Thursday, December 27, 2012

Being a mom of twins.....


 

Being a Mom of Twins

People have told me that if you can survive the first year of mothering twins than the rest is easy.  I disagree.  Being the mother of 20 month old twin boys is not getting any easier.  For the first six months they ate what I served (breast milk).  Now it is ever changing what they will and will not eat.  I know that this is typical for toddlers but with two it is twice as fun.  What one will eat one day the other will not eat and then the next day they will switch.  One will eat the leftovers and the other twin will not touch it. 

When they where infants I always knew where they were.  They were where I put them.  Once they started moving it started getting more complicated.  I am actually lucky that my boys started walking quite late (fully walking around 18 months).  But once they did it is almost impossible to keep track of them.  I guess it is partially my fault (and my 3 year old daughter) for taking them to the park almost every day.  As soon as they could stand they would climb to the tallest apparatus they could, stand and say “jump”.  Usually one was on one side with the other twin as far away from the other one as possible.  I am almost certain that my blood pressure is not as low as it used to be. 

My twins are actually really great boys and a joy to be around.  I do look forward to the day though when (as my mother said – she had twins 44 years ago) I can only really remember the fun we had.  “I must have blocked a lot of the other things out”

Jeannette Raskin RMT,CST practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive
403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

Monday, December 24, 2012

A parents night before christmas


A parent's night before Christmas- Brought to you by the parents of Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Dr, 403-347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca
 

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."
The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!


We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....
Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!

When what to my worrying eyes should appear,
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named,
So if we failed, only we could be blamed.

More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
All over the carpet they were scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
With "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
Before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
And not have to run to the store for a thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,
Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...
I'd forgotten that batteries are never included!

 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

T'was A Chiropractic Christmas


T'was A Chiropractic Christmas

By Author Unknown (let me know if you know who it is) brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261

T'was the day before Christmas, but there was no cheer.
No jingle bells jingled, no sound of reindeer.
The word had gone out that Santa was sick.
There would be no visit from jolly St. Nick.

The people were sad; no gaiety sounded.
For Christmas had come, but Santa was grounded.
He drove down the road, and what should he see?
But a sign for a doctor, who was a D.C.

Now Santa was not one to like a new tactic,
But all else had failed, so he tried Chiropractic.
He entered the office and saw at a glance,
in a place such as this, illness hasn't a chance.

The office staff smiled, the music was sappy,
with all of the patients contented and happy.
In a very short time, to judge by the clock,
he was in the adjusting room, talking to Doc.

It must be the hurry, the tension and all,
I simply can't seem to get on the ball.
Life used to be easy; just kids, toys and whistles,
now I dodge smog, spaceships and missiles.

And Doc, take a look at the size of this pack!
Have you any idea what it does to my back?
Poor Santa was miserable and just barely able,
with the help of the Doctor, to get on the table.

The Doctor was gentle; without a fuss or a tussle
he examined the vertebrae and relaxed every muscle.
He spotted trouble and then with a click,
started aligning the spine of old St. Nick.

Santa felt aches and pains slipping away
and in no time at all he began to feel gay.
The air was a tingle with new fallen snow
and a healthy Kris Kringle was rarin' to go.

As he went out the door, he threw them a kiss;
why, it had been centuries since he felt good as this!
Then once more he shouldered the bag full of toys,
his heart overflowing with true Christmas joys.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Chiropractic Christmas Survival Guide


The Scottish Chiropractic Association’s Christmas Survival Guide

The Christmas message from the Scottish Chiropractic Association is: “Keep it simple and choose a retro Christmas experience”. “Christmas is meant to make us feel good, but it increasingly does the opposite. We need to look at the festive season as a time when we can improve on our health and well-being, and that of our family. That means taking positive steps to look after your spine by exercising in fun ways with the whole family instead of sitting still for hours on end” says Dr Ross McDonald, President of the Scottish Chiropractic Association.

