How One Chiropractor Can Adjust Your Outlook on Life

Ever suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears)? Or knee pain, high blood pressure or chronic sinus problems? Dr. Kristen Bobik, of Balance Chiropractic and Wellness, in Hoffman Estates, helps patients suffering with those ailments and more through her chiropractic care practice. Bobik works with patients to help them function as close to 100 percent mentally, physically and socially as possible through chiropractic adjustments and other natural, safe and effective methods.

“I utilize methods like low-force chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, nutritional programs and unique lab testing to improve the body’s ability to function and heal itself,” says Bobik. She is especially fond of acupuncture because of its versatility and the fact that almost everyone can benefit from it.

“Chiropractic and acupuncture are two very different styles of natural, drug and surgery-free treatment,” she says. “But they work perfectly together because they share the same goal: to improve the body’s ability to function and allow it to heal itself,” she adds.

Bobik came into chiropractic work, which she calls a lifestyle choice, as a patient herself. Facing several health conditions before the age of 18, she found chiropractic care to be an ideal, drug-free way to resolve her pain. She would later experience other methods of care that she now includes in her practice, such as acupuncture and nutrition and food intolerance testing.

The anatomy of the body tells us that the brain is the master control center that sends commands to every organ, tissue, muscle and cell in the body, according to Bobik. While chiropractic can help in many situations, she stops short of claiming it can cure a disease or ailment. “Chiropractic can improve so many conditions, but does not treat or cure,” she explains. “Chiropractic is simply about helping the body work better, and when it does, it heals better, it works correctly and it feels amazing. When the brain communicates, it sends messages down the spinal cord, which is protected by the bones, or vertebrae, of the spine, and out the spinal nerves to every organ, tissue, muscle or cell. The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to gently align the vertebrae to allow this system to function closer to 100 percent.”

A chiropractic adjustment aligns the spine to reduce or eliminate muscle soreness that results from poor posture and allows them to work properly. “When our spine is aligned, our organs work more optimally,” she adds. “For example, the nerves that exit the spine between our shoulder blades control parts of the digestive system. When our brain communicates optimally with the immune system, we don’t get sick as often.”

Bobik also uses acupuncture to help clients. “It can be used for decreasing our stress levels and promoting good sleep, all the way to more serious health conditions that have not seen success with traditional medical methods.” According to Bobik, the World Health Organization (WHO) describes more than 26 conditions that it has researched, and clinical trials show acupuncture to be an effective treatment option for ailments ranging from back and knee pain to rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and depression.

“Sometimes we ignore our pains and discomforts because we think it’s not that bad or there is nothing that can be done,” she says, “which is a shame, because not only can chiropractic care alleviate pain, it can improve your quality of life.”

Bobik teaches at two local colleges and often speaks on healthcare topics at community events. She also blogs at DIYNaturalLifestyle.com, where readers can find her Paleo-focused recipes like Paleo Apple Butter or Italian Meatball Soup.

Bobik takes particular pride in offering the community cost-effective natural healthcare. “We strive to make ‘taking care of yourself’ an enjoyable, easy and educational experience,” she says.

To learn more about Balance Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 2500 W. Higgins Rd., Ste. 420, in Hoffman Estates, call 847-310-0303 or visit TheWellnessChiro.com.

Megy Karydes is looking forward to the slower pace of the winter season. Find her at KarydesConsulting.com.