Meet Dr. Stockton!

 Why did you decide to become a chiropractor?

In high school during the summers, I worked for a friend’s family landscaping business. I spent a lot of time planting trees, digging trenches, and installing sprinkler systems and I started having some back pain.

My mom suggested that I go see a chiropractor. At the time, I didn’t feel like much was happening but after about three treatments I had no more low back pain. I was able to work for longer without any pain and I was impressed with that.

I ended up seeing another chiropractor for an injury I had in baseball and again, I was really surprised with the effects of spinal manipulation on the body and how your body moves.

After starting college, I was in the biology program at Washington State University. I initially thought I wanted to pursue physical therapy but I quickly realized that I was a lot more interested in the hands-on approach of chiropractic care.

I found out that there was chiropractic school in Portland, and I applied and got in!

Is there anything that surprised you about chiropractic care after earning your degree in chiropractic?

The immediate relief was surprising to me. The ability to have someone walk into your office—who can’t stand up straight or sit in one position and they are miserable—and then with just feeling the body, you’re able to tell where they are injured and after one adjustment there is that immediate relief. It’s almost like an ah-ha moment where they are able to stand or do things immediately that they previously weren’t able to do 15 minutes ago. It’s very satisfying to be able to help people in that way.

 

What do you enjoy most about your work each day?

Being able to interact with each patient and being able to see each patient as their own “puzzle.” Everyone is different and while they might have the same chief complaint, the cause and treatment vary.

I have an evidence-based approach so I’m never going to tell a patient I can fix something unless I truly believe I can. I’m not going to have a patient come see me three times a week for the rest of their lives. Once you’ve reached your pre-injury status I’m going to let you free! I’m not going to make a patient come in if I don’t think it’s necessary.

What do you think people would be surprised to learn about the benefits of chiropractic care?

We can help with all areas of the body—not just your neck or back. We can adjust the foot, the ankle, the knee—every joint in the body we know an adjustment for.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I graduated from WSU, so I love to watch the Cougs play. I love sports—I love watching and playing sports whenever I’m able. I also have a jet ski and that is where you can find me every weekend of the summer—out on the lake or river with my fiancé (we are getting married in July 2018 in the Dominican Republic).

I love being outdoors year-round—elk hunting with a bow, taking my truck up into the mountains and the snow, I just love being active outside.

Dr. Stockton is now accepting new patients. Schedule an appointment here. 

Dentists & Chiropractors Help TMJ Patients

By: Charles Blum, D.C.

While all doctors ultimately want what is best for their patients, sometimes the concept of collaboration isn’t always considered. Historically, chiropractors and dentists would both help treat jaw or TMJ related pain or disorders on an individual basis helping patients as best they can. However, new research has been showing some fascinating relationships between how the body functions from a postural standpoint and how the jaw can respond.

To understand how a relationship between body posture and jaw function could occur, we need to look to some ingrained features of the human nervous system. We have two ways of keeping our heads on straight, one is associated with our eyes and other with the semicircular canals within our ears. They are called the visual and vestibular righting mechanisms. Together, they keep our eyes and ears level to the horizon regardless of any postural imbalance related to our legs, pelvis or spine.

Another important factor that helps us understand the posture and jaw interrelationship is that the body functions as a unit. The jaw or mandible sits in muscles that come off the head and neck. As the head and neck change position due to posture, the jaw muscles are likewise affected. What is fascinating is that a change in posture can affect jaw function, the way the teeth touch, the way the jaw joint is positioned and our ability to breathe.

A 2007 Tufts University study with 45 asymptomatic subjects found that if a dental splint appliance is placed in the mouth preventing the teeth from being in the proper position that this affects the patient’s ability to maintain proper body balance. Then, with the same patients they also found that if they placed a heel lift under one foot, the subject’s teeth would first contact when biting down on the side of the heel lift. This study illustrates how a change in the way teeth contact and the jaw position can affect posture and how body posture can affect teeth contact and jaw position.

