Thanks for taking the time to share your stories and opinions!

I really want to add personal success/birth stories of my practice members and would love it if you would be willing to share what your experience was, particularly of receiving chiropractic care with me during your pregnancy. You can either write your story below andemail me at chiropractor@dccnet.com or go to the following link to download the attached .pdf Book 2 Request For Stories and fill it in and mail or scan it then email it back to me. I truly appreciate your response and I want you to know that you can share your story anonymously or I can use your name (full name, initials etc. you decide).

My pregnancy chiropractic experience: _____________________________________________________

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Do you want your name published? ___ Yes ____ No.

If yes, please write exactly how you would like your name to be published in the book (i.e. D.M., Donna

M. or full name): ______________________________________________________________________.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve you, your family and friends – my life wouldn’t be the same without you!

Yours in health,

Dr. Stacey Rosenberg

Despite great technology, the United States has an infant mortality rate like that of a third world nation.  The procedure intensive approach to childbirth in the U.S. is believed to be a significant contributing factor.  A survey of 1,573 pregnant women reported significant interventions such as “regional analgesia (76%), ruptured membranes (65%), forceful pushing (75%), and cesarean sections (32%). The U.S. rate of cesarean sections in 2005 was the fourth highest among 25 countries. The epidural has many negative features. When used in labor it extends the length of time from 5 to 7 hrs, causes a raised temperature greater than 100.4 degrees C in 15-30% of infants and mothers, and produces a very sleepy baby at birth, irritable and with increased crying for 3 weeks.”

The statistics from research published this year highlight this tragedy:

·  In 1960 the U.S. ranked 12^th among other nations in infant mortality

·  By 2005 the U.S. infant mortality rate had fallen to 30^th  

·  In 2007,  31% of U.S. births were by cesarean section

·  Preterm births in the U.S. have also risen to 36%
Countries using fewer drugs and fewer invasive procedures like Finland and Sweden have the lowest infant mortality rates of industrialized countries.

Academy of breastfeeding medicine founder’s lecture 2009: Maternity care re-evaluated.

Breastfeed Med. 2010 Feb;5:3-8.

Klaus M, Klaus P.
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, USA. phyllisklaus@sbcglobal.net

In the 1990s a rising tide of medical, surgical, and instrumental interventions served to make childbirth almost treated like a disease. This report supports a different approach to childbirth. A case and discussions of induction are presented. A national survey of 1,573 pregnant women throughout the United States was collected. Although most U.S. childbearing women are low risk, childbirth is “procedure intensive.” Women reported significant interventions such as regional analgesia (76%), ruptured membranes (65%), forceful pushing (75%), and cesarean sections (32%). The U.S. rate of cesarean sections in 2005 was the fourth highest among 25 countries. The epidural has many negative features. When used in labor it extends the length of time from 5 to 7 h, causes a raised temperature greater than 100.4 degrees C in 15-30% of infants and mothers, and produces a very sleepy baby at birth, irritable and with increased crying for 3 weeks. The three hormones that relieve pain are turned off by the epidural or a cesarean section. Maternal and infant mortality was doubled as a result of cesarean section. After cesarean sections, subsequent pregnancies have types of abnormal attachments of the placenta to the uterus. British physicians recommend normal birth, defined as labor that starts on its own and uses no analgesia, no inductions, no interventions, no epidurals, and no cesarean sections. The doula’s presence decreases labor length, significantly decreases cesarean sections, means less use of pain medicine, and gives greater breastfeeding rates.

Annual summary of vital statistics: 2007.

Pediatrics. 2010 Jan;125(1):4-15. Epub 2009 Dec 21.

