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.”
Health Benefits of Avocados!
Avocados have a unique nutrient profile – where most fruit predominantly contain carbs, avocados are high in healthy fats. Avocados are a staple in any Californian’s diet and today we are going to dive into the benefits of this delicious fruit! And yes, it’s a fruit.
Nutritious – There are many varieties of avocados. The most popular is the Hass avocado, which is available throughout the year. Twenty vitamins and minerals are packed into a single avocado, including 26% of the RDA for Vitamin K, 20% for Folate, and 17% for Vitamin C. That’s just in one avocado! Although it contains 9 grams of carbs, 7 of those are fiber so there are only 2 “net” carbs, making it a low-carb friendly plant food. They also contain no cholesterol or sodium.
More Potassium than bananas! Potassium is a critical nutrient that many people are not getting enough of. Potassium helps maintain electrical gradients in the body’s cells and serves various important functions. The average avocado contains 14% of the RDA (recommended daily amount) for Potassium while a banana only contains 10% even though they are often considered the holy grail of high potassium foods.
Heart Healthy – Avocados are filled with heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. The majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in olive oil – which is believed to be the reason for its beneficial effects. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have effects on the genes linked to cancer.
What more could you ask for in a food? Keep up with the workshops we host throughout the month to learn more about nutrition and healthy eating!
Sun Safety!
2015 was the hottest year on record and experts says 2016 will bring even more heat.
Now more than ever, we need to actively work on protecting ourselves and our families from the damaging effects of the seemingly unending heatwave here in California.
Before discussing solutions, let’s talk about skin cancer. Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when un-repaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations or genetic defects.
Only a few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer.
Sunlight is our best source of Vitamin D, which is vital for metabolism regulation, boost our immune system, and growing strong bones. Over 1 billion people are deficient in this imperative vitamin, so avoiding the sun altogether is not an option.
So what changes can you and your family implement to be safe from the sun this summer?
Clothing: Sun shirts and sun hats are a great option as a first line of defense. In seconds half of the body is covered and safe from burns. They also cover the most commonly burned areas: shoulders, backs, and faces.
Planning: Have you heard of Safe Sun Hours? Safe Sun Hours (in California) are before 10am and after 3pm. During these hours you’ll find the sun isn’t beaming down on you the same way it would be at noon. During these time periods our skin is also much less susceptible to sun damage.
Choose the Right Sunscreen: Nearly every conventional sunscreen is bad for you and many “green” sunscreen brands can be worse. It’s important to keep an eye on your sunscreen’s active ingredients and familiarize yourself with dangerous chemicals with apps like Think Dirty, which allows you to scan barcodes and give any and every product a grade based on levels of toxicity.
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.
Sugar Sugar
Sugar Sugar
When envisioning October, you may imagine crisp leaves, pumpkin-flavored-everything, or the frenzy of Halloween costume ideas and plans. But there’s something else a little troubling also synonymous with October: candy.
Whether it’s the 3-pound bags popping up at Costco or the bowl of sweet treats sitting atop the receptionist’s desk; candy in the month of October is nearly inescapable. But what is the harm of one bite-size Snicker every so often? Sure, sugar in moderation is an acceptable stance and a fantastic first step toward reducing sugar intake. However, it’s the sugar-centric Halloween traditions of excess that we should be cautious of; in other words, when bite-size becomes much more.
According to the American Heart Association, children should not be consuming any more than four teaspoons of sugar per day, this equates to about 80 grams (which is arguably far too much in and of itself).
It doesn’t take a seasoned parent to realize that this recommendation is exceeded within minutes of traditional Halloween festivities.
Sugar-centric traditions tend to consume Halloween, but there are fun alternatives for sugar-conscious families. Consider visiting a local pumpkin patch in your costumes or watching some Halloween movies of yesteryear at home with healthy treats. There are also opportunities to donate candy to Americans in the armed forces through Operation Gratitude. This provides a fun chance for kids to give back while still participating in traditional Halloween festivities.
Don’t forget to stop by DeMoss Chiropractic on Thursday, October 29th from 3:30-6:30pm for our annual Halloween party. Be sure to wear a costume!
Purify Your Home with Houseplants
From vehicle fumes to industrial pollutants, it’s clear that there are plenty of toxins outside of our homes. But that doesn’t mean toxins are absent from the house. Some toxins that contribute to the need for purification in your home include: cleaning products, chemical flame retardants, fragrances, formaldehyde, and toxins carried in your shoes or clothes. Here are a few plants that can help alleviate toxins in the air of your home.
Rubber Plant: The Rubber Plant is effective in removing formaldehyde from indoor air. It’s easy to grow or maintain, so if you don’t have a green thumb – this is a great solution for you! It can grow up to 8 feet tall in the correct environment.
Ferns: Ferns are a popular houseplant that is known for removing indoor air pollutants and adding humidity to indoor air.
Bamboo: Bamboo palms are effective at removing chemical contaminants from the air like formaldehyde and benzene. They also help to keep the air moist, which is especially helpful during winter months when heaters can produce overly dry indoor air.
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.