Ask Your Kids

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Photo on 2012-09-30 at 19.53 #4Parenting is not easy. My sons teach me far more than I teach them, and I think I will be saying this for many years. They are also my greatest source of joy, and developing them into amazing human beings is by far the biggest accomplishment I am working on.

I believe we create independent children by giving them freedom to make choices, within limits of course, while providing them guidance, support, encouragement, and tons of love along the way. If we empower them to have some control over their lives, I believe they are more accountable for their actions and can feel more proud of themselves with what they achieve.

To start this summer, I decided to ask my sons for their thoughts about how they should spend their time.  My goal was to figure out what they wanted to do, rather than just imposing my ideas on them, and to give us a framework to plan our time.

I gave them this simple list of questions to answer.  To be honest, reading their responses moved me to tears.  Sure, I was reminded of their interests, and I learned a few new ones that had developed, but I was also completely inspired by some of their comments and very proud of the people they are becoming.

Obviously, it goes without saying that communication is the key in any relationship and the ones we have with our children is no different.  Giving them opportunities to express themselves with you will always succeed, and sometimes written communication  can offer different insights than verbal alone. If you’re connecting with your children, start now.

I mentioned this exercise to a few parents in the practice and they asked for a copy, so here it is…

school’s out!

Sleeping Like a Baby

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Ty day2b

In addition to what we see clinically, research continues to support Chiropractic care for children!

One study looked at SLEEP PATTERNS IN CHILDREN regardless of the initial reason they were brought to a Chiropractor. Of the 116 infants enrolled in the study, 10% had reported ‘sleep disturbances’ and 75% had presented with ‘excessive crying’.

Overall, better sleep habits were seen in all the infants – and what parents wouldn’t appreciate that?!  Specifically, consecutive hours of sleep, quality of sleep, and time taken to settle before sleep all showed significant improvement. Parents reported that their infants settled more quickly and easily, noting improvements after only a few adjustments.

Chiropractic works. For everyone.

Disclaimer: Chiropractic care supports overall health and healing, but is not a cure or treatment for sleep issues in children.

Back to School! Tips for Using Back Packs

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Its that time of year again….school is in! Kids going back to school carrying packs on their back is a great reminder to all of us to exert some caution when using them to haul our stuff around. Check out these brief tips below:

– Avoid slinging your backpack on one side – this can cause the spine to lean, putting stress on the joints and muscles in the mid – and lower – back.

– As much as possible, wear both straps and adjust them so that the pack fits snugly. You should be able to slide your hand between the backpack and your back. Ensure the straps don’t dig into the skin to prevent proper circulation.

– Use the waist strap during periods of long wear since it reduces the strain on your back and transfers some of the load to your hips.

– Position the shoulder straps on on your shoulders!  Carrying your backpack too low will cause you to lean forward and puts the weight on your upper back.

– Bend with your knees to lift the pack, or place the pack on a table or bench to more easily slide it onto your back instead of bending and twisting.

– Choose a pack with plenty of compartments and make use of them! Pack the heaviest items closest to your body, and place awkward shaped items towards the front so that they do not dig into your skin.

The most important thing to remember is this: when your spine is healthy, when your muscles are strong and balanced, everyday activities are not a problem for your body! Regular chiropractic care ensures this. If you haven’t yet made time to find a Chiropractor to work with to achieve your family’s health goals…now is the time!

Chiropractic & Fever

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Caring for children is by far the highlight of everyday in my practice. I love watching the children grow, but I love watching the parents grow too! Our programs for children help parents learn about how to care for their family naturally, and offer guidance for many questions and parenting dilemmas that pop up.

“I thought I’d share a little something which means the world to me!  My son was at daycare on a very hot Monday.  When I picked him up at 4, he was acting kinda off.  All the other kids seemed fine. When I got home with him, I felt his head and he felt warm, but I figured it was the hot weather and thought little of it.  That night he did not sleep well, which is not normal for him.  In the morning I checked his temperature and it was 99 degrees.  I kept him home Tuesday and monitored him all day.  He was off all day and needed mommy.  By Tuesday night his temperature was 100, so putting him to bed, I gave him infant advil. It helped him sleep, but he was restless. Wednesday morning, I checked his temperature and it had gone up to 102.  I called Telehealth and they told me that there was a virus going around infants and toddlers, and that it was a cold with a fever and that it could last up to three weeks.  They said that what I was doing was perfect and that if it gets any worse to call them back.  I knew you were working 3-6, so I called to book him in for an adjustment.  I knew it couldn’t do any harm.  The adjustment was obviously a surprise to him because he cried, but when I got him home, he was almost back to normal.  I thought I would check his temperature just to see what it was and I was floored!!  Twenty minutes after you adjusted him his temperature was back down to 98 degrees.   You’re awesome!!! This is twice now I thought I was going the ER but I’m so glad I came here first!”    MT

Disclaimer: Chiropractic care supports overall health, but is not a cure or treatment for fever in children. 

Barefoot Bliss!

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It all started innocently enough a few summers ago. In the practice one afternoon, my shoes hurt, so I took them off.  After adjusting a few people, however, I was, almost instantly, converted.  I felt stronger, more sure on my feet, grounded.  More purposeful and connected with each adjustment.

So as per most products, concepts,  new trends or fads….I experimented on myself, and did a bit of research before being ready to share my thoughts.

I am not a runner, but I have heard about barefoot running.  I believe strongly in the importance of children being barefoot, particularly in their toddler years when just learning to walk.

I asked some colleagues and was not surprised to find that many of them also adjust barefoot – the simple answer when I asked why? its more natural and the way we were designed! I was also surprised to learn so many people I adjust prefer being barefoot, finding it more comfortable.

Many health experts agree that bare is the healthiest state for your feet to be in.  Most shoes have no relation at all to the natural shape of the human foot.  It’s also been argued that most adult foot trouble would not exist if properly shaped shoes, or better yet, no shoes at all had been used during childhood.

Children who are encouraged to walk barefoot typically have:

– fewer instances of deformed toe

– greater foot flexibility

– greater ability to spread the toes

– denser muscles on the bottom of the feet

– greater agility than those who had never gone barefoot

– better hip rotation and more flexibility of leg muscles

– greater balance

– better posture, spinal balance and overall nerve system function

What are the benefits for you?

– natural shaped feet, including straighter toes free of corns, hammer toes, bunions and callouses in the wrong places

– well shaped legs resulting from a natural and balanced gait.

– a more natural motion, free of weight brought on by shoes

– prevention of blisters, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts

– better posture & spinal health!

It’s also been suggested that people who are barefoot tend to be less stressed and authoritative, leading to a more relaxed environment at both home and work. Many cultures believe that the positive energy of the earth, known as chi, prana, is absorbed through the soles of the feet. When you are walking barefoot your body is absorbing this positive energy, allowing you to think more clearly.

AND…there is evidence that the natural motion of barefoot positively affects brain function!!!

Other than the spine, the foot is the region of the body which contains the most proprioceptive sensory receptors, the distinctive nerve circuits that help your brain know where your body is in relation to the space around you.  Given this abundance of sensory information, the natural unrestricted movement of the feet is vital for overall neurological health!

I have happily embraced being barefoot as much as possible. Even though I do love shoes, I find myself wearing them more because I need to, not because I want to…and I kick them off as soon as I can.

Why Get Adjusted?

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Recently, I asked some people in my practice why they were getting adjusted.  Here’s what I heard:

“It allows me to function without severe pain.  You helped me understand that this is what I need to stay healthy, the way you explained everything made sense…and I CAN WALK easier now! I used have periods of immobility because of the pain in my legs, but that never even crosses my mind anymore! I realize that coming here is simply a lifestyle choice I am going to make for as long as I live.”

“The adjustments are helping my body feel better.  When I am aligned my posture feels better, stronger and I just feel well.”

“Because Chiropractic care changed my life.”

“I work hard and use my body, and so I keep getting sore.  Although I don’t specifically remember how I was feeling last year, I definitely know it was A LOT worse and that my adjustments help me a ton.  I come here to keep the level of health I have achieved.”

“I came here with a sore shoulder but now I am sleeping better and my digestion has improved – who would have thought?!”

“My son used to get sick chronically and now, he never does – this is just part of our life now to keep us all strong and healthy, and I love how we don’t rely on medications anymore”

“I don’t know.  I didn’t come here with any problems, it just makes sense to me!”

Although each comment made me smile, the last one particularly struck me – investing time and money in something without really question why, simply because it resonated with her beliefs and desire to stay healthy!

Chiropractic is not a treatment for a disease but a way to support your body’s innate ability to function well.

Why Chiropractic?

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Chiropractic is not just an adjustment but an entire approach to managing your health, a way to support your body naturally from the inside-out.

A vertebral subluxation is the structural misalignment, or locking between two or more adjacent vertebrae, which causes nerve tissue irritation, and a resultant alteration in the normal mechanical, nerve and organ functions within the body.  When vertebral subluxations occur, there is an altered communication between the bodily systems.  This lack of harmony promotes sickness and a lesser quality of life.

