Weekly Health News for You 10/10/2011

Dr. Hyman is back in the office after taking a week off. He looks rested and is ready to see you!

4 members of our staff did the Denver Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon on October 9, here are their times:

Dr. May 1:57

Keri B, Office Manager, 2:04

Dr. Stripling 2:04

Erin Young, LMT, 2:05

Mental Attitude: Money Can Be Depressing? Rates of depression are higher in countries with higher per capita incomes. 121 million people worldwide have depression. Severe depression can lead to suicide and causes 850,000 deaths every year. The United Sates and France had the highest depression rates. Higher incomes can be related to more work hours and a lowered quality of life. 15% of people in high-income countries were likely to become depressed during their lifetime, compared with 11% of those in low or middle-income countries. British Medical Journal, Aug 2011

Health Alert: You Are Getting Very Sleepy. Insomnia affects 23% of US workforce, costing $63.2 billion annually. Insomnia is a condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and remaining asleep. It includes a wide spectrum of sleep disorders, from not enough sleep to lack of quality sleep. Sleep, Aug 2011

Diet: Bad Habits? People entering the movies were given a bucket of either just-popped, fresh popcorn or stale, week-old popcorn. Moviegoers who didn’t usually eat popcorn at the movies ate much less stale popcorn than fresh popcorn. Moviegoers who typically had popcorn at the movies ate about the same amount — regardless it was fresh or stale. When we’ve repeatedly eaten a food in an environment, our brain comes to associate the food with that environment and we keep eating as long as those environmental cues are present. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2011

Exercise: Runners Drinking Too Much? 50% of recreational runners may be drinking too much fluid during races. 37% of runners drink according to a preset schedule or to maintain a certain body weight and 9% drink as much as possible. Expert guidelines recommend runners drink only when thirsty. 30% incorrectly believe they need extra salt while running,

British Journal of Sports Medicine, June 2011

Chiropractic: Careful. In work-related nonspecific low back pain, the use of health maintenance care (treatment after initial disability was resolved) provided by Physical Therapist (PT) or Medical Physician (MD) services was associated with a higher disability (injury) recurrence than in the use of Chiropractic (DC) services.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2011

Quote: “A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?” ~ Albert Einstein

Active Release Techniques: Sore Knees. The knee joint is a very complex joint. Various layers of muscles tendons and ligaments both move and support the knee. While there may be many causes of knee pain, we’ve found at Denver Chiropractic Center the common cause is tight quads transmitting force to the patellar tendon (the tendon that connects the knee cap to the shin). ART to the both the tendon and quadriceps muscle, along with rehab and stretching, can fix things up in 4-8 visits. If you or someone you know is dealing with knee pain, give us a call. 303.300.0424.

Low Back pain and Spondylolisthesis. How we can help you at Denver Chiropractic Center

Low back pain can arise from many conditions, one of which is a mouthful: spondylolisthesis. The term was coined in 1854 from the Greek words, “spondylo” for vertebrae and “olisthesis” for slip. These “slips” most commonly occur in the low back, 90% at L5 and 9% at L4. According to www.spinehealth.com and others, the most common type of spondylolisthesis is called “isthmic spondylolisthesis,” which is a condition that includes a defect in the back part of the vertebra in an area called the pars interarticularis, which is the part of the vertebra that connects the front half (vertebral body) to the back half (the posterior arch).

This can occur on one, or both sides, with or without a slip or shift forwards, which is then called spondylolysis. In “isthmic spondylolisthesis,” the incidence rate is about 5-7% of the general population favoring men over women 3:1. Debate continues as to whether this occurs as a result genetic predisposition verses environmental or acquired at some point early in life as noted by the increased incidence in populations such as Eskimos (30-50%), where they traditionally carry their young in papooses, vertically loading their lower spine at a very young age. However, isthmic spondylolisthesis can occur at anytime in life if a significant backward bending force occurs resulting in a fracture but reportedly, occurs most frequently between ages 6 and 16 years old.

Often, traumatic isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs during the adolescent years and in fact, is the most common cause of low back pain at this stage of life. Sports most commonly resulting in spondylolisthesis include gymnastics, football (lineman), weightlifting (from squats or dead lifts) and diving (from over arching the back). Excessive backward bending is the force that overloads the back of the vertebra resulting in the fracture sometimes referred to as a stress fracture, which is a fracture that occurs as a result of repetitive overloading over time, usually weeks to months.

