Chiropractic and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a group of rare inherited connective tissue disorders. The most common symptoms include:

• Joint hypermobility.

• Stretchy skin.

• Fragile skin that breaks or bruises easily.

EDS can affect people in different ways. For some, the condition is relatively mild, while for others their symptoms can be disabling.

Can I be adjusted safely if I have EDS?

This tends to be the most important question for new practice members who are coming in with a diagnosis of EDS. When it comes to getting adjusted with EDS, it is safe to receive chiropractic care, but you'll want to let your chiropractor know of your diagnosis in case they want to modify the way they adjust you based on your diagnosis and symptoms.

What type of chiropractic technique should I try?

In our experience, if your EDS symptoms are moderate to severe, you will want to receive chiropractic care that involves a technique that uses less force. For example, you may want to avoid manual adjustments and instead try instrument-assisted adjustments. In our office we use a chiropractic technique (Torque Release Technique) which uses a gentle, specific, and effective tool to deliver adjustments.

What are the benefits of receiving chiropractic care while having EDS?

As mentioned, one of the most common symptoms for people with EDS is hypermobility of the joints. This not only means that a person with EDS has a higher likelihood of dislocating joints, it also means that the effects of everyday life can take a bigger toll on an EDS patient's spine alignment (i.e. bad posture, car accidents, repetitive motions, sedentary lifestyles, falls, injuries).

Because their body is more susceptible to these misalignments, people with EDS tend to suffer from headaches, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, joint pain and others. With chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor will work to correct the structure of your spine and to relieve pressure on the surrounding nerves. Doing so can lead to:

• Decreased pain.

• Decreased inflammation.

• Decreased anti inflammatory medication usage.

• Better movement and quality of life.

• Better nerve communication going from the brain out to your body.

Can I combine chiropractic care with other therapies?

Absolutely! EDS patients who are benefiting from chiropractic management can complement their care with other therapies, such as physical therapy and massage. Postural corrective exercises, releasing through tight muscles, and strengthening the foundation of your body can go a long way with EDS symptoms. There are two important things to consider when it comes to this.

Firstly, make sure that whichever therapy you decide to try, your physician knows about your diagnosis and they have an individual approach to your care. Secondly, keep an eye out to see if you get excessively sore or experience exacerbations if you do multiple therapies in one day. If that's the case, consider spreading them out throughout the week to give your body enough time to adjust to each therapy.

Do you have any other questions when it comes to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and chiropractic? Reach out to your local chiropractor!

Why Should We All Assess the Health of Our Nervous System?

How much do you know about the nervous system? You probably know that it includes our nerves, brain and spinal cord, and you also probably know that pinched nerves are not fun. Other than that, most people aren’t aware of the function of the nervous system and the huge role that it plays in our body and health!

The Nervous System in a Nutshell:

The nervous system consists of the brain in our skull, the spinal cord that is housed in our vertebral column, and the complex branching of nerves that go to all the tissues and organs in our body: from the skin in our scalp to the tips of our toes! And truth be told the nervous system is way more complex because it can be further divided into the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, the somatic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, cranial nerves, and much more, but this is all beyond the scope of today's goal!

The nervous system’s job is to work as a messenger in your body through electrical impulses. Through these messages, the nervous system allows you to have voluntary control of your body. For example, it allows you to move your body however you want, to sing, to dance, to do sports. It also allows you to control your breathing, for example it allows you to take a deep breath in, a deep breath out, and to hold your breath if you so desire it. The thing is that the nervous system also does so much more than this!

Also, the nervous system controls all of the things that we do involuntarily. It keeps us breathing when we’re asleep, it coordinates metabolic processes such as our digestion and blood pressure. Did you know the nervous system is also what picks up that your bladder is stretched and full and it sends signals to your brain so that you experience urgency or the need “to go”?

Your nervous system also converts the light that goes into your eyes into electrical signals which allow your to see. Similarly, the nervous system allows you to taste, smell and hear too! And there is so much more because your nervous system is also what sets the foundation for your personality, your memories, your ability to think and to make decision, this and so much more is only possible because of your nervous system!

Back to the question at hand…

Why Should We All Asses the Health of Our Nervous System?

Because the nervous system has a hand in everything that we do, who we are, and our health, it’s crucial that we support it. The nervous system is the master control of our body and if this system is affected, chances are that the rest of the systems in our body will be affected down the road too.

And because our nervous system is made of parts, this means that it is eventually made to break down. However, there’s still so much that we can do to keep the vital parts of our body as healthy as possible to push back the effects of degeneration as much as we can.

How we take care of our body has a huge impact in the health of our nervous system. Bad dietary habits, insufficient exercise, physical trauma, chemical trauma, mental trauma, the things we’re exposed to, even our thoughts and perceptions can have a huge impact in our nervous system’s health. The thing is, most of us have no idea what the health of our nervous system is.

How do you assess the health of the nervous system in a chiropractic setting?

In our chiropractic office, we assess the health of each of our practice member’s nervous systems during their first day with us and we re-evaluate how this health has changed at special appointments down the road. During the first day we:

• Sit down with the practice member and take their history to get a better idea of their medical history and any physical, mental, or chemical factors that could be playing a role in their health.

• Perform a chiropractic evaluation to get a better understanding of the problem areas: where bones are misaligned, where muscle tone is affected, and where you may have postural issues.

• Take x-rays of the vertebral column to evaluate the quality of these bones, the alignment of the structure that protects the spinal cord and branching nerves, and if there are any red flags present such as fractures or instabilities that would change how adjust you or how we approach your body.

Once this whole day 1 process is complete, all four of the doctors sit down together and discuss each case and then we schedule a second appointment to go over the findings regarding the health of your nervous system.

What can it mean if my nervous system isn't healthy?

Because we've seen that the nervous system has a hand in all of our body processes, when it is unable to function optimally or has damage to it, many different symptoms can arise. These symptoms can range from pain and numbness or tingling to nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. With chiropractic, although we don't treat specific conditions, our aim is to remove nerve interference from misaligned vertebrae in your spine so that your nervous system can function better, heal, and be better able to adapt to the physiological stress of physical, chemical and mental stressors. In our office, we use a chiropractic technique that is neurologically based and allows us to have a better focus on the health of the nervous system.

Can Chiropractic Help With Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread pain throughout the body. It affects twice as many women than men and it affects about 2% of the population or 4 million adults in the United States. Fibromyalgia can also be flared up by illnesses, physical trauma or emotional stress. According to the CDC, fibromyalgia symptoms can include:

• Musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, often through the entire body.

• Fatigue and tiredness.

• Depression and anxiety.

• Sleep issues.

• Memory, thinking or concentration issues.

• Tension headaches or migraines.

• Digestive issues (i.e. irritable bowel syndrome)

• Pain in the face or jaw.

• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The cause behind fibromyalgia is still uncertain, but the most researched theory behind fibromyalgia pain is that at some point in a person’s life, their nervous system changes in a way that this person experiences an increased sensitivity to pain. This can happen numerous ways, such as:

• One can have increased levels of chemicals that signal pain, resulting in inaccurate pain signals.

• Pain receptors develop a memory where they overreact to both painful and non-painful

• stimuli.

How can Chiropractic Treatment Help?

The nervous system coordinates and regulates the function of every tissue, organ and system in your body. As we saw, in the case of fibromyalgia patients, there’s an issue in the functioning of the nervous system that affects how your brain processes pain signals.

Chiropractic treatments are all about optimizing the communication of your nervous system. The aim is to correct vertebral misalignments that put pressure on the nerves that relay information to and from the brain. By removing this nerve interference, chiropractic adjustments can improve the functioning of your nervous system which in turn can help support people suffering from fibromyalgia. By restoring structural integrity, chiropractic care can also help to alleviate pain, increase range of motion and increase sleep in people who suffer from this chronic condition.

On the other hand, practice members who come in with fibromyalgia tend to be different from those coming in with typical neck pain or low back pain in the sense that they sometimes require us to modify their adjustment. Because people with fibromyalgia tend to have a lower threshold for pain signals, they tend to do better with a more specific and gentle adjustment.

If you want to learn more about how to manage fibromyalgia pain through conservative and alternative means, reach out to your local chiropractor!

What's Making Us Unhealthy and How Can Chiropractic Help?

In the world we live in, there are as many emerging things to do to be healthy as there are things to avoid doing so as to not become unhealthy. It can be pretty overwhelming, but we believe that understanding the big-picture elements affecting our health is a great place to start before we start talking about how your health is related to chiropractic. So let's get into it!

There are 3 Types of Stress Bombarding us Chronically:

Physical stress:

This type of stress can encompass a wide scope of physical elements, big and small. On one side, we've got macro-traumas that can have an immediate impact on our body, such as:

• Motor vehicle collisions

• Slips and falls.

• Injuries.

On the other hand, we have microtraumas that have a subtle, yet effective effect on our body over time, such as:

• Our posture.

• Sitting for long hours in one position.

• Having a physical job.

• Repetitive movements in sports (i.e. swinging a golf club, kicking a soccer ball, swinging a baseball bat) or life.

• Gravity.

Chemical stress:

This type of stress involves the toxic substances that our body is exposed to that then affects our levels of inflammation, our body's ability to detoxify, and our cellular health. Examples of chemical stress that we experience include:

• The quality of our diet.

• The quality of the water that we drink, shower in, and use to wash our clothes.

• Air quality in our homes and urban areas.

• Products such as laundry detergent, deodorant, makeup, candles, soaps, toothpaste, and pesticides.

Mental/Emotional stress:

This type of stress typically needs no introduction. We all have many different mental and emotional stressors bombarding us day in and day out. Unfortunately, this is also the type of stress that we push down or try to push through. Here are some examples of mental/emotional stress:

• Work-related stress.

• Being a parent, managing multiple schedules.

• Managing debt.

• Declining social relationships.

• Planning a holiday vacation.

What does having chronic stress mean for me and my body?

What these 3 types of stresses all have in common is that they add physiological stress to our body. Physiological stress relates to any factors that challenge the homeostasis of a cell or organism. You see, our body is always working very hard to keep us running and in good health. When we have long-term stress, whether physical, chemical, mental, or all three, our body is going to start dysregulating itself. Mayo Clinic states that symptoms of chronic stress can include:

• Anxiety.

• Depression.

• Digestive problems.

• Headaches.

• Muscle tension and pain (i.e. neck pain, back pain).

• Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

• Sleep problems.

• Weight gain.

• Problems with memory and focus.

How is My Health Related to Chiropractic Care?

The first thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to your health: It. Takes. A. Village. It takes consistent effort on many fronts (i.e. exercising, physical therapy, nutritional therapy, setting boundaries, managing external factors) to get healthy and keep yourself healthy. There is no one single thing that will do it.

On the other hand, while chiropractic adjustments alone aren't enough to solve all of your issues, by getting pressure off nerves, chiropractic can support your body's ability to cope with physiological stress. The nervous system is also the master control of your body, which means that when it is functioning optimally all your other organs and tissues can have improved coordination and function as well. An example of how the nervous system can affect other parts of your body is neuropathy: when there's damage to peripheral nerves people will typically loose sensation in their feet, but this problem is due to nerve damage, not due to a problem in the skin or muscle of your feet!

A third way in which chiropractic treatment helps is by stabilizing the foundation of your body, which is your pelvis and vertebral column. Structural misalignments here can put pressure on nerves and affect our body's function, it can mean that our joints can tear and wear quicker, and it can also make us more prone to injuries. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that we're not talking about a single chiropractic adjustment, our body needs consistent checks and care to counteract the stress that bombards us day-in and day-out. For many patients this can mean weekly care and for many others it can mean less frequent care.

Through chiropractic services, you can strengthen your body from the inside-out so that you're in a better position to adapt to the different types of stresses that life likes to throw your way. The magnitude of what we do goes way beyond back and neck pain because the nervous system is in charge of much more than that! If you're interested in learning more about your nervous system's health and spinal manipulation, reach out to your local chiropractor or seek out people from your community who are chiropractic patients!

Can Chiropractic Help with Insomnia?

Anyone who has had a rough night of sleep knows that sleep can play a significant role in how you feel on a given day. But for those who deal with insomnia, getting a good night's sleep can feel like an impossibility. But what is it about sleep that affects our body's ability to function so much?

Why is Sleep so Important?

Sleep is vital to maintaining good health. It is essential to every process in the body and allows your body to function physically and mentally as it should. Sleep helps your immune system, digestive system, metabolism, mental health, mood, and so much more. In children sleep is even more critical in that it helps them develop mentally and physically. Poor sleep in children has been associated with difficult behavioral issues, difficulty learning and retaining information, and even poor eating patterns.

While your body sleeps, your brain gets a chance to process and perform healthy brain functions like storing new information in long-term memory, clearing the cortisol that has built up from the day's activities, and recharging mentally so that you can think clearly tomorrow and maintain good mental health. Physically our bodies get a chance to rest and recover from a day of activity so that we are ready to work, exercise, and play the next day.

Sleep helps our brain function properly, it helps our emotional and mental state stay healthy, it reduces our risk of disease, and so much more. And poor sleep and sleep deprivation have been associated with a whole host of issues such as fatigue, higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, lower immune system, weight gain, and behavioral issues, and sleep deprivation can even increase your risk of having a car accident.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is defined as a sleep disorder where it is difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get back to sleep. This can then make you feel groggy and sap your energy level, as well as lead to poor health, work performance, and quality of life. This lack of quality sleep at night can also then cause daytime fatigue. Those with trouble falling asleep often will find their body's ability to function the next day is decreased, and their low energy levels can lead to other health issues. Insomniacs may try to get more sleep, but if their body still does not get a chance to have true restorative sleep, their issue will remain the same.

Chronic insomnia can also lead to a weakened immune system, as the poor quality of sleep means that the body never gets a chance to recover.

Common causes of insomnia can be stress, eating too late in the evening, drinking too much caffeine, a poor work schedule, and poor sleep habits, but can also be associated with medical conditions or the use of certain drugs. Mental health can also contribute to insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, and Depression can also have a side effect of insomnia.

Other Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea can also be a cause of insomnia. Sleep apnea is a condition where during sleep the body repeatedly stops breathing. This back-and-forth of loss of oxygen and rapid restart of breathing can mean that the body never enters true restful sleep, and as such, even a person who got an adequate number of hours of sleep can still feel incredibly tired and fatigued the next morning.

How Does Pain Contribute to Poor Sleep?

Another cause of poor sleep can be bodily pain. When the body is in pain, it can lead to difficulty falling asleep; chronic pain can make it impossible. Poor alignment in the spine can lead to issues with neck pain or back pain which can lead to difficulty feeling comfortable and finding a good sleeping position. Long-term poor posture can also contribute to tension and discomfort in the muscles throughout the whole musculoskeletal system.

How does the nervous system contribute to sleep?

Another possible cause of poor sleep is nervous system dysregulation. There are two sides to the nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system controls the fight or flight response of the body, helping the body protect itself and be able to get away from danger. Sympathetic activation will cause the body to increase the heart rate, decrease the motility of the digestive tract, constrict blood vessels, raise blood pressure, and prepare the body to be on high alert. The parasympathetic nervous system is the opposing side. If Sympathetic is "fight or flight", parasympathetic is "rest and digest". It relaxes your body and increases your ability to digest food, it reduces the amount of work your lungs do during times of rest, and lowers your heart rate. The parasympathetic side of the nervous system is important for helping reduce overall tension in the body and helping attain good sleep.

However, sometimes people can get trapped in fight or flight, and this increased sympathetic activation can lead to insomnia as the body is never truly able to rest.

How can Chiropractic care help overcome sleep disorders?

This is where a chiropractor can help. People can try to relieve stress and pain in the body in many ways, but one of the most effective methods of finding the root cause of pain is chiropractic care. Spinal misalignments can be one of the primary root causes of pain in the body, and chiropractic manipulation helps to correct misalignments that are holding the body in pain. Often patients will report that even after one adjustment they experienced better sleep.

Chiropractic adjustments can also help activate the parasympathetic side of the nervous system and help balance communication through the body, allowing the body to switch through the sides of the nervous system as it needs to as opposed to being stuck in one or the other. This better communication can help increase your sleep quality and better your sleep patterns, helping you fall asleep and stay asleep better.

How else can chiropractic treatment help me?

There are so many other ways that chiropractic care can help the functioning of the whole body. Explore our other blog posts to see other examples, and call today to schedule your chiropractic evaluation and see what chiropractic medicine can do to make your life better!

Does Everyone Get Chiropractic Adjustments the Same Way?

As you might expect, many people don't get adjusted the same way (the same adjustment, with the same technique and the same treatment plan) because there are many factors that determine what an adjustment looks like for someone. Let's dig deeper into why this can be!

Chiropractic Technique:

In the chiropractic world, there are many different techniques that allow a chiropractor to analyze someone's spine as well as to execute an adjustment. Depending on the technique that your chiropractor uses, your adjustment could include:

• Manual adjustments

• Drop tables

• Instruments

• Distraction tables

• Sacro-Occipital Technique blocks

• Soft tissue therapy

• Others

Age/Stage of Life

Expectedly, how you get chiropractic care as a baby is not the same way that you get care as a child or an adult. Babies are not tiny adults, which is why their adjustments looks different! When it comes to babies, their adjustments are much gentler and there is a more neurologically-based approach instead of a musculoskeletal one. Additionally, a young adult with a simple case of neck pain may be adjusted very differently than someone past their seventies who has a tougher time getting on the table, shifting positions or whose body is more sensitive to certain types of adjustments.

Past and Present Conditions

On the other hand, there are some people with either past or present medical conditions or issues that could change how a chiropractor approaches their body. For example, you may have a history of hardware in your body, such as spinal fusion surgery. This could mean that your chiropractor cannot directly adjust over the affected region and may have to focus on stabilizing the segments above and below it. People with disc herniations or disc extrusions may benefit greatly from chiropractic, but they will do better with adjustments that do not input excessive rotation into those segments. Patients with a history of cancer treatments may have osteopenia, which also means that they may benefit more from gentler chiropractic techniques when working on their midback. Abdominal aortic aneurysms, neuropathy, pregnant mommas, and people with a spondylolisthesis are more examples of people who typically require some modification to how one delivers their adjustment.

Congenital Anomalies

You might be surprised to hear that many people out in the world have congenital anomalies and many don't even know about it! Congenital anomalies are structural anomalies that occur during fetal development. From a chiropractic perspective, we may see that someone has eleven -instead of twelve- pairs of ribs, they might have an extra bone in their low back, or they may have a fusion between two or more segments in their neck. There are many other types of congenital anomalies that we see in the office and most of them are benign and don't change the way you experience life or get adjusted. However, there are some that may affect how we get chiropractic patients adjusted, such as having a posterior ponticle, a cervical rib, or Eagle's syndrome. These congenital anomalies can only be seen through imaging, which is why many chiropractors feel strongly about taking xrays of their new practice members.

Personal Preference:

One last reason why you may see that someone's chiropractic adjustment looks very different than someone else's is personal preference. Some chiropractic patients have years of experience with care, they've tried multiple techniques, and they already know how their body better responds to a spinal adjustment.

Can Chiropractic Help with High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a fairly common condition, with the NHS estimating that 18% of adult men and 13% of adult women have elevated blood pressure. Furthermore, they state that half of the people over 75 years of age have high blood pressure. But what is high blood pressure, and what does that mean for our bodies and our health?

What is High Blood Pressure?

The ideal blood pressure is typically 120/80 mmHg. What does that measurement mean? Blood pressure is measured by the amount of pressure that blood traveling through your body will exert on the artery walls holding it. It is measured in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. The two numbers represent systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure refers to the pressure exerted on the blood vessels when your heart beats and pushes the blood flow through your arteries, and diastolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in between each beat of your heart.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or above.

How does High Blood Pressure affect the body?

Often, people with high blood pressure will not know that they have hypertension, as it can often present with little to no symptoms. They will often find out when their healthcare practitioner will measure their pressure on an average visit. However, high blood pressure can cause headaches, blurred or double vision, regular nosebleeds, or shortness of breath.

High blood pressure itself often can put a person at risk for developing other health issues such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Furthermore, diabetes and kidney disease have been linked to complications with high blood pressure.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

Oftentimes there is no single identifiable reason for a rise in blood pressure, but there are often factors and things that can place a person more at risk for developing hypertension. Those over 75 years of age are more prone for hypertension, as well as those with poor diet, who have a lack of exercise, people who are overweight, or those who excessively consume alcohol.

High blood pressure can also occur during pregnancy and is often a sign of larger issues, so often pregnant women will be regularly screened and measured for hypertension throughout the course of their pregnancy.

High blood pressure can also be impacted by spinal misalignments. Particularly of the atlas vertebra, or the C-1 vertebra, the first bone in your spine.

Treatments for High Blood Pressure

Often some of the first recommendations for treating and preventing high blood pressure are eating a healthy diet, regularly exercising, and reducing alcohol consumption. But one of the most effective but less well-known methods for blood pressure regulation is chiropractic adjustments.

A study published by the Journal of Human Hypertension showed that regular adjustments of the atlas vertebra showed to decrease high blood pressure at a comparable level to taking two high blood pressure medications.

How can Chiropractic adjustments help with Hypertension?

The atlas bone, also known as the C-1 vertebra is a very important bone in the nervous system as it is the top of the spine and the first bone surrounding the spinal cord once it exits the skull. And as the nervous system controls the cardiovascular system through the spinal cord, misalignments here can apply pressure on the spinal cord and contribute to poor communication throughout the system. By restoring good alignment to that bone and relieving pressure exerted by the spinal misalignment, the body is able to communicate perfectly with the cardiovascular system and better regulate blood pressure. The study showed that C1 misalignments when corrected, improved both systolic and diastolic blood pressure to similar levels as hypertensive patients who take two blood pressure medications together.

Schedule your chiropractic evaluation today and see how chiropractic care can help your overall health!

Should I consider chiropractic care for my baby?

A lot of parents come to our clinic because they're interested in getting care for themselves, but often they are surprised to see that we also treat children, toddlers, and newborns. When they hear and see us caring for babies and newborns, and the most common question we hear is 'Why do babies need to get adjusted?'. Today, we decided to address this question as well as the other common questions that we get regarding pediatric chiropractic!

Why should I take my baby to a chiropractor?

The first year of life is one where there's a huge amount of brain development happening. As babies see, touch, taste, hear, and smell the world around them, they start forming connections in their brain and progressively laying down the foundation for future knowledge and skills. In order for this to happen optimally, their nervous system needs to be receptive, responsive and adaptive to the new internal and external environment.

Chiropractic is a complementary and alternative medicine whose aim is to support your child's development by aiding the functioning of their nervous system through gentle and precise chiropractic treatment. Our conviction is that healthy kids become healthy adults and that through early chiropractic care we are able to help set them up for success down the road.

What are some signs or symptoms that suggest that my baby could benefit from chiropractic care?

Some signs to keep an eye out for that could suggest that your baby could benefit from chiropractic adjustments include:

• Difficulty with breastfeeding on one side

• Head is often rotated or leaning to the same side

• Excessive fussiness or irritability

• Constant arching of the back and head

• Sleep issues

• Difficulty with bowel movements

While we don't claim to treat specific conditions, by supporting a baby's nervous system functioning we've had parents report improvement in symptoms such as:

• Constipation

• Colic/reflux

• Spit up

• Fussiness

• Chronic illness/immune system

• Ear infections

• Meeting milestones

Because the nervous system directly innervates all the tissues, organs and systems in your body, when your baby's nervous system is able to function properly (without one hand tied behind its back), it's no wonder we see struggling babies thrive. Even babies who are perfectly healthy or don't have a lot of issues going on benefit from chiropractic care because we're able to support their nervous system through their development and help set them up for success in the future.

Can I take my baby to any chiropractor?

Education in the chiropractic profession requires that all chiropractic students go through set hours of education in treating the pediatric population. Nonetheless, you really want to make sure that the chiropractic office that you're considering treats a lot of babies and kids and that they have additional training in pediatric chiropractic care. Your baby will receive the best care possible and chances are that the clinic itself will have special accommodations geared towards you and your baby (for example changing tables, a nursing room, diapers, toys, pediatric pillows, and staff that is friendly and can assist in keeping an eye on older siblings while you focus on your baby's visit).

In order to find a pediatric clinic, you can research different websites or social media before hand. You can also call the office directly and ask if they specialize in pediatrics or if they've had training with pediatric associations, such as the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association). If not, ask them if they know of any pediatric chiropractors in the area. Similarly, you can reach out to your pediatrician or other medical professional/health care professionals to see if they know of any pediatric chiropractors in your area.

What does a chiropractic adjustment on a baby look like?

There's a couple of different techniques or ways to adjusting babies and young kids, but the main thing to understand is that babies are not tiny adults. This means that their adjustments are not a gentler copy of adult spinal manipulation, in fact in our office it looks nothing like the way we adjust adults -or even young children for that matter. A baby's body and the way that their neurology responds to an adjustment is different, and so it requires a different approach.

In our office, adjustments on babies are always gentle and specific. We use very light pressure, about the same that you use to check a tomato for ripeness, in order to correct spinal misalignments. We rely on observing baby's positional preference, muscle tone, palpation, and other methods to assess baby's spine. We also make sure that baby's parents are close so that both parties feel comfortable and parents feel included in the process.

How many adjustments does my baby need?

Fortunately, babies don't have years of degeneration or a history of significant injuries like big falls or motor vehicle accidents. This means that their nervous system tends to respond quicker to the correction of misalignments, and parents often report an improvement in mood, sleep, digestion and others quicker compared to teenagers or other adults.

That being said, our goal is not only to correct interruption in their nervous system communication, but to maintain optimal communication between their brain and the rest of their body. Because of this we recommend maintenance care, where they periodically get checked for misalignments and correct shifts as they occur. This is especially important as they start learning how to crawl and walk because at that point they will be falling and getting bumps numerous times per day. Regular check ups allow us to catch these small and gradual shifts in their bones as they occur. Our goal is to prevent them from becoming teenagers or young adults with neck pain, headaches, back pain, or other significant issues.

Have any other questions regarding chiropractic care for your little one? Feel free to reach out to us or your local pediatric chiropractor!

Posture Matters: Why Having Good Posture is Important and How Chiropractic Can Help

The world and society we live in has become overwhelmingly sedentary. We sit for our jobs. We sit while we drive and travel. When we constantly sit, we frequently enter poor habits of poor posture and body positioning. This poor posture weighs on the body and can interfere with good body mechanics resulting in pain and reduced range of motion. This has a daily effect on our lives, but we don't often pay attention to it. So what is posture, why does it matter, and what can you do to better your health?

What is Posture and Alignment, and Why is it Important?

Posture is defined simply as the position in which one holds their body while sitting or standing. People can form habits with their body, leaning into the natural positions of the body or forming alternate habits, these positions can be good or bad for the body. Having good posture can reduce muscle tension, help with increased energy, and even help boost confidence. Good posture will allow the functions of the body to engage and act without external stress. Having bad posture can wear on the body and contribute to pain.

So what do we mean by good posture? We are referring to the positioning of the musculoskeletal system. Good posture will be a posture that aligns with the natural position of the body and the biomechanics of the skeleton. The spine has four main curves in it: the neck and low back, the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine, have natural curves forward, the mid-back and pelvis, the thoracic and sacral curves of the spine, have natural curves backward. Good posture will maintain these natural curves of the body in what we consider a neutral spine. Good posture will also keep the head upright, the chest straight, the shoulders and hips even, and the body in an overall rested and upright position.

This good posture keeps the ribcage open and even, thus reducing stress on the spine providing the structure for the ribcage. An open and neutral ribcage will reduce stress on the heart, lungs, digestive organs, and other internal systems within.

Good posture will also help keep muscle imbalances low, as the muscles will not be over-strained or over-tightened, but will be able to be in a neutral resting position.

Overall Health Benefits

The health benefits of keeping a good posture are numerous. Good posture has been shown to help with pain relief for neck and lower back pain, as maintaining proper posture keeps the body in a healthy position, reducing strain on the muscles and bones of the spine, which can relieve and prevent issues of joint pain, prevent muscle strain, and reduce stress on the nervous system which is housed in the spine.

Better posture has also been associated with reducing headaches, particularly cervicogenic headaches, by reducing stress and tension in the muscles of the neck, relieving neck pain, and stopping these types of headaches at their root cause.

The healthy alignment of the posture of the thoracic spine and rib cage can also result in higher lung capacity because the lungs are able to work and expand and contract to their full ability. If you've ever noticed that you can take a deeper breath when you stand straight, it is because standing upright allows the ribcage to be as wide as possible.

Good posture can also help with increasing energy levels, better form while exercising (thus reducing the possibility of injury), and increased confidence.

The Consequences of Poor Posture

So what does poor posture look like and how can it affect the body? Poor posture is that which runs contrary to the natural alignment of the musculoskeletal system. A forward head posture, also known as excessive curvature of the cervical spine, can place excessive strain on the back muscles and neck muscles providing support, which can lead to pain and joint restrictions in the neck and shoulders.

Often when we sit we end up looking down at phones or computers, hunching our shoulders forward and increasing the curve of our mid-back. This posture imbalance reduces the capacity of the ribcage and alters the physical appearance of the body by causing a "hunchback" look. This position can over time cause shoulder pain, mid-back pain, and stiffness.

All of this poor posture also places great strain on the spinal cord housed within the spine, which places stress and pressure on the nervous system, which can prevent it from functioning at it's optimal level.

The Importance of Posture and Alignment: How Chiropractic Care Can Help

So now that we know the importance of good posture, how can we improve posture and keep proper alignment of the spine? The first step is to acknowledge that there is a problem to begin with. Notice how you hold your body when you sit on the couch, drive your car, sit at your desk, walk, etc. Notice how you are holding your body. Are you pushing your head forward? Are you sitting cross-legged? Are you holding one arm or one hip higher than the other? Are you curving your body forward and looking down?

Once you understand what your body's current habit is, it becomes easier to work to understand and maintain good posture. Try rearranging your desk to have better ergonomics, helping keep your neck upright, and raising your computer screen so you are looking straight ahead instead of down. Keep your feet flat on the floor, and keep your forearms parallel to the floor.

Often when we have been living in bad posture for so long, we need help correcting the structure first. This is where chiropractic adjustments are invaluable. Spinal adjustments by a licensed chiropractor will find areas where proper spinal alignment has been strained by bad habits and will work to correct the structural imbalances in the range of motion of the joints of the body. Chiropractic care focuses on helping correct the alignment of the spinal bones. This good alignment will also help reduce stress on the nervous system by relieving pressure on the spinal nerves themselves. This improved alignment helps restore good communication throughout the nervous system which can also not just help reduce pain but can reduce stress and help your body be better able to relax, rest, and grow.

Chiropractic adjustment combined with posture alterations in your day-to-day life can greatly help not just improve your posture but help improve the overall health and well-being of your whole body. See if chiropractic care can help you and your posture and schedule an appointment today.

The Importance of Rest

The world that we live in in so fast-paced, people run themselves ragged trying to finish all the tasks they need to do. People have a hundred things on their plates and only 24 hours in the day to accomplish them. Hustle culture glamorizes pushing hard, not sleeping, and prioritizing accomplishment, and sacrificing anything to reach your goals. Too often sleep and rest are the things that are sacrificed. We often treat sleep like a commodity that we can exchange for working to get a project done and get ahead. But the importance of rest cannot be understated. No matter how much we need to do, we cannot do them well if we do not allow our bodies heal and rest. Our bodies are wonderfully complex machines that do not work the way they are supposed to if they do not get the time to rest and recharge.

Why is Rest Important?

Often when we say the word "rest" people think of sleep. Sleep is a very important aspect of health. Everyone can attest to how good it feels to get a good night's sleep.

Sleep helps restore your body's energy, repair damaged tissues and muscles, and triggers the release of hormones that help with growth and appetite. But the quality of sleep matters. Higher sleep quality is associated with the amount of time that one spends in REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep. That phase of the sleep cycle is the most restorative. Getting at least 2 hours of REM sleep is associated with feeling refreshed, reduced stress, and helps improve mood, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, increase sexual desire, and other health benefits. However, poor sleep, or sleep deprivation can contribute to a host of health problems including increased risk of heart disease, grogginess, digestive issues, and a chronic lack of energy. The brain is unable to focus as well as it should, and the body cannot recover strength as well as it should. The benefits of good quality sleep cannot be understated.

Basic rest, even periods of quiet wakefulness which are the times when you are having restful activity or lying with your eyes closed for a few minutes, can improve mental abilities. Insufficient sleep is never good, so ensuring that you get enough quality sleep is vital. But that timing is different depending on what phase of life. The National heart, Lug, and Blood Institute recommend that preschool aged children tend to need between 11-12 hours, school aged children are recommended 10 hours, 9-10 hours for teens and 7-8 hours are recommended for adults to ensure enough sleep and adequate rest.

Sleep and Functioning

There are several ways we know that sleep specifically is important for the body to function properly. Driving tired is considered equally dangerous to driving drunk. Multiple studies have shown that sleep deprived drivers have less reaction time, are less vigilant, and have reduced hand eye coordination and ability to multitask. One study conducted by the AAA foundation for Traffic Safety found that sleeping less than 6-7 hours a knight doubled a person's risk of being involved in a crash, while sleeping less than 5 hours doubled that risk again. Most researchers agree that after 20 straight hours of being awake, the impairment of sleep deprivation becomes equal to the legal limit of drinking and driving.

Another study shows that even a little bit of rest can make a difference. A study conducted on people who work long hours found that working a 30-hour shift with 20-minute naps every six hours doubled the performance of those rested workers compared to those who did not get any sleep. Even if those people couldn't truly fall asleep in that 20 minute nap, even the act of closing their eyes and resting improved their work performance.

What do we mean by rest?

When we say rest, however, we don't just mean sleep. Yes, getting quality sleep is very important to keeping your body happy and healthy. However, when we say rest, we mean rest of both the mind and body. Rest and relaxation go hand in hand. Research has shown that having time to relax helps benefit mental and physical health. And relaxation can show up in many ways. Research has shown that enjoyable leisure activities be they creative activities such as hobbies, sports, socializing, or spending time in nature have all been shown to increase measures of health and well being.

Recreation time outside has been specifically seen to be beneficial. Studies have shown that as little as 10 min of sitting or walking in nature significantly and positively impacted defined psychological and physiological markers of mental well-being for college-aged individuals.

Rest reduces stress. So all rest, including sleep, is very important to your body.

How can Chiropractic help with Rest?

Chiropractic care of the body and nervous system helps the whole body function better. Adjustments help activate the parasympathetic side of the nervous system, the part of the nervous system that regulates rest and digestion. Studies have shown that higher parasympathetic nervous system activity is associated with higher levels of immune system and antiviral activity, which helps the body fight disease and illness better.

Chiropractic care can also help with mental health issues by addressing the physical aspects of disorders such as anxiety and depression. Spikes of high blood pressure are associated with anxiety, but studies have shown that Chiropractic care betters to the nervous system's ability to regulate and lower blood pressure. When the blood pressure is better regulated this contributes to better rest which in turn improves the functioning of the immune system, reduces the risk of heart disease, and overall helps daily life be healthier and happier.

Chiropractic care is known to help with regular aches and pains like back pain and neck pain. When the body is not in pain and it has gotten enough rest, mental health improves too. Chiropractic care helps the body function better, and can help relieve issues like chronic pain and fatigue. When the body is not in pain, sleep quality improves, and when the nervous system is functioning without interference and the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it boosts the body's ability to regulate its sleep schedule and improve sleep quality, thus increasing the body's rest. Chiropractic care over the long term also helps reduce symptoms of long term stress, and help with overall health and wellness.

Contact us today to see if Chiropractic care can help you rest easy.

Can Chiropractic help with Sinus Problems?

Can Chiropractic help with Sinus Problems?

Cold and flu season, pollen blooming, rapidly changing temperatures, all of these can drive our sinuses haywire. These clogged nasal passages can lead to sinus pressure, sinus pain, sinus headaches, and even if it goes too far, sinus infections. Sometimes it feels like there is no solution but to wait it out or take decongestants. People can even have chronic sinus issues that do not ever clear up.

What is happening in our Sinuses?

Sinuses are the hollow spaces inside of your skull that help balance pressure and drain mucus from your nose. There are multiple sinuses, but the ones we think about when we talk about sinus pressure are the one behind your forehead called the frontal sinus, and the ones behind your cheekbones called the maxillary sinuses. These sinuses make a thin mucus through our mucus membranes that drains out of the channels at the back of the nose to help keep the nose free and clean of bacteria. They also serve to warm and humidify the air you breathe to keep your lungs healthy.

When fighting off a cold, allergies, or other causes of sinus pressure such as exposure to cigarette smoke, the tissue lining of the sinus cavities become inflamed and block the normal drainage of the mucus, increasing the pressure, clogging the passage, and sometimes even causing swelling in the face. This inflammation and build up is what contributes to chronic sinus problems. When this inflammation does not reduce over time but is constantly present, this can become chronic sinusitis. The immune system will attempt to help fight off a sinus infection, but the thick mucus will impede sinus drainage and continue to build up increased pressure and can even contribute to other side effects like a sore throat or a cough.

How do we treat sinus issues?

While many people will turn to nasal sprays, allergy medication, or common cold medicine, these interventions usually only address the mucus level itself, instead of dealing with the root cause of the inflammation.

Can Chiropractic Care help?

Yes it can! Chiropractic care helps work on relieving pressure on the spinal cord which in turn helps the nervous system communicate and control the immune system better. This relief of pressure will help your body better regulate its immune response which can in turn help with sinus infections. On a physical level as well, chiropractic adjustments of the neck or even of the facial bones themselves can help restore balanced pressure and proper drainage in the head and frontal sinuses providing relief of pain.

Call today and see how Chiropractic care can help you get through the cold and flu season successfully!

Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Improving Your Child's Health and Well-Being

Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Improving Your Child's Health and Well-Being

Pediatric chiropractic care is becoming increasingly popular among parents seeking non-invasive and drug-free healthcare options for their children. Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system and how misalignments in the spine can affect overall health. In children, misalignments can occur due to birth trauma, falls, sports injuries, or poor posture.

At our clinic, we believe that pediatric chiropractic care can have numerous benefits for children of all ages. By correcting spinal misalignments, chiropractic adjustments can improve nervous system function, which can lead to improved immune function, better sleep, and improved digestion. Additionally, chiropractic care can help with common childhood issues such as ear infections, colic, and asthma.

While some may be hesitant to seek chiropractic care for their children, it is important to note that chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care undergo extensive training and are well-equipped to work with children of all ages. We believe that pediatric chiropractic care can be a safe and effective option for parents looking to support their child's overall health and well-being.

Understanding Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pediatric chiropractic care is a form of healthcare that focuses on the spine and nervous system of children. Chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care use gentle and safe techniques to help children achieve optimal health and wellness.

At our clinic, we believe that pediatric chiropractic care can provide numerous benefits for children, including:

• Improved sleep

• Reduced colic and digestive issues

• Enhanced immune system function

• Better posture and balance

• Reduced ear infections

• Improved behavior and focus

During a pediatric chiropractic visit, we will perform a thorough examination of your child to identify any areas of misalignment or dysfunction in the spine and nervous system. We will then use gentle techniques to restore proper alignment and function, which can help improve your child's overall health and wellness.

Our goal is to provide safe and effective care for your child, and we will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your child's unique needs. We also believe in educating parents about the benefits of pediatric chiropractic care, so you can make informed decisions about your child's healthcare.

Overall, pediatric chiropractic care can be a safe and effective way to help your child achieve optimal health and wellness. If you're interested in learning more about how chiropractic care can benefit your child, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today.

Key Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote healthy development in children. It involves gentle adjustments to the spine and joints to improve the functioning of the nervous system. Here are some key benefits of pediatric chiropractic care:

Promotes Healthy Development

Pediatric chiropractic care can help infants and children to develop properly. By gently adjusting the spine and joints, chiropractors can help to relieve tension and improve mobility. This can help to promote healthy development of the musculoskeletal system, which is essential for proper movement and posture.

Boosts Immune System

Pediatric chiropractic care can also help to boost the immune system. By improving the functioning of the nervous system, chiropractors can help to enhance the body's natural ability to fight off infections and illnesses. This can help to reduce the risk of common childhood illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Improves Sleep Patterns

Pediatric chiropractic care can also help to improve sleep patterns in children. By relieving tension and promoting relaxation, chiropractors can help children to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. This can help to improve overall health and well-being, as well as reduce the risk of behavioral problems and learning difficulties.

Enhances Neurological Development

Pediatric chiropractic care can also help to enhance neurological development in children. By improving the functioning of the nervous system, chiropractors can help to promote healthy brain development and improve cognitive function. This can help to improve learning, memory, and overall academic performance.

In conclusion, pediatric chiropractic care can provide a range of benefits for children. By promoting healthy development, boosting the immune system, improving sleep patterns, and enhancing neurological development, chiropractors can help children to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Safety and Effectiveness of Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote the health and well-being of children. As chiropractors, we are highly trained professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques to help children achieve optimal health.

Research has shown that pediatric chiropractic care is safe and effective. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care was associated with significant improvements in children with asthma, ear infections, and colic. Another study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health found that chiropractic care was effective in treating children with a variety of conditions, including ADHD, bedwetting, and scoliosis.

Chiropractors are trained to work with children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques that are safe and effective for children. These techniques include spinal adjustments, massage, and stretching exercises.

Pediatric chiropractic care is also effective in preventing future health problems. By promoting proper spinal alignment and posture, chiropractic care can help prevent injuries and improve overall health and well-being. Chiropractic care can also help children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime, such as proper posture and exercise.

In conclusion, pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote the health and well-being of children. As chiropractors, we are highly trained professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques to help children achieve optimal health.

Choosing a Pediatric Chiropractor

When it comes to choosing a pediatric chiropractor, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you find the right fit for your child. Here are some tips to help guide your search:

1. Look for a licensed chiropractor

First and foremost, make sure that the chiropractor you choose is licensed and in good standing with their state board. This will ensure that they have met the necessary educational and training requirements to practice chiropractic care.

2. Consider their experience with children

Pediatric chiropractic care requires a different approach than adult care, so it's important to find a chiropractor who has experience working with children. Look for a practitioner who specializes in pediatric care or who has a significant amount of experience treating children.

3. Ask for referrals

Word of mouth can be a powerful tool when it comes to finding a pediatric chiropractor. Ask friends, family members, or your child's pediatrician for recommendations. You can also search online for reviews and testimonials from other parents.

4. Schedule a consultation

Before committing to a chiropractor, schedule a consultation to get a better sense of their approach and whether it would be a good fit for your child. During the consultation, ask about their experience working with children, their treatment approach, and any potential risks or side effects.

5. Trust your instincts

Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a pediatric chiropractor is your gut feeling. If something doesn't feel right or you don't feel comfortable with the practitioner, it's okay to keep looking until you find someone who feels like the right fit for your child.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pediatric chiropractic care can be a beneficial addition to a child's healthcare routine. While it may not be suitable for every child, it can help with a variety of issues such as colic, ear infections, and even ADHD.

Through gentle adjustments, chiropractors can help improve the alignment of a child's spine, which can lead to improved nervous system function and overall health. Additionally, chiropractors can provide parents with education and resources on how to improve their child's posture and spinal health at home.

It's important to note that chiropractic care should not be used as a replacement for traditional medical care. Rather, it should be used as a complementary therapy to support a child's overall health and well-being.

If you're considering pediatric chiropractic care for your child, it's important to do your research and find a qualified and experienced chiropractor who specializes in working with children. By working together with your child's healthcare team, you can help ensure that your child receives the best possible care.

Can Chiropractic help with Spinal Stenosis

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is defined as a narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal, also known as the spinal column, is the protective sheath around the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that comes out of the base of the brain stem and runs down the center of the entire spine with nerves that branch off of it all the way down and send signals from the brain to the entire rest of the body. The spinal cord itself is inside the protective canal, floating in cerebral spinal fluid which provides insulation and protection. When that canal has abnormal pressure placed on it, it can impact the ability of the nervous system to communicate through the spinal cord by squeezing the nerves, hindering signaling, or by applying stretching tension on the spinal cord, which can also impact the communication of the nervous system, and even cause damage.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

This squeezing pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots within the spine can occur in the neck and lower back, and depending on the area, different symptoms can arise, although some people with spinal stenosis have no noticeable symptoms. Symptoms can occur, and these can include pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. In the cervical spine symptoms can include neck pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or hands. With lumbar spinal stenosis sometimes low back pain can be felt, but pain can also occur in one or both legs. Sometimes people will feel weakness or numbness in their leg or foot as well which can lead to problems with walking and balance. More severe symptoms of lumbar stenosis can also include feeling problems with the bowel or bladder. This can often be worsened after standing for a long period of time, or after walking. Often, in the lower extremities, people will find that the symptoms improve when bending forward or sitting.

What Causes Spinal Stenosis?

There are many possible causes of spinal stenosis. With age and wear and tear on the body, sometimes people can develop degenerative disc disease which can cause arthritic changes in the spine. Arthritic changes will usually present as extra bone growth on the spine, known as bone spurs. These do not necessarily grow out of the spine, but can grow into the spine and push into the spinal canal and develop spinal stenosis.

A herniated disc can also cause spinal stenosis. The supportive spinal discs in between the spinal vertebra, called intervertebral discs, are basically a doughnut of cartilage surrounding a jelly center called the nucleus pulposus. Those discs provide shock absorption for the spine. If that disc is damaged from spinal injuries, particularly compression, that jelly center can squish out and push into the spinal canal, and spinal stenosis occurs.

But one of the most common causes of spinal stenosis is injury. Car accidents and other traumas such as a fall or blow to the spine can cause spinal bones to break, or can cause swelling of the tissues surrounding the spine causing narrowing and putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

What can help treat spinal stenosis patients?

Often, spinal stenosis patients will be seeking pain relief, so common treatment for spinal stenosis will involve some form of medication to help relieve pain. Sometimes steroid shots can help reduce the inflammation around the affected nerve roots. However, this does not treat the cause of the pain. Some providers will prescribe physical therapy to help build up endurance and strength and help improve flexibility in the spine. In severe cases, some providers may even recommend spinal surgery to help create more space within the spinal canal.

But one of the most effective, and least invasive treatment for spinal stenosis is chiropractic care.

How does Chiropractic treatment help spinal stenosis?

Chiropractic treatment for spinal stenosis, instead of focusing on the pain caused by the stenosis, focuses on relieving the pressure placed on the nerve roots by bettering the alignment of the spine. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve pressure on the spinal nerves by restoring proper alignment of the spine and not letting it sit in poor posture. Chiropractors can utilize multiple techniques to work on relieving pressure on the spine, including flexion distraction manipulation, torque release technique, and others. Furthermore, this adjustment often also helps improve flexibility and range of motion in the spine, relieving pain, which often helps the patient feel more enabled in their life to be active and mobile without fear of pain or further injury.

Call today and see how Chiropractic treatment can help you!

Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Glenwood Springs, CO | Your Complete Guide – 2022

The vast majority of pregnant women experience some pain in the pelvic and lower back regions during their pregnancy. According to one study, approximately half of all pregnant women develop back pain before giving birth to their babies.

Unfortunately, a group of these patients develops debilitating pain that forces them to stay at home or get admitted to the hospital.

You might be thinking: “Can’t they just take some painkillers?”

Well, it is not that simple. You see, pregnancy and pharmacological drugs do not mix. This makes chiropractic care a very attractive choice to relieve pains and discomforts while providing other health benefits. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about the benefits of chiropractic care in helping pregnant women. We will also touch on an interesting technique that helps with the breech position known as Webster’s technique.

The benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a continuous process of hormonal fluctuations and physical changes that place a toll on your posture and cause pain.

Additionally, the size of your baby is constantly increasing, which gradually shifts your center of gravity. This will have some negative consequences on your muscles and pelvis.

To relieve these aches, our experts will use various techniques that take into consideration your anatomy and initial complaints.

Doing this will alleviate the need to take any medications that could potentially place your baby in jeopardy.

According to one large study, scientists found that ¾ of pregnant women who try chiropractic care experience significant pain relief.

Furthermore, working on adjusting your center of gravity will help you feel energized and at ease during the rest of your journey.

After getting familiar with the generalities, let us dig deeper into the benefits of seeking the help of a Pregnancy Chiropractor in Glenwood Springs, CO:

1.      Pregnancy Chiropractic Care Relieves Pain

Your prenatal chiropractor in Glenwood Springs will ensure that your spine is aligned, then work on your muscles, joints, and ligaments to increase their stability.

After a few sessions, you will notice a drastic change in your symptoms, as well as the ability to perform day-to-day activities.

Besides relieving your pain, chiropractic care will also lower the risk of any musculoskeletal injuries, which is super important for pregnant women.

2.      Prenatal Chiropractic Care Reduces Nausea 

One of the cardinal signs of being pregnant is the constant feeling of nausea. Fortunately, the physical manipulation of your autonomic nervous system will temper down this reaction and help you feel better.

If your nausea becomes insupportable despite chiropractic care and medications, make sure to mention that to your doctor on your next prenatal care visit.

3.      Helps with repositioning the baby (i.e., Webster’s technique)

As you may know, if your baby is presenting in a breech position, vaginal delivery is not an option. In this case, your doctor will recommend a C-section, especially if the breech is only discovered during your delivery day.

Fortunately, there is a method known as Webster’s technique, which stabilizes the sacrum and modifies fetal positioning. To perform this technique, you need to consult with a chiropractor with special certification. However, you do not have to look far since all of our chiropractors are Webster technique certified.

4.      Reduces the duration of labor

According to studies, women who receive chiropractic care during their pregnancy will have shorter labor durations. The exact numbers lay between a 25% to a 31% shorter duration.

Experts believe this is the result of the improved alignment of the pelvic organs, decreasing the intrauterine pressure and allowing the baby to get through the birth canal more easily.

5.      Improves postpartum outcome

While this benefit may be a bit beyond the scope of this article, postpartum bleeding and pain are common complications that often reflect the quality of prenatal care.

Seeing a chiropractor before delivering your baby will smooth out labor and lower the risk of complications. Moreover, many new moms complain of backaches and neck pain when they breastfeed their children. In this case, chiropractic care can help you even after your baby is born.

The safety of chiropractic care during pregnancy

It is natural to express some concerns about any practice when you are pregnant. The good news is that chiropractic care does not involve any invasive procedures or medications that harm the baby. Therefore, it is completely safe for pregnant women.

Think of this practice as physical therapy that’s designed to relax your muscles and improve your health.

With all of that said, there are some contraindications to chiropractic care during pregnancy, including:

·       Active vaginal bleeding

·       Ectopic pregnancy

·       Placental dysfunctions (e.g., placenta previa, placenta abruption)

Fortunately, our chiropractors, at Trailhead Family Chiropractic, are certified in prenatal care, as well as some advanced techniques related to pregnancy (e.g., Webster’s technique).

Our experts will use adjustable tables to accommodate the larger abdominal circumference.

If you are still concerned about prenatal chiropractic in Glenwood Springs, you can always speak with your primary care physician or OB-GYN for tailored medical advice.

Takeaway message

Getting the help of a prenatal chiropractor in Glenwood Springs is a fantastic therapeutic approach for pregnant women. It is a safe practice that carries little to no side effects, making it an appealing choice for all people, including pregnant women.

We hope that this article helped you appreciate the role of chiropractic care in helping pregnant women and how we can use its technique to correct the breech position.