Gut Health and Probiotics

Gut Health and Probiotics

2,500 years ago, ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said that ‘all disease begins in the gut’. Whilst we’ve since proven that isn’t strictly true, he was certainly onto something. Most people generally have a basic-to-good understanding of the relationship between good/bad nutrition, gut health, and overall health. What may surprise you, though, is how interlinked the gut and your mental health are.

 Your gut influences around 70% of our immune system function, and 95% of our body’s serotonin is produced there too (this is the ‘happy’ hormone). If you’re eating a poor diet which is low in essential micro- and macro-nutrients such as probiotics, prebiotics and fibre, your gut biome will be disrupted, and so will all of the systems it supports. You’re likely to be more prone to sickness due to lowered immune system, and more mood and stress due to suppressed serotonin production. You’re also more likely to overreact to more nutrient-scarce food.

You are a walking, talking, microbial ecosystem. Bet you’ve never heard that one before, but it’s true! Our bodies are host to trillions of microbes, fungi and viruses living all over you both inside and out, in every nook and cranny – they actually outnumber your human cells 3 to 1. One of the most crucial colonies of microbes in our bodies lives within our gut; this is called the ‘microbiome’ or ‘microbiota’, and it helps to control your blood sugar, cholesterol, metabolism, absorption of nutrients, influences your bone strength, and supports your immune system. This microbiome is delicately balanced for gut health, but it is also super sensitive to change, disruption and imbalance.
The gut has been called ‘the second brain’, due to how closely it is linked to a wider physiology and the influence it has over it. This is in large part due to the positioning of the Vagus nerve, which run the entire length of your spine from brain to gut (this is one of the central nerves that chiropractic works to release tension on and improve communication across, too!). The neurons in our digestive systems exist in close proximity to these nerves, meaning that they are prone to influence our emotional state and vice versa. The most common example of this is the effect that stress has on the body. The ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, and all of the physiological reactions involved within that response, directly affects your microbiome and how well your gut works, which can trigger bowel issues. Such as people who suffer from IBS find that stress and/or anxiety.

So, whilst all disease may not begin in the gut, the gut certainly is very central to many of your bodily processes. Usually when something is going on in your body, your gut will be one of the first places to let you know about it. This also works in reverse; disrupting the natural balance of microbiota can have knock-on health and well being effects throughout the body. This is even true of the microbiota on your skin and elsewhere in and on your body. Important microbes can be affected by overusing antibiotics, hand sanitizers, bad diets and general ‘Western’ lifestyles.
The takeaway from this? It’s of equal importance to take excellent care of both your gut and your mental health, as they coexist in symbiosis. You cannot affect one without the other experiencing disruption.

Here are some food groups you should pay attention to in order to keep your gut in healthy balance.

Probiotics:
Where to get it: We have our own dairy and soy free product of Pure Probiotics 123 in powder, or Encapsulated. You will get probiotics from Yogurt, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha.
Probiotics support your immune system and contribute to the health of your guts microbiome.

Prebiotics:
Where to get it: Onion, garlic, leeks, chicory, Jerusalem artichokes (prebiotic king), bananas, asparagus, olives, plums, apples, bran, and almonds.
Prebiotics stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It’s important to maintain a good balance of pro- and prebiotics, as they function in tandem with one another. Eating too much of one and neglecting the other can upset your gut (we told you it was sensitive!)

Fibre: Where to get it: fruit and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, beans and oats.
Health experts are constantly banging on about fibre, but for good reason. Fibre slows down the breakdown of sugars found in carbohydrates, which helps to stabilise your energy levels. It also helps the absorption of water in the gut so that it keeps the bowel moving at a healthy pace (which, by the way, should be at least once a day). You should be getting at least 30g of fibre a day from a variety of sources, as there are different types of fibre which hold different properties within your gut.

Cruciferous vegetables

Where to get it: Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, cabbage, turnips, collards, kale, bok choy.
Cruciferous vegetables (brassicas) contain sulforaphane, which is a plant chemical currently being investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties.


