Shoveling and Your Back

Snow Shoveling and Your Back

The winter season brings with it snow that we can enjoy activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, or making snowmen just to name a few. There are also activities that we don’t enjoy so much particularly when the weather is cold such as shoveling snow off our sidewalks and driveways. The weight of the snow and the cold weather can cause back problems and sore muscles.

There are a few things that we can do to help prevent or reduce the stress on our back and bodies when shoveling snow.

-      Stretch lightly before going outside

-      Use a shovel that you can handle easily

-      Don’t lift too much snow

-      Push the snow rather than lifting and carrying the snow

-      Take a break and catch your breath as needed

-      If you have a large area to do, do some now and some later

-      Keep your spine aligned by visiting your friendly chiropractor at our clinic

We are available Monday to Saturday at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness. Call us at 403-347-3261

Massage and Tension Headaches

Massage and Tension Headaches

Massage therapy reduces the occurrences of tension headaches. In Live Strong Joe King, MD asserts that many chronic tension headaches can lead to a buildup of collagen fibers where your tendons and ligaments attach to the bones of your head and neck. These fibers do not contract and are hard and stiff. The presence of collagen fibers can result in physical deformity, discomfort, pain, and a decrease in joint function, which can all trigger more tension headaches. Massage can be used to break up the collagen fibers located around your cervical vertebrae, which can alleviate the stress they place on your muscles and joints. Further, massage offers an alternative treatment because it is a non invasive, soothing method to the manage discomfort and prevent further episodes. In my practice I have worked with several clients who experience high levels of suffering from ongoing headaches and migraine episodes and they have all received significant relief from massage sessions.
To book a massage with Guy, call us at 403-347-3261, Family First Chiropractic 1452 Erickson Dr Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

 

What happens during a CranioSacral Treatment

So, what happens during a CranioSacral therapy treatment?

Before the treatment - If this is your first appointment, we will first work through your medical history and your expectations from this CranioSacral Therapy treatment. You will then lie down comfortably - fully-clothed. If it is a child (under 16) or infant, you may be present during the entire treatment.

I will then use a light touch (about the weight of a nickel), beginning at the feet, to assess where restrictions and other related problems are in your body.  Once this is completed, I continue to work through other parts of your body.

During the treatment - Most people feel a general sense of relaxation (in fact many people fall asleep early in the treatment). Some people also feel heat, cold or a stretching of tissues in particular parts of the body.  The treatment generally lasts about an hour for adults and 30 minutes for infants and children.  This can vary depending on the person.

Following the treatment - Some people report that they feel as if somebody had moved things about in their body. You will normally feel tired after the treatment, but after a short rest and a glass of water, you will be well capable of driving home.

The amount of treatment needed depends on the condition, severity and age of the client.  Some people need as few as one treatment to notice changes.

Jeannette Raskin is located at Family First Chiropractic. To book an appointment with her give us a call at 403-347-3261. 142 Erickson Dr Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

Prenatal Massage

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

Prenatal or pregnancy massage is increasingly gaining popularity as pregnant women begin recognizing the benefits prenatal massage has to offer women during pregnancy. Back pain is one of the more common side effects of pregnancy. Back pain can continue throughout pregnancy and even after. If you have to carry around other small children you may find your symptoms exacerbated during pregnancy.

Fortunately massage can help relieve back pain associated with muscular tension. Here are just a few of the other benefits prenatal massage has to offer:

Prenatal massage helps relieve edema or swelling by stimulating circulation throughout the body.
Leg massage can help reduce leg cramps and swelling in the legs.
Massage is very beneficial for relaxing anxiety during pregnancy.
Massage can help promote more restful sleep and help prevent pregnancy related insomnia.
Pregnancy massage may relax your baby, particularly if you have your abdomen gently stroked.

