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July 2017

How does Chiropractic help pregnancy, and what is ‘Text Neck’?

By Newsletter

Health-E-News July 2017
empowering you to optimal health

Can Chiropractic Treatment Help Pregnancy?

Pregnant women go through many changes during the time before baby arrives, from prenatal visits to diet changes. Visiting the doctor during pregnancy can allow for questions to be answered and baby to be checked on, and many women like to get more information on how to treat the pains that come with a growing belly and baby.

In addition to what the doctor may be able to provide, women whom are pregnant would benefit from chiropractic treatment in order to cure some of those aches and pains. Chiropractic care not only can offer some pain relief, but it can help keep baby in position in utero, while you benefit from your regular prenatal care. If you’ve ever wondered if it was safe to visit the chiropractor during pregnancy, here is a look at why it’s not only safe, but also a huge benefit to pregnant women.

Why chiropractic care is great for pregnancy

Since your chiropractor already works to keep your body in alignment and keeping your body’s functions working properly, it only makes sense that he or she would be able to assist in keeping baby healthy and aligned as well.

Your regular chiropractic care helps to keep regular aches and pains at bay, just like this care can do for a pregnant woman experiencing common pregnancy pains. When the body is aligned regularly, it allows for common pains like back pains, headaches, and fatigue to work itself out, but when a pregnant woman gets treatment from the chiropractor during a change in the body, it can work to reduce the pain associated with these changes during the nine months.

What does the chiropractor do for a pregnant woman?

Pregnancy causes many changes in the body, from changes in the curve of the back to the protrusion of the abdomen. Chiropractic care is a great way to ease symptoms of changes in the back and abdomen, as well as the ligaments, pelvis, and overall musculoskeletal system as your body grows. Keeping the pelvis aligned and balanced, just like you would for the tires of your car, allows for a better position for the baby when it’s time to delivery or as your car drives down the road.

Benefits for pregnant women and babies

Along with reducing the pain of pregnancy, you’ll find many benefits from chiropractic visits. It’s going to offer an overall maintenance of a healthy pregnancy, but its’ aslo going to reduce your labor and delivery time, control your morning sickness, and relieve pain in the back, neck, and joints. It has even shown to lower the chances of C-section. You’ll find relief from your lower back pain and all of this is done with a non-invasive non-pharmaceutical method.

The baby will benefit too. There is a technique that was developed called Webster’s Technique which was created by a chiropractor to help with reducing the effects of sacral subluxation, or a misalignment in the sacrum. This is found at the base of the spine between your pelvic bones, and the technique works to reduce the chances of joint dysfunction since the sacroiliac joints attach the pelvis and the sacrum. By relieving this musculoskeletal area which causes intrauterine constraint, the baby is less likely to be breach and need a C-section due to relief from Webster’s Technique.

If you weren’t sure about getting chiropractic treatment during your pregnancy, be sure to prioritize this natural option, alongside your regular doctor’s appointments, to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

 

If you or your child suffers from Otitis Media (ear infections), Chiropractic Care can help!

In this case study, Chiropractic care helped a 2-year-old girl who suffered with with chronic otitis media (chronic ear infections), difficulty sleeping, irritability, skin sensitivities to clothes and avoided being held or touched.

Otitis media is defined as inflammation of the middle ear and is one of the most common infections in children that are sick. Some factors that increase the risk of experiencing otitis media are family history, males, formula fed infants, exposure to second hand smoke, seasonal effects and allergies.

In this case study, a 2-year old infant was brought in to see a Chiropractor for care. The child’s mother reported that it would take at least 2 hours to get the child to sleep and she would not sleep for more than 4 hours at a time. Case history shows that the child has had over 20 ear infections, severe allergies, and behaviour problems including temper tantrums.

After Chiropractic care, the child showed immediate results. After three adjustments, the child was able to sleep through the night for the first time. After the fourth adjustment, fewer outbursts were noted. After four months of care her ear infections had resolved, she consistently slept through the night, her skin sensitivities had resolved and she did not have issues with being held or touched.

Lanjopoulos, C. & Lanjopoulos, D. (2012). Resolution of Chronic Otitis Media, Difficulty Sleeping, and Tactile Hypersensitivity in a Child Undergoing Subluxation-Based Chiropractic Care. J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – September 24, 2012.

 

Why Does Your Neck Hurt When you Wake Up?