One in five people get stressed over the Christmas period* and suffer ill-health and relationship strain as a result. It is no coincidence that there is a significant rise in demand for a range of therapeutic services, including chiropractic care, early in the New Year. Back and neck problems occur over the festive season because people push all of their boundaries with a range of intensive behaviours from compulsive playing of new computer games to sitting for many hours at a time.

The Scottish Chiropractic Association offers its top tips for having a happy Christmas:

Keep it Simple:
To avoid stress, headaches and neck or back pain, ensure that your expectations of Christmas are realistic. Resist the notion of perfection: there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas, despite what the “family around the fireside” adverts imply. Opt instead for a relaxed atmosphere in which everyone shares tasks and agrees that “good enough” is the yardstick.

Revisit Christmas Past:
As more and more people suffer from back problems, we need to proactively move away from our sedentary habits. Encourage the whole family to take Christmas walks (they might even enjoy it!). Give children and young people Christmas presents which will prompt everyone to be more active: skipping ropes, space hoppers, hula hoops, Frisbees, balls etc.

Shopping:
To avoid undue strain on your spine you should
• Warm up before you start with stretches
• Balance the weight of shopping bags evenly in each hand or use a shopping trolley – these are fashionable for all ages now!
• Have a break regularly and keep hydrated
• Use mail-order or home delivery services where possible
• Where sensible, flat, supportive shoes
• Do several small trips rather than one large over-loaded trip

Everything in Moderation:
Eating and drinking:
Drink plenty of water, avoid excessive eating or drinking as both of these impact negatively on your health and well-being. Nearly a third of Britons have injured themselves so badly while drunk that they have had to seek medical help**.

Sitting:
Sitting glued to the television for prolonged periods may cause your spine to go into spasm. Move around and stretch regularly. Ensure your chair has good spinal support and that you are not slouching.

Gaming and Electronic Gadgets:
Officially Britain’s most popular pastime now, a range of persistent back and neck problems has emerged from these screen-based activities. If sedentary, you should take regular breaks and move around. If using a Wii, warm-up exercises will help to avoid injury. Repetitive strain injury from text messaging, using Blackberries and iPod use are increasingly common. Ensure that teenagers do not spend prolonged periods at any of these activities – they need to exercise and move around too!


Background:

Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the body, particularly those of the spine. Chiropractors focus on the relationship between the structure and function of the human body, primarily coordinated by the nervous system. Treatment consists of a wide range of techniques designed to improve the function of the nervous system, relieving pain and muscle spasm and improving overall health.


Brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Drive 403-304-7980
www.family1stchiro.ca
 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Christmas Baking Elbow injuries.....


Christmas baking Elbow (tennis elbow or Lateral epicondylitis)

So you have been busy baking all those holiday treats and now you are experiencing

  • Pain on the outer part of elbow (lateral epicondyle).
  • Point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle – a prominent part of the bone on the outside of the elbow.
  • Gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, especially wrist extension and lifting movements.
  • Activities that use the muscles that extend the wrist (e.g. pouring a jug of Santas milk, lifting with the palm down) are characteristically painful.
  • Morning stiffness.
You may have some Christmas baking elbow.  This is an overuse injury.  Massaging the arm above and below the elbow, as well as the attachment points in and around the elbow can help ease the pain you are experiencing.  So come in from the cold, you deserve a break after all that baking, and get a relaxing massage. 
 
Come and try our massage therapist at Family First Chiropractic and wellness, located at 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer
call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment
www.family1stchiro.ca