To book a prenatal massage with one of our Massage Therapists. Please call us at 403-347-3261, Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Dr. Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

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Massage Therapy and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

How Can Massage Therapy help Prevent and Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Massage therapy can provide valuable assistance to someone suffering from CTS, either as a stand-alone treatment, or in conjunction with other modalities. Massage can also assist in prevention of the syndrome; when treatment is started early enough, muscle hypertonicity is decreased, and edema can be reduced.
Treatment will depend on the actual cause and stage of presentation of the condition. For example, in a case where repetitive stress is the cause, the therapist will attempt to decrease hypertonicity and myofascial trigger points of the brachium, ante-brachium, all of which are proximal to the site of compression. This can be achieved by doing deep work to the muscles of the arm and forearm, as well as stretching of the forearm flexors.
If the structures in the carpal tunnel are impinged due to thickening or scarring of the flexor retinaculum, friction therapy to break down the tissue can be invaluable, if painful, to reduce compression.
Manual lymph drainage can assist in the reduction of fluid build up post treatment.
The therapist may also stretch the carpal ligament and palmar tissue & fascia, reducing compression of the structures, and finish with a cold hydrotherapy application on the site to reduce any inflammation.
Outside of surgery, there is no “cure” for carpal tunnel syndrome which results from hypertonicity of the forearm flexors. If CTS is caused by a repetitive stress injury (RSI), then maintenance will be necessary. Maintenance in this case will involve a program of stretching, hydrotherapy, massage therapy and possibly a wrist brace. The use of ergonomically correct keyboards for those whose work involves a lot of typing can also be useful.
Depending on the severity of the condition, a treatment plan may involve a few weeks of treatments 2 times per week, in addition to a homecare plan to reinforce the effects of the treatment. As hypertonicity of the forearm flexors is reduced, the frequency of the treatment is reduced to once a week for several weeks. If you have questions concerning the treatment plan, your massage therapist should be more than willing to discuss it with you.

Guy Lacoursiere is at Family First Chiropractic. 142 Erickson Dr. Red Deer. 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca

Child's First Spinal Exam

When is it time for a child's first spinal examination?

By Dr. Joelle Johnson Bsc, D.C.

 

When is it time for a child's first spinal examination?
Should we wait until children complain of back pain before taking them to the chiropractor?
These are questions which parents frequently ask of their chiropractor.

Throughout most communities, it is a generally well-accepted fact that children should have regular dental check-ups. Well, what about the potential for children to develop spinal problems?

Shouldn’t children be examined at regular intervals during their growing years to identify spinal problems which may progress to become serious, permanent problems?

Examination of the growth patterns of a child's spine shows that the time of fastest spinal growth is during the first year of life, when the average length of the spine grows from 24 to 36 cm. This is a 50 percent increase in one year.

The next fastest growth rate occurs between the ages one and five years when the spinal length increases from 36 to 51 cm, a 42 percent growth rate.

Between the ages of 5 and 10, we see the slowest period of growth, 10 cm in five years, or a 20 percent growth rate. The adolescent growth phase is most noticeable for its growth spurts, when a teenager may grow three to four inches in less than a year. The average total growth for the adolescent period is 20 cm in males and 15 cm in females. This represents a growth rate of 25 percent in the females and 33 percent in males.

Now, taking all that into consideration, it can be seen that the period of fastest growth, the first year of life, is also a period of considerable trauma when the child is learning to sit, crawl and then walk. Because the first year of life is such an important one for spinal development, and because the potential for trauma is high, it is recommended that a child's first spinal evaluations should be performed during this period.

Beyond the first year, the child needs regular checkups to ensure that the microtrauma, are not causing spinal problems. Such microtraumas can be playing roughly, falls off of bikes, down stairs, off play groud equipment and  many other childhood traumas.

Getting you child adjusted after these traumas can greatly reduce the issues they may have later in life.

You can call us at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer , T4R 2C3

403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

Children and CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy and Children

I often hear from parents that they would like for their children to receive CranioSacral therapy but are not sure how that is possible.  Adaptability by the therapist is probably the most important thing when treating children.  There are many ways in which I adapt my techniques to effectively treat children.  Most importantly the child needs to be comfortable.  Often that is in their parents arms or with them close by.  They can be lying down, in a chair or I have even spent half an hour following toddlers around the room.  Toys, books, etc, are also great distractions that can aid the practitioner in getting effective work done.  When working on children I often shorten the treatment to half an hour.  For most children that provides enough time to get an effective treatment and not to over stimulate the system.

