What is a Subluxation?

 

What is a subluxation?  Subluxations are something a chiropractor looks for in ANY joint in your body.  It simply is a joint that has abnormal motion and is usually in an abnormal position.   When a vertebra (spinal bone) is subluxated it can cause your nerves to work less optimally.  Those amazing nerves innervate every area of your body.  They are SUPER important.  We want those nerves to work at their full potential.  That is what chiropractors do that is so unique.  They adjust your spine, so your vertebra can move, then allowing your nerves to work more optimally.  That is the coolest part of my job in a nutshell.

Symptoms of a Subluxation 1.  Pain:  That is a discomfort whether you are touching it or not.  It can happen constantly, with certain movements, when sitting or standing, etc.   2. Tenderness:  This is pain with touch or pressure.   3. Muscle spasm:  Tightness in your muscles, knots, cramps etc.  4. Swelling:  Puffiness in the area 5. Redness/ heat: Slight redness, warm to the touch area, pimple forming 6. Nothing: Believe it or not MANY subluxations have no pain at all.  THIS is why it is SO important to see your trained chiropractor for regular adjustments.  Sometimes your body ignores issues because it is used to you not "fixing" it anyways.  Sometimes the subluxation is in an early or small stage.  Sometimes it is a subluxation that is in the later stages of treatment.  Pain can be an indicator, but it isn't always present.   What is an adjustment?   Simply...  it is a chiropractic manipulation of a joint that helps restore motion and correct the position.   Motion is so important in your body.  When your body isn't in motion (whole body, or part of the body) you age quickly.  (Ex: vertebrae that lose motion will end of with degenerative changes after a while.)   The body definitely needs more than one reminder of its role and that is why it usually takes more than one adjustment to restore motion in a joint.

Exercise!

 

Can exercise be fun and enjoyable?  The answer to the question "Can exercise be fun and enjoyable?" is a DEPENDS!  It depends on a few things.   1. Your mindset:  If you have a positive mindset around the idea of exercise it definitely helps.  If you decide it is a stress reliever for you, then it will be. If you find "exercise" in all the things you do, for example leisure walks, geocaching, yoga, running around after your kids, etc.   2. Your activity:  Have you found something that you love to do?  Do you like variety?  Do you like solo exercise or groups?  Do you like running, biking, swimming, yoga, hiking, volleyball, basketball, etc...  3. Your accountability:  Do you have someone that you share your exercise journey with?  Either exercising together or keeping someone informed of your progress.  Nowadays there are fun apps that you can compete with friends with your steps or time etc.   4.  Your priority:  If you make exercise a priority, and something that you do no matter what you start to feel better over time.  Your soreness changes.  Most people quit in the early weeks of exercise because of the soreness they get at going too hard too fast.  I challenge you to keep it up a little longer and you might change your mind.

Warm Up!  Before you do any form of exercise you should start with a warm up.  For long distance runners that can be the first few miles or minutes of your run done at a slower rate and then stop to stretch a little before you kick it up a notch.  If you are warming up to rake/shovel, play a kickball game with your kids, etc. just running in a place or doing 20 jumping jacks and stretching can go a LONG way.  This helps your muscle warm up and your are much less likely to injure yourself.  Cool Down The cool down is the time AFTER your exercise that allows your heart rate to come back to normal.  It is usually a slower version of what you were just doing with a stretch after the heart rate is in the more "normal" range and your breathing slows.  Some runners walk another 5 minutes or so after their run to achieve this.  Allowing your heart rate to slow down naturally and less abruptly is so much better for you.   Then STRETCH!  Flexibility is so important too!

Crawling before you walk

 

Cross Crawl The stage of "cross crawling" is one of many VERY important steps of development that many parents don't experience.  Cross crawling is when the opposite knee and arm move forward then switch.  This is very important for your brain development.  It is the right hemisphere and left hemisphere working together to create motion.  There is so much education on the developmental stages at this age needing to be closer to the ground for proper brain development as well.  That when the infants head is upright such as standing or sitting, they are learning in a different part of the brain.  Soooo the longer they stay horizontal the better.   Keep them babies babies as long as possible. ;)

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Baby Bare by Stephanie Johnson This book is AMAZING when it comes to learning about all of the early developmental milestones.  It explains WHY each stage exists and WHY they are important.  I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has or is having a new baby.   Tummy Time Tummy time is something that is so important for babies.  They are developing their spinal curves and learning to navigate their surroundings.  Don't be afraid to put your babies down once in a while.  Better yet... get down on the floor and interact with them.  Or find fun noiseless toys to help them learn to grab and push, etc.

