Abdominal pain ranks with fevers as one of the leading sources of pointless visits to doctors & pediatricians.  Although it is very common, the pain rarely stems from organic causes, and usually does not indicate a serious illness.  Pediatricians say that only about 1 in 10 children brought to their office for tummy aches actually need medical attention.

What could be the cause?

Infants – ‘colic’, gas, digestive disturbances, food allergies/intolerances, infection

Older children – constipation, overeating, tension, gastroenteritis(infection), food allergies, appendicitis, emotional; ‘abdominal headaches’ due to stress

Generally, stomach aches are

1)    The result of indigestion from eating too much or too fast.

2)    The result of psychological or emotional causes.  School phobia could be to blame, in which case you need to patiently, gently, interrogate your child to determine the association between his school and his pain.  Are they being bullied? Having discipline problems with teachers? Ashamed and worried because they haven’t been doing their homework? Troubled because of the separation from you? Dealing with bad behavior from other children?   Similar to headaches, stomachaches may evolve as a form of subconscious avoidance of unpleasant tasks, or a desire to gain sympathetic attention from parents.

3)    Produced by allergies to food, medications, or chemical additives to the foods that they eat.

4)    A symptom of another ailment.

Natural treatments:

–       a warm drink, a hot water bottle on the tummy and avoiding solid food should ease the pain.

–       If the pain is recurrent and eased by a bowel movement, constipation may be the problem.  If they are not moving their bowels at least once a day, increase their intake of fluids and fibre-rich foods, and reduce the refined and processed foods.

–       Ensure your child drinks plenty of water and diluted juices to flush the system of anything that may be causing the condition.

–       Add a drop of chamomile oil to a little olive or almond oil and massage the abdomen, starting in the lower right quadrant (above their hip bone on their right leg), moving up towards their ribs, across their belly, and then down their left side.  This is the path of the colon, and any gas or feces that may be expanding the bowels will be broken up.

–      Chiropractic! When the spinal joints are not moving properly all functions in the body are compromised. In infants or children who are constipated I often find spinal subluxations in the lower lumber spine, and once corrected, the bowels return to normal.  Even in children with no abdominal complaints, the parents often find their systems are ‘more regular’ with consistent spinal wellness care.  If your child has never had a Chiropractic spinal assessment call us to find out more and book their check up 705.446.9733 or visit www.icpa4kids.org for more info.

When to seek medical advice:

–       whenever abdominal pain severe (they are doubled over),is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, or weight loss.

Disclaimer: Chiropractic care supports overall health and healing, but is not a cure or treatment for diarrhea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, ‘colic’, gas, digestive disturbances, food allergies/intolerance, infection, constipation, overeating, tension, gastroenteritis(infection), food allergies, appendicitis, emotional; ‘abdominal headaches’ due to stress in children.

Itchy, sore, puffy, eyes. Sinus congestion. Headaches. 

Skin rashes. Sneezing.  

Spring can be a tough time for allergy sufferers.

Join us for discussion on ways to obtain relief, learn how you can participate in new research, and save substantially on the cost  of treatment.

Invest in your health.

Weds. April 25 @ 7pm

OR   Thurs. April 26 @ 12noon

Limited seating. Call/email to reserve your spot!

I have been in our new location for 2 months now. Some of you are wondering why some things are still not finished with the renovation, some of you don’t care (and tell me you come see me to get adjusted regardless of the decor) and others remind me that its a process and love watching it all unfold.

Part of the ‘unfinished’ parts are out of my control because I am relying on people with skills I do not have to complete work that was started. Having said that, there are tasks to be completed that I can physically handle but here’s why they are still waiting to be finished:

I believe its my responsibility to live the life I encourage you to live. Simple.

I encourage you to make time for physical activity/exercise.

I encourage you to maintain social connections and loving relationships.

I encourage you to choose good food and prepare as much as you can yourself.

I encourage you to get plenty of rest.

I encourage you to play with your children, and give them the attention they need.

I encourage you to have fun, pursue new hobbies and play!

I encourage you to balance all of these things in your life because you are a whole person, and because being healthy requires attention to all these areas.

