Posts by Overstad Chiropractic

Aging is a natural part of life, but how we age is largely up to us. While genetics play a role, your daily habits and lifestyle choices have a much greater impact. One often-overlooked factor in healthy aging is spinal health — and that’s where we come in.

Your spine does far more than support your posture. It’s the communication highway between your brain and body. When your spine is properly aligned, your nervous system functions at its best, helping every organ, muscle, and cell stay in sync. This is essential for maintaining balance, strength, coordination, and even mental clarity as you age.

Over time, stress, injuries, and poor posture can create misalignments, or subluxations, in the spine. These subtle shifts can interfere with nerve function, leading to stiffness, pain, fatigue, and slower recovery. Regular chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment, allowing your body to move more freely and efficiently.

One of the biggest benefits of chiropractic care for older adults is improved mobility. When joints move the way they should, it’s easier to stay active — and activity is the foundation of longevity. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce inflammation, relieve tension, and keep your range of motion strong, so you can continue doing the things you love.

It also supports balance and coordination by ensuring the brain receives accurate signals from the body. This can lower your risk of falls and help you stay confident and independent as you age.

Healthy aging isn’t about avoiding time — it’s about maximizing it. By keeping your spine aligned and your nervous system healthy, Dr. Overstad helps your body function the way it was designed to. Combined with good nutrition, regular movement, and mindful stress management, it’s one of the most natural ways to stay youthful and strong.

Aging smarter starts with how you care for your spine. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help you move better, feel better, and live better — no matter your age.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

If you’ve ever dealt with jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness, you may already know how disruptive TMJ issues can be. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull and is responsible for talking, chewing, and everyday movement. When this joint becomes strained or misaligned, the discomfort can spread to your face, head, neck, and even shoulders. The good news? Dr. Overstad offers a natural and effective approach to easing TMJ pain and restoring balance.

Understanding TMJ Problems

TMJ disorders often come from a combination of stress, teeth grinding, poor posture, or even past injuries. Symptoms may include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Headaches or ear pain
• Tightness in the neck and shoulders

Many people don’t realize how connected the jaw is to the rest of the body. A misaligned spine, especially in the upper neck, can contribute to jaw tension and worsen TMJ issues.

Dr. Overstad looks at the whole picture, not just the jaw itself. By improving alignment in the spine and addressing tension in surrounding muscles, chiropractic adjustments help reduce the stress placed on the TMJ. Gentle techniques may also be applied directly to the jaw to restore proper movement.

Regular chiropractic care can:

• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Improve jaw mobility
• Ease tension in the neck and shoulders
• Promote natural healing without medications

Because chiropractic care takes a holistic approach, patients often notice improvements beyond just jaw relief. Better posture, less stress, and improved nervous system function can all contribute to long-term comfort and reduced flare-ups.

You don’t have to live with jaw pain or daily discomfort from TMJ issues. Dr. Overstad offers a safe, non-invasive way to address the root of the problem and support lasting healing. If you’re struggling with TMJ symptoms, now is the perfect time to explore how chiropractic adjustments can restore balance and help you feel like yourself again.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Feeling tired all the time isn’t just about getting too little sleep. Low energy can come from stress, poor posture, and even spinal misalignments that affect how your nervous system functions. Many people are surprised to learn that regular chiropractic care may help restore energy naturally by improving the way your body works as a whole.

Your spine does more than support your body — it also protects the nervous system. When the spine is out of alignment, it can create stress on the nerves, muscles, and joints. This extra tension uses up energy that your body could be directing toward healing, focus, and daily activity. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment, reducing this strain and allowing your nervous system to function more efficiently.

Poor spinal alignment can lead to muscle tightness, pain, and restless sleep. Without quality rest, it’s nearly impossible to feel energized the next day. By correcting imbalances, chiropractic care may help improve sleep quality, so your body can recover and recharge the way it’s meant to.

When your body moves freely, it doesn’t have to work as hard. Adjustments can ease joint restrictions and improve circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively throughout the body. The result? Less fatigue and more stamina to get through your day.