To find out more about CranioSacral or to book an appointment with Jeannette, call us at 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

Massage to Help Soft-Tissue Injuries Heal

Injury Massage to Help Soft-
Tissue Injuries Heal

            Using targeted injury massage techniques on soft-tissue injuries (such as muscle pulls and strains, tendonitis, ligament sprains, and whiplash) can help them heal faster.

Massage reduces spasm, pain, and swelling. Massage can also prevent the formation of excess scar tissue or reduce excess scar tissue and adhesions (stuck together tissue) that weaken muscles and make you prone to another injury.

Dismelly LacoursiereR.M.T is located at Family First Chiropractic. 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer. To book an appointment with him call us at 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Nerve Cells

 Nerve Cells

Irritated nerve cells can cause a wide range of ill health, such as: pain, chronic stress, migraine, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. Craniosacral Therapy can reduce nerve cell irritation, which helps the body heal.

Irritated nerve cells can be anywhere in the body’s vast neurological network. They can be in the brain, or spinal cord, or clumps of nerves called ganglia. Nerves receive, organize, modify, and transmit information required for all activity, like: sleeping, walking, talking, eating, or thinking, to name a few.

Nerves form communication networks with other nerves, or with body parts. When nerve cells become hyper-irritated they can no longer do their job in an organized way. This disorganization causes chaotic communication between nerves, or between nerves and body parts.

Body parts can lose normal function when neurological communication is chaotic. For instance, irritated nerve cells within the spinal cord communicating with a leg muscle may cause that muscle to be in chronic spasm, or irritated nerve cells within an area of the brain involved in memory processing may cause difficulty remembering recent experiences.

Often irritated nerve cells are undetected because they are hidden in the nervous system. If irritated nerve cells are not found then they remain the cause of dysfunction. When the cause of dysfunction is not addressed then the effects of that cause will usually persist.

Craniosacral therapy can locate irritated nerve cells and then help the body reduce nerve cell hyper-irritation. This can lessen harmful nerve stress, which stimulates normal nerve-to-nerve, nerve-to-body, or body-to-nerve, communication. Greater ease of function within the nervous system and within the body arises as nerve communication normalizes, thus helping the body heal in a multitude of ways.
To book a Craniosacral therapy appointment with Jeannette Raskin, call us at 403-347-3261 Family First Chiropractic. 142 Erickson Dr. Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

What is craniosacral therapy?

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.
To Book an appointment with Jeannette Raskin, just give us a call at 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic. Red Deer 142 Erickson Dr. www.family1stchiropractic.ca

Children and Healthy Spines

Children and Chiropractic care
By: Dr. Joelle Johnson
 

Acute Conditions

Acute conditions may result from birth trauma, sports mishaps and accidental injury. Chiropractic care benefits children by correcting the spinal alignment to improve their overall health. When vertebral joints are misaligned during birth or from a blow or fall, muscle tissue and nerves may also be affected. Spinal adjustment frees joints, restores motion and relieves nerve pressure, which may be the cause of additional ailments. Parents report successful treatment of children's health issues such as acute earache, upper respiratory infection, muscle pain, neck pain and accident trauma. Spinal manipulation for children as young as newborn babies is an alternative treatment for the discomfort of colic and other digestive disorders as well.
 

Chronic Conditions

Parents surveyed by the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) reported behavioral improvement for kids who saw a chiropractor, as well as improved sleep and stronger immune systems. Although scientific evidence in these areas is still inconclusive, the growing number of those seeking children's health care from chiropractors (up 8.5% since 1991, according to the American Chiropractic Association) is a positive endorsement of its benefits. Chiropractic America reports that natural, drug-free chiropractic care is sometimes more effective than traditional medical approaches for chronic earache, scoliosis and neck pain. Headaches and sleep disorders of nonspecific causes respond well to spinal adjustments, which affect and repair interrupted neural pathways. Asthma and allergy symptoms and patterns of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also be treatable with chiropractic.
 

Prevention

Success in these areas has implications for chiropractic care's preventive capacity. Periodic ongoing adjustments at a young age may help stave off the above ailments before they begin. Proper spinal alignment now may delay or prevent degenerative bone or joint disease, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition to maintaining children's health, regular visits to the chiropractor also instill the value of proactive health care in kids. They'll be more likely to monitor and manage their health as they grow up and less likely to be afraid or in denial of any health problems. Encouraging good lifelong health habits is one of chiropractic's best benefits for kids.
 

