Nearly every Chiropractor in the world checks and adjusts their own childrens’ spines on a regular basis. Current science and research prove that providing care for a child’s spine and nervous system on a regular basis proves to be one of the most important and necessary strategies a parent can implement for their family’s health. Chiropractors work tirelessly to educate the public about the supreme role of the nervous system in achieving optimal bodily function. Great health requires a healthy spine. Chiropractic adjustments directly influence the health and quality function of the entire body through spinal mobility and alignment.
A 1992 study proved the birth process to be one of the most physically traumatic events a person will encounter in their lifetime. Evidence from the study revealed that the majority of newborns suffer micro-trauma to brain stem tissues. The research noted that harmful physical trauma during the birth process causes misalignment of the upper neck area. The subtle misalignment creates a disturbance to normal nervous system function. The authors studied six hundred children under the age of two years old and found some form of asymmetry of posture, alignment, and/or movement in every infant assessed.
Signs and symptoms attributed directly to interference in the nervous system included breastfeeding difficulties, torticollis, sleeping disorders, loss of appetite, feet deformities, swelling of the face/head, fever of unknown origin, extreme sensitivity of the neck, and parents concerned with their child’s feeding habits. These findings substantiating many other similar studies conducted on adults and babies suffering from upper neck syndromes (called vertebral subluxation) that often exhibited no outward signs or symptoms. The majority of vertebral subluxations occur with no symptoms. Achieving optimal health requires specific testing provided by Chiropractors specifically educated and trained to make corrections necessary for children and adults to thrive.
Studies continue to prove the message Chiropractors have been spreading for over 120 years. All infants, children, and adults deserve to hear the truth about the beneficial link that comes from life lived with properly aligned and mobile spine. Chiropractors believe health care should involve proactive education and care that does not involve unnecessary drugs and surgery. Regular Chiropractic care removes spinal misalignments and asymmetries that inevitably cause dysfunction and dis-ease.
The 1992 study affirmed what Chiropractic research began teaching over a century ago. Doctors should check all children for restricted movement of the head and increased pain sensitivity of the upper cervical spine. Pediatricians and parents alike often remain unaware of this research and receive very little training or guidance on necessary steps required to assess and cultivate an infant’s healthy spine and nervous system.
Chiropractic does not simply help reduce or eliminate pain. Chiropractors pursue the optimization of body function in every individual by proactively unlocking the body’s innate potential to prevent pain and disease from ever occurring. An adjustment empowers the nervous system to operate as intended. Health care exists not just when pain subsides but when abundant life flows freely through the body.
Journal of Manual Medicine
June (No. 6) 1992, pp151-156
“Kinematic Imbalances Due To Suboccipital Strain in Newborns.”
Understanding the Facts About Fevers
Anything that reflects the slightest thing wrong for a child will cause concern in a parent. A fever, for example, is one of the primary reasons that parents will call their child’s pediatrician. Yet, the truth is, what many of us have been told is a low grade fever is a natural body temperature for some children.
Simply put, our body’s first line of defense when invaded by any microbe, virus or bacteria is going to be cells called microphages; a strong, healthy immune system may be able to eliminate the problem with this first step alone. If these fail to contain the “bug” then the body creates other pyrogens and proteins to try to assist. Once these have been created the hypothalamus in the brain recognizes that there is an invader and raises the body temperature to assist in killing it off. This raised temperature will generally be just a couple of degrees, but the hypothalamus determines, based on the number of pyrogens and proteins, what will be necessary to eliminate the bug. If the hypothalamus creates additional biochemicals to try to protect the body then the temperature raises accordingly.
The best response to a fever below 104.5°F for children over the age of 3 years is lots of rest and clear fluids. Since the fever will cause your child to sweat they will lose sodium and water which must be replaced with proper fluids. This does not include Gatorade or other sugary sports drinks.
DeMoss Chiropractic recognizes and supports the body’s natural ability to fight off infection. The immune system, like all other bodily systems, is controlled by the central nervous system via the spinal cord, which is housed in the spine. Your chiropractor helps keep the spine aligned allowing messages to travel without interruption from the brain to the rest of the body. A fever is, quite simply, a natural part of your child’s immune system. When it is functioning at it’s absolute best, your child’s body will fight off most foreign invaders so swiftly that they will have no outward effect at all. However, when necessary your child’s immune system will raise their temperature to create a hostile environment for that invader. It’s how a properly functioning body functions.
Women, Wine, and Wellness!
Our second annual Women, Wine, and Wellness event is free, open to the public, and will include food, drinks, social hour, shopping, and speakers! Seating is limited, so RSVP today by calling (949) 250-0600!
May 11th
5:30pm – Social hour, shopping, and food
6:30pm – Speakers
Jen Franco, CN, ACN on Balancing Hormones
Dr. Claire O’Neill on Avoiding Breast Cancer
Dr. Bill DeMoss on Chiropractic and Longevity
Dr. Stuart Titus on Cannabinoids and Health
Sitting is the New Smoking: A Standing Desk Review
Dr. Bill often informs his patients that sitting is the new smoking.
Studies show that our constant habit of sitting during long hours at works aren’t the way our bodies are made to function. Our ancient ancestors were always on the move! There are apps available to remind constant sitters to take a five minute walking break, but there is a blossoming trend which is a fantastic alternative to prolonged sitting – standing desks.
Standing desks aren’t new, many notable minds have used standing desks for centuries – including Leonardo Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill, and Ernst Hemingway.
Standing desks are correlated with raised productivity, weight loss, the ease of back pain, and increased energy. Though standing desks can be more costly than a standard desk, buying one for an office space or home can be a great investment in your health.
Flexispot was kind enough to send us a standing desk to review for this blog post. What makes Felxispot unique is how their model can be placed atop a standard desk and adjusted based on the user’s height. Not to mention, the user has the option to shift the desk to a low setting, allowing a chair to be used as needed.
After two weeks, I’ve found the Flexispot to be a great addition to my office space. The size of the desk allows me to comfortably use my desktop screen and laptop simultaneously while having my planner sprawled for easy reference.
If I ever feel the need to sit, which is surprisingly less than I expected, I can simply adjust the desk to its lowest setting with ease. The hydraulics make the downward movement slow and quiet. As the only office staffer without a standing desk until now, I can see what I’ve been missing and encourage others to consider a standing desk for themselves and their employees.
Processed Meat and Cancer: A Closer Look at the World Health Organization’s Findings
Processed Meat and Cancer: A Closer Look at the World Health Organization’s Findings
On October 26th, 2015 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that processed meat consumption is linked to specific cancers.
With this report came an influx of media coverage and online articles with contradictory titles ranging from Processed Meats Give You Cancer to Stop Panicking About Cancer Risk from Processed and Red Meat, Experts Say.
Here’s what we gathered: Yes, processed meat is linked to some cancers, but not all cancers. The primary correlation is with colorectal cancer, but associations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.
Though these findings were shocking to many, it shouldn’t be surprising that heavily processed meats such as pastrami, bacon, sausage, and bologna are not exactly healthy. But what makes this statement by WHO notable is the fact that it was not just one study that found a link between processed meat and some cancers; it’s a conclusion drawn from multiple studies.
Luckily, processed meats are easy to recognize and avoid. For example, you could forgo pepperoni on your pizzas or start opting for fruit over bacon and sausage at breakfast. These are just a few simple ways to say no to processed meats. Likewise, mindfully reducing red meat intake to one or two meals a week can also dramatically reduce your exposure.
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the WHO’s statements concerning processed and red meats was the new classification which placed these foods in the same category as tobacco and asbestos in regards to carcinogenic risk. However, it should be noted that this does not mean they are equally as dangerous. As the WHO website outlines: “classifications describe the strength of the scientific evidence about an agent being a cause of cancer, rather than assessing the level of risk.”
Evidence that processed meat causes colon cancer is as strong as the evidence for tobacco causing lung cancer, but the risk from tobacco is much, much higher.
According to the WHO’s website, 21% of colorectal cancers (which accounts for 3% of all cancers) are likely caused by processed and red meat. If nobody ate any processed or red meat, there would be 8,800 fewer cases. However, 86% of lung cancers are caused by tobacco (which accounts for 19% of all cancers). If nobody smoked, there would be 64,500 fewer cases.
It’s important to stay educated on relevant health topics. At DeMoss Chiropractic, we host health and lifestyle workshops monthly that are meant to keep you informed and healthy. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check out our website for updates regarding upcoming health and wellness workshops held within our practice.