We all have work responsibilities, family obligations and personal objectives. The key lies in balancing  all of them every week, sometimes every day, and giving ourselves permission to do so.

So in addition to managing the ongoing renovation of my office space  I am doing the best I can to balance the other parts of my life too! In doing so, the entire process just takes longer….

Are the different facets of your life balanced? Sure there are times when some of our responsibilities dominate, when we must focus specifically on doing the best we can to manage everything.  However, if this is a consistent challenge for you – what can you do differently? Do you need to shift your priorities? How can you make a change, and what do you need to get started?

Have you ever wondered… 

● how can I go green and live a healthier lifestyle?   

● how can I rid my home of dangerous household chemicals?

● food and toxins…what’s the scoop on organic?

● personal care products…which ones pose a risk?

Over 4 sessions learn immediate, practical ways that you and your family can start living a healthier, less toxic life right now! Plus, integrated health therapies, ways to detoxify your body and boost your immune system!   

Mondays 7-8:30pm OR Thursdays 12-1:30pm  $50                                                        Limited space.     Pre-registration required.

I have been teaching this workshop for 4 years now and its one of our most popular series. The group environment creates a great forum for sharing ideas and I learn something new everytime!

Here’s what others have to say about this program: 

“Loved these classes. Please let us know about other topics!” 

“Great casual atmosphere and tons of info!”

“You are an amazing speaker and it was a fun environment to learn in. I feel so much more aware of how to care for my family.”

“I loved meeting others also interested in natural living, and even though I thought I already knew a lot – I learned so much more! Thanks!”

“Wow. I had no idea my health was being impacted by so many ‘chemicals’ in my life! Many simple things I changed and I know I am better off for it. Thanks so much.”

Some people thrive on it, some people dread it.

I look at change as an opportunity for a new direction, and certainly the purchase of my new building in the fall created a huge shift for myself personally, and for my practice.  There have been challenges throughout the transition and renovation (and there still are more to come no doubt!) but two things have allowed me to stay the course:

VISION 

A friend of mine recently commented “If you know where you want to get to, it’s easier to stay focused on getting there and not let the details overwhelm you”. I couldn’t agree more. I have a vision to help as many people as possible live a better life. What’s your vision? What do you want for yourself? For your family? For your health?

To help people the way I want to, I needed greater freedom with my office space and more time! I am also highly committed to my two young sons and needed to find a balance…My vision was to create a live/work space to achieve both. It’s happening.

Take some time to think about your “Vision” – whether its a big idea or a simple one, defining what you want to do with your life, how you want to live, and what you want to contribute to the world, will help define the steps you need to get going and keep you focused and determined to get there.

SUPPORT

My family, friends and colleagues have encouraged me, supported me, fed me, helped with renovations, moved furniture, and continuously inspired me.  I have also been humbled by the excitement and encouragement of all my patients, and by the depth of        understanding that my practice space has not been as ‘pretty’ as I would like it to be during the renovation process.  Many have  commented that they love watching the changes week to week, that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and that I should “Take time to settle in before getting set with furniture placement and hanging things on the wall”.  To that I say a heartfelt THANK YOU!

Are you supported in your life? Are the people in your life working with you or against you? Do they share the same values as you? Do you need others to further support you? If so, who? Ask us for help if you need some direction, or if you need to talk about this more.  We have some great resources right within the practice, and we can help you find the right people and places in our community to assist you further!

Chiropractic is not just for sick people. 

It’s for people who want to be their best….

in health

in sports

in moods

in family relations

in energy

in memory

in mental acuity

in physical dexterity

in coordination

in income earning potential

in life!

Symptoms are the last sign of disease, not the first. Health prevention and protection means investing in  yourself! Investing time and money in the products and services that support your body towards functioning  better.

Each adjustment balances your musculo-skeletal system.  Each adjustment  gives your circulation a boost.   Each adjustment gives your body the opportunity to function without interference to the most powerful coordinating system ever known.  Each adjustment reconnects your brain and your body.

Its why headaches stop, digestion improves, previously immobile children start to walk, and why skin rashes clear up. Its not a treatment for any ailment, but a way to allow the body to function the way it was designed to.