Dr. Joelle Johnson. To book an appointment with one of our chiropractors, call us at 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Text Neck

Overuse of Smartphone’s can cause slipped discs

By: Dr. Stephen Kelly

With smartphone’s gaining popularity among South Koreans since 2010, an escalating number of youngsters, mostly in their twenties, are beginning to suffer the consequences.

According to the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation, the number of patients with cervical disc herniation (or slipped disc) has increased from 573,912 in 2007 to 784,121 in 2011. Out of 100,000 patients, 7.6 percent of them are in their twenties.

Most people look down when using their mobile devices. This posture adds a strain to the neck and causes cervical disc herniation. Whilst a human head weighs approximately 10 pounds (4.5kg), staring at a phone with your head tilted forward will feel more akin to a 20-30 pound (9kg to 13.6kg) load. A significant problem for the discs in your neck!

This study was done in Korea but this is a nearly worldwide problem. Chiropractic intervention can help “text neck” by realigning vertebrae and proving proper stretching/ rehabilitation exercises.

Cervical disc herniation isn't the only problem exacerbated by over use of Smartphone’s. Youngsters also spend less time exercising which has resulted in an increase in obesity and diabetes.

If you are one of those who like to spend hours chatting or gaming on your smartphone, this latest report from Korea should motivate you to take some time to rest in between and do some light neck stretches. After all, a slipped disc is no joking matter as it requires frequent medical, chiropractic and/or physical therapy. In some cases, it may even require surgical attention.

If you or a loved one frequently uses a smartphone, get checked by a chiropractor. It can help prevent/ relieve neck pain, headaches and potentially prevent a disc herniation.

Dr. Stephen Kelly.www.family1stchiropractic.ca.  Family First Chiropractic. 403-347-3261.  142 Erickson Drive. Red Deer, Alberta

 

Hip Flexors

Guy Lacoursiere RMT

If you have tight hip flexors, you can expect to have problems with your hip joints and lower back.

Your hip flexors are a group of muscles that enable you to bring your knee up towards your trunk. Though several muscles contribute to this action, the two primary players are your iliacus and psoas major, which come together to form the extremely strong ilipsoas tendon, which attaches your hip flexor muscles to your thigh bone.

Tight hip flexors are all too common in today's society with a lot of us spending several hours a day sitting on our bottoms. Without regular stretching and activity, sitting for long periods on a chair or couch can lead to shortening of your hip flexors.

There is rarely a person I work with that does not have tight hip flexors. The best thing that I can recommend is to stretch them daily and come in for a massage from time to time.

 

To book an appointment with Guy Lacoursiere RMT, call us at 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic. 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

 

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid immerses the brain and spinal cord in essential nutrients, cleanses the brain and spinal cord of waste material, and flows throughout the body contributing to whole-body biochemical equilibrium. Imbalance of the autonomic nervous system can decrease the production of cerebrospinal fluid, which can lead to nutrient loss and toxicity of the brain or spinal cord, as well as biochemical and cellular stress throughout the body.

Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in four interconnected cavities within the brain, called ventricles. The autonomic nervous system controls the amount of cerebrospinal fluid that is created. Nerve fibers from two parts of the autonomic nervous system send signals to the ventricles.

The two autonomic nervous system parts are: the sympathetic, referred to as the “fight or flight” or “stress response” division; and the parasympathetic, called the “rest, digest and renew” or “healing” division.

The autonomic nervous system can become imbalanced due to things like infection, chronic pain, disease or stress. This can increase sympathetic division signals sent to the ventricles, which can lessen cerebrospinal fluid production by as much as 30%. On the other hand, parasympathetic signals sent to the ventricles increases cerebrospinal fluid production so the system can create the maximum amount for a healthy brain, spinal cord and body.

Reducing the body’s “stress response”, especially when a stressful state is chronic, helps to rebalance the autonomic nervous system. This can increase parasympathetic signals sent to the ventricles, which optimizes cerebrospinal fluid production. Then the brain, spinal cord and body as a whole can receive ideal levels of nutrition and cleansing.

