Brouillette Back & Neck Clinic Announced as April 2023 Business of the Month!

FREDONIA, WI:

Thank you to all of Fredonia for supporting the Brouillette Back & Neck Clinic all these years! A special thank you to Mr. Dan Gehrke, Village President, and Christophe Jenkins, Village Administrator, for this award. We are honored!

From the Village of Fredonia: “Brouillette Back & Neck Clinic was announced as the April 2023 Business of the Month! This monthly award highlights businesses that are making an impact in the Village of Fredonia and spreads awareness to their story and services provided to the community.

“Daniel Gehrke, Village of Fredonia President, and Administrator Chris Jenkins met with owner, Dave Brouillette, to learn more about their operation at 511 Fredonia Avenue. Dave and his family, wife and 4 children, came to Fredonia in 1995 as Fredonia had early plans for explosive growth in housing and commercial development. Originally starting as a pre-Med student, a freshman year paper led him towards chiropractic.

“I had to write a paper where I had to interview a source and pick a controversial topic,” said Brouillette. “My aunt happened to marry a chiropractor, and I said, ‘This will be easy!’”

This sparked a journey into the therapeutic service that helped to compliment Fredonia’s existing doctor, dentist, and eye care services. The Clinic currently employees 4 full-time specialists, and has an overwhelming customer base that has developed over the years.

“My customer base is larger than the Village of Fredonia’s population!” Brouillette quipped.

“Main streets are where communities come alive,” stated Administrator Jenkins. “Brouillette has been a staple presence and we hope it will continue to be for years to come.”

Brouillette says his future plans are still here in the Village. “We moved here because of the great quality of life found in Fredonia. We have what most Americans are envious of, for sure.”

He plans to continue on as long as he’s physically able to.

“The building has gone through multiple ownership over the years, and Brouillette highlights this historical nature within his business,” added President Gehrke. “It is inspiring to see a local business take pride not only in his profession but our community.”

Photo Credit: Village of Fredonia, Wisconsin (Facebook)

An Interview with Dr. Dave

Hey Dr. Dave, is it true that you recently got the first flu shot of your life?

“Yep.”

Why now and not ever before?

“Well, that's a great question. First, you should know that I believe in science, and I love the idea that science allows us to change our minds and we don't have to feel guilty about it. We just change course based on the evidence at hand. A great example is the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, the first surgeon to promote the idea that washing hands between patients saved lives from doctor-caused infection. He was met with great opposition from his peers even though he was eventually proven 100% correct. Anyway, in the past, my thought was that the worst thing that could happen if I did not get the flu shot was that I would get the flu, and for me -- well, I simply don't get sick often, so I was never worried. But now, the worst thing that could happen is that I get sick, have no symptoms yet, pass the illness on to one of my patients and send them to the doctor or hospital, taking up critical space for those who really need the care.”

That's awesome, Dr. Dave, that you did that for your patients!

“Well, not so fast: without getting into specifics, I currently have a loved one laying in a hospital bed with a serious health condition that has nothing to do with COVID. If you have been following the news, you know that every hospital bed is precious right now, and hospital staffing is critically low. So, every patient that shows up to the hospital is diverting attention from my loved one, so in many respects, I am self-serving.”

Well, how are you feeling after your shot, and how did you feel after the COVID shots?

“We're talking now five hours after the flu shot and I feel great, not even a sore arm. The COVID shots were a different story.”

Really? Can you explain?

“Well, the first was no problem, minor headaches and body aches. The second was rough; I would not have been able to work if I had had to that day. It felt like I had the flu, but no respiratory symptoms. The booster was really rough for me. I had 36 hours of feeling pretty crummy, and somewhere in the middle of that time, about 8 hours of misery. Just felt really sick.”

So, do you regret getting it?

“Absolutely not. We are in the midst of a war right now. Over 800,000 are dead from COVID in our country alone. I have ancestors that put their lives on the line in the Civil War, World War II, and the Korean War. This is the least I can do for my country and my fellow man. I respect the right of everyone to determine what goes into their own body, but that's my rationale for getting fully vaccinated for COVID-19.”

One last question: since you were fully vaccinated and had your booster shot when you got your flu shot (first photo), why were you wearing a mask?

“Well, the pharmacist who was giving me the shot was wearing a mask, so I just wanted to show them respect.”

Dr. Dave receiving his first-ever flu shot, December 2021.

Dr. Dave completing his initial vaccination for COVID-19, February 2021. Dr. Dave received his COVID-19 booster shot in November 2021.