Its why more people than ever are choosing Chiropractic care not only to feel better, but to function better in every aspect of their health. Your health affects every part of your life…every job you have, every sport you play, every relationship you have with your friends, co-workers and loved ones.  Make choices that take care of your body – its the only one you get!

The words stress and holidays seem to go together, and yet that also seems rather ironic. 60% of North Americans say they stress they ‘won’t get everything done’ before Christmas. One of the most frequent questions I hear lately is “Are you ready for Christmas?” and “Have you finished all your shopping?”. The stress doesn’t just apply to our emotional states, our bodies are also stressed by the foods we eat, minimal exercise and too little sleep. What I see in my practice is a higher level of stress and anxiety in people as well.

Is that what the holidays are supposed to be about? Of course not. It may sound cliché but we say the same things every year, and yet nothing changes unless we make a change. Doing the same things and expecting different results is…INSANITY!  I challenge you to consider the following points and make some changes in your life and for your family this holiday season…

Socialize Wisely – We all need social connections but during the holiday season many people are ‘overstimulated’, ‘over-committed’, and ‘overwhelmed’ with too many events. Be choosy about how you spend your social time. Be assertive and learn to say no to situations that will upset you.  Decline invitations (if you can do so without grossly offending the invitee) that create unnecessary emotional stress, or will simply burden your schedule and shortchange you of sleep.

Reach Out – At the other end of the social spectrum is loneliness.  With changing family dynamics, different living arrangements, and simple geography for some people, many are left alone during the holidays.  If you feel lonely or isolated consider getting involved in different activities, volunteering your time at seniors homes, food banks or other organizations geared towards helping others. The rewards will be far greater than just the social stimulation.

Exercise – Quite simply, physical activity makes every system in your body work better. Instead of taking a break from your exercise routine, keep it up! Or consider getting started! It doesn’t have to wait until January and your resolution of getting in shape or losing weight.  The fact is, exercise is simply something most people have to build into their lives, work into their schedules. You will always find something better to do with your time! Exercise helps relieve stress and prevents weight gain.  Moving your body will always give you a boost, even just a some stretching or a brisk walk will rejuvenate your body and mind.

Eat Regularly & Prepare for Outings – If you are going to  a party or dinner, don’t starve yourself all day in anticipation.  Doing so will  slow your metabolism, leave you ravenous and more likely to overeat later in the evening. Instead, eat small meals or snacks throughout the day and you’ll be less likely to over-indulge when you are out. If you are planning on consuming alcohol be sure to increase your intake of water to compensate for the dehydrating effects.

Take a Breather – It IS the season for family, friends, and being on ‘holiday’ so don’t forget to take the time to relax and indulge in activities you enjoy! Make time for yourself too, often time alone is what is easily neglected with busy social schedules or family commitments.  Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you and change your perspective if you are having a frantic day.  Do something that clears your mind, slows your breathing and restores inner calm.  Journal, listen to music, take a brisk walk and look at the lights, read a book, whatever interests YOU and gets you in a quiet place for a small bit of time.

Rethink Gifting – There are many ways to show affection and pamper the ones you love without purchasing ‘things’. Consider giving gifts of ‘experiences’ – trips to the spa, movies, sporting or cultural events, gift certificates to restaurants etc. Time together is more valuable with the ones we love than any object, and you’ll get the benefit too! Take the stress away from shopping and get creative giving gifts of the heart in other ways.

The holidays don’t mean you should take a holiday from taking care of yourself. Make good choices for you and your family and you will enjoy the holiday season and start the new year in good health. You CAN indulge, celebrate, and still feel good in January!

In February we celebrate Valentine’s Day, but with my sons I celebrate February as “Love and Friendship” month. More than just fun times, studies have shown that friendships help us live better and even longer! A Harvard study found that physical impairments were less likely to develop in those who have many friends. In fact the results were so significant, the researchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidantes was as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight! Another group of researches found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death, while those who had the most friends cut their risk by more than 60%! When our lives get hectic social time seems the first to be cut out, but that’s exactly when we need it the most. Although the exact mechanisms for this health benefit are still undetermined, friendships bring joy, laughter, and often empathy to our lives. Make time for your friends for the sake of your health!