Researching Chiropractic: Shoulders, Vertigo, Breast Feeding

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Shoulder problems in two patients. Untitled design - 2021-10-14T105042.923

A 45-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man had complaints of shoulder pain and restriction. Both reported falls and accidents two months prior. Over-the-counter medication and physical therapy were ineffective.

Both patients received upper cervical (upper neck) chiropractic adjustments. Significant improvements in shoulder range of motion and decreased pain occurred in both patients. (2) 

Vertigo, hearing, and quality of life. 

A fifty-one-year-old woman was diagnosed with Chiari malformation (CM), a structural defect where the brainstem is below itsUntitled design - 2021-10-14T105144.895 typical/normal position. CM can cause headaches, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, dizziness, neck pain, unsteady gait, poor hand coordination, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet as well as speech problems. 

This woman suffered from Meniere’s disease, migraine, concussion, whiplash, upper cervical subluxation, and TMJ dysfunction. 

She had previously received skull and neck surgery to address her symptoms. She experienced only temporary relief.

She began chiropractic care. At a two-year follow up she reported that her vertigo number went from 10 to 1 (occasional imbalance but no dizziness) and her hearing was restored. Her tinnitus was replaced by an occasional humming sound. She reports she has her confidence back, can drive and shop again and her sleep has improved. (3) 

Breastfeeding difficulties.Untitled design - 2021-10-14T105235.858

 A 9-day-old girl with a history of birth trauma was brought in for chiropractic care. Her mother reported that her daughter had breastfeeding difficulties and failure to gain weight. Breastfeeding was so painful that a lactation consultant recommended a nipple shield.

The child had chiropractic adjustment to her atlas (C-1 vertebrae) and sacrum along with cranial care. She had four visits in two weeks and after each visit, the mother reported more comfortable breastfeeding and an increase in weight gain. (4) 

Do you know anyone suffering from these things? Please share this article with them and gently suggest they make an appointment to see us.  517.627.4547

  1. Shin M, Alcantara J. Resolution of adhesive capsulitis following subluxation-based chiropractic care: a case series & selective review of the literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. October 19, 2015:167-171.
  2. Burcon MT. Resolution of vertigo restored hearing & improved quality of life in a patient with Meniere’s disease & failed craniectomy: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. May 10, 2021:10-19.
  3. Williams-Libs S, Alcantara J. Resolution of breastfeeding difficulties and concomitant weight gain following chiropractic care in an infant with birth trauma: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. June 1, 2021:46-52. 

 

What part of your body does this?

It deactivates drugs – without it, a few ounces of alcohol could keep you drunk for life; a moment’s adrenaline rush would go on and on; pharmaceuticals would never stop altering your body chemistry.

It helps life-sustaining nutrients to get to your cells.

It converts food into nutrients.

It stores fats, sugars, iron, and vitamins for later use by the body

It is the most amazing juggler in existence – creating and balancing over 13,000 chemicals and hormones.

It keeps your blood sugar levels within a safe margin and balances vitamins and minerals so your bones will stay strong and won’t deteriorate.

It clears out inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed (through the skin) toxins, chemicals, and pollution. Without this constant detoxification of waste and toxins, you’d be dead in less than a day.

It works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and doesn’t take off for holidays.

With the exception of your skin, it is the largest organ in your body and performs more than 500 functions to keep you healthy.

Untitled design - 2021-10-14T104246.096

If you guessed your liver……… go to the head of the class.

When your liver is not functioning properly you may feel sluggish and possibly nauseous. Many of your organs are affected by an unhealthy liver – your eyes can be bloodshot, you can have bad breath, abdominal bloating, poor digestion, fatigue, a coated tongue, a sluggish metabolism, excessive body heat, sugar cravings, and inability to lose weight. A sluggish liver stresses the kidney, heart, and brain.

This is one very important organ.

An important way to keep your liver healthy is to make sure your spine is healthy. Why? Because your liver, as well as your other organs, needs constant communications from your spine. A subluxation could block essential communications between your brain and body, potentially affecting liver function.

Please share this article with someone who may need this information!

Questions and Answers about Chiropractic Oct 2021

Q: Why stay subluxation-free?

The chiropractic profession that was founded by Dr. DD Palmer in 1895 is based on the fact that internal structural distortions called subluxations can cause serious health problems.

A: Subluxations stress your nervous system and interfere with communication among your organs, glands, muscles, and other body parts – including your brain and your immune system.