What this has developed is a desire in the chiropractor’s part, when working with a patient with a jaw/TMJ problem, to make sure the patient’s posture is in balance in order to facilitate the dentist’s work to balance jaw function. Looking at it from a different angle, after appropriate dental work is performed on a patient, sometimes this change in teeth and jaw position changes a patient’s posture and a chiropractor can help the patient’s body accommodate to these new changes.

Since these concepts are relatively new, it can be challenging to find a dentist or chiropractor willing to co-treat a patient with jaw pain disorders. Not every patient needs this integrative care, but a patient who has concurrent neck or back pain, or is aware of a relationship between jaw and body pain should attempt to see if they are a candidate for this “team” care.

Here is a simple guide to determine how a person may assess their need for TMJ care:

How do you know when you have a TMJ condition that may warrant dental care?

• Does your partner say you are grinding your teeth at night or constantly snore?
• Do you have tooth temperature sensitivity, pain on chewing, or are you wearing your teeth down?
• Did you notice a relationship between orthodontic or dental work and your jaw pain?

These all may warrant a dental evaluation by a dentist trained in TMJ.

How do you know when you have a TMJ condition that may warrant chiropractic care?

• Do you have jaw joint pain, tension, and popping on opening or closing?
• Did your jaw pain start after having some lower back or neck pain?
• Did your neck or low back pain start after having jaw pain?

These all may warrant a chiropractic evaluation by one trained in TMJ care.

How do you know when you have a TMJ condition that may warrant both dental and chiropractic?

• When chiropractic care helps but the condition keeps returning, this commonly necessitates a referral to a dentist.
• When dental care helps but the condition keeps returning, this commonly necessitates a referral to a chiropractor.
• Ideally, before any dental work is finalized and becomes permanent, chiropractic care to balance posture is advised.

The future of healthcare will involve developing a relationship between the different doctors who treat similar conditions with the goal of offering our patients the best possible care. This would involve the least amount of intervention with the best outcomes. It is also important patients become knowledgeable about their condition. They need to be involved in searching for the most updated options for their care.

Dr. Charles Blum is a chiropractor located in Santa Monica, CA. He’s treated TMJ disorders for 30 years. He’s a senior clinical instructor in the Cranial Facial/TMJ Clinic at the White Memorial Center in Los Angeles.

Meet Dr. Cassi!

Why did you decide to become a chiropractor?
I have seen a chiropractor most of my life since I was about 4 years old. My mom broke her neck in high school gym class and has seen a chiropractor ever since to help her maintain mobility in her neck. So I grew up around chiropractic and had always seen a chiropractor for my aches and pains, sports injuries, and throughout both of my pregnancies.

When I went to undergraduate, I knew that I wanted to become a doctor. It had always been my dream to help people. I soon realized that I didn’t want to be involved in western medicine and I was talking to my chiropractor, who I had seen my whole life, about what I should do, and he said, “Cassi, why don’t you become a chiropractor? I’ve seen you most of your life and this is how you practice your own healthcare—why not do that for a living?”

I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t realized that before! After reading a book called Chiropractic First, about the history of chiropractic, I realized that this made sense! I’m a very hands-on person and it sounded like a good career path! So I applied, got in, and the rest is history! I am so glad I’m here and that I made the switch from MD to DC.

What do you enjoy most about your work each day?
Everything! Working with people and helping them is so wonderful. The relationships that I build with my patients are so important to me. We tend to see our patients more often than an MD would and I really love and value that. I really care so much about my patients! It’s great to be able to make someone’s day better and help people feel better.

What do you think someone would be surprised to know about chiropractic?
A lot, unfortunately! I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what we do as a whole and what we can do. A lot of new patients think we only work on the spine. We can literally adjust every joint in your body. With some of the specialties that I do, I
can even adjust bones in the skull and inner ear. I think there is just an overall lack of education in the community about all of the things that chiropractors can do.

I also think there is a lack of understanding around how chiropractic affects your nervous system. It’s so much more than adjustments—it really helps your brain function better.

