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I just received a call this morning from a woman asking me about neck and back pain.  She was also complaining of a jaw problem.  After speaking with her for a few minutes she told me how badly she was hurting and doesn't know why her back and neck had been bothering her off and on for 10 years.

Then I asked her a critical question..."Did you have a car accident or other trauma about 10 years ago?"

She said "You know, about 10 or 11 years ago I had a car accident.  It wasn't that bad, but I do remember my neck hurting a little bit afterward."

I had the "AHA!" moment of her history!

Most likely, her car accident when she was 16 started a cascade of pain and muscle tightness which gradually worsened over time.  Unfortunately, she had never received Chiropractic care for the seemingly minor injuries she sustained in that Motor Vehicle Accident.  Now, in her late 20's, she suffers from chronic neck, back and jaw pain. 

This is all too common the history I see in my patients who enter my office with years of neck and back pain.  They have a history of a car accident, big fall, broken bones (and subsequent limping on crutches), or the most surprising history which was a patient who in her words "pile drivered her head into the sand surfing in Hawaii".

These patients did not know that Chiropractic could have made the difference and prevented years and years of neck and back pain.  In extreme cases, if Chiropractic care would have been utilized at the time of injury, patients would have much less arthritis and degenerative changes in their spine.  

How does Chiropractic help return the body to pre-injury status?

During an injury, the body absorbs all kinds of energy from the force of the impact.  This force jams the vertebrae of the spine together, triggering swelling, pain, muscle spasms, and in severe cases, bruising. 

Adjusting these misalignments in the spine helps take the pressure off of the nervous system, thus reducing muscle spasms, pain, and swelling.  It is important to receive regular Chiropractic adjustments at first immediately following an injury because the body will not hold the proper alignment for long.  Over a period of time (and each patient is different) the body begins to hold it's adjustment for a longer period of time.  As my patients stabilize and they see results, their treatment frequency is reduced.

Neck and back pain are among the most common complaints I see in my office.  I am an expert in helping people with neck and back pain.  I look at the body from a holistic perspective, including asking questions about:

-diet/nutrition

-exercise

-sleep and sleeping posture

-stress level

-thorough history of accidents and injuries

If you are suffering from neck and back pain, and are ready to take action to improve your health, please call me.

I would be happy to help!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Kristine Baker

Good afternoon!

 This time of year I see many patients start to feel down or depressed.  They can usually tie it to one of the following factors:

-STRESS

-the Holidays

-SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

-Poor eating habits

-Lack of exercise

-Traumatic life events years ago around this time

 Did you know that many times Acupuncture can make a HUGE difference in the symptoms of depression?

Depression is often feelings of hopelessness, or anger you feel that you don't have a right to have, according to Louise Hays "Heal Your Body".

When I was first in practice as a Chiropractor, I had pretty severe depression being worried about starting a practice, having enough patients, and paying my bills.  I would feel like it would be just fine with me if I could crawl in a hole and never come out.  Fortunately for me, a friend of mine was wanting to refresh her Acupuncture skills!

She would come to my office about once a week and we would trade Acupuncture treatments.  We would start with testing each other's Acupuncture meridians with the Acugraph system, and then we would each get treated according to what was indicated on each of our graphs.  I would tell her what points to use in addition to help me with depression.

I had been receiving Acupuncture since I was 11 years old, but even I was amazed at the results I personally experienced with Acupuncture.  In 20 minutes, I would go from feeling like I didn't care if the world ended tomorrow, to being peaceful, relaxed, and totally ready to face the day.  It was absolutely awesome!  I could hardly believe it worked that well, and I had been around Acupuncture for A LONG TIME!

 After a series of weekly Acupuncture treatments I was feeling so much better and I felt like I could face the day and be happy again.  Of course each case is different, and many times Acupuncture is part of a multi-faceted treatment plan which includes modifications to diet, sleep, exercise, and in the most severe cases, medication may be necessary to help.

It is important to have a thorough consult with an experienced Doctor regardless of the severity of your symptoms.

 If you or someone you know may need Acupuncture, I am here to serve and make a difference.

Please call me at 816-256-3603.

