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It’s hard to believe that summer is starting to wind down. Each month flew by faster than the previous one and during this time the boys have enjoyed playing in the sand, swimming, tubing, hanging out with their cousins, and gardening. As we approach the start of the next school year for the older kids in town, it reminds me of one of the number one concerns I see on a daily basis for young kids and teenagers (as well as adults who spend a lot of time at a computer or laptop for work) and that’s tech neck or forward head posture.
Prolonged looking down towards cell phones as well as laptops (more often than desktop computers) can actually contribute to a change in our overall posture and spinal curvatures. This extended period of looking down can lead to rounded shoulders, hunched posture, and loss of cervical (neck) curvature. This loss of normal structure in the neck is putting younger people at risk of early disc degeneration if not corrected. Some short term symptoms related to tech neck are fatigue, muscle tightness or tenderness, reduced range of motion, and headaches. Long term symptoms of tech neck can include numbness and tingling into the shoulders or hands, migraines, nerve damage, and spinal degeneration. While this sounds like doom and gloom and technology seems unavoidable in daily life today, there are some ways we can combat the effects of tech neck. The number one thing is awareness. When using technology it’s best for the screen to be at eye level rather than down in front of us with our heads hanging down. For every inch that our head comes out in front of us (forward head posture), this makes our head weigh an additional ten pounds on the spine. It’s the idea that you can hold a bowling ball close to your body for an extended period of time but if you stick your arm straight in front of you, the ball seems much heavier and will drop faster. For people who already are in the midst of tech neck symptoms, physical therapy exercises, massage therapy, corrective chiropractic care, and spinal molding can help prevent long term damage from technology. Waiting for symptoms to worsen before addressing tech neck can lead to irreversible spinal degeneration. The longer spinal changes sit without momentum helping move things in the opposite direction, the harder it becomes to correct. Severe loss of curvature for an extended period of time can lead to disc herniation, bone spurs, and overtime fusion.
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It’s officially the time of year when everyone- even our pets seem to be more active. We all seem to be walking more, hiking, water skiing, gardening, painting, and catching up on other outdoor projects. Our dogs are most likely playing more fetch, going on long walks, or jumping in the boat or ATV to go for an evening cruise.
As our dogs age we may notice that just like us, some of these activities may be slowing down. Our doggo may not bring us back their ball as many times, our walks may be cut a little shorter, and we may have to help them into the ATV or boat since their jump is a little shorter. Oftentimes the veterinarian may recommend different supplements to support their joints and decrease pain. They may even prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or injections. And the vet may also recommend canine chiropractic care. In our office we see dogs on a daily basis. Some come in for wellness care, some come in to increase their agility performance, and some come in for pain management or mobility issues to help senior pets with their quality of life. It’s amazing how quickly dogs respond to chiropractic care. Many owners report that their dog is able to go up and down the stairs easier or jump up onto their spot on the couch or ATV after their chiropractic adjustments. The best part is, canine chiropractic adjustments are very gentle and don’t have negative side effects. By delivering a chiropractic adjustment the chiropractor can restore motion to a joint that is restricted. This can decrease inflammation and pain in that area leading to a happier, healthier dog. I personally graduated from the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Sturtevant, WI. They are the only certified post graduate animal chiropractic program in the United States. As a certified professional, you can add CVSMT after your DC (doctor of chiropractic) initials. This means that a professional is Certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy. There are certified practitioners (either chiropractors or veterinarians) in 45 of the 50 states. In order to find a certified animal chiropractor near you, head to the Healing Oasis website, click on the Graduates/Alumni tab and click on VSMT Professionals. This list was recently updated in June. At the end of May, my family and I officially started our camping season. I didn’t think I could love my job more than I already did, but camping in the area I’m adjusting horses for the weekend means I can help more animals when I’m in a certain town. But it also means I get to slow down and truly enjoy the area where the horses bring me. I can explore some of the hidden gems of good food and beautiful waterfalls. Our first weekend out this year was in Hazlehurst and it was surprisingly warm enough for the kids to play in the sand looking for shells and wade in the shallow lake water. I feel so blessed to enjoy these serene moments with my boys.
