Who is CranioSacral Therapy for?

People may come for CranioSacral Therapy because they have acute physical problems like headaches or bad backs, or long-standing problems both physical and emotional. Others come for ongoing support in their busy lives and for help to meet life’s challenges.

CranioSacral Therapy is suitable for everyone from newborns to the elderly because it is so gentle and non-invasive.  Mothers and babies often come for problems associated with difficult or traumatic births. Letting go of tension and fear held in the body enables both to settle into calmness.

CranioSacral Therapy supports your body’s innate ability to balance, restore and heal itself, as well as helping to reduce stress and build your underlying energy. The practitioner locates tensions in the body and helps them to release in a supported and comfortable way. During or after a session you may feel calm and energized, with increased clarity of mind and a feeling of well being.

Jeannette Raskin practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca. 

How to have an easy Birth with experienced Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Many women are seeking ways into reduce discomforts and pain in pregnancy, and many utilize chiropractic care for this. Babies will go into a head down position 28-32 weeks changing the discomforts of mother and possible pain patterns she has been experiencing. Many women experience more pelvic pressure at this time from the baby’s head on the perineum.

When baby is in a non-optimal position it can cause a different pain complaints for mom. For example a backwards/posterior baby OP will cause more sacral and low back pain, shortness of breath and pubic pain such as SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction) and groin pain or numbness. A sideways or OT presentation will cause more hip, groin, sciatic, bursitis and one sided pubic bone pain for mother. 

Many women are diagnosed in their last trimester with sciatica, SPD and PGP (pelvic girdle pain) at this time. The examination and diagnosis  give chiropractors clues to how the baby is positioned and mothers pelvic subluxation and mal-alignment patterns. As chiropractors we can then can adjust the spine, sacrum, pelvis , low back, pubic bone, and hips to assist baby in getting into OPF Optimal Fetal Position.

Certifications and experience in the Webster technique will enable the experienced chiropractor to give specific adjustments to mother affecting her pelvis and opening up room for baby to get into a better birth position. The adjustments to the sacrum and spine will also increase proper nervous system function to the uterine and perineum muscles.

A ROA, or LOA position is the OFP for birth so having ‘baby head down’ is only part of the birth process, the spine needs to be anterior (forward) and chin tucked in for an easy birth form mother and baby. When baby is not in this position prior to labour then mother and baby will have a longer, slower, and more painful or difficutl birth. When mothers are aware of the position of baby she can then do specific exercises and home care to assist movement of the baby prior to the onset of labour. Your prenatal chiropractor can assist in guiding these exercises and strengthening .

To book an appointment or to get more information please call Dr. Joelle Johnson who has been a member of the ICPA since 1999 and certified and very experienced  in the Webster technique and the Gardner-Bagnell since 2000 and 2008 . 403-347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca located at 142 Erickson Drive in Red Deer. 

Gardening Tips for a Healthy Spine

        Summer time in Alberta is a great time to get out and plant flowers, vegetables and fruits in your yard and garden. It is a great experience to get out of the house and enjoy new life, the sunshine and God’s creation. It improves your mood as well as giving you exercise while enjoying the birds chirping and kids playing outside with each other.Before bending down and kneeling to remove debris and till the soil, here are a few tips to help keep your day enjoyable:

Warm up your body- Go for a short walk, do some lunges, arm circles and squats to warm up you muscles

Stretch – Some simple stretching of your legs, back, arms, shoulders and wrists will help to avoid injury or severe muscle stiffness later. Some muscle soreness is normal as you probably have not used all the same muscle groups for other activities during the winter. This will generally subside in a couple of days as your body gets used to this new activity.

Take your time – Going too fast too soon increases the risk of injury so enjoy your time outdoors and pace yourself. Take a few days if you have a large garden or yard. Alternate your tasks between kneeling, standing, digging and planting.

Use the Right Equipment – Use a wheelbarrow to transport smaller loads of dirt or planters. Use a kneeling pad to protect your knees. Use ergonomic tools while working the soil.

Include your children and family and HAVE FUN- Work doesn’t have to be a chore, you can incorporate fun as you weed, pick flowers and water the garden- an old fashioned water fight will be remembered by your kids for a long time!

Visit your Chiropractor and Massage Therapist – Regular chiropractic adjustments and muscle therapy will help to keep your spine aligned and reduce back and joint pain while maintaining flexibility.

Enjoy the fruits of your gardening! There is nothing like healthy fresh fruits and vegetables straight from your own garden.

Happy Gardening!!

Call Dr. Joelle Johnson at Family First Chiropractic & Wellness at 403-347-3261 to book your appointment www.family1stchiro.ca, look for us on FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram for more great information on your health.