Santa Barbara Mobile Chiropractic

My 2 Cents on 2 Brands of Cloth Diapers

2010-06-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

I am in a constant search for the perfect cloth diaper. When I was a baby in the Ukraine, cloth was the only type of barrier that existed between the baby bum and the rest of the world. And by the way, I am not talking about the pre-folded layered cloth. Parents used cut-up sheets, pillowcases, or large squares of gauze to create their unique and leak-proof barriers. So, one would think that having more choices would make this an easy item to add to your wish list or baby registry, but is not so simple.

I just wanted to share my experience with the following 2 brands of cloth diapers: G-Diapers and BumGenius, both of which I have been using on and off for about 10 months now. Keep in mind that every 2-3 days these diapers went through a rinse, wash, and dry cycle (about 100 times total)

The G-Diaper, size medium.

PROS

-Can use either an cloth or biodegradable insert
-Less bulky and lighter material
-Material touching skin is cotton if you use a cotton insert
-Baby is less likely to take it off since the velcro fastens in the back
-Soft edges around thighs that don't cut off any circulation

CONS

-Had to repair/mend the insert once
-Had to re-attach velcro once
-Velcro is not holding on any more
-Always soaks through the entire cloth
-Can't seem to get it on snug enough so that the insert doesnt' slide around with movement.

BumGenius

PROS

-One size fits all, 3 levels of adjustible buttons
-Velcro super sturdy, sticks to everything.
-Never leaked through the main lining when using the thick insert.
-The insert goes inside a pocket so it does not slide

CONS

-The inserts it comes with are very thick making the diaper bulky and the baby hot.
-The material is not breathable
-The material that comes in contact with the skin is Polyester.

Since I have both kinds, 3 of the G-Diaper and 5 of BumGenius, I decided to get the most use out of each one. The BumGenius I use during the colder months, and the G-Diapers I use during warmer days and will be using more as we continue onto the next step of Potty Training.

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Chiropractic care for allergies and kids

2010-06-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Chiropractic care for allergies and kids

How can we avoid ear infections without antibiotics?

2010-05-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

The most frequent presenting condition in my office is "Ear Infection". This is usually not the first occurrence, but the third, or fifth. By the time I see the little one, they have been through multiple ear exams, multiple rounds of antibiotics, and even a tubal ligation surgery. At first the parents are skeptical, but are willing to try anything at this point to help ease their child’s discomfort.

"Ear infections are common in young children resulting in millions of office visits and antibiotic prescriptions annually. Acute otitis media (AOM) includes intense signs and symptoms of infection and inflammation and is the most common bacterial illness in children for which antibacterial agents are prescribed in the United States. Otitis media with effusion (OME) is even more common. About 90% of children have OME at some time before school age, most often between ages 6 months and 4 years. Otitis Media with Effusion often follows colds and viral infections or actual ear infections and will usually clear up on its own without treatment." -American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here I would like to explain why chiropractors see ear infection/inflammation as a very preventable problem that can be managed without invasive intervention.

1. Progression of an infection.

Fluid. If the fluid does not drain out, it creates a perfect environment for the bacteria to live and multiply, leading to an ear infection over time.
Pain. Accumulation of fluid causes pressure in the canal. The constant presence of fluid
The fluid can also put pressure on the tympanic membrane, possibly rupturing it.

2. Why is the fluid there?

In babies the Eustachian tubes are short, narrow, and horizontal. As we grow older they tilt more vertically to allow for better drainage.
Your baby may be teething. Gums are red and inflamed, there is a runny nose, and an overall flushed appearance. This is the normal process of inflammation that has to happen to allow for tooth eruption.
Dairy consumption stimulates mucus production body-wide, and creates more fluid than the Eustachian tubes can drain out.
Other common allergens, such as SOY or WHEAT can also over stimulate the body to produce fluid.
A hyperactive immune system.
"A growing number of scientists believe that the increase in America, Europe, Australia and Japan in allergic and auto-immune diseases (which stimulate the humoral or Th2 branch of the immune system[Vaccinations]) is caused by the lack of stimulation of the cellular or the Th1 branch of the immune [Natural Immune Response] system from the lack of acute inflammatory responses and discharges in childhood" –PHILIP F. INCAO, M.D
Multiple doses and rounds of vaccinations may have a role in creating this phenomenon. Since the body is not allowed to have a natural immune cascade, it has a fast emergency response when a vaccine is given. This teaches our immune system to respond to all foreign particles with greater force than necessary do deal with them.
Subluxation and misalignment of Atlas (C1), cranial and facial bones. These affect the internal ear structure and the tube's ability to drain efficiently. A shift in the Atlas may also irritate the local nerve endings, causing pain and extra fluid production. These structures may be compromised after a difficult labor and delivery, after a C-Section delivery, and after falls or bumps on the head.