Heron M, Sutton PD, Xu J, Ventura SJ, Strobino DM, Guyer B.
Division of Vital Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA. mheron@cdc.gov

The number of births in the United States increased between 2006 and 2007 (preliminary estimate of 4,317,119) and is the highest ever recorded. Birth rates increased among all age groups (15 to 44 years); the increase among teenagers is contrary to a long-term pattern of decline during 1991-2005. The total fertility rate increased 1% in 2007 to 2122.5 births per 1000 women. This rate was above replacement level for the second consecutive year. The proportion of all births to unmarried women increased to 39.7% in 2007, up from 38.5% in 2006, with increases noted for all race and Hispanic-origin groups and within each age group of 15 years and older. In 2007, 31.8% of all births occurred by cesarean delivery, up 2% from 2006. Increases in cesarean delivery were noted for most age groups and for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic women. Multiple-birth rates, which rose rapidly over the last several decades, did not increase during 2005-2006. The 2007 preterm birth rate was 12.7%, a decline of 1% from 2006. The low-birth-weight rate also declined in 2007 to 8.2%. The infant mortality rate was 6.77 infant deaths per 1000 live births in 2007, which is not significantly different from the 2006 rate. Non-Hispanic black infants continued to have much higher rates than non-Hispanic white and Hispanic infants. States in the southeastern United States had the highest infant and fetal mortality rates. The United States continues to rank poorly in international comparisons of infant mortality. Life expectancy at birth reached a record high of 77.9 years in 2007. Crude death rates for children aged 1 to 19 years decreased by 2.5% between 2006 and 2007. Unintentional injuries and homicide were the first and second leading causes of death, respectively, accounting for 53.7% of all deaths to children and adolescents in 2007.

Behind international rankings of infant mortality: how the United States compares with Europe.

NCHS Data Brief. 2009 Nov;(23):1-8.

MacDorman MF, Mathews TJ.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA.

Infant mortality is an important indicator of the health of a nation, and the recent stagnation (since 2000) in the U.S. infant mortality rate has generated concern among researchers and policy makers. The percentage of preterm births in the United States has risen 36% since 1984 (1). In this report we compare infant mortality rates between the United States and Europe. We also compare two factors that determine the infant mortality rate-gestational age-specific infant mortality rates and the percentage of preterm births. U.S. data are from the Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set (2,3), and European data for 2004 are from the recently published European Perinatal Health Report (4). We also examine requirements for reporting a live birth among countries to assess the possible effect of reporting differences on infant mortality data. All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

The challenge of infant mortality: have we reached a plateau?

Public Health Rep. 2009 Sep-Oct;124(5):670-81.

MacDorman MF, Mathews TJ.
Reproductive Statistics Branch, Division of Vital Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3311 Toledo Rd., Room 7318, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA. mfm1@cdc.gov

OBJECTIVES: Infant mortality is a major indicator of the health of a nation. We analyzed recent patterns and trends in U.S. infant mortality, with an emphasis on two of the greatest challenges: (1) persistent racial and ethnic disparities and (2) the impact of preterm and low birthweight delivery.

METHODS: Data from the national linked birth/infant death datasets were used to compute infant mortality rates per 100,000 live births by cause of death (COD), and per 1,000 live births for all other variables. Infant mortality rates and other measures of infant health were analyzed and compared. Leading and preterm-related CODs, and international comparisons of infant mortality rates were also examined.

RESULTS: Despite the rapid decline in infant mortality during the 20th century, the U.S. infant mortality rate did not decline from 2000 to 2005, and declined only marginally in 2006. Racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality have persisted and increased, as have the percentages of preterm and low birthweight deliveries. After decades of improvement, the infant mortality rate for very low birthweight infants remained unchanged from 2000 to 2005. Infant mortality rates from congenital malformations and sudden infant death syndrome declined; however, rates for preterm-related CODs increased. The U.S. international ranking in infant mortality fell from 12th place in 1960 to 30th place in 2005.

CONCLUSIONS: Infant mortality is a complex and multifactorial problem that has proved resistant to intervention efforts. Continued increases in preterm and low birthweight delivery present major challenges to further improvement in the infant mortality rate.

ChiroACCESS Article: http://www.chiroaccess.com/Articles/The-Deplorable-US-Infant-Mortality-Rate.aspx?id=0000155

This information is provided to you for use in conjunction with your clinical judgment and the specific needs of the patient.