Stress doesn’t just affect your mood — it also drains energy. Chiropractic adjustments support the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body responsible for rest and recovery. By calming tension and reducing stress, chiropractic care helps free up energy you may not even realize you were losing.

A Natural Energy Boost

While coffee or energy drinks provide a temporary fix, chiropractic care focuses on improving the root causes of fatigue. By aligning your body and supporting your nervous system, adjustments may give you a lasting boost in energy that helps you feel more alert, productive, and balanced.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Can Adjustments Help You Breathe Easier?

As the leaves change and the air cools, many people look forward to fall. But for allergy sufferers, autumn can bring itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, and fatigue. Ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust often make this season uncomfortable. While medications may provide temporary relief, many people are searching for natural, drug-free options. This is where chiropractic care comes in.

Chiropractic adjustments do more than align your spine. They also support your nervous system, which controls every function in your body — including how your immune system responds to allergens. When the spine is misaligned, nerve communication can be disrupted. This stress on the nervous system may make it harder for your body to regulate inflammation and heal properly.

By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments can help reduce stress on the nervous system. This often leads to improved breathing, stronger immune response, and better overall balance in the body. Patients frequently report that regular care helps them handle seasonal changes with fewer flare-ups.

Another benefit of chiropractic care is improved posture and rib cage mobility. If your spine and chest are restricted, your lungs can’t expand fully, making allergy symptoms like congestion feel worse. Adjustments and supportive exercises can open the chest and improve oxygen flow, making it easier to breathe deeply.

Chiropractic doesn’t replace allergy medication, but it can complement it. Think of it as a way to strengthen your foundation. When your nervous system works at its best, your body can adapt more easily to environmental stressors like pollen and mold. Many patients also notice better sleep, less fatigue, and greater energy — all important for managing seasonal allergies.

This fall, don’t let Fall allergies hold you back. If you struggle with congestion, sneezing, or fatigue, consider chiropractic care as part of your wellness routine. Aligning your spine helps support your immune system, your breathing, and your overall resilience. Dr. Overstad offers a natural, safe, and effective way to feel your best — so you can enjoy all that autumn has to offer.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

In today’s fast-paced world, mental clarity is one of the most valuable assets you can have. Whether you’re managing a busy schedule, making important decisions, or simply trying to stay present in the moment, your ability to focus affects every aspect of life. While many people think of chiropractic care for back or neck pain, it can also play a significant role in supporting brain function and mental sharpness.

The brain and spinal cord make up your central nervous system, which is responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body. When the spine is misaligned, it can place pressure on the nerves and disrupt these signals. This interference can affect not only physical performance but also your mental state, leading to brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and slower reaction times.

Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper spinal alignment, improving nerve communication between the brain and body. When this communication is clear, the brain can process information more efficiently. Patients often report feeling more alert, more focused, and better able to handle daily challenges after consistent chiropractic care.

Another way chiropractic supports mental focus is by reducing physical stress. Misalignments in the spine can cause muscle tension and discomfort, which drain your mental energy. When your body feels better, your brain has more capacity to focus on what matters most.

Good posture, often a result of regular adjustments, also plays a role. When your head and neck are aligned properly, oxygen-rich blood flows more freely to the brain, supporting cognitive performance.

If you’ve been feeling distracted, mentally fatigued, or overwhelmed, chiropractic care may be the missing piece in your focus and productivity puzzle. By supporting optimal nervous system function, you can clear the fog and sharpen your mind — naturally and without medication.

Your best thinking starts with a healthy spine. Let Dr. Robin help you stay focused, alert, and ready for whatever life brings.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call 612) 802-2580

Don’t Ignore That ‘Click’: What Popping Joints Really Mean

Popping, clicking, or cracking sounds from your joints may seem harmless—maybe even satisfying—but they can tell a deeper story about your spinal health. At Overstad Chiropractic, we help patients understand what these noises mean and when it’s time to take them seriously.

When a joint “pops,” it often means gas bubbles are being released in the synovial fluid that lubricates your joints. This is usually harmless and temporary. However, when joint noises become frequent, accompanied by pain, stiffness, or a feeling that something is “off,” it could signal a deeper issue.

In many cases, clicking joints—especially in the neck, back, or shoulders—stem from misalignments in the spine. These misalignments, known as subluxations, affect how the joints move and how the nervous system communicates with the rest of the body. Over time, subluxations can lead to muscle imbalances, joint degeneration, and chronic pain.

Your spine is the foundation for healthy movement. When it’s out of alignment, the rest of the body compensates, leading to extra stress on joints. That “click” may be your body’s way of saying, “Pay attention—something needs fixing.”

Dr. Robin often sees athletes and active individuals who ignore these signs until discomfort escalates. She understands the impact of spinal misalignment on joint health and performance. Regular chiropractic adjustments restore motion, reduce inflammation, and prevent long-term damage before it begins.

If you notice persistent popping in your neck, shoulders, knees, or hips—especially with pain, tightness, or reduced range of motion—it’s time for a chiropractic evaluation. We’ll assess spinal alignment, joint integrity, and muscular balance to identify the root cause.

Don’t let joint noises go unchecked. Chiropractic care offers a proactive approach to maintaining joint and nervous system health. When your spine is in proper alignment, your body moves better, feels better, and functions at its best.

Clicking joints may be common, but they’re not always normal. Let’s figure out what your body is telling you—before it gets louder.

Click here to contact our Office or call 612) 802-2580

How Flip-Flops and Sandals Affect Your Spine

Flip-flops and sandals may be summer staples, but most people don’t realize just how flip-flops affect your spine. These light, open shoes may feel comfortable, but they often lack the support your body needs, and that can lead to real problems from the ground up.

Your feet are your foundation. When they don’t have the right support, your entire posture can shift. Flip-flops and flat sandals offer little to no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption. This causes your foot to work harder to stay stable with each step, often leading to changes in your gait, like shorter strides, inward foot rolling, or tight calf muscles. These small changes travel up the kinetic chain and can cause misalignment in your knees, hips, and spine.

Over time, people who wear unsupportive footwear regularly may develop lower back pain, hip discomfort, or neck tension. If you already have spinal misalignments, flip-flops can make things worse, especially when combined with long periods of standing, walking, or carrying bags while on vacation.

So, what can you do? Start by limiting your time in flat sandals and choosing supportive shoes for walking or long outings. Look for sandals with contoured footbeds, heel support, and arch structure. If you love the feeling of open shoes, consider orthotic flip-flops designed for better alignment.

At Dr. Overstads’ chiropractic office, we help patients identify the hidden causes of discomfort, including issues that start with your feet. Chiropractic adjustments can restore proper alignment to your spine, reduce pain, and help your body move more naturally, even if you’ve spent years in less-than-ideal footwear.

This summer, enjoy your favorite shoes in moderation—but don’t ignore what they might be doing to your spine. Your back, hips, and feet are all part of the same system, and when one part is off, the rest feels it too.

Want to walk through summer pain-free? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Overstad and let’s keep your spine supported from the ground up.

Click here to contact our Office or call 612) 802-2580

The Connection Between Spinal Health and Mood

When most people think of chiropractic care, they think of relief from back or neck pain. But at Overstad Chiropractic, we understand that spinal health is deeply connected to how you feel—both physically and emotionally. A properly aligned spine supports not just your posture, but your nervous system—and that system plays a key role in regulating your mood.

Your spine protects your spinal cord, which serves as the main communication highway between your brain and the rest of your body. When vertebrae become misaligned (known as subluxations), they can interfere with nerve signals. This interference doesn’t just cause discomfort—it can disrupt how your brain and body communicate, which may contribute to irritability, fatigue, anxiety, or even depression.

We’ve seen patients walk in feeling low or drained and leave with a renewed sense of clarity and calm. It’s not magic—it’s neurology. Adjustments restore balance and reduce tension on the nervous system. With improved nerve flow, your body can regulate hormones like cortisol (stress hormone) and serotonin (feel-good hormone) more efficiently.