Not just for the weak and wounded, chiropractic care is simply what your body needs to function properly.  Millions of people now choose to make spinal adjustments an integral part of their healthy lifestyle.  If you haven’t yet experienced a thorough neurological & biomechanical assessment from a Doctor of Chiropractic…perhaps its time?

Chiropractic & Digestion

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Spinal Subluxations interfere with all body functions and lower your resistance to disease.  Every organ in your digestive system – mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, pyloric valve, stomach, intestines, glands, pancreas and others – needs a healthy nerve supply from your spine.

Subluxations can cause stomach, esophageal, and intestinal disorders.  Of 100 people with stomach and duodenal ulcers, 86 had spinal abnormalities in the area that supplied the stomach with nerve fibres.  Another study on adolescents found that 87% who were suffering with ulcers had pelvic distortions and blockages in the spine.    Chiropractic works!  Correction of spinal problems relieves  stomach ulcers, gastritis, colitis, and spastic constipation according to researchers, and I have certainly seen this clinically in my practice.

If the nerves are impinged upon by a subluxation, no amount of drugs will relieve the pressure.  A chiropractic spinal adjustment releases pressure on your nervous system to promote body harmony, enhanced ability to cope with stress and improved resistance to disease.

Who do you know is suffering from digestive complaints? Tell them about chiropractic and change their life!  If they live locally ask us for a health pass to come visit us, otherwise we will gladly help find a referral in their area.

 

Chiropractic & Asthma

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For over a hundred years sufferers of all types of respiratory conditions have sung the praises of chiropractic care.

Spinal Subluxations interfere with all body functions and lower your resistance to disease.  Every organ in your respiratory system – trachea & lungs (bronchial tubes, brochioles) is directly connected and controlled by your brain and spinal cord.

Chiropractic works! In a study of 81 asthmatic children, 73 showed significant improvement after chiropractic adjustments, evidenced by dramatic reduction in medication use and asthmatic attacks.  In patients with chronic pulmonary disease (bronchitis /emphysema) over 90% reported improvement of symptoms after spinal care.  Many researchers have found spinal care superior to conventional medical bronchodilators, expectorants, and corticosteroids, and I have certainly seen this clinically in my practice.

If the nerves are impinged upon by a subluxation, no amount of drugs will relieve the pressure.  A chiropractic spinal adjustment releases pressure on your nervous system to promote body harmony, enhanced ability to cope with stress and improved resistance to disease.

Who do you know is suffering with asthma respiratory challenges? Tell them about chiropractic and change their life!  If they live locally ask us for a health pass to visit our practice, otherwise we will gladly help find them a referral in their area.

Disclaimer: Chiropractic care supports overall health, but is not a cure or treatment for asthma in children. 

Structure Dictates Function!

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Has your child had a spinal check-up?

Often times when a new patient comes into our practice and sees an infant or child being adjusted, the initial comment usually is “I didn’t know you treated children.” However, if you think about it (and watched any children at play!) the spine is subject to stress from the very moment of birth and continues during the early years of life.

Early movement patterns, sleeping positions, tumbles and falls, rough play, or sports injuries can stress an infant or child’s neck, head or spine and may cause a vertebral subluxation in the body.

A vertebral subluxation is a spinal misalignment causing stress on the spinal cord and impairs normal function.  Spinal subluxations have a detrimental effect on the body and consequently are the cause of many pediatric concerns such as colic, breathing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, chronic infections, digestive troubles, growing pains, ear infections, bedwetting and even behavioral problems.  A chiropractic spinal adjustment corrects vertebral subluxations and restores proper function to the body so that it can regulate and heal itself the way it was designed to. Clinical experience shows that chiropractic spinal adjustments are very safe and comfortable, even for newborns.  Chiropractic examinations and adjustive techniques are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition.  They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing structures, and most parents report that their children enjoy their adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits.

During the last century, chiropractic care has become the largest drug-free profession in the world, and studies show that 1/3 of all parents make chiropractic care part of their children’s life.

As a parent you have the responsibility to make informed decisions about health issues that pertain to your child.  Gather as much info as you can, review it, and then quiet your mind and let your instincts guide you to what is right for your family. Surround yourself with a team of professionals that offer you guidance, readily answer your questions, and support your parenting approach. Proper spinal care is essential to your child’s health. For more information and to find a Pediatric Chiropractor visit www.icpa4kids.org.