For more information on gut health, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Family First Chiropractic and Wellness.

Dr. Elton Clemence is a Chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located In Red Deer, AB 142 Erickson Dr ,www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261 to book an appointment.

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.

Sleep-Do you get enough?

Sleep-Do you get enough?

Various researchers have found that a habit that most of us take for granted -sleep — may

affect our memory in many ways. Not only does sleep help your memory, but lack of sleep may also hurt your health. A 2010 study from Biological Psychiatry found that chronic insomnia may lead to loss of brain volume. Insomniacs had a smaller volumes of gray matter in three brain areas — and the more serious the insomnia, the greater the loss of volume.
In 2012, a preliminary study from the Washington University School of Medicine found that in mice, poor sleep may be related to brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's. 

The third of our life that we spend sleeping has always been something of a mystery. Now a new wave of studies are finding indications that while we may appear to be in a stupor, our brains are actually hard at work. Most scientists agree that getting a decent night’s rest is a good idea. Chiropractic treatment can help you get that all important sleep. Chiropractic treatments can help with spinal tension/ headaches which can keep us up at night. By helping with all those aches/ pains that cause tossing and turning. Chiropractic adjustments can help you feel better and get more quality  and quantity of sleep.

-Dr. Stephen Kelly

Come and see Dr. Kelly Monday through Saturday at 142 Erickson Drive Red Deer (403)347-3261 or visit our website www.family1stchiro.ca

How does CranioSacral Therapy Complement other Medical Interventions

How Does CranioSacral Therapy Complement other Medical Interventions?

Because most Medical and Healthcare practitioners see CranioSacral Therapy as a gentle and non-invasive Complementary Therapy - it is considered as suitable for the co-treatment of a number of conditions.

Many medical professionals criteria for recommending therapies is that if it is doing no harm, makes you feel good and does not cost too much then go ahead.

To answer the question more directly, I often receive new clients in the following situations:

They have been through formal medical channels.

Often in the case of back pain, stress related illness etc. clients feel they have exhausted all that formal medicine has to offer. This is ideal from my point of view as a full medical history has been built up and the individual's condition has been pre-checked by a medical practitioner.

 The client wishes to complement formal medical treatment with another therapy.

Many of my pregnant clients and moms with infants and children are receiving formal medical care for their conditions and related complications. They typically continue with this care as they attend CranioSacral Therapy to further relieve symptoms or to reach the parts that they feel formal medical interventions cannot reach.

In summary, in my experience the answer is yes - CranioSacral Therapy can be used alongside formal medical interventions.

As always, first check with your Healthcare practitioner.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Jeannette, call Family First Chiropractic 403-347-3261. 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer.

www.family1stchiro.ca

Why Fix it if it's Not Broken?

Many health problems  fester without serious symptoms, making correction more difficult later.
This is the “Let sleeping dogs lie” approach to health care. I feel fine, Why do I need to see a doctor?
That’s the problem with the lifestyle-induced health problems facing our culture. They quietly fester in the background, slowly worsening, often without any obvious symptom. Arterial plaque builds up. Blood pressure rises. Certain foods now cause heartburn. Every morning you get out of bed a little bit slower and stiffer. You hardly notice the incremental change.
Ironically, these are often the same folks who religiously change their oil and do other preventive maintenance to lengthen the life, appearance and performance of their car!
If you like being your very best, you’ll love visiting our practice. No shots. No yucky medicine. No “healthier-than-thou” attitude. No preaching.

Our three doctors are located at Family First Chiropractic. 142 Erickson Dr. Red Deer, AB. To schedule an appointment call 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca

Your Personal Army

Your Personal Army

Strengthen your army by making sure you have a powerful king to lead the way.

Every castle, no matter how strong in structure, needs an army of soldiers to help protect and defend it from an invasion.

In this epic battle, the soldiers’ duty is to warn the castle of impending attack and to commence in fighting off the enemy forces. Without these mighty soldiers, the castle and its hosts can fall prey to the invaders.