What would patients be surprised to know about you?
Well, I talk a lot! So most of my patients know that I have a family and I have two awesome little kids that spend a lot of my free time with. I love all kinds of sports and being very active outdoors. I also love to paint and recently started taking painting classes, which is a big passion of mine. I think if I hadn’t become a doctor, I would have gone the artistic route.

I also specialize in pediatric and family wellness and there are so many things that Dr. Karis and I can help pregnant mamas and kids within those more fragile stages of life. A lot of people don’t understand that pregnant moms and kids can get chiropractic care and just how beneficial it is for them at those stages in life. A lot of people are taught to be afraid to be adjusted at those times, but it’s truly one of the most beneficial times to see a chiropractor because you’re either growing and developing a fetus’s nervous system, or as a child, your nervous system is growing and developing and changing.

Dr. Cassi is now accepting new patients! Please schedule an appointment here.

Back to School Attack of the Backpack

The start of the school year is right around the corner and summer will be coming to an end. With this many of us have already started our back to school shopping and taking advantage of the sales. There is one item that I highly recommend not skimping on: your child’s backpack. Yes, sometimes they want fashion over function but their health and wellness is so much more important! There are stylish and functional “Chiropractor approved” backpacks out there, you just need to know what to look for.

The way you load and carry your backpack is also very important. If the straps aren’t adjusted right or the backpack is too heavy, this too can cause pain and dysfunction. Below is a quick guide to how to find a great backpack and how to carry it once your child makes sure that none of their friends will be carrying the same one on the first day.

1. Choose a backpack that roughly fits the size of your child’s back. Too big will sag down to their buttocks.
2. Find a backpack with padded shoulder straps that will evenly distribute the weight across their shoulders without digging in.
3. Make sure they are wearing both straps over their shoulders. Carrying with just one strap at a time will cause an uneven weight distribution and muscle compensation.
4. Weigh their backpack fully loaded with what they will most likely be carrying every day. It should be no more than 15% of their total body weight.
5. Look for signs of an ill-fitting backpack: pain, red marks from straps, poor posture of arching their back or leaning forward to counter balance the heavy load.

If you have any questions about your child’s backpack or would like us to do a quick assessment, please call our office today!

To Foam Roll or Not to Foam Roll

Foam rolling: is it hype, a fad, beneficial or just plain painful? Let’s explore what foam rolling is first, then we will discuss the when and why.

Foam rolling is a myofascial release technique that uses pressure to reduce and release scar-tissue build up and adhesions in your fascia. This frees up your muscles to move and essentially work better during exercise or any other activity for that matter.

But what is this fascia you always hear about? And why is it so important to movement? Fascia is the web-like fibrous connective tissue that surrounds our muscles, organs, bones and every other internal structure in our bodies. It is a very densely woven matrix that is actually one uninterrupted system that connects every single internal structure. So when fascia develops scar-tissue or adhesions for any reason, it will create restrictions in movement of the attached structures and can also lead to pain in that area.

Now back to the when and why we should all be foam rolling. If you are wanting to quickly decrease your stiffness and aid in your warm-up, you should foam roll before your workout. Foam rolling after your workout is great for decreasing muscle soreness and aiding in muscle recovery from strenuous exercise. If you are wanting to increase your overall mobility and flexibility, foam rolling any time of day regardless of relationship to your workout would be beneficial.

If you have any questions on specific techniques or how to foam roll certain muscles, please contact our office and we would be happy to guide you through the process.

Chiropractic for Pets?

Absolutely!

How Chiropractic Can Relieve Your Sinus Problems

With cold and flu season still upon us and allergy season just starting, many people are suffering from sinus pain and congestion that can also result in ear pain, achy teeth and drainage at the back of your throat. Did you know there is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to relieving your sinuses that is also very effective? Well there is and it’s from your chiropractor! Through a combination of specific facial massage, CranioSacral Therapy, myofascial release, and SacroOccipital Technique (SOT) sinus pain and pressure can be decreased in as little as one treatment.

So where exactly are your sinuses and how many do you have? There are 4 pairs of sinuses: frontal (in your forehead above your eyes), sphenoid (deep in your skull and between your eyes), ethmoid (above and in front of the sphenoid sinuses), and maxillary (under your eyes in your cheeks).

