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…

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…

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…

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…

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  

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…

I am constantly amazed by the body’s ability to birth. As a chiropractor, I get to help prepare their bodies for this feat and as a doula I get to help support mamas in this beautiful accomplishment. Ladies, you are SO AMAZING! Labor is hard work that is both physically and mentally exhausting but with the most incredible reward in the end. After all of the hard work, women need the time to heal during the postpartum period. One of the best ways to do this is to take a healing comforting bath! ~Dr. Robyn Herbal sitz bath blends are wonderful for healing stitches or sore bottoms postpartum. Ingredients: Equal parts yarrow leaf & flower,…

Why do pediatric chiropractors exist? 1. To maximize their child’s neural plasticity (brain and nerve development). 2. To enhance their child’s overall health and well-being. 3. To strengthen immunity and reduce the incidence of colds, earaches and general illness. 4. To help with colic and Irritable Baby Syndrome. 5. To help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies. 6. To improve spinal posture. 7. To improve their child’s ability to concentrate (it’s all about the nervous system!). 8. To assist with behavioral disorders and enhance emotional well-being. 9. To help alleviate digestive problems. 10. To assist with bed-wetting and sleep issues. Why do you take your kids to the chiropractor?   Drs. Graper and Robyn Your Chanhassen Pediatric…

  I made this diaper salve for when Logan was born and it worked wonders. If he had any sort of rash, this would clear it up overnight. It is a bit thicker so spreading it on a sore area isn’t the easiest but we made it work and it was well worth it! – Dr. Angie You can also use it on cuts and scrapes since it lasts a long time for when your kids are out of diapers. It’s much more than just diaper salve! Ingredients: 1 cup olive oil, infused with calendula blossoms 3⁄4 cup beeswax 1 tsp. vitamin E Few drops pure lavender essential oil per…