Untitled design - 2021-10-14T103512.895

Subluxations can be caused by any trauma: difficult birth, falls, accidents, emotional upset, chemical toxicity, overwork, or a combination of factors (i.e. physical, chemical, or emotional stress while you are tired, overworked, malnourished, etc.).

People sometimes ask how chiropractic can improve their health. The answers depend on whom you ask. For example, a woman now free of monthly pain may say, “Chiropractic is for menstrual problems.” A pregnant woman may say, “Chiropractic is for a comfortable pregnancy.”

A mother whose child was helped may say, “Chiropractic is for ear infections (or fevers or asthma or colic).” A teacher may say, “Chiropractic is for dyslexia, vision, and learning disorders.” Another person may say “Chiropractic is for headaches,” while still others may declare chiropractic is for backaches, hearing problems, disc problems, arthritis, high or low blood pressure, or a host of other problems.

Others use chiropractic as a way to maximize sports performance, improve overall health, and enhance balance, strength, and fitness.

In addition to all of the above, chiropractic can help everyone live a drug-free, healthy lifestyle.

Subluxations are epidemic in our society; most people have subluxations and don’t know it. For that reason, everyone needs periodic chiropractic checkups.

Q: Do I need to see a chiropractor for the rest of my life?

A: No, only for as long as you’d like to remain healthy.

That might seem like a coy answer but life is constantly giving us stress – whether it be from gravity, emotional issues, or toxins in the environment. In order to deal with these stresses, we need to be functioning at our optimum. A balanced body structure, free from nerve pressure (subluxations), is essential for you to live your fullest.

These stresses quietly build up. See your chiropractor for a “stress-release” from subluxations and you and your family will be healthier.

Make an appointment today!

517-627-4547

What Happens When You Receive a Chiropractic Adjustment?

The chiropractic adjustment or correction is a procedure performed by your chiropractor using his/her hands or a special instrument. The purpose of this procedure is to correct a condition or abnormality that is called a subluxation.

Untitled design - 2021-10-14T102730.959

A subluxation is an unhealthy state of your body reflected in your spine, structural system, muscles, and nerves. Some people refer to the subluxation as a blockage, others as interference, others as stagnation of energy.

Subluxations may be caused by physical, emotional, and toxic stress. They are very common and are found in every age group. They may be found in newborns due to birth trauma, in children (from falls and accidents), and in fact, in anyone who lives on a planet with gravity (that means all of us).

Because of the many things that can cause a subluxation, the moment your subluxations are corrected (adjusted or released), hundreds, if not thousands, of body functions and activities may be affected.

At the moment of the adjustment, trapped physical, emotional, and toxic stress is released. Imbalanced energies and nerve impulses in your brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and spinal nerves begin to flow in a more balanced manner. Millions and even billions of nerves and body parts begin to re-establish new patterns of function. In addition, your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and discs begin rebalancing; your internal organs are now functioning closer to ideal.

Because of an adjustment, your entire body has more energy to rebalance, renew and rebuild. Now you know why chiropractic care has become the most popular drug-free, non-surgical health care profession in the world because of the power of the chiropractic adjustment that corrects subluxations.

Call us to make an appointment today!
(517) 627-4547

Researching Chiropractic: High Blood Pressure, Migraines, Edema, Back Pain

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

High blood pressure and migraineUntitled design - 2021-09-16T172508.024

The patient was a 25-year-old woman with medically diagnosed hypertension. She also had symptoms of migraine headaches occurring two times per week. Her blood pressure was 134/98 mmHg at the initial examination. 

An upper cervical subluxation was detected on her cervical (neck) X-rays. Her muscle nerve status, leg length, posture, and blood pressure were monitored every visit.

After 12 weeks of care, the patient experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure to 114/80 mmHg. She also experienced a significant decrease in both frequency and severity of migraine headache symptoms. (1) 

Breastfeeding and latching difficultyUntitled design - 2021-09-16T172618.477

A four-week-old baby girl was brought in for chiropractic care by her mother who was concerned about the child’s inability to effectively latch onto her left breast when held in the traditional cradle position.

Multiple subluxations with spasm and tenderness were found at the sacrum (bottom of the spine), the fifth thoracic (mid-back) vertebrae (T5), the atlas (C1 or upper neck), and right TMJ. 