Protecting Your Castle

This same experience is also true to the health of your body and your immune system.

If your body (the castle) doesn't have a healthy immune system (army of soldiers), your body becomes the host for various germs and microbes that can become an infection or disease.

The immune system is responsible for keeping these germs at bay. When an unwelcome virus or bacteria enter your body, your immune system goes to work, sending out healthy cells to fight back. One example of these healthy cells is the phagocyte.

Phagocyte is from the Greek word phagein, which means, “to eat” or “devour.” Phagocytes protect the body by attacking the germs and bacteria and eating them up. If all goes according to plan, your body comes out victorious and healthy! This happens millions of times each day without a conscious thought from you–if your nervous system is performing as it should.

Your Nervous System Is King

Who sends out the soldiers to attack?

That would be the king and those who work closely with him. Without a healthy nervous system orchestrating every cell, tissue, gland and system of your body, you’ll be more susceptible to invading armies of germs.

Strengthen your army by making sure you have a powerful king to lead the way. Likewise, strengthen your immune system by receiving regular chiropractic care for optimal nervous system health!

Family First Chiropractic is accepting new patients. Call us at 403-347-3261. 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer, AB. www.family1stchiro.ca

How to Check your Child's Posture from Toddler to Teenager

How to check your Child’s posture from toddler to teenager.

Checking your child’s posture is one of the simplest, yet most important things you as a parent can do to ensure the present and future health of their children. This is an easy assessment that you can do on your child.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check your child’s posture

·         Get your child to stand and face you, get them to close their eyes and walk in place then stop shake their arms and open their eyes looking straight ahead at you.

·         Look at their hips- are they directly over the middle of their feet? Are their feet both equally pointing forward or toeing in or toeing out? Are the hips rotated to the right? To the left? Are they tipping to one side?

·         Look at their chest- is it directing over the middle of the pelvis (hips)

·         Now look at the shoulders, is one lower than the other? Are they rounded or hunched forward? Does one arm hang lower?

·         Finally, look at their head.  Draw a mental line from the midpoint between the eyes to the center of the upper lip. Is it straight up and down or tilted? Is the head tilted to one side or the other? Is the face rotated to the left or right? Does one eye look lower than the other

·         Ask your child to turn around so that you can see their spine- is it straight? Is there a lateral curve to one side or the other? Is one hip higher than the other; is the pelvis twisted or twisted in any direction?

Now ask your child to turn so their side is facing you. Are the ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line to the ground? Or is the head forward, buttocks out backward?

·         There are three spinal curves when looking from the side. Is there a very deep curve in the lower back/sway back? Does the abdomen protrude? Does the top of the pelvis look like it’s rocked forward? Is the middle and upper back excessively rounded, or very flat? Are the shoulders rounded or hunched? Doe the head appear too far forward on their shoulders (anterior head carriage) does the curve in the neck appear nonexistent, or excessive?

As chiropractors that see many children we can examine at your child’s posture as well as use several posture analysis tools to determine what is happening with your child.

If you have any concerns contact us at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer T4R 2C3 or call us at 403-347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca Dr. Joelle Johnson has been in practice for 15 years and is located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness. 

Why have Craniosacral Therapy

Why 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.

Jeannette Raskin is here at Family First Chiropractic on Wednesdays and Saturdays. To book an appointment with her call us at 403-347-3261. 142 Erickson Dr, Red Deer. www.family1stchiro.ca

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.

Craniosacral Therapist, Jeannette Raskin C.S.T is in on Wed evenings and Sat. www.family1stchiro.ca. To schedule an appointment call 403-347-3261. 142 Erickson Dr Red Deer AB

Lifestyle and Your Health

Cancer Researcher Issues Stark Warning

 Dr. Lewis Cantley, a cancer researcher believes a high-sugar diet is very dangerous—in particular to children. First, it’s important to know that the factor that links obesity, diabetes, and cancer is insulin and leptin resistance. Full-blown type 2 diabetes, is now becoming increasingly prevalent in children and teens—something that was virtually unheard of 50 years ago. As Dr. Cantley says, type 2 diabetes is referred to as “late onset diabetes” for the precise reason that it typically didn’t strike until you were in your 60s.