If the spondylolisthesis lesions do not heal either by cartilage or by bone replacement, the front half of the vertebra can slip or slide forwards and become unstable. Fortunately, most of these heal and become stable and don’t progress. The diagnosis is a simple x-ray, but to determine the degree of stability, “stress x-rays” or x-rays taken at endpoints of bending over and backwards are needed. Sometimes, a bone scan is needed to determine if it’s a new injury verses an old isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Another very common type is called degenerative spondylolisthesis and occurs in 30% of Caucasian and 60% of African-American woman (3:1 women to men). This usually occurs at L4 and is more prevalent in aging females. It is sometimes referred to as “pseudospondylolisthesis” as it does not include defects in the posterior arch but rather, results from a degeneration of the disk and facet joints. As the disk space narrows, the vertebra slides forwards.

The problem here is that the spinal canal, where the spinal cord travels, gets crimped or distorted by the forward sliding vertebra and causes compression of the spinal nerve root(s), resulting pain and/or numbness in one or both legs. The good news about spondylolisthesis is that non-surgical approaches, like Active Release Techniques, spinal manipulation and core strengthening exercises work very well to manage sondylolisthesis. We use all three at Denver Chiropractic Center.

We realize you have a choice in who you see for your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we are here to help you. Just call us at 303.300.0424 to set up your New Patient Appointment. Or have us call you by filling out the very brief form on our website: http://www.denverback.com/contact.html

Another weekly Health News For You – from Denver Chiropractic Center

While Dr. Hyman is on vacation this week, Dr. Stripling and Dr. May are in the office all  week if you need them! Remember, we have 3 fully certified Active Release chiropractors on staff!

Mental Attitude: Attention & Self-Control. When thinking about being healthy, people were less likely to eat unhealthy foods, whether or not they deemed them to be tasty. And they were more likely to eat healthy- untasty foods. Thinking about being healthy led subjects to say “no” to foods more often than they did when asked to make decisions naturally. So the next time you feel the magnetic pull of the golden arches, try to think about what it’ll do to your health. Maybe it’ll at least push you towards the salad.  Journal of Neuroscience, July 2011

Health Alert: Pharmaceutical Ads Do Not Follow FDA Guidelines. A survey of 192 pharmaceutical ads in biomedical journals found that only 18% were compliant with FDA guidelines; 57.8 % failed to quantify serious risks, including death; 48.2% lacked verifiable references; and 28.9% failed to present adequate efficacy quantification. Remember your health is your responsibility. Public Library of Science, Aug 2011

Diet: Increase In Food Allergies. 8% of children have food allergies, with almost 40% reporting severe reactions, an increase of 18% from 10 years ago. Peanut allergies among children have tripled, going from 1 in 250 in 1997 to 1 in 70 in 2008 (this includes Dr. Glenn’s oldest son, Andrew. No idea how or why). Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011

Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise assists in efforts to stop smoking, helps you to relax, can help improve short-term memory in older individuals, and helps relieve many of the common discomforts of pregnancy (backache, heartburn, constipation, etc.). Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Chiropractic: Backpack Pains? Backpacks that are too heavy or used improperly can pull on ligaments and muscles, causing aches and pains in the neck and back, resulting in acute or chronic back pain. Things to look for in a backpack: Wide, padded, and adjustable shoulder straps; two straps; padded back; lightweight with a lot of compartments. University of Medicine New Jersey, Sept 2011

Quote: “A leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Active Release Techniques: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an entrapment of the nerve that goes to the thumb and first two fingers, the Median Nerve. While the nerve can indeed become entrapped in the actual carpal tunnel, it can also get pinched or pressured by the muscles of the forearm. Statistics from Dr. Hyman’s Active Release Corporate Solutions work since 2004 show overwhelmingly that ART treatment is a great first option for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In approximately 90% of cases, total symptom resolution was reported. It should be noted that some cases (most of these cases were over 3 years old) did in fact require surgery. If you or someone you know is suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, call us today. 303.300.0424

Denver Chiropractic Center’s weekly health news for you 9/26/2011- what makes us fat and active release for car accidents…

Here’s this week’s Health News For You, a weekly email newsletter from Denver Chiropractic Center. If you’d like to get these fun & interesting weekly newsletters sent to your email address, just sign up on our home page. You can unsubscribe at any time and your email will never be sold or shared.