Craniosacral Therapy is an effective method that can lessen stress, balance the autonomic nervous system, and optimize cerebrospinal fluid production and flow leading to optimal health, healing and well-being.
Jeannette Raskin is located at Family First Chiropractic, Red Deer. 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca

What is Kombucha?

What is Kombucha?

 

Recently we had a class at the clinic instructed by Tara Chaput about how to make Kombucha. Many people have questions about this amazing health drink. It is easy to make and has many health benefits.

We will be running another class October 8^th, 2013 call us at Family First Chiropractic 403-304-7980 to book. Cost is 15.00 and includes a SCOBY.

www.family1stchiro.ca

 

Kombucha is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) that forms a zoolgleal mat. This unique beverage has been used for over 2000 years to improve health and fight against infection and chronic disease. The Ancient Chinese called Kombucha the "Immortal Health Elixer" as they revered it for its remarkable health benefits.

Kombucha cultures typically contains many strains of beneficial yeasts that turn sugar into alcohol. One particular strain of bacteria, Gluconacetobacter xylinus ferments the alcohol from the yeast into acetic acid.Kombucha is loaded with organic acids, active enzymes, amino acids and polyphenol anti-oxidants. The most common components include the various organic acids such as acetic acid, butyric acid, usnic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, gluconic acid and lactic acid. It also contains active enzymes and probiotics.
Kombucha is typically produced in a sweetened green, white or black tea. The best fermentation process uses an organic evaporated cane juice or honey although too much honey can disturb the stability of the culture. Most of the sugar will be remade into organic acids that blunt the blood sugar response so it is very low glycemic and non-inflammatory.

Improves joint function

Kombucha is rich in glucosamines which helps preserve cartilage structure and prevent joint degeneration. Glucosamines increase hyaluronic acid production within the joint which binds moisture thousands of times its weight in the joint cavity. This provides the joint with structure, moisture, lubrication and flexibility while protecting against free radical damage.

Improves digestion and immunity

Kombucha is loaded with probiotic bacteria and yeast that make their way into the gut and ward off parasites and pathogens. It is particularly good at minimizing Candida and improves digestion and nutrient assimilation. Kombucha enhances immunity by inoculating the gut with healthy microorganisms and providing anti-oxidants and enzymes.

Kombucha helps the body cleanse

This beverage is loaded with enzymes and organic acids that help to detoxify the body. This reduces the load on the pancreas, liver and kidneys and helps the body rid itself of unwanted wastes and destroy cancer cells. Kombucha is rich in glucaric acid which has potent anti-cancer activity.

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MAKING YOUR OWN KOMBUCHA

 

What You’ll Need:

 

Gallon sized glass jar

Filtered Water

Organic Cane Sugar

Organic Black Tea (loose or bags)

Scoby plus starter liquid

Large pot

Coffee filter and elastic band

Slotted spoon

Cheesecloth or a tea steeper (if using loose tea)

 

Kombucha Recipe:

 

3 L filtered water

1 cup organic cane sugar

4 organic black tea bags or 4 teaspoons of loose black tea

Scoby

1/2 cup starter liquid with scoby

 

Boil 3 liters of water in a large pot. Add sugar and continue to boil until dissolved. Remove from heat and add tea. Steep for 15 minutes before straining. Let the tea cool in a gallon sized jar until room temperature. Add scoby as well as the starter liquid, cover with a coffee filter sealed with an elastic. Set in a warm (24-30 degrees C), dark place and leave it, undisturbed, for 10-15 days.

 

Testing Your Kombucha:

 

Begin testing your kombucha at day 7. Use a straw or turkey baster to remove some kombucha without disturbing the scoby. The kombucha should be acidic, not too sweet, and to your own liking. (if you wish to test with pH strips, it should read 2.8-3)

 

Finishing Your Kombucha:

 

Remove the scoby (mother and baby) from the jar along with 1 cup of the kombucha. After the first ferment, you may choose to flavour your kombucha with fruit juices or fruit pieces. Bottle the kombucha and set into a warm, dark area for 2-5 days. Move into the fridge and drink when chilled. Kombucha will keep for up to a year in the fridge. 