If diabetes at 60 is evidence of a lifetime of higher-than-ideal sugar consumption, then the fact that teenagers are now developing type 2 diabetes tells us that the amount of sugar in the average diet, starting from infancy, is exceptionally high—so high that the ramifications become evident several decades sooner than before! This in turn exponentially increases the child’s risk of developing cancer at some point in his or her life. Dr. Cantley warns:

“This correlation of earlier and earlier type 2 diabetes, that means you now have 20, 30, 40 years of high insulin levels, which could potentially drive the growth of tumors. It really does make us very worried that advances we’re making in treating cancer is going to be completely offset by this dramatic increase in cancers that are associated with diabetes and obesity... The more I learn about it, the more compulsive I become about avoiding sugar.”

Think about it... Sugar used to be available to our ancestors only as fruit or honey—and then only for a few months of the year—compared to today, when fructose (primarily in the form of high fructose corn syrup) is added to virtually all processed foods and drinks; even items you normally would not think of as being high in sugar. Tragically, many infant formulas even contain more than 50 percent sugar! This, I believe, gets your child hooked on sweets virtually from day one, and sets the wheels in motion for metabolic dysfunction.

If you received your fructose only from vegetables and fruits (where it originates) as most people did a century ago, you'd consume about 15 grams per day. Today, the average is 73 grams per day, which is nearly 500 percent higher a dose and your body simply can't tolerate that type of biochemical abuse. Furthermore, in vegetables and fruits, the fructose is mixed in with fiber, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and beneficial phytonutrients, all of which help moderate the negative metabolic effects.

 Your Lifestyle Will Make or Break Your Health
Unfortunately, processed foods are HUGE business with great profit margins—maximized by designing foods with addictive qualities, through the use of salt, sugar, fat and other secret, proprietary flavor formulas. The food industry as a whole has NO incentive whatsoever to switch to selling and marketing whole foods—unless the market absolutely demands it.

If you want to protect your health, and the health of your family, my most urgent recommendation is to do just that—replace the processed foods with homemade meals, made from scratch using whole ingredients.

To safely and effectively reverse insulin and leptin resistance, you need to:

Avoid, sugar, fructose, grains, and processed foods

Eat a healthful diet of whole foods, ideally organic, and replace the grain carbs with: Large amounts of vegetables, low-to-moderate amount of high quality protein (think organically raised, pastured animals), as much highly quality healthful fat as you can. Good sources include coconut oil, avocados, butter, nuts, and animal fats. Also take a high-quality source of animal-based omega-3 fat, such as krill oil.

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

Precious Cargo, Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Precious Cargo, prenatal Chiropractic Care

During your child's first nine months, they will undergo tremendous growth and development as they prepare to enter this world. Your baby's brain and nervous system are the first to develop following conception. The spine and skull, which is the housing that protects this vital master controller, develops later. 

The choices you make before conception and during each stage of your pregnancy will be a factor in your baby's wellness. During your pregnancy, the lack of interference to the baby's development gives them an opportunity for their inborn intelligence to develop their physical, emotional and spiritual nature. 

If you're thinking about becoming pregnant, your Doctor of Chiropractic would encourage you to begin the dialogue six months to even a year before you are ready to have a family. 

Physical, chemical and emotional stressors can affect the quality of your pregnancy and a Family Wellness Chiropractor is as much an educator as they are a healthcare provider. 

For more information or to book an appointment with Dr. Joelle Johnson or Dr. Stephen Kelly please call us at 403-347-3261 Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer www.family1stchiro.ca 

My personal health story by Dr. Joelle Johnson

Dr. Joelle Johnson is a chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness

My story.....