 Dr. Kristine Baker

I'm sitting in my office and I can just feel the cold weather creeping in.  My shoulders and back are starting to stiffen up from the weather changes, and I feel so much pressure in my sinuses.  I'm MISERABLE!

 Sound familiar???

I hear this all the time in my office this time of year.  Their shoulders are extra tight from the weather changing from cool to downright cold!  Many of my patients also complain about sinus irritation or pressure as well this time of year.

Here are the common causes of sinus flare-ups this time of year

-excessive sugar in the diet (especially after Halloween and approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas)

-excessive dairy in the diet from pies, cookies, and sweet holiday drinks

-dryness from the heat produced from the furnace

-STRESS

-misalignments in the neck and upper back

-imbalanced energy in the Acupuncture meridian system

The first 4 reasons I listed can also cause the last two!

What can you do?

Chiropractic Adjustments reduce the pressure on the nervous system that communicates directly with the sinuses, head and neck.  There are so many times that a patient will be in the middle of receiving an adjustment and be pleasantly surprised that their sinuses start opening up.

Acupuncture helps reduce blockages of energy in the body that can be caused by many different factors, several of which I have listed above.  In fact, there are Acupuncture points SPECIFICALLY KNOWN to help with sinus problems.  I use the Acugraph system to check the energy in the 12 main acupuncture meridians, and treat their energy imbalances accordingly.  This helps me give them the most accurate treatment possible at the moment they step into my office.  I have many patients who see me when their sinuses flare up because they know that Acupuncture is extremely effective when they are having sinus problems.

Changes in the weather have you all stiffened up?  Sinuses have lots of pressure, or just feel uncomfortable?

Call me at 816-256-3603 and see if I can make a difference for you!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Kristine Baker

Good evening!

Many women have PMS,  PMDD, or suffer from painful periods.  TV ads tell you to just take a Midol or some Advil. 

Here's the thing...taking Midol or Advil, while it dulls the symptoms and may reduce inflammation temporarily, does nothing to actually get to the underlying cause of the PMS and cramps.

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) or PMDD (Premenstraul Dysmorphic Disorder) is caused by hormonal imbalances in a woman's monthly cycle.  This can be caused by stress, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, being overweight, or an underlying imbalance in the pituitary or other master glands of the body.

What can be done from a holistic perspective?

Chiropractic Adjustments - Adjusting the spine and removing interference/pressure on the nervous system allows for increased functioning of hormone secretion and uterus and ovarian function.  I pay special attention to the low back and pelvis in my patients who have problematic periods.  The nerves in these two regions travel to the ovaries and uterus.

Acupuncture - By using Acugraph, a state-of-the-art diagnostic program, I can detect energetic imbalances in the acupuncture meridians.  Energy in the acupuncture meridians become imbalanced before hormone levels and the uterus and ovaries start to malfunction.  These organ and hormonal malfunctions are a symptom of the meridian imbalances.  The Spleen, Pericardium, and Liver Meridians are three of the meridians that are commonly associated with PMS, PMDD and cramps.  Of course, all patients are different, so that is why it is critical to use the Acugraph program to check the 12 main meridians.  This ensures that the patient gets the most effective treatment to work on their individual energy levels.

CranioSacral Therapy - CranioSacral Therapy can also be used to help relieve cramps and other symptoms associated with PMS and PMDD.  This therapy helps unwind soft tissue restrictions in the body, including the tilting of the uterus that is commonly found in women with cramps.  Many women have also reported feeling more relaxed, centered, and peaceful after a CranioSacral session.

Total Body Modification - This technique can be used to help untilt a uterus, which is the most common cause for cramps.  I have helped many women have easier periods with the Tilted Uterus protocol.  In fact, several women have started subsequent periods with little to no cramping...their period comes as a complete surprise!