Warmer weather doesn’t just bring more camping, it brings more hiking, biking, walking (without the fear of slipping on ice), canoeing, eventually water skiing and swimming just to name a few. And let’s face it, I’m EXCITED! These activities mean our muscles will be getting stronger, our heart and lungs will be getting a good work out too. But it’s good for our soul- being outside in nature is such a mood booster. I notice my boys being so much happier when they can dig in the dirt and garden and breathe in that northwoods air. And they sleep so soundly at night! Camping also has improved our family problem solving abilities. I feel like no matter how much time we spend preparing and making lists before we leave Lando, something inevitably happens on our trip that surprises us and makes us think- hmmm what are we going to do now? While these moments can be frustrating, they also force us to get creative and work together to solve them. Our 3 year old sometimes surprises us with his suggestions of what to do- he’s one smart dude. Camping also brings me out of my own shell- it’s hard to keep to yourself when Marshall and even Campbell can’t help but say hello to almost everyone they meet. Marshall is also in his “why” phase. So he’s not afraid to ask someone what they’re up to. Or to ask people how the fishing was that day as they bring their boat back to the landing. I’m grateful for the people who stop and let my boys see their biggest catch of the day or pause and answer Marshall’s 500th why question of the day. I truly believe we live in the best area to raise kids- everyone is so friendly and willing to have a teaching moment. So thank you to all my neighbors who slow down to teach my kids and oftentimes me something too- I appreciate you! Happy camping, happy hiking, happy fishing, happy spring and soon to be summer. If you feel like sharing your favorite camping or hiking or food spots, please send me an email at [email protected], I’d love to add your suggestions to my list of must go places for the year. Up here in the Northwoods, fishing isn’t just a pastime — it’s a way of life. Whether you’re casting from the dock or drifting on the lake at sunrise, fishing offers more than just a chance to catch dinner. It also brings a variety of health benefits that are often overlooked.
1. Stress Reduction Time spent near water naturally calms the mind. Studies show that being outdoors and engaging in repetitive activities like casting a line can lower cortisol levels (your body’s stress hormone). The peaceful calls of the loons and gentle rhythm of fishing promote mindfulness, helping you unwind and disconnect from daily stress. 2. Physical Activity Fishing may not be as intense of a workout as the gym, but it still gets you moving. Walking to your favorite fishing spot, balancing on a boat, or paddling a canoe works your core and improves stability. Even reeling in a big one can activate muscle groups in the arms, shoulders, and back. 3. Vitamin D Boost Being outdoors provides natural sunlight, which helps your body produce vitamin D. This sunshine vitamin supports immune function, bone health, and helps regulate mood. 4. Mental Health and Connection Fishing fosters social connection — whether you’re swapping stories with friends, teaching your kids how to bait a hook, or simply enjoying the quiet company of nature. These moments can reduce feelings of loneliness and improve mental well-being. 5. Fresh, Heart-Healthy Food If you’re lucky enough to catch some fish and are a pro at cleaning them, you’re also getting a healthy meal. Fish like walleye, trout, and perch are good sources of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health. Final Cast Fishing isn’t just good for the soul — it’s good for your health. So grab your tackle box, head to the lake, and take advantage of the wellness benefits waiting just beyond the shoreline. If you’re like me and aren’t the greatest at actually finding the fish, my buddy Musky Mike is a fishing guide. He’d love to share some of his favorite spots with you. Feel free to send him an email at: [email protected] I personally caught my biggest bass while fishing with Musky Mike. Good luck to everyone getting back out on the water this month and happy fishing! Currently as I’m writing this, I can see most of the muddy grass in the backyard so I have spring on the mind which means it’s springtime horse adjusting season. Here’s to hoping I don’t jinx us and we get a foot of snow tomorrow. Springtime is my favorite season to go out and meet with horse owners and help their horses get into tip top shape for the summer. The coolest part of my job is that I get to work with the most important system of the body every single day- that’s the nervous system. The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and it’s considered the “air traffic control” of the body. Everything else in the body is an extension of the nervous system. This applies to both humans and animals. Chiropractic adjustments to the vertebra restore motion and maintain the integrity of the nervous system. This then maximizes the potential for the body to function the way it was designed to. Sure chiropractic care is great for pain but that’s secondary to optimizing the most important system in the body. Spring is a common time equine owners notice their performance animals just don’t seem to be moving well or aren’t doing their job like they know they can. After the long cold winter and the slippery thaw with ice and mud, it’s common to see some pain, injuries, and even flare ups from arthritis. In the horse world, back pain is a well known cause of lameness, gait alterations, and poor performance in sport horses. But to be honest, not only sport horses are affected. Senior horses, work horses, and even trail riding horses can benefit from chiropractic care. Chiropractic assessments are great to evaluate how the joints are moving and if there are any tender or tight muscles that come secondary to this structural shift. I get asked all the time… How can you adjust a horse!? No, we don’t have the horses in the office and on the tables. I use a big purple bale to allow me to get up and over the horse. Being up and over the horse allows me to have proper adjusting angles of correction. Horses typically love their adjustments and this can be observed as they start to lower their head, chew, their eyes droop, and many more subtle cues. Contrary to popular belief, horses do not need more “ooompf” nor does the animal chiropractor need to use maximum thrust to provide adjustments to horses. This is where proper animal chiropractic education is so important! On the first visit, I always spend some time getting to know the owner and their horse. How old is the horse, have they been adjusted before? What’s the work history of the horse? Farm work, barrel racing, dressage, mostly trail riding, etc. I also like to find out if the owner has any concerns with the horse picking up a lead, turning in one direction or another, if they’ve ever noticed any weakness or lameness or even changes in the horse’s behavior. From there I like to watch the horse walk so I can assess the horse’s gait on my own or if I notice any stiffness I want to investigate further. That’s when I get to do the fun part— I assess each of the joints for proper movement and apply gentle chiropractic adjustments where needed.  Is it just me, or now that’s it’s March is anyone else already thinking it’s time for spring cleaning? I personally would love for a leprechaun to show up and dust off my house and mop my floors, but sadly I know that’s not going to happen.