So this is a very hard story to finally write, its been over 20 years in the making and I hope I am finally ready to share my story. We all have a story of what led them in their lives and the lessons learnt (and are still learning).I became a chiropractor in 1999 and I hope that my story has helped me become the best chiropractor that I can be.
March 17th, 1991 changed my life forever..... I have always been a very avid skier and at 19 I was a former racer, a ski instructor, ski coach and in college- specifically in pre-Medicine (funny how your path can meander).
        I was loving the wonderful day skiing with my team- high speed skiing chasing the line between control and out of control skiing 'high' .When on a run I was skiing there fast and I hit some 'chatter' and lost a ski, I remember the feeling as I saw my ski fly off and I knew i was going down and wiping out HARD. It was hard, I fell onto my stomach, spun around several times and  flew into the trees hitting on the side of my right femur onto a poplar tree sideways and tumbling down a steep embankment and finally landing in a pile of stacked trees on the ground. As this was not my first wipe out you do the usual, take a deep breath and try to stand up to shake it off, lick your ego and finish the run. WRONG as I tried to get up my upper body moved and my upper thigh but my knee and lower limb stayed...well a few things went through my head and I was lucky someone saw me go into the tress and I yelled for help as I realised I broke my right femur, in several places. It took a while for the ski Patrol to get there and I slowly saw my thigh swelling to over twice the size. When the patrol finally arrived I was starting to go into shock and I remember them taking an hour or two to get me out of there, cutting several trees down with a chainsaw to get me on a backboard( apparently I landed in the pile of trees straddling another poplar tree).
         I remember asking them to be really careful to not cut my leg with the chainsaw-now its funny to think of but at the time I was serious!. The patrol was amazing, they had to obviously get me out of there alive, into a toboggan and off to the ambulance. It took over 4.5 hours to get me into the hospital in Red Deer from the ski hill which is generally a 15-20 min drive.
           Now the hard part starts... the injury and complications. I had almost every possible complication from a femur possible, except I survived. I finally got in to the hospital and my injuries were assessed it was late into the evening so surgery was planned for the following morning.I remember them telling me the femur was broken so badly my right leg was over 7 inches shorter than the good leg, to stop the quads from spasming and crushing my bone shards they had to put me in traction by drilling a metal pin into my tibia and hanging a weight over the bed to traction the leg.  That was a feeling I will never forget as they drilled into my shin and tapped in the metal bar to anchor it, it might sound horrible but it felt so much better in that traction device.
They neglected to tell me I had also broken my pelvis as well (that fracture was what we call a stable fracture and non life threatening). Did I mention at that time I thought I was invincible and did not wear a helmet? Hence some head trauma, stitches and a nasty concussion, not to mention and cervical trauma and soft tissue damage.
      Very early the next morning several hours after being admitted I felt that an elephant was standing and jumping on my chest, I couldn't breath, move or get any air and I thought I was dying. I was rushed into ICU and placed onto a ventilator for 3 weeks hanging on to life still in the traction device, metal bar in leg with it hanging in the air, weight on the end of the bed. I had thrown several fat/lipid emboli and it was very unsure if I would survive the night or coming weeks. I remember some things from this time- I hated the ventilator and I tried to pull it out many times and had to be restrained-literally my hands tied were tied to the bed rails. I couldn't move because of the pain, every bump, nudge or movement on the bed caused the leg and traction device to bounce and move shifting the bones in my leg. I couldn't cry out because of the ventilator and I couldn't move because of the restraints. It was the hardest thing I have EVER had to go through, imprisoned in a bed by my injury in a drug fog.
      I had many close calls with added infections, respiratory distress, respiratory infections and pulmonary emboli added to the mix. Almost 4 weeks later I was stable enough and  able to do surgery and placed a rod down my entire femur, 4 screws and a few plates as well. To add insult to the injury I had a few more pulmonary emboli and stayed in the ICU a few days longer. In total I was in the hospital/ICU for 6 weeks. I was not able to weight bear on my leg for 3 months and was confined to a wheelchair, then I moved up to a walker and crutches for 9 months and then to a walking cane for another 6 months. I had many many hours of rehab to learn how to walk again, in the pool and on land.It was humbling to learn how to walk , the nervous system and my muscles were not connecting and I found it very difficult to put one foot in front of the other.