Tuesday, December 04, 2012


40 Christmas Family Ideas

1.      Decorate Christmas cookies.
2.      Decorate their room.
3.      Make Christmas cards.
4.      Sing carols for a cause.
5.      Volunteer at local area projects.
6.      Hunt for a Christmas tree.
7.      Trim a Christmas tree.
8.      Make tinsel-filled ornaments.
9.      Make ribbons and sparkles ornament.
10.  Sell Christmas trees with a youth group.
11.  Have a Christmas Specials and Movie marathon.
12.  Send a Christmas card and letter to a soldier.
13.  Journal this quick list: My Ten Favorite Christmas Specials.
14.  Journal this quick list: My Ten Favorite Christmas Songs.
15.  Journal this list: Top Five Gifts I've Received of all Time.
16.  Think about and journal what Christmas means to you.
17.  Make a Christmas wish list.
18.  String popcorn for the tree or mantel.
19.  Read a holiday story.
20.  Say this tongue twister 5 times: Snow slows Santa's sled.
21.  Write a poem about Christmas.
22.  Write a poem about snow.
23.  Make a music video using Christmas Carols.
24.  Wrap your bedroom door like a present.
25.  Organize a local coat drive.
26.  Make Christmas wrapping paper.
27.  Learn to make a traditional family Holiday dish or dessert.
28.  Adopt a grandparent or visit a nursing home with a group of friends.
29.  Take your younger sibling to see Santa.
30.  Offer to babysit for a Christmas shopping night for a family with younger kids - for free.
31.  Put your name in glitter on a Santa hat. Wear it.
32.  Make Puzzle Piece Ornaments.
33.  Make a gingerbread house.
34.  Make Candy Cane Fudge.
35.  Track Santa online.
36.  Make a holiday journal.
37.  Make a CD of your favorite or new this year Christmas songs.
38.  Write out Christmas cards for your friends.
39.  Learn something new about Christmas in a different culture.
40.  Sit in the room with your Christmas tree with all the lights out but the tree lights. Enjoy your Christmas.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer. We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday
www.family1stchiro.ca
403-347-3261 to book an appointment today!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

How many CranioSacral sessions do I need?


How many CranioSacral sessions do I need?

The most important step is to make an initial appointment. From that point it becomes evident how many sessions are required depending on your condition and how well you respond to the treatment. Some people may need just two sessions to relieve the main symptoms of their conditions whereas others may need four or five sessions inside a month followed by maintenance sessions for some time afterwards.  I find that in general infants and children heal quite quickly.  As well, if the problem is more acute and not chronic our bodies release the injury more quickly.

One of the things that I am very conscious of is to not generate a level of dependence on myself, the therapist. As result I am always happy when the client decides that they have got what they needed from the therapy for the present and rebook when they feel they need another session - or indeed, they are happy to move on.
To book and Appointemtn please call Jeanette raskin at 403-347-3261. Jeannette practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer
www.family1stchiro.ca

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

“If I understand correctly, CranioSacral Therapy basically aims to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. Is that right?”


“If I understand correctly, CranioSacral Therapy basically aims to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.  Is that right?”

Yes, that is correct. The central nervous system (CNS), which is comprised of the brain and spinal cord, is encased within three layers of connective tissue. These layers are part of the craniosacral system (CSS) that forms a somewhat flexible container that is filled with the brain and spinal cord. If the container is distorted then the contents will also be affected in some way.

When abnormal stress occurs within the CSS layers such as twists, pulls, bends, overstretch, or compression, then the tissue of the CNS may become distorted. If the delicate brain or spinal cord undergo structural deformation then the tissue becomes overly stressed. This stress can alter the way cells work or inhibit their ability to work at all leading to a multitude of dysfunction.

One primary objective of CranioSacral Therapy is to assist the body in decreasing harmful strain within the CSS layers, which in turn helps to alleviate injurious stress of the CNS cells. As this occurs then the CNS cells can function, adapt or compensate to their optimal ability.
This post is brought to you by Jeanneatte Raskin, RMT,CST. Jeannette practices at Family Fisrt Chiropractic and Wellness, Red Deer Alberta. 304-347-3261 to book an appointment or visit our website at www.family1stchiro.ca
 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

CranioSacral is Gentle yet Powerful


How does CranioSacral Therapy work?
CranioSacral Therapy works by helping the body’s natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. This is accomplished by utilizing a physiological body system called the craniosacral system, which maintains the environment in which the central nervous system functions.  The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from the cranium (head) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum). The role of this system in the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological disabilities. For example, if the bite (or jaw) is out of balance, the whole head is out of balance, and often the whole body.