The article was written by the combined efforts of the ChiroACCESS editorial staff and published on April 26, 2010

BIKING

When biking with a child on board, use a trailer – a rolling ride-along that hitches to the back end of a bike. It is a much safer option than a carrier, a “passenger” seat that sits directly on the bike, because of their added stability. I caution that carriers can decrease a bike’s stability, possibly causing it to topple and injure both the parent and child.

 To further ensure the child’s safety while biking, keep the following tips in mind:

•  The trailer must be equipped with a harness that can be placed over the child’s body. The harness should be complicated enough that the child cannot unhook it or wiggle out of it.
• A screen that covers the front of the trailer will add an extra line of protection against stray pebbles and other flying objects.
• Be sure to select a trailer that has large, bicycle-style tires, which will add stability and ease to your ride.
• Protect your child’s head with a sturdy, adjustable helmet that can be sized to fit properly. If the helmet rests too high, it will expose part of the child’s head, leaving it susceptible to injury.
• Bike only on smooth surfaces for optimal control.
• Only an experienced rider should attempt to bike with a child on-board at all. And even then, the rider should practice with a ride-along trailer for two weeks before riding with a real child – in an effort to get a feel for the strength and coordination necessary to manoeuvre the bike.

JOGGING

If you wish to go for a jog and bring your child along for the ride, the baby jogger is your best option. A baby jogger is a rolling pushcart that a parent can jog behind, using handlebars to manoeuvre. Here are some rules of thumb to consider:

• Make sure the handlebars of the jogger are both large and adjustable, so that they fit comfortably into your hands for complete control. The handlebars should be kept as upright as possible.
• Handbrakes and a locking mechanism are a necessity.
• Look for a jogger with a good shoulder harness to keep the child secure.
• Large, bicycle-style tires offer more control and stability.
• A screen over the front of the jogger adds to its safety by deflecting stray flying objects.
• Jog only on smooth surfaces.

WALKING OR HIKING

Backpack-Style and Front-Side Baby Carriers

For parents who prefer walking or hiking with their little ones, a backpack-style or front-side baby carrier could be for you. However, that there are risks involved with carrying an infant on your back in a backpack-style carrier as the cervical spine (neck) of a child less than one year old is not fully developed. It is important at that age that the head does not bob around. The backpack-type carrier is not ideal because the parent cannot watch to make sure the child’s head is stable. A front-side carrier is better for a very young child. I do not recommend carrying babies younger than three months in these types of carriers and only for short period of time as they may increase the risk of sponylolisthesis – small stress fractures in the vertebrae – due to the excessive compressive loads on the developing spine.

Think about the following:

• A backpack-style or front-side carrier decreases a parent’s stability when walking or hiking. It is critical that a parent gets into shape before attempting to use one of these products.
• Since these carriers will change the feel of walking or hiking quite a bit, beginner walkers or hikers should not use them.
• If using a backpack-style or front-side baby carrier, make sure to select one with wide straps for your shoulders and waist. This will help distribute the carrier’s weight evenly. The shoulder straps should fit comfortably over the centre of your collarbone.
• The carrier should include a harness to keep the child stable.
• Once you place the child in the carrier, check to make sure there is no bunching of material against the child’s body, particularly on the back, buttocks and spine. Isolated, uneven pressure like this can produce blisters or pain.

Baby Slings

The “baby sling” is becoming more and more popular for its versatility of positions and comfort. But if you wish to use a baby sling, keep in mind that it is intended only for very young infants and follows these tips:

• A baby can become very hot inside the sling, so be mindful of the temperature around you. Also, make certain the baby’s breathing is clear and unobstructed by the sling’s material.
• Never run or jog while carrying a baby in any backpack-style carrier, front-side carrier or baby sling. A baby’s body is not adjusted to the cyclic pattern that is a part of running and jogging. This motion can do damage to the baby’s neck, spine and/or brain.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Finally, don’t forget about your own health and comfort. When lifting a child to place him or her into a trailer or jogger, exercise caution. Don’t bend from the waist, but begin in a 3-point squat and implement a two-stage lift that consists of a) pulling the child up to your chest and then b) lifting straight up with your leg muscles. Stay as close to the car seat or trailer as possible and place the child into it without reaching, stretching or twisting. The further the child is from your body, the more strain you will place on your spine and musculoskeletal system.