Summer is an ideal time to check in on your emotional and physical balance. Between family schedules, increased activity, and the general busyness of life, stress can easily pile up. Regular chiropractic adjustments help relieve that tension and support your body’s natural ability to self-regulate.

Dr. Overstad works with patients of all ages to improve their spinal health and mood. Not just alignment, but function and overall wellness. If your mood has felt off, your energy low, or your stress high, your spine may be contributing more than you realize.

Chiropractic care is about helping you feel and function your best—from the inside out. And when your spine is aligned and your nervous system is clear, your body and brain work in sync. That means better movement, brighter moods, and a more balanced life.

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Ready to realign your mood and your spine?
Schedule a visit with Overstad Chiropractic today and experience the mind-body connection in action.

Click here to contact our Office or call 612) 802-2580

Summer Travel and Spinal Health: How to Stay Aligned on the Go

Summer is travel season—family road trips, beach vacations, cross-country flights. While getting away is good for the soul, it can be tough on your spine. Long hours sitting in cars, hauling luggage, and sleeping in unfamiliar beds all put extra stress on your body. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help you stay comfortable and aligned before, during, and after your trip.

Let’s start with the ride itself. Whether you’re flying or driving, sitting for long periods can lead to stiffness, poor posture, and back or neck pain. When you’re in one position too long—especially in cramped or awkward seats—your spine and supporting muscles start to compress and tighten. This makes it easier for misalignments to occur, especially in the lower back and neck.

To help minimize discomfort while traveling, take breaks to stretch and move. On road trips, stop every hour or two to walk around. On flights, stand up and stretch when you can. Support your lower back with a small pillow or rolled-up towel, and keep your shoulders relaxed. If you’re carrying luggage, avoid slinging heavy bags over one shoulder—use a backpack or rolling suitcase instead.

Once you arrive, a new mattress or pillow can also throw off your spinal alignment. If you wake up feeling stiff, it’s often your body reacting to an unfamiliar sleep setup. A quick chiropractic tune-up after your trip can help restore balance, relieve tension, and support your recovery from travel-related strain.

Better yet, get adjusted before you leave. A pre-trip visit to Dr. Robin can help prepare your body for the stress of travel. You’ll move better, sleep better, and reduce your risk of pain ruining your vacation.

Travel should leave you refreshed—not sore. With regular chiropractic care, your body stays aligned and resilient no matter where your summer takes you.

Going away this summer? Make sure your spine is ready. Schedule your pre- or post-travel adjustment.

Click here to contact our Office or call (612) 802-2580

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Relieve Heartburn

Heartburn, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, often results from acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. While medications can offer temporary relief, chiropractic care provides a holistic approach to addressing the underlying causes of heartburn.

Understanding the Connection

The spine houses the nervous system, which controls various bodily functions, including digestion. Misalignments in the spine, particularly in the thoracic region, can disrupt nerve signals to the stomach and esophagus, potentially leading to digestive issues like acid reflux.

Chiropractic Interventions

Chiropractors focus on correcting spinal misalignments to restore proper nerve function. By realigning the spine, chiropractic adjustments can alleviate pressure on the nerves that regulate the digestive system, promoting better function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and reducing the likelihood of acid reflux episodes.

Posture and Lifestyle Considerations

Poor posture, especially slouching, can increase abdominal pressure, exacerbating heartburn symptoms. Chiropractic care often includes guidance on maintaining proper posture and may involve exercises to strengthen core muscles, further supporting digestive health.

A Holistic Approach

Chiropractic care doesn’t solely focus on spinal adjustments. Practitioners may also provide advice on dietary habits, stress management, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to heartburn. By addressing these areas, chiropractic care aims to offer comprehensive relief from heartburn symptoms.

Conclusion

Chiropractic care presents a natural, non-invasive option for individuals seeking relief from heartburn. By targeting spinal misalignments and promoting overall well-being, chiropractic interventions can play a significant role in managing and reducing symptoms.

Click here to contact our Office or call (612) 802-2580