Team Health Care Clinic’s 20th Anniversary: Reflections Back to Our Beginning

This month we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Team Health Care Clinic. Mostly it doesn’t seem possible that it has been that long. However, when I reflect on the many changes that have occurred with our staff and clinic, it only makes sense that it has been 20 years.

We started out as Bertsch Chiropractic in September of 1990.  We were located in the Champlin Plaza and had a staff of three: Dr. Joe, his wife Therese, who managed our office, and myself.  I remember thinking how great it was to be paid for doing something that was so fun. Our accounts receivable were done on a pegboard system and we had to process our x-ray films by hand-dipping. We were youthful looking 25 year olds who wore 3 piece suits every day. I even had a mustache.

In 1995, we purchased our Vax-D table. It cost more than the house I lived in. While that was a little scary, being one of the first clinics in the state to offer spinal decompression gave us statewide exposure. It also helped hundreds of people avoid surgery. By then, we were using an automatic processor for x-ray film and had begun using a computer for scheduling and daily accounting. We had approximately 8 staff.

In 1998 we greatly expanded our clinic services, changed our name to Team Health Care Clinic, and moved to our present location. We added a chiropractor who is a specialist in internal disorders, our brother Timothy Bertsch DC, DABCI. We also added a medical physician and physical therapists to our team of practitioners.

Currently, we are a very blessed clinic of over 25 staff. We no longer need to process x-ray films because they are digital. We are entirely paperless, as our scheduling, accounting, and patient records are computerized. Our faces are not so youthful looking anymore and our full heads of dark hair have thinned and grayed a bit. But, I continue to feel blessed every day to go to the clinic and be a part of a team so committed to helping fulfill our mission of assisting patients in restoring their health.

A patient recently heard about our anniversary and asked me about future plans.  Since we began 20 years ago it has been our desire to be the leaders in wellness treatment and education in our state.  God willing, another 20 years of such rewarding work has a nice ring to it!

Jay Bertsch, DC

Five Fundamentals for a Healthier Life

Wishing you weren’t having a birthday again this year?  Humans have been looking for the “Fountain of Youth” for centuries.  What we really want is to look and feel younger than our age.  It takes some self discipline but it can be a reality.  Developing a therapeutic lifestyle is the first step.  A therapeutic lifestyle might be defined as making daily choices that will enhance your health and prevent disease.  In fact the National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends lifestyle changes as the most important and cost-effective way to lower cholesterol.  Lifestyle changes are now recommended as the first line of therapy for many chronic diseases.

Here are five fundamental areas of lifestyles to check into:

• Balanced eating
• Regular activity/exercise
• Nutritional Supplements
• Stress Management
• Adequate Sleep

Eating 5-6 small meals/snacks each day will keep the blood sugar levels from dropping too low or spiking too high.  It also keeps the body digesting regularly and maintaining hunger/appetite control.  One other important factor is to choose low glycemic or low sugar foods as snacks/meals.

Many of us are busy and don’t think we have time to exercise. The good news is that you if you can carve just 30 minutes out of your day to do some aerobic exercises, strength training and stretching you will have yourself an exercise program.

It is important to get the proper nutritional supplements that address your individual needs and deficiencies.  It is also necessary to get high quality supplements; ones that have independent, voluntary testing done to verify their purity.

Managing stress is a multi-million dollar industry.  You can keep is relatively simple, though.  The number one issue is to identify what causes the most stress in your life.  Next is developing relaxation techniques and adjusting your life to avoid those situations as much as possible.

How much sleep does a person need?  Many studies/experts agree that adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night.  The body repairs and rebuilds while at rest.  You will also feel more energetic and able to handle stressful situations better.

It’s time that we took control of our lifestyle, get off the couch, away from the computer and get active.  We need to stop overindulging and being careless with our health.  You get just one life and one body, so make the most of what God has given you.    You can alter your life by making healthy choices each day.