I was on many pain medications for the leg, pelvis, and spinal pain as well as injections and medications daily to prevent blood clotting. The pain I still remember vividly-chronic, relenting. I was told there was no way out of the chronic pain except with medication- but that wasn't working. At age 22 I could barely get out of bed with the pelvic, low back, and leg pain. A friend at university told me to try chiropractic care and in 3 weeks my life had changed, the pain had almost gone, I could sleep and I could stop taking pain medications.....WOW. This was a complete miracle in my life, from looking at my future of doom, pain and misery to a bright new beginning. I couldn't believe it and I applied to chiropractic school and was accepted! During school I learnt many many things but the best lesson I have ever learnt is my journey through my major trauma and injury, the power of healing through the chronic pain.Praise God for this injury, I know it sounds strange but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I would not want anyone to go through the pain that I went through but I am glad it happened to me.....
 But our story was not over....I have had to struggle for many years to keep my spine stable and I was told 1. I would never walk with out a limp, if you see me that is not the case. 2. I would never have children due to the trauma, well we have 3 very busy boys, which leads to the next part of the story.
As I stated the Canadian Ski Patrol helped me immensely with my accident and when I moved back home to practise I joined the patrol and have volunteered helping other injured skiers/boarders for s the past 14 years. I was excited when our boys began to ski as we could spend quality time skiing together. One night our oldest Logan  wanted to come and ski with my while I patrolled that evening. He is a smart, handsome and amazing 7 year old and that evening not more than 20 feet away he fell on some rough terrain and broke his left femur right there in front of me. I was in complete  shock, being the mom, the first aider on the scene and a mom was overwhelming not to mention the flashbacks of my life all a the same time. I knew in my heart how severe this fracture was but wanted to deny my diagnosis of the injury. I called my fellow patrol in, and I want into an almost robot like mode, being the mom and doctor all in one taking care of our precious child. When the fellow patrol got there I told them the injury but tried to talk them out of it- denial mode. As you may know this is a very serious and life threatening injury and we needed to backboard him and transport him down the hill to the ambulance.Another flashback for me, the long bumpy painful ride down the hill with unset broken bones and the bumpy gravel road ride to the city.My poor angel Logan, I wanted to stop it all and let it be me again, I felt like we were in a whirling vortex, my mind was spinning between being a mom and being a doctor. I thought I was in a complete disorganised state of mind but I was told afterwards that I was as cool as a cucumber, never panicked took care of Logan's needs, feelings, called for the ambulance, called Dad to meet us and get help at home and worked the scene.It is amazing how your motherly instinct kicks in when its warranted.
Logan needed to be put onto the backboard and since we had limited people at the scene I needed to help roll him, when we did I felt and heard his femur break in my hands, now I adjust the nervous system and spine for a living as a chiropractor and that feeling and noise coming from your baby boy was horrible to experience. After the fast but painful ride down the hill in the toboggan with me skiing alongside Logan talking to him all the way down we loaded him into the waiting ambulance. While assessing Logan's vitals he remained completely normal, no fluctuations in heart rate, respiration and blood pressure, no signs of shock whatsoever. I hope that me being there with him and staying in control cause him to remain stable.Logan had surgery on his femur with 4 screws and a Spica cast for 12 weeks. The cast was from his ankle to his armpits in a reclined bent knee position, he was in a reclining wheelchair for the next 3 months, then crutches for 4 weeks afterwards.
 Logan showed such strong character and strength in this ordeal and I am so proud of him. I hope that my journey helped for his to be that much easier, as I knew how to deal with the many issues he had to face in the small daily tasks as well as the large ones.

