Health tips from our providers to keep you at your healthiest.
What Are They and Why Do I Need One? By Tina Opelt, APNP, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner Gift-giving is a common topic this time of the year. One gift in particular is especially important. In fact, one of the most important and impactful gifts is completing an advanced directive/living will.…
This month marks everyone’s favorite month, especially if you like pink! October is breast cancer awareness month. It is our chance to talk and bring awareness to breast cancer for both women and men. Yes, men are also at risk. So let’s jump right into it.
By Tina Opelt, APNP, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner Handwashing, social distancing and masking when feeling ill are not new concepts, and most people did a great job reducing the risk of spreading germs during the pandemic. However, it seems we are “quick to forget” the impact simple measures make when…
Are They Right for You? By Tina Opelt (APNP, FNP-BC) With nearly half of American adults classified as obese, many are exploring new treatment options. Obesity contributes to serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, arthritis, fatty liver disease, and certain types…
NorthLakes Community Clinic provides inclusive care in Turtle Lake in a region where healthcare access can be challenging. As one of 20 clinics across 19 Wisconsin communities, the Turtle Lake location exemplifies the mission of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to deliver quality care regardless of ability to pay. “We…
Submitted by Rebecca Crumb-Johnson, MA, RD, CDCES NorthLakes Community Clinic It is not always easy to eat well at work (or away from home in general). It is easy to grab a caramel latte with whipped cream, donuts, or a biscuit sausage sandwich. Lunch may be Kwik Trip cheese…
Coffee is a beverage of choice for the vast majority of American adults. According to the National Institutes of Health in 2016, 75% of Americans over the age of 19 reported drinking coffee. Most of us drink it daily and consider it a prerequisite for a decent start to the…
I work with individuals seeking treatment for addiction every day, whether by self-referral or court order, and I have personally seen the harm that is done to people when they are trying to get better. Despite this desire to get well, their history of involvement in the justice system, as…
Submitted by Angela Lunn, APNP, FNP-C NorthLakes Community Clinic Angela Lunn, APNP, FNP-C, is the Medical Program Manager at NorthLakes Community Clinic and is also a Nurse Practitioner in Ashland. It is crazy to think about, but summer is quickly winding down. Before we know it, we will be heading…
As temperatures rise, so does our need to stay hydrated. That said, it seems like there are endless options lining the shelves promising to help us reach our hydration goals. But are they really necessary?
Are you worried about your child keeping up with peers? Is your child delayed with gross motor milestones? Has your child been tripping and falling more often? A pediatric physical therapist can help! At NorthLakes Community Clinic, our pediatric PTs can help kids improve their overall strength, range of motion,…
As a mom myself, I know being a parent is hard work! This month is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month and I thought it’d be nice to dedicate some time to mental wellness. More specifically, I thought it might be helpful to share the fascinating connection between emotions and the…
Spring break is upon us, and many are preparing to fly off to enjoy a week on the beach, skiing in the mountains, or maybe something more exotic. Seasoned travelers know the importance of preparing for things like jet lag and staying hydrated on long flights or car trips, but…
Did you know adequate sleep is needed for maintaining healthy bodies, minds, and emotions? Research shows that seven to nine hours of sleep a night is considered to be what is needed to support good health in adults. Yet most Americans don’t meet this standard.
Winter in the Northwoods presents a challenge to our health that is physical and emotional. In this column, I will share strategies I use to keep myself, patients, and loved ones healthy throughout the long chill.
With the festive hustle and bustle the holiday season brings, I bet you’ve been busy! Same here. Do you know what tends to get shortchanged when we get busy? Lots of things, probably. But a big one is sleep. It tends to become an afterthought, treated as somewhat optional. We know…
Vitamin D is essential for our health. It promotes calcium absorption and keeps the proper balance of calcium and phosphate in our blood. This helps bones grow and stay strong, while also helping prevent muscle cramps. Adequate vitamin D helps safeguard children from brittle and misshapen bones. In adults, it…
Submitted by Nate Roberts, Director of Community Support Program Community Health Workers are an important part of public health and healthcare systems. They are the bridge between you and the resources available in your community, helping you navigate and connect to resources and systems to help you live a healthier…
Addiction is a brain-based disease. It changes the brain’s neurological structure, which can impact how an individual acts and their decision-making process. Addiction affects the entire family unit, bringing chaos and instability to the whole family. At NorthLakes, we recognize the impact addiction has which is why our Recovery Program…
There has been a lot of buzz regarding a drug class called GLP-1s recently in the media as the new miracle weight loss drug. Some of the non-generic brands include Trulicity and Wegovy. The story of these drugs may seem new but the origin of these drugs dates back almost…
When you hear Massage Therapy, what do you think of it? Most would say “relaxation” and some would say “luxury.” Massage Therapy can help with relaxation but it can do more for your health. Massage Therapy can help with decreasing stress and headaches, managing chronic pain, post-operative care, and soft…
May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, which marks a great time to focus on a mental health topic that impacts us all – anxiety. (Maybe because by May we can again stand to think about such things!)
There are many types of stigma that surround people in Recovery, also known as those who struggle with substance use disorder (SUD). At its core, stigma is described as any false negative beliefs that are widespread about a topic or a group of people.
Early childhood vaccines are important to protect your child and prevent outbreaks of diseases like pertussis and measles. Vaccines are one of the single most lifesaving public health measures, and they undergo a rigorous testing and approval process before they are available for public use. Our immune systems are complex…
Parenting is tough. To help overcome parenting challenges, we started a series that offers effective advice, strategies, and approaches that support your child’s growth and development. The new series, which leans on the expert advice from one of our pediatric occupational therapists, Jordan Chingo, is aptly called “Parenting Tips: Kid…
Many people are familiar with the term acupuncture, however, many are not familiar with the term dry needling and what it entails. Acupuncture and dry needling have a lot of overlap but differ in the theory behind each treatment. Acupuncture stems from Chinese medicine and involves meridians and opening up…
The first year of life is quite a busy time for parents. During the first year of life, your child is growing and learning skills at a faster pace than they ever will again. With appropriate support, most babies follow typical milestone achievements and development. It is amazing to watch,…
“Have you had your colonoscopy yet?” This is the phrase that most middle aged humans hear during their yearly wellness visit. Have you ever wondered why this is always asked? When looking at deaths related to cancer, colon cancer is the third leading cause in this group. In 2018 alone…
Say the word “August” and certain things immediately come to mind, like fresh sweet corn and tomatoes at their very best. Many of us are determined to fit in those last few beach days or camping trips during August. And for the parents of school-aged kids, August means a mad…
Whole foods are foods that are as little processed or refined as possible and have no additives such as preservatives or artificial ingredients, such as food coloring, added to the food. For example a baked potato would be a whole food but instant mashed or boxed scalloped potatoes are not. …
NorthLakes Community Clinic is hosting a series of three Behavioral Health group discussions for its patients, which includes Trauma and Loss, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills, and Parenting Skills for Complex Kids. Learn more in the blog post about what each discussion entails and how to participate.
Tamilyn White shares her perspective on having long-term COVID-19 in hopes of helping others understand the disease.
We frequently think of grief as something we feel when we lose someone close to us or have a life threatening diagnosis. It can be difficult for us to embrace the grief we feel for the loss of something we expected to be a certain way. We may not realize…
At NorthLakes Community Clinic, we help our patients actively remove barriers to wellness to help our communities thrive. Our registered nurse care management program is one of the tools we offer to achieve this goal.
Rebecca Crumb-Johnson shares the risks of pre-diabetes, how to prevent diabetes, and a resource to determine your risk for pre-diabetes.
February is American Heart Month, which is a great time to think about what you can do to ensure your heart is as healthy as possible. Cardiovascular disease kills as many people in this country every year as cancer, chronic lung disease, and accidents combined, and someone dies of cardiovascular…
December brings us annual holiday cheer, with lights, decorations, gatherings, breaks from school and presents. January brings us sleds, ice fishing and skiing. However, many of us find it more difficult to get going, and a little harder to maintain the good cheer.
Enter to win a shopping spree at the Chequamegon Food Co-op in Ashland. Details in the flyer in the blog post.
Open Enrollment for the 2022 Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as ‘Marketplace’ or ‘Exchange’) has officially begun! This is an opportunity for many individuals and families to sign up for health insurance for next year or to change plans. Open enrollment typically runs from Nov 1- Dec 15. This year…
In addition to the kick off of the holiday season, November is also Diabetes Awareness month. National Diabetes Day, which is November 14, is also the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin in 1921. Prior to his discovery, anyone who developed Type 1 diabetes did not survive.…
Although pain is the most common reason people see a chiropractor, there are many other reasons why a person should receive chiropractic care. Chiropractic can also improve sports performance, range of motion, mobility, numbness and tingling, posture and chiropractic can help you be overall healthy and well through nutritional and…
Family Health Center of Marshfield made two maps about Dental Patients Treated by Zip Code in Wisconsin. The yellow dots on these maps represent locations of a Federally Qualified Health Center like NorthLakes. Click to see them and learn more.
Dr. Tenpas, a Chiropractor at our Park Falls Clinic, offers up his advice on maintaining good chiropractic care when engaging in fall activities.
Fall is in the air, even as we try to soak up the last bits of summer. As you prepare for the colder and shorter days ahead, you may be winterizing boats, chopping firewood, and preserving that delicious summer produce. Your to-do list might feel long (or maybe you don’t…
Heading back to school is exciting but also stressful for some families. That’s because any transition can bring its own challenges. This is why it is important to prepare not only your mind, but your body for changes. This is especially important for children as change can be a more…
When people think about Chiropractic services most think of the local private practice. Often times, these clinics do not accept Medicaid and may even be cash only practices.
Prioritizing self-care and wellness and making time to come in for medical appointments have tremendous advantages. Taking time for your self-care, which could include practicing healthy eating habits and doing purposeful movements, can make you perform, feel, and think better in your life. Coming in for your medical appointments has…
By Rachel McKian, CCC-SLP What is speech language pathology? What is speech? What is language? What do speech therapists do? Could my child benefit from speech therapy? These are all questions that I’m asked regularly as a speech language pathologist. The easy answer is I work with any and all…
Submitted by Jenna Ingersoll, MD In recent weeks, our community has suffered many drug overdose deaths. This loss of lives has affected many people, who may be searching for answers. As a physician in our community, I wanted to share some impressions about this situation. Why is this happening? We…
Submitted by Sheri Brunette Outreach Dental Hygienist, NorthLakes Community Clinic We all have been told that we need to brush our teeth two times a day. Can you remember as a child someone showing or helping you to take care of your teeth? With that in mind let’s talk about…
Lately I’ve been reading a lot about the intersection of mind and body. We really need a word that includes what we mean when we say “mind” and what we mean when we say “body” because there is really only one thing, most ways you look at it, and we…
Submitted by Jill Williamson, DC Getting adequate physical activity during this extraordinary time of social distancing and COVID-19 may have been challenging, especially over the winter. Thankfully we are coming into the perfect time of year to start moving our bodies more. Your body was made to move. The risks…
Submitted by Allison Allen So here we are, one year into a worldwide experience of disruption, dismay, fear, grief, and for too many, deep, deep loss. Also a year of challenges encountered and challenges met! Not one of us has gone through this untouched or unaffected, and most of us…
Submitted by Jennie Zelenak, MS, CCC-SLP Picture this: You made dinner and your child is refusing to come to the table. Or, you thought you’d be adventurous and try a new meal, and your child is crying, possibly gagging, and maybe even throwing the food off the table. Or, you…
So, I was chatting with someone as we waited for a meeting to start earlier today and we were discussing coping. In particular we were talking about how much easier it seems to be to offer helpful pointers to others than to apply them to ourselves. I think everyone has…
At-home ideas to keep your kids active this holiday season By Jordan Chingo, OTR/L Virtual schooling, COVID-19, winter weather, OH MY! 2020 has been a year of stressors, constant change, and unprecedented times. With winter approaching and the world in a constant state of stress, it can be a lot…
Submitted by Lori Cannon, RN NorthLakes Community Clinic We’re heading into flu season, and this year it’s more important than ever to get your flu shot. With the pandemic still going strong in much of the country, scientists and medical professionals are concerned about this year’s flu season overlapping with…
Good morning fellow NorthLakers! Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. What, though, makes a weekend “great?” Usually when we say our weekend was “great” it’s either because it was restful, it was fun, or something happened that was meaningful to us. I’d like to focus today on…
Submitted by Lorelei Wakefield, DC In this time of crisis, we are instructed on so many things we can’t or shouldn’t do. I would like to share with you something we can and should be doing. One of the BEST things you can do for your health is to be…
Written by Allison Allen, Psychologist and Chief Behavioral Health Officer NorthLakes Community Clinic No one needs to tell you – these are difficult times! We are all taking in as much information as we can. We are making changes, rolling with the punches…and experiencing a lot of feelings! Some key…
Submitted by Allison Allen Maybe because of all the very complex and concerning discussions about how to handle school this year, I’ve been thinking more about kids, and I realize that I have not offered much for kids in these coping tips. What’s up with that? So I took a…
Submitted by Alison Allen I think you all might like my coping tip this week. We all kind of know it’s good for us, but you may be surprised at just how good it is. It can singlehandedly reduce stress, increase a feeling of wellbeing, stimulate your internal organs, boost…
Submitted by Dr. Jenna Ingersoll The decision to start a family can be daunting, and newly pregnant women and their families often have lots of questions. Here at NorthLakes, we offer preconception counseling, prenatal care, hospital deliveries at MMC and HAMH, and newborn care from our clinics in Iron River,…
Submitted by Allison Allen Well, I went away for just over a week, (not really away, it was a total staycation), and look what happened! Any lingering hope we may have had that the coronavirus would take a teeny weeny summer vacation and get off our cases was crushed like a bug.…
At NorthLakes Community Clinic, we strive to break down barriers to care. We know that one of those barriers can be trying to figure out which provider best suits your current health care needs. At NorthLakes we have a team of medical providers who can help you on your health…
Sue Maki loves taking care of others. In the 80s she moved to Iron River to care for her aging parents. She also serves as a volunteer driver and always looks for ways to help friends and neighbors. But in the midst of helping others, Sue put her own health…
Submitted by Allison Allen Thinking about the positive things that happen each day is today’s coping topic. I may have mentioned it somewhere – our minds are inherently skewed toward the negative. It’s a survival thing, a sort of constant scanning of the horizon for any trouble that may be…
Submitted by Lori Cannon, MSN, RN, PCMH CCE Care Management and PCMH Manager COVID-19 has changed nearly everything about our lives. With schools and businesses closed and social distancing measures in place, most of us have spent as much time as possible avoiding unnecessary contact with people to prevent the…
Submitted by Allison Allen Deep breath, everyone (if nothing else in any of these emails has stuck with you, I hope the suggestions on better breathing have. If not, maybe review?) We are going to get through this day, this week, this season of loss, anger and protest, and this…
Submitted by Dr. Cory Sateren, Optometrist NorthLakes Community Clinic – Ashland Optometry As you dive into your annual spring cleaning, it is also a great time to consider an annual eye exam. In addition to helping you remember to get your eyes checked, it is a great time to think…
Submitted by Allison Allen Hello! Happy Wednesday! I know, seems like Tuesday, doesn’t it? This week Wednesday is the new Tuesday (thank you, Memorial Day weekend!) Over said weekend I was listening to David Kessler on the radio, talking about grief, as he does so very, very well. One of…
Medicaid 101 Written by Kelsey Tody, Patient Financial Advocate The world of healthcare is one that we are all immersed in, yet so few of us truly understand. We visit an emergency room or make an appointment for our child, skimming the pages to be in and out as quickly…
By. Dr. Lorelei Wakefield NorthLakes Community Clinic We live in a toxic filled world. Toxins are found in our food, air, water, home and body. Studies show there are approximately 84,000 chemicals introduced into food and consumer products in America each year. There are more than 13,000 such chemicals used…
Submitted by Allison Allen So, you know how sometimes you get all wrapped up in something and really dive in. Then at some point you step back and take stock…and realize you have skipped something really basic. But really important! Well, I was reading through all my previous missives to…
Submitted by Allison Allen If you frequently read my articles, you know that I usually take a pretty light tone. It’s just my style. Today, though, that somehow doesn’t seem quite right. The news has been pretty heavy recently, hasn’t it? We’ve surpassed 100,00 folks lost to COVID-19 in the…
To respond to the health care needs of our communities with an integrated array of quality services and actively remove barriers to care. These words drive the work that NorthLakes Community Clinic does daily. The mission, written by a patient-majority board of directors, pushes the staff to go beyond traditional…
Trauma and suffering are words that we are all familiar with. For some us the mere mention of trauma and suffering brings an intense emotional reaction that can hold us hostage and even be gut wrenching. Trauma exists across systems, cultures and communities and affects us without discrimination through man…
The better question is why not? Many people who receive counseling discover that the idea of being in therapy is worse than the actual experience. The reasons people avoid therapy are endless—does it mean I’m broke or crazy, will people think I’m unsafe, that’s only for suicidal people, I can’t…
Group Therapy: People Helping People Find Safety and Meaning Written by Todd Joseph, LPC-IT, CSAC The Blueberry Fest and County Fair have passed. Evenings and mornings are cooler. With these and other signs of fall’s approach, we at NorthLakes Community Clinic are looking for ways to help those in the…
We have all experienced stress and being lost in our emotions. Those feelings can be very overwhelming and hard to move on from. Mindfulness is a great way to overcome those feelings. Mindfulness is a state of mind where you are observing your thoughts and feelings without judging them and…
Written by Tami Nelson, OTR/L, Registered Occupational Therapist NorthLakes Community Clinic- Ashland Downtown Clinic & Iron River Clinic NorthLakes Community Clinic (Published 10/2017) Have you ever noticed your child having challenges with attention? How about trouble completing motor tasks or sensitivity to sensory input like loud noises or certain textures?…
Written by NorthLakes Community Clinic, Hayward, WI (Published 2015) Since February is National Dental Health Month it is a good time to discuss how drinking soda and sports drinks can affect our teeth. Did you know that 51 million school hours are lost each year in the U.S. due to…
Written by Jennie Zelenak, MS, CCC-SLP; Speech Language Pathologist, (Published 2018) NorthLakes Community Clinic, Ashland, WI While kids are off school for summer vacation, parents can continue to foster language development, expand vocabulary learning and listening comprehension through storybook reading at home. No matter how young the child, storybook reading…
Ashland, WI—Killian is a bright, active pre-Kindergarten student who communicates with the help of a speech generating device or SGD. His mom Arianna says the SGD is life-changing for Killian. She takes him to speech therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT) at NorthLakes Community Clinic in Ashland. Thanks to NorthLakes’…
Written by Chris Gilbaugh, DC As we slowly drift back into school mode, many athletes are turning their attention back to getting in shape. Participating in sports can be a great way to become more physically fit, develop friendships and grow as a person. This makes it all the more…
Written by Jill Williamson, DC Did you know one of the most important times for a woman to receive chiropractic care is during her pregnancy? For the past 17-years I’ve been treating a wide variety of patients for various conditions, but the one I enjoy treating the most are those…
Written by Dr. Lorelei Wakefield As a Doctor of Chiropractic, health and wellness is my main focus. We have all been given the right components to keep ourselves healthy. Our immune system is our defense to keep pathogens out. Health comes from the inside out, so what you do to…
Written by Lori Cannon, MSN, RN At NorthLakes Community Clinic, we believe primary care is a critical component to ensuring long-term health. One of the easiest ways to receive primary care is by establishing a primary care provider. A primary care provider, often shortened to PCP, is a doctor, physician’s…
Submitted by Dr. Cory Sateren, Optometrist NorthLakes Community Clinic – Ashland Optometry As you dive into your annual spring cleaning, it is also a great time to consider an annual eye exam. In addition to helping you remember to get your eyes checked, it is a great time to think…
Written by Erick Anderson, Chiropractor As we ring in a New Year, plenty of folks will be taking advantage of the fabulous base layer of snow we have by hitting the trails. But, all too often, the first few days of ski season can result in some unwelcome aches and…
Ready or not, the holidays are here! If you are like me, every year you make some kind of resolution to slow down! Enjoy the season! Don’t get stressed! It sounds good, and I can picture it so clearly, and yet, every season results are mixed, at best. This year,…
Submitted by: Alexa Connolly, LPC NorthLakes Community Clinic The Hallmark Channel has just announced its holiday movie lineup, which means that the holiday season has begun. For some this may elicit feelings of excitement and joy, yet for many others the holiday season may be a time of stress, sadness…
Written by Jordan Oien, DC The seasons are changing and the hunting season is upon us. For those of you that deal with low back pain, you understand how difficult it can be not only to sit still during the hunt but also to have pain interfere with setting up…