Broomfield Family Chiropractic is proud to announce, in conjunction with Broomfield FISH, a holiday fund raising drive.  For $55, new patients will receive an initial consultation, thorough examination, and in most cases first treatment.  The $55 new patient fee (normally over $120) will be donated entirely to Broomfield FISH.  The holiday fund raising drive will last from now until December 31st, 2010.  New patients should call 720-362-2225 to set up an appointment today. 

Broomfield FISH is a local organization dedicated to helping those in need by providing food assistance, shelter assistance, utility assistance and transportation assistance to Broomfield residents.  It has been helping the community since the 1960’s, with the mission of serving as community trustees, meeting our neighbors’ basic human needs, and providing them with hope and tools to rise out of poverty.

Dr. Michael Schrad and Broomfield Family Chiropractic recently celebrated the one year anniversary of opening.  They strive to provide the Broomfield community with safe, affordable, effective chiropractic care, and hope to make this holiday fundraiser an annual event. 

Headaches are a very common problem.  Research shows that 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches at some point in their lives.  Some headaches are quite mild and not much more than a temporary annoyance.  Others can be debilitating, causing interference with normal daily activities and putting strain on relationships.  There have been several studies that show that chiropractic care is more effective than medication in treating tension type headaches, and here at Broomfield Family Chiropractic we are having great success with this condition.  We focus first on helping people prevent the condition, then treat the headache if it does become a problem.

Broomfield Family Chiropractic has some tips and suggestions on how to avoid getting tension type headaches.  First, if you work long hours in a static position, such as in front of a computer, get up and stretch every 30 minutes or so.  Second, stay hydrated.  Third, after work, or even at lunchtime, take a walk for about half an hour.  Lastly, try to relax you jaw, don’t clench your teeth.  Doing all of these should help you avoid tension type headaches.

If you do get a headache, chiropractic care should be your first choice for treatment.  Many tension type headaches originate in the neck, and chiropractic adjustments are exactly what is needed to correct the problem.  We recommend having a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of the problem, and specific treatment to correct the condition.  In addition, we can look at the ergonomic factors that may be contributing to the condition and offer advice on how to correct these” says Dr. Schrad.  It is important to note that the goal of chiropractic care when treating headaches is to find the cause of the problem and correct it, whereas taking medication is working to cover the symptoms.

Broomfield Family Chiropractic is offering free consultations through the summer to make getting the care you need easier.  This no pressure, no obligation offer expires on August 31st, so be sure to act today! 

We are introducing the use of a technique designed to find the cause of and solution to low back pain.  The technique, called lumbar flexion/distraction, is one of the most researched, widely accepted, and effective treatment procedures in chiropractic.  It is a relatively low force technique, designed specifically for people suffering with spinal disc problems, sciatica, leg pain, and low back pain.  Patients rave about the technique, not only because of its effectiveness, but because they know exactly how it works and what to expect, thanks to Dr. Mike taking the time to explain everything before treatment even begins.

The first step in the effective utilization of this technique, and perhaps the most important, is diagnosing the cause of the pain.  Dr. Mike works to not only find the physical cause of the problem, but goes deeper, digging to find what may have contributed to the onset of the physical cause.  He then designs a treatment plan to address the physical cause, pain, and daily activities that may have been affected by the problem.  In addition, ergonomic advice, nutritional recommendations and physical exercises and stretches to address the “cause of the cause” are assigned at the appropriate time. 

The actual lumbar flexion/distraction treatment itself, as mentioned above, is low force.  This means very little pushing and twisting of the spine.  You lie on a specially designed treatment table, Dr. Mike brings your spine through specific movements.  These movements are designed to relieve pressure from the nerves and surrounding tissues at the exact place your problem is located.  Again, we go above and beyond at this point, by addressing the soft tissue/muscular component to your problem utilizing the latest in physiotherapy procedures before or after your chiropractic treatment. 