Nutrition - I also look at what may help from a nutritional perspective.  The following supplements commonly help with PMS, PMDD and cramps:

          - Quality Multivitamin/Multimineral

          - Magnesium and Calcium in a 1:2 ratio

          - Evening Primrose Oil or Omega - 3 supplement

There are many different holistic techniques that can make a difference with Cramps, PMS, and PMDD.  Hopefully now you know there are resources available to help improve the quality of your life, and lessen the discomfort many women experience with their menstrual cycles.  Every person is different, and that is why it is important to consult with a Chiropractor who will customize a plan for you based upon your individual needs.

 If you or someone you love needs a Chiropractor in the Kansas City area who practices from a holistic perspective, please call me at 816-256-3603.  I am happy to answer your questions.

Have a great weekend!

 Dr. Kristine Baker

Good afternoon!

 I have had several patients come in with shoulder pain lately, and many of them did not know if a Chiropractor could help them.   

 Yes!!! In most cases at least.  Of course if you have a full thickness tear of your labrum (shoulder joint capsule) or a fracture, then surgery or other allopathic medical care is where you need to go first.

But for just general shoulder aches and pains, chiropractic care can make a huge difference.

Many times the vertebrae in your upper back and neck are misaligned, and that puts pressure on the nerves that travel down your shoulder and into your elbows and hands. 

This pressure can result in the following symptoms:

-shoulder pain

-elbow pain

-wrist pain (including what people think is carpal tunnel)

-numbness and tingling in the fingers during the day, or especially while sleeping at night.

-breathing problems like allergies, asthma, and upper respiratory infections (because those same nerves also travel to the heart and lungs)

 Chiropractic adjustments realign the vertebra (aka bones) of the back, neck and extremities, which then removes the pressure on your body's nerves.  When this happens, MOST of the time people's pain symptoms lessen immediately.

 I also can use Total Body Modification techniques that improve the functioning of certain body organ reflexes that refer pain to the shoulder...most commonly heart and gallbladder.  Once, I even used Total Body Modification and Acupuncture to help rehab the shoulder of a former Major League Baseball player.  He was amazed at the improvement with his range of motion, and how much less pain he had in his arm when he pitched.

 So here's the bottom line...if you are having shoulder pain, please get it evaluated.  Chiropractors can detect the minor misalignments in the spine that put pressure on your nerves, and after a consultation and exam, give you proper treatment recommendations.

 Most conditions that will respond to my care improve greatly within 4-6 visits if not sooner.  Sometimes it takes a combination of Chiropractic, Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy and/or Total Body Modification.  The only way to know is to get it checked out!

 Have a great day!

 Dr. Kristine Baker

Good evening!

I was meeting with a group of women this weekend, and one of them said she wishes she knew about adding acupuncture to her IVF treatment when she was trying to get pregnant with her son 6 years ago.

I was so excited that she had heard about how IVF improves a woman's chances for a successful IVF cycle!!!

After that meeting, I knew I had to spread the word so that other women have this opportunity.

How does Acupuncture help FERTILITY?

There are acupuncture points that are classically known to improve fertility, and those points are widely known by acupuncturists that have worked with infertile women.  These acupuncture points stimulate hormone levels and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs.

I have helped patients achieve successful pregnancies with these acupuncture points, as well as using a tool called Acugraph.  Acugraph is an acupuncture meridian digital measurement device that gives me an accurate "real time" picture of where the energy is out of balance in the body.

By combining the best of classical acupuncture with Acugraph's technology, you can have even more success!

Every woman's fertility challenges are different, and in my office, each woman gets a customized treatment based upon her individual needs.

Many times, I see both partners to improve fertility in the male as well.  Infertility is not always a problem with the female.

I am very passionate about making a difference with women that struggle with infertility and here's why:

 My grandmother had 3 miscarriages in 10 years, and doctors told her she should just give up on having a family. Fortunately, my grandfather took my grandmother to a chiropractor.  She had misalignments in her low back where the nerves in the spine feed the uterus and ovaries.  She received chiropractic adjustments, and shortly thereafter became pregnant.  The baby that was born nearly 9 months later was my MOM!  So if it wasn't for chiropractic care, my mom wouldn't be here!

 If you or someone you love is having challenges with having a successful pregnancy, please call me at 816-256-3603. Chiropractic and/or Acupuncture could make THE difference for them!

Thank you!

Dr. Kristine Baker