President's Article

Dr. Vincent Pankonin, MCA President

It's May and we are nearing the end of the MCA's fiscal year (June-May); there will be a "changing of the guard" on the MCA board of directors. I will move into the immediate past president role and Dr. Jacob Sundberg will take the helm as president. Dr. Sundberg is completing his second year on the board of directors, first as second vice president and now first vice president. Moving up into the first vice president role will be Dr. Jake Dalbec. The recently-elected second vice president is Dr. Jodi Dorpinghaus. She will begin her first year on the board of directors June 1. Dr. Rebecca Amstutz will take over as secretary, moving up from her district Director role. Dr. Scott Mooring will continue in his role as MCA treasurer.

As members of the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, we need to support our doctors who've volunteered their time to be on the board of directors by becoming engaged with your state Association. You can do this by responding to email alerts, contacting the MCA or individual board members with questions or concerns, giving feedback regarding the website or continuing education offerings, etc. Another way to support your volunteer board of directors is to join a standing committee such as membership, communications, education, etc. The more voices and opinions our board members hear, the better it will guide decision-making.

Another way to become engaged in your state Association is to get more active at the district level. Consider being a district officer or help with and attend a district event. Get to know your colleagues in your district. It is easy to focus only on our practices and our daily life—but camaraderie with your peers can be very worthwhile.

Thank you all for being members of the Minnesota Chiropractic Association!

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Are You Suffering from Vitamin D Deficiency?

Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), April 26, 2021 

This article is aimed at patients of chiropractic care; we encourage you to share this information with your patients.

Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients. It acts like a hormone and interacts with every cell in your body. What's more, studies show that vitamin D helps fortify your immune system, boosts your mood and provides energy. 

Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is a major problem. Researchers estimate that more than 1 billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient. Anyone can experience vitamin D deficiency, but several factors increase your risk, including being overweight, staying indoors and not eating enough fish or dairy. 

Vitamin D deficiency is common, but few people know they're at risk. In this article, we'll look at some of the common symptoms and provide suggestions for incorporating foods rich in vitamin D into your diet. 

What is vitamin D? 

Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that affects nearly every system in your body. It's produced by cholesterol, whenever your skin is exposed to sunlight. To maintain good physical and mental health, it's important to consume between 400-800 international units of vitamin D per day. You can acquire it through a healthy diet or by taking nutritional supplements. 

What is vitamin D deficiency? 

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body doesn't get enough vitamin D. It increases the risk of various health problems, including osteoporosis, depression, anxiety and low energy. 

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency? 

Common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include: 

• Frequent illnesses or infections
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Bone pain
• Lower back pain
• Depression
• Slow-healing wounds
• Bone loss
• Hair loss

If you're vitamin D deficient, you might also experience frequent muscle aches that prevent you from working, exercising, or participating in activities that you enjoy. 

How is vitamin D deficiency diagnosed? 

If you're concerned about the risk of vitamin D deficiency, make an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic. During your appointment, they'll conduct a physical exam, review your medical history and ask about your symptoms, including when they occur, how often and if any activities like getting outside or exercising seem to make them better. If these measures don't provide enough information, your doctor of chiropractic can order laboratory tests, such as a complete blood count to determine the amount of vitamin D in your blood. 

What if I'm vitamin D deficient? 

If your doctor of chiropractic determines that you're vitamin D deficient, they can make recommendations to restore your body to healthier levels. That might include dietary modifications like eating more fish and eggs, getting outside more to soak in the sun's rays, or taking over-the-counter nutritional supplements. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can boost the level of vitamin D in your body and feel better. 

Don't wait to enhance your health. To find a doctor of chiropractic in your area, click here to use our FREE online search tool. It's the first step toward more energy and a better quality of life. 

Find a Doctor

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Sponsor a Young Doctor Today! 

One of the MCA's goals is to create an atmosphere where established clinics/doctors help mentor and guide new doctors of chiropractic. We are working on increasing the participation of the next generation of chiropractors, and we need your help in achieving that goal. It's vital for established doctors of chiropractic to build relationships with recent graduates ad early-career doctors to ensure the long-term health of our profession.  

Please consider sponsoring membership in the MCA for your associate or another young doctor by donating to the MCA Membership Scholarship Fund. Please select one of the following donation options or donate a custom amount.

• $150 = Membership dues for a second-year doctor 
• $300 = Membership dues for a third-year doctor

Sponsor Today!

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Everything you need to know about pregnancy and chiropractic care

Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), April 13, 2021 

Pregnancy is a beautiful and rewarding experience, but it often presents side effects that can affect your mobility and neuro-musculoskeletal health. Research suggests about 50% of pregnant women experience back and neck pain at some point before they deliver. 

Really, this is to be expected. During pregnancy, your body experiences a variety of changes that put additional stress on your spine, pelvis and lower body. Combined with the postural changes that occur due to carrying a baby, it's no wonder aches and pains are so common. Chiropractic care provides a safe, effective and drug-free approach to pain management. 

How can chiropractic care help during pregnancy? 

During the nine months between conception and delivery, your musculoskeletal system experiences significant duress. Some of the changes that occur include: 

• A protruding abdomen
• An increasingly curved back
• Changes to your pelvis
• Vertebral misalignments
• Muscle strains

Chiropractic care can address these and other issues through a combination of targeted pressure and manual manipulation. Working together, these treatment methods can re-establish balance, improve musculoskeletal alignment and minimize inflammation without the use of drugs.

Can chiropractic care benefit my baby? 

Believe it or not, the answer is yes! When your spine and pelvis are in proper alignment, labor and delivery are much easier. If your pelvis is misaligned or restricted, it can prevent your baby from rolling, tumbling or kicking in the womb, a condition known as intrauterine constraint. Without early identification and treatment, that can lead to birth defects. Source: Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health. 

A misaligned or restricted pelvis can also affect the delivery process. If your baby is unable to move into the proper birthing position, it can result in a longer or more complicated delivery. Source: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 

Is chiropractic care right for me? 

Chiropractic care is safe and typically well-tolerated. The frequency at which you'll need to visit your provider depends on the severity of your symptoms and the benefits you receive from treatment. Following an initial consultation, your doctor of chiropractic can develop a custom care plan that assists you through each trimester of your pregnancy. 

What happens during a chiropractic care appointment? 

A chiropractic care appointment during pregnancy is a little different from a routine visit. Instead of lying face down, you lie on your back to accommodate your growing belly. Once you're comfortable, your doctor of chiropractic uses special, pregnancy-safe manual techniques that don't put pressure on your abdomen. From start to finish, an appointment takes about 45 minutes. 

Don't let neuro-musculoskeletal pain keep you from enjoying your pregnancy. Take action and contact a doctor of chiropractic today for natural healthcare. 

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It's Spring in Minnesota!

Are you looking for a few new places to hike and explore? Check out these articles from the Explore Minnesota site.

• Where to go chasing waterfalls in Minnesota
• 5 Incredible Minnesota State Parks for hiking