Episode 9: The Gut-Spine Connection – Can Chiropractic Improve Digestion?

Episode 9: The Gut-Spine Connection – Can Chiropractic Improve Digestion?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859823/fan_mail/new] Episode Summary: Welcome back to Ask the Chiropractor with Dr. Brant Hulsebus! In Episode 9 of our 12-part Wellness Lifecycle series, we dive into a surprising topic: the powerful connection between your spinal health and your digestive system. If you've been struggling with heartburn, constipation, or irritable bowel issues, your spine might be the missing link. Join us as we explore how the gut impacts your overall immune system and why you could eat the healthiest diet in the world, but still suffer if your body isn't properly absorbing nutrients due to nerve interference. In This Episode, We Cover: * The T6 Vertebrae & Heartburn: Discover how the nerve exiting your spine between your shoulder blades directly controls stomach acid production, and why a subluxation here can lead to unexplained heartburn and GERD. * Lower Back Alignment & Bowel Function: Learn how the lower thoracic spine, upper lumbars, and pelvic bones dictate the speed of your digestion, and how chiropractic adjustments can offer rapid relief for constipation and IBS. * The Dangers of Malabsorption: We explain the domino effect of poor gut function—how failure to absorb nutrients leads to systemic, chronic inflammation that turns minor aches into major pains. * Pediatric Gut Health: A quick callback to Episode 7 on why chiropractic care is a fantastic, safe option for babies and kids struggling with bowel issues. Resources Mentioned: * Want to look into the research yourself? Visit Chiropractic.org or search PubMed for studies on chiropractic care and GI health. * Missed our previous episodes? Check out Episode 7 for more on pediatric care, and Episode 8 to learn about the physics of stress! * Next Week: Tune in for Episode 10 where we will discuss Healthy Aging and the truth about degenerative disc disease. Call to Action: Have you tried probiotics, diet changes, and GI specialists without success? It might be time to look under the hood. If you are in the Rockford, Illinois area, come visit us at Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic for a full spinal evaluation. If you loved this episode, please leave us a rating and review, and share it with a friend who might be suffering from unexplained GI issues! Connect with Dr. Brant Hulsebus: * Website: https://rockforddc.com [https://rockforddc.com/] * Location: Rockford, IL * Proud Team Chiropractor of the Rockford IceHogs www.rockforddc.com

Episode 8: The Physics of Stress – How Emotional Tension Wrecks Your Posture

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859823/fan_mail/new] ## Episode 8: The Physics of Stress – How Emotional Tension Wrecks Your Posture Have you ever been told by a doctor that you "just need to get rid of your stress"? If only it were that easy!  In Part 8 of our 12-week "Wellness Lifecycle" series, Dr. Brant Hulsebus dives into the actual physics of stress. We often think of stress as a purely emotional experience, but your body reacts to a tough day at the office exactly the same way a hunter-gatherer's body reacts to being chased by a bear.  Learn how chronic emotional tension locks your autonomic nervous system into "fight or flight" mode, altering your cholesterol, shutting down your digestion, and literally forcing your spine into a defensive "fetal curve."  ### In this episode, you’ll learn: * **The Bear vs. Modern Life:** Why your body responds to a stressful email by spiking your cholesterol and shutting down your immune system. * **The Fetal Curve:** The biological reason emotional stress causes rounded shoulders, tight upper backs, and forward head posture.  * **The Cheesecake Cycle:** Why stress biologically forces you to crave junk food for quick "survival energy"—and how that creates a vicious cycle of more stress and fatigue. * **The "Ctrl+Alt+Del" Reset:** How a specific chiropractic adjustment to the upper neck (Atlas) helps reset the vagus nerve, signaling to your body that the danger has passed so you can finally relax and heal. --- ### About the Host Dr. Brant Hulsebus is a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and serves as the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs. Practicing at Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, he is dedicated to helping patients overcome physical, chemical, and emotional stress through neurologically-based chiropractic care. ### Join the Journey This is Part 8 of our 12-week series. Subscribe to follow along as we build your complete roadmap to spinal health and peak performance! **Have a question?** If you are dealing with chronic tension, poor sleep, or stress-related posture issues, ask a chiropractor! Leave a comment or contact our Rockford clinic today. **Connect with us:** * Website: https://hulsebuschiropractic.com * Location: 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford, IL 61112 --- **Next Week:** We mentioned how stress shuts down your digestion—next week, we are diving deep into that! Join us for Episode 9 as we discuss Chiropractic Care and Gut Health. --- www.rockforddc.com