Baby Led Weaning

 

When Should I Start Solids? Here is the quick and easy answer to when you should start solid foods: It depends on your baby. Some suggestions I have for you are as follows:  1. Wait until your baby is able to sit up on their own totally unassisted.  2. Usually your baby should be cutting some teeth.  This is a sign that their digestive system is ready for solids.  3. Your baby shows interest in solid foods.  For the majority of babies this is around 6+ months of age.  Starting solids earlier than that is unnecessary and can be a filler causing your baby not to get the nutrients they need.  Babies can be exclusively breastfed the whole first year of life without any solid foods.  I like to think of solid foods as an adjunct to breastmilk or formula.  Not their main source of nutrition.  It is for entertainment or for learning.  Something social to do with the family.  I hope this helps!  If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email!

Say NO to Rice Cereal Rice cereal is a filler food that has ZERO nutritional value.  It is highly recommended that you do not feed your baby this cereal.  It is also not recommended that it be put in a bottle at any age, and not fed to babies before 6 months of age if you do feed them this with a spoon.     Say YES to Family Meals There is one thing that stands out above ALL other parenting topics that can create a stable home environment for your family and that is eating meals together around a table.  I encourage you to get your babies involved in that early on.  Let them sit with you at the table and watch you eat.  Allow them to eat some of what you are eating as well.  (Obviously, age and readiness appropriate)

TMJ Syndrome

 

TMJ Syndrome Did you know that EVERYONE has a TMJ?  TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint.  We all have 2 of them.  Most people have no issues with theirs, but if you do then it can be categorized as as TMJ Syndrome.  Some symptoms of TMJ syndrome include:  Jaw popping Headaches Ears Ringing Vertigo  Pain with Chewing Did you know that chiropractic care can be SO helpful with some TMJ syndrome patients?  Dr. Felicia has worked on MANY TMJ's over the past 20+ years.  If you have been experiencing TMJ syndrome symptoms make an appointment and ask her about your specific jaw!    Schedule an Appointment TMJ Syndrome No-No's: Chewing gum Eating hard to chew items Grinding your teeth Resting your head on your chin Slouching Biting your nails Chewing on one side of your mouth Stomach sleeping    APEX Premium Neck Traction There can be a lot of tension in the upper neck area in my patients with TMJ issues.  This at home traction pillow is an inexpensive, self treatment you can do!

 

SEASONAL ALLERGIES I don't know about you, but I don't want seasonal allergies to slow me down.  I don't want to miss things like running to get ice cream with my kids because I don't feel good.    How do we know if we are dealing with seasonal allergies vs a cold?    Seasonal allergies:  Watery, red eyes runny nose sinus pressure with headaches no fever Quick onset Timing: Typically, in warmer months   Colds: General aches and pains Thick mucus Fever (in children) Symptoms developed slowly over a few days  Timing: Typically, in colder months It can sometimes be hard to know if you are dealing with a cold vs allergy, but either way rest, proper nutrition, and sinus washing can be very helpful.

Natural D-Hist Natural D-Hist is the BEST natural allergy relief supplement I know of.  If you struggle with seasonal allergies this can be very helpful.   D-Hist Jr D-Hist Jr is the chewable kids' version of Natural D-Hist.  If your kid struggles with allergies or ear infections this supplement is a game changer.

Does chiropractic care shorten labor time?

 

LENGTH OF LABOR TIME Does chiropractic care ACTUALLY shorten labor time?   That's a great question!  My answer is PROBABLY!   During labor your sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of your spine, needs to be able to rock back when the fetal head is going past it.  If it cannot, due to a subluxation in your spine, then the head cannot descend.  Which can cause a longer labor.  SO if you are regularly adjusted during your pregnancy then your sacrum is less likely to be stuck in a non-moving position.  THIS is why I can say that chiropractic care can shorten labor time.  Getting regular adjustments throughout your pregnancy is such a wonderful way to reduce discomfort, potentially shorten labor time, and have regular check in points with someone educated in prenatal care to ask your questions.    If you have any questions, please feel free to respond to this email!   Schedule an Appointment Prenatal Comlete These prenatal vitamins come in a pack of the prenatal multivitamin and a daily fish oil.  They come in individual packets so that you don't have to open a bottle of stinky vitamins when your stomach is doing flip flops. ;)  OrthoMega 820 These are the amazing Fish Oils that we sell in the office.  They do NOT have any fishy taste to them.  If you bite into the capsule and just swallow the liquid it tastes like a lemony olive oil.  GREAT for decreasing inflammation!