My experience with Vitality Chiropractic and Dr. Kris has been truly transformative. Through consistent care and thoughtful adjustments, I’ve experienced noticeable relief in areas of discomfort and chronic pain throughout my body. What stands out most is how this care has gone beyond just physical relief—my nervous system feels more balanced and aligned, which has positively impacted both my mental clarity and overall well-being.

There’s a strong connection between spinal health and the nervous system, and through this process, I’ve felt that connection come back into harmony. I feel more at ease in my body, more energized, and better equipped to handle daily stress. I’m incredibly grateful for the care and attention that has helped bring my physical and mental health into alignment.

The post Featured Patient: Claire H. appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

The conversation highlights Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) and the critical role of local vaginal hormones in preventing painful sex, recurrent urinary tract infections, and even sepsis. Dr. Rubin reviews evidence-based treatment options, including vaginal estrogen and vaginal DHEA, alongside systemic hormone therapy components and pelvic floor physical therapy. She also addresses how commonly prescribed medications—such as SSRIs, certain contraceptives, spironolactone, finasteride, and GLP-1 medications—can negatively impact libido, arousal, and orgasm, often without proper patient counseling. FDA-approved treatments for low desire, including Addyi and Vyleesi, are discussed as underutilized yet available options.

The episode concludes with a discussion of advocacy efforts that successfully removed long-standing black box warnings from hormone therapy labels, underscoring the importance of accurate, evidence-based information. Overall, the conversation provides validation and practical guidance for women navigating painful sex, low libido, hormonal transitions, and urinary symptoms—reinforcing that these concerns are common, treatable, and deserving of serious clinical attention.

The post Dr. Kris’ Podcast of the Month: Menopause, Hormones and Women’s Sexual Health with Dr. Rachel Rubin” on the unPAUSED Podcast with Dr. Mary Clare Haver appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

Join our Annual Soccer Ball Drive!

We’re collecting new soccer balls throughout June, which will go to the after-school programs for the foster youth of SBCS.

No time to go to the store?
No problem!

You can help in other ways:
1. Donate any amount of cash in the office
2. If you’re an Amazon Prime member,  you can buy soccer balls online and have  them shipped directly to our office!

Thank you for your support!

The post Help Us Reach Our Goal: Join Our Annual Soccer Ball Drive appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

1. The Impact of Perimenopause & Menopause on Sexual Function

Sexual function is an important contributor to a woman’s quality of life, yet many women experience changes as they transition through perimenopause into menopause. Scientific research shows:

• Many women report declines in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and increased pain during and after menopause. These changes are multifactorial, driven by hormonal shifts, psychosocial factors, relationship variables, and physical changes in genital tissues.
• Longitudinal data demonstrate that sexual functioning begins to decline about 20 months before the final menstrual period (FMP) and continues afterward — underscoring that the transition itself, not just the absence of periods, can influence sexual health.

2. Evidence-Based Medical Approaches

Hormone Therapy & GSM

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — including vaginal dryness and discomfort — impacts more than 50 % of midlife and older women and significantly affects sexual activity and comfort.

• Consensus expert panels (including Dr. James A. Simon and others) emphasize that tissues relevant to sexual function are both estrogen- and androgen-responsive, and this is clinically relevant for managing GSM and related sexual concerns.
• Systematic reviews find that systemic hormone therapy may offer a small benefit for overall sexual function, possibly by alleviating genitourinary symptoms and improving comfort during sexual activity — though effects on sexual function overall are modest and individualized.

Holistic & Lifestyle Factors

Exercise and physical activity appear to positively influence postmenopausal women’s sexuality and ameliorate psychological symptoms related to menopause, likely through mood enhancement, improved cardiovascular health, and increased body confidence.