 

How can something so gentle be so powerful?
The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body, just like the pulse. I use a very light touch to monitor this rhythm from head to feet to pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress. I can then encourage the natural movement of the fluid and soft tissues to help the body self-correct. This simple action is often all it takes to remove a restriction. Sometimes, like peeling layers of an onion, once some restrictions have released and balanced, others may show themselves and need attention.
Jeannette Raskin is located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer
403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A drug-free way to alleviate a headache


How to find pressure points to cure headaches

Getting rid of headaches by applying slight force or pressure to certain pressure points is called acupressure. Acupressure is derived from the ancient Chinese healing method of acupuncture. Pressure points are clusters of nerves located at various points on the body, which help regulate blood circulation. Headaches -- especially those brought on by anxiety, the common cold or menstruation -- are caused by a tightness and stiffness in the neck and face muscles that inhibit blood circulation. Stimulating the pressure points by massaging them will help relax the tight muscles and increase blood circulation, thus relieving the headache.  Now, we'll learn where those points are and what to do. Get ready to say goodbye to your headache
  • Locate your temples. They're on either side of your head about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) behind your eyes. Place your thumbs on your temples and simultaneously massage them by gently rotating your thumbs in a counter-clockwise direction.
  • Place your thumbs at the back of your neck, on the base of your skull on the two sides of your spinal column. Tilt your head back a bit and press your thumbs in while pushing slightly upward.
  • Find the meaty part on the back of your hand. It is just above the webbing between the thumb and the index finger. Using your other thumb, squeeze the muscle by pressing down hard.
  • Using your index fingers, gently massage the inside ends of your eyebrows just above the bridge of your nose.
  • Place your index finger between your big toe and your second toe. Move your finger up about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to where the bones of your toes meet the inside of your foot. Press that point straight down
To make an appointment for a massage or chiropractic care please call Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr.
 403-347-3261

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Why Women Must Typically Work Harder to Lose Weight


Why Women Must Typically Work Harder to Lose Weight

The gender gap is a phrase usually used to describe disparities in income between men and women, but it may very well apply to weight loss as well.

Many women express exasperation at being unable to lose weight despite making significant dietary changes and exercising, whereas their male counterparts appear to drop pounds just by making minimal lifestyle tweaks here and there.

Could it be that the cards are somehow stacked against women, and men really do have an easier time losing weight?
Several Factors Make Weight Loss for Men EasierOne of the biggest factors men have in their favor is body composition. Men tend to have more muscle than women, who in turn have about 10 percent more of their body weight in the form of fat.

Muscle tissue burns three to five times more energy than fat tissues, so as you gain muscle, your metabolic rate increases, which allows you to burn more calories, even when you're sleeping or physically inactive. Perhaps because of their greater muscle mass, a man's resting metabolic rate can be up to 10 percent higher than a woman's (of the same age and weight),1 giving them a weight-loss advantage right out of the gate.

Men and women vary in the type of fat their bodies are made up of. Men tend to have more visceral fat while women tend to have more subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is found just under your skin, and is the type that causes dimpling and cellulite. Visceral fat, on the other hand, shows up in your abdomen and surrounds your vital organs including your liver, heart and muscles.

Visceral fat is the one that is linked to heart disease, diabetes and stroke, among many other chronic diseases. So from a health standpoint, having more visceral fat is not a "benefit." However, from a strictly weight-loss point of view, visceral fat is metabolized faster, making it easier to lose than subcutaneous fat – another biological hurdle for women to jump over.

Women may be more inclined toward emotional eating than men – reaching for food (typically junk food) in response to stress, sadness, loneliness, and more – and this can be a very tough habit to break. Research even shows that women may have a reduced ability to stave off hunger and resist food cravings than men.

However, women should not feel disheartened, as weight loss is certainly attainable no matter what your gender. There are several weight loss secrets that many people aren't aware of, which can help to tip the scales back in your favor.