It’s no fun to wake up with neck pain in the morning. After a restful night of sleep, it’s important to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Pain of any kind can ruin that feeling before you’ve even had a chance to start a morning workout. If you’re waking up with neck pain in the morning, you are likely sleeping in a way that is unhealthy for your body.

Whether it’s your sleep position, your pillow choice, or something else, it’s time to solve this problem and get you waking up feeling great again. Take a look at a few reasons that your neck might hurt when you wake up and see how you can correct this issue tonight.

How pillows affect your sleep

It may sound strange but choosing the right pillow is very important for your nightly slumber. Choosing a pillow that is too full and causes your head to rest too high compared to the rest of your body is going to cause some problems. You also should watch out for old foam pillows, feather pillows that bunch up in the wrong ways, or a pillow that’s gone too flat. One of the main causes of your neck pain is likely twisting it or bending it too far in a direction for a long period of time, a common problem with a poor pillow selection.

Choose a pillow that works for you individually. Everyone has their own preferences of comfort but pillows should properly support your head and neck in the right position. The goal is to avoid losing the slight curve of your neck when you are lying on the pillow. Choose a pillow that prevents neck pain and choose one based on your sleeping position of your back, your side, or your stomach.

Types of pillows and how they work for or against you

How do you determine the right type of pillow that will work well for a good night’s rest? There are many options to choose from that will offer a variety of levels of support on your neck. You want a pillow that will keep your neck in that neutral, natural position because otherwise, your neck will be at risk for bending or twisting for a long period of time.

Common options for pillows include your standard feather pillows that will mold nicely to the shape of your head with little resistance, orthopedic pillows for a more modern option that maintains the natural curve of your neck, and cervical pillows that offer a roll-shaped design to encourage the relief of neck pain. You can also try a water-filled pillow which will help absorb and redistribute your head’s weight to allow for the perfect amount of support. You can alter the amount of support in a water pillow by adding or removing water.

Make sure to choose a pillow that best supports your favorite sleep position, with your back and side being optimal choices for proper sleep.

Sleeping positions and neck pain

The way you sleep is often another reason that you end up with neck pain in the morning. It also coincides with the type of pillow you’re choosing. It’s common that people will choose the right pillow but when their sleep position changes it no longer is the optimal pillow to be using. Back sleepers will find that sleeping on a neck roll that supports the neck but also allows the head to drop back works best. Side sleepers wouldn’t do well with this option though as they need a thicker pillow with a high density foam to allow for enough thickness to cover the distance for the side of the head and the outside edge of the shoulder.

If you do happen to sleep on your stomach, your neck is more likely to hurt and no pillow is going to be able to correct this issue. Lying on your front side with your head rotated for a long period of time is really hard on your neck and could start to cause imbalances in your neck. Try to sleep on your back with a neck roll to support the curve or on your side with a thicker pillow. Sometimes having multiple pillows for these different sleeping positions is the best solution.

Support your head is the most important thing you can do at night and if you are choosing the wrong pillow or sleeping in a funny position, you are bound to wake up with neck pain. Start waking up refreshed by talking to your chiropractor about the best pillow options for your body.

 

Improvements seen in a child with Pervasive Developmental Disorder undergoing Chiropractic care

If your child has been diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, Chiropractic care may help.

A child is diagnosed with autistic disorder based on problems in social interaction skills, communication skills and repetitive or restrictive behavior and or interests. Other problems noted in autism is the lack of meaningful language skills, empathic abilities, motor in coordination, and problems with executive functioning. Children with autism never develop communicative speech therefore become easily distressed with normal everyday life occurrences and activities.

In this case study, a 3 year old diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder is presented to chiropractic care. The child had communication problems, apraxia and speech delay. Prior to seeking chiropractic care; the child has also been visiting a speech pathologist, developmental pediatrician, occupational therapist and an applied behavioural analyst. Physical examination revealed diminished range of motion, poor gait coordination and foot position abnormalities. Stimulation of cranial nerves was also found to be insufficient; sensory function, alertness, communication skills and oculo-motor tracking difficulties.

The chiropractic care plan consisted of 1 visit per week with a reassessment every month. A diversified technique was used during each adjustment. After the first reassessments, foot position abnormalities and cranial nerve insufficiencies were resolved. Other health care providers also reported the patient was performing much better following chiropractic care. By the final reassessment, the patient has continued to improve and respond well to treatment. The patient has reported to start attending school again and teachers reported much growth in the child’s abilities. The patient had also made friends, become more interactive and overall happier.

Overall, this cases study shows the success of chiropractic care in the improvement in the physical functioning, quality of life and social function of a young male suffering from pervasive developmental disorder.

Handt, M. (2011). Improvement in a Child with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Undergoing Chiropractic Care. Journal Of Pediatric Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic4, 4 (2)

Chiropractic helps loss of smell and taste!

By Newsletter

Health-E-News July 2017
empowering you to optimal health

Resolution of loss of smell and taste of 64 year old woman

Chiropractic is known to helps some people with rather unique health challenges, and here is such a case:

Anosmia is described as loss of smell and ageusia is described the loss of taste. One of the most common causes of smell and taste disorder is a previous injury to the head and/or neck. The olfactory system and gustatory system are responsible for providing the sense of smell and taste Although the loss of either sense is not life threatening, it can have a significant impact on the quality of life.

In this case study, a 64 year old woman is presented to chiropractic care with complaints of neck pain, right sided knee pain, anosmia and aguesia. The patient reported having anosmia and ageuisa for 9 months prior to the visit. The chiropractic examination revealed asymmetry and decreased range of motion in the cervical spine. The patient care plan consisted of upper cervical adjustments for three months.

After each adjustment, there was no report of adverse symptoms other than mild soreness in the area of the correction. The patient noted that improvements and positive changes throughout the course of care. By the third month the patient noted the anosmia and ageusia had completely resolved.

This case study shows the successful resolution of anosmia and aguesia following upper cervical chiropractic care.

Blom, G. (2014). Resolution of Anosmia and Ageusia Following Knee Chest Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic Care: A Case Report. Journal of Upper Cervical– Chiropractic4 (1)

If you or a loved one suffers from the loss of smell (anosmia) or taste (ageusia), share this study with them and let them know chiropractic can help.

Which Foods Contain the Most and Least Pesticides?

Conventionally grown, non-organic fruits and vegetables almost always contain pesticides. Many people have switched to an all-organic or nearly all-organic diet to avoid putting these toxic chemicals in their body. However, eating organic isn’t always easy.

Sometimes, it’s hard to find your favorite fruits and vegetables in the organic form. Other times, it’s hard to rationalize spending the higher price for the organic item. Here’s a look at the fruits and vegetables with the highest amount of pesticides and the lowest amount of pesticides when grown conventionally.

Highest Levels of Pesticides

The foods on this list should be avoided at all cost, unless bought organic. These fruits and vegetables contain the highest levels of pesticides. Every year, the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit advocate for the environment, publishes a list of the foods containing the highest levels of pesticides. This year’s list includes:

  • Strawberries
  • Celery
  • Peaches
  • Grapes
  • Cherries
  • Tomatoes
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Apples
  • Nectarines
  • Cherries
  • Sweet Bell Peppers

Strawberries may be the worst on the list. An article published on the EWG website stated, “Nearly all strawberry samples – 98 percent – tested by federal officials had detectable pesticide residues. Forty percent had residues of 10 or more pesticides and some had residues of 17 different pesticides.”

Lowest Levels of Pesticides

The foods with the lowest levels of pesticides were also published as a list by EWG. This list contains foods testing positive for four or less types of pesticide and many for one or less. The list includes:

  • Avocados
  • Pineapples
  • Sweet Peas (frozen)
  • Mango
  • Kiwi
  • Asparagus
  • Onion
  • Sweet Corn
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Papaya
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Eggplant
  • Grapefruit
  • Cantaloupe

All of these foods are relatively safe to buy in their conventional form.

Harm of Pesticides

Pesticides have been linked to many issues in the human body. Remember, these are poisons used to kill bugs and other pests. If you were to buy a pesticide for your own garden, you’d quickly realize these products are littered with warnings.

Pesticides may cause many illnesses in humans. They have been linked to headaches, nausea, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption and even cancer. Avoiding foods laced with pesticides is one of the best ways to keep your body clean and healthy.

Using this List for your Diet

The best way to incorporate this list of foods into your diet, if you’re trying to eat organically, is to print it out and take it grocery shopping with you. If the food is listed on the high pesticide list only buy it in the organic form. If it’s on the low pesticide list, buy it in either the organic or conventional form.

This list will also become very handy when you create your grocery list. If you don’t want to refer to the list at the grocery store, simply mark an “O” next to the items you MUST buy in organic form. This will give you a quick reference at the store to ensure you’re not buying produce covered in poison.

