Debunking Myth Part 3: Chiropractic Kids

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“Truth is only harsh if you’re unable to face it.” -Stewart Stafford

We are going to continue our journey of chiropractic myths! Most people think chiropractic is just for adults, but again, that could not be further from the truth. Infants/kids not needing chiropractic care is the next myth we will discuss. Chiropractic is publicly known as the profession which focuses on back pain, but that myth is such a disservice to the wellness of every citizen. When a child is born, the contact point is the head, but with that contact point, there comes the twisting and torqueing of the neck. So, none of us stood a chance since birth because we more than likely came out of the womb subluxated (misalignment of the spine). Most people don’t think babies or children need chiropractic care. I am here to tell you with the utmost confidence that your little ones should not only have chiropractic care, they need it! When it comes to adjusting babies or toddlers, there is no thrust involved, it is simply a sustained contact on their atlas (C1) or a vibratory contact. The baby stage is so crucial since they are so new to life and development.

Adjusting the atlas on your little one will help with immune function giving their body the best chance at combating illnesses, ear infections, calming colic, brain develop as it restores that communication from the brain to the body since the atlas contributes to 35% of vital organs, increasing blood supply, and improving behavior. “The power that made the body heals the body”- BJ Palmer. We have an innate intelligence that was built into us that is always operating at 100%. Just to show how crucial this miracle segment is, I know two different true stories where children were in comas for months to years and when the chiropractor on site adjusted their atlas’s (C1), both those children woke up in the chiropractor’s arms! “Nature needs no help, just no interference.”-BJ palmer

Give your little one the best chance at thriving and developing throughout their life. They will thank you!

https://www.drchrisharlan.com/5-benefits-of-infant-chiropractic/
https://wellhealthcenters.com/7-reasons-why-chiropractic-care-benefits-infants

Poor Posture

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Thee Social Condition-Poor Posture 

In this era, technology has taken over our lives and with it, poor posture. If you look anywhere in public nowadays, it’s almost a guarantee an individual is on their phone. They are also more than likely to be looking down at their phone rather than keeping it at eye level. We call this “text neck.”

The repetition of our neck in a flexed position is detrimental to our cervical (neck) curvature. With enough poor posture and time, our necks begin to create a reversed curve causing dysfunction in our biomechanics and training our muscles poorly to adapt to that negative change. This puts unnecessary stress on our spines, our spinal cord and therefore the rest of our nerve system. Pursuing correct posture improves your overall health. Our bodies are so efficient at adapting, pain does not surface until later when our bodies are desperate for correction. 

Subluxations or misalignments of the spine help contribute to poor posture. “An average person spends 2-4 hours a day with their heads tilted forward reading and texting on their smart phones and hand held devices, amassing 700-1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. A high school student may spend an extra 5,000 hours in poor posture per year” (Kenneth K. Hansraj, M.D.). With that said, “The weight of a dime can decrease the function of a nerve by 60%” (Chang Ha Suh, PH.D.). Subluxations contribute to poor posture and therefore decrease the integrity of the nerve system, it does not take much for the functionality of our bodies to be altered. 

There are many things in this world we cannot control but improving your posture is not one of them. Be the best version of yourself and give yourself the best chance at fighting the stresses of life by a simple correction. Train your mind to be self aware of your posture, it will take time to be cognizant of posture but your body will thank you in the end. 

No more excuses!  Make it happen! 

How Often Should You Visit Your Chiropractor?

By | Benefits of Chiropractic, chiropractic adjustment, Chiropractic Myths, Ear Infections, gonstead chiropractic, gut problems | No Comments

When you first see your chiropractor, you may be among the many people who ask, ‘how often do I need to come?’ Often the answer people want to hear is ‘once’ but chiropractic care, like most things that are really good for us, rarely makes a long term difference to your health and wellness after just one visit.

One reason a single visit to your chiropractor may not make a long-term change is that it usually takes years for the problem to develop that motivates someone to first see a chiropractor and it can take many visits to the chiropractor to correct that problem.

Seeing your chiropractor can be a little like going to the gym. It takes time, frequency and follow up.

