Mission Statement

I spent this weekend reflecting on everything we have accomplished in the past two years. In a tough economic environment we have persevered and grown due to our dedication to our mission statement.
"To serve as many people as divinely possible with quality chiropractic care".  The referrals and people we have gotten to meet has enriched our lives so much.  It is tough to even explain!  After thinking on this issue much this weekend I also thought that a 2nd statement might reflect how we want to proceed.  "To give HOPE to those suffering and to eliminate pain and symptoms in as many people as divinely possible."  Sadly many patients we see have been "run through the system" and have lost HOPE.  I still get excited to come to work every morning with the thought that I get to help just one more person and together we can change one more life for the better.  It's a contagious thing too.  Helping one another and making the world a better place by simply reducing chronic headaches, back pain, or whiplash injuries.  A healthy and happy teacher will be able to change her students lives and a fully functioning computer engineer will be able to go home to his family and spend quality time instead of self medicating or being irritated due to his pain.  Here is to a healthy and HOPEFUL holiday season!!!!  

New Headache Research

When back at Homecoming this past week I had the privilege of sitting through numerous lectures and learning a vast amount on new discoveries in chiropractic and health.  After years of research the cause of headaches has been identified!  A previously unknown anatomical structure has been found in the cervical spine.  It is a point of cervical muscle that attaches to the dura mater, the sheath that covers the spinal cord.  When a misalignment in the cervical spine happens and the inevitable loss in proper lordotic curve happens strain is put at this point and causes irritation, inflammation and reduces flow-age of cerebral spinal fluid.  This causes increase in pressure in the cranium and the result......Headache!  Since the dawn of time people have had headaches but could never scientifically explain many of them.  After this wonderful research it appears that  many headaches and previously diagnosed migraines can be relieved and prevented through proper chiropractic care!  Personally we have been able to help many patients that have suffered for long periods of time.  One woman I recently saw suffered for 25 years!!!!! With in 3 visits she was pain free and has gotten a completely new outlook on life!  If you know of anyone that suffers please let them know we want to help and would love to take a look at them and see if there is anything we can do!   Thank you!!!  Yours in Health, Dr. Matthew Monson

What is means to be a Hawkeye

I often get asked why I would name my practice "Hawkeye Chiropractic" when I live and practice in Illinois.   Apart from the obvious connection of Chicago students going to Iowa City to the University, I called my practice Hawkeye because I wanted it to represent what I loved about being a small town doctor.  I wake up every day excited to help people.  There really isn't much I wouldn't do to help someone through a tough time, be it physical or emotional stress.  I remember going to the doctor when I was young in my hometown.  It had a sense of personal touch to it.  A doctor's reputation is everything in small town Iowa.  Everyone knows everyone else and they defiantly talk!  The Northwest Suburbs are not too different.  While much bigger than my hometown everyone knows each other, their kids go to school together, and play sports together.  I am still so excited to be part of a community like Arlington Hts and serve patients with the same sense of caring that I could expect in a small town! 

Whiplash and Accident injury

In my line of work it is very common to see patients experiencing problems due to auto accidents.  The force and energy that travels through the body during a collision can be tremendous and will cause ligament strains, sprains, and dramatic shifting of vertebra.  Even a minor fender bender can cause serious problems due to the shift in the vertebra that interferes with the nervous system. 
Typically an individual in an accident will be very rattled and adrenaline will keep them from feeling any immediate pain.  Whiplash will begin to set in approx. 72 to 96 hours later.  This is due to swelling in the ligaments that have been damaged due to the whipping effect of the head during the impact.  Since ligaments in the spine due not have any significant blood supply, it takes longer for swelling and inflammation to set in.  It also can take a long time to heal since there is no blood supply helping the body repair damaged tissue.  Any misalignment from the impact left untreated can result in enhanced degeneration and arthritis formation.  Do you know anyone that has a bad back or neck due to an accident?  Maybe something that happened years ago but is starting to cause pain and symptoms now?  If so please send them in to get checked out.  I have seen so many unnecessary surgeries or loss of quality of life due to untreated accident injuries.  We are proud to serve the Arlington Hts community and Northwest Suburbs of Chicago!   Yours in Health, Dr. Matthew Monson

American Diet

I was reading a study last week saying that America with its 300 million citizens has the same number of cancer diagnosis as India, a country of over a billion people.  How could this be?  Is it because many people there don't get the health care they need?  Perhaps.  India has many parts that are still considered 3rd world.  I believe a lot of this has to do with diet.  After all we must look at what cancer is.  Cancer is the body's cells replicating at an abnormal rate.  The body can no longer control the surge and the mass of rouge cells becomes destructive.  Consider this analogy for a moment.  If you gave the best construction worker in the world terrible materials would they be able to build a building that can withstand storms and earthquakes?  No.  However you can use the best materials and build a very sturdy building even if you aren't an amazing architect.  This is the same for the food we eat.  The food we eat as Americans is not designed for nutrition, it is produced to turn a profit.  This is why the preservatives are used, to keep food around longer.  It is designed to taste good.  This is why they use so much sugar.  Recently studies have been done relating high sugar diets to cancer patients.  Take a minute to think about this.  The simplest form of energy going into cells that have turned bad is like adding rocket fuel to a camp fire.  The body can not keep up with this.  I encourage everyone to do a cleanse once every month.  Nothing crazy just eat organic fruits and veggies for 7 days.   Eat things that grow naturally and see how you feel after the week.  If you have any questions or would like any help on your personal diet plan please don't hesitate to reach out to us!  Even as a chiropractic clinic we are here to serve the NW Suburbs in all aspects of health and wellness!   Yours in Health, Dr. Matt

Headaches

One of the more common conditions I have seen recently since moving to Arlington Heights and the Northwest Suburbs is headaches.  Many of these are misdiagnosed or self diagnosed as migraines.  In fact, because of the importance of computers in our lives, the headaches are not migraines and are tension headaches.  These are caused due to the lack of a cervical curve in the spine which in turn puts pressure on the Atlas and brain stem through leverage.  Typical onset of such headache is mild pain in the morning that increases throughout the day.  This is due to the constant struggle against gravity.  It is by far the most common headache condition I see on a regular basis.  If this sounds like you don't waste time, get yourself checked and stop the suffering!