3. What happens with repetitive antibiotic use?

Antibiotics take 3-4 days to go into full affects. If your child is feeling better after 2 days of taking them, chances are it's not the antibiotic, it's their own immune system.
Repeat Antibiotic use has been suspected to lead to more ear "infections"! Antibiotics don't just target the bacteria in the ear canal. They can kill off the beneficial gut bacteria which we need for proper digestion and immune system function. That is why it's common to see constipation or viral infections after a course of antibiotic treatment.
Your body becomes a breeding ground for stronger bacterial strands. After your immune system has been exposed to the same antibiotic, killing off the weak bacteria, it allows for the stronger bacteria to stay alive and multiply. This creates a more resistant strain, and then the usual medication doesn't work anymore, so a new antibiotic needs to be prescribed.

4. What you can do

At the first signs of ear pulling monitor your child's temperature and mood. Have your pediatrician or chiropractor conduct an ear exam.
Take into account that the ear pulling may be associated with teething, fatigue, or a recent fall affecting the skull, face, or jaw.
Have your pediatric chiropractor evaluate the child's spinal alignment. A Subluxation of the 1st
Cervical vertebrae, TMJ, and other cranio-facial bones can directly affect the ear canal, sinus drainage, and the nerve input to that area.
If there is low-no fever, wait 3-4 days before asking for a prescription. It will take this long to see the effects of our immune system, even though it has already started working before any symptoms arose.
Remove all dairy, wheat, and/or soy from diet for 2 weeks. If you are a nursing mother, remove these items from your diet as well.
Use garlic drops in both ears as recommended.
Turn on humidifier with eucalyptus oil in the baby's/child's room.
Increase vitamin C consumption (for mother if nursing, for baby if on solids).
Get a chiropractic check-up to make sure that the spine and skull are properly aligned.
If antibiotics are taken, supplement diet with PROBIOTICS to replenish gut bacteria supply. Choose capsules that contain cultures in BILLIONS. Lactobacilus bifidus should be included in the culture.

For a nursing mother, sprinkle some from a capsule before at each feeding.
If a bottle is taken, break a capsule and put in ¼ of it in at each feeding.
If solid-fed, sprinkle ½ capsule at each feeding. Do not give yogurt at this time. It is dairy based and does not have enough cultures.

More Bacteria Makes You Healthier!?

2010-04-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Recently the buzz word on the street is "Probiotics" and their utilization is on the rise amongst the pediatric population. More research is surfacing proving that the environment in our gut is directly linked to our ability to have healthy digestion, elimination, and as a result, a well functioning immune system. Here is a user-friendly guide to creating a healthier intestinal lining.

WHEN DO I NEED TO TAKE OR GIVE PROBIOTICS?

If you were taking antibiotics during pregnancy.
If you were given an antibiotic IV during labor per hospital protocol.
If your baby was delivered via C-Section, no exposure to microflora as with vaginal birth.
If you are a nursing mother and are taking antibiotics.
If you are a nursing mother and are feeling sick.
If your child has had any antibiotic intake.
If your child is constipated or has diarrhea.
If your child has a viral or bacterial infection.
If your child shows signs of allergies or food sensitivities.

HOW DO I PICK AN AGE-APPROPRIATE PROBIOTIC?

4 MONTHS OR YOUNGER: Choose the BIFIDOBACTERIUM species including bifidum, longum, infantis, brevis. This is the first species to colonize our gut after birth. They are found throughout the entire intestine, but primarily in the Large Intestine.

4MONTHS OR OLDER: Add LACTOBACILLUS species, including rhamnosus, casi, salivarius, paracasei. This species appears later, and is primarily in the small intestine.

HOW MANY COLONIES SHOULD I TAKE OR GIVE?

Our digestive tract normally contains TRILLIONS of these bacterial strains.

FOR PREVENTION: Adult 15-25 Billion CFU Daily.....Child 10-15 Billion Daily

DIARRHEA or DETOX: 200-300 Billion Daily for 7-10 days

FIGHTING A COLD: 50-100 Billion Daily for duration of cold + 7 days

HOW DO I ADMINISTER THE PROBIOTICS?
While Yogurt contains live cultures, it is still not the best way to go as it is a dairy-based product. You also have no way of knowing how many cultures are still living at date of purchase.