For more information on preventing and treating back injuries in yourself and your child, contact Dr. Stacey Rosenberg at Gibsons Chiropractic (604) 886-7080 or your local family chiropractor.

Chiropractic Care for Children is Safe and Effective

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s (ICPA) ground breaking study, “The Safety and Effectiveness of Pediatric Chiropractic: A Survey of Chiropractors and Parents in a Practice-Based Research Network,” was published in October 2009 in the prestigious, biomedical journal, Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. The objective of this study was to describe the practice of pediatric chiropractic, including its safety and effectiveness.

 The results of the study determined that the indicated primary reason for chiropractic care of children was “wellness care.” The most common reasons for parents seeking symptom relief care were muscles conditions, ear, nose, throat, respiratory and digestive disorders. Out of 577 children, doctors reported only 3 adverse events. Out of 239 children, parents reported only two adverse events. These events were minor discomfort after the adjustment and were readily resolved with continued adjustments. All children remained under chiropractic care. Both parents and doctors indicated a high rate of improvement with respect to the children’s presenting complaints. In addition to these improvements, respondents reported better sleeping patterns, improvements in behaviour and improved immune system function while under chiropractic care.

 Dr. Joel Alcantara, ICPA Research Director and presenting author said, “This paper shows the preliminary results of the ICPA’s Children’s PBRN – Phase One. Phase two is well under way and we have initiated similar research pertinent to pregnancy. We are pleased that a major CAM Journal respects the importance of chiropractic care for children and we foresee greater collaboration with the CAM community on the importance of chiropractic care for children.”

Dr. Jeanne Ohm Executive Director of the ICPA says, “I am pleased to be affiliated with an organization dedicated to chiropractic family wellness research. It is wonderful to see research substantiating the safety of chiropractic care for children and the overwhelming satisfaction of parents with children under care.”

The ICPA is the oldest and largest pediatric organization in the chiropractic profession. Their mission is Research, Training and Public Education on behalf of family wellness. To find out more about chiropractic and children or to locate a doctor who cares for children visit www.icpa4kids.org

Reproduced with permission from: http://www.icpa4kids.com/Press_Releases/2009_Sept_Childrens_Phase_1_Press_Release_.html

Copyright © 2009 International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) all rights reserved. All or part of this message may be retransmitted for information purposes, but may not be used for any communal purpose, posted on a website, or used in any non-ICPA publication (other than that of an ICPA affiliate) without the permission of the ICPA.

Interference comes by way of vertebral subluxations.

Sometimes a misalignment can be mistaken for a vertebral subluxation. For a example, sometimes it is thought that a vertebral subluxation can be seen on an x-ray.

That is incorrect. Only a misalignment can be seen on x-ray, whereas a vertebral subluxation has a far-reaching effect greater than that of a simple bone out of place.

B.J. Palmer cleared up this confusion in the early 1930s when he found that vertebral subluxations have five components to them. They are:

1.) Malposition – This simply means misalignment of a vertebra
2.) Occlusion – This refers to the closing off of an opening that a nerve passes through. In our case, we are referring to the neural canal where the spinal cord travels down.
3.) Pressure – When C1 is misaligned, this can occlude the neural canal near the brain stem. This can cause pressure or tension on the cord at this level.
4.) Interference to flow of nervous system transmission – With a misalignment, an occlusion, and pressure, there is zero chance for the nervous system to properly communicate to the rest of the body.
5.) Three-directional torqued vertebra – To achieve these four components of vertebral subluxation, the C1 vertebrae has to shift up or down, left or right, and rotated front or back.

What causes a vertebral subluxation?

Stress. Pure and simple. Various forms of stress bombard our bodies on a daily basis. If not dealt with properly, they can and will manifest themselves in the form of a vertebral subluxation. For intensive purposes, I will discuss three forms of stress: physical, emotional, and chemical.