Dr. Dave Receives Second Dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

From Dr. Dave: “I just received my second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I was lucky enough to receive this injection from Dr. McManus, a highly respected physician who always makes time to volunteer his services when our area needs him, including at the Albrecht Free Clinic in West Bend.”

“Chiropractors are often lumped in with the 'anti-vax' crowd, which is simply not true. As a rule, we are pro-common sense application of all medical procedures, including vaccines. When the risk of the disease to that individual is greater than the risk of the vaccine, then it only makes sense to get the shot."

Dr. Dave Receives First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

Out of respect for his patients and family members in the high-risk groups, Dr. Dave received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine on Friday, January 29th. His only side effects so far are some soreness at the injection site and a very mild headache. As with any medical intervention, there will always be some who experience serious side effects, and caution should be taken for those with significant allergies, or those who have had reactions to vaccines in the past. Trials to date show this vaccine is 95% effective--far better than the flu vaccine, which averages around 40% effectiveness. Dr. Dave welcomes any patients looking for a trusted personal resource on the vaccination experience to bring their questions to him.

From Dr. Dave: "The decision to vaccinate--or not--should be made on a case-by-case basis. If you were infected by this SARS-CoV-2 virus and think you might suffer from severe symptoms and long-term health effects, or have risk of death, I strongly suggest you consider the vaccine. By now, we all know people who have tragically suffered from this wicked disease. If you choose to take your chances with the wild virus, as many of my patients plan to, I also support that decision. It is my firm belief that in our pursuit of happiness, we need to maintain the right to determine what we put into our own bodies."

Best Wishes, Dr. Squires!

It is with mixed emotions that Dr. Dave and all the staff at the Brouillette Back and Neck Clinic officially wish Dr. Weston the best in his future endeavors.

In less than three weeks, Dr. Weston will be returning to his hometown, Scottville, MI (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottville,_Michigan), where he will join his father at the famous Squires Family Chiropractic Clinic (https://squireschiropractic.com/lewis-g-squires-d-c-memberships/).

Those who have had the fortune of being treated by Dr. Weston know that he holds the highest standard for his care, with a true concern for the well-being of the patient in front of him. The Brouillette Back and Neck Clinic has had many fine chiropractors do rotations with Dr. Dave, but Dr. Squires' combination of intelligence, education, natural ability for delivering a specific chiropractic adjustment, and passion for helping others achieve better health is unmatched.

For more information regarding Dr. Squires and his equally talented wife, Dr. Alexus (already a podiatrist and soon finishing her residency here in Wisconsin to become a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon), please see the following article that was recently published in the Michigan press: https://www.masoncountypress.com/2020/11/11/dr-and-dr-squires-returning-home-to-serve-their-communities/

If you would like to say goodbye to Dr. Weston and get a fantastic spinal tune-up to de-stress for the holidays, here is his remaining schedule:

Sat 12-12, Tues 12-15, Fri 12-18, Tues 12-22, and his last day will be Tues 12-29-2020.

Goodbye, Dr. Squires. Like following a space mission to explore galaxies unknown, we look forward to following your stellar career!

The Orthotic Special is Back! 10/1-10/16/2020

Back by popular demand, it’s the return of the BBNC Orthotic Special! Buy 1 pair of custom orthotics and get your second pair of equal or lesser value for just $150.00—in-clinic only. Call now to get your orthotics consultation on the books! Offer valid 10/1-10/16/2020.

The Chiropractic Approach: Six Tenets for Achieving Body Optimization and Symmetry

Oftentimes we post about or refer to The Chiropractic Approach. But, what exactly does that entail? We're going to take a deep dive into each of the six tenets of The Chiropractic Approach to provide a greater insight for our patient community. Get ready to SAVE and SHARE this information!

The first tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is Manual Therapy. The goal of Manual Therapy is the restoration of musculoskeletal function and symmetry by way of tension reduction and joint mobilization. Common techniques include massage, pressure point work, and stretches/exercises like yoga and resistance band routines.

The second tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is the best known one, Spinal Adjustments. With the spine serving as the foundation of the skeleton and the nervous system, specific chiropractic manipulations reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore function by realigning vertebrae and relieving tension on nerves. Chiropractors remove interference to healing so the body can heal itself.

The third tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is entirely removed from manual manipulations and adjustments: it's DIET. It is absolutely essential for the body, especially in fighting inflammation and promoting healing, to maintain a specific diet. Limiting carbs, sugar, red meats, and fried foods is paramount; maintaining proper hydration (think an ounce of water per pound in body weight/day) is key. It's a cliche but it's so true: your body is a machine, and only proper fuel will make it run optimally.