Therese Bertsch

Firstline Therapy Educator

Top Ten Dietary Choices for Health and Longevity

I love food. It is one of my favorite subjects. I love eating, shopping for and preparing it. But it has to be REAL food. Good, clean, natural, whole. Because Americans have become accustomed to a fast and processed food diet, I’d venture to say many people have never been exposed to a steady diet of pure, clean, unprocessed food.

As a nation, we have become sick and suffer all kinds of chronic illness. Much is related to diet and lifestyle, and can be reversed by simply making different choices. I’d like to address the issue of food.

Let’s face it- you ARE what you eat. There is absolutely no way you can thrive on a nutritionally deplete, processed food diet. Making healthy choices isn’t all that difficult. Here are my top ten to help get you on the right track.

Drink water! I am amazed at the number of people who drink little or no water. People are chronically dehydrated! Many health conditions can improve by simply replacing junk liquids like HFCS laden sodas and juices with clean water. Filter or purify your water. A good purifier is well worth the investment.

Eat clean meat and dairy. If you choose to eat meat, make sure it is grass-fed or organically raised. Animals from factory farms are loaded with hormones, antibiotics, fed diets that are unnatural, and live in filthy conditions. They are often sick and diseased. What do you think ends up in your meat and milk? This treatment is inexcusable, but it is where most of our animal products come from. Vote with your pocketbook for your health, and for farmers who raise animals humanely.

Stay away from fast, processed and packaged foods. See my previous blog.

Eat organic fruits and vegetables. Eat with every meal and as snacks. They are loaded with nutrients that nourish your body and help prevent disease. Organic food may cost more, but is a better value for your money because it is higher in nutritional content and does not add the additional chemical burden to your body.

Lose your fear of fat! Healthy fats DO NOT make you fat. Healthy fats are good for your brain and your metabolism, among other things. Use oils like olive, coconut, flax and butter.

Eat more raw food. Cooking and processing destroys many nutrients. Eating raw allows the real taste of the food to come out!

Get rid of your microwave. A sure way to destroy and denature food is to zap it in a microwave oven.

Take a good multi-vitamin, preferably made from whole foods. It is hard for even the most disciplined eater to get the right amount of nutrients every day. Buy your multi from a reputable company. Don’t buy one made from cheap synthetics that your body can’t absorb or you really will be flushing them down the toilet!

Read labels on EVERYTHING you buy. Don’t just grab something off the shelf that says “natural” or go for the sale item. You might be shocked to find out what is really in your food.

Prepare your foods from scratch at home. Make meal preparation and planning a family activity, then sit down together as a family and enjoy the taste of real food. Savor each bite and thank God for His provision. It may take some adjusting of schedules, but it is a habit well worth developing.

Begin by incorporating one or a few at a time, adding more as you develop better habits. Once you start to feel better (and you will), you will be motivated to continue. There is no substitute for real food. There is no shortcut to health when in comes to eating. You ARE what you eat, so make it something good!

Ann Finelli

Marketing and PR

Overcoming the Weight Loss Hurdle: Simple Steps You Can Take Now

October is National Chiropractic Health Month. This year’s topic is about obesity and is titled, “Why Weight? Get Healthy!” If you are wondering why chiropractors feel the need to address this issue, consider this:

• More than 60% of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to CDC statistics.
• The medical cost for obesity in 2008 was $147 billion.
• Obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers.

Losing weight can be a struggle and many people wonder where to begin.  This week’s blog will focus on some simple, “bite-sized” steps to get started since often that is the most paralyzing first step.

1. Eat a protein rich breakfast each day. By reducing your carbohydrates and simple sugars, your blood sugar will naturally regulate itself. A breakfast of Cap’N Crunch and a doughnut will put your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride that will create another sugar craving 2-3 hours later. Don’t sabotage your weight loss program before you even leave the house in the morning.
2. Eliminate or share a dessert with someone. Even small calorie reductions matter. Cut only 100 calories/day and you will lose 10 pounds in one year.
3. Swap out snack foods such as potato chips, crackers, etc for fruit/vegetables. The calories in one unsatisfying snack sized bag of corn chips = a small apple, 1 cup of strawberries and 1 cup of carrots with a ¼ cup of low cal dip.
4. Eat like your great grandparents did. The American diet is loaded with sugar, trans fat, carbohydrates, processed foods, and empty calories. Decades ago, our diet was primarily whole foods such as raw fruits, vegetables, and grass fed meats. These foods have less sugar, less processing, and are nutrient rich. In other words, you will feel less hungry on fewer calories.

Get started with these simple steps and look for my next blog in a few weeks and we will go deeper into additional steps to take to speed up your weight loss schedule!

Joe Bertsch D.C.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Tips on Selecting the Right Mattress and Pillow

Recently we asked  fans on Facebook what topics they would like us to blog about. “Mattress and pillow suggestions,” was the reply. Good topic people may not think of often, but making the right choices can mean the difference between a great night’s sleep and waking up every day in pain, stiff, and still tired.

First I want to talk about sleeping posture, which is very important.  We recommend you sleep on your side or back.  Avoid sleeping on the stomach as this will often irritate your neck and low back.

When it comes to pillows, you need to understand a little anatomy.  Our neck has a back to front curve called a lordosis.  We get into trouble when this curve is not properly supported.  Back sleepers need to use an orthopedic pillow with a small ridge in the front to support the neck.  Avoid multiple pillows as this puts more stress on your neck.  Side sleepers can use any pillow that fills the space created by your shoulders. It should keep your head in neutral position, not too high or too low. Pillows come in different levels of firmness, so choose one that fits accordingly.

Choosing your mattress:

• Firm, but probably not the hardest. You want good support, but need to distribute body weight evenly.
• Be careful of pillow tops.  Some “sink” as much as 1 ½ inches from body impressions (considered normal). This can be very uncomfortable.
• One-sided “no turn” mattresses aren’t always the best choice. Find out what is INSIDE the mattress.
• Get a good box spring. Buy one designed to go with the mattress you purchase.
• Make sure your bed frame has center support to avoid “sagging.”
• Spend some time trying them out.  You may have to lose a little inhibition, but sales people are used to people “bed hopping.”
• If you have a back or neck problem, let the sales person know.
• Find out the return policy.  Many places will give you a trial period and exchange the mattress if it doesn’t work.
• For allergy and chemical free bedding, a good resource is AllergyBuyersClub. Good learning center to study and compare.

I don’t have strong opinions when it comes to brands like Sleep Number or Tempur-Pedic. It’s just too personal.  One patient loves a specific brand, the other tosses and turns. I tend to favor the mattress and box spring arrangement as it seems to work best for many people.

Try as many types as you are inclined, as long as you take your time. Follow the suggestions above and don’t rush the process! You’ll find the bedding that’s right for you and feel confident about your decision.

Tim Bertsch, DC, DABCI

Raising Healthy Children: New Warnings About Kids and Drugs

Patients often express surprise at the number of children we see at Team Health Care. Part of our mission is to help parents raise healthy families. And there is good reason why.

You may have seen Dr. Mercola’s alarming post on increased drug use in children. The study concluded prescription drug use in children was nearly 4 times higher in 2009 than the rest of the population. Amazingly, 1 in 4 children take prescription medication for chronic conditions!

Particularly concerning is these drugs are being taken for conditions not typically associated with children:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Heartburn
• Acid reflux

This is in addition to medication use in children with asthma, ADD, and mental health disorders.  According to California’s Board of Pharmacy, American children are the most medicated in the world. On the average, each American child takes 3 prescription medications every year. For the first time in known history, our current generation’s lifespan will be shorter than their parents.

There is a fatal flaw in the U.S. healthcare system. Children are developing deadly chronic illness related to lifestyle- poor diet, excessive stress, lack of exercise, nervous system disruption-  and all our medical system has to offer is a drug that does not address the cause of the condition. Treatments that do address the cause of these conditions either are not covered or have become more restricted by insurers.

Did you know that all medications, whether prescription or OTC, are toxic to the system and put additional stress on your child’s body? Did you know that most prescription drugs are NOT tested on children for safety and efficacy? Did you know there are other options besides drugs to restore your child’s health?

Raising healthy families will require your mental and physical energy as you step outside the typical American lifestyle and medical delivery system. Children who follow the chiropractic and natural lifestyle are far less likely to require medication, surgery, and hospitalization.

Consult a provider trained in diet, exercise, and the nervous system to help put your family on the right path. Don’t let your child become a statistic. Give her a chance to look forward to a healthy future. We have a passion for treating children, and we’d love to help you raise a healthy family.

Jay P. Bertsch, DC

Keeping the Golden Years Golden: Ways to Prevent Falls as You Age

People these days put a lot of thought and financial planning into their retirement so that their “Golden Years” are truly golden.  One thing that they don’t usually plan for, of course, are accidents resulting in disability or loss of independence.  Falls are the top cause of accidents in people over 65 years of age and they are the main cause of serious injury and accidental death in older people.  Over 30% of individuals over 65 will fall annually according to American family physicians. This percentage increases with each decade.  Here are some helpful tips that will help you prevent falls in your “Golden Years”.

A number 1 key to fall prevention is exercising 20 minutes a day.  It improves strength and flexibility and will reduce your risk of falling by 37 percent.  It is important to exercise the muscles that you use for walking and balance.  A simple exercise program with standing exercises and some to address core muscles would be sufficient or you could join excellent programs for seniors at a near by fitness center.  If you have had a fall or a fear of falling then you could benefit from an evaluation by a physical therapist to better access your individual needs.

Other relatively easy quick fixes to help prevent falls that were stated in the New England journal of medicine (vol 348:1816-1818) are the following:

1. wear shoes with good traction
2. have all areas in your home and around it well lit
3. night lights throughout your house (especially bedroom to bathroom)
4. remove throw rugs
5. no electrical cords in pathways
6. grab bars in the bathtub, shower, and near the toilet if transfers are getting difficult
7. handrails on bilateral sides of the stairs
8. have outdoor walk ways repaired

By making these simple changes you could prevent a life-altering event and hopefully enjoy the “Golden Years.”

Maria Eyberg, PT

Aspirin the “wonder” drug: All the risk and no benefit; so why do people take it?

When I consult with patients about various health concerns, I always ask about medications and nutritional supplements. There often will be an extensive list of medications taken.  Likewise, there will be a list of the supplements, which often includes aspirin.  This is a problem because aspirin is NOT a nutritional supplement.  Aspirin is a drug, albeit a non-prescription one, but a drug none the less.  It is a foreign agent in the body which requires detoxification and could have negative consequences from its consumption.

I can  conceive of only two reasons why some patients consider aspirin a nutritional supplement rather than a drug.  One is that it is non-prescription and has been around a long time. People think it must be safe.  However, taking aspirin comes with significant side effects. The most common is bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. This is true even in low dose amounts (100mg/day).  Less common side effects include:

• Ringing in the ears
• Skin problems
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Liver damage

The second reason is many people are told to take aspirin to prevent stroke and heart attack.  The thinking behind this is any side effect is negated by the benefit from taking daily low dose aspirin. Unfortunately, this is not true either. A study at the European Society of Cardiology 2009 Congress concluded aspirin does not help prevent strokes or heart attacks. The University of Edinburgh Scotland conducted a study of 3350 people who had high risk for stroke and heart attack.  Some received aspirin and some a placebo. After following these people for over eight years, researchers found:

• There was no difference in incidence of stroke and heart attack between the two groups
• Those taking aspirin had a higher incidence of “major hemorrhage”

In other words, taking aspirin had an increased risk of bleeding, while providing no health benefits whatsoever!

The fact is that dietary changes and real nutritional supplements like fish oil (Omega 3) make a significant difference in preventing stroke and heart attack.  And they do it without ANY side effects.  It is also a fact that any medications, even non-prescription ones, have potential negative consequences. But it doesn’t end there. When you combine any drug with another one (or two, or three, or ten), the potential negative effect increases dramatically.

If you want to decrease your risk for stroke and heart attack, one of the single most important things you can do is make changes in your diet and take a REAL nutritional supplement like fish oil. It may save your health and your life!

Tim Bertsch, DC, DABCI

Does Your Back Pain Make You Feel 80 Years Old?

After 20 years in practice, I have heard countless times “My back pain makes me feel 80 years old.”  It turns out they weren’t exaggerating.

Dynamic Chiropractic references some fascinating articles about back pain.  One from the British Medical Journal debunks the myth that the majority of back pain goes away within a month. Previous research falsely draws this conclusion because 90% of the patients consulting their general practice physician ceased to continue to consult about the symptoms within three months.  However, 75% of these patients still had back pain 12 months later.

Research from the 2009 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluded that the 50 year old back pain population had nearly identical function to a population of 80 year old people without back pain.

One could combine these two research articles and make some concerning assumptions.  Assuming a patient experiences back pain that is not properly treated, they could have greater lost work days, medical expense, weight gain, depression/anxiety, etc.

Our clinic of  chiropractic, medical, and physical therapy providers has observed clinically what research supports  is effective treatment for back pain.  Chiropractic is effective at getting pain levels reduced quickly. Physical therapy strengthens and stabilizes to reduce the frequency of repeat episodes.  It’s a great one-two punch.

Frequently, we see patients who have systemic pain from the neck down to their arches.  In these cases, patients should also consult a qualified doctor who can evaluate for toxicity, dietary, and functional health problems.

So, the next time you feel like you are 80 years old, carefully consider not announcing it before someone agrees you are acting like one! Then get in to see your chiropractor.

Joe Bertsch, D.C.

Is Your Doctor Responsible for Your Health?

Who is responsible for your health, you or your doctor? How you answer that question boils down to your philosophy of health. If you take an active role in educating yourself about wellness, lifestyle, and disease prevention, you will probably answer, “I am responsible for my own health.” If your philosophy is based on the “sick care” model, you may lean towards relying on your doctor. When illness or disease strikes, you go to your doctor for relief, oftentimes in the form of some prescription drug. You trust the doctor is making an educated judgment on how to “fix” the problem.

There are many reasons why we shouldn’t always trust conventional medical thinking when it comes to our health. One example is the drug companies. Most doctors get their “education” about drugs directly from pharmaceutical companies. There is reason to believe drug companies are sometimes more interested in profits than in your health. They often skew research findings and don’t publish negative studies on  drug trials.

Another example is lifestyle related illness and disease. Studies have demonstrated links between obesity and a quite extensive list of serious health problems. Here are just a few:

• Depression
• GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux)
• Osteoarthritis
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Stroke
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes

There is a drug for every one of these “diseases,” yet how often do we see prescriptions doled out without serious patient education and direction to reverse these problems through lifestyle, diet, nutrition and exercise?

I came across one of the most glaring examples of putting money and profits before a patient’s best interests from Ralph W. Moss, PhD, a well known writer in the area of cancer research and treatment. He writes in  Cancer Decisions Newsletter, “A recent study provides evidence that some oncologists prescribe chemotherapy based on their financial reward rather than the medical needs of their patients…The bottom line is that some oncologists in private practice make crucial treatment decisions not based on medical necessity but on what is most profitable for themselves.”

There are many honest, dedicated health professionals who truly have patients best interests at heart. But clearly you can see the need to guard your health by being informed and making EDUCATED decisions.

There are many health care professionals who embrace this philosophy and are dedicated to treating patients with safe, natural therapies that help reverse illness and disease. The end result is you are actually healthier! These professionals are also dedicated to educating and coaching you to make necessary lifestyle, nutrition, diet and exercise choices to truly take charge of your health.

To answer the question, YOU are responsible. You have the ability to take charge of your health! And you should.

Ann Finelli

Marketing and Public Relations