Dr. Joelle Johnson. www.family1stchiro.ca. 142 Erickson Drive. 403.347.3261 (FAM1)

Why Should I Have CranioSacral Therapy

Why should I have CranioSacral Therapy?

1. Some people come because they feel as though they aren’t coping and that life is very difficult. CranioSacral Therapy can often be a last resort after many years of struggle.

2.      Some people come because they have long standing health issues which make it very difficult to cope. CranioSacral Therapy can help relieve the emotional and physical side-effects of living with long term illness or pain and can support the body in its natural movement towards health.

3. Some people come because they have experienced traumatic events that they cannot move past. CranioSacral Therapy is a very safe, gentle and effective way of treating trauma and post-traumatic states.
4. Some people come because they are incredibly stressed and anxious and can’t seem to find any relief from a very busy mind. CranioSacral Therapy is especially good at encouraging a very deep sense of stillness allowing the mind slow down and rest. Many people say they sleep very well after a craniosacral treatment.
5. Some people come because they just need to be held and listened to. The most important thing a CranioSacral Therapist does is to simply be present for the client and hold the therapeutic space allowing the client’s process to unfold naturally.

 To learn more about CranioSacral Therapy or to book an appointment with Jeannette call 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic, Red Deer. family1stchiro.ca

Tools to Prevent and Treat Back Pain

Tools to Prevent and Treat Back Pain

I strongly recommend considering the least invasive avenues before resorting to pain medication or surgery. For starters, many people fail to realize that many times back pain actually originates from tension and imbalance at a completely different place than where the pain is felt.

For example, the very act of sitting for long periods of time ends up shortening the Iliacus, Psoas and Quadratus Lumborum muscles that connect from your lumbar region to the top of your femur and pelvis. When these muscles are chronically short, it can cause severe pain when you stand up as they will effectively pull your lower back (lumbar) forward. The reality is that the imbalance among the anterior and posterior chains of muscles leads to many of the physical pains you may experience daily. By bringing these muscles to a better balance, you will consistently remedy many of these pains and discomforts.

Many people end up going through drastic medical procedures to "fix" this type of pain, or end up taking pain killers for extended periods of time. Seeing a qualified chiropractor is certainly a wise choice if you suffer from back pain.

Foundation Training—an innovative method developed by Dr. Eric Goodman Foundation Training exercises work to gradually pull your body out of the movement patterns that are hurting you. The focus is on strengthening your complete core, which includes anything that directly connects to your pelvis, whether above or below it. Foundation Training teaches all those muscles to work together through integrated chains of movement, which is how your body is structurally designed to move. Every muscle that directly connects to your pelvis should be considered a piece of your core and this includes your glutes, adductors (inner thigh muscles), deep lower back muscles, hip flexors, hamstrings and all of your abdominal muscles.

Having strong, balanced core muscles is like having a built-in corset that not only holds your gut in, but also stabilizes your spine, vertebrae, discs, and most importantly your pelvis. Teaching your body to naturally support itself at the deepest level is going to be far more effective than strapping on an external back brace, which over time can lead to even weaker musculature.

Even More Tips to Beat Back Pain

Preventing back pain is surely easier than treating it. In addition to chiropractic adjustments and foundation training, below are several more tips for beating back pain. With this many alternatives available, there are few good reasons to turn to pharmaceutical or surgical band-aids that do nothing to treat the underlying causes of your pain, and might cause additional harm in the process:

1.   Exercise and physical activity will help strengthen the muscles of your spine. Make your exercise time count by including high-intensity sessions. Always do some stretching and warm-ups before engaging in strenuous physical activity, and make sure you focus on strong, balanced posture.

2.   If you spend many hours every day in a chair like I do pay careful attention to consciously sucking in your belly and rotating your pelvis slightly up. At the same time make sure your head is back with your ears over your shoulders and your shoulder blades pinched. This will help keep your spine in proper alignment. You can hold these muscles tight for several minutes and do this every hour you are sitting.

3.   Get regular massage therapy. Massage releases endorphins, which help induce relaxation and relieve pain.

4.   Keep your weight spread evenly on your feet when standing. Don’t slouch when standing or sitting to avoid putting stress on your back muscles.