9/26/2011 What Makes Us Fat?

After spending last Thursday through Saturday teaching for Active Release Techniques at their Lower Extremity workshop, I’m back in the office this week. For those of you wanting to get in to see me, you should know that I (Dr. Glenn Hyman) will be out next week on vacation in an undisclosed location. That’s code for ‘we haven’t really decided where yet. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute.

Dr. Jeff Stripling will be in the office to help you all next week.

Diet: What makes us fat? Excessive consumption of carbohydrates leads to excess body fat. (I used this fact to lose 17 pounds this year.) “What Makes Us Fat? And What You Can Do About It.” An extensive review of the literature from the last 100 years by Gary Taubes. Find it on amazon.com or at your local library.

Wellness/Prevention: Watch This! People who watch TV for 2 hours a day have a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a 15% higher risk of developing fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease, and a 13% greater risk of dying early from any cause. Watching TV alters energy expenditure by displacing time spent on physical activities, and is associated with unhealthy eating (more fried foods, processed meats, sugary drinks and less fruits, vegetables, whole grains). On average, Americans watch TV 5 hours a day (who the hell has time for that??? – Glenn). Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011

Health Alert: Patents About To Expire. By the end of 2012, 7 of the 20 top selling medications will lose their patent protection. $225 billions’ worth of annual global sales of drugs will go off patent by the end of 2015. FDA, August 2011 (My dad, a pharmacist, recently explained to me that drug companies increasingly are pushing to have their drugs that go off patent approved for over-the-counter sales. Remember, your health is your responsibility.)

Exercise: Good Reasons To Exercise. Exercise reduces the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), increases the density and breaking strength of bones, improves your physical appearance, and increases circulating levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Mental Attitude: Lost And Found. A new study shows the neural networks in the brains of the middle-aged and elderly have weaker connections and fire less robustly than in the young. As people age, they tend to forget things more often, are more easily distracted and disrupted by interference, and have greater difficulty with executive functions. While these age-related deficits have been known for many years, the cellular basis for these common cognitive difficulties has not been understood. Nature, July 2011

Quote: “There has never been a better time to learn.” ~ voice on the iPad 2 commercial.

Active Release Techniques (ART): Car Accident Injuries. Did you know that treatments with Active Release Techniques can help you recover quickly from car accidents? The forces from a car accident can cause widespread injuries in your body. ART treatments help manage to the healing process by reducing scar tissue and maximizing ranges of motion. Spinal adjustments and functional rehab program adds to this healing effect. Treatment at Denver Chiropractic Center includes all of these. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident, call us today 303.300.0424, or reply to this email. In most cases insurance covers treatments in our office.

Rejuvenate Your Skin Daily This Easy Way by Dr. Michael F. Roizen, MD

#1 Eat a skin-healthy diet. The skin is often a vehicle for the body to rid itself of toxicity. Whether it’s pesticides, chemicals, food allergens, or something else, your skin is a reflection of your body’s internal environment. Eat fresh, whole foods that aren’t processed or infused with unhealthy additives. Organic fruits and vegetables are great sources of skin-friendly polyphenols, particularly citrus fruits (unjuiced), berries, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, and herbs. Red wine, soy, and green tea also are rich in these polyphenols. Find a good multivitamin with omega-3 DHA supplement and extra lutein to fill nutritional gaps.

#2 Moisturize when needed. Many women (and even men now) believe moisturizer is a must. Some of us slather it on even on the most humid days of summer. Reality: over-moisturizing messages your skin cells not to produce their own moisture. When you do need to apply added moisture (especially during the dry winter months), search for a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. This substance is abundant in our skin when we are young, but decreases as we age or overuse moisturizers. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, so it makes sense that it can keep the skin smooth and plump. Be sure to avoid products (like shampoos) that contain propylene glycol, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and parabens.

#3  Get your vitamin C in your diet daily — It helps keep your skin firm (it stimulates collagen production in your skin).

#4 Use creams or serums with vitamin A only at night. A cream or serum with active vitamin

A (such as a form of retinol) can stimulate the production of collagen and encourage your skin

cells to behave like a kid again (that’s good for skin…just no acne this time). It’s important to find vitamin A in its retinoid form so that it can penetrate your skin. Vitamin A on your skin is a great nighttime regimen because it works as your skin rests and restores. In the daytime, vitamin A (like vitamin C) is turned by UV rays into a damaging prooxidant—so use it daytime only if you want to age faster.

#5 Give your pores breathing time. Your skin restores itself while you sleep and absorbs whatever is on it — good or bad. So, be sure to wash your face before bed with a cleanser and toner based on your skin type (making sure that is free of sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol). And, get a good night sleep!

#6 Live skin-healthy. The best times to be in the sun are in the morning, before ten, and in the afternoon, after two. If you are going to be exposed to sun for a long period of time during peak hours, chose a natural sun block free of propylene glycol, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and parabens. Most importantly, de-stress daily. The stress hormone cortisol increases free radicals and inflammation, affecting your skin and your whole body. For more detail, see information on when to exfoliate and take the skin health quiz at YOUBeauty.com.

Now, a quick tip –My Roizen’s Rule for a Younger You –cover your scars with extra sunblock (nonoparticalized zinc oxide is what we recommend) to keep them from looking more prominent.

by Dr. Michael F. Roizen, MD, Content distributed with permission by Denver Chiropractic Center

How one Denver Chiropractor’s son recovered from a broken foot in under a week & why Active Release is great for headaches.

My middle son, Jason, turned 4 a couple of weeks ago. The day after his birthday, he woke up limping. We took him to the pediatrician, and after an xray of his hip and another of his foot, the diagnosis was a broken second metatarsal (those long bones that start just after your toes).

The treatment? Wear a walking boot for 10 days then another x-ray. Well, after 6 days, he declared himself all better and refused to wear the boot. Since he figured out how to work the velcro on it, we pretty much couldn’t stop him. So he ran around without it.

At his re-exam and re-x-ray, the doctor (a pediatric orthopedist) declared him healed.

From limping badly on a broken foot to running around like a maniac in 6 days. 6 days! Oh, to be so young & quick to heal.

For the rest of us, the sooner you can do something about that painful problem, the sooner you can get on your (slightly longer) road to recovery. Anyway, here’s Jason in the boot, preparing for his dream job as a Jedi Knight:

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Health News For You…
Mental Attitude: Fat and Happiness. Humans have an intimate relationship between their emotional state and what they eat. In this study, researchers found the levels of sadness among the subjects who received fatty acids were 50% lower than those who had not. Eating fat appears to be a mood-lifter.Journal of Clinical Investigation, July 2011

Health Alert: Rising Health Costs. The United States spent $2.3 trillionon health care in 2008, more than three times the $714 billion spent in 1990, and over eight times the $253 billion spent in 1980.
Kaiser Family Foundation, March 2010

Diet: Blueberries and Cancer. Blueberries are full of antioxidants, flavonoids and other vitamins that help reduce free radicals in cells. Free radicals can cause cellular damage, one of the factors in the development of cancer. Blueberries are rich in vitamin C, which helps the immune system and helps the body absorb iron. Blueberry juice and other products may be nutritious but often contain less fiber than the whole fruit, and added sugar or corn syrup may decrease their nutritional value. University of Alabama at Birmingham, July 2011

Exercise: Eating Before Swimming? A review of 536 autopsies revealed 79.4% of those who had accidentally drowned had visible stomach contents. It’s suspected there may be a link between eating before swimming and drowning as blood is diverted to the intestine during digestion, possiblycausing circulation problems while the individual is swimming. This may reduce blood flow to the brain, resulting in loss of consciousness and potentially drowning the swimmer. Medicine, Science and the Law, July 2011

Chiropractic: Effective For Whiplash. 26 of 28 patients (93%) with chronic whiplash syndrome improved following chiropractic treatment.According to the authors, before the publication of this article, no conventional treatment was proven to be effective for treating whiplash.Injury, November 1996

Wellness/Prevention: Investing With Prevention. Preventing heart disease before it starts is a good long-term investment in the nation’s health. Every dollar spent on building trails for walking or biking saves $3 in medical costs. Companies that invest in workers’ health with comprehensive worksite wellness programs and healthy work environments have less absenteeism, greater productivity and lower healthcare costs.
American Heart Association, July 2011

Quote: “Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.”
~ Albert Einstein

Active Release Technique: Headaches Active Release is a great treatment for headaches. By releasing scar tissue that’s putting pressure on the small nerves that go up to the head (occipital nerves) even long-standing headaches can resolve. If you or someone you care about is suffering from headaches, email or call us today!

