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.