Episode 7: Growing Up Straight – The Importance of Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859823/fan_mail/new] ## Episode 7: Growing Up Straight – The Importance of Pediatric Chiropractic Care Why do people take their babies to a chiropractor? They aren't even walking yet, so how could they possibly have back problems? In Part 7 of our 12-week "Wellness Lifecycle" series, Dr. Brant Hulsebus explores the world of pediatric chiropractic care. From his own experience receiving his first adjustment on the very day he was born, to helping modern teenagers manage the heavy weight of physical and emotional stress, Dr. Hulsebus explains why checking children's spines is vital for healthy development.  ### In this episode, you’ll learn: * A Family Tradition: The history of newborn care in the Hulsebus family and what to look for when choosing a qualified pediatric chiropractor. * Gentle Adjustments: How adjusting a baby is completely different from adjusting an adult. (Hint: It involves a very light touch, with zero twisting or popping!) * The Top 3 Newborn Issues: Why sleep problems, colic, and constipation are frequently linked to cervical and pelvic tension caused by the birthing process. * Hitting Milestones: Why checking children as they learn to crawl and walk helps prevent bad movement habits from forming. * The Triad of Stress: How physical (sports/falls), chemical (junk food), and emotional (puberty/academics) stressors impact a child's nervous system as they grow. --- ### About the Host Dr. Brant Hulsebus is a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and serves as the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs. His family practice has been serving Rockford, Illinois, since the late 1940s, giving him a deep, multi-generational perspective on the importance of pediatric and family wellness. ### Join the Journey This is Part 7 of our 12-week series. Subscribe to follow along as we build your complete roadmap to spinal health and wellness! Have a question? If you are wondering if chiropractic care could help your child with colic, sleep, or growing pains, ask a chiropractor! Leave a comment or contact our Rockford clinic. Connect with us: * Website: https://hulsebuschiropractic.com * Location: 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford, IL 61112 --- Next Week: Have you ever wondered exactly how stress physically changes your spine? Join us for Episode 8 as we break down "The Physics of Stress." --- www.rockforddc.com

Episode 6: The Prenatal Path – Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859823/fan_mail/new] ## Episode 6: The Prenatal Path – Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy If there is one group of people who absolutely cannot afford to sit still all day, it is expecting mothers!  In Part 6 of our 12-week "Wellness Lifecycle" series, Dr. Brant Hulsebus explores the "Prenatal Path." Chiropractic care offers a safe, natural, and drug-free way to manage the physical stresses of pregnancy, ensuring a happier and more comfortable journey for both mom and baby.  ### In this episode, you’ll learn: * A Family Legacy: The incredible story of how chiropractic care helped Dr. Hulsebus's grandmother conceive and inspired three generations of chiropractors. * The Webster Technique: What this specialized certification actually means. (Hint: We don't physically turn the baby; we balance the mother's pelvis so the baby can turn naturally!) * Preventative Care: Why you shouldn't wait until a baby is breech to start seeking chiropractic care.  * Managing Changes: How regular adjustments help with common prenatal issues like lower back strain, pelvic shifting, and even "pregnancy carpal tunnel." * When to Start: Why the best time to see a chiropractor is the moment you find out you are pregnant—or even before! --- ### About the Host Dr. Brant Hulsebus is a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and serves as the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs. He holds advanced training and certification in the Webster Technique, making him uniquely qualified to support expecting mothers through their prenatal journey. ### Join the Journey This is Part 6 of our 12-week series. Subscribe to follow along as we build your complete roadmap to spinal health and wellness! Have a question? If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, ask a chiropractor! Leave a comment or contact our Rockford clinic. Connect with us: * Website: https://hulsebuschiropractic.com * Location: 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford, IL 61112 --- Next Week: Once the baby arrives, the chiropractic journey doesn't stop! Join us for Episode 7 as we discuss Pediatric Chiropractic and how we adjust newborn babies. --- www.rockforddc.com

Episode 5: The Ergonomic Advantage – Why Sitting is the New Smoking

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859823/fan_mail/new] ## Episode 5: The Ergonomic Advantage – Why Sitting is the New Smoking We have all heard the phrase "sitting is the new smoking." In the chiropractic world, we like to say that sitting to your spine is the same as sugar to your teeth!  In Part 5 of our 12-week "Wellness Lifecycle" series, Dr. Brant Hulsebus explores the hidden, structural dangers of desk jobs and modern convenience. While today's ultra-comfortable chairs might save our lower backs, they are wreaking havoc on our cervical spines and overall neurological health. ### In this episode, you’ll learn: * The Evolution of Chairs: Why modern seating allows us to sit longer, but forces our shoulders to roll forward and destroys our neck posture . * Starving Your Spine: How sitting stops the muscular "pump" your discs rely on for nutrients, leading directly to dehydrated discs and Degenerative Disc Disease . * The Windsor Autopsies: The fascinating story of how a medical study designed to disprove chiropractors accidentally validated them instead . * Losing Your Balance: The science behind your body's hidden "stability muscles" and why desk workers are losing them. * The 20-Minute Reset: A simple, actionable stretching routine (and a clever water bottle trick) to protect your posture during the workday . --- ### About the Host Dr. Brant Hulsebus is a proud graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and serves as the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs. Practicing at Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic, he is dedicated to helping patients overcome modern physical stressors through neurologically-based chiropractic care. ### Join the Journey This is Part 5 of our 12-week series. Subscribe to follow along as we build your complete roadmap to spinal health and peak performance! Have a question? If you are dealing with neck pain, shoulder tension, or hand numbness from sitting at a desk, ask a chiropractor ! Leave a comment or contact our Rockford clinic. Connect with us: * Website: https://hulsebuschiropractic.com * Location: 1877 Daimler Road, Rockford, IL 61112 --- Next Week: We are shifting our focus to the one group of people who need to get up and move more than anyone else: expecting mothers! Join us for Episode 6 as we discuss Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy --- www.rockforddc.com