Birth Trauma

Many times during a hospital birth, a doctor or nurse-midwife will grab the baby’s head and tug and twist until that baby is yanked free. And we haven’t even mentioned forceps, vacuum extraction, or c-section yet.

The C1 vertebrae is the most unstable vertebrae in our spine, connected only by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. With any kind of extreme twisting, turning, or yanking, that vertebrae WILL misalign in three directions, which will result in occlusion, pressure, and interference.

Doctor spanking baby

Beyond birth, once the baby begins crawling, standing, walking, running, and climbing, he/she will fall literally thousands of times by the age of four. My eight month old falls every few minutes. I know because of her lovely shrieking each time it happens.

As we get older, and get into sports, or exercising, or just plain old every day life, injuries occur. For example, getting tackled in football, smacking into the fence while trying to catch a pop fly, slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk, getting T-boned by a semi in a busy intersection, etc. Even natural everyday motion such as walking can have a negative long term effect. Years and years of gravity pulling down on your body will take its toll.

The point is, we can’t afford to go through life without at least getting checked for interference to our nervous system. We haven’t even addressed emotional or chemical stress yet, but physical stress beginning at birth and continuing on into adulthood can and will have long-term devastating effects on your overall well-being.

[Article By:  Dr. Brandon Harshe on March 9, 2010 http://theatlasoflife.com/2010/03/09/trauma-thoughts-and-toxins-vertebral-subluxations-part-1-physical-stress/]

 Recent research reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in helping pregnant women with breech presentations deliver normally in such situations.

 The research is the first to report on the use of a hand held instrument to administer a specialized chiropractic technique developed for “In Utero Constraint”, a leading cause of breech presentations.

 ”Every day more clinical research is showing that chiropractic care can play a crucial role during pregnancy, labour and delivery” stated Dr. Drew Rubin, the author of the study. “Research showing that the Webster Technique can affect a breech presentation so that more aggressive interventions such as C-sections can be potentially avoided is growing. This study is the first to use a hand held adjusting instrument to perform Webster’s Technique” added Dr. Rubin.

 Despite widespread education and efforts to curb birthing interventions such as caesarean sections, their use remains high and concern amongst health care advocates is growing. The concern centers around the use of high risk interventions for “convenience” of the doctor or mother without taking into consideration the long term effects of a traumatic birth on the child.

 ”Some expectant mothers are hesitant to undergo chiropractic care for fear it might harm the baby” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy a researcher, public health expert and editor of the journal that published the study. “But the data shows this is simply not the case and chiropractic has been shown to be safe and effective during pregnancy. The findings from Dr. Rubin’s study add further options for the way pregnant women are adjusted” added McCoy.

 As pointed out in the paper, a hand held adjusting instrument was used to perform one part of the adjustment known as Webster’s Technique. The instrument produces a very light impulse that helps “reset” the spinal or pelvic joints. According to chiropractic specialists, distortions of the spine and pelvis either cause or add to the problem of “In Utero Constraint”, possibly causing breech pregnancies. Spinal and pelvic distortions, termed subluxations by chiropractors, result in structural and neurological interference to the spine and nerve system. It is this interference that may affect the birth process and chiropractors correct or reduce this interference, correct the imbalance and allow the fetus to turn in preparation for the birth process.

 ”The goal is for the mother to be checked prior to the time of delivery so that these problems can be corrected beforehand and a difficult labor avoided” remarked Dr. Rubin adding “While these are only three cases, coupled with numerous other case studies and some larger clinical studies, our hope is that is shows health care providers that chiropractors can play a very beneficial role in the management of pregnant patients.”

 All three mothers in this study were managed utilizing the Webster Technique and after 2-4 Webster Technique adjustments, the babies turned from a frank breech position to a vertex, head-down position.

 Dr. Rubin calls for more research on the role of chiropractic care in pregnancy and delivery.