Nursing Mothers: Open a capsule or use powder and sprinkle some around the areola prior to latch-on.

Bottle-Feeding: Add specific amount to bottle from a capsule, powder, or liquid drops.

Pipette: Dissolve specified amount with breast milk or formula.

WHERE DO I FIND THEM?

The best quality will be in the refrigerated section of a health-food store. When kept at lower temperatures the life of the bacteria is prolonged and you can be more confidant that you are getting what the label states.
The other option is getting them from a trusted distributor such as your pediatrician, or a holistic practitioner.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL?

Look for a clear statement of the number of colonies on manufacture date, or even better, that the certain number will still be present at expiration date.
Be aware of probiotics that contain color, flavor, or sugar.
Avoid ones with false commercial claims, as these are most likely not third party tested for purity.
The contents should be a combination of different colonies, all using their Latin names.

References:
Donald Gerken, DC, DACCP, CST from PATHWAYS journal

Tips For a New Mother's Spine.

2010-04-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

1. Feeding
A lot of time is spent getting to know your little one while feeding them. It is very important to pay close attention to your posture while you are seated and cradling your baby. While feeding, shoulders have a tendency to roll forward, the chest caves in, and the neck curves forward, and the head droops down. Repetitive stress such as this will lead to breathing changes, headaches, sense of fogginess, muscle soreness and weakness, and possible tingling in hands and arms.

Nursing / Bottle-feeding:

It is extremely important for you to switch arms while feeding. This ensures that you strengthen both of your arms equally and one side does not fatigue more than the other. For your baby this plays a major role in the development of their neck muscles and eye movements.
Recline slightly or use a support beneath your baby, such as a Boppy Pillow or My Breast Friend. This takes the load off of you arms and shoulders and decreases the stress placed on your Thoracic spine. Remember that the Thoracic spine provides nervous stimulus to your lungs, heart, and breast tissue.
Check where your head is when feeding the baby. We all like to gaze at them as they eagerly slurp and drift off to sleep, but most of the time your head will end up tilted in the same direction, even if you change arms.
Try this: If your baby is cradled with their head on your left arm, rotate your head to the LEFT and tilt to the RIGHT. Then switch your baby to the right arm and make sure to rotate you head to the RIGHT and tilt it to the LEFT. It may seem uncomfortable at first, which is simply and indication of a motion restriction or muscle shortening in your neck.
After each feeding session stretch your arms. Do some shoulder rolls, link your hands behind your back, hold a broom stick on each end and bring it behind your back.

Solids

If you are sitting to the side of your child, switch sides from left to right and try to minimize spinal rotation.
It is best if you sit directly in front of your baby and on the same level, rather than leaning down or having to reach up.

2. Sleeping

Whether you choose to stay close to your baby at night, or wish to place them in a different room, there are a number of habits to keep in check. After all, a well rested and pain-free parent is much more adapt to meet the needs of their developing child than one who is suffering on top of sleep deprivation.

Co-Sleeping

If your baby sleeps in the center of the bed, and you nurse at night, make sure to switch sides. Constantly rotating to your left (or right) will compress the same shoulder and may start to create a scoliosis-type curve in your spine.

Use a pillow that supports your neck, not your head.
Use a pillow between your legs when on your side to prevent lumbar and pelvic rotation.

Crib/Bassinet

If possible place the crib in a room so that it is approachable from both sides.

When laying your baby down try to prevent any twisting. Either position yourself so that you only have to bend forward at your waist, or separate the process into 2 movement, first bend, pause, then twist. This allows your muscles to lengthen appropriately and prevent spasm.
If your crib is co-sleeper (we used the Arms Reach Mini Co-Sleeper to conserve space) and is against the bed, alternate what side it's on weekly.

3. On the go
Whether you are taking a road trip, running to the store, going for a walk, or a run, the state of your body needs to be as important as the placement and comfort of your little one.

Driving

Change the location of your car seat. I know that it is more convenient for the car seat to be stationary on the right side, but this forces you to always twist to the right if it's an infant one (or left if it's for a toddler). TWISTING places the greatest stress on the tiny ligaments that support our discs. So, either switch the seat placement from side to side, or put it in the middle and come from different sides to take the baby out. Remember that the baby may also be turning his/her neck toward the closest window, and switching sides will benefit their muscle and visual development.
Shortly after delivery and for the year ahead use a lumbar support in your vehicle, even if it's just a quick trip to the store.