Chiropractic helps those with Fibromyalgia

If you or a loved one suffers from fibromyalgia, chiropractic care may be right for you. Fibromyalgia is the most common cause of widespread pain. Women are more 10 to 20 times more likely to have fibromyalgia than men. Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic diffuse pain that is longer than 3 months accompanied by 11 of 18 soft tissue tender points. The condition is frequently associated with stiffness, fatigue, lack of sleep, paresthesia, headaches, dysmenorrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. The treatments of the condition are unknown. However some treatment plans have included: prescription of low-dose antidepressant medications, light aerobic exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy.

In this case study, a 64 year old female is presented to chiropractic care with previous diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The woman had been diagnosed 6 years prior to presentation. Other complaints included sleep apnea, loss of coordination, glaucoma, and degenerative disk disease. She also had state complaints of arthritis, depressed, photophobia, indigestion, changes in her bowel habits, frequent urination, sinusitis, allergies, muscle pain and high cholesterol and hypertension. She could not walk long distances without assistance and described her neck and upper back pain as moderate. She described the low back pain as severe and shoulder pain as mild.

The patient’s care plan consisted of 3 visits a week for one month and then 2 visits a week for two months. At the first reassessment, the patient has state that her neck, shoulder, middle back pain had improved as well as her eye sight. During her second reassessment, she reported having much more energy and strength as she was able to stand and walk for a longer period of time with no pain. The patient is still currently under care measures of the patient’s progress and improvements and still being monitored.

The progress of this case study shows an improvement of a patients suffering from fibromyalgia with upper cervical chiropractic care.

Bennett, C. (2012). Improvement in a Patient with Fibromyalgia Following Knee Upper Cervical Specific Care: A Case Report. Journal Of Pediatric Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic4, 4 (2)

How to Prevent Neck Pain During Cycling

Getting pain from a cycling session can be frustrating. You are trying to improve your skill and you end up with neck pain, putting you out for the next cycling day. Neck pain from this sport is really common and is usually caused from weak muscles or poor posture.

It’s not hard to overuse your muscles and injuring yourself. Sometimes it’s just a matter of choosing a better bike fit or changing your posture just slightly. You don’t have to give up your favorite hobby due to that neck pain you keep getting. Use this guide to determine what’s causing your neck pain and learn how to prevent it going forward.

What could be causing the pain?

While neck pain and injury is common from cycling, it can be frustrating if you’re not sure what is causing it. There are a few possible causes to your problem and solutions to these problems. The first may be that you are unaware of prevention methods that would help you avoid the neck pain or numbness, such as properly fitting bikes, the right equipment, or not stretching the right areas. Having the wrong alignment or forgetting to stretch after being stiff for too long can cause serious injury after prolonged periods of time.

About bike fit

Getting properly fitted for your bike is one of the most important things you could do for regular cycling. If you don’t have a good bike fit, it might be that your frame is too big or small for you. the handlebars may be too wide or narrow or your stem may need to be adjusted to be just shorter or longer than it is now. This all affects your posture for a long cycling session. Working with a professional could help you to make tiny adjustments that will help you prevent pain and numbness.

You’ll also want to make sure your posture allows your shoulder blades to be engaged and held back away from ears. Your head shouldn’t be cocked back too far either. Make sure your bike gloves have padding for the bike you are using to avoid hand numbness and add tape to your handle bars if you ride on roads.

Learn proper stretching

You may find that you don’t have any pain until a couple of hours after cycling, which could mean that it’s more of a weak muscle issue. Not having strong enough muscles to support your head’s weight for a long period of time could be the reason for your pain.

This is because the trapezius muscles along your neck and shoulder attached to the base of your head are tensed for a long period of time, and it causes your muscles to lack in blood oxygen from the lack of blood flow to the area. When you experience muscle spasms and other pain, this is the reason behind it. Simply remembering to strengthen and stretch this area is the perfect way to relieve this problem.

Proper stretching includes doing:

  • Chin tucks in a neutral position
  • Right and left head rotations to stretch the neck
  • Right and left lateral flexion of your neck to the shoulder
  • Extension by tilting your head back to stretch the back of the neck
  • Flexion of the neck while standing or sitting upright to stretch the muscles in the back of your neck

If you aren’t using all of the gear you need, have a bike that is just slightly off, or forget to strengthen your muscles, you could end up with pain and numbness when you cycle. Make sure to check all of these items out before cycling again to make sure you are keeping your body healthy and strong.