With the bitter cold, oftentimes we keep our houses sealed up leading to poorer indoor air quality. Poor air quality inside the home may lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and insomnia. All symptoms that make the long winter feel even longer. Some easy ways to improve indoor air quality is to improve ventilation by opening windows on our slightly warmer days, reducing pollutants, and using air filtration. Some common air pollutants are heavily scented candles, air fresheners, and harsh surface cleaners. So for your spring cleaning, I’m going to suggest a few of my favorite low tox cleaners. My current favorite is Branch Basics. I purchased their starter bundle a few years back. So now I just purchase their cleaning concentrate. What’s nice is you simply dilute the same concentrate by adding different amounts of water to their pre-marked spray bottles. They have bottles to make foaming hand soap, multipurpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, etc. Surprisingly Branch Basics does very well even in the kitchen, cleaning more difficult surfaces like the stovetop (I’m a messy chef and oftentimes have some decent spills on the stove). I personally don’t enjoy the concentrate for laundry or cleaning windows, but you may have a different experience. My number two favorite easy to make and use cleaner is the Doterra Abode Multipurpose Cleaner. This is another cleaner that you dilute the concentrate with water in a (glass) spray bottle. Abode cleaner does well in the kitchen and bathroom but since the essential oils are so strong, you have to avoid porous materials and surfaces such as wood. A great classic cleaner is diluting white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. Most of us have white vinegar in our kitchen, and if you don’t mind the smell of it, white vinegar has been shown to work effectively against E. coli, Salmonella, and other bacteria but it’s not technically a true disinfectant. White vinegar is also helpful for removing hard water stains and mineral buildup. If you truly can’t stand the smell, some people soak lemon peels in the water and vinegar for two weeks then strain the solution to give it a slightly lemony scent. The last low tox cleaner I’ve read really good things about is Force of Nature. I personally haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list. It’s a little more techy— it uses an electrolyzer to “activate” salt, vinegar, and water to make Hypochlorous acid. Essentially it’s a less harsh chlorine. Each bottle once it’s activated only lasts two weeks before it “loses” its disinfectant properties. Force of Nature is registered as a true medical grade disinfectant and sanitizer. If you’re wondering how your current cleaners score in regards to how healthy they are for you to be using, a great online resource is the Environmental Working Group (EWG’s) Guide to Healthy Cleaning. It scores different products from a range of EWG verified (very good) then A to F- with F being the worst. It’s definitely worth checking out. They have a version for cleaning products, skin care products, and food brands as well. It’s a great resource if you’re wanting to start looking into different ingredients and products. Happy cleaning! And if you happen to find the cleaning leprechaun, please send them to my house next! Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common and often painful condition affecting dogs, especially breeds like Dachshunds (hot dogs), Basset Hounds, and Beagles. This group of dogs are considered longer backed dogs- they often have more stress in the middle of their spine which can lead to secondary conditions like difficulty with stairs, jumping, and overall happiness of the dog. IVDD is a degenerative disorder involving the breakdown of the intervertebral discs, leading to pain, reduced mobility, and in severe cases, sometimes paralysis. While traditional treatments like medication and surgery are frequently utilized, animal chiropractic care has emerged as a non-invasive complementary therapy to improve quality of life for dogs diagnosed with IVDD.