Now that you know where they are we need to discuss what they do. These air filled cavities in our skulls are lined with a thin layer of tissue that produces mucous. This mucous layer protects our nose from any invading pollutants, micro-organisms, dust, and dirt. It is also considered to humidify the air we breathe and keep our nose from drying out. Bonus effects of our sinuses are making our skulls lighter and helping our voice resonate. That’s why we sound different when our sinuses are full of mucous.

The sinuses are normally empty except for the thin layer of mucous lining them but can fill when the tissue layer becomes inflamed. Our sinuses can become inflamed by invasion of bacteria or viruses and irritation from allergens like pollen or dust. This irritation will cause an overproduction of the mucous in an effort to expel whatever is invading them. This filling of mucous is what causes the pain and pressure in our faces because the surrounding bone can’t expand to accommodate.

So how does CranioSacral Therapy, SOT and all these other techniques help relieve your sinuses? They all gently help release the tension of the underlying skin, tissue layers, and any bony restrictions. Once these are released they will unlock the mucous plug that leads from your sinuses into your nose allowing everything to drain and relieve the pressure or congestion.

Most patients experience relief with just one treatment. Frequency of treatment is unique for each patient and should be discussed with your chiropractor.

 

Drs. Karis and Cassi have undergone specific advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy, SOT, and treatment of sinuses. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call the office at 360-693-3030.

 

Benefits of Child Chiropractic Care

How important is your nervous system to your entire well-being? Well, the first cells to develop in utero are the cells that become the brain and nervous system. Their continued growth and development are the most important and most impacted in the first two years of a child’s life. So getting your child checked by a chiropractor early to make sure that their nervous system is developing and functioning properly is always a good idea.

The birthing process alone is a really traumatic experience for both the mother and child. A natural birth and a cesarean birth each present their own set of traumas placed on the newborn. Imagine being in a restrictive, pressurized compartment for about 40 weeks, then pushed and pulled out by your head. With as fragile as a newborn’s nervous system is, it only takes a minor amount of trauma to have a substantial impact. About 95%¹ of infant spinal misalignments are due to traction at birth. The signs and symptoms don’t have to be noticeable immediately but can have an amplified effect as they continue to grow and develop. By the time they are 5 or 6 years old they suffer from headaches and postural problems or diffuse symptoms like sleep disorders and being unable to concentrate.² All the while, these symptoms are rarely traced back to birth trauma and they could have been prevented if detected within the first few months of life.

Aside from an initial evaluation after birth, there are other times when it is important to have your child checked by a chiropractor: any trauma or falls, sports injuries, difficulties with latching, colic, sleeping or digestive issues, asthma, allergies, ear infections, and bed wetting, just to name a few. These are all symptomatic complaints that are typically not addressed until the child experiences them.

There are also benefits to having your child see a chiropractor on a periodic basis even when they have no current complaints. For a child under the age of one, it is always a good idea to have them checked at major milestones like when they start to hold their head up, sit up, crawl and start walking. At these stages in their life the major curves in their spine are developing and with each transition it is important to make sure that there is no interference in their nervous system. Your child will also benefit with a strengthened immune system. Studies show that children who receive regular chiropractic care experience less colds and flus, greater emotional wellbeing, improved ability to concentrate, and are more adaptive to physical and emotional stressors. How could you not want your child to have all of these benefits from a simple visit to the chiropractor?

Here is a breakdown of how often your child should see a chiropractor for a Well-Child visit:

• First month of life!
• Every three months for the first year
• Every 6-12 months for every year after that

Other times to bring them in other than for Well-Child visits:

• The major milestones (mentioned above)
• Any traumas or falls
• Any signs of imbalances (limping, head tilting, favoring one side for anything, etc.)
• Any of the above mentioned symptoms (i.e. bed wetting, colic)

 

Dr. Karis and Dr. Cassi have undergone specific advanced training in pediatrics, child chiropractic care and family wellness. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call the office at 360-693-3030.

 

 

¹Symposium on operative obstetrics, Donn, MD: Vol. 10, No. 2, June 1983

¹Martin F. Rosen DC, CSCP, CSPP at ICPA SOT CranioSacral seminar

²Journal of Manual Medicine, Springer, Velag 1992

How do you know if you have a whiplash injury?

 

The term whiplash is actually a generic term that we use for injuries to the neck caused when the neck is suddenly and/or violently jolted in one direction and then another, creating a whip-like movement.

Most commonly, after well over a 11 years in practice and diagnosing hundreds (if not thousands) of whiplash cases, I can tell you whiplash is most commonly seen in people involved in motor vehicle accidents, but that’s not all.  It can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work injuries, and other incidents.

I remember seeing an 8 year old little girl who was pushed from behind by her older brother and gave her whiplash – not exactly the “gift” you’d like to receive! By the way, he felt horrible and learned an early lesson about being more responsible during play.

What’s actually injured in a whiplash?

Whiplash injuries mostly result in sprain-strain of the neck. The ligaments that help support, protect, and restrict excessive movement of the vertebrae (your spinal bones) are torn, which is called a sprain. The joints in the back of the spine, called the facet joints, are covered by ligaments called facet capsules, which seem to be particularly susceptible to whiplash injury.

Additionally, the muscles and tendons are strained or more easily understood as stretched beyond their normal limits. The discs between the vertebrae (which are essentially ligaments) can be torn, potentially causing a disc herniation. The nerve roots between the vertebrae may also be stretched and become inflamed. Even though it is very rare, vertebrae can be fractured and/or dislocated in a whiplash injury.  I’ve unfortunately seen a patient this happened to twice!

What are the common signs and symptoms of a whiplash injury?

Typically, the most common symptoms of whiplash injuries are pain and stiffness in the neck. These symptoms are generally found in the areas that are “whiplashed.” During a whiplash, first the head is lifted up from the upper-cervical spine. This creates a sprain/strain in the region just below the skull, where symptoms usually occur. Symptoms may also commonly be seen in the front and back of the neck. It’s not uncommon to experience pain in the front sides of your neck and perhaps even feel a “knot in your throat.”  Swallowing can even be painful.  Turning the head often makes the pain and discomfort worse.

Headaches, usually at the base of the skull, is also a common symptom, seen in more than two thirds of patients. These headaches may be one-sided or experienced on both.  Oh and as if that’s not bad enough, the pain and stiffness may extend down into the shoulders and arms, upper back, and even the upper chest.

In addition to the musculoskeletal symptoms, some patients also experience dizziness, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and even blurred vision after a whiplash injury. While these symptoms are disconcerting, in most cases, they disappear within a relatively short time. If they persist, it is very important to inform your chiropractor that they are not resolving – that’s definitely something I’d want to know. Vertigo (the sensation of the room spinning) and ringing in the ears is also a possible symptom.  What about pain in the jaw?  Yup!  That’s another possible symptom I’ve seen. Additionally, patients will even complain of irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms also resolve quickly in most cases. In rare cases, symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years.

Another important and interesting aspect of whiplash is that the signs and symptoms often do not develop until 2 to 48 hours after the injury!  I should also mention that it’s not uncommon to feel OK after your accident only to discover 3-months later that you now get regular (or periodic) headaches, that you’ve never had before.

How do you recover from a whiplash injury?

One of the most important aspects of whiplash management is for the patient to stay active, unless there is some serious injury that requires immobilization. Patients should not be afraid to move and be active, within reason. In addition, I will often prescribe an exercise or stretching program. It’s in your best interest to follow your exercise/stretching program that I may give you, to ensure the best outcomes long-term.  Trust me, you don’t want to deal with lingering symptoms for years – although, I probably don’t have to remind you!
Ice and/or heat are often used to help control pain and reduce the muscle spasm that results from whiplash injuries.

Chiropractic adjustments are absolutely essential in order to reorganize your lost structural integrity and ideal spinal motion.

Without this, your spine will likely “settle” into a less-than-ideal alignment that can be permanent, so don’t delay!

Can whiplash be prevented?

Generally speaking, whiplash cannot be “prevented,” but there are some things that you can do while in a motor vehicle that may reduce the chances of a more severe injury.

• Always wear your shoulder and lap seat-belt
• Sit far enough but not too far from your steering wheel so the airbag works properly
• Ensure that the headrest in your vehicle is adjusted to the appropriate height – a common overlooked easy prevention measure!
• You could drive with a neck brace on all the time, that would help, but you’d look a little silly
• Be aware and avoid accidents – that’s still your best defense.

If you believe you may have suffered a whiplash injury, give the office a call and schedule a consultation with Dr. Cooper.  360-693-3030

Oh, and here’s a couple additional resources for more information, for your convenience:

http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/whiplash/chiropractic-care-symptoms-whiplash

http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=3131

http://www.treatmentforwhiplash.com/

What is Craniosacral Therapy and How Can it Benefit You?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands on, non-invasive technique used to release tension throughout the body. CST evaluates the craniosacral system that is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, sacrum, cerebrospinal fluid and their incorporated membranes. Soft touch of no more than 5 grams, or the weight of a nickel, is used to release restrictions within the craniosacral system and relieve the resulting tension that is placed on the central nervous system.

By alleviating stress placed on the nervous system, CST assists in the body’s innate healing qualities of the immune system, which allows CST to act, not only as acute care, but also as a preventative measure.

Reasons to Treat Your Infant

Natural Birth

During the natural birthing process the baby’s head is molded to fit through the mother’s pelvis. This process compresses the bones of the skull and causes them to overlap. This overlap should not persist past the first few weeks of life. If this does persist, it can lead to interference of cranial nerve function that can cause colic, breathing and swallowing difficulties, digestive or sensory-motor impairments, and more.

The baby can sometimes be injured during the birthing process. This can cause both physical and emotional trauma. Craniosacral can help address these injuries along with the effects of vacuum extraction, prolonged or fast labor, forceps and cesarean birth.

Cesarean Birth

Cesarean births are more traumatic to the baby than we may think. There is a very abrupt change in pressure within the mother’s abdomen that causes an abrupt pressure change within the baby’s head. This can disrupt the craniosacral rhythm and cause interference in cranial nerve function.

CST can also help boost the baby’s immune system by relieving stress on the nervous system and allowing her immune system to function properly. Since cesarean babies don’t travel through the mother’s birth canal, they don’t receive the beneficial bacteria that provides them with immunity to many common illnesses. Cesarean born babies tend to have increased rates of ear infections, respiratory distress, more abnormal neurological exams and lower APGAR scores.

Who Else Can Benefit?

Everybody can benefit from craniosacral therapy. CST helps to relieve the stresses of everyday life and release residual body memories of past emotional and physical traumas.

The skull, including facial bones, is made up of twenty two bones. Craniosacral therapy focuses on ten of those bones in the skull and three more in the pelvis when based on standard protocol. These are not the only areas that CST can be utilized but are the most influential to the central nervous system and its function.

The stresses and traumas of everyday life can lead to restrictions within the craniosacral system that may have alternate effects throughout the body depending on its nerve supply. CST can assess and treat these restrictions to relieve the effects of autism, ADD/ADHD, depression, Cerebral Palsy, headaches/migraines, anxiety and much more.

Here is a list of symptoms and conditions that Craniosacral Therapy can help:

• Fussy, hard to soothe babies
• Digestive or elimination difficulties
• Reflux
• Colic
• Spitting up
• Difficult Breastfeeding/Latching
• Babies who favor one side
• Babies who favor one position
• Teething
• Ear Infections
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficult/fast/slow birth
• Cramping
• Back pain in pregnancy
• Headaches/Migraines
• Assess and treat birth trauma
• Relieve pelvic, vaginal or groin pain
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Developmental delays
• Mobility concerns
• Cerebral Palsy
• Neurological conditions
• ADD/ADHD
• Depression

 

Come see Dr. Karis or Dr. Cassi to see what CranioSacral Therapy can do for you and your family! Call now for an appointment 360-693-3030.