Golf & Chiropractic Naturally

Golf & Chiropractic Naturally

Golf season is approaching quickly even here in Alberta and driving ranges and golf courses will be open soon. The sound of the club slicing through the air then making contact with the ball with the ball screaming toward the other end of the range will be resonating at the range. You will also hear the agony and pain of some golfers groaning as they swing too quickly and use muscle groups that they haven’t used for months. Even after hitting only a bucket or two of balls, some golfers will be looking for ice for the backs or aching joints while some have their chiropractor on speed dial.

Due to rotational stress on the lumbar spine during the golf swing and the various muscle groups used, it is critical that a golfer loosen up prior to walking up to the tee box. Stretching the back, shoulders and legs will improve mobility and improve your range of motion allowing you to hit the ball more consistently and with less pain.

A shorter swing will help to reduce torsional stress on the lumbar spine while also giving you better ball control and improved scores.

Regular chiropractic adjustments before and after golf will help to keep your spine aligned and reduce back and joint pain and maintain flexibility.  Orthotic golf shoes available at the clinic reduce foot, knee and back pain while studies have shown that it can add up to 10% more yards to your swing!

Happy Golfing!!

 Call us at Family First Chiropractic & Wellness at 403-347-3261 to book your appointment.Located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer.

www.family1stchiro.ca

The wonderful world of Doula's and Birth

What is a doula?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

Why Use a doula?

Michaelle de Ruiter RMT, Jeanette Raskin CST, RMT, Chelsea Brausen RMT

Educating yourself about childbirth so you're able to make informed decisions is a great way to increase your chances for a smooth labor. But you can't possibly learn everything you might need to know. That's where a doula comes in. A doula is a trained labor support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. She (they're usually women) absolutely doesn't replace medical caregivers or your birth partner, but rather complements them. There are many ways a doula can assist you, such as:

·         helping you prepare your birth plan

·         providing suggestions and exercises to help you have a more comfortable pregnancy

·         explaining medical procedures

·         providing emotional support

·         suggesting and providing non-pharmacological pain relief techniques (massage, heat therapy, positioning)

·         assisting with breastfeeding

·         providing partner support

·         working as an advocate so your birth plan is carried out

This list is just an example of some of the many services a doula may provide. Some fathers worry that a doula will take over their roles in the birth process. Being a birth partner is challenging work, and most fathers feel a sense of relief and enjoy the birth experience more when a doula is present. Many women state that they couldn't have given birth without their doula, but doulas aren't just for first-time moms. Many women hire a doula for second and third babies and beyond. If you weren't happy with a previous birth experience, a doula could improve the outcome of the next one

Benefits of a Doula during labor

Over 20 years of research have revealed the benefits of continuous doula support during labor
· Reduction in the cesarean section rate (up to 50%)
· Reduction in the need for assisted delivery (forceps and vacuum extraction)
· A shorter labor (up to 25%)
· A reduction in the requests for epidural anesthesia (up to 60%)
· A reduction in the use of oxytocin (up to 40%)
· An increase success at breastfeeding
· Maternal satisfaction with the birth experience, their partner, child and themselves
· Increased satisfaction in the experience by the mother’s partner

26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
28% less likely to use any pain medications and
33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience

MIchaelle de Ruiter, Chelsea Brausen and Jeannette Raskin at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness are all doulas. Call 403-347-3261 or www.family1stchiro.ca

Mom how heavy is your baby car seat?

www.family1stchiro.ca
How Heavy is your car seat?
Written by Dr. Joelle Johnson B.sc., D.C.

I have a lot of moms complaining about low back pain and neck pain months after birth of the baby. New mothers often complain about low back pain, neck pain, arm pain and elbow pain.

 I ask them how much they think that they are carrying  with the baby, car seat, diaper bag and purse as well. Most know that they are carrying too much and moms are shocked at the amount they are carrying. We did a little experiment in the clinic where we asked all women to weigh the car seat with baby in it and found that they weighed from 23-35 pounds! WOW!The diaper bags weighed 10-15lbs and the purses were 2-5 lbs, that means you could be carrying at one time up to 60 pounds on your back, neck, arms and shoulders, with the majority of the weight out 16 inches from your side.
The combination of carrying a heavy weight away from your body, postpartum spine weakness coupled with rotation is a recipe for a disc injury, low back sprain/strain and vertebral subluxations!