Denver Chiropractic Center presents: Health news for you, including updates on Low Back Pain and Active Release

Recent Health Research Update. Many of you told me you loved the research updates. So, here you go:

Mental Attitude: Sleep Well. People who sleep 6-9 hours per night had higher self-reported scores for quality of life and lower scores for depression severity when compared to short (<6 hours per night) and long sleepers (>9 hours per night). Researchers were surprised that both sleeping less than 6 hours and more than 9 hours was associated with a similar decrease in quality of life and increase in depressive symptoms. American Academy of Sleep Medicine, August 2011

Health Alert: Depressing Statistics. Depression can affect a person’s ability to work, their ability to form relationships, and it can also destroy their quality of life. 15% of the population from high-incomecountries (compared to 11% for low/middle-income countries) is likely to become depressed at some point in life. Women are twice as likely to suffer depression as men, and the loss of a partner, whether from death, divorce or separation, was a main contributing factor. BMC Medicine, July 2011

Diet: Breastfeed Babies. Babies fed only on breast milk up to the age of 6 months have a lower risk of developing asthma-related symptoms in early childhood. Compared to children who were breastfed for 6 months or more, children who had never received breast milk had an increased risk of wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm in their first 4 years. European Lung Foundation, July 2011

Exercise: Muscle Mass and Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Higher muscle mass, relative to one’s body size, is closely linked to superior insulin sensitivity and a lower risk of developing pre-diabetes or full diabetes type 2. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, July 2011

Chiropractic/Active Release: Cost Effective. A review of treatments endorsed in American Pain Society and American College of Physicians guidelines found spinal manipulation was cost-effective forsubacute and chronic low back pain. European Spine Journal, January 2011

Wellness/Prevention: Sleep Well Again. Interrupted sleep impairs memory, as a minimum amount ofcontinuous sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Researchers found memory was unaffected if the average duration of sleep was maintained at 62-73% of normal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, July 2011

Quote: “When we are well, we all have good advice for those who are ill.” ~ Terrence, 166 BC

Active Release Techniques– Did you know that Active Release Techniques is great for low back pain? The muscles and ligaments of the low back are almost always involved in low back pain. By releasing the scar tissue in these structures, restoring spinal mobility with adjustments, and getting you on a targeted rehab program, we can often get rid he problem in around 8 visits. While I’m not a formal researcher, I have 13 years of clinical experience that tells me that this approach works! If you’re hurting, call us today. 303.300.0424.

Denver Chiropractor turns in his best race performance ever…Xterra Lory Race Report

That’s me on the bike. Xterra Lory went down on August 27, 2011. It was my best race ever. To be clear, I still have a long way to go to become even a mediocre triathlete. But I’m getting better. I started this season weighing 194. I weighed in for this race at 177. I’ve lost 17 pounds since January, all by watching my carbs.

I followed the advice in the book “The Primal Blueprint” by Mark Sisson. It was easy. You can get it on amazon.

Anyway, I took the family up to Fort Collins the night before and had a little fun. We got up at 5 AM, rolled out the door at 6, and had me to the race site by 6:30. And that’s when I realized I forgot my bike helmet. Luckily, I ran into a very nice patient who had a friend with an extra helmet. Problem solved. Actually, I ran to at least 5 patients at this race, and that was a lot of fun. I’m honored that I get to participate in these tris with so many top-performing people.

The swim started off in beautiful Horsetooth Reservoir at around 8:30. I actually took time to look around during the swim at all of the cool rock formations out there. I finished the swim (about 900 meters) in 17:12, number 132 out of 266 athletes (men and women, I don’t discriminate).