Baby-Wearing

Whichever sling, wrap, or carrier you choose, keep in mind that as soon as the weight you carry exceeds 10-15% of your own body weight, your spine is greatly affected.
If you wear a sling, change sides each time you wear it from shoulder to shoulder. If you don't, you will feel discomfort in your neck and shoulders, and may get more frequent headaches. If your sling is resting close to your neck, rather than out by the shoulder, you are interfering with the brachial plexus that may lead to numbness and tingling in your hands.
If you use a front carrier, or a backpack, make sure that there is some type of upper and lower back latch to keep your shoulders from sotating forward and distribute the weight throughout your entire spine, rather than front-load.
Please realize that when your baby is straddled facing you or facing out, there is a certain unnatural degree of leg and pelvic external rotation. This plays a role later on when they are beginning to crawl, stand and walk. So limit the time of continuous wearing to 30-45 minutes. If you will be out longer, just take them out, stretch their legs for 5-10 minutes and continue. more on this topic in upcoming blog....

Baby/Toddler Carrying

We have a tendency to naturally put more weight on one leg vs. the other. Try standing in a relaxed pose and see which way your body shifts. You will generally buckle one knee slightly and turn the other leg out. This becomes a problem when you are trying to cook, vacuum, write, or talk on the phone with your right hand and your baby is hanging out on your left hip supported by your left arm. Try to switch hips from time to time to recreate balance in your pelvis and spine.
If you have a gassy/colicky baby who will only be calm in a football carry (my little Sasha was like that for the first 3 months of her life due to some post-delivery intervention), switch arms. If you always carry on your left arm, their head will be turned to the right. So, hook your hands together and cradle their belly, and switch arms.
Racking your little one to sleep either in a cradle hold or over the shoulder hold may be more comfortable for you on one side. Switch to the other shoulder to even out the load and also change your head tilt.

Stroller

Choose a stroller with an adjustable handle heaight, or one more appropriate for the person who will be the primary "stroller-pusher". I just got a great little umbrella stroller perfect for me (I am 5'4''), but I would not recommend it for anyone even 1/2'' taller.
Check to see where your wrists are on the stroller handle. Are they twisted, flexed, or laterally bent? Are your elbows straight or bent while pushing? Pick one where your wrists are in a neutral position and your elbows are slightly bend.
Choose a stroller that matches your activity level. If you want to get back into running, pick one that is lite and easy to maneuver. If you like slow sedentary walks on forest trails, pick one with sturdy wheels.

Are We Getting Ahead of Ourselves?

2010-04-05T10:24:00.001-07:00

With a new baby comes a tsunami of excitement and curiosity. After that comes a wave of worries and concerns, and perhaps a bit of comparison. As new moms get together in their circles and share stories of their growing miracles, it is often difficult not to wonder if your baby is Normal, Ahead of the Class, or Trailing Behind. If at any time we feel as though ours is just not quite reaching the milestones on time, some of us try to speed things up a bit.

A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION FOR SOME PARENTS WHO JUST CAN'T WAIT.

MY BABY IS NOT STTING

In Utero we all start out with one curve, a big thoracic C curve. So, in the first few months of life it may help to prop up your infant slightly after meals, or carry her around in a sling. But if this continues on after she is able to hold her head up strong, even 10 degrees can this little of bend can impact her developing spinal curvature. At this point it may help to lay her on her back, but prop up the surface she is on. The road to unsupported sitting is paved by gradual muscle building and all of the stages prior to it are responsible for targeting muscle groups in their proper order. If a stage is skipped, some deep core muscles will be weaker which will interfere with the milestones ahead. Don't force your baby to sit upright, near the 90 degree angle. Why?

Sitting places the greatest load on our spine and discs. Unnatural early sitting will put greater stress on vertebrae and discs, dehydrating them, slowing growth, and decreasing the quality of bone deposition.
A baby left sitting in a BUMBO chair (even for 15minutes daily) before they are able to sit on their own does not allow for paraspinal muscles to strengthen and support the column, creating future instability in the spine and pelvis.
The load of a slouching baby pulls the head forward and places extra pressure on the middle thoracic curve. This begins to affect neck muscles, cranial structures, and their digestive system.

MY BABY IS NOT EATING SOLIDS

At the grocery store, baby food is mashed up and ready to be served at 3 months of age. So, you pick your brand, make sure there is an assortment of flavors and colors and bring it home for your hungry little monster to try. Whether you are introducing this shift after breastmilk or formula, don't be discouraged if your baby turns his head and starts to fuss. New research has indicated that it is beneficial to breastfeed exclusively until a minimum of 6 months. Why?