 For more information on Webster technique and chiropractic care in pregnancy, contact Dr. Stacey Rosenberg at Gibsons Chiropractic (604) 886-7080 or your local family chiropractor. To find a listing of Webster Technique certified practitioners in your area, visit www.icpa4kids.com.

Short answer – yes! Chiropractic techniques need to be modified for comfort and to accommodate the growing belly. Additionally, certain techniques should be avoided so you should see a chiropractor trained in the techniques that address in utero constraint or mal-presentations, who will check for misalignment of the pelvic bones, pubic bones, misalignment of the sacrum and vertebrae, and spasm of the ligaments that support the uterus and help hold the pelvis together (such as Webster Technique or Bagnell Pregnancy Technique).*

How can visiting a Chiropractor be beneficial to a pregnant woman?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy helps with the typical pregnancy backache, it ensures the pelvis is working and moving properly prior to and during labour. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy. Specific adjustments eliminate these stresses in your spine, restore balance to your pelvis and result in greater comfort and lifestyle improvements. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy restores balance to your pelvic muscles and ligaments and therefore leads to safer and easier deliveries for you and your baby. Additionally, the chiropractic adjustment removes interference to the nervous system allowing your uterus to function at its maximum potential. Published studies have indicated that chiropractic care does in fact reduce labour time. According to recent studies, chiropractic care may result in easier pregnancy including increased comfort during the third trimester and delivery, and reduced need for analgesics (pain medication). In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had twenty-four per cent shorter labour times [than average] and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported thirty-nine per cent shorter labour times. In another study, the need for analgesics was reduced by fifty per cent in the patients who received adjustments. In addition, eighty-four per cent of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with chiropractic care! And because the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better, there is significantly less likelihood of back labour (contractions and sharp pain felt in the lower back during labour) and dystocia when receiving chiropractic care through pregnancy. Chiropractic care has also been shown to increase breast milk production and breastfeeding comfort.

What common aliments do you see most when working with pregnant women?

The preventative check-ups, typical pregnancy backache, lower ribcage discomfort, pubic bone discomfort, upper back ache from increased breast size, breech presentation, in utero constraint, and delayed maturity (past due date).

At what age can children start seeing a Chiropractor?

My children were both checked within one hour of delivery. And even with their natural, non-invasive, midwife-delivered births, both had small misalignments in the upper neck area. Studies show that infants showed signs of nervous system injury and birth trauma in up to 40% of natural, non-traumatic births. A German physician (M.D.) found upper cervical (neck) misalignments and dysfunction in over 90% of neonates (newborns).

“The birth process and eager hands pulling and twisting can put a great deal of pressure on the spinal nerves and muscles of the infant’s neck (up to eighty pounds in some studies). In a difficult delivery, damage to the delicate tissues of the spine may occur, especially when vacuum extraction or forceps are used. While forceps injuries may be less common today, vacuum extraction can do just as much damage—up to 120 pounds of pressure goes through the baby’s head and neck to literally suck the baby out of the mother (decapitation can occur at 140 pounds of pressure, to give you an idea of the high forces involved).

Changing diapers may also place undue stress on the baby’s mid-back (thoracic spine). Raising the infant’s legs with one hand to place the diaper underneath can cause repetitive stress to these spinal joints. Spinal problems can also occur as a result of the frequent falls suffered by young infants in the first months of life. A fall from a bed, a sudden stop in an automobile, or any significant unsupported movement of the head and neck in an infant can induce excessive movement in the spine causing subluxations. At the other end of the spine, the act of learning to walk, and the number of simple falls encountered in this way, can induce trauma to the lower spinal segments and to the large sacroiliac joints of the pelvis.”*

NB: Adjustments for children and babies are safe and take into account the delicate nature of the pediatric spine. The amount of pressure used to check and adjust a child’s spine is very small, approximately the same as you would use to check a tomato for ripeness.

How could seeing a Chiropractor be beneficial to a child?

Unless a child has an obvious problem, it can be difficult for parents to recognize when a child has spinal subluxations (misalignments causing nerve interference). There are some signs, however, which parents may look for which can be an indicator of an infant with a spinal problem including: the child’s head consistently being tilted to one side; restricted head or neck motion to one side; disturbed sleeping patterns where the child sleeps for only an hour or two at a time; feeding difficulties in the young infant, for example, the infant may have difficulty nursing at the breast on one particular side; and the presence of any of the symptoms of ill-health mentioned previously. Nerve interference from subluxations is implicated in many common childhood health problems such as: sucking dysfunction, colic, irritability, reflux, unexplained crying, recurrent ear infections, frequent colds, headaches, asthma, lack of appetite, poor digestion, constipation , stomach aches, so called ‘growing pains ‘, back aches, bed-wetting , poor general health, and fatigue.*

*(From Natural Pregnancy, Natural Baby – Natural Remedies for Pregnancy, Birth and Post-Partum Discomforts)

[This article was originally posted in the October-November 2008 edition of Coastparents.ca Online Newsletter Parent Profile of Dr. Rosenberg]

According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, many people sleep badly and suffer preventable spinal pain due to their beds being too hard or too soft for their body type. The caution for this Valentine’s Day is to pay attention to sleeping posture and ensure you have a suitable mattress and pillows to guarantee a night of uninterrupted bliss.

Sleeping on your back puts 55 lbs. of pressure on your spine. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees reduces the disc pressure to 40 lbs. Putting a couple of pillows under your knees while lying on your back will take most of the pressure off your spine (only 25 lbs. of pressure). 

If a mattress is too hard it causes pressure points and reduced circulation, requiring the muscles to work harder to keep the spine straight. However, if a mattress is too soft, then the spine may sag out of alignment and again create tension leading to dysfunction and pain.

Ideally, a mattress should be firm, comfortable and supportive, but not too hard as has been recommended by some specialists in the past. The line of your spine should be straight when lying on your side, and a natural curve maintained when sleeping on your back.

Chiropractors frequently notice that a variety of spine-related disorders become recurrent and chronic due to adverse stress from a bad bed. When you spend one-third your life in bed, it is important to choose the best possible mattress we can afford and look after it well!

One of the main reasons mattresses cause back trouble is that they are not replaced regularly enough. Manufacturers and chiropractors recommend changing a mattress approximately every 10 to 13 years, depending on how it is cared for. The following tips are recommended for maintaining the life of a mattress:

• Never fold or bend the mattress
• Rotate the mattress by turning it end to end every three months
• When cleaning use a vacuum cleaner, and do not wet the mattress
• When choosing a new mattress, lie on it as many different ways as possible in the store.

Some signs that the mattress may need replacing include annoying peaks, dips or lumps or waking up stiff and sore after sleeping on the mattress.

It is recorded that 80% of people suffer back pain at some stage of their lives, and because every body is different, it is important to choose a bed with the right support and comfort for the individual.

Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be a pain in the back!

Benefits

You don’t need to become a member of an expensive gym to go walking. And except for a good pair of walking shoes, it requires virtually no equipment.

A sedentary lifestyle has debilitating influence on people’s health as they age. Exercise is imperative or as the old saying goes: “if you don’t use it, you lose it!” Walking accomplishes all of the following and more:

• Improves cardiovascular endurance
• Tones muscles of the lower body
• Burns calories:  about 80 if walking 2 miles per hour, and about 107 if walking 4 1/2 miles per hour
• Reduces risk of heart disease

Shoes

The first item of business when beginning your walking program is to select the right pair of shoes. I recommend the following tips: Make sure the shoes you purchase fit properly. The balls of your feet should rest exactly at the point where the toe end of the shoe bends during walking. Avoid high-top shoes that often cover the entire ankle, limiting your foot’s ability to move freely and naturally. Opt instead for shoes that offer your ankle a fuller range of motion. Select shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact of your walking. If you suffer from excessive pronation, fallen arches or other biomechanical problems with your feet, consider getting custom-made orthotic supports. Pregnancy can make the arches stretch and drop more from the effects of the hormone Relaxin, as well as from the weight gain and altered biomechanics (the classic ‘pregnancy waddle’) so it is extra important to ensure you are wearing proper, supportive footware when you are exercising while pregnant.