The fourth tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is WEIGHT LOSS (Maintaining a Healthy Body Mass Index). The hallmark of obesity and a poor diet is chronic inflammation. Many physicians and medical scientists believe that inflammation is the root cause of most of our modern diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Not to mention, every excess 10 pounds of body weight can mean as much as 40 pounds of extra pressure on the knees. That combination of inflammation and pressure leads to a vicious cycle of pain and inactivity, throwing the body even more out of symmetry and causing more weight gain. In the same breath, a healthy diet (the third tenet) and regular exercise can actually REVERSE inflammation and pressure, allowing the body to HEAL ITSELF!

In keeping with chiropractic's whole body approach to health and wellness, the fifth tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is SLEEP. Sleep is integral to the body and mind's healing and recovery processes. Reductions in brain and immune system function, along with increases in inflammation, are on the table when sleep is improper or interrupted. It's no surprise, then, that insomnia is highly prevalent among people with chronic pain. To get started on a path toward proper sleep, you can take a few easy steps: ensure 7 or more hours per night, keep a consistent schedule of bed and wake up times, and limit screen time before bed.

The sixth and final tenet of The Chiropractic Approach is Drug-Free Pain Management. The thing about pain is, it doesn't care if it's after hours or right before your next appointment. Especially if you are losing sleep, it is vital to turn to drug-free means to combat pain and inflammation. Fortunately, there are many effective natural means to do this. Some examples include: applying ice (remember, 15 minutes on, 1 hour off), topical applications like BioFreeze, dietary supplements (fish oil, turmeric, MSM, chondroitin sulfate), eating fresh fruit and veggies, and cutting out pro-inflammatory foods (no more bread, pasta, and sugar). These are some of your safest bets to nursing even the worst pain without drugs until you can next be in the office. Our doctors are always happy to discuss these options, many of which we have available for purchase.

Clinic Operations Resuming May 4th: Here's What You Need to Know

Dear Patients & Friends of the BBNC,

As we gear up to resume operations on May 4th, we must inform everyone of our social distancing and prevention protocols to ensure the safety of you all and our staff.

All patients must follow these protocols for entry into the clinic:

1. Wear your own mask or face-covering at all times. We are unable to provide masks to patients due to limited supplies.

2. Wash your hands at the outdoor sink station for at least 20 seconds with soap.

3. Consent to a temperature check (forehead infrared scan) immediately upon arrival inside.

4. Maintain social distance of 6 feet inside the clinic whenever applicable.

5. If you are experiencing any cold/flu symptoms, or have knowingly been exposed to COVID-19, do not enter the clinic. 

8-10AM are reserved for our most potentially susceptible patients, those who are 65 and older and/or with significant health complications (heart disease, diabetes, compromised immune systems, etc.). Those most vulnerable are not required to only come between 8-10AM, but rather this time has been set aside for you as a maximum precaution on our end. We also will be returning to our Friday hours of 8AM-2PM. All treatments will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY, as we will only be allowing a maximum of six patients in the clinic at a time. Early arrivals must wait in their cars prior to their scheduled appointment.

Finally, as was the case before we suspended operations, we will have intensified sanitation procedures in place for doctors and staff, too.

Phones will be open Saturday, May 2nd, and Sunday, May 3rd, between 9AM and 5PM to schedule appointments for May 4th and beyond. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call or reach out on social media. Together, we can safely resume operations and ensure everyone who needs it has access to our care.

In health,

Dr. Dave, Dr. Squires, and the Brouillette Back and Neck Clinic Staff

UPDATE: Clinic Operations Suspended Until May 4th

Dear Patients and Friends of the BBNC,

Although Governor Evers has deemed chiropractic an essential business, the hard decision has been made to suspend all clinic operations until May 4th, 2020. This is for the ultimate safety of our patients and staff--to do our part in helping mitigate risk for those most vulnerable to COVID-19. As a thank you to our loyal patients, 2019 prices will be honored for all prepay plans, and free visits will be held and honored for all memberships.

In the meantime, use this time wisely by eating healthy, exercising daily, and maintaining a positive attitude for your friends and family. We will continue to keep our socials up to date with further news, as well as home exercise, nutrition, and care tips.

Be kind, be calm, and stay vigilant. Keep yourselves updated on all CDC and public health guidelines.

In health,

Dr. Dave and the BBNC Staff