Animal chiropractic focuses on restoring proper motion and alignment to the spine and surrounding joints. By correcting spinal misalignments, chiropractic care can alleviate pressure on the nerves, reduce inflammation, and improve overall neurological function. Certified animal chiropractors deliver gentle adjustments tailored to the anatomy and needs of each dog. One of the most immediate benefits of chiropractic care for dogs with IVDD is pain reduction. Misaligned vertebrae and compressed nerves can contribute to chronic pain in affected dogs. Dogs with IVDD often experience stiffness, limited range of motion, or even hind limb weakness and muscle atrophy. Owners may notice their dog being hesitant to go up and down stairs, or not wanting to jump onto their spot on the couch or into the truck to go for a ride. Owners may notice their dog struggling to walk in deeper snow or across the ice. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal joint movement, allowing dogs to regain some of their lost mobility and strength. Inflammation is a significant factor in IVDD progression. Corrective chiropractic care can improve blood flow to affected areas, promoting natural healing and reducing inflammation in the spine and surrounding tissues. Chiropractic adjustments help maintain proper spinal alignment, which supports the health of intervertebral discs and minimizes the risk of further degeneration. For dogs prone to IVDD, regular chiropractic care can be a preventive measure, reducing the likelihood of acute flare-ups. Corrective animal chiropractic is not a replacement for traditional veterinary care but rather a complementary therapy. It works in conjunction with medications, physical therapy, and even post-surgical recovery to optimize outcomes and improve the dog’s overall well-being. When pet owners visit the office for the first time, they often don’t know what to expect during the appointment. A certified animal chiropractor will perform a thorough evaluation including a review of the dog’s medical history and a physical examination. The chiropractor will watch the animal walk around the office and will analyze any videos that the owner may have brought in. Adjustments are very gentle and well-tolerated, with many dogs showing improvements after just a couple sessions. Corrective animal chiropractic offers a non-invasive, medication free way to improve the quality of life for dogs suffering from IVDD. By addressing spinal alignment and promoting natural healing, chiropractic care helps relieve pain, enhance mobility, and support long-term spinal health. If your dog has been diagnosed with intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), consult with your veterinarian to see if animal chiropractic could be a beneficial addition to your pet’s care plan. The new year has come and I’m ready to take 2025 on head first. Our health is our best wealth. Without it we have nothing. Many of my mentors have constantly taught me that we can’t give from an empty cup so your number one priority needs to be your own health and well-being. As January fades and the year goes on, even my own priorities tend to shift but the first month of the year is always a good reflection and reset time. I always hear I’m willing to die for my kids, but would you be willing to live for them at 100%?
As much as I would love for this to be true about our health, you can’t get stronger at the gym if you go once every few months. Same with eating better- if you want to reverse chronic health issues it all takes time and consistency. And sometimes this can be a roller coaster of ups and downs so be patient with yourself and your year long goals. I recently learned about compounding goals. Basically instead of making ten new goals for the new year to start working towards all at once you pick one to focus on in January- maybe that’s eating better. Then in February you add in exercising or stretching 20 minutes a day while eating better. Then in March you add in reading 20 minutes a day while exercising/stretching, and eating better. The idea is that small actions over time can lead to big outcomes. Maybe this method of goal setting sounds more manageable for your life as well. Making smaller long term changes over time allows you to form consistent changes in your life. Making smaller longer term changes over time also applies to what I see in my office as a Chiropractor. In my profession, Chiropractic has never been only about symptom management. Although a well known benefit of chiropractic care is less pain. Some lesser known benefits of chiropractic include nervous system optimization. Do you know someone with chronic headaches? How does their cervical curve look? Don’t know what that is? Set up a consultation to learn more. Do you know children or grandchildren with chronic ear infections? Toddlers and kids are constantly moving and falling which is the most common form of physical stress but other issues could start from birth with interventions like vacuum assistance, c-section, and birth stress can cause restricted movement in baby’s upper cervical spine from the moment they’re born. Structural shifts to the nervous system from daily life as adults (sitting while looking down at computers and phones) or bigger traumas like car accidents and falls can cause the body to function less than optimal. These degenerative changes usually take years to form which means they also can take time to take stress off of these areas with gentle chiropractic adjustments. To fix these issues often a digital X-ray is helpful in locating and identifying how long the problem has been there and how long it may take to fix. 30 years of arthritis and degeneration is harder to work with than a teenager. Sometimes these areas of the spine need more time and repetition to change than a baby, but don’t let these issues manifest into bigger issues down the road. Just like eating healthy and exercising, corrective structural shifts to the spine through chiropractic care to improve neuroplasticity also takes time and repetition. Oftentimes, after seeing structural images we can incorporate corrective stretches/exercises to aid in the correction of the spine. This year, let’s try to be 1% better than we were the day before. If we focus on making smaller changes over a longer period of time we can move forward more consistently than trying to change everything at once in the month of January. Let’s make 2025 the best year yet! Merry Christmas! I hope this article finds you before you rush to do any last minute holiday errands. While Christmastime is a magical time of year it can also be stressful depending on how much running around you have to do. I’m blessed with having a big family and two adorable sons so this time of year always involves a lot of running around visiting with loved ones. I personally have to remind myself to slow down and relax as stress can increase cortisol and inflammation in our bodies leading to pain and even tanking our immune system which can lead to the common cold. Taking time to put your feet up and relax by the fire truly can do wonders for your overall health. Or relaxing by the fire and doing some light stretching and deep breathing.