Logan has finally wrote his story and here it is in his own words:
I got this scar from....

One Wednesday, Feb 16, 2012 I was out skiing with my mum at Canyon Ski resort near Red Deer. She was ski patrolling and skiing with me. I had asked mum if we could ski the Lemon Drop. She said "okay". When we got to the lemon drop my mum skied around it. Then I went down and then my left leg hit an ice chunk and I wiped out and all of the pressure was on my left leg.
About 2 seconds later I was yelling and screaming because I had broke my left femur! My mum had skied to me super fast! She asked "what hurts?" and I said "my thigh!" She called the rest of te ski patrollers to come down and she told them to bring a toboggan to bring me down. After they got there they took my skis off and made me roll over onto the toboggan. Then, they wrapped me up in blankets. After, a ski patroller took me down on the toboggan. A ski patrol called an ambulance to bring me to the hospital. After about 10-15 min the ambulance came. They put me on a stretcher and in the ambulance.
After I was in, my mum climbed in. They cut off my coat and pants and looked at my left leg. It was not bleeding but the femur was broken!
When my mum and I got to the hospital the paramedics rolled me off the ambulance and I don't remember anything else until I was on a hospital bed with my left leg wrapped up in bandages. I can't remember anything until the nurses rolled me in for surgery. I fell asleep, the surgery took 6 hours.
After it was finished I had a body cast from my ankle to my stomach! A nurse rolled me into a big room that was divided with curtains. he nurse rolled me into a divided part of the curtains. Did I mention that my mum was beside me the whole time? Anyway the nurse rolled me into one of the small parts of the room. After a day or 2 I got rolled into a different room. It was so cool. It had a big TV and lots of space. A day later my family and some of my friends got me get well cards balloons and gifts. Lots of people came to the hospital to visit me. A day later my dad got me a wheelchair, crutches, and a walker. After he got them I got on the wheelchair and my mum rolled me out of the hospital and into te family van.
Logan Johnson age 7

Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 142 Erickson Drive 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

One year later Logan and Joelle Ziplined in Jamaica to celebrate

CranioSacral Therapy and Birth

You may have planned and hoped for a natural vaginal delivery but what happens if complications arise during birth? These complications during labour may result in your baby being delivered by:

·         Caesarean-section (c-section).

·         With the help of vacuum pump or suction.

·         With the help of Forceps

Interventions, when necessary, often save lives. In my experience with CranioSacral Therapy - it helps to eliminate, or minimise, complications that arise as a result of these types of deliveries.

With CranioSacral Therapy, I work on the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect a person's brain and spinal cord, extending from the bones of the skull (which make up the cranium) 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

A CranioSacral Therapist uses a touch generally no heavier than the weight of a nickel. Skilled practitioners can monitor this rhythm at key body points to pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress. Once a source has been determined, they can assist the natural movement of the fluid and related soft tissue to help the body self-correct.

I have noticed that most babies (and mums too!) often need assistance following the effects of a difficult labour. One of the reasons for this is that in the ideal birth situation, nature has designed a baby's skull to be compressed as it travels through the birth canal during a vaginal birth.

Babies born by c-section miss out on this vital compression (which helps balance the cranial bones) through the birth canal. Babies born with the use of forceps or vacuum often experience undue stress on the head and face and strain patterns can often develop in their bodies. The euphoria of your baby's safe arrival can mask the stress that your baby has experienced. But soon problems can arise.

With Craniosacral Therapy I use specific, gentle touch techniques to assess, resolve and eliminate the restrictions that cause these problems. The light pressure creates deep change - releasing restrictions in the baby's tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This intervention encourages the infant's body toward a natural alignment.

With Craniosacral Therapy I use specific, gentle touch techniques to assess, resolve and eliminate the restrictions that cause these problems. The light pressure creates deep change - releasing restrictions in the baby's tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This intervention encourages the infant's body toward a natural alignment.

During the treatment the baby often naturally needs to cuddle, feed or cry as balance is restored and emotion is released in the body. Mums and Dads often feel a sense of relaxation as the baby's Craniosacral system returns to optimum function.

I have found that treatment with Craniosacral therapy benefits all babies following birth - but it is highly recommended for babies who have had birth complications - including Caesarean Sections.If you have any questions please call Jeannette Raskin at 403-347-3261 at Family Furst Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer