• Why Does My Kid Sit in a “W”?

    Many parents know that “W” sitting isn’t optimal but it’s often thought to be a behavioral choice rather than a neurological one. If you understand why your child sits like this then you can gain more useful tools to help correct the way they sit. Kids that sit in a “W” may need a wider base due to poor balance. If they sit on knees together, they may have the sensation of tipping so they adapt by widening their base to be able to do what they want without consequence. The beauty of understanding this is we can help drive specific brain input through the vestibular (inner ear) and proprioceptive…

  • Importance of Checking Balance

    Balance involves several systems of both the brain and the body. The eyes, inner ear, sensors in the joints and muscles, and certain areas of the brain integrate for balance. One of those areas, called the cerebellum, lives in the back of your brain. The cerebellum receives input from each of those systems in order to create a complete story for your brain of where your body is in space and how to coordinate movement and muscle tone in order to stay upright. By checking balance in different ways (for example, with eyes opened or closed or in different positions) we can tell how each system is functioning. If a…

  • My Experience with Anxiety

    This has been in the making for six years. How do I eloquently explain anxiety? It’s an out of body experience that’s hard to describe and loved ones don’t always seem to fully comprehend what you’re going through at the time. I never had any anxiety before until the perfect storm happened. I went through graduate school, opened a practice, had a baby and tried to keep the practice surviving. It was too much for my brain to handle. I recall having two panic attacks. I remember one clearly. I remember the attempt to help me by my husband telling me to “just breathe”. It’s not that easy. Your conscious…

  • Chiropractic Care and Whiplash Injuries

    Chiropractic care for whiplash! Whiplash is a common injury that can happen in several different situations such as a slip and fall, riding roller coasters at amusement parks, contact sports, bike accidents and of course the well known car accidents. When a whiplash injury occurs there is hyperextension (head thrust backward) and hyperflexion (head thrust forward) of the cervical (neck) spine. Whiplash not only affects the joints but the muscles, tendons and ligaments that help support the head and neck. These muscles, tendons and ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of motion. The ligaments and muscles of the neck contract to help protect you from the excessive force of…

  • Are you listening? What are we teaching ourselves and our children about listening?

    Written by Sara Nuahn, MSW, LICSW,CBIS   …..Yeah, but. “Yes! I’m listening, but….” Have you ever talked to another person and become so distracted by the quivering of their lips?  I’m not talking sad quivering. I’m talking, the quivering where you know they are dying! absolutely dying! to say something the moment you stop talking.  Or they actually do and start by giving you an answer when you weren’t asking a question.  We all know that person, those people, and at the end of those conversations, we walk away feeling unheard and frustrated.  It’s as if the big thought bubble is completely empty, because truly, there was no exchange of information.…

  • Acupuncture for Seasonal Allergy Relief

    Written by: Nikki Vanecek of TCM Wellness Clinic Can Acupuncture alleviate seasonal allergies? YES! Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine has been used to treat seasonal allergies for centuries with great success. According to traditional medicine, treatment is directed toward clearing the nasal passages, supporting the immune system and strengthening the systems of the body to prevent allergic reactions from recurring.  Spring is traditionally the main season when allergies blossom because of new growth on trees and weeds. Airborne mold spores can be found almost year round, along with other common allergens such as dust, dust mites, and animal dander. Seasonal allergies are caused by the body’s hypersensitivity to substances in the…

  • Simple Steps to Get Rid of Knee Pain

    By Dr. Graper, CACCP   Spring is here!! With the season comes in more complaints of knee pain. Visiting a chiropractor can be one of the best solutions to improving your pain when you understand the anatomy. Many muscles cross the knee joint and if they aren’t in proper alignment, the result can create discomfort and swelling. Many of these same muscles also attach to various areas of the pelvis, which is why an adjustment to both the knee and pelvis can help pain quickly. One major source of knee pain is on the outer or lateral side of the knee. This often times is a result of a tight IT…

  • Grand Reopening!!

    A huge THANK YOU to all that helped us celebrate near and far. We are so excited to continue to help people by utilizing chiropractic and functional medicine in Chanhassen and the surrounding area. Here are a few pictures from the amazing evening!   We continue looking forward to serve you. Yours in Health, Dr. Graper and Dr. Brostrom-Martin  

  • Pubic Bone Pain in Pregnancy

    Pregnant Mamas: Are you having pubic bone pain? Experiencing a stabbing feeling when you walk or roll over in bed? Two of the biggest contributors to pubic bone pain are a subluxated/misaligned pubic bone and the adductor muscles. Due to changes in biomechanics of the pelvis in pregnancy, there usually is compensation in the adductor group (pictured above) so adjustments, myofascial release and strengthening of adductors can be a lifesaver at the end of pregnancy. At Family Focus Chiropractic, we also teach you AT-HOME pelvis balancing techniques to continue healing as relaxin in pregnancy makes joints more mobile and less able to “hold” adjustments. We have training in everything pregnancy…

  • Dr. Angie’s Whole30

    By: Dr. Angela Graper, CACCP I did it. Finally. I committed to doing the Whole30, which includes eating nutrient-dense foods, stabilizing blood sugar and removing common inflammatory foods.  Why? I was 3 months postpartum and feeling miserable. On top of it, the little one was fussy, irritable and spitting up more than what I would deem “normal” for his age. So I had slowly been prepping but couldn’t decide on a start date. I woke up one day and knew it was time. How does one accomplish this when they have little ones, work and barely time to shower? Lots of planning! And quick food options on hand. I meal planned…