Why Does a Kid Need a Chiropractor?

“You do that to babies???” Is a common response I get when telling people that I adjust little ones. The look of horror on the person’s face typically fades away quickly as I explain that an adjustment on a baby or small child is completely different than that of an adult. It’s extremely gentle, requiring a light pressure with the tips of my fingers. The next question that I’m usually asked is “Why would a baby need an adjustment?” 

According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association over 68 million pediatric chiropractic visits took place in 2013. Typically, people think that one only sees a chiropractor after an auto accident or injury. In all actuality, individuals of any age can have spinal misalignments which result in nerve interference.

If you think about all of the falls and tumbles that children take throughout the different stages of development, it's easy to understand how they might have spinal misalignments. In fact, many parents have their newborns checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic because even the most "natural" birth is straining to a baby's spine. The resulting nerve interference from spinal and cranial misalignments can be related to common symptoms such as colic, reflux, nursing problems, and chronic ear infections. With age, those undetected spinal misalignments can turn into chronic back and neck pain as an adult. Many parents report improved digestion, immune function, breathing and sleeping behaviors once their children start receiving regular chiropractic adjustments.

When visiting a primary care physician, they will typically recommend a medication to treat whatever pain or symptom you or your child may be experiencing. The concern with this is that it merely covers up the symptom rather than addressing the root cause. in addition to masking symptoms, those medications almost always come with side-effects. Chiropractic is a completely safe and natural alternative for addressing a multitude of issues at any age.

For more information about the research and benefits of children under chiropractic care visit icpa4kids.org. 

My name is Dr. Nikki Porteus, CACCP, founder of Renew & Restore Wellness, in Southlake TX. I am trained, certified and passionate about prenatal and pediatric chiropractic techniques. To learn more about how your child would benefit from chiropractic care and how I can help, schedule an appointment here.

Are Your Glutes Sleeping on the Job?

Because a majority of us sit behind a desk all day, our glutes are asleep. Much like the phrase "use it or lose it", our brain forgets that our booty muscles are there. When we perform movements or exercises that would normally utilize our glutes, other muscles have to step in and compensate for the sleeping giant. What does this mean for overall function of our body? It means that smaller muscles are placed under a great deal of stress in order to keep our body performing as optimally as possible. At some point, those accessory muscles can't keep up and we start to experience a variety of symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms associated with weak glutes include:

- Low back pain and instability

- Hamstring strains

- Knee Pain

- Hip Pain

- Chronic ankle instability

So what can you do to wake your booty up? There are a variety of exercises that target the glutes and help to re-establish the connection between your brain and your behind. Examples of these exercises include single-leg squats and single-leg Romanian deadlifts. It is important to make sure your form is correct when performing these exercise, so it is best to utilize the guidance of a trained professional when first starting out. 

Another important step to turning on your glutes is to visit your family wellness chiropractor. Chiropractors directly influence the function of nerves by ensuring that the spine and pelvis are moving properly. When a nerve is functioning optimally, the brain is better able to communicate to muscles and every other part of the body.

To find out whether your symptoms are related to weak glute muscles, schedule an appointment with Dr. Nikki at Renew & Restore Wellness today!

Stepping Out

What is it about the first step that is so tough? Is it a fear of the unknown? A fear of failure? Too many other commitments calling our name? A fear of letting go of who we were or how we identify ourselves at this very moment? I think, more often than not, it’s a combination of these things that we use to disqualify ourselves. 

We are our own worst enemy when it comes to believing these fears/lies; letting them hold us in the exact same place, day after day, year after year. I am 100% guilty of it on too many occasions to count! To give you a prime example, it’s taken me over a month just to take the first step in sitting down to write this post!

We’re over two months into 2018 and I’ve been making a conscious effort to shut the fears and the lies down. The product of one of my biggest “steps” to date came to fruition on February 1st; I became the founder and owner of my very own chiropractic practice, Renew & Restore Wellness! 