One way of looking at it is that it can be like the thousandth straw that breaks the camel’s back. A problem can build up day after day as you sit hunched over your desk, or bend and twist as you lift, or tense up as you deal with your daily stress and then one day, you bend to tie your shoelaces and all of a sudden something hurts! You can rest assured that tying your shoelaces isn’t what caused the problem, it’s simply the thousandth straw that broke the camel’s back (or was too much for your back) and that’s why you’re in pain.

There will usually be changes to the way the supporting muscles in your spine work that build up over time until your muscles can’t cope anymore, and symptoms appear.1-2 So, seeing your chiropractor can be a little like going to the gym. It takes time, frequency, and follow up. Working with you to correct the problem and help your brain and the muscles in your spine communicate or ‘talk’ with each other again so you can regain the stability you need to function properly and resolve your aches and pains.3

But how long will this take and how often do you need to be checked by your chiropractor? Everybody is different, so your chiropractor will be guided by their clinical experience, and what your goals are when they recommend a care plan for you. 

US Research Study

A new research study was recently published that suggests, in the early stages of chiropractic care, the more often you get adjusted, the better the results you enjoy, and this can also be better for you in the long term as well.4

In this study, that was conducted by scientists in America, they looked at 256 people who had chronic, regular headaches and divided them into groups who either received chiropractic care once a week, or twice a week, or three times a week, for up to six weeks, or they received no chiropractic care at all and instead were given light massages over the same 6-week period. Previous studies have shown that people with this kind of headache often respond well to chiropractic care.

The scientists in this study were most interested in how many visits per week to the chiropractor showed the best results. They looked at how many days a week a patient suffered from headaches at the end of the study and whether any changes in headache frequency between the groups were still there up to one year later. What they found was that the patients who were seen by their chiropractor most regularly, so up to three times a week, had fewer headaches than those who were seen once or twice a week, and they were much better than the patients who received no chiropractic care at all.

In fact, after one year, the patients that had been seen three times a week had over three fewer headaches per month compared to the patients who only received a light massage. So, these effects obviously lasted.

The more you get adjusted, the better the results that you will enjoy.

This study was done in people with chronic headaches, so we can’t be sure if the same differences occur in people with other problems who see a chiropractor. A similar study in patients with chronic low back pain did find that people who were adjusted more often had the best results, but the results weren’t as clear as the study done on patients with headaches.

The studies suggest that seeing a chiropractor more often when you begin care has real, beneficial, long-term effects to the way your spine and nervous system works, but how much you benefit may depend on what’s wrong with your spine when you begin care.

So, when you go and see your chiropractor, know that their recommendations for your plan of care are based on what their clinical experience tells them is best for you, and that the research suggests more frequent adjustments has the biggest positive impact on your health and wellness.

References
  1. Hodges & Moseley. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2003;13(4):361-70.
  2. MacDonald et al. Pain 2009;142(3):183-8.
  3. Ferreira et al. Manual Therapy 2007;12(3):240-48.
  4. Haas et al. Spine J 2018. 18(10): 1741-1754.
  5. Haas et al. Spine J 2014;14(7):1106-16.
Acknowledgments
  • Dr. Heidi Haavik – BSc(Physiol) BSc(Chiro) PhD
  • Dr. Kelly Holt – BSc, BSc(Chiro), PGDipHSc, PhD
  • Dr. Jenna Duehr – BChiro, BHSC (Nursing), MHSc

We Can Help You With That

By | ADHD, Allergies, Asthma, Benefits of Chiropractic, Chiropractic Myths, depression, Ear Infections, emotions, fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure, inflammation, posture | No Comments

We Can Help You With That

We can help you with that.  Help with what?  Your bodies overall functionality.  People say that  “Chiropractors think they can cure anything.”  There is truth and misguided information in this statement.  First, your Chiropractor should be teaching you why and how they can help the body.  Second, the word cure is thrown around way to loosely and should not be used in chiropractic care. Understand the major premise to understand your Chiropractors thought process.

The Major Premise

Scientifically we understand that the brain and spinal cord, collectively called the central nerve system (CNS) regulates, controls, and even made every system and part of you. When a nerve exiting out of the spinal column has stress placed on it, immediately the nerve deviates off of normal tone. The organs, cells, and tissues that the nerve supplies will as a result begin to become hyper or hypo, thus damaging the body.  This “major premise” is not just recognized by Chiropractors. It is no different than what medical doctors have been taught in basic physiology.  The difference however, begins in treating the damaged organ and addressing the cause which controls, and coordinates the organ to help the body adapt and function properly.

Chiropractic Enables Your Body To Adapt

Chiropractic does not treat, nor cure the body. When a Chiropractor adjusts a specific area that is placing undo stress on a specific nerve the body immediately begins to release adaptive forces. Meaning? You begin to heal yourself. This once again is not a new “made up concept.” People are demanding more natural and effective forms of healthcare. You’d be amazed with what wellness and regular chiropractic care can do to enhance your health and performance. If your lifestyle does not include specific spinal healthcare, your body cannot function efficiently.​ By eliminating stress on the CNS you will have a positive impact on your ability to adapt and function. #getchecked

Keeping Yourself Natural

By | Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections

We are stoked to provide material for the 406 magazine.  Newest article is out about Keeping Yourself Natural.  Understanding that people will try to sell you health and what to be aware of when in the pursuit of making sure you are healthy.  Fads and trends will always be out there.  Stick to what works.  Read our article on page 54.  Click here for online version.

5 Questions To Ask Your Chiropractor

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5 Questions To Ask Your Chiropractor

Simple Truths Of Chiropractic

With the ever changing “Health World” it often becomes hard to keep things in perspective of what health really is.  Many times we go around and around chasing different tactics of what someone thinks health is.  Even chiropractors have been known to blur the lines of what we should actually be doing for patients.  Chiropractic care is health care.  Why?  Chiropractors are trained experts in the detection and correction of subluxations of the spine.  That’s it.  A subluxation is the physical representation of all dis-ease in the body.  A subluxation will create dysfunction within every part of the body, thus destroying one’s optimum potential.  To learn more, ask your chiropractor!  When looking for a chiropractor, start with 5 basic questions to make sure there are no blurred lines with your health care.

Question # 1: Do You Take X-Rays?

X-rays provide a clear image of what to actually adjust, and more importantly what not to do for a patient.  It’s the 90/10 rule.  They provide specificity of 90% of what does not need to happen and 10% of what does need to happen.  X-rays allow chiropractors to not guess when dealing with your health.  To heal, your body requires what your body needs and not somebody else’s.  X-rays are unique towards you and your body’s needs.  Taking x-rays is not new.  In 1910 the chiropractic profession implemented x-rays as mandatory before even touching somebody’s spine (aside from pregnant mothers, babies, and other unique situations).  So, let’s not guess with your health when dealing with the most important part of your body, the spine.

Question # 2:   Do You Get Spinal Listings Off The X-Rays?

Spinal listings are what subluxations are called after a chiropractor does an analysis on x-rays.  Spinal listings are the equivalent to a blue-print of the foundation and how something was built.  X-ray analysis is essential to understanding how you are different from everyone else.  Understanding the x-ray component when finding a subluxation enables your care to be on point for what you would expect from a specific chiropractor.   The focus of the adjustment is to be as specific, precise and accurate as possible, addressing only the problem areas (areas of subluxation).   This is only directed with use of spinal listings.

Question # 3 Is Your Goal To Restore Normal Function?

Function Vs Feeling.  As a chiropractor our top responsibility is to make sure that your body is functioning at optimum potential by adapting to the stress that brings you into our office.  Feeling good just comes with functioning well.  Make sure you are seeking chiropractic care for function.  Going to the chiropractor only when you’re in pain is like robbing a bank and only stealing the lollipops.  It doesn’t make sense and chiropractic is not designed as an expensive Advil.  Our goal is to enable your body to do whatever you desire without LIMITS.  The sensory component (pain part) of a nerve is an immensely small portion of the central nervous system.  Nerve tension exists through subluxations without any feeling of pain.  Pain will often be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back.  Normal function enables your body to be healthy from the inside out.

Question #4 Do You Take Post X-Rays To Document Structural Change?

Of course!  This thought process is equivalent to an orthodontist who puts braces on a pair of teeth.  Not only do you visit your orthodontist for check-ups while the braces are on but eventually you see teeth that are straightened out.  Then, after the braces are removed, you have to retain the straightening.  The same is done for chiropractic.  If you have regular check-ups for your spinal health, your body will adapt and heal.  When specific subluxations have been addressed and adjusted specifically for a period of time, the body changes.  Your adjustments will change based on your body adapting.  Post X-rays will allow your chiropractor to show you changes in your spine and how your body is adapting to care.

Question # 5 Do You Work With Pediatric And Elderly?

Chiropractic care is not just for athletes and middle class men who have back aches.  The overall care and well-being of the spine should begin from the day you are born to the day you are put to rest.  Everyone needs regular spinal check-ups to make sure that your body is working at optimum potential.  Attending a pediatric chiropractor allows your child’s nervous system to continue to grow and overcome many forms of trauma as they learn to walk and crawl, play, and become involved in sporting activities.  Many of these actions may result in subluxations which can be detected and adjusted to restore normal development.  The only way to find out if you have subluxations is to get checked.

 

 

 

3 Reasons Tight Muscles Deplete Your Energy

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3 Reasons Tight Muscles Deplete Your Energy

#1 Tight Tight Tight

The first and most obvious reason that tight muscles deplete your energy is because you just got done working out.  This is stating the obvious, yet sometimes is often misunderstood.  Any form of physical fitness is great for the body.  When performing exercise your muscles require energy; it’s give and take.  Just like fueling your car for a long road-trip.  This cause and effect of exercising is to be expected.  With this being said, let’s explore the unknown reasons of tight muscles.

# 2 Spinal Misalignment = Tight Muscles

Spinal misalignments, also called subluxations, exist unknowingly.  This is the same notion as a cavity in your mouth going unnoticed for years.  Subluxations place undue stress on the spinal nerves.  Stress…Who likes to have to stress in their lives?  Just about nobody.  So, imagine a nerve that is supposed to supply your cells with abundance of life happens to be stressed.  This will result in your body working unnecessarily harder and faster in the organs, glands, tissues, and muscles that it supplies.  Working harder uses fuel faster than it should.  Subluxations will deplete energy stores without notice.

# 3 Fighting Gravity Requires Energy

Gravity exists whether you believe it or not.  Newton’s law of universal gravitation acts on our bodies every single day.  The spine is designed primarily to protect the central nervous system (Brain & Spinal Cord) and secondly to keep us upright.  The spine is supposed to be completely straight when visualizing it from face to face with somebody. When a subluxation is present in the spine it places constant stress on the nerves. A healthy spine, free of subluxations, alleviates the stress on the nervous system, which in turn limits your total energy expenditure.  By maintaining your spinal hygiene you are maintaining your overall health and energy at the same time.

 

 

 

Follow The Flow Chart To Unhealthiness …Why To Be Specific

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Follow The Flow Chart To Unhealthiness…Why To Be Specific

Be Specific Or Be Nothing

Flow charts and their lack of specificity is nothing new.  A sequence of actions or things involved in a complex system or activity is what is described as a flow chart.  In reality while a flow chart works for cars, machine, putting a construction set together, and other integrative processing of components, they are unique towards that item.  The flow chart is specific towards that entity for what it is designed for, simple.  For your health and overall well-being flow charts fail to produce.  Why?  Specificity is key.  Your body is the complete opposite of everyone else.  So be specific towards you.

I Want What They Had

With chiropractic and your health specificity  is no different.  Some people think that all chiropractor’s “do the same thing” and “adjust the same way.”  It just cannot be so.  Gonstead chiropractic is a full spine approach that focus on your spine specifically, it is one of the most advanced and scientifically sound methods of chiropractic.  With Gonstead chiropractic you do not “get” what the other person “gets”.  Speficic adjusting procedures are unique and personalized to your spine to correct your subluxations in your spine.  Thus creating a healthier version of you, and the best part is that no flow chart is required.

My Own Flow Chart

When focusing on someone’s health and well-being you must look towards the spine first.  ​”All drugs in the world cannot adjust a subluxated vertebrae.” B.J. Palmer, D.C., Ph.C.  Specific Gonstead chiropractic care creates your own, and unique version of a flow chart.  Specific spinal motion for you is like your brain’s energy generator.  It will give you more clarity and more energy.​  The key to understanding where your spine needs motion comes from understanding you.  Our job is to keep you expressing life in a healthy and substantial manner. 

Learning From Hippocrates – 3 Truths That Survive Time

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Learning From Hippocrates – 3 Truths That Survive Time

# 1 The Patient Vs The Disease

Hippocrates was basically the first known guru of studying health and what causes someone to be healthy.  They say he is the father of medicine because of the people he was able to help.  Contrary to popular belief, the word “medicine” back in the day also was focused on “Prevention.”  Nowadays, medicine is associated with disease, diagnosis, and treatment.  Hippo actually was in charge of a school, and their philosophy on how to help somebody was centered around the patient.  Hioppcrates’ rival was another school called Cnidus.  Cnidus was ran by a man called Euryphon who’s focus was on treating the disease rather than the patient.

# 2  Look Towards The Spine For The Cause

These two viewpoints on helping people: one focusing on the patient and the other focusing on the disease, have been around for a long time.   This is nothing new.  Hippocrates said “Look well to the spine for the cause of disease.”  He taught that to cure disease the cause must be sought and removed.  The physical representation (signs and symptoms) of disease in the body is always directly or indirectly related to the spine.  Subluxations limit the body from healing by not supplying adaptive forces to trigger a healing response.  Subluxation irritate a nerve fiber and nobody likes to be irritated.  Whenever a nerve becomes irritated, the body cannot function correctly.

 # 3 Hippocrates: Nature Must Heal

Hippocrates taught us that nature must do the healing.  Once again, this is not something that is new.  Hippo, writing numerous books, even wrote one called Manipulation and Importance to Good Health.  It is interesting to note that during this time another man called Herodicus, who was deemed the first great drug-less healer, was also helping people.  Herodicus claim to this world was curing diseases by correcting spinal abnormalities.  It is paramount to understand that chiropractic isn’t some new fad or trend.  It has survived the test of time and will continue to do so.  Chiropractic is the study of health and what causes someone to live…simple.

You NEVER Get Adjusted Just Once

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You NEVER Get Adjusted Just Once

Wow, pretty straight forward.  How much sense does getting adjusted just once really make?  Let’s switch the wording and see how it holds up if you still think chiropractic is a ‘quick fix’.  “You only have to brush your teeth just once.”  Your dentist would be furious if you only brushed your teeth just once.  Literally.  At least we hope your dentist would be upset for taking such poor care of your oral hygiene.  The same can be said for your overall health and well-being.  If you only get adjusted just once, then only eat your fruits and vegetables on one day.

Adjusted: The One And Done…

Chiropractic patients all over the world have heard of a brother’s second cousin, step-sister’s fiancee, who married Aunt Claire’s step-son who received ONE adjustment and was cured.  Okay, so rationalize that someone in acute pain/discomfort who has hit rock bottom only has one way to go. They have to go up, and up is a positive experience.  That doesn’t mean their body is cured, fixed, healed, or better.  9 out of 10 times that patient has been living in pain/discomfort for 5+ years unnoticed.  We do not rationalize that asthma, allergies, constipation, diverticulitis, lethargy or ANY symptom is painful.

Adjust Your Thoughts

A subluxation disconnects the brain – body highway.  Therefore, the brain creates a new inner reality and environment for the body to live in.  No one said it’s a healthy one.  It’s surviving, though, and at least getting you through the day.  Luckily it does not have to be that way though.  Creating positive memory begins and ends with the central nerve system.  Just like learning the fine arts of playing the piano.  Repetition not only builds and allows one’s body to adapt, it is also proactive.  Brushing your teeth, getting your spine checked, eating right, exercising…it’s hard-work.  Keep it up.  Get adjusted regularly.