If you only remember one thing - this is my number one piece of advice during the holidays. If you find yourself decorating, wrapping, or even shoveling don’t do these three things at the same time—- twist, bend, and lift. This is called a coupled motion and it’s the number one complaint I hear on a daily basis, “I quickly bent over to pick up x and strained my back.” Slowing down and being mindful of turning your feet towards the object you want to pick up (no matter how light the object is) is so important. Once you turn your body towards the object, bend at your knees and lift with your legs to pick the object up rather than hinging at the waist. Once upright, turn with your feet to head the direction you want to go. If you find yourself having to do a lot of wrapping this holiday season, I recommend trying to find a taller surface to wrap on. Hunching over a kitchen table or coffee table can lead to an achy mid and low back. The kitchen counter, an ironing board, or even a chest freezer may be a more helpful wrapping surface since these areas are taller meaning you can be more upright. Even if using a taller surface to wrap on, I recommend taking frequent breaks to stand up all the way, walk around, and drink some water. Lastly, be mindful if you have to shovel this holiday season. Take your time and remember not to twist and lift a full shovel of snow. Use a good shovel and spend most of your time pushing the snow into a big pile rather than lifting. If you have to lift, remember to slightly bend at the knees and lift with your legs. Some shovels are more ergonomic than others so pick the shovel that feels comfortable for you. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with the people you love! This fall I’ve had the pleasure of combining two things I love: adjusting animals and exploring/hiking. By taking a few long weekends and packing up the camper with the dogs, the boys, and Jeanette we’ve had the opportunity to adjust more horses in each area and have more time to actually explore all the beautiful sites we have right in our own backyard. I’ll share a couple of our favorites we found this fall. But please, if you know of some beautiful hidden gems that are doable with a toddler in a hiking backpack and an infant in a baby carrier please send me an email ([email protected]) or stop by and let me know. I’d love to start a list of must see places for next spring and summer!
This fall we found ourselves in the Hurley area and happened upon the Interstate Falls. This was a nice little loop. The fall colors were just starting and the trail spent a decent amount of time following the Montreal river. Marshall enjoyed pointing out the trail markers to keep us on the correct path. We were able to spot quite a few birds and chipmunks running around. That same weekend someone told us we had to check out Black River Harbor. This was an unseasonably warm fall day and we had such a fun time walking across the suspension bridge. There were several different waterfall trailheads there, but after our busy day, we enjoyed sitting on the Lake Superior shore while Marshall hunted for unique rocks and Campbell played in the soft sand. So many people were out that day soaking up one of the last warm sunny days. It’s amazing how well the boys slept after our adventures those two days. They’re usually good sleepers but all the fresh air truly tired them out. A few weekends later we found ourselves in the Glidden Wisconsin area. This was a much rainier weekend but the fall colors were absolutely gorgeous. There was so much yellow and orange and with the rain the leaves were falling. Marshall enjoyed staring out the window watching the leaves fall like snow. We were fortunate that Saturday afternoon, after the boys’ nap, it was barely misting out so we adventured to Doughboy’s loop in Morse Wisconsin. This trail follows the Bad River and Brownstone Falls for a 1.7 mile loop. The overlooks of the falls were gorgeous and luckily the slate steps weren’t overly slippery that day. I will warn you though - there were A LOT of stairs to climb on the trail. So if stairs aren’t your friend, I recommend avoiding this trail. We enjoyed reading all the plaques along the way- everything was marked very well in comparison to some of the more obscure trails. During our hike, we were sheltered by the thick tree coverage and were only walking through a light mist. Almost as soon as we made it back to the car, it started to pour again. We were very grateful to have had the opportunity to see the falls especially during peak fall color times. I felt like I stayed so busy this summer that I almost forgot to enjoy the beauty around me. The few fall weekends that we camped and forest bathed felt so refreshing, and I felt so lucky to share these quiet moments with my family. So I’m serious- please share your favorite spots and I’ll be sure to share an update on our spring and summer adventures! |
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
August 2025
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