“Bones & Breath”
The Blog of Dr. Erika Putnam, Chiropractor and owner of The Bend, Whitefish
The Solution to Writers Slump is Good Posture
Writers Slump. How do we get it? How can we avoid it? How Good Writing Posture & Habits Will Help You Get More Words on the Page (And, Prevent Back Pain) A slump is a slump. If you don’t do something about it, it will get worse. Whether words on a page or...
Hunting Coyotes and Making Memories with Dad
We walked a slow mile from the truck to the top of the ridge where I am now crouched behind a rock. My fingers are starting to get cold. Snow is falling softly from the late afternoon sky. We are disguised by the desert sage that surrounds us in every direction. ...
The Best Pillows For Neck & Back Pain
The best pillows and beds for pain are the ones that offer the best support for your unique body. Different people require different things. To find the right pillow or bed you must consider past injuries, current medical conditions, fitness level, habits and medical conditions like arthritis. All of these affect the spine. Therefore, they affect how you adapt to structural change. Bodies are unique.
Back Pain Relief; The Ultimate Guide
Back pain has many variables and returning to health can be complicated but it is not impossible. Listening to and responding to your body signals in a timely manner is one of the best things you can do for your health. Chiropractor, Dr. Erika Putnam, in Whitefish, Montana covers many of the causes and treatments for back pain relief in this Ultimate Guide.
Supplements or Salmon? (nutrition requirements are a moving target)
People are in varying states of health. Some folks are in optimal health with vitality and others are in a stage of disease. Most, are in between stages of health. They are either repairing and gaining on their health or moving closer to symptoms of disease. We are either in the process of degenerating or regenerating. Anabolism or catabolism. Health is not static, so where you are on the health spectrum dictates your requirements for exercise, nutrients, sleep and maybe even supplementation or medication.
Doctor-Patient Relationship: 3 ways to make it the best (EVER)
3 Things to consider when you want the best EVER doctor-patient relationship. Your chiropractic physician should understand how to treat your body and also help you improve your overall health. Find one that will treat you in relationship to your whole life.
Thumb Pain Relief Lets You Make Projects Again
Making a spoon might not be the biggest deal in the world, but it is when you have had thumb pain for 9 months. All of that digging against the grain and gripping is no easy task when your squeeze is reduced to a squish. Those of you with thumb and hand pain can...
His Name is Carhartt
His name is Carhartt , he is 11 weeks old. He bonks his head and rolls off of the leather couch and I catch myself thinking, lil dude, I’m gonna need to adjust you when we get to the office today. I have been in the chiropractic world since I was 15 years old. After...
Black Friday Yoga Inspires Moderation
Before 6:00 AM yesterday morning I was sitting in my recliner in front of the fireplace preparing a yoga class to teach on Black Friday. I decided the theme, moderation, was in order. Excesses came to mind as I envisioned myself with family and friends, a wine glass...
Healing is Happening – My Personal Story
It can be hard to keep hope in your heart, a vision of wellness in your mind and ease in your spirit when you are in pain, sick or physically unwell. When you have to give up your favorite activities, like hiking, hunting, or riding your bike, having a moment without...
A Healing Journey from Hospital Bed to Yoga Mat
One of my best friends, and road biking buddies was hit by a car on her bike. I got the daunting news of the accident from her 17 year old son. When asked, I was afraid to hear the sentence that would follow the question, “Is she okay?” I was home to Boise for the...
The Bends in the Forest
As a chiropractor I spend a good part of my day feeling for or watching ranges of motion of the bendable, moving, dynamic structures of the spine and limbs.
Back Country Back Care
Back care never seems that important until it’s you who is facing sitting out for the season or potentially postponing the hunt you have been planning for two years. All of a sudden you wished you knew more about back care and prevention. Being faced with surgery or...
Alignment Beyond the Adjustment ~ Part 2
“When we take a bigger view of wellness we are able to identify the things that are poor influences on health, independent of good intentions and the best medical care.”
A Chiropractors 9 Recommendations to “Holding” an Adjustment
There does not have to be pain when you are “out” and being out of pain does not mean you are “in”.

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