activity keep the body loose, energized, and less stressed. In case you’re wondering, stress is not a seasonal requirement. We often treat holiday stress as something that “just happens,” but much of it comes from taking on more than we need to. Give yourself permission to simplify. Maybe that means reducing travel, choosing fewer but more meaningful events, or letting go of the pressure to have every detail perfect. Your nervous system will thank you. Your sleep, immune system, and mood will oftentimes improve as well. Balancing stress also goes hand in hand with balancing holiday treats. Holiday treats absolutely have their place (and should be enjoyed!), but it’s important to balance them with nutrient-dense foods. This helps you feel better and recover faster from big days of celebration. A few easy tips: Include a protein source with each meal. Add winter vegetables like roasted squash, carrots, and brussel sprouts to your plate. Drink more water than you think you need - winter air is dry! These small choices keep inflammation down and energy up. At the end of the day, health isn’t only physical, it’s emotional, relational, and rooted in community. Whether it’s sharing a homemade gift like vanilla, writing a heartfelt note, checking on a neighbor, or simply spending unhurried time with loved ones, these are the moments that create real wellness. I’d like to wish you and your family a joyful, healthy, and peaceful Christmas season this year! Over the past 12 years in practice I’ve noticed something about the world of health and wellness. Everyone seems to have an opinion, but not everyone leads by example. We live in an age where advice is easy to give and hard to live by. From social media “experts” to like minded professionals there’s no shortage of people telling others how to live healthier lives while neglecting their own.
For me, healthcare has always been more than just a profession. Chiropractic changed my world when I needed it most and my lifestyle since then has taken a complete 180. I’m not going to lie though… my health journey hasn’t come without some bumps in the road. As my family has grown life’s priorities shifted some. I put myself on the back burner while trying to continue to give from a slowly emptying cup. This past year I decided to get back on track and challenge myself in a new way. I’m currently 48 weeks into my journey on Peloton which, if you know me, is completely out of my comfort zone. Biking has never been my go-to form of exercise. Playing hockey was always my outlet because of the competition, intensity, and camaraderie. With a growing family with constantly changing nap and bedtime schedules I had to adapt to life’s current season. That adjustment didn’t come easily. It has required discipline, the kind that doesn’t rely on motivation but on commitment. There were plenty of nights when the easier choice would’ve been to collapse on the couch and turn on the TV. Instead I made the harder choice: to move, to sweat, to stay accountable to myself. Somewhere along the way the discomfort turned into progress and the progress turned into purpose. That purpose changed my mindset from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this”. So many people would give anything to move their body with no restrictions. This journey has reminded me that real health isn’t about perfection it’s about consistency. Showing up even when it’s inconvenient and pushing yourself in ways that strengthen not just your body but your mindset. True wellness starts in the quiet moments when no one’s watching when it’s just you and the decision to do better. I want my boys to see that. I want them to understand that health doesn’t come from a pill, a quick fix, or an excuse. It comes from showing up every day even when you don’t feel like it. I want to lead by example for them, for my patients, and for my community. Because here’s the truth about health- we need to become proactive not reactive. Too often we wait until something goes wrong before we decide to make it right. But your health is your greatest wealth and investing in it now pays lifelong dividends. So my advice this month is simple: don’t just talk about being healthy- live it. Don’t take health advice from people who aren’t walking the same path. Find what challenges you, what pushes you, and commit to it. Do the work. Be the example. That’s where the true up north wellness begins and where it thrives. I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner. The 3.5 years of chiropractic school I attended were beyond challenging, but I truly enjoyed (most) days. This past weekend I attended a yearly chiropractic seminar in the Wisconsin Dells. I was hoping to share an exciting topic with you all but to be honest most of the lectures were technique based this year and I won’t bore you with that. Luckily the boys had a blast going down the water slides, swimming, and checking out the arcade. We did spend some quiet time outside since the weather was so beautiful. While walking the quiet halls at the end of the day we actually came across the coolest new addition to the Kalahari. It was their Sensory Calming Room. Life is very much a go go go pace. I think that one of my personal challenges is to just be still and calm and reflect. Spending a few hours in the Dells with a one year old and three year old quickly reminds oneself that being overstimulated is not a good plan. Being in that constant state of fight or flight means that the body’s stress response is going 24/7. The Sensory Calming Room we happened upon was absolutely wonderful and just what the boys needed at the end of the day. So what exactly was the sensory room? It had comfy chairs and soft carpet and it was QUIET. There were books. There were these floor to ceiling water bubblers with calming lights in them - we all (kids and adults) sat mesmerized by the calming effect of listening to running water and watching the slow dim light change colors. There were the coolest stacking toys, squishy toys, toys you could quietly rattle or shake to let out some energy. And literally everything in the room was kid friendly and safe so you don’t have to stress about your kids getting hurt or breaking something. It’s just what a family needs at the end of a very overstimulating day. I wondered why it took the Kalahari so many years to start incorporating a space like this into an environment that is so busy, so loud, and has so much going on. Two nights we ended the evening in the sensory calming room and both boys took 5 minutes to fall asleep. Our last night, we skipped going and it took both of them 30 plus minutes to unwind and lay down and actually fall asleep. Lesson learned- the wind down period is important for kiddos (and adults). Choosing to be present in the switching moment from fight or flight and being completely aware of your breathing and heart rate truly helps regulate the mind and nervous system. I made sure to leave some positive feedback about the Sensory Calming Room in the hopes that as time goes on there will be more options for quiet screen free and technology free spaces like this for our very busy younger generation (not only in the Dells) but throughout their life experience.  |
AuthorsDr. Doug Tansor DC, CVSMT loves teaching people about health and wellness. If he hasn't covered a topic that you're interested in, feel free to leave a comment and he'd be happy to give you his thoughts! Archives
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