Researching Chiropractic: Birth trauma, diarrhea, headaches

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.

Birth trauma and brachial plexus injurystroke

A mother brought her five-month-old son with severely limited left arm movement to a chiropractor. She reported a healthy pregnancy but difficult labor and delivery; her son was breech and experienced birth trauma. An episiotomy and forceful pulling on his head and neck were performed in the delivery process.

Chiropractic was utilized as appropriate for the age and size of the patient. The infant gained full motion of his left arm within the two months of chiropractic care and the mother stated that her son may even have a tendency to be left-handed. (1)

Hourly bowel movements in a 98-year old old woman

A 98-year-old man complaining of frequent, nightly bowel movements began chiropractic care. He reported no bowel problems during the daytime but at night he had to get up to defecate nearly every hour, up to 8-9 times a night.

The patient was diagnosed with adverse mechanical cord tension, cervical (neck) vertebral subluxation, coccyx subluxation, and a twisted pelvis. After one month of care (12 visits), the patient’s nightly, frequent bowel movements were completely resolved. (2)

Headaches from a sports injuryspring resoutions

A 12-year-old girl suffered from headaches after a collision during a lacrosse game. She received three upper cervical (upper neck) adjustments to her atlas (C-1) vertebra over a period of five visits within 28 days. Not only did her headaches disappear but her scoliosis (spinal curves) also improved. (3)

Please pass this info on…

Do you know anyone who is suffering from any of these symptoms or issues? Please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us.

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

  1. Rubin D, Drumheller, K. Resolution of obstetrical brachial plexus injury in a 5-month-old male following chiropractic to reduce vertebral subluxation: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. December 4, 2020:50-56. 
  2. Cameron D, Kountz C. Resolution of hyper frequent nightly bowel movements in a 98-year-old male following chiropractic care: a case study. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. November 12, 2020:143-149.
  3. Salminen B, Smith Z. Reduction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis & improved cervical curve in a 12-year-old female undergoing orthogonal upper cervical chiropractic care: a case report & review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. September 28, 2020:50-57.

 

 

Butternut Squash Pasta

 from Sam Turnbull…It doesn’t taste like chickenButternut squash pasta

serves 4

    • 500 g pasta of choice (tagliatelle, fettuccine, linguini, etc.)
    • 2 tablespoons (vegan) butter              
    • 1 yellow onion, chopped
    • 1 medium butternut squash (950g) (7 cups) peeled, deseeded, and chopped into 2-inch cubes
    • 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth     
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt                              
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the fried sage garnish:

    • 2Tbs (vegan) butter   
    • 1 bunch fresh sage leaves (about 20 leaves)

 

Directions

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.

In a large saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium-high heat.

Add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion turns translucent and begins to brown.

Add the butternut squash, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook 10 – 15 minutes until the butternut squash is very tender when pierced with a fork.

Use an immersion blender or standing blender to blend the butternut squash mixture until it’s completely smooth and creamy. If using a standing blender, be careful not to fill the blender too high so it doesn’t erupt. If your sauce is too thick, you can add another ¼ cup of vegetable broth. Return the sauce to the pan, and add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat.

To fry the sage: melt the (vegan) butter in a frying pan then add the sage leaves. Fry for 1 – 2 minutes until the edges just start to brown. Remove from heat and set on a paper towel to drain.  Place 2-3 leaves on top of each portion.

The Germ or the Terrain?

The Germ Theory vs. the Terrain Theory

germ theory

Everyone has heard of Louis Pasteur who popularized the Germ Theory of Medicine and invented pasteurization. The practice of vaccination is based on Pasteur’s germ theory. 

But there is another Frenchman, the scientist Claude Bechamp, who was constantly finding fault with Pasteur’s work. For instance, Pasteur’s experiments that “proved” his germ theory did nothing of the sort because Pasteur had injected healthy animals with the blood of a sick animal. The healthy animals got sick.

Injecting a sick animal’s blood did not prove anything. Béchamp said that Pasteur poisoned the experimental animals and that was what got them sick, not germs. Béchamp said Pasteur poisoned the terrain of the animal and the germs attacked the already diseased tissues.

According to Bechamp, it was the terrain, the overall health of the person’s tissues, that determined whether germs would or would not grow. In one dramatic event, Claude Bernard considered one of the greatest men of science, performed a fascinating exhibition before a professional audience of scientists and medical doctors. Bernard said, “The terrain is everything; the germ is nothing,” and he then drank a glass of water filled with cholera. He didn’t get sick! (1)

Germs seek their natural habitat

Rudolph Virchow, the Father of Pathology, agreed with Bechamp. He believed that epidemics were social in origin and were caused by poor diet, poor waste disposal, bad water, toxins, and other unsanitary conditions. He considered the germ theory as a hindrance to true prevention and cure. As he said:

If I could live my life over again, I would devote it to proving that germs seek their natural habitat-diseased tissue-rather than being the cause of the diseased tissue; e.g., mosquitoes seek the stagnant water but do not cause the pool to become stagnant. (2) 

Michio Kushi, the founder of modern macrobiotics had strong words for Pasteur and his legacy: 

Pasteur originally conceived the idea of germs and destroying them … it has mushroomed into DDT, killing beetles and worms, resulting in food contamination, much sickness, and trouble. Although he is regarded as a hero by modern medicine, Pasteur will be treated in much the same way as a warmonger when he is judged in the spiritual world. (3)

The study of epidemics tells us that Bechamp, Virchow, Bernard, and Kushi were correct. Germs can’t bother a healthy person. Deaths from measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, and many other diseases had dramatically fallen decades before antibiotics and vaccines. As our living conditions improved, our terrain became stronger. We are poisoning our world with our obsession to destroy germs.

Don’t fear germs. Germs don’t make you sick. Sickness occurs first, and then the germs feed on weak tissues (terrain or land). The key to health and healing is proper function, detoxification, and rejuvenation.                                                               

Ancient wisdom

This understanding is ancient. The Empirical or Vitalistic school of healing has always emphasized that to avoid sickness, and to recover from sickness, we need proper nutrition, elimination, avoidance of toxins, and detoxification. To that, we’d add chiropractic spinal care. 

Spinal care is ancient and is absolutely necessary for the proper function of the body organs to keep germs in their place (eating diseased tissues) and keep your body strong and in balance.

  1. Claude Bernard quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/author/1304-Claude_Bernard
  2. Cayleff SE. Nature’s Path: A History of Naturopathic Healing in America. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. 2016:59. 
  3. Michio Kushi quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/author/22254-Michio_Kushi

Is That a Snake Down Her Back?

We often like to show you the picture of the woman on the right. snake down her back

People have asked, “Is that a snake on her back?” “No, it’s her spinal column (backbone)” we say.

We’ve also been asked:

“What’s with the chiropractic fascination with the spine?”

“How does the back make me sick?”

“How does the chiropractor working on my back make me healthy?”

Good questions. Let’s answer them:

Your brain controls your body. How? Your brain has a marvelous communication system-the nervous system. Billions of nerves leave the brain in a bundle known as the spinal cord and travel down your spine.

Millions of nerves from the spinal cord branch off between your spinal bones. 

Your spinal cord and nerves send your brain’s messages to all your internal organs: heart, lungs, stomach, liver, intestines, etc., and all your muscles, joints, glands, blood vessels, and more! 

For you to be healthy your spinal bones (vertebrae) must be in a healthy alignment or your nerves may be irritated and that can cause a lack of proper communication between your brain and your body. 

That’s where your chiropractor comes in. Your Doctor of Chiropractic locates distortions where the nerves are impinged or stressed (subluxations) and corrects or “adjusts” your spine to relieve this distortion. 

For a healthy body, for ideal function, for a strong terrain, you need a healthy spine. A healthy spine helps ensure a healthy nervous system. That’s the role of your chiropractor.

Click HERE to make an appointment or call 517.627.4547

Latest News From Charmaine: February 2021

Well, we are well into the heart of winter! Trust you are making time to enjoy it, even if it is only from behind a window.photo3-300x198
But seriously, getting out into the “chilly” weather is good for your immune system and also helps to fend off the very real weight gain that happens when you combine major sports events, the ritual eating that goes along with such events, chilly weather, and being somewhat sedentary.

I am back to playing with heavyweights after a long covid layoff and I must say the body does thrive with being challenged.

Please watch out for the ice that is to be found at this time of year because, as one practice member said, his wife was stargazing in broad daylight! I really love Yak Trax or similar gadgets that give you a little more traction right now…but it definitely does not mean you are fireproof (or fall-proof!!)

SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE/STUDIO/UNDER BARBELLS

Drs. Ray & Charmaine

Click HERE to contact us or call 517.627.4547

ASIAN STYLE RISOTTO FROM BOSH

Check out the original recipe on the Bosh site here. Watch the video here.

 

Ingredients

From Bosh .TV

From Bosh.TV

  • 8 spring onions 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger 1 fresh green chili
  • ¼ c cashews 6 Tbsp fresh coriander
  • 8 ozs shiitake mushrooms 8 ozs baby bok choi (2 small)
  • 2 cups vegetable stock mixed with 2 cups water
  • 8 ozs broccolini (at Horrocks) 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp white miso paste 8 ozs risotto rice
  • 1/3 cup frozen peas or edamame beans 1 tbsp soy sauce, or to taste
  • Salt and black pepper

Directions

  1. Trim and thinly slice the spring onions
  2. Peel and grate the garlic
  3. Peel the ginger by scraping off the skin with a spoon, then grate it
  4. Rip the stem from the chili, cut it in half lengthways and remove the seeds (if you like), then finely chop
  5. Roughly chop the cashews
  6. Pick the coriander leaves and finely chop the stems
  7. Roughly chop the shiitake mushrooms
  8. Trim and finely dice the white part of the bok choy and roughly shred the green part
  9. Heat the stock and water in the medium saucepan and keep over a low heat
  10. Trim and finely dice the broccoli stalks, keeping the florets whole
  11. Cut the lime into wedges
  12. Warm both the oils over medium heat in the large stockpot
  13. Add three-quarters of the spring onions, the garlic, ginger, chili, and coriander
    stems and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes
  14. Add the chopped cashews and white miso paste and stir for 1 minute
  15. Add the shiitake mushrooms and stir for 2 minutes
  16. Add the white shreds of bok choy and stir for 1 minute
  17. Add the risotto rice and stir for 1 minute
  18. Add ¾ cup of the hot stock to the stockpot and stir continuously until all
    the liquid has been absorbed
  19. Repeat this process three more times until you’re left with ¾ cup of stock
  20. Add the stalks of the broccoli after the rice has been cooking for 10 minutes
  21. Add the remaining bok choy, peas or edamame, and Broccolini florets and fold them into the risotto for 30 seconds
  22. Add the remaining stock and the soy sauce and stir until the liquid has been absorbed and the risotto has a creamy consistency
  23. The rice should take about 20 minutes to cook – the grains should be tender but still with a little bite
  24. Add half of the coriander leaves and half the remaining spring onions to the risotto and fold them in
  25. Taste the risotto and season to perfection with salt and pepper (and more soy sauce if you wish), top with the remaining coriander leaves and spring onions.
  26. Serve immediately, with lime wedges

BOSH’S HUMMUS CURRY

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 large onionHUMMUS CURRY
  • 1 small red chill 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 inches fresh ginger 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp tomato puree 1 x 15ozs can chopped tomatoes
  • ¾ c water 1 x 15ozs can chickpeas
  • 1 tbsp mango chutney ¾ c hummus
  •  2x Good handfuls baby spinach Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1tsp chopped coriander

Directions

  1. Prepare the ingredients.
  2. Peel and dice the onion.
  3. Trim, halve, deseed and dice the chili
  4. Peel and grate the garlic and ginger.
  5. Drain the chickpeas.
  6. Start to cook. Warm the coconut oil in a pan over medium heat.
  7. Add the onions to the pan with a pinch of salt and stir for 4-5
    minutes.
  8. Add the chili, garlic, and ginger and stir for 2 minutes.
  9. Add the spices to the pan and stir for a further 2 minutes.
  10. Add the tomato purée and stir for 1 minute.
  11. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan, half-fill the can from the tomatoes
    with the water and add that to the pan too, stir to combine and
    simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  12. Add the chickpeas to the pan and stir for 2 minutes.
  13. Add the mango chutney and hummus and stir for 2-3 minutes to combine.
  14. Add the spinach and fold it into the pan until slightly wilted.

Taste the curry and season to perfection with salt and pepper. Serve it up! Prepare the rice according to instructions. Spoon the
rice into the bowls, then spoon curry over the rice. Sprinkle over the coriander and serve immediately.

Researching Chiropractic: Reflux, Morton’s neuroma, Hypothyroidism

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.

Gastroesophageal reflux diseasepeople-1839564_1920 (1)

A 4-month-old baby girl with GERD was brought by her mother for chiropractic care. The mother reported the child had multiple episodes of reflux and vomiting per day. She received chiropractic and cranial care and her mother reported a large bowel movement and a longer than normal sleep the day after the 1st visit. The baby continued care 2x/week for 2 weeks and 1x/week for the next 4 weeks. By the second visit, her mother reported that the vomiting and reflux had decreased. Within 3 weeks she had no more reflux or vomiting. (1)

Improved behavior, a reduction in violent outbreaks in a 10-year-old boy. child-2844209_1920

This is the case of a 10-year-old boy with behavioral issues, including dramatic changes from a calm manner to suddenly violent actions. He was also reported to have difficulty sleeping due to emotional detachment disorder and frequently suffered from panic attacks.

His mother also reported that he had difficulty noticing when he was sufficiently full following eating. His behavioral volatility caused him to be suspended from school.  Upper cervical, thoracic and lumbopelvic subluxations were discovered in this case. He received spinal adjustments. His changes were recorded through the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) questionnaires over the course of his treatment. A reduction in an MYMOP score of 6/6 to 16/6 for behavior and violent outbreaks was measured after 8 adjustments. Further improvements were noticed with sleep and anxiety, as well as a dramatically improved awareness of feeling full after eating. (2)

Reflux, irritability, and more in 7-month-old boys. twins-1169064_1920

This is the case of two seven-month-old premature fraternal twin boys with chronic reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, general irritability, excessive crying, plagiocephaly, and scaphocephaly who were presented by their mother for chiropractic care. The children received spinal and cranial adjustments and after 8 weeks of care, the mother reported a decrease in the severity of the twins’ reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, and irritability. At 16 weeks of chiropractic care, the twins’ reflux had ceased and their cranial symmetry had markedly improved. (3)

Morton’s neuroma. woman-3213761_1920

Morton’s neuroma is a nerve tumor in the foot. It is a painful condition that people describe as “walking on a marble.” It usually affects the ball of the foot, often between the 3rd and 4th toes, and feels like a sharp, burning pain. The toes also may sting, burn, or feel numb. The medical or podiatric approach is to give corticosteroid (cortisone) injections or perform surgery to cut out the tumor.
This is the case of a 63-year-old woman who suffered from Morton’s neuroma in her right foot for ten years. She sought chiropractic care for a variety of health complaints. For one month her vertebral subluxations were addressed and reduced using specific chiropractic care. During this period her Morton’s neuroma symptoms completely disappeared and in addition, she reported improvement in her digestion, sleep, and ability to move without pain. (4)

Failure to thrive, oral thrush, and inconsolable crying in a 4-month-old. baby-821625_1920

The baby was medically diagnosed with “Failure to thrive” (FTT) because her weight or size was significantly below that of other children of similar age and gender.  She was reported to have had birth trauma from a nuchal cord-the umbilical cord was completely wrapped around her neck (360 degrees). The child was 4-months-old when she was brought to the chiropractor. She was suffering from inconsolable crying, oral thrush (an overgrowth of the fungus candida Albicans in the mouth and throat), chronic diarrhea and she was dangerously
underweight.

Chiropractic examination detected vertebral subluxations at C1-C4 (upper neck) and T3-T4 (upper back). The child received chiropractic adjustments from the first visit and afterward was checked for vertebral subluxations that were corrected when indicated for seven weeks.
Her FTT symptoms began to resolve after the first visit and completely resolved by the seventh week of care. (5)

Hypothyroidism reduction under chiropractic care.

A 44-year-old woman was complaining of upper shoulder pain and pain between her shoulder blades after a motor vehicle accident. The accident had occurred 23 years earlier! She had also been taking Armour® Thyroid in order to treat symptoms of smiling-4654734_1920low thyroid function (hypothyroidism). Her spinal X-rays revealed an 80.7% loss of normal neck curve (hyperlordosis) in addition to vertebral subluxations.
She received spinal adjustments over a seven-month period to reduce her subluxations and to improve her spinal and postural alignment.

Thirty days into care she began exhibiting symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Her chiropractor suggested that she have her thyroid function checked by her endocrinologist to see if her prescribed thyroid medication should be re-evaluated. After evaluation, the patient’s endocrinologist instructed her to significantly reduce the taking of her thyroid medication. (6)

Do you know anyone who is suffering from any of these symptoms or issues? Please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us.

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

1. Chuang A. Chiropractic treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease in a pediatric patient: A case
report. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. 2014;14(2):1139-1141.
2. Cook JR. A case report of improved behavior and a reduction in violent outbreaks in a 10-year-old boy
with chiropractic care. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. 2014;14(3).
https://www.jccponline.com/Case-report.html
3.  Collins K, Alcantara J, Holt K. Resolution of breastfeeding and gastrointestinal complaints in infant
twins with plagiocephaly & scaphocephaly following birth trauma: a case series. Journal of Pediatric,
Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2015;1:34-41.

4. Lanoue B, Treahy-Geofreda T, Russell D. Resolution of Morton's Neuroma in an elderly patient
receiving Activator Methods chiropractic technique to correct subluxation: a case study. Annals of
Vertebral Subluxation Research. January 4, 2016:1-5.

5. Neally R, Alcantara J. Resolution of failure to thrive in a 4-month-old infant following adjustment of
subluxation: case study & selective review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health
– Chiropractic. 2015;4:149-153.
6 . Bak AD, Engelhardt PR. Improvement in cervical curve and hypothyroidism following reduction of
subluxation utilizing Chiropractic Biophysics: a case study & selective review of the literature. Annals of
Vertebral Subluxation Research. December 10, 2015:226-237.

Researching Chiropractic: Fibromyalgia and depression, Vomiting, Daily Headaches

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.

Fibromyalgia and Depressionwoman-593141_1920

A 48-year-old female suffering from mid-back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and depression due to fibromyalgia sought chiropractic care as an alternative method of pain control and to improve her quality of life. Multiple drugs had failed to resolve her problems. 

After performing a case history, physical examination, and chiropractic examination, it was revealed the patient had spinal subluxations in her neck (cervical spine) at C1 and C5-T1. The patient was analyzed at each visit and adjusted to reduce and remove her subluxations. After six months of care, her fibromyalgia symptoms had decreased by 75% and her MD considers it in remission. Her overall quality of life has improved. She continues with weekly chiropractic visits. (1)

Two pediatric patients experiencing vomitingbaby-3036925_1920

One pediatric patient presented to a private practice with complaints of suddenly “feeling sick” and vomiting. He had been very active playing various year-round sports: football, basketball, and baseball. His parents stated, “He gets hit and falls pretty hard on a regular basis while playing these sports.” 

His subluxations were located and corrected (adjusted). The parents reported that the next morning when he woke up, he did not feel sick and was not vomiting. 

The other pediatric patient was a seven-year-old boy complaining of random vomiting after eating (approximately once every six weeks). After two weeks of chiropractic care, there was a complete resolution of vomiting after eating. (2)

Daily Headacheswoman-613309_1920

 A 44-year-old, single female school teacher with daily headaches of 2-year duration. The pain was described as so disabling (6-8 out of 10) that she could not maintain daily activities without painkillers. She began to have feelings of overwhelming sadness and was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder and given a combination of drugs for depression. She had recurrent thoughts of suicide. 

MDs found no cause. She tried acupuncture, traditional Chinese therapy, and alternative medications to no avail. Chiropractic analysis revealed multiple spinal subluxations. After 3 months of chiropractic care, the patient regained confidence in her health and started reducing the dose of medications. She rated her headache as 3-5/10 on the pain scale. After another 3 months of care, all of her symptoms disappeared. She was able to discontinue all medications after 6 months of chiropractic adjustments. 

As of this writing, she has enjoyed being headache-free and free of depression for the past 6 years.  The patient is continuing maintenance care on a monthly basis. (3)

Do you know anyone who is suffering from any of these symptoms or issues? Please share this article with them and encourage them to make an appointment with us.

Call to make an appointment:  517.627.4547

  1. Dunton TA, Hirshowitz N. Remission of fibromyalgia & resolution of depression in a 48-year-old female following chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxation: a case study & review of the literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. September 16, 2020:131-134.
  2. Hoying M. Resolution of vomiting, improved health outcomes & structural changes following chiropractic in two pediatric patients with pseudosubluxation: a case series. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic. September 8, 2020:34-40.
  3. Chu ECP, Ng M. Long-term relief from tension-type headache and major depression following chiropractic treatment. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2018 May-Jun;7(3):629-631. 

Can a Pregnant Woman Get Chiropractic Care?

Questions and Answers About Chiropracticpregnant-1088240_1920

Question: Should a pregnant woman receive chiropractic care?

Answer: Absolutely! If there is one group of patients who benefit from and need chiropractic care more than almost any other, it’s those who are pregnant.

During pregnancy, the body secretes a hormone called “relaxin.” This hormone does as it’s called – it relaxes the tendons and ligaments of the pelvis preparing the body for birth. Unfortunately, if a woman’s body is misaligned, distorted, or subluxated then the misalignment, etc. could get worse! That is one of the reasons why some pregnant women suffer from a lot of back, leg, hip, and other structural pains.

Another problem that could happen during pregnancy is that the pelvis is locked or doesn’t move properly and the unborn baby cannot turn. This could result in a breech birth wherein the baby is not in an ideal position to be delivered. The baby may need to be delivered feet first or butt first or there may be back labor which can be painful.

Chiropractic care, by keeping a woman’s body free of structural stress (subluxations), has been a blessing to millions of women and their babies. Pregnancy is much more comfortable, labor is worry-free, a breech presentation turns to a normal (vertex or head down) presentation and babies are born with more ease.

Please share this article with a pregnant woman you know! You could be helping her prevent a lot of unnecessary ain and discomfort.