Should you get your child checked?

Could Your Child Benefit from a Visit to a Chiropractor?

The above question is the title of an article from the national publication, Parents and Kids, in the July 25, 2006 issue. The article was an informative contribution covering good information in a magazine whose self-proclaimed purpose is "A Guide to Smart Parenting From Baby to Preteen".

The article starts by reviewing the fact that children are susceptible to spinal trauma that can have an effect on the nervous system. The article notes that, "Nerve system stress, left unaddressed, impairs the child’s ability to function in a state of optimal health and well-being." The article further notes that Chiropractors refer to this nerve system stress as subluxations of the bones of the spine and cranium. They also note that these subluxations may not cause any immediate symptoms and that "pain and malfunction may not show up for many years."

The recommendations from the article are that children should be checked soon after birth. They note that the birth process itself can have a damaging effect on spinal structures. Although a traumatic birth process is surely reason for alarm, the article notes, "Even the most natural births are somewhat traumatic to the infant and may cause hidden nerve system damage." Additionally, the article points out that, "It has been shown that many children who experience symptoms of difficulty sleeping breastfeeding, digestion (colic and reflux), repeated ear and respiratory infections have impaired nerve system function."

The author of the article notes that chiropractic care for children is specific and does not cause pain or discomfort. They provide a list of some of the more common reasons why you may want to consider having your child checked by a chiropractor. These include; difficult birth, difficulty nursing, colic, reflux, trouble sleeping, ear infections, frequent colds and infections, allergies/asthma, behavioral problems (ADD), and postural abnormality, head tilt, high shoulder or hip.

The article concludes with a list provided by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (www.icpa4kids.org) of what they term, "Successful results from chiropractic care." This list includes; increased immunity, fewer colds/infections, increased athletic potential, increased energy, relief from allergies/asthma, better sleep habits, reduction in hyperactivity, and scoliosis improvement.

Lose 10 lbs...without trying! (well...almost!)

Here is a 7 day plan for shaving off those pesky extra calories we all enjoy, but could do without.

Monday- Skip the Grande Vanilla Latte
Substitute with a brewed black coffee, and save 250 calories (1750 per week).

Tuesday- Spritz Your Salad
Your favourite salad can be a calorie nightmare when loaded with unhealthy, commerical salad dressing. Invest in an oil spritzer, and spritz your salad with heart healthy oils such as olive, flax or grapeseed. Season with dried herbs and Nature's Cargo Sea Salt. Save 100 calories (700 per week).

Wednesday- Say no to mayo
Try replacing mayo with mustard, you get all the zip without the fat. Save 100 calories (700 per week)

Thursday- Ditch the fat
Steam your veggies, instead of frying them in oil, get that heart healthy veggie "crunch" and save 115 calories. (805 per week)

Friday- Add a lil fizz to happy hour
Switch your favourite cosmo for a vodka soda with a splash of cranberry juice, saving 90 calories for 2 drinks.

Saturday- Why drive when you can walk?
Slip some walking into your weekend. Park your car and walk between stores while out and about doing errands. Burn 180 calories per hour. (1260 per week)

Sunday- Lean, Mean Breakfast
Try poaching eggs instead of fried or scrambled, saving 50 calories.

100 calories saved per day= lose 1 pound per month
200 calories saved per day= lose 2 pounds per month
300 calories saved per day= lose about 4 pounds

Does Lower Back Problems Effect the Way You Think?

Do You Think You Have Lower Back Problems


Published in the February 1st 1999 issue of “Spine” research magazine, was a study that showed a link between chronic low back pain and slower reaction times, reduced short term memory, and certain motor tasks. The study measured subjects with chronic lower back pain using a computer to test their short term memory and reaction time to certain items that appeared on the screen.

The conclusion was that chronic Lower Back Pain hampers short term memory and decreases the patients speed of process of certain information.

In a related note the “Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics” July August 1999 issue published a pilot study comparing chiropractic care to acupuncture and medication for patients with chronic low back problems. The results were that no change took place with the acupuncture and medication group while significant changes occurred in the chiropractic group. Considering the information above about memory and reaction times we can see the profound positive effect chiropractic can have on these patients.



(article courtesy of chiropracticresearch.org)