 With children and back packs we recommend not more than 10 to 15 % of the body weight. So why do we carry so much as a new mother? New moms have just carried a baby to full term, often putting on 35-60 lbs during the pregnancy which causes a forward centre of gravity, plus the added baby weight to the spine. This can cause weakness to the spine, pelvis, mid back and neck. After we give birth the perception is that the spine 'springs' back to a normal curve, however this takes time to strengthen the spine and the core muscles.  We all know that we have weak abdominal muscles, all new moms remember the jello jiggle belly right after birth and that it takes time to strengthen them. Over lifting, carrying heavy weights on an all ready weakened spine can cause injury, and added in the lack of rest, sleep and nutrition many women are added factors to this as well.

So how do you prevent injury to your spine postpartum?
1. Lighten the load in your purse and diaper bag. Take into the building a mini version of your diaper bag ( 1 diaper, 4 wipes in a baggy, etc). You can easily find mini baby organiser kits anywhere. Leave the bulky diaper bag in the vehicle just in case, if there is a major diaper emergency it is easy to ask for help!
2. Just carry your wallet in the mini bag, not all your other 'stuff' to lighten the load
3. Baby wear your child, leave the seat in the car. We all know that when lifting something heavy to lift with your legs and keep the heavy load close to you to prevent disc injuries and rotational sprain /strains. Baby wearing keeps the heavy baby load close to your body, helps keep mom and baby close thus helping with cuddling and bonding with your baby- a WIN-WIN. There are many baby wearing 'devices', slings, wraps, carriers, talk to someone who knows all the types and what would work best for you, and your baby and body shape with out causing further injury.
4. Ask for help from loved ones ( Dads, aunties and uncles can help by carrying some heavy items!)
5. Stay home and rest- sometimes we do things as moms that can wait, if you are sore, get adjusted rest and stay home, avoid heavy lifting of those car seats, diaper bags and purses.
6. Use an angel arm strap to carry the car seat as it redistibutes the weight across the shoulders and spine.

If you have any questions please feel free to call us at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 403-347-3261, we are located at142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, T4R 2X3
www.family1stchiro.ca

CranioSacral Therapy and Caesarean Birth

CranioSacral Therapy and Caesarean Birth

Caesarean births are on the increase.  Whether it is elective or because of medical or obstetrical problems a caesarean birth can be hard on the baby’s craniosacral system.  CranioSacral Therapy can help correct problems that may be caused by a caesarean birth. 

The first concern is the rapid change of pressure.  There is a significant pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the uterus.  A quick, dramatic pressure change subjects the fetus to a very rapid decompression, which in turn induces abnormal expansion of the fetal head within the decompressing uterus.  This rapid increase in head volume can suddenly stretch the intracranial membranes.  The result may be tissue strains, tiny hemorrhages within the membranes, and/or actual membranous tears.  These problems can wreak havoc with the craniosacral system and its function.

Another concern is the deprivation of the newborn’s trip through the birth canal.  This passage through the birth canal is equivalent to its first spinal adjustment and mobilization treatment, its first CranioSacral treatment, and its first skin-stimulation treatment.  It also facilitates draining the lungs from the amniotic fluid that has filled them during the pregnancy. 

CranioSacral Therapy can gently and effectively resolve the occurrence of symptomatic problems that may arise due to caesarean birth.  This is just one of the many natural ways you can ensure your baby is happy and healthy.

Jeannette Raskin Is located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer

Call 430-347-3261 to book and appointment today

www.family1stchiro.ca

Foot Facts

• Most people have 26 bones in each foot, but some people have 28. These extras, called supernumerary sesamoids, are found on the bottom of the foot just behind the big toe.
• Fourteen of the 26 bones are found in the toes. Each toe has three bones, except the big toe, which has two.
• The skin on your feet is thicker than it is anywhere else on your body.
• When you are stressed, you are more susceptible to the virus that causes warts on the foot.
• When buying shoes, it is always a good idea to buy them late in the day, when your feet are tired and may be slightly swollen. In this way you are unlikely to buy shoes that are too small.

For a complimentary gaitscan please call us at 403-347-3261 at family First Chiropractic and wellness, 142 Erickson Drive, red Deer www.family1stchiro.ca

Are you sleep Deprived

Are you sleep deprived?

More and more research is pointing to lack of sleep as one of the reasons for the onset of several diseases. That sleep is rejuvenating, is a well known fact. There is nothing like a perfect night’s sleep, to kick start another day’s work.

We all know what happens when sufficient sleep is not available

• Tendency to commit mistakes
• Increased feeling of irritation
• Friction between husband and wife
• Ill-natured towards the children
• Feeling of drowsiness
• Decreased reaction times
• Increased risk for accidents while driving
• Poor decision making capacity
• Decreased performance levels
• Finding fault with others
• Picking unnecessary and unwanted quarrels
• Decreased immune function
• Impaired memory
• Weight increase and obesity
• Acquiring hypertension and diabetes

Reasons for lack of sleep
Insomnia is a term associated with the condition of disturbed sleep. While there are several causes for disturbances in sleep pattern, some of them are man-made. For example, some people have a tendency to stay up late at night. On top of that, you have to wake up early for the next day schedule. This means that you will be sleep deprived. Some other reasons for lack of sleep are:

• Restless legs syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Depression
• Polyuria associated with diabetes
• Hormonal changes as in menopause
• Disturbances in circadian rhythm as in jet lag
• Eating just before going to bed
• Exercising just before bed time
• Intake of caffeine before bed time (Drinking coffee)
• Sleeping in the presence of bright light

It is generally agreed that people need to sleep between seven and eight hours every day. The maximum amount of time spent in deep sleep is called the core sleep. This is the time when you are not aware of your surroundings. The period of core sleep varies from individual to individual, but is essential for normal health. The sleepiness gradually wears off as the period of core sleep is crossed. Generally, it is good if you wake up at least thirty minutes after the core sleep. Studies have shown that too little sleep or too much sleep can be deleterious to health(2,4). Research has shown that either of these two habits can lead to increase in abdominal fat(4) . This can also increase the risk for acquiring cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Optimum sleep is invigorating. Too little sleep or too much sleep is debilitating.

Producing ideal conditions for sleep

A tired body produces good sleep. On the other hand, too tired a body can produce only disturbed sleep. If you eat just before going to bed, your level of sleep will not be satisfactory. Good bed roomenvironment produces good sleep. But, we pay little attention to such matters. Even the height of the pillow can influence the way we sleep. Night lamps play an important role in sleep. Too bright a light can be disturbing. Recent research also shows that sleeping in the presence of light can lead to weight gain because of disturbances in melatonin secretion. Reading a book is the best sleeping pill one can come across. The most important thing is to have a clear mind. After all, the sleep center is located in the brain. Family feuds before bed time or carrying worries from the workplace to the bed, is not going to help the cause of good sleep. The best policy is to forget the past and to look forward to a rosier tomorrow. Sleep will automatically embrace you.

Brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Drive, 403-347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca
References:

1. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep:National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm. Last updated:May 21, 2007 Accessed on: Feb 23, 2011

2.Gottlieb DJ, Redline S, Nieto FJ et al.Association of usual sleep duration with hypertension: the Sleep Heart Health Study.Sleep. 2006 Aug 1;29(8):1009-14.

3. Gottlieb DJ, Punjabi NM, Newman AB. et al.Association of sleep time with diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance.Arch Intern Med. 2005 Apr 25;165(8):863-7.

4.Chaput JP, Després JP, Bouchard C et al.The association between sleep duration and weight gain in adults: a 6-year prospective study from the Quebec Family Study.Sleep. 2008 Apr 1;31(4):517-23.

Infertility and Chiropractic

Resolution of Infertility Followed by a Healthy Pregnancy and Delivery with Chiropractic

From the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health comes a case study published on March 12, 2012 documenting the  resolution of infertility in a woman previously diagnosed with a case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman's female sex hormones. This imbalance can lead to infertility and affects approximately 6.6% of reproductive-aged women.
The authors of the study start by reporting that infertility is a wide-spread problem that affects one in five couples. Of these it is estimated that 60% are due to a female health problem. As a result 9.3 million women seek infertility treatment at some point during their lives. Most of the care sought is medical care.
In this case a 29 year old woman previously diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and infertility sought chiropractic care. The study reports that she had been unable to become pregnant for six months. She had been to a medical practitioner one week earlier but had heard that chiropractic care could be helpful and therefore sought chiropractic care.
A chiropractic examination was performed including a spinal and nerve system analysis. It was determined that subluxations were present in multiple areas of the woman's spine resulting in nerve system malfunction. A series of specific spinal adjustments were initiated to correct the subluxations.
The study reports that after two months of care the patient was told by her medical doctor that she was pregnant. It was estimated that the woman became pregnant between the second and fifth chiropractic visit. The study reports that the pregnancy was normal and that the woman delivered a healthy 6 pound 7 ounce baby girl after an all natural labor.
In their discussion and conclusion the authors discussed how subluxations could cause infertility by stating, "A subluxation is characterized by a dysfunction of the nervous system that results in widespread physiological changes and altered health status." The authors continued to discuss the additional benefits in this case by noting, "Following initiation of chiropractic care, the patient not only became pregnant, but also reported improvement in many facets of her life, including improved sleep, better dietary choices, increased water consumption, and an improvement in her ability to exercise."

Dr. Joelle Johnson and Dr Stephen Kelly are located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Drive. www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261