Taking the first step towards this endeavor was hard, ok not just hard, terrifying! And I’d be lying if I said that the steps following that initial leap weren’t scary as well. There were moments where I was tempted to turn around and just accept one of the numerous job offers I had received. There were, and still are, moments of doubt, where I question my ability to carry out the duties of starting and running my very own company. But here’s what I know, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). So many times we want to feel fully qualified before we take that first step. We want to feel a sense of perfection before letting others into a process, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t serve us well and it doesn’t serve those around us well either!

Let me ask you a question that a few friends and I have been chewing on for a couple of days… what happens when we pursue excellence rather than perfection? For me, that means I’m defined by who I am and Whose I am, rather than what I do. It means doing my best in any given situation and cutting out comparison to others. With this mindset comes a great deal of freedom because, as Theodore Roosevelt put it, “comparison is the thief of joy”.

So what’s calling your name? What are you stuttering to step towards? Whatever it is, take that first step… it will be worth it!

What Is Strength? A Chiropractor’s Perspective on Health

Photo by CB

I recently accepted a challenge to get into better shape with one of my closest friends. About a week into our new workout routine, she snapped a picture of me doing a cable face pull exercise. Honestly, I didn’t feel very strong that day. But when I saw the image, one word stood out immediately: strength.

As a chiropractor, I couldn’t help but notice something else, the activation of my back muscles, specifically the extensor muscles that support posture and spinal health. In today’s world of desk jobs, phones, and constant screen time, these muscles are often weak and underused. So seeing them engaged was a small but meaningful win.

Pro tip: Exercises like rows and face pulls are excellent for improving posture, strengthening your back, and supporting chiropractic care.

Why Strength Matters for Spinal Health

When most people think of strength, they think of lifting weights or building muscle. But from a chiropractic perspective, strength is also about stability, alignment, and proper muscle function.

Strong back and core muscles:

• Support proper posture

• Reduce strain on the spine

• Help prevent injuries

• Improve overall mobility and function

If you’re dealing with back pain, neck tension, or poor posture, improving muscular strength, especially in the posterior chain, can make a significant difference.

What Is Strength, Really?

Strength isn’t just physical.

According to Webster’s dictionary, strength can refer to:

• Physical power

• Mental resilience

• Emotional endurance

• The ability to withstand stress

And in real life, strength often shows up outside the gym.

Everyday Examples of Strength

Some of the strongest moments in life look like:

• Making difficult decisions

• Asking questions when you feel unsure

• Having uncomfortable conversations

• Trying something new

• Facing fears

• Staying steady during uncertain seasons

Through all of these experiences, I’ve realized something important:

True strength doesn’t come from us alone.

Finding Strength in Weakness

It’s easy to feel strong when everything is going well. But real growth happens when we’re stretched beyond our comfort zone.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, we’re reminded:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

This is where strength takes on a deeper meaning.

It becomes less about control and more about trust, humility, and growth.

How to Build Strength in Your Daily Life

If you want to improve your strength in a well-rounded way, physically and mentally, start with small, consistent steps:

• Incorporate strength training into your routine

• Focus on posture and spinal alignment

• Add pulling exercises like rows and face pulls

• Stay consistent, even when motivation is low

• Step outside your comfort zone regularly

• Address discomfort instead of avoiding it

If needed, working with a chiropractor can also help identify muscle imbalances and support your overall movement and recovery.

A New Perspective on Strength

Strength isn’t just about how much you can lift.

It’s about:

• Showing up when things feel hard

• Taking care of your body

• Being willing to grow

• Trusting the process

Whether you’re working on your fitness, improving your posture, or navigating life’s challenges, strength is built in those moments where you choose to keep going.

Final Thoughts

My hope for you is that this season challenges you in the best way.

Try the workout.
Start the conversation.
Take the trip.
Do the thing that feels uncomfortable.

Because that’s where growth happens.
That’s where strength is built.

And that’s where transformation begins.

Looking to improve your posture or relieve back pain? Schedule an appointment with our chiropractic team at Renew & Restore Wellness today.