Getting Started

Walking just 12 minutes every other day can offer important health benefits. Walking 20 minutes every other day is even better. In order to increase your longevity, try to eventually work up to 30 minutes, five days per week. The following tips should help you get started safely and smoothly:

• Move your arms freely, in coordination with the opposite leg.
• Don’t stoop your head or look down as you walk. This will challenge the normal forward curve of your neck, which, in turn, will cause you to carry your weight improperly.
• Don’t carry weights or dumbbells while walking. They’re better used as a separate part of your exercise regimen. If you do carry weights while walking, be sure that they are light enough that they do not interfere with the “rhythm” of your arms and legs; in order to counterbalance the body, when your right arm moves forward, the left leg should be moving forward, etc.
• Expect a little soreness in the thighs and calves for the first week or two. If you experience more than minor soreness, check with your Doctor of Chiropractic.
• Walk briskly, with “purpose.” Simply “sauntering,” while relaxing and enjoyable, is not an effective form of cardiovascular exercise.

Keep in mind that, if you have not previously been physically active, you should consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise program. Begin slowly with a walk of perhaps half of a mile at a pace that does not cause discomfort. Continue this for about two weeks, then start to increase the pace and length of time walking. Eventually – depending on your age – you can build your “target” heart rate/pulse to either 120 beats per minute or, if younger, as many as 140 beats per minute. For the average adult, a heart rate of 120 beats per minute would require walking at about 2 miles per hour, while a heart rate of 140 beats per minute would require a pace of 4 ½ miles per hour. Click here for more pregnancy exercise tips.

Surfaces

Some walking surfaces are better than others on your musculoskeletal system. Walking on a cushioned or rubberized track is ideal, because the cushioning of this type of track absorbs most of the impact of your walking. Many recreation centers offer this type of track free of charge.

Grass is another good surface, but watch out for hidden dips or holes in the ground. Walking on a surface with no give, such as concrete or a mall floor, is not your best choice, because this type of surface will not absorb much of the impact your body will experience. If you do choose to walk on such a surface, be extra careful to select highly cushioned shoes.

Strollers

Strollers are great for giving your back a break from carrying your little one – when you use them properly. As you walk behind the stroller, your elbows should be slightly bent, back straight. Imagine a fishing line pulling you up from your sternal notch (the bump on the upper part of your breastbone). This will make your chest come up and your shoulders come down with your chin tucked in. Ideally, your stroller should have adjustable handles so that you, your spouse and other caregivers can easily raise or lower the handles to waist level – the optimal position for ergonomic ease. In case you’ve inherited a stroller with fixed handles that are too low for your comfort, check your favourite baby supply store for handle extenders.

Now that you’ve nailed the stroller walk, don’t blow it by bending over to transfer baby in and out. Instead of hunching your back, kneel on one knee to get down to baby’s level, and then straighten your legs to stand up. When you need to free up your arms, front carriers or slings come in handy. As with everything else, just be sure not to overdo as this can cause neck and shoulder strain.

Hydration

Drink 8-10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day to help keep the kidneys active, dilute and remove toxins from the body, and replace lost fluids. (Coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol are diuretics (dehydrators) – don’t substitute them for water,  especially when you are pregnant). If you perspire during walking, you may need to drink even more.

Pain and Injury

While you may experience pain or injury in a particular area, such as a knee or a hip, the root of the problem may lie somewhere else. Injuries of this nature are not regional, or isolated, but often systemic. A problem in the foot or ankle can create an imbalance in every step, leading to discomfort or injury that moves to the knees, hips, low back, or elsewhere. If you suffer from pain beyond typical muscle soreness, your Doctor of Chiropractic can diagnose and treat your pain or injury and get you back into the swing of your walking routine.

Your Doctor of Chiropractic can also help customize a wellness program that is right for you and has the expertise to help keep you in the mainstream of life.