Following an adjustment to the atlas and TMJ there was increased right rotation of the infant’s head and a decrease in left head tilt. Breastfeeding was attempted immediately after the adjustment with success and no further issues remained. The mother reported her daughter was able to latch perfectly and nursed without interruption for 30 minutes. The mother returned the next week and reported total resolution of the infant’s inability to latch on her left breast. (2)

Edema and lower back pain in pregnancyUntitled design - 2021-09-16T172703.488

A 28-year-old pregnant (33 weeks) woman began chiropractic care. She complained of tingling and numbness in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers on her right hand. She also reported low back pain and right leg swelling, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and two previous miscarriages.

She received chiropractic adjustments for 9 weeks. Her presenting complaints were completely resolved within that time and she delivered successfully at term. (3)

Do you know anyone suffering from these things?

Please share this article with them and gently suggest they make an appointment to see us.  517.627.4547

  1. Whedon E. Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic management of a patient with hypertension: a case report and selective review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. January 21, 2013:1-13.
  2. Drobbin D & Stallman J. Resolution of breastfeeding and latching difficulty following subluxation-based chiropractic care: case report and review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2015;3:102-108.
  3. Edwards J & Alcantara J. Resolution of peripheral neuropathy, lower extremity edema, and low back pain in a pregnant female undergoing chiropractic care. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2015;3:86-91.

 

 

Traditional Eating: Why Do We Need Good Nutrition?

Apart from the obvious – to easily maintain our ideal weight, have lots of energy, and live free from disease and infirmity – we must also look at nutrition from an inter-generational or species perspective. Good nutrition ensures healthier children and (later) grandchildren!

Untitled design - 2021-09-16T171731.476

Only healthy well-nourished people can produce healthy children. When we are healthy, we look better and are better able to attract a mate so we can produce healthy, strong, fertile children free from physical and mental defects and disorders. The goal of good nutrition is the survival of the species and the passing of good, healthy genes and qualities.

Our current epidemic of infertility – nearly 20% of all couples are unable to conceive-and our current epidemic of children with chronic illness is no coincidence. The pesticides and toxins in our foods are causing generational damage. Only eat organic. And here is another great rule:

A Good General Nutrition Rule 

If the food wasn’t around when your grandparents were around, avoid it; make sure your food and preparations are as traditional and as old-fashioned as possible.

 

Benefits of Infectious Disease

Sickness is good for you?

How could fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, headache, overall yucky feeling (general malaise) be good for you? Remember, the body is intelligent and it does things for a reason. What we call uncomfortable symptoms are the mechanisms by which the body heals itself, restores itself to balance (also known as homeostasis).

Untitled design - 2021-09-16T171015.483

This has been known by traditional healers for thousands of years. Acute symptoms such as fever, colds, skin eruptions, diarrhea, and vomiting permit the body to expel poisons, purify and cleanse while permitting the immune system to strengthen and mature. These symptoms are uncomfortable and dramatic, but they are temporary and good for you. The “Father of Medicine” said it well:

Diseases are crises of purification, of toxic elimination. Symptoms are the natural defenses of the body. We call them diseases, but in fact they are the cure of diseases. – Hippocrates

Research verifies this. For example, a history of measles and mumps in childhood are significantly protective against deadly heart attacks and strokes during adulthood. Researchers also found that adults who had contracted chickenpox were 33% less likely to develop coronary heart disease. Each additional contagious disease contracted during childhood, such as measles, mumps, or rubella, increased the protective effect against acute coronary events by 14%. (1)

Febrile infectious childhood diseases (FICDs) were associated with lower cancer risk in adulthood (2). In another study, a history of common colds or gastroenteric influenza prior to the interview was found to be associated with a decreased cancer risk. (3)

1.Kubota Y et al. Association of measles and mumps with cardiovascular disease: The Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) study. Atherosclerosis. August 2015;241:682-686.

2.Albonico HU, Braker HU, Husler J. Febrile infectious childhood diseases in the history of cancer patients and matched controls. Med Hypotheses. 1998;51(4):315-320. 

3.Abel U, Becker N, Angerer R, Frentzel-Beyme R, Kaufmann M, Schlag P, Wysocki S, Wahrendorf J, Schulz G. Common infections in the history of cancer patients and controls. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 1991;117(4):339-344.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

Chiropractors find the hidden stresses in your body. We do this by analyzing your body structure for imbalances, distortions, and blockages causing nerve interference (stressing your nerves). The distortion causing nerve interference is referred to as a subluxation. 

Untitled design - 2021-09-16T120958.794

Subluxations can be caused early in life by a difficult labor and delivery (vacuum extraction, forceps, etc.) from falls, sports, accidents, even minor twists, and turns. Subluxations are very common – most people suffer from this often-painless condition. Yes, many people go to the chiropractor because of back, leg, hip, neck, shoulder, and other pains, but that’s only a small fraction of those who have subluxations and don’t know it!

Think of subluxations as dental cavities. They are painless but slowly deteriorating your health.

Doctors of Chiropractic spend years studying how to locate and correct subluxations. 

There are many different procedures or techniques chiropractors use to correct or adjust subluxations. They all have the same goal: to free your body from deep stress, create balance, reinvigorate your energies, and ultimately improve the function of all your internal organs, muscles, glands, joints, and ligaments.

Call us to make an appointment today!
(517) 627-4547

TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS FALL 

(CL ADAPTED) ALYSE RURIANI

The transition to the shorter and busier days of fall can be a challenge. To help ease the change, we’ve put together some Fall Wellness Tips to get you ready for the colder months and keep your mental (and physical!) health in check.

TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS FALL

1) Start taking a Vitamin D supplement. We get most of our Vitamin D from the sun, so our intake decreases when the weather is colder since we spend most of our time inside during the fall/winter seasons. If you find you are not getting outside much, a Vitamin D supplement can boost your mood and immune system!

2) Take some time to yourself. Autumn and winter are the Earth’s way of telling us to slow down. Start a journal or track your moods to get more in touch with how you are feeling.

3) Boost your immune system. You can do this by drinking plenty of water, washing your hands often to prevent sickness, and eating nutritious foods.

4) Get yourself ready for Daylight Savings Time. Go to bed earlier when you can, especially the week before the clocks change. Longer periods of darkness = longer periods of sleep!

5) Make some plans for the cold months. In the winter, we tend to hibernate if we don’t have things to keep us busy.

6) Moisturize your skin. Harsh temperatures can make your skin dry. 

7) Buy in-season food. Beets, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kale, pumpkin, broths, roasted squash, roots, and sautéed dark leafy greens are all great choices.

8) Stay active! It can be easy to just sit around all the time, but it’s important to get in some movement throughout the day. Raking leaves or shoveling snow counts!

9) Wear layers and protect your body from the dropping temperature. Make sure you have gloves, a scarf, earmuffs, a winter coat, warm socks, and snow boots!

10) Do some “spring cleaning” in the fall. Clean out your closet, organize that back room, and rid yourself of things you don’t need.

11) Prepare your home for possible extreme weather conditions. Do you have a shovel and/or snow blower? Do your flashlights have batteries? Is your heat working okay? And think about your car too…Blankets, Socks, Hunter heating pads. power bars and water will all be welcome in a stressful situation

12) Get some books to read and shows to watch. Who doesn’t want to sit by the fire on chilly winter nights and read a good book or binge-watch some Netflix?

13) Keep a schedule. The cold months can seem to drag on and push us into isolation. Stay on track by scheduling time in your day to do things you like to do.

14) Be kind to yourself. The holidays can cause weight gain, the shorter days can cause low mood, and the season change can throw your body out of balance. Listen to your body and give it what it needs, and don’t beat yourself up! Try reframing negative thoughts into positive ones.

AND BEST OF ALL, MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR SPINE CHECKED REGULARLY AS THE MINOR SLIPS AND FALL OF FALL/WINTER CAN KNOCK YOUR SYSTEM OUT OF WHACK!

Call us to make an appointment today!
(517) 627-4547

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS OF A BUDDHA BOWL

A Buddha bowl is essentially a simple, one-bowl meal, typically vegetarian or vegan that includes rice, legumes, fresh vegetables, and plant proteins. Often they are served cold, but some versions are served with a warm base.

  1. whole grain or riceUntitled design - 2021-08-30T165426.328
  2. Baked Tofu, Tempeh, or plant-based protein like beans or legumes
  3. Fresh or roasted vegetables
  4. Greens or sprouts
  5. Sauce or Dressing
  6. Nuts or seeds!
  7. Your favorite, wide ceramic bowl!

HOW TO BUILD A BUDDHA BOWL:

The best Buddha bowls start with a base of rice or whole grains which can be served cold or warm. Top with plant-based protein (tofu,  edamame ( green soybeans usually sold frozen),, then greens and fresh veggies. Next, drizzle with dressing or sauce and sprinkle with seeds or nuts. Top with fresh sprouts or microgreens.  This can be made as individual servings to taste or one large bowl for everybody to enjoy!