CranioSacral Therapy and Infant Feeding

As your infant learns to suck, swallow and breathe - their feeding pattern becomes established. Problems arise when there is a difficulty with any one of these steps. You may notice that your infant is not latching on correctly and is just using the lips to suck. This may cause sore nipples for mum and is not helping with milk flow.

In a Craniosacral treatment I would check that the bones in the mouth are free moving and this then corrects the suck. This is done with a gloved finger in the mouth and works on the bones of the palate as the baby is sucking. Often, it is this final correction done by the Craniosacral therapist that completes the process and allows the baby to feed easier.

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

Trigger point therapy

Trigger point therapy is an area of high-nerve facilitation that is hyperirritable and painful when compressed, which may result in muscle dysfunction and/ or chronic condition.

There are trigger points all over the body. Every muscle has trigger points, whether inactive, active or latent, and most muscles have more than two trigger points. The location of a trigger point varies depending on an individual's  routine, exercise habits, or profession. I work on a lot of clients who sit at a desk and often have their workstation set up in a way that when they work a full shift using the same dominant hand answering phone calls or working on the computer they can develop a trigger point.  It is an indication of physiological dysfunction and is the first warning sign that things are not well in the neuromusculoskeletal system. Similar to the ''check engine'' light in a car, a trigger point is a warning of dysfunction, and if left unchecked could represent very serious consequences. 

The following is a list of reasons a trigger point might activate:

1. Contracture in the muscle

2.Increased muscle tonus

3.Constriction and hypersensitivity in the skin in local or referred area

4.Increased pressure in the joints associated with the muscle

5. Decreased activity in visceral organs associated throughdepressed autonomic nerve activity (especially with spinal subluxations)

6. Constriction in local circulation resulting from hypertonus of and constrction in the muscle

7.Vasoconstriction in referred area from effects in the autonomic nervous system

8.Development of secondary and associated trigger points as a result of compensation from the 

effects of the primary trigger point

9.Muscle overuse

10. Poor posture

11. Poor ergonomics

12.Overstretch

13. Lack of stretching

14. Incorrect technique when exercising

Guy Lacoursiere RMT, practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to make an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca.

Do you have headaches coming from your neck?

People search out chiropractic care for headaches as a viable treatment. There can be many types of headaches including cervicogenic, suboccipital, tension, and lesion headaches to name a few. To determine what type of headache a person may have a thorough history and examination is needed, imaging may also be needed to help determine the origin of the headache.

Cervicogenic headache is referred type of pain perceived in the head from a source in the neck. In the case of cervicogenic headache, the cause is a disorder of the cervical spine and its component bone, disc and/or soft tissue and connective tissue elements.

Numerous pain-sensitive structures exist in the upper neck and back of head.

The term cervicogenic headache is commonly misused and does not simply apply to a headache associated with neck pain; many headache disorders, including migraine and tension-type headache, can have associated neck pain/tension. There must be evidence of a disorder or lesion within the cervical spine or soft tissues of the neck, known to be able to cause headache.

Cervical spondylosis (age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck) may be a cause of cervicogenic headache.

Symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include:

•     Reduced neck range of motion
•   Headache may worsen with movements
• · Often one sided
• ·  May radiate to behind the eye
• ·  May of may not be associated with neck pain

.People suspected of having cervicogenic headache should be carefully examined to exclude other primary (migraine, tension-type) or secondary (vessel dissection, posterior fossa lesions) causes of headaches.

Treatment for cervicogenic headache should target the cause of the pain in the neck and varies depending on what works best for the individual patient. Gentle precise chiropractic adjustments with rehabilitation exercises and stretches will greatly reduce theses types of headaches.

Dr. Joelle Johnson practices at Family First Chiropractic and wellness 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, T4R 2C3 www.family1stchiro.ca. 403-347-3261

Why Pilates is One of the Best Exercise Out There

Have you ever looked at the timetable of classes at the gym and wondered what on earth it all means? It feels like there are about a million different forms of exercise to choose from. Entire gyms are dedicated to Crossfit, countless running groups, team sports you have never even heard of, classes with names you only vaguely recognise. So much to offer choosing can feel pretty overwhelming, and difficult to figure out which one is right for you. In addition, choosing an exercise regime that can make a difference to your health, and will actually be enjoyable. Pilates is the class that everybody has heard of, but few understand what it actually is and what the benefits are.

Let us enlighten you; Pilates is a gentle, low-impact, full-body workout which focuses on control, breathing, and concentration to work the muscles. Regular gym routine can develop habits with poorly-formed reps with too-heavy weights only adds stress and damage to your body, whereas Pilates reduces physical and mental stress without compromising on results. It is also one of the most accessible classes out there; you will easily find sessions at a range of levels, from beginner right up to advanced, so don’t let nervousness about your novice status put you off! There are so many additional health benefits to Pilates that you will kick yourself for chickening out—who doesn’t want to improve their balance, tone their muscles, feel relaxed, and lose weight all at once?!

Pilates is especially great for those who work desk-based jobs or who spend a long time each day in a sedentary position—if you are one of these people you are very likely to have poor posture, which Pilates is designed to correct. It achieves this through moves which elongate the body and enhance lower back, shoulder, and abdominal muscles, whilst teaching good alignment through gentle stretches. Focusing on strengthening your core and the muscles around your spine in this way leaves the body capable of naturally maintaining a healthy, upright posture, which in turn reduces neck and back pain. Supporting your spine with good posture is key to allowing your body to function at its optimum level.

It is also one of the kindest workouts for your joints and posture, reduces stress, and releases endorphins (happy hormones!), all whilst giving your body a robust and effective workout. The additional benefits of healthy posture and improved general wellbeing makes Pilates dream of an exercise, so next time you’re looking over the abyss list of classes trying to decide what to book yourself in for, give Pilates a chance.

For more information on choosing an exercise routine, speak to your chiropractor.

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to make an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca.

CranioSacral Therapy and the Birth Process

The birth process is traumatic any way we look at it. If there has been intervention during the birth (induction, caesarean section, vacuum or forceps) or a long and heavy labour – this, in some cases, may have an ill effect on the infant’s head and back. The bones of the skull and spine, the nerves and membranes are moved out of their correct position and so cause the infant discomfort.

While these interventions were necessary for the infant’s safe delivery the excess force can override the baby’s natural ability to allow these bones to slip back into their correct position. If this is a problem for your infant you may notice that your infant tends to turn only in one direction, doesn’t like to lie flat, wants to be held in an upright position or that there are obvious bumps, cone shape or depressions on the head. Some moms notice bruising or marks at side of the head.

When these restrictions are released with the subtle touch of CranioSacral therapy - the baby is happier, sleeps and feeds better and so doesn’t need to cry.

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

How the feet mirror the body

Have you tried Reflexology as the seasons change? As we fast approach the winter months come in for a treatment and get reflexology done at our clinic.

                From all the hiking and wearing cute flat shoes or sandles it would be a wise idea to have your feet pampered by releasing tension, clearing blockages and help the body to heal many malfunctions. Not only will your feet feel light as you step on out of the clinic, your overall well being will feel lifted and restored.

                Reflexology teaches that every organ and gland depends for its survival on the ability to contract and relax. When an obstacle is placed in an energy channel, for example when acid crystals, waste products or unused calcium deposits form on the delicate nerve endings of the feet, the energy flow is impeded and the organ it serves is then adversely affected. Obstructions  in the energy lines and fields cause pain to be registered and, in certain condtions, create limitations in motion and functions, for example stiff neck or sore back. Energy blockage also interferes with blood circulation and this is usually first noticed in the extremities. Hands may become stiff, cold and often painful. Waste products accumulate at the lowest point of gravity, and the reflexologist can feel them clearly when working on the feet.

42 Erickson Drive, Red Deer www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261.

Are you or your children addicted to technology?

Many people and parents are concerned about the addiction to technology in our society. The adverse effects of technology has become more in the forefront in the past several years. Internet gaming disorder is now becoming a real diagnosis.

Gaming, online, social media, TV, and other online addictions can cause changes in our brain. These changes affect sleep, emotional disturbances, withdrawal symptoms, crashes, depression, anxiety, obsession, compulsion, and much more.  This tech addiction gives us the false high and affects healthy relationships.  What are you and your children's daily usage, other than work and school activities? Be honest with yourself and your children’s usage!

Light usage: 1-2 hours per day

Moderate use: 2-4 hours per day

Heavy use:  4-6 hours per day

Severe: greater than 6 hours per day

There are several apps that you can put on your device(s) that track your usage, and many people are shocked at the amount that you are on your devices!

Take control Tips:

•    Experience nature- get out and go for a walk

•    Get moving-get out and do some exercise

•    Free and creative play and activities- stimulate your right brain with imagination

•    Good sleep hygiene – turn off the tech and devices in the bedrooms

•    Practice mindfulness- breathing, yoga, meditation

•    Dim the bright lights, and decrease the blue light

•    Have an electronic fast, screen freeze times ‘Screen Free Zones’ such as at dinner

•    Practice good posture

•    Get adjusted!

Dr. Joelle Johnson is located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261.

Saline Nasal Wash

With cold and flu season upon us already this is something that is really helpful and quite easy to do.

The practice of saline nasal wash or lavage (called Neti in the yoga tradition) is a time honored folk remedy for a variety of respiratory complaints, as well is a simple and effective tool for maintaining nasal health. The technique is simple, and if practiced correctly, provides gentle and immediate relief of nasal congestion.

The keys to comfortable nasal lavage are concentration and temperature. The solution should have the same salt concentration as your tears (0.9%) and be warmed to normal body temperature or a bit warmer. If the salt concentration is too low or too high, the experience can be very unpleasant (like getting water up your nose when you are swimming). Water that is too cool will cause the nasal membranes to swell, defeating the purpose of the wash. Water that is too hot will burn the sensitive nasal mucosa.

The solution should be prepared with water and a pure, non-iodized salt. Canning and pickling salt is pure (99.95% NaCl), cheap, and readily available (you can buy it at any supermarket that carries canning supplies). Kosher salt is an acceptable alternative, as well as sea salt.

The amount of salt you need to add will depend upon both the volume of water you use and the texture of the salt you select (the coarser the grind, the more you need). 

¼ - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup filtered water

Pour about 1/2 cup of this solution into a Neti pot or squeeze bottle. (A Neti pot is a small ceramic vessel, shaped like an Aladdin's lamp that is specifically designed for nasal lavage. Neti pots are available in some health food stores and yoga supply shops.  Bending over a sink, hold the spout to one nostril, tilt your head and pour the solution through so it flows out the other nostril. After rinsing, gently blow the loosened mucus out and repeat as needed. If you prefer, the same solution can be used in a spray bottle.

It may be very difficult to get past the initial revulsion and fear of choking, but once tried it can be both comfortable and soothing.

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

What are those red circles on my back from cupping?

The markings left behind from cupping is a result of a treatment that consisted of using silicone cups that suction and lift the muscles, and the layers of facia. The more darker the markings the more congestion is present. The lifting of toxins is drawn out and will fade anywhere from 3 days to a week. Where there is more congestion it can last up to 3 weeks.

Cupping stimulates blood flow in the areas being treated and helps the muscles gain oxygen in order to reduce pain and increases performance. Clients and patients  seek cupping treatment for many purposes including to help with pain inflammation, blood flow, relaxation.

Did you know there are also tiny facial cupping tools for the face for the help of circulation to get that glow to start your day and to smooth away tired aged skin.  Also, for any issues with tempomandibular joint, cupping may also be used to relax the muscles, and will not leave the markings as they are much smaller than ones used on the back and other areas of the body.

Massage available at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic in Red Deer, www.family1stchiro.ca Call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment today.

Loving Your Own Body Image

Society emphasizes the journey to pursue unattainable body image standards, beauty, and
perfection. Numerous individuals struggle with coming to terms with accepting and
loving their own bodies. After all, it can seem like an unconquerable challenge to find
self-peace in your own skin.

Mainstream media’s constant messages that describe a consumer lacking in the type of
beauty that their products can perhaps achieve. However, instead of listening to the false
ideals, read these tips to find your path to self-love.

Talk back to Media
Don’t be silent after hearing or viewing an advertisement or program that lowers your
sense of security. The media is not a reflection of reality, so remember to remind yourself
that these qualities that are making you uncomfortable only require your permission to do
so.

De-emphasize Numbers
Remember that eating habits and exercise habits are far more important than calories or
BMI. Try not to spend too much time on the scale, and remember to value your
motivation in leading a healthy lifestyle instead of stressing over numbers. Your weight
can fluctuate daily, so don’t let a number dictate the happiness of your day. You’re
allowed to feel good about yourself, no matter what a machine tells you.

Stop Comparing
Your physiology is unique, and everybody has different abilities and needs. Focus on the
things that your body can do well, and the aspects of your body that you admire and
appreciate, and don’t use someone else’s body as a reference point.

Move and Enjoy Your Body
Enjoying and moving your body makes you feel relaxed, strong, and energized. Take part
in activities that you enjoy or would like to try out, instead of feeling forced to go to the
gym.

Finally, spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with their bodies,
exercise, and food. Their attitudes could be contagious and have a positive influence on
your own relationships to these issues.

Dr. Elton Clemence

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive
in Red Deer. Call us today to make an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at
www.family1stchiro.ca.

Why is my child not sleeping? Help!

Parents often bring the child in to see a pediatric chiropractor to assist with sleeping difficulties.

‘The sleep button’ as most parents like to call it has failed, and the child is often up several times a night and will not nap during the day. This sleep regression is confusing to parents as well as exhausting. Pediatric chiropractors will look at several areas of the body to help sleuth out some of the sleep issues.

1. Sympathetic Dominance

Sleep is part of what we call the parasympathetic nervous system which helps us slow down, relax, digest food, reproduce and rest. The key to this parasympathetic part of the nervous system is the Vagus nerve, this nerve exits just below the base of the skull and upper neck area. Children, especially in the toddler and preschool years are learning to jump, run, fall and injure themselves on a daily basis. The falls they endure may cause what chiropractors call subluxations in the upper neck, or vertebral misalignments, which irritate or impinge the nervous system. Impingements on this Vagus nerve may lead to a decrease in the parasympathetic causing a surge of the sympathetic, the sympathetic are the go-go-go part of the nervous system, and hence the child does not sleep.

Balancing out the parasympathetic and sympathetic can significantly enhance your child’s sleep pattern.

2. Diet imbalance. Looking at your child’s diet, are they overeating processed high sugar foods, which will affect their sleep patterns. Food intolerances and allergies will also cause sleeping issues.

3. Parasites. Children eat everything in their world as they learn, develop and explore the world, in this exploration they may pick up a few bugs causing sleep disturbances, bowel changes, teeth grinding and nightmares and night terrors.

4. Trauma of different causes can cause sleep changes. Trauma can be a fall, emotional trauma, a virus or illness that can cause stress to a young developing nervous system. There can be a resurgence of certain reflexes that cause sympathetic dominance. These retained reflexes can be extinguished with specific chiropractic adjustments and exercises to help balance out your child’s brain. A complete exam can show any of these retained reflexes, and we can work with you and your child to help develop a proper sleeping pattern.

Dr. Joelle Johnson practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness in Red Deer, www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261 to book an appointment for your child today.

Counteracting the Effects of Prolonged Sitting

Most individuals are dealing with some kind of postural stress and more often than not, it tends to manifest in the shoulders and neck. Advanced forms of postural stress show up as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteals caused by prolonged periods of sitting. Luckily, massage can counteract the imbalance caused from sitting, which means you can keep your desk job-as long as you schedule a regular massage.

Movement and exercise promote increased blood flow and prolonged sitting does the exact opposite, leading to high blood pressure. Massage by a professional massage therapist has the ability to reduce diastolic blood pressure. Massage also treats the underlying causes of high blood pressure by loosening tense muscles, improving blood flow, and decreasing stress and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety caused by extended sitting will spill over into your personal life and cause more damage there. Massage is regarded as effective for the reduction of depression and anxiety. For those suffering from stress, depression, and anxiety disorders, the calming effect of massage therapy as well as the resulting increased blood flow have the ability to greatly improve their mental state and subsequently their quality of life.

Massage is so much more than paying for someone to rub your back. Trained massage therapists have the ability to improve your quality of life by improving or eliminating the underlying causes for your symptoms. It is an undisputed fact that prolonged periods in a sedentary state (i.e. sitting at a desk for hours a day) cause numerous physical and mental ailments. Massage is a safe way to relieve many of these ailments simultaneously. 

Guy Lacoursiere, RMT practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 142 Erickson Drive. Call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment or visit us online at www.family1stchiro.ca

CranioSacral Therapy for Whiplash

Whiplash is classically defined as a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that causes unrestrained, rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. Symptoms can include a painful neck, headache, dizziness, pins and needles in the arms and hands, fatigue. These symptoms can appear immediately after the accident or even some days later. It often happens during motor vehicle accidents. Ever been rear-ended by someone or had an impact to the side or front? If your answer is ‘yes’ then you might know what I mean, or you might have been one of the lucky ones and escaped without any symptoms.

Whiplash can also occur following other types of mishaps – bungee jumping – would be an extreme example, but even falling, tripping awkwardly, being assaulted, diving, sports etc. Some people can also experience concussion along with the whiplash even though they may not have actually had an impact to the head – obviously if the neck moves the head will move too – and sometimes the energy from the sudden forward and back whip of the neck can give a jolt to the brain.

While there are also obviously many whiplashes that either get better by themselves or with the help of a skilled practitioner, I still regularly see people who come to my office because they are suffering from the effects of a whiplash that occurred months and sometimes years earlier. Sometimes things have even improved, but then progress has stalled and they are still left with pain and discomfort in many different parts of the body, not just the neck.

When someone has a whiplash injury, or indeed any kind of accident or injury, the whole body is involved in the response and in the healing process.   So if I can take into account all the different ways that the body received that injury then the healing can be much more complete.

For example, when the head is thrown suddenly forward and then back again a strain can be created through the neck and along whole spine all the way down to the pelvis and low back and unless the sacrum (tailbone) and pelvis are treated and the tension released, usually the neck will have difficulty recovering. Maybe one foot was pressed hard on the brake and a force went up the leg; maybe the person was looking in a particular direction; perhaps the air bag deployed; or the head hit the steering wheel, all of these details are useful when it comes to putting my hands on and listening to the body to determine where and how these strains and stresses need to be released.

That’s one of the great things about CranioSacral Therapy. By quietly listening to the body the therapist’s hands can help release these strains and tensions which then allows the body’s own self-correcting forces to get to work to do the healing.

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

Recipe for Self Care

Self care includes getting your rest staying hydrated, nourishing your body with healthy foods and staying active, and as always slowing down the mind with simple breathing techniques.

                When anxiety or frusturation creeps up take a few moments to find a place where you can gather your thoughts and when you can quiet the mind and quiet the body and sit comfortably in a chair or on the ground.

                Allowing the ground or your seat to support us, we begin to experience the natural rise and fall of the breath, we notice that after an exhale, our lungs spontaneously and organically fill again with air, the breath is simply waiting for more room so that it can fill us.

                Learning to embrace natural breathing will allow us to confidently pause and listen to our life with the support of our breath.

                Trying meditation or going for massage will help regulate the body along with chiro and yoga. Simply take those moments for yourself and feel balanced!

Massage available at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Backpack for Your Kids

Backpacks have an important role in impacting in the growing and developing bodies of children. Due to the amount of time our kids have them on. Saying this, heavy or poorly fitted backpack can affect a child’s musculoskeletal health—both today and in the future. It’s time to review a few guiding principles to prepare your child for school, keeping their health in mind.

It’s too common to see children trotting along to school, back hunched forward to balance a heavy or over-sized bag. Unfortunately, carrying such heavy loads long-term can cause problems to a child’s musculoskeletal system, and result in back pain—among other things. For example, children may condition their bodies to lean forward, arch their backs, and lean to one side. Prolonged repetitive strain on their spine or Creep can settle in the spine. Muscle then become fatigued and strained. This type of physical stress can also alter a child’s posture and gait.

So how can these health consequences be prevented? It’s simple—help your child choose the correct backpack which will fit their body and is adjustable as they grow.

Follow these helpful tips:

1.      The backpack should be between 10 to 15 percent of the body weight of the child.

2.      Distribute the weight of the bag evenly across the back. The more spread out the load. The less strain there is on their developing body.

3.      Make sure the child wears both shoulder straps. Wearing a backpack over just one shoulder can cause leaning to one side, which over a prolonged time could curve the spine over time.

4.      Adjust shoulder straps so the backpack fits closely to the upper part of the body. The further a backpack is away from the body, the more difficult it is to achieve proper balance and the body has to over compensate.

5.      The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline.

6.      A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning its contents most effectively.

7.      Bigger is definitely not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry and the heavier the backpack will likely be.

8.      Finally, the shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body.

For more information on choosing the correct backpack, speak to your chiropractor.

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to make an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca. 

Problems with Sleeping

Infants need lots of sleep. When a baby rubs his eyes that is a sure sign that they are sleepy. Always finish feeding, burping and diaper change before settling baby to sleep. Swaddling your infant provides security and helps him/her fall to sleep but check that they are not too hot. Some infants like to stay close to mom for the first few weeks but it pays to establish a good routine of putting baby into the crib to sleep when you both feel ready.

Some infants may still have difficulty getting to sleep despite mom and dad doing all of the above. Many of these children would have had a difficult birth and go on to develop problems with both feeding and sleeping before I first see them.

When I treat these children I check for any areas of tightness in their body. As these release the baby sighs and relaxes. If the birth has been distressing, we take time to check the effect this has had on the infant, mom (and dad too) if needed. This helps with the bonding process which in turn helps baby to feel more secure and mom to feel more competent. It is common for baby to sleep for a long time after a CranioSacral treatment.  Many parents report that they have had their first night sleep following this CranioSacral treatment.

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

Fascia Release

Fascia Release doesn’t have to be painful, it is a nice technique that goes quite deep. There is a Piezo-electric effect. MFR (myofascial release) applied properly will maximize the piezo-electric effect breaking down unwanted micro-adhesions, as well as free up and decompress joints.

What exactly is Deep Fascia? There are layers of fascia that wraps around and makes up muscle in its continuous head to toe, front to back, side to side. The superficial fascia is a layer of adipose tissue found beneath the skin and the deep fascia. This layer has its own integrity and also contributes to the structure of a body. The Deep Fascia is the network or web that surrounds the muscle or wrap. Lastly Connective tissue is the extracellular matrix that envelopes and connects our being from head to toe. It is the blood, none, perineural, perivascular wrappings, cells and microtubules that make up our bodies without it we would be a heap of partial bones on the floor. With the applied pressure by a therapist it changes the state of texture by lengthening and will positively affect better movement in the joints without the use of oil and direct contact to the client with slow techniques. Myofascial release is more likely to calm SNS (Sympathetic Nervous System) than to stimulate the PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System).

Massage available at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Stress - How Chiropractic can help

Stress can cause problems for you physically and emotionally. The effects of stress can cause headaches, muscle aches and pain and stiffness in your body.

There are typically three different causes of stress. The first cause is Environmental – This is what’s around you and things that you usually have no control over. You may live in an area that has high levels of pollution or high crime rates. Secondly, Physical factors may affect you such as injuries that you have incurred as a result of an accident, or it may be caused by what you are eating or from a lack of sleep. Sometimes, one of these may cause the other to happen such as an injury causing a lack of sleep due to being uncomfortable. Thirdly, Emotional factors such as worrying about our personal life, finances or fears of the unknown may cause stress leading to the undesirable effects of stress.

Due to the stress incurred by either from environmental, physical or emotional factors, our body may suffer from headaches, neck pain, and muscle aches and stiffness to name a few. High blood pressure, increased risk of heart issues and damage to your body’s tissues may also result from your body being overstressed.

In addition to doing things for yourselves to relieve stress such as exercise, stretching, yoga and deep breathing exercises, chiropractic can also help you to alleviate muscle tension and headaches. Getting adjusted positively affects your nervous system which helps ease muscle tension which then reduces the stressors in your body so you can relax and get more rest allowing the body to get relief from the stress around you.

Dr. Joelle Johnson is located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  www.family1stchiro .ca To book an appointment, please call 403-347-3261 

CranioSacral Therapy for Moms and Babies

I see many women come to me for CranioSacral Therapy while they are pregnant. Some women come to me to relieve pain or discomfort they experience; while others come just to support their bonding with baby and for wellness. All are good reasons for treatment. CranioSacral therapy can help relieve or decrease your pain as your body is transitioning and preparing for the baby. It can also help you decrease stress and increase bonding with your baby.

What do you do after baby is born though? I always encourage moms to bring in their babies after they are born as soon as they are able. The birth process can often be quite traumatic and even when it is not baby does have to transition to being out of the womb. Baby’s body needs to learn how to digest, deal with outside stimulation, and a host of other things we no longer think about. CranioSacral Therapy can help that transition.  Moms often can use therapy as well to help them recover from giving birth.

How does that look? Well I would recommend a half an hour for your baby and that will give me enough time to check their whole CranioSacral system and help correct problems they may have. I do encourage mom to book in as well, even if it is just for half an hour to help her transition after birth. I have had moms get treated with baby in a car seat beside the table and I have treated moms while they are holding their baby.  We work with whatever the situation requires.  It is beautiful to see and mother and baby leave the treatment room calmer and more content than they came in.

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

Massage Benefits

                Regular massages are an effective stress management technique. Stress is often caused by being over-committed and overwhelmed with daily tasks at home, work and family obligations where we often forget about our well-being. A weekly or bi-weekly massage forces you to take time out for yourself for a pleasurable, relaxing activity. Even if it is once a month, make sure to prebook and have it on a day where you can calm your mind and shut everything out for the time of your treatment. Your body will thank you.

                We are constantly over worked and may not realize it. During your massage treatment you will find in your body where you are holding stress. You become more in-tuned with your body as the therapist works in the tissue as he or she will lessen and break up the scar tissue or decrease inflammation in your body. The Parasympathetic nervous system will kick in and it will be at its best state to allow the healing to occur in your body. When we are stressed or always on the go, our adrenals are overworking and we are constantly in that state of taking flight..When getting regular massages it will allow the body to come back to balance and restore or reset the body, which will allow better digestion, gain clarity, reduce inflammation, lessen headaches , improve range of motion and reduce anxiety, depression and improves circulation.

               Try your massage today if you haven't booked in, you wont know what you will be missing until you try yours today.

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

Importance of Your Cervical Curve

How many times have you been told to sit up straight? It turns out your parents were right. Sitting up straight is good advice indeed. Hunching your shoulders and keeping your head down while working, studying, or texting isn’t just bad for posture, it can actually reduce the healthy curve in your cervical spine. Here is some information you need to get in the loop about why the body has, and needs this important curve.

What is the Cervical Curve?

The cervical curve is the length of your neck, and contains the first seven vertebrae of your spine. It begins directly below your skull at the atlas vertebrae and ends above the thoracic spine. A healthy cervical curve resembles a wide, backward “C” shape and studies show the ideal cervical curve is approximately 42 degrees when standing upright.

Cervical Curvature Starts with Tummy Time

Infants are born with spines curved like the letter “C” and this makes sense when you think about how babies are positioned in utero. At a few months old, the cervical curve starts to form due to that important “tummy time”—the period when infants begin holding their heads up while lying on their stomachs and crawling. This leads to the development of the lumbar curve. Lumbar curve further develops as infants start to walk. These two critical curves slightly resemble an “S” shape in healthy adult spines.

How Do Cervical Curves Reduce?

Cervical spine can lose its curvature due to both major and minor traumas to the body. Physical stresses like car accidents, slips, falls and sports injuries can reduce spinal curvatures. Micro traumas, such as sitting with poor posture for prolonged period of time. Poor sleeping habits. Such as sleeping on your stomach or using unsupportive pillows or too many pillows put our spines in a compromised position.”

What You Can Do 

Get checked by a doctor of chiropractic for cervical curve loss and its severity, or osteoarthritis. Your chiropractor will create a customized plan for correcting, reversing or preventing the continued degeneration. Like a crooked tooth Cervical curve reduction is due to structural changes. Where muscles, ligaments has shortened or lengthened, and adhesions formed. In addition, every inch of forward head posture, the weight of the head on the spine increases by an additional 10 pounds. Research also indicates that continuous forward head posture leads to long-term muscle strain, disc herniation, arthritis and pinched nerves.

Dr. Elton Clemence is a Chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located in Red Deer, AB 142 Erickson Drive, www.family1stchiro.ca