The digestive system is just learning and growing. The gut needs to develop a sufficient enough amount of flora and good bacteria to help your baby handle the new larger food protein particles that will be coming his way. A great indicator of this is the eruption of teeth, which nature would not allow to happen until the body was able to accept what the teeth have ground up.
Physically, the baby needs to know how to sit on his own, unsupported, which is another indicator that the abdominal muscles have developed enough to support the digestive system.
The immune system is also affected directly via the gut. If a food is taken in that cannot be properly digested, the nutrients don't get absorbed, and the body launches an immune attack on this food particle thinking that it is a foreign bacteria or virus. If this food continues to be presented time and time again, the baby may develop an allergy to it as well as other foods similar in composition. The allergy does not always have to present as hives and difficulty breathing, it may come in the form of vomiting, spit up, stool change, or a new skin rash.

So, as a rule, don't force the food in until your baby is sitting up, accepts it, and has some teeth that have come through.

MY BABY IS NOT WALKING

There is not enough stress placed on the importance of the crawling stage. Many parents are happy when their baby goes directly from sitting to standing, and then walking. It is important to remember that this stage is there for a reason, and skipping it will have some major negative implications. Why?

The cross-crawl pattern stimulates brain centers responsible for reading comprehension. While your baby can't really do either right now, these centers need to be prepped for when they start to learn letters and numbers.
Crawling allows for opposite muscles to strengthen and coordinate. This prevents overdevelopment of one side of the body and allows for greater muscular support when the baby is ready to start walking.
Proprioceptors in the brain are also being stimulated as your baby starts to discover where they are in space and they begin to learn how to control the objects around them.
Putting babied in walkers before their knee and hip joints are strong enough to support their weight can create ligamentous laxity and alter their gate, foot arches, and place undue stress on developing disks and bones of the spinal column.

If your baby is between 16 and 18 months and is unable to walk on their own it is advisable to contact your pediatrician, chiropractor, or other development specialist.

When should my new baby see a chiropractor?

2010-02-25T22:42:00.001-08:00

After speaking at a recent pregnancy workshop, the following question was raised by 3 expectant moms.

When and how often should we get our babies checked and adjusted?

Although each little bundle is unique in their own way, here is a guide to chiropractic adjustment check points. I will be using the word SUBLUXATION which means any misalignment in the skull, spine, pelvis and extremities that interferes with proper communication between the brain and body. Also, keep in mind that the timeline is not set in stone, and each milestone may not exactly coincide with the listed age.

1. AFTER BIRTH:
the sooner the better

Even a natural, uncomplicated birth can have some negative implications on the baby's health. The position in-utero, the time spent in the birth canal, the body rotation when emerging, the degree of head tilt and force of pull by the delivering practitioner, the delivery of shoulders, use of instruments, and mother's medication, will all have an impact on their Nervous System. Watch Closely for:

Difficulty Turning Head to one side vs. the other
Facial Asymmetry
Moving one side of the body more than the other
Difficulty Latching On
Extreme Lethargy
Inability to lay flat on their back, or hyper extending back and head
Constant Crying (even when fed and dry)
Skin color changes
Shallow breathing
No muscle tone or grip strength

2. HOLDING HEAD UP: 0-3 months

This is the time when the baby begins to develop her Cervical Curve. Subluxations can lead to muscle imbalance and affect the nerve communication to:

Eyes
Ears
Nose
Mouth
Throat
Caroted and Vertebral Arteries
Chemoreceptors for O2, CO2, and pH, BP level regulation
Immune System

3. ROLLING OVER: 3-4 months

Baby begins to strengthen neck rotators and continues to build neck extensors and flexors. Also, strengthening occurs in the upper body and lower lumbar rotators. Subluxations in this area can affect:

Same as for 0-3 months
Digestive System
Detoxification System
Elimination

4. SITTING UP: 4-6 months
Here the little one is activating and developing Proprioceptors for balance and coordination, strengthening paraspinal muscles, especially lower, and strengthening abdominals. Areas affected by these changes are:

Eyes
Ears
Chest
Digestive System
Elimination

5. CRAWLING: 6-8 months

The cross-crawl pattern is essential to developing brain centers responsible for reading comprehension and writing. It also ensures that both sides of the body are being equally strengthened and the brain is receiving balanced information. This is a crucial stage that must not be missed. If the baby goes directly to walking, it is advisable to incorporate cross-crawl activities on a daily basis. Areas affected:

Neck
Shoulders and Arms
Hips and Legs
Proprioception
Brain Development
Coordination

6.
STANDING UP:7-10 months

This is the developing point of the Lumbar Curve. Also loading begins on hips, knees, and ankles. Upper body strength is increasing as the baby uses his arms to pull up and support himself on furniture. Watch for:

Leg dominance
Arm dominance
Foot and Hip rotation
Any body tilt while standing

Once again it is important not to get ahead of ourselves, or the developing baby. I strongly advise against baby walkers or bouncy swings that prop the growing body up before the muscles and joints are ready to handle that kind of stress. Speeding up the process in this case may actually hinder proper spinal and pelvic development.

7. WALKING: 9-16 months

If your baby has not been checked by this stage, it would be a very good time to do so. This is when we can still catch and correct any subluxations that may have begun over the last few months. Once the child is upright and weight-bearing, they will continue to strengthen all muscles according to what the structural pattern dictates. At this stage key factors to note are:

Head Position while standing
Foot and Leg rotation while walking
Leg bowing or knock-knees
Any limping or knee buckling
Direction of falls

8. FOLLOWING FALLS:
any age

Some falls may look worse than others. Some may not look like anything, but are actually more damaging. The falls that don't result in nose bleeds or visible scratches still impact your baby's spine due to their compressive forces. Also, with every fall there is some muscle splinting and straining, which always results in some subluxation. Examples are:

Falls on shoulders
Falls straight on the head
Falls with head getting caught on objects
Falls landing straight onto the butt
Trip and falls landing on the face

MY CHIROPRACTIC APPROACH: Birth History. Dietary Review. Family Emotional Background. Full Ears Eyes Nose Throat screening. Spinal and Pelvic Physical Exam. Neurological Exam. Cranial Exam. Orthopoedic Exam. Adjustments may be light manual, with the instrument, or in the form of ligament holds and stretches. CranioSacral therapy also incorporated. On the first 2-3 visits only some adjustments may be applied in order to prevent overwhelming the immature nervous system.

Can chiropractic treat " X "?

2010-02-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic Rule # 1: We do not treat symptoms, conditions, or disease.

What we do is start from the root of the problem. We ask, why is there pain, why is there swelling, why is there a fever, why is there nausea, dizziness, indigestion......And then we ask: What is interfering with the body's ability to fight it, fix it, and prevent it from coming back? The answer to all of these questions is locked in our Nervous System, and as Chiropractors it is our job to ensure that it is functioning as efficiently as possible.

Chiropractic Rule #2: We look beyond the area of complaint.

Our body is not a bunch of separate parts. It is all one part, interconnected by muscles, ligaments and fascia. Therefore if one part is in pain, it is either the result of another area's malfunction, or it will cause other areas to malfunction in the near future. And don't forget that your body interacts with the environment which is either repetitive or changes constantly. All of our ailments are a result of external and internal factor.

Chiropractic Rule #3: It may get a bit worse before it gets much better.

Unless you are a newborn, your body has set its patterns. Many of our daily activities are right side dominant, many work hours are spent sitting, and many bike rides are spent slouching. If you have never been adjusted before, or it has been a while, the first 1-3 visits may not have the results you were hoping to get. A chiropractor tries to change a pattern that your body is comfortable with and has conformed to. When we go against that pattern in order to restore balance, at times the body is a bit less than cooperative. It is normal to get a mild headache, soreness, and stiffness in some areas after initial treatments since letting go is always hard to do.

Chiropractic Rule # 4: Yes, you need more than 1 adjustment.

Why are there treatment plans, repeat visits, and re-exams? Well, according to the rules of physiotherapy, it takes about 6 weeks for ligaments to repair. According to psychologists it takes about 3 months to create a new habit. And according to physiology it takes 120 days for our blood supply to be entirely replenished. So, when an adjustment is given, it is trying to change ligamentous position, rewire the brain to sense this new position as correct and make a habit of it, while the blood cells and lymph nodes flush away the toxins of old patterns.

Chiropractic Rule #5: Prevention is the key to Health.

Since every body is different, chiropractors and patients work together to find that perfect frequency of care. For athletes it may be weekly, for kids it may be once every month, for others it may be twice a month. Pain should never be an indicator of what the body is going through. Our brain can only process so much information at once, and only when things are really starting to go haywire does the brain decide to tell you that you need to do something about it. So, instead of waiting for the pain or fatigue signals, evaluate your week of activity and dietary habits. These should be the determinants for your frequency of care.

Let you baby fly first class!

2010-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Many expectant moms contact me during the last trimester of pregnancy hoping to get some relief from the pain and discomfort that is setting in. It is during these last few months that it becomes more difficult to sleep, to sit, to drive, to walk, or to just be! To make matters worse, tolerance for pain and life events begins to dwindle. While this is usually the point at which one seeks help, it is important to realize that there have been numerous subtle events occurring in the body which prompted these symptoms to surface.

As a rule, pain is the last thing to appear and the first thing to go!

Here is a summary of some changes that take place during pregnancy and why it is beneficial to get a chiropractic checkup early on.

1. Oxytocin is surging throughout the body to create feelings of love, nurture, and compassion, but also affect the muscles and ligaments.

2. Ligaments in your body begin to elongate and become somewhat lax to allow for pelvic expansion.

3. This also creates instability and greater susceptibility to muscle spasms, mild strains, pelvic and spinal misalignment and subluxation.

4. As the baby grows, your pelvis and sacrum tilt outward, like a blooming flower, allowing for the baby to be evenly supported and cradled.

5. Your Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar curves also shift to help distribute the anterior belly weight throughout the length of your spine.

A restricted spine and pelvis creates a less than optimal environment for baby, and feels a bit like this.....

Imagine that you are flying from LA to Paris, 11 hours and 25 minutes. You are sitting in the middle seat of the middle row in coach. The person to your left has already fallen asleep and is slumping over your left shoulder. You try to scoot to your right, but all of the elbow room is taken up by the bookworm in that seat. You put your tray table down to have a beverage, but the person in front of you decides to recline his seat ALL the way back. So, you try to recline your own seat, but as soon as you do, someone behind you begins to kick you in the back forcing you to come back to an upright position.

The first few hours go by, you snooze a bit. Then around hour 5 you begin to feel very uncomfortable. Your legs have fallen asleep, your neck stiffened up, your hands are tingling. A few more hours, and you are really feeling the pressure in your back, your thighs are getting numb, and you can't really feel your toes. By the time you land and have to get out of the airplane, it seems as though for a few moments you've forgotten how to walk and move.

Well, your baby is flying in the middle seat of coach for 9 months if your spine is not flexible, your pelvis is jammed and restricted in motion, and if your ligaments are taught, cramped, torqued, and imbalanced. A body that cannot adapt to the needs of a growing baby will not provide the optimal environment for the baby's spinal and nervous system development. This in-utero blueprint may have further implications after birth as the child grows and matures.

We can all let our babies fly first class by getting them a chiropractic ticket!

Foundation for Active Kids

2010-02-04T13:34:00.000-08:00

Being a Santa Barbara resident for one and a half years has made me realize once again how imperative it is to have a solid foundation for a building. This particular region is subject to constant mild seismic activity and mudslides caused by occasional downpours of rain. Of course, I can't help but make the following comparison:

The foundation of a building is just like our spinal column!

If there is a faulty foundation, everything built upon it will be weaker, more susceptible to damage, in need of frequent repairs, and possibly complete tear-down. Well, if a spine is uneven, imbalanced, has lateral curves, and possible cracks, the body will be weaker, more susceptible to damage, in need of frequent repairs, and at one point will collapse. While we notice these changes start affecting us in our 30's, and really feel them set in in our 50's, they may have began much earlier, at a time that our foundation was just being laid down. And upon that faulty foundation we experience the daily routine of tiny earthquakes and the occasional marathons of rainfalls and mudslides.

Now imagine that you have a child with a foundational fault of a very mild scoliosis, 5-10 degrees.

This is what is happening to their body:

1. The side of the body of the curve has elongated, lax muscles, and the side of concavity will have very rigid, contracted muscles.
2. The curve will also have 3 main stress points, at the start, in the middle and at the end. The start and end vertebra will be laterally flexed the most, tipping to the side, and the ones in the middle will be compressed.
3. If this curve has been there since birth, at this point the brain actually thinks that it's normal. The brain can't tell the difference because the position of the head has been changed, and the eyes are now perfectly aligned with the horizon so that your child doesn't trip every time they take a step.

Now, let's pretend that instead of the tiny seismic activity of .5-1 magnitude, your child's foundation is going to be challenged by 3.0 earthquakes of daily sports activities and a mudslide during a huge competitive event.