3. Perspectives from Leading Practitioners

Dr. Rachel Rubin, MD

Dr. Rubin is a clinician-researcher focused on sexual medicine. Her work highlights that:

• We need to understand biopsychosocial contributors to sexual dysfunction and broaden clinical approaches.
• Treatments such as vaginal estrogen and DHEA (prasterone) can be effective first-line therapies for conditions like GSM, helping improve lubrication, reduce discomfort, and support sexual arousal.

Her emphasis on evidence-based, patient-centered care helps destigmatize sexual health conversations and supports women in optimizing wellbeing throughout midlife.

Dr. Kelly Casperson, MD

While direct peer-review citations of Dr. Casperson’s research aren’t indexed on PubMed, her clinical insights — especially through educational platforms — focus on:

• The importance of targeted vaginal therapies such as localized estrogen to address GSM and associated sexual pain.
• Integrating pelvic floor health and functional genital care into comprehensive menopausal symptom management.

(These clinical themes are widely supported by menopause care guidelines and patient outcomes discussions in emerging clinical practice.)

4. How Chiropractic Care Can Support Sexual Health

While chiropractic care is not a primary treatment for sexual dysfunction itself, evidence and clinical practice indicate that:

• Central Nervous System Regulation: Chiropractic adjustments help optimize nervous system communication. Because sexual response involves coordinated neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal pathways, improved neurological function can support better pelvic floor coordination, sensation, and overall comfort.
• Stress Reduction: Chronic stress — which many women experience during midlife transitions — can dampen sexual desire and arousal. Chiropractic care promotes parasympathetic activation and reduces sympathetic dominance, fostering relaxation and improved mood.
• Pelvic Alignment & Function: Subtle biomechanical dysfunction in the lumbar or sacral spine can affect pelvic floor muscle function and proprioception, which in turn may influence comfort and responsiveness during sexual activity.
• Holistic Care Integration: When combined with lifestyle strategies (e.g., exercise, nutrition, pelvic floor physical therapy), chiropractic support contributes to a whole-body approach to sexual wellbeing.

5. Practical Tips for Women Today

Talk openly with your clinician about symptoms — sexual health is a normal part of overall wellbeing.
Consider regular physical activity — evidence shows structured exercise improves sexual health measures.
Explore evidence-based treatments like localized hormone therapies when appropriate.
Address stress and nervous system balance — holistic care approaches, including chiropractic care, may support global wellbeing that underpins sexual health.

With vitality,
Dr. Brew & the Vitality Chiropractic Center Team

Cultivating Vitality – one person, one mind, one life at a time.

The post Women’s Sexual Health in Midlife: What You Need to Know appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

Why regular chiropractic care supports your nervous system, strengthens brain–body communication, and helps your spine and muscles function at their best—month after month and year after year

 A Message from Dr. Brew

Dear Vitality Family,

Consistency isn’t just a nice-to-have in chiropractic care — it’s foundational to how your nervous system adapts, functions, and thrives. Just like other health habits (exercise, sleep, nutrition), regular chiropractic care trains and reinforces patterns of function that support your brain, nervous system, and musculoskeletal health over time.

Here’s a breakdown of the science and the “why” behind ongoing, consistent care.

Why Consistency Matters — Nervous System & Brain Function

Chiropractic adjustments don’t just address symptoms — they influence how your nervous system communicates with your body.

• Neuroplasticity — Supporting the Brain’s Ability to Adapt
  Recent research shows that chiropractic care can change brain activity patterns associated with pain, mood, sleep, and quality of life. After regular care over weeks:
  • Brain EEG patterns and Default Mode Network activity change in measurable ways.
  • Patients show improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue.
  • These changes happen at the level of neural processing — not just at the spine itself.

This suggests consistency in care creates neuroplastic adaptations — meaning your brain becomes better at processing information that supports function and well-being.

• Sensory & Motor Integration
  Chiropractic adjustments influence somatosensory processing — how your brain interprets signals from the body. A study using somatosensory evoked potentials found that 12 weeks of care improved intrinsic cortical inhibitory interactions (basically how the brain filters and integrates signals), which may explain why pain and function improve with consistent care.
• Brain-Body Communication
  Dr. Heidi Haavik’s research and related studies have shown that spinal adjustments influence sensorimotor integration and neural processing in areas such as the primary sensory cortex, motor cortex, prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. These areas are involved in motor control, movement planning, focus, and executive function.

What does that mean for you?
Consistent adjustments help the brain and spinal cord communicate more accurately with muscles, joints, and organs — improving posture, balance, movement precision, and daily function.

Musculoskeletal Benefits of Ongoing Care

When chiropractic care is consistent:

Enhanced Nervous System Regulation

Adjustments can improve how the nervous system modulates muscle tone, joint motion, reflexes, and motor control — not only reducing pain but enhancing functional mobility and coordination.

Reduced Chronic Pain Signals

Regular care supports healthy sensory input from joints and muscles — which can decrease persistent pain signaling and improve movement habits.

Long-Term Functional Improvements

While a single adjustment can provide relief, ongoing care supports sustained change in neuromuscular patterns and movement strategies.

How Often Should You Receive Care?

Consistency doesn’t mean “daily.” It means a care schedule that:

• Maintains neural adaptations gained from prior visits
• Reinforces efficient function of the nervous system
• Keeps musculoskeletal balance and joint motion supported
• Prevents regression into compensatory patterns

For many patients, bi-monthly care provides a rhythm that allows your system to retain gains, prevent flare-ups, and support adaptive processing at a physiologic level.

Beyond Pain — Systemic Benefits

Emerging research suggests that longer-term chiropractic care affects biomarkers related to stress and neuroplasticity:

• Increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) — a key protein for brain health and adaptation
• Changes in inflammatory and stress response biomarkers
• Modulation of systemic signals linked to health and resilience

These findings suggest that continued chiropractic care touches more than your spine — it supports the neuroendocrine and immune network that underlies your overall adaptability and vitality.

The Takeaway

Consistency is not about frequency for its own sake — it’s about cumulative effect.

Just as regular sleep supports brain health and consistent nutrition fuels the body, regular chiropractic care trains and reinforces nervous system function. Over time this translates into:

Better nerve signaling and communication
More efficient movement and coordination
Reduced pain flare-ups and fewer compensations
Enhanced mood, sleep, and life quality

This is the cornerstone of vitalistic, nervous system-focused chiropractic care — supporting your whole person, not just your symptoms.

If you ever want to discuss your individual care schedule or progress, just reach out — we’re here to support your thriving.

To your health,
Dr. Brew & the Vitality Chiropractic Center Team

Cultivating Vitality – one person, one mind, one life at a time.

The post Consistency Creates Vitality appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

My chiropractic journey started about 25 years ago. It seemed to come out of the blue one day. I received care on a regular basis, which helped manage the issue, but I never really got over the hump. I would go through periods of flare-ups with intense pain, followed by stretches where I felt good for three or four months.

Fast forward to 2025, when my daughter convinced me to give Dr. Kris a try. “Just go talk with her,” she said. Well, the rest is history.

From day one, I was warmly welcomed into the office by Pam and Dr. Kris, and it has been an amazing journey ever since. I truly appreciate Dr. Kris’s approach. She takes the time to understand your body, does her homework, and gets to the root of where the problems lie. She is gentle, yet incredibly thorough. Her approach is unlike anything I’ve experienced before, and I’ve seen quite a few chiropractors over the years.

Dr. Kris is an amazing human being who is compassionate, funny, witty, and professional. She genuinely cares about how you’re doing and takes the time at each visit to check in and understand what’s going on in your body. I especially value how focused she is on finding the root cause of the problem.

When I first came in, I was in pretty rough shape. Within the first three months, I noticed a huge difference and started feeling significantly better. Since then, she has helped me maintain a consistent level of wellness. The ups and downs with pain and the days spent stuck in bed on my back are basically gone.

Pam is also an incredible part of the team. I always enjoy chatting with her as she’s knowledgeable and makes you feel right at home.

Thank you to the Vitality Chiropractic team for helping me get my life back and keep it on track.

The post Featured Patient: Mark D. appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

This is another MUST READ for all perimenopausal women! In her newest book, “The New Perimenopause”, Dr. Haver sets things straight. She explains that the numerous and varied symptoms of perimenopause occur in direct response to normal endocrine changes; this is the hormonal “zone of chaos.” Whether you have symptoms or not, The New Perimenopause helps remove the mystery around this time of change, putting women in control of their health going forward.

A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, The New Perimenopause includes:

• Clear, science-backed explanations of what’s going on in your body, from changes in your menstrual cycle, energy levels, mood, and sexual issues.
• How and why dealing with these changes now is preventative medicine for your later years.
• Checklists, questions for your doctor, and how to insist on good care.
• The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of progesterone therapy to help ease your hormonal transition.

Dr. Haver dives deep into this major hormonal transitional change for women. Though menstrual cycle changes and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies them are the hallmarks of the transition to menopause, many women with regular periods as young as 35 can also start to feel irregular, with symptoms that include anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, sexual symptoms, and volatile moods. This array of symptoms can be hugely disruptive all the more so when a doctor dismisses a woman’s complaints as all in her head or prescribes unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified OB-GYN, author, and menopause specialist who has become a leading figure in the “menopause revolution”. She is best known for her advocacy for women’s health in midlife and her large social media presence, where she educates millions of followers on perimenopause and menopause.

For more information about Dr. Mary Claire Haver and her book, visit her website

The post Dr. Kris’ Book of the Month: The New Perimenopause appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

Please contact Pam at 619-299-9722 to reschedule your appointment.

The post Office Closed 05/25/26 appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

Please contact Pam at 619-299-9722 to reschedule your appointment.

The post Office Closed 4/6/2026 appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.

Entering menopause often brings a host of changes to your body, with more than 70% of women experiencing symptoms like joint pain, muscle loss, and reduced bone density. As a board-certified female orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Wright frames these challenges as the “musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause” – a condition that can lead to broken bones, limited mobility, and loss of independence if left unaddressed.

The Core Pillars of Unbreakable

Dr. Wright delivers actionable strategies grounded in her expertise as an orthopedic surgeon. Here’s how she guides you to offset the “timebombs of aging” and take control of your health span:

• Nutrition: Learn how to fuel your body with anti-inflammatory foods that extinguish chronic inflammation, repopulate your gut microbiome, and build stronger muscles and bones. Includes 20 easy, anti-inflammatory recipes that make eating for longevity simple and delicious.
• Exercise: Pinpoint the right balance of cardio and resistance training tailored to your body. Dr. Wright’s insights ensure you regenerate tissues, boost metabolic function, and strengthen your body from the inside out.
• Lifestyle: Adopt everyday habits that reduce stress, improve restorative sleep, and dial down systemic inflammation. These lifestyle changes create a strong foundation for long-term health and vitality.
• Supplements: Target “zombie cells” and enhance cellular function with science-backed supplement recommendations, helping you maintain energy and resilience as you age.
  Unbreakable provides a clear and practical roadmap to combating these challenges, ensuring that your health, strength, and vitality remain intact for years to come.

Unbreakable provides a clear and practical roadmap to combating these challenges, ensuring that your health, strength, and vitality remain intact for years to come.

Dr. Vonda Wright is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and is leading the conversation on health and longevity globally. For 20 years, Dr. Vonda Wright has dedicated her work and research as an orthopedic surgeon, elite sports doc, public speaker, published author, biotech consultant, and health innovator to optimize aging and compel us to live more, do more, excel more, and live VITALLY as we age.

For more information about Dr. Vonda Wright and her book, visit her website.

The post Dr. Kris’ Book of the Month: Unbreakable: A Women’s Guide to Aging with Power appeared first on Vitality Chiropractic.