The bike went well for me, since it was a fast course with some tight turns. I had one good crash when I missed a sharp right (Sandy – you warned me!). Shed a little blood, and kept going. I did the 12 miles in 1:20:38.

Then, I croaked on the run. It was hilly. Uphill for like 2+ miles. It was hot and sunny with no shade ad I just couldn’t run up those damn rocks, so I hiked it. I average 14:14 miles over 4.8 miles. Awful.

But then I finished and Meredith and our boys were waiting for me at the finish. Total time 2:54:40, good for #224 out of 266 finishers, #153 out of 171 guys. I’ll take it.

Denver Chiropractic Center Recent research update

Here are some important recent findings from different areas of health and well being.


Mental Attitude: Money Can’t Buy Happiness. Once a point of being able to meet basic needs is reached, the effect of money on happiness levels off. More money leads to marginal gains (at best) or even less well-being as people worry about “keeping up with the Joneses.” American Psychological Association, July 2011


Health Alert: Medical Bills And Bankruptcy? Most people who are driven into bankruptcy by illness and medical bills actually have coverage, but it’s such inadequate coverage that it doesn’t keep themfrom financial ruin. They face huge premiums, co-payments, deductibles and things that aren’t covered by their insurance. Minnesota News Connection

Diet: Food Labeling. A recently enacted law requires restaurant chains with at least 15 locations to provide calorie data on menus and menu boards. At McDonalds, there was a 5.3% drop in average calories per purchase, and at KFC, a 6.4% drop. British Medical Journal, August 2011

Exercise: Exercise For The Brain. Aerobic exercise and strength training plays a vital role inmaintaining brain and cognitive health throughout life. A review of 111 recent articles suggests aerobic exercise is important for getting a head start during childhood on cognitive abilities. Physical inactivity isassociated with poorer academic performance and results on standard neuropsychological tests, while exercise programs appear to improve memory, attention, and decision-making.

These effects also extend to young and elderly adults, with solid evidence for aerobic training benefiting executive functions, including multi-tasking, planning, and inhibition, and increasing the volume of brain structures important for memory. Journal of Applied Physiology, July 2011

Chiropractic: Chiropractic Patients Most Satisfied. With regards to patient satisfaction, a survey ofmore than 14,000 consumers rated chiropractic #1 among all health care providers. Consumer Reports, May 2009

Wellness/Prevention: Are Vacations Worth the Effort? Each year we save up for them, but do they do us any good? According to Dutch psychologist Jessica de Bloom, holidays help us recharge our batteries and perform at a high level. The Psychologist, August 2011

Quote: “I start where the last man left off.” ~ Thomas A. Edison

Active Release: Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition that affects the bottom of the foot. It’s common in runners, but also people who stand a lot and walk a lot. We use Active Release to treat the muscles of the foot, calves, and shins. This often allows restoration of normal mechanics and resolution of pain. While this treatment  approach has been 90% effective at Denver Chiropractic Center, sometimes ref for orthopedic eval is required. If you or someone you know is suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, have them call us 303.300.0424.

Denver Active Release Techniques providers- make sure you get what you pay for!

I just got done treating a new patient who was very angry with another provider.

You see, this person advertises that she is an Active Release provider. So when the patient went to see her, the provider said, “well, I’m not really certified, but I do the same things.”

This particular patient has been seeing ART providers all over the country (she travels a lot for work). She knows Active Release. And she knows that the Denver provider she saw was not a Denver Active Release Techniques provider, regardless of the advertising.

After her bad experience, she called the ART office and asked who are the most credentialed ART providers in town. There are 2 of them, myself, and my good friend Dr. Michelle Clark. In my humble opinion, the two of us are your best options. (We practice separately.)

Regardless, before you make an appointment with someone who advertises that they do Active Release, go to www.activerelease.com, click on find a provider, and enter that provider’s name in the box. If the provider’s name doesn’t come up, he or she probably isn’t certified (you can also call their toll free number to verify, it’s on the site).

You can also search by zip code. The locator will pull up certified providers. Then look for the little squares which indicate which ART certifications each provider has completed. The ones with the most squares are the ones who have done the most work to improve their ART skills. In this world of internet advertising, anyone can say anything they want. Make sure you get what you’re paying for by doing your homework up front.

Active Release is great, and we hope you find a provider who can help you.