One side dominant sports (golf, tennis, hockey, baseball) will create stress and more imbalance in the body. Milder side dominance sports (soccer, basketball, football, volleyball) which all involve running and coordination will reinforce the skeletal structure by the nature of the visual feedback loop. Also, running and jumping will add loading and compression forces to the spine and cause more stress on the unstable fulcrum points of the curve. And this is what starts to happen:

1. The discs will begin to lose hydration.
2. The space between the vertebrae and discs will decrease.
3. The opening through which the nerves pass will decrease.
4. Inflammation in the area will increase causing pain.
5. Repeating the activity will create greater instability.
6. Instability will cause splinting of muscles.
7. Repeated stress on the muscles will pull on the bones, triggering calcium deposition (later creating spurs).
8. Pain increases, which may result in cortisone treatments (which lead to osteoporosis and immune system dysfunction later in life if used frequently).

As a result, we have successfully built the foundation for
degenerative disc and joint disease!

But, let me end on a positive note. Builders who understand the topography and climate of a susceptible area are well equipped to create a foundation for a home that will withstand the stress it must endure. The home will require it's weekly upkeep, may need some cosmetic work after 15 or 20 years, and perhaps a bigger renovation in 40 or 50, but a solid, proper foundation will allow this home to age gracefully and become the pinnacle of it's neighborhood.

Recipe for Cold-Banishing Cake

2010-02-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

Well, after 15 healthy months in this world, Sasha caught her first cold virus. It started with some upset stomach for 2 days, then a runny nose, and now a cough. To make things more fun, she is teething too! So, not only is her nose like a broken faucet, but she is also drooling, and the sinus pressure is making her eyes water, which is making me feel three times as bad. Not to mention that she wakes up at night about 4 times after coughing, and I wake up about 8 times just to make sure that she is sleeping and breathing.

As a first time mom, I resist the urge to open the more popular recipe book (call my pediatrician) and go for the special chiropractic family recipe box (do what I usually advise my patients to do after a thorough checkup). I begin by making sure that I have all of the utensils and ingredients to make my Uncomplicated Cold-Banishing Cake.

Thermometer reading: 99.8, elevated by .8 degrees from her usual (it is very important to know what your child's temp is on a regular healthy day, as that should be their "normal", not necessarily the 98.6 ideal).
Auscultation: no ronchi, wheezing, or crepitus in any lung quadrant. Breathing normal, pulse normal.
Otoscopic evaluation: no redness, some wax, light reflex present, eardrum not distended.
Visual observation: alert, slightly fatigued and more sad than usual, mild loss of balance. No changes in color, no excessive lethargy. No redness or spots in throat.
Physical evaluation: tender C1, C2, motion restriction in the thoracic spine, tight upper traps, scalenes, SCM, and suboccipitals. Mild swelling over frontal and maxillary sinuses.

Since everything checked out OK, I began the dreaded 3-5 day wait for the symptoms to pass. I realize now that this is one of those very difficult times where the mother's instinct and urge is to DO SOMETHING!!! But in this case I let the greater mother take over, as Nature IS doing something, and very efficiently in Sasha's case. All of her symptoms are just a way for the body to clean up, strengthen the immune response, and allow for a fresh start. Of course I step in to help just a little bit.

So, here is my Chiropractic Recipe for Cold-Banishing Cake:

2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil or Eucalyptus oil in the medicine of a Warm mist Humidifier to aid in mucus break-up.
ZERO dairy. Processed Dairy products, due to their final molecular makeup are immune system irritants and also mucus producing.
ZERO cold foods, 1 cup of made from scratch warm soup 2-3 times a day.
3-4 Nursing sessions per day and 2-4 Zinc lozenges for mom (I usually still nurse 2X/day).
1-2 Adjustments per day of C2 with the activator, and any presenting factors in the thoracic spine with activator or gentle manual for 1 week to help stimulate the immune system and stimulate nerve input to the lung fields making them more efficient in expelling fluid or mucus.
2-3 five minute massages per day along her neck, underneath the ears and around collar bones to aid in lymph drainage. Also massage the middle back to help the lungs.
1 Craniosacral Session per night, while the baby is asleep, on the skull, sinuses above the eyes, on the nose, temples, and cheeks.
2 15-20min walks outside and allow the body to move around and get some fresh air, helping blood circulation and thus toxin elimination.
ZERO contact with others who may be sick, or in enclosed spaces with many other individuals since the immune system is currently depressed and she is more likely to have trouble handling a new bacterial or viral invader.
A dash of laughs and tickles
Top off with unlimited amount of hugs, kisses, and love.