Community

I can not tell you how thrilled we are to be part of the community of Arlington Hts!  The Northwest Suburbs as a whole are a wonderful place with excellent schools and opportunity for young people.  It reminds me of my small town Iowa roots but is close enough to the city to offer so much to do.  I have recently joined and been voted onto the American Legion Executive Board for post 208, and enjoy volunteering for American Cancer Society Men's Task Force.  It is a real privilege to serve the members of this area!   

Arthritis

Arthritis is the calcification of soft tissue, usually in a joint space.  It is the reinforcement of degeneration.  So if a joint has had trauma or is out of alignment the body will begin to strengthen the area much in the same way if would make a scar if you were cut.  It is vital to keep mobility in the joint to maintain full range of motion.  Now consider the fact that the spine has 144 joints and 24 moveable weight bearing vertebra.  Any misalignment or subluxated areas will begin to reinforce and form arthritis if left untreated.  This WILL cause issues later in life.  Choking off the nerves and preventing movement will decrease quality of lie significantly and quickly.  Don't wait for something to become chronic or pathological, get it fixed by a professional trained to deal with these things! 

Disc Herniations

                                                          

Many patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebra is pushed outside its normal position. A herniated disc would not be a problem if it weren't for the spinal nerves that are very close to the edge of these spinal discs.

What is the spinal disc?
The spinal disc is a soft cushion that sits between each vertebrae of the spine. This spinal disc becomes more rigid with age. In a young individual, the disc is soft and elastic, but like so many other structures in the body, the disc gradually looses its elasticity and is more vulnerable to injury. In fact, even in individuals as young as 30, MRIs show evidence of disc deterioration in about 30% of people.

What happens with a 'herniated disc'?
As the spinal disc becomes less elastic, it can rupture. When the disc ruptures, a portion of the spinal disc pushes outside its normal boundary--this is called a herniated disc. When a herniated disc bulges out from between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and spinal cord can become pinched. There is normally a little extra space around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, but if enough of the herniated disc is pushed out of place, then these structures may be compressed.

What causes symptoms of a herniated disc?
When the herniated disc ruptures and pushes out, the nerves may become pinched. A herniated disc may occur suddenly in an event such as a fall or an accident, or may occur gradually with repetitive straining of the spine. Often people who experience a herniated disc already have a narrowing spinal canal, a problem that causes narrowing of the space around the spinal cord and spinal nerves. When a herniated disc occurs, the space for the nerves is further diminished, and irritation of the nerve results.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
When the spinal cord or spinal nerves become compressed, they don't work properly. This means that abnormal signals may get passed from the compressed nerves, or signals may not get passed at all. Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

• Electric shock pain  Pressure on the nerve can cause abnormal sensations, commonly experienced as electric shock pains. When the compression occurs in the cervical (neck) region, the shocks go down your arms, when the compression is in the lumbar (low back) region, the shocks go down your legs.
• Tingling and Numbness
  Patients often have abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, or pins and needles. These symptoms may be experienced in the same region as painful electric shock sensations.
• Muscle Weakness
  Because of the nerve irritation, signals from the brain may be interrupted causing muscle weakness. Nerve irritation can also be tested by examining reflexes.
• Bowel or Bladder Problems
  These symptoms are important because it may be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a possible condition resulting from a herniated disc. This is a medical emergency, and your should see your doctor immediately
• All of these symptoms are due to the irritation of the nerve from the herniated disc. By interfering with the pathway by which signals are sent from your brain out to your extremities and back to the brain, all of these symptoms can be caused by a herniated disc pressing against the nerves.

If you or anyone you know has any of these symptoms or are concerned about your spinal health please make an appointment and we will help you address your concerns.  These problems do not fix themselves even when the symptoms come and go!  www.hawkeyechiropractic.com

Diet Plan

So many of us want to shed a few pounds and tone up for the summer.  We go through the routine of working out, doing cardio and crunches, ect. ect. ect.  But if you aren't winning the battles in the kitchen you will not win the war on flab!   Portion size, correct timing for carbs, fats, and proteins are all necessary to see gains.  Even if your goal is to build size you must master the nutrition and give your body the correct building blocks to be healthy.  If you have any concerns about weight lose or exercise goals make an appointment to come in and see us.  I personally have run 3 full marathons and played many sports including rugby, football, wrestling, and track.   Everyone can benefit from cleaning up their eating habits a bit!  Your athletic and overall health are sure to improve!

Spinal Decay

What is Spinal Decay?
This process in the spine has similarities to tooth decay in that it shows up usually because of neglect.  Also like tooth decay, it can happen to anyone, regardless of age.


Because it is seen in older people, many believe it's merely the normal aging process.  IT IS NOT! This progressively worsening, degenerative condition is the result of uncorrected spinal misalignment.  Spinal Decay is how your body deals with the stress of gravity.

It just so happens that many people have spinal problems they have ignored for years.

Spinal decay is a process.  This process occurs over time but may be accelerated with motor vehicle injuries,  sports injuries, or lack of exercise.  At our office we use a 3 phase model to show the progression and so our patients are fully educated on their condition and prognosis.