5.   Always support your back, and avoid bending over awkwardly. Protect your back while lifting – this activity, along with carrying, puts the most stress on your back.

6.   Sleep in a firm bed. Sleeping on your side to reduce curving of your spine and stretching before getting out of bed is also helpful.

7.   Use chairs or car seats that offer good lumbar support. Switch positions often while sitting, walk around a bit and do some light stretching to relieve tension.

8.   Wear comfortable shoes. For the ladies, it would be good to not wear heels most of the time.

9.   Drink plenty of water to enhance the height of your intervertebral disks. And because your body is composed mostly of water, keeping yourself hydrated will keep you fluid and reduce stiffness.

10.Quit smoking as it reduces blood flow to your lower spine and      your spinal disks to degenerate.

Back Pain Continued

Back Pain is a Primary Reason Why we have so Many Prescription Drug Addicts

Unfortunately, many simply end up taking pain killers and retiring to bed instead of increasing their activity once the back pain starts. Back pain is actually one of the primary reasons why so many adults get addicted to pain killers. Addiction is a terrible side effect of these drugs, considering they do not actively change the issue causing the pain in the first place.

Pharmaceutical drug overdoses now rank second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of accidental death in the US. The number of overdose deaths from opioid painkillers alone more than tripled from 1999 to 2006, to 13,800 deaths that year. This despite the fact that the FDA increased the restrictions for consumer drug ads in 2005, especially for COX-2 painkillers like Celebrex and Bextra.

In the past, most overdoses were due to illegal narcotics, such as heroin. But prescription painkillers have now surpassed both heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of fatal overdoses. In addition, more than 700,000 people visit US emergency rooms each year as a result of adverse drug reactions to all drugs, not just the opioids.

Adverse drug reactions from drugs that are properly prescribed and properly administered also kill about 106,000 people per year, making prescription drugs the fourth-leading cause of death in the US.

Pharmaceutical drugs kill more than twice as many Americans as HIV/AIDS or suicide, yet they’re still allowed to be advertised on TV, radio and in magazines. This is particularly ironic when you consider that the death toll from illegal drugs – which is about 10,000 per year – is dwarfed by the death toll (106,000 or more) from properly administered pharmaceuticals!

The first step toward meaningful change is realizing that prescription drugs are JUST as addictive and dangerous as illegal street drugs. In many cases, they are identical. The only difference is their legal status. For example, hydrocodone, a prescription opiate, is synthetic heroin – indistinguishable from any other heroine as far as your brain and body are concerned. So, if you’re hooked on hydrocodone, your body is responding as if you’re a heroin addict...

Perhaps even more ironic, prescription drug addiction is now also being advertised as a “medical condition” for which there is treatment... Back in the day, this was simply called Drug Rehab, but now they’re trying to remove the stigma associated with drug addiction, since the vast majority are hooked on legal meds. Just because the drugs are legal, does not mean the addiction is any less severe or damaging.

CranioSacral Therapy and Women

CranioSacral Therapy and Women

 One of the greatest benefits of CranioSacral therapy is its effectiveness in dealing with the many natural cycles, conditions and related complications that we women go through as we journey through life.

Conditions such as:

·         Puberty.

·         Attempting to get pregnant.

·         Pregnancy.

·         Pregnancy and birth complications.

·         Infant and toddler care and nurturing.

·         Menopause.

·         Conditions attached to later in life.

It is also in the area of Women's Health that conventional medicine and complementary health approaches are often found working side-by-side.

It is interesting to note that I notice the following:

• The majority of people who make health decisions in the households tend to be the women (booking children, husbands for treatments).
• While women are very happy to put enormous time and energy into looking after others (their unborn children when pregnant, baby infants, toddlers, children, Husbands/partners) - they seem to put themselves last in line when it comes to good old preventative and early treatment of many ailments!

I feel it is important for women to learn to take better care of themselves.

Working with CranioSacral Therapy myself over the last number of years has helped me to get more in touch with my own natural health rhythm - and I have found that while many of my female clients may have come for a specific ailment - over time they start to listen more to their own body and learn just what it needs to get back to health and stay there for the long term.  

To learn more information on CranioSacral therapy or to book an appointment with Jeannette. Call us at 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca