Happy Fourth of July!!

Here's my wish for a happy, healthy 4th for all of you. May you find a way to beat the heat, rejoin with family, and celebrate our country's freedom and greatness.

For the present I am at the Summit on Saturday and at Salone Sienne on Friday and Sunday. Other days of the week I may be at either place depending on my Las Vegas class schedule. To avoid scheduling conflicts make sure call me first at 435 215-3480 and I will get you booked at my soonest available time and place. I will do my best to accommodate any special needs or requests.
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Many of the gift certificates I have sold in the past have an expiration date of June 30, 2009. I will still honor them after that date but they may be subject to a $10.00 fee to cover space rental, linens and supplies. Call me if you have questions on this policy. The $10.00 fee would apply for out call or massages at Salone Sienne or the Summit Athletic Club.
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I am happy to have a guest article this month by Dr. Will Christensen

Integrative Medicine

I must thank Michael for the opportunity to write in his newsletter. I have enjoyed getting to know him and his true desire to help his clients become healthier and happier individuals. I look forward to working together with him to help our community live pain free.

In today’s changing medical environment, physicians are being called upon to provide more comprehensive care. Patients expect more from their physicians in their ability to manage both acute and chronic pain. Because each patient is different, what works for one, may not work for another. For this reason, I feel it is important for patients to receive integrative medicine. This means that multiple health care providers like medical doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists etc. work together to provide more comprehensive care to their patients. With all patients the goal is to get to the root of the problem, whether that is weak muscles, flexibility issues, poor posture, or bad shoes.

Acupuncture is a treatment which can relieve symptoms of many physical conditions and may encourage the patient's body to heal and repair itself, if it is able to do so. Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin and muscle and can produce a variety of effects. We know that it increases the body's release of natural painkillers—endorphin and serotonin—in the pain pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. This modifies the way pain signals are received.

But acupuncture does much more than reduce pain; it has a beneficial effect on health. Patients often notice an improved sense of well-being after treatment. Modern research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body's systems—the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone outputs, circulation, antibody production and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

Massage therapy is another important treatment option. I find in my patients that recovery is normally faster and more complete when you address multiple components of your pain. Chiropractic treatment often proceeds more easily, with less discomfort, when soft tissue has been relaxed with massage.

Soft tissue irritation and guarding can actually spread because it causes protective muscle tightening in surrounding areas. Over time, tight, inflamed muscles and fascia suffer poor circulation and can develop glue-like myofascial adhesions, which prevent muscles from lengthening completely. Painful trigger points can also develop, often referring pain or tingling to other areas in the body. In extreme cases, tight muscles can compress nerves or blood vessels.

Addressing soft tissue problems is an important complement to chiropractic care. This is because muscles move joints, while ligaments and fascia support them. If a joint is adjusted without addressing related soft tissue problems, you may still experience pain. In addition, your tight muscles and shortened fascia can prolong the healing process and cause a joint complex to heal in a tightened and stiff state.

Watch this video which explains how this pain cycle occurs. Go to http://www.stgeorgepainrelief.com/injury6.html click on “How Chiropractic Works” video. Then click on “How Injury Occurs” section.

Just the other way around, if you simply address the soft tissues but don’t address joint function, muscle strength, or range of motion, you will continue to gain only temporary relief. For example, if a patient has cervical facet syndrome with secondary myofascial pain, massage will help this patient greatly; however, if the neck facet joints aren’t addressed through restoring range of motion and stabilizing the muscles surrounding the joint, the pain will continue to return. The muscles will continue to go into spasm trying to protect the irritated joint, which will then perpetuate the loss of range of motion and joint function which leads to inflammation and pain and then more muscle spasms.

Research continues to find that not only is integrative medicine more effective in relieving pain but also more cost effective. Patients are getting better faster and staying better longer. I look forward to working together with Michael as we strive to provide integrative medicine for the community of Southern Utah.

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Dr. Christensen is a chiropractic physician with special interest and certification in treating musculoskeletal conditions. He treats patients ranging from waking up with neck pain to whiplash from a car accident to sciatica and low back pain. I am trained in multiple treatment options in addition to the traditional ‘adjustments.’ He is also certified in acupuncture and has received training on a new and advanced treatment called Graston Therapy. The Graston Technique is a relatively new form of soft tissue mobilization used by many medical doctors, physical therapist and chiropractors specializing in sports medicine. The technique uses specifically designed stainless steel instruments to help the practitioner identify and break down adhesions and scar tissue surrounding muscles.

His practice is at Advanced Spine & Rehabilitation. We accept most major insurances including Medicare and Medicaid. If you have any questions or would like a free consultation to discuss your health care needs call 656-3266. You can also visit www.StGeorgePainRelief.com for more info or email Dr. Christensen at willchristensendc@gmail.com

Mention our newsletter and receive a free initial consultation with Dr. Will Christensen

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This month's drawing winner for a free hour massage is



Paulette Valentine

Courtesy of Dr. Christensen we have a winner of a free Acupuncture treatment

Dacia Weese





Remember to enter again each month