Over time, the goal of this treatment is to reduce your pain levels and get you back to your normal daily activities.  The ergonomic, nutritional and exercise/stretching programs have the goal of stabilizing the problem area.  For further information on low back pain or chiropractic treatment of low back pain, or to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION with Dr. Mike, call us at 720-DOC-BACK (720-362-2225) today!

How do you find the right chiropractor for you in Broomfield?  This is a tough question, as there are many doctors of chiropractic, many of whom practice very differently.  The first step is to ask your friends.  Often times, your friends will have been to a chiropractor in Broomfield and will have a good recommendation for you, and give you an idea of what to expect when you come in for your first visit.  Asking your medical doctor for a referral may be a good idea also.

Finding a doctor of chiropractic in Broomfield with a valid chiropractic license and training from one of the top chiropractic schools is also important.  Unfortunately, there are short programs out there that “train” students in “chiropractic”.  This is totally unacceptable, as legitimate chiropractic schools require prior education for admittance, involve extensive training in human anatomy and physiology similar to and even exceeding what is required in medical schools, and more than a year of hands on clinical training. 

When choosing a chiropractor in Broomfield, ask how frequently they order x-rays.  Many chiropractors will order x-rays frequently, and this is unnecessary, as current research reveals no value in this practice.  Also, avoid chiropractors who insist you continue your care indefinitely.  A good chiropractor will locate and diagnose your ailment, and development a treatment plan with clear goals and a clear end point of active care.  Many people choose to continue with a form of maintenance care after the treatment plan is completed, but this should not be a requirement for beginning care and should always be optional. 

Many chiropractors in Broomfield offer a complimentary consultation, where you can come in and sit down with the doctor to talk about your condition and whether chiropractic may be able to help you.  This is a great option when looking for a chiropractor in Broomfield on your own, without a referral.  This gives you a chance to get to know you prospective doctor of chiropractic before any care begins. 

If you have any questions, or would like to sit down with the doctor at Broomfield Family Chiropractic for a free consultation, look us up on the web at http://www.broomfieldfamilychiropractic.com or call us at 720-362-2225.  We hope this article sets you on the right track to finding the right Broomfield chiropractor for you, and look forward to hearing from you!

Recently the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters had their recommendations accepted in the National Guideline Clearinghouse.  This is a significant development, as the CCGPP collected evidence on the effectiveness of manual therapies in the treatment of several conditions.  They analyzed this and boiled it down to what can now be considered the most accepted documents in guiding chiropractic practice and procedures.
So what does this mean for you?  Essentially, you can now access these documents and see if your doctor of chiropractic is following what is generally accepted as efficacious chiropractic treatment procedures.  You can now have expectations before you see your DC, and your DC will be held to these standards.  Below you will find the link to the CCGPP website, where you can access these documents, or you can ask to borrow them when you come in for your appointment, if you are so inclined. 

http://www.ccgpp.org/

There's been a TON of news lately on health care reform and what it's passage will mean for you, the country, and health in general.  I will not go into any of that here (you're probably happy about that!)  I would simply like to pose a question.  Is what we think of in this country health care or sick care?  What will this reform do to emphasize HEALTH, not just covering sickness? 

It is unfortunate that we are focused on providing care for the sick, while not making a huge effort to prevent that sickness in the first place.  I contend that part of the problem in bringing about true health care is the current emphasis on evidence based medicine.  Don't get me wrong, evidence based medicine is great for our current model, demonstrating best practices and what is the most efficacious choice in patient care for many conditions.  However, it is difficult to design a study including sufficient numbers of people over a sufficient amount of time demonstrating "prevention" of health conditions.  Controlling variables in a situation like this is almost impossible.  So, the alternative to reliance on evidence based medicine in a health care system based on HEALTH, is reliance on clinical judgment, logic and common sense.

What do you think?  How can we put more emphasis on HEALTH?

If there were a dog days of winter, this would be it!  It's the middle of February and cabin fever is beginning to set in.  You are starting to feel out of shape, and a little bad that the kids haven't been getting much exercise.  What can be done?

1 - Go sledding.  Everyone think of skiing and Colorado, but if you don't want to make the drive to the mountains, this can be a blast.  If there happens to be enough snow on your favorite sledding hill, head on over for a few runs.  The kids will have a blast, and will get some great exercise in the process.  Be careful though, after a long, slumbering winter, that hill might be killer.  Be careful not to overdo it, but push yourself.

2 - Go for a nice long hike. The mountains might be buried in the snow this time of year, but down here in the front range, we tend to have a little less (our little secret!)  Because of this, there are plenty of opportunities to take a nice, long hike with the family.  Head on over to Westminster Hills Open Space, where you can even let the dog off leash and take a nice, LONG hike.  You'll be amazed at the amount of area allowed for off leash walking.

3 - Head over to your local rec center.  In Broomfield, we are lucky to have to decent rec centers.  For some fun with the kids try the Paul Derda Rec Center.  They have a great pool with water slides and a zero depth entry area.  That's sure to keep 'em entertained and burn off some of those winter calories.  No kids?  You can put in a good workout there also, with an extensive weight room and plenty of cardio machines.  Also, try the climbing wall or shoot some hoops.  All for about 5 bucks apiece.

4 - I can hardly believe I am going to say this (and you won't believe it either if you know me), but if it's just bone chilling cold and there is nothing to do, head over to Flatirons and walk the mall.  The kids will have fun people watching and window shopping, and you will get a little exercise to boot.

What do you do with your family to combat cabin fever?  Leave your comments below!

Interesting article on the "fat acceptance movement".  There are definitely positives and negatives to this, and it seems to come down to mental vs. physical health on some level. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/06/fat.acceptance/index.html?eref=rss_health&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_health+%28RSS%3A+Health%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

2010 is going to be an exciting year here at Broomfield Family Chiropractic.  We have several events planned, and will be adding more as the year goes on.  Here's a quick preview;
January
18th-22nd - Healthy Weight Week    - Article on what healthy weight is and isn't.
    - Information and assistance on healthy weight loss strategies.

February
All month is Healthy Heart Month
    - Free blood pressure screening for all current and prospective patients.    - Article on blood pressure and effects on health, what 120/80 really means.
Open House February 17th 4-7 pm.
    - Free consultations on the spot.
    - Demonstration using Primal 3D, see what the inside of your body looks like!
    - Refreshments.
    - Special offer only for attendees!

March
All month is National Nutrition Month
    - Article on nutritional considerations for an anti-inflammatory diet.
    - Participate in our healthy recipes exchange.March 31st is Kick Butts Day
    - Complimentary new patient examination and first treatment when you bring in your last pack of cigarettes and commit to quit.

April
All month is Humor Month
    - Joke of the day, every day, for your daily laugh!
    - Check the blog daily!
All month is Youth Sports Safety Month
    - Free Functional Capacity Examination with every youth new patient visit or sports physical in the month of April.
      - Designed to detect compensatory movement patterns that can lead to injuries.April 22nd is Earth Day
    - Complimentary new patient examination when you bring in your recyclable materials, which we will recycle at the Broomfield Recycling Center.

May
All month is Better Sleep Month
    - Free raffle for all existing patients, to win cervical water pillow, a $75 value.
    -Receive a free entry at each visit during the month of May.
    - Article on Ways to Get a Better Night's Sleep.
All month is Correct Posture Month
    - Free posture screening for all current and prospective patients.
    - Emphasis on ergonomic advice throughout the month.
May 3rd - 7th
    - Carnations for all patients who are mothers.
May 24th - 28th
    -Bike to Work Week
      - Complimentary new patient examination when to come for your appointment on your bike.
June
June 7th - 11th is Headache Awareness Week
    -Free spinal screening examination to see if chiropractic may be of benefit in treating your headache.
    - Article on How Chiropractic can Relieve Your Headache, Permanently.
June 14th - 18th is Men's Health Week
    - All fathers will be entered into a drawing to win a round of golf with the doc.
June 23rd - 11am - 2 pm
    - Patient Appreciation BBQ Lunch
    - We will be grilling out in the parking lot, free lunch!!!