Compass Chiropractic
February, 2009 E-Newsletter
Partner with Youth Fundraiser!
As a part of
Compass
Chiropractic’s participation in the Red Flannel Run, we are
excited to announce the following fundraiser:
From February 16 – 27, any new patient who donates $30 or more to
the YMCA Partner with Youth Campaign will receive a complementary
first visit (thorough exam, any needed spinal X-rays, and report
of findings) at
Compass
Chiropractic. Call 515.309.1217 to schedule.
February 24 – A day for established patients at
Compass Chiropractic to
contribute to this fundraiser: established patients may donate $15
or more to the Partner with Youth campaign and receive any needed
spinal and extremity adjustments at no charge (no Active Release
Techniques treatments will be performed on this day due to time
constraints).
Call to schedule your appointment today.
A Story of Exceeded Expectations
January 6, 2009
I had been to chiropractors before with so-so results, but when
my low-back pain landed me in urgent care, I decided to look
again. (Muscle relaxers are not my idea of a solution.) As a
cycling instructor and kickboxer, I don't like to sit still. I
found Dr. Krohse from an online search. His testimonials sounded
promising, and as an athlete himself, I thought he would
understand my need to keep moving. After an extremely thorough
exam, Dr. Krohse began to treat and greatly reduce my low-back
pain. Not only that, but he also used the active release technique
to decrease my migraines and knee pain. I'm back to kickboxing and
teaching cycling class pain-free! I've recommended Dr. Krohse to
many friends. He produces positive results, and he's a great guy.
Sarah Schafman
West Des Moines, IA
Read more testimonials on the website.
FAQ’s – Addiction to Chiropractic Care?
Q: I’ve been told that chiropractic care would help my neck and
back pain, but I don’t want to become addicted. Do you have any
suggestions?
A: It’s my goal when patients start care to fix their problems as
soon as possible and give them ways to see me as little as
possible after they’re feeling better. Care begins with a very
thorough exam to determine all the causes of each problem.
Chiropractic adjustments improve the function of problem joints in
the spine. However, muscular problems can limit the improvement
made through chiropractic care. Tight muscles and scar tissue are
addressed in my office with Active Release Techniques, a patented
combination of doctor-applied pressure and patient-assisted
stretching of problem muscles. Patients are also directed in
specific exercises and stretches which stabilize the spine. Those
who regularly perform their spine-stabilizing activities often
experience long-term condition resolution.
I always attempt to find and minimize any sources of stress that
might slow improvement and cause ongoing problems. An example of
this would be resolving a hairstylist’s low back pain by
convincing her to switch to low-heeled Dansko shoes rather than
back-aggravating high heels.
Many patients choose to continue with periodic chiropractic care,
even after they are free from pain. Some have conditions where
their symptoms will return if they do not receive periodic
chiropractic care. This care is maintenance, not addiction. After
all, even a Mack truck needs an occasional realignment. Others
know that spinal disorders are the number one cause of disability
in people over age 50, and they look forward to long, active lives
free from pain. They view periodic chiropractic checkups as being
similar to proper dental hygiene - a healthy habit to protect
something you want to use through your entire life.
At Compass Chiropractic, patients are always free to decide how
long they enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care.
Condition of the Month – Low Back Pain
Sooner or later an amazing 8 out of every 10 people in the Des
Moines area will suffer through an incapacitating attack of low
back pain. Of people who suffer with back pain for two weeks or
longer, 40 percent will end up seeing a chiropractor. Studies have
shown that the decision to see a chiropractor is wise. The US
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recently appointed a
panel of medical experts who reviewed some 3,900 studies on care
for acute low back pain. The panel rejected bedrest, surgery
(except rare cases), injections into the back, and all oral
prescription drugs (such as antidepressants or steroids). In
contrast, they found that spinal manipulation, which usually is
performed by a chiropractor, "can be helpful for patients with
acute low back problems." For pain, they found over-the-counter
medications (aspirin, etc.) worked as well as prescriptions but
with fewer side effects.
At Compass Chiropractic,
effective treatment begins with the most thorough exam in order to
determine all the causes of the problem. Spinal adjustments are
used to restore proper function to injured or dysfunctional
joints. Dr. Krohse has acquired the training and special equipment
to provide flexion distraction adjustments, which stretch out the
structures of the low back and are especially effective at
reducing sciatica (low back pain with pain down the leg). Scar
tissue and muscle adhesions will be addressed with ART. Other
therapies such as massage, electric stimulation, and ultrasound
will be used as needed to reduce the pain of a new back injury.
Rehabilitative exercises and stretches will be recommended as
needed to keep patients stable for the long term.
Check Yourself! – Low Back Pain caused by the Psoas Muscles
Find out if your low back pain is caused by psoas muscle
tightness!
The psoas muscles (silent “p”) are long muscles that come off each
side of the spine in the low back and attach to the insides of the
femur bones, the upper leg bones. They are your main hip flexors
meaning that their job is to bring your upper leg forward. The
muscle is stretched when the upper leg is extended backwards
behind you.
If this muscle becomes abnormally tight, it will put extra
pressure into the low back whenever the leg straightens out or
extends backward. You won’t feel the psoas muscle tightness. What
you will feel instead is a sensation of tightness in the low back
as your spine is tugged forward. If psoas muscle tightness is
causing your low back pain, you will be more likely to feel low
back and hip pain and tightness when standing after sitting for a
while, first thing in the morning, or after walking, running, or
standing for extended periods of time.
In a society where so many sit (sitting shortens the psoas
muscles) for many hours a day at computers or while driving, it is
no surprise that the psoas muscles tighten up and begin to cause
low back pain. How can you find out if the psoas muscles are
involved in your low back pain? First determine whether you can
perform the stretch below without falling over or hurting your
knees (disclaimer – do the check at your own risk). Then…
Check yourself!
As seen in the picture below, assume the lunge position with one
leg forward and the other back. Keeping your upper body upright,
shift the hips forward until you feel a stretch on the front of
the extended backward hip just to the side of the groin region.
Don’t let the upper body lean forward! Hold this stretch for 30
seconds on each side. Stand and move your hips side to side. If
your low back feels more relaxed and less painful, you have
determined that the psoas muscle is a factor in your low back
pain. The test for psoas muscle tightness also happens to be the
main stretch to reduce it. However, if you find this stretch
reduces your pain it is strongly recommended that you receive a
thorough exam at Compass
Chiropractic, where Dr. Krohse will determine if there are any
other causes of your low back pain, or if there are problems in
the low back causing the psoas muscles to be chronically tight. He
is also able to treat psoas muscle tightness with
Active Release
Techniques, a highly effective combination of doctor-applied
pressure and patient-assisted stretching.
Calendar
February 13/14 Red Flannel Run Spinal Screening at Packet Pickup
and Race
February 16-27 - Partner with Youth Promotion for New Patients
February 24 – Partner with Youth Established Patient Day
Every Wednesday at 6 PM – How to Stay Young the First 100 Years, A
Half Hour to Health – Spinal Care Class
1st Tues each Month – Kid's Day – Children under 13 receive ANY
needed services (exams, adjustments, ART) at no charge
2nd Tues each Month – Athletes Day – Athletes any age bring a team
picture or action picture and receive 1st day services (exam and
any needed X-rays) at no charge
Highly Recommended Professionals:
Renae Baker – Strawhacker and Associates LLC (Accounting Firm) –
515.223.7370
Kindra and Kevin Barber –
Barber Photography – 515.321.8910
Massage
and ART Compared
Community Pages
Urbandale
Waukee
Windsor Heights
West Des Moines
Grimes
Adel
Johnston
Norwalk
Beaverdale
