Why Do Children Need Chiropractic?

Have we forgotten how difficult it is to be a child?  Just like adults, children have bones, joints, nerves and muscles that need attention from time to time.  Kids also experience several major physical milestones during their first year of life that place an increased demand on the neuromusculoskeletal system, thus, increasing the likelihood for injury and the need for chiropractic adjustments.  A child’s introduction to this life begins with perhaps the most physically demanding experience he or she will ever have to endure – childbirth!  The journey down the birth canal is very demanding on an infant’s body, but the combined stress of pulling, twisting, and extending the neck of the child during the birthing process puts the infant’s spine at risk.  Add any extra physical stress caused by difficult or assisted births (forceps or vacuum extractions), and it is not surprising that one of the most common injuries resulting from childbirth is the cervical subluxation – this is when one of the vertebrae in the neck becomes misaligned, irritated or painfully restricted.

What Are Common Signs of Cervical Subluxation in Infants?

The first clue that your child has cervical subluxations is if his/her head is always turned to one side, as with torticollis.  More subtle symptoms of cervical subluxations may include a child’s obvious preference for breastfeeding on one side only, or reluctance to turn the head to one side when prompted to do so.  We all know how painful it can be to have a “kink in the neck.”  However, in addition to being painful, it is important to consider that every single nerve must pass through the first cervical vertebra on its way to the rest of the body.  Therefore, many other systems may be affected by upper cervical subluxations.  Asthma, sleeping disorders and colic are only a few of the conditions believed to be associated with childbirth-related neck trauma.  Have your newborn child checked for subluxations.  It is safe, non-invasive and one of the most important things you can do for him or her as a new parent.  With a spine free of subluxations, your young child has the best chance to develop into a normally functioning, healthy adult.

 

Quote to Inspire:

“Just because you’re

not sick doesn’t mean

you’re healthy.”

- Author Unknown

Depression and Obesity – A Dangerous Combination

In North America, 1 in 20 people suffer from depression.  In the US alone, physicians write 230 million antidepressant prescriptions each year.  More women than men are affected by depression, but this fact may be skewed because men are often less likely to seek professional help.

It is widely known that obesity negatively affects your physical health by boosting the chances of heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

Depression and Obesity – Conjoined Twins???

Does depression cause obesity?  Or does obesity cause depression?  According to medical researchers, the answer is “both.”  One weight study author remarked that when they gain weight, people get depressed, and when they get depressed, these people have more trouble losing weight.  A study of middle-aged women found they were more often depressed if they were obese and more obese if they were depressed.  Weight gain is connected to increased caloric intake and less physical activity and these factors contribute to boosting the risk of developing depression.  In fact, research shows that a woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above boosts her chance of developing depression into the range of 50% to 150%.  For help with diet and nutrition, come visit us!  The Doctors at Progressive Rehab are trained in Chiropractic care, as well as in nutrition, diet, and exercise.  Remember, boost your amount of exercise and eat more nutritious foods to lower the risk of weight gain.  By doing these things, you should start to feel better, both physically and emotionally!

 

Quote to Inspire:

“Even if you are on

the right track, you’ll

get run over if you

just sit there.”

- Will Rogers