 

The Go-To Weight Loss Trick that Works for Both Men and Women

Once you review the research, it's clear that if you are serious about losing weight, you have got to strictly limit the amount of fructose in your diet, as evidence is mounting that excess sugar, and fructose in particular, is the primary factor in the obesity epidemic. So cutting soda from your diet is essential. However many fail to appreciate the importance of cutting out other sources of fructose, including those found in processed foods, fruit juice, excessive fruit and so-called "healthy" sweeteners like agave.

This is especially true if you have insulin resistance and are overweight, have high blood pressure, diabetes or high or unregulated cholesterol levels.

For the majority of people, severely restricting carbohydrates such as sugars, fructose, and grains in your diet will be the key to weight loss. Refined carbohydrates like breakfast cereals, bagels, waffles, pretzels, and most other processed foods quickly break down to sugar, increase your insulin levels, and cause insulin resistance, which is the number one underlying factor of nearly every chronic disease and condition known to man, including weight gain.

As you cut these dietary villains from your meals, you need to replace them with healthy substitutes like vegetables and healthy fats (including natural saturated fats!). Your body prefers the carbohydrates in vegetables rather than grains and sugars because it slows the conversion to simple sugars, and improves insulin resistance.
When you cut grains and sugar from your meals, you typically will need to radically increase the amount of vegetables you eat, as well as make sure you are also consuming protein and healthy fats regularly. 
This Efficient Exercise Can Help You Burn More Fat

Once you've addressed your diet, exercise can truly begin to work its magic on your physique, and help boost fat loss even further. The trick to achieving flat abs is to incorporate the correct types of exercises. High intensity interval exercises should be at the core of any routine. This short intense training protocol improves muscle energy utilization and expenditure due to its positive effects on increasing muscle mass and improving muscle fiber quality. Further, several studies have confirmed that exercising in shorter bursts with rest periods in between burns more fat than exercising continuously for an entire session.
In fact, you can actually lose more weight by reducing the amount of time you spend on exercise, because when doing high-intensity interval training you only need 20 minutes, two to three times a week. 
Help for Emotional Eaters
Many adults turn to food in times of boredom, stress and loneliness. And for those who are eating due to stress, the comfort food of choice tends to be greasy, salty or sweet. Not surprisingly, such "stress-driven" eaters, particularly women, tend to weigh more on average. And women who feel a lack of emotional support in their lives have a greater tendency to eat to cope with stress.
So your emotional health, whether you're eating as a distraction, a reward or to help fill a missing void in your life, must be dealt with in order to successfully resist cravings for unhealthy foods. .
How to Even the Playing Field...
The three strategies noted above will greatly help most anyone lose weight, but women can help to close the "gender gap" for weight loss by:
·         Eliminating or strictly limiting fructose in your diet
·         Engaging in high-intensity Peak Fitness exercise to burn fat and increase muscle mass (another fat burner)
·         Addressing the emotional component of eating

Join us tonite at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness at 142 Erickson dDive, Red Deer for an information evening at 6:30 or call Danika at 403-347-3261 for more information
 

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Doula - Birth and post partum-What is the difference?


Types of Doulas

Birth Doula

A birth doula assists the woman before, during and often after the delivery. Birth doulas are trained in childbirth, and most have given birth themselves. The main goal of a birth doula is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying childbirth as the woman defines it.

The birth doula has three main responsibilities:

Emotional Support - The doula provides emotional support through her constant presence throughout labor and delivery. Once labor begins, the doula remains by the side of the mother-to-be until the birth is completed and frequently for the first one or two hours afterwards.

The doula provides emotional support in an active way. She adjusts her style to fit each patient and responds as the patient's needs change during the labor. She understands and accepts the woman's pain and fear and serves as a source of support, helping the woman remain confident and in control. The doula also supports the father and any family members who may be present.

Education - The doula educates and informs the mother about obstetric routines and procedures and thus keeps the mother advised about her progress during birth. The doula encourages the mother to manage the situation by listening to the messages the body sends during birth, changing her position, adjusting breathing, and using other stress and pain reducing techniques.

Especially now with the discovery of the importance of skin-to-skin or kangaroo care immediately after childbirth the doula can act as an emotional and informational resource for the mother. The doula can explain what will happen immediately after childbirth and the woman can prepare to have the baby on her chest, skin to skin.

Liaison - The doula functions as a liaison between the patient and the medical staff. She does not give medical advice or perform any medical duties, but she's on hand to support the mother if she has questions for the medical staff.
Postpartum Doula

A Postpartum doula works in the fourth trimester, just after pregnancy. The role of the postpartum doula is to provide support, advice, and assistance in the weeks and months following birth. In the past, the family of a new baby could rely on their family members or friends to assist them. After giving birth women are often surrounded by caring family members who have a great deal of experience and wisdom to offer. While these resources are available today, they may not always be provided due to increasing distances between family members and their loved ones.

The postpartum doula provides:
  • Education
  • Non-judgmental support
  • Companionship
  • Assistance with newborn care and family adjustment
  • Assistance with meal preparation
  • Assistance with light household tasks
Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on:
  • Infant feeding
  • Emotional and physical recovery from birth
  • Infant soothing
  • Coping skills for new parents
  • Safe infant sleeping
  • Referrals for more education on these topics when necessary
The doula may also be a buffer to parents who may have received outdated advice. The doula can help friends and family to foster and support the parenting decisions of the new parents. By modeling a deep respect for the wisdom and decision making abilities of the new parents, she makes clear that supporting them in their own choices will have the best results.

Michaelle de Ruiter is a doula dn RMT, located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr. red Deer 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca


 

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Pressure Points and Labor....what you can do


Pressure Points to Induce Labor

Many women find themselves, as their due dates draw near, searching for ways to jump start labor. 
What is acupressure?

An age-old practice, stemming from Asia, is acupressure. Acupressure is derived from acupuncture. With acupuncture, needles are placed in various locations throughout the body to help relieve stress and pain. Acupressure uses a similar technique except needles are replaced with finger pressure.Certain locations on the body have been found to be somewhat effective at not only naturally inducing labor but assisting with the pain and discomfort associated with labor. Before you learn what and where the acupressure sites are, you need to understand when it is appropriate.

Before trying acupressureAnyone interested in acupressure should not attempt to do so until it is safe to deliver the baby. There is no universal agreement on when it is “safe”, but most physicians advise nothing prior to 38 weeks. Some say that no matter what you try, your body will not go into labor until it’s ready. There is no guarantee that this is the case and no mom wants to risk their baby’s health. Also, any woman interested in trying acupressure to help initiate labor should ask their health care provider first.

Pressure points:The first area on the body used for stimulating labor is located between the thumb and index finger. This point is actually the “webbing” between these two areas. Techniques vary, but this pressure point can be pressed and rubbed for several seconds or simply pressed firmly for approximately one minute and then released. This technique can also be used during active labor to relieve pain.

The next area of the body used for stimulating labor is the ankle. This area actually has two different pressure points. The first pressure point is located on the outside of the ankle, just behind where the bony prominence is. Just like the first mentioned location, techniques vary but the pressure point can be rubbed or pressed for several seconds or one minute. The other ankle pressure point is inside the leg, above the ankle. This area may be difficult to find but it is more sensitive to touch than the rest of the leg.Another area is located on the back, above the buttocks and lower back. This area can also be pressed or massaged as tolerated.

The final area commonly used for initiating labor is located on the neck, the large muscle between the neck and the shoulder. This area can be pressed or massaged as tolerated.

Acupressure does not work for all women and may not be tolerated by all. Massaging or pressing on these areas should not cause pain and if it does cause pain, should be stopped immediately.
Nearing the end of your pregnancy can become very frustrating but don’t lose hope. Women do not stay pregnant forever and your baby will be here sooner than you think.

This Blog brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer
403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca