Screen Time
There’s no denying that technology has become a way of life and a massive component of that includes screens ̶ computer screens, iPhone screens, iPad screens, and TV screens. While it is possible to exist in 2021 without screens, it would be pretty inconvenient and way less entertaining. But, as we know, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. This is especially true for our children.
By: Dr. Kelli
“It’s scary how my kid reacts when I take his electronic devices away. ‘He must be legitimately addicted’, I say into my phone.” – Deena Lang
#relatable am I right?
There’s no denying that technology has become a way of life and a massive component of that includes screens ̶ computer screens, iPhone screens, iPad screens, and TV screens. While it is possible to exist in 2021 without screens, it would be pretty inconvenient and way less entertaining. But, as we know, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. This is especially true for our children.
In this post I’ll do my best to answer some of these questions you may have:
“How does screen time affect my child?”
“How much screen time is recommended?”
“How can I limit screen time at home?”
THE EFFECTS
Research has consistently shown that increased screen time for children can lead to obesity, speech impediments, mental health decline, disrupted sleep, social setbacks and developmental delays.
A major study found that more time per week spent on screens at ages 24 months and 36 months was linked with poorer performance on screening tests for behavioral, cognitive and social development at 36 months (JAMA Pediatrics, Vol. 173, No. 3, 2019). The opposite association (poorer development leading to more screen time) was not seen, suggesting that the linkage wasn’t a matter of parents leaning on screen time to handle a challenging child. Instead, the excessive screen time seemed to precede the developmental difficulties.
If you’ve read any of my other blog posts, you will recognize a common theme ̶ the nervous system. It is this dynamic, intelligent system that makes us who we are and determines who we will be. So, when it comes to learning about things that affect the human condition ̶ how we develop, grow, learn, and adapt ̶ I always reference the nervous system.
So how do screens affect the nervous system? Every second of every day your child’s brain is busy forming millions of connections so that they can grow and develop into beautiful little humans. That is their only job for the first few years of life. Screens prevent the brain and nervous system from doing that job efficiently.
Think of it this way: You are working from home but the WI-FI is super glitchy. You eventually get the work done but it takes longer, you got frustrated, took some short-cuts and the quality wasn’t as good as it could have been.
Similar to that scenario, screens interfere with the functioning of the nervous system, which ultimately affects development. Infants’ brains can’t process the artificial, fast-moving graphics and bright colors yet so their nervous system becomes overstimulated. We want to stimulate their systems but we want to do it naturally, ensuring efficient development without interference. Natural stimulation includes free, unrestricted movement like tummy/floor time while limiting time spent in containers like swings, seats and walkers (click here to learn more about containers). Sensory stimulation from being in nature is an excellent way to entertain children while making sure their nervous system is supported. One of the greatest natural stimulations is communication. Talking to your babies and getting eye-level with them on the floor cannot be underestimated. Other activities include playing outside and enjoying meals together. It’s in that connection which allows us to communicate with our children so that they are equipped to process our interactions, learn, and develop unhindered.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS
They say it takes, on average, 10 years for practice to catch up with the research. As a result, a lot of well-meaning healthcare providers are giving recommendations on numerous topics based on outdated research. However, that is NOT the case when it comes to screen time. In fact, there is a universal consensus among most major organizations (AAP, UNICEF, WHO, ICPA) recommending that screen time be avoided and limited in the pediatric population.
Infants (newborn-1 year old)
NO screen time for babies (0 hours/day)
Toddlers (2-5 years old)
Screen time should NOT exceed 1 hour/day for 2-5 year-olds
THE STRATEGIES
Be present & put your phone down-babies are watching and learning from us from day 1
Avoid blue light-emitting screens before bed- make it a routine- no TV, iPad or phones 30 min-1 hour before bedtime
Establish a system with rules and time-limits for screen usage
Declutter toys and play area- clutter can be overwhelming for parents and the kids
Have other activities available that encourage movement, play and imagination
Block the TV with an umbrella or another object while baby explores during floor time
Create a Family Media Plan on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website here
What about face-time with relatives? Face-time is such a gift from technology which lets us connect to those who aren’t close to use, so of course, allowing your toddler talk to grandma on face-time is one of those scenarios that is an exception, not the rule. What if you work from home and you have to nurse/hold baby while at the computer? Again, the exception, not the rule.
When it comes down to it, you are the parent and you have the privilege to make decisions that are best for your family! My intention is always to provide evidence-informed information and present it in a way that is easily digestible. My hope is for you to take-away at least one thing you find helpful and implement it in your life. We have the same goal—to nurture happy, healthy children who will grow up to be happy, healthy adults.
References
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/screen-time-brain
https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/babies-screen-time
https://services.aap.org/en/search/?context=all&k=screen%20time
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/cover-kids-screens
Baby Containers
In this post we are going to focus on one category of baby accessories that has a huge impact on a child’s development ̶ baby containers. A baby container is any device that limits normal movement for a baby.
By: Dr. Kelli
Whether you are pregnant or have kids at home, I’m willing to bet that at some point you’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of accessories on the market for babies. Even if you don’t have children, if you’ve ever stepped foot into a Target, you’re familiar with the giant section dedicated to car seats, strollers, swings, etc. I mean, if you search “baby registry must haves” on Amazon, you get 7 PAGES of items that you’re being told are essential for raising a baby. As a new or seasoned parent I can imagine that can be exhausting and, honestly, a little discouraging ̶ to be told that you have to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of products in order to be a good parent or to survive parenthood.
What if I told you that you don’t need every single “must have” recommended by Amazon, your mom, your best friend, or some girl in your Facebook mom group? What if I told you that many of those products do not support your baby’s development, despite what is advertised?
Before we go any further, hear me out. My intention is not to shame anyone for using these products or instill fear. My objective as a pediatric + prenatal chiropractor is always to educate and promote normal human physiology, which will ultimately facilitate optimal development and function.
Brain Development
Did you know that 90% of brain development occurs before 5 years of age? Another fun fact is that baby’s brain doubles in size the first year. The brain actually develops and changes well into adulthood based on experiences and input to the nervous system. That ability to adapt is called neuroplasticity. Early on, if the brain doesn’t develop properly it will adapt to allow function but not optimal function. In the toddler/child this can look like toe-walking, “W” sitting, bow-legs, skipping milestones, delayed milestones, speech delays, incoordination, sensory processing disorders, and so much more. This is why we want to make sure baby is given every opportunity for natural brain development. Not only will you be doing what is best for your child (what parent doesn’t want that??), but you will be saving money, time and energy later down the road.
Baby Containers
In this post we are going to focus on one category of baby accessories that has a huge impact on a child’s development ̶ baby containers.
A baby container is any device that limits normal movement of baby and includes:
Swings
Walkers/Jumpers
Floor seats, car seats, and high chairs
Bouncers
Nursing pillows or cushions
You’re probably thinking, “What do these things have to do with a baby’s development?” and it’s a valid question. It’s something that never crossed my mind before I began studying the brain and nervous system.
Container Baby Syndrome
All of these containers hold baby in un-natural positions and stunt their development. Movement is life and we are created to move in very purposeful ways. During delivery, for example, baby moves through the birth canal in a manner that allows molding of the cranial sutures. Then, when placed on mom’s chest, baby moves head in the direction of the breasts (rooting reflex) in order to be fed. Baby begins to lift his head up, which develops the cervical curve in preparation for more advanced movements. The point I’m trying to make is this ̶ successful progression through the stages of development requires freedom of movement.
Parents are busier now more than ever so it makes sense that the convenience of these containers is so appealing. However, time in those containers adds up very quickly throughout the day. Babies are moved from car seat, to swing, to high chair to walker to jumper, which reduces the amount of time and ability that baby can kick, turn their head, wiggle and move freely.
Another concern is when babies are put into these containers too early. Consider the well-known ‘Bumbo’ floor seat, for example. Almost always, babies are put in the seat way before they are able to sit up on their own. Without an understanding of neurodevelopment, it would be easy to assume that the seat could be a tool used to help baby learn to sit. Yet, the neurology tells us that it actually does the complete opposite. When baby is being propped up by the seat they aren’t able to activate important muscles needed to build strength and coordination, placing stress on developing bones, joints and ligaments. As a result, the ability to learn new skills is hindered.
Things to look for that may indicate Container Baby Syndrome:
Milestone delays (rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking)
Skipping milestones
Flat spots on the head due to lack of movement
Neck tightness from keeping the head turned or tilted to one side (torticollis)
Here’s an analogy that might make it all a bit easier to digest
The victim of a terrible motor cycle accident loses his ability to feel his legs or walk.
Scenario 1: He arrives to day 1 of physical therapy and they put him on the treadmill, supported, and tell him to start walking.
Scenario 2: He arrives to day 1 of physical therapy and they start by doing sensory work to regain feeling in his legs. Once he has some sensation, they begin with muscle strengthening exercises. After he has acquired some muscle strength they begin to work on balance and coordination. Finally, after months of going through the stages of recovery, he gets on the treadmill and attempts to walk.
I hope it’s clear that scenario 2 is the only logical option. The same concept applies to babies. They need to move unrestricted through the stages of development.
What’s the alternative?
No single piece of baby gear will derail healthy development when used in moderation. However, it is easy to fall into habits when we are busy, tired and stressed out so something to be aware of is how many containers are in your home. Reducing the options will reduce the likelihood of baby spending too much time in containers. Prioritize time outside of baby gear when you have the opportunity.
The floor is always the best option. Tummy time is the best way to counteract time in containers and/or substitute time in containers. Even better if tummy time is spent outside in nature!
Baby wearing is another great option because you have more freedom to do other things. Though it is technically a container, wearing baby provides biodynamic feedback similar to how your baby bounced in your womb, which stimulates their sense of movement.
Infant lounger or basket is a safe place to place baby when you need to put them down and these typically allow for natural movements.
Support baby’s nervous system with chiropractic adjustments to ensure that the spine is free of interference and mitigate some of the effects of baby containers.
Read more about the nervous system and development here:
The Process of Learning to Crawl
Learning to crawl is a huge developmental milestone and it’s a process that is actually quite complex. Not only is crawling important for physical development and preparation for walking, but it’s also very important for body scheme, motor planning, visual perception and hand-eye coordination!
By Dr. Nikki
Learning to crawl is a huge developmental milestone and it’s a process that is actually quite complex. Not only is crawling important for physical development and preparation for walking, but it’s also very important for body scheme, motor planning, visual perception and hand-eye coordination! [1]
There are a few skills that must develop before a baby is ready to crawl. If you’ve had a crawling baby before, these stages may sound familiar [1]:
1) Lifting head off the ground
2) Supporting upper-body with arms (think cobra in yoga)
3) Getting knees underneath the body
4) Being stable on all fours in quadruped position
Once babies have mastered the quadruped position, they will typically start rocking back and forth. This rocking motion helps strengthen and stabilize their arms and legs until baby takes the plunge of reaching out for something in front of them and falling toward their outstretched hand. Baby will eventually realize that this falling forward onto their hand gets them closer to the item they desire and they will start to repeat the motion.
Is all crawling created equal?
The short answer is no. But just because a baby doesn’t start with the classic cross-crawl (opposite arm and leg) motion, doesn’t mean they won’t get there. Crawling is a learned movement and sometimes babies will explore different ways of getting around before making the connection of opposite hand and knee crawling.
Army crawling is where baby pulls themselves forward on their elbows while the remainder of their body stays on the floor. This movement often times serves as a milestone towards moving around on all fours.
Bear crawling is where baby moves around on their hands and feet with their behind in the air. If your home has a lot of hard flooring, baby may bear crawl because of discomfort with the hard surface on their knees.
Crab crawling is where baby has one knee on the ground and then the other foot is in a standing position on the floor.
None of these alternative types of crawling are automatically problematic, but if you notice any asymmetries in a baby’s crawling, it’s a good idea to have them checked out by their pediatrician and/or a pediatric chiropractor.
What are the benefits of crawling?
The physical benefits of crawling include increasing core strength, increasing overall body strength, improving coordination of upper and lower extremities, as well as improving balance. When crawling, children have to utilize binocular vision where they go back and forth from looking ahead to down at their hands. This is an important skill that transfers into later years of childhood when looking at the blackboard in school. [2]
The other benefits of crawling include improved problem-solving skills, improved memory, increased self-confidence, retention as well as the ability to translate skills between different activities. [2] Crawling is the first stage of independent movement for a child, so it plays a huge role in overall development.
These benefits are definitely reasons why we highly encourage babies to crawl in our office!
How can I encourage my baby to crawl?
Provide LOTS of tummy time and try to limit the use of swings, bouncers and exersaucers
Place toys just out of reach and to the left/right so that baby is encouraged to reach and move while on their tummy
Place a towel or blanket underneath their tummy so that their hands and knees are on the floor
Limit and/or avoid “walking” baby around
Practice cross-crawl movements by bringing opposite arm & opposite leg together towards midline while baby is on their back
Get on the floor and interact with baby
What if my baby isn’t crawling or I’m noticing asymmetries in their crawling?
First off, it’s important to note that developmental milestones are slightly different with every child. So if you’re baby isn’t crawling right at 6 months, it’s not necessarily something to fret over! If you do have concerns, a pediatric chiropractor is a great place to start.
As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, primitive reflexes play a big role in development and crawling is no exception! The STNR, symmetrical tonic neck reflex, is present briefly after birth and then reappears around 6-9 months. This reflex helps divide the body down the midline and separates right from left, which is extremely important for crawling. [3] If you feel like your child is experiencing a delay in crawling, a pediatric chiropractor educated on primitive reflexes can check to see if the STNR is present or not.
Sometimes a baby’s position in the womb or the process of being born can cause strain on their body, resulting in muscular imbalances or restrictions of their spine/pelvis. These imbalances can restrict movements necessary for crawling or can cause favoring of one side of the body. As we talk about in our blog post about how a baby can benefit from chiropractic adjustments, a gentle chiropractic adjustment can restore proper movement and improve communication from the body to the brain and the brain to the body.
I’m too late! My baby went straight to walking… now what?
Before the mom-shaming kicks in to full force, no need to stress! Your child can still experience the benefits gained during crawling through other activities that involve crawling or cross-crawl patterns of movement. Setting up obstacle courses in which children have to crawl through tunnels or underneath objects is a great way to encourage crawling in a “non-baby” way. If you start to notice coordination problems or challenges with cross-crawl movements with your child, there are exercises that can be introduced to help improve communication between the left and right side of the body. A pediatric chiropractor is, once again, a great resource to have your child assessed if this is the case.
As always, if you have further questions about your child’s crawling, or any other health issue, we are always here to serve as a resource!
Resources:
March 15, 2013. Why Crawl? Retrieved on May 25, 2021. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why_crawl
The Benefits of Crawling. Retrieved on May 25, 2021. https://day2dayparenting.com/benefits-crawling/
Retained Primitive Reflexes as a Sign of Brain Imbalance. Retrieved on May 27, 2021. https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/retained-primitive-reflexes-sign-brain-imbalance
Stress
Stress can make us sick and unhappy. Today we are plagued with diseases that accumulate damage slowly-heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disorders, diabetes. These diseases can be caused or made worse by stress, so there is significant value in understanding stress and how to mitigate it.
By Dr. Kelli
Stress can make us sick and unhappy. Today we are plagued with diseases that accumulate damage slowly-heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disorders, diabetes. These diseases can be caused or made worse by stress, so there is significant value in understanding stress and how to mitigate it.
How Stress Works
To understand the stress-response and how to manage it we need to understand a bit of the neurology first. The autonomic nervous system is the involuntary, automatic part of our nervous system and it consists of the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. You might remember those words from high-school biology or maybe you slept through that class, so let’s refresh. The sympathetic nervous system is known as the “fight or flight” and it is activated during flight, fright, fight and sex. Working in opposition to the sympathetic system is the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”), which promotes growth and energy storage.
During the stress-response the sympathetics are turned on and the parasympathetics are turned off.
We are not designed to maintain constant high stress levels. Built into our physiology is a reservoir of cortisol intended to be used for short periods of time when in stressful situations. Imagine you are camping at Yellowstone National Park and while on a hike you cross paths with a bear. That is a stressful situation that will spark cortisol production so that you have the energy to RUN! So, you run and make it back to your car safely. Shortly after, your brain would realize that the danger is eliminated and the stress response should turn off. However, you open your phone to 23 unread emails, your husband just got laid-off, and your Facebook news feed is nothing but negativity. Your brain senses this and the stress response stays on sometimes for months or even years.
A sustained, active sympathetic nervous system can trigger symptoms including:
Headaches
Frequent colds/infections
Weakened gut health
Low energy
Loss of sex drive
Chronic pain
Muscle tension
Unnatural posture
Nerve dysfunction
Mental strain/irritability
Increased pain perception
Decreased sleep quality
3 Types of Stress
Homeostasis- another buzz word from biology 101- is the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. A stressor is anything in the outside world that knocks you out of homeostatic balance or the anticipation of it. The stress response is what your body does to reestablish homeostasis.
1) Physical stress includes contact sports, prolonged postures/physical inactivity, sitting at a computer, rapid growth changes, and accidental traumas.
2) Chemical stress can be found in both the internal (physiological) and external environments. Stressors includes dietary habits, how foods are grown, stored and prepared, medications, nutritional supplements, home and work place environment, air quality, cleaning products, sanitizers, pesticides, artificial fragrances and many more.
3) Emotional/Mental stress includes depression, anger, hostility, anxiety, heartbreak, loss, jealousy, pessimism, and change.
How We Deal With Stress
At some point in our lives we found a way to deal with stress whether the outcome was helpful or harmful long-term. Unfortunately, most of the time it is the latter. These coping mechanisms feel good and are easy in the moment but they manifest themselves in a vicious cycle of self-sabotage. If you read this previous post about habits, you will learn that the habits we form in response to stress are deep-rooted into our neurology.
I am no different than many of you in the forms of coping I default to when I am feeling stressed out. Drinking, eating, binging TV and scrolling social media are a few that come to mind. These *almost* never make me feel better or address the root cause of the issue at hand. If anything, I feel more drained and uninspired than before and the effects pile up on top of one another until I’m debilitated and completely depleted.
We often fail to consider the harmful effects of chemical and physical stress because they are usually quietly lurking in the background activating your stress response without you even realizing it. For example, let’s consider posture. We sit slouched over our desk every day for 10 years until one afternoon when you start to notice some pain in the neck and tightness between the shoulder blades. At first glance, you might think that the pain is “all of a sudden” and “it came out of nowhere.” But it didn’t that physical stress has been wreaking havoc on your system for years until finally something had to give. The same goes for living in a house with hidden mold. It’s so common for symptoms like headache, fatigue and congestion to be written off as ‘normal’ or blamed on allergies but the reality is, our bodies are being subjected to TONS of stressors daily and they are keeping us in a dominate sympathetic state.
Mitigating & Managing Stress
It’s important to emphasize that we can change the way we cope, both physiologically and psychologically. Sheer repetition of certain activities can change the connection between your behavior and activator of your stress-response. For example, the first time I adjusted someone I had the heart rate of a hummingbird, my hands were visibly shaking, a wave of heat rolled across my body and I was already stressing about the next time I had to adjust again. Now, after a few thousand repetitions, I am calm, cool and collected when I adjust. I repeated the experience so many times that I stopped being scared and anxious which changed my hormone secretion patterns. The entire psychological component of my stress-response was habituated away.
Here are some ways you can start easing the stressors in your life in order to move your system toward a healing parasympathetic state:
Chiropractic adjustments ➔ chiropractic adjustments positively impact the nervous system and its ability to communicate in the body- adjusting the spine affects the nerves that stimulate parasympathetic activation, thus restoring some homeostasis to your system (this is the reason why fussy, sympathetic dominant babies usually fall right to sleep after an adjustment)
Check out this blog post for more about Chiropractic and the Nervous System
Remove toxins ➔ start slow and one at a time begin to replace toxic household/cosmetic items with natural, more clean options (good idea to toss all of those glade plug-in air “fresheners”)
Exercise ➔ makes you feel good by secretion of beta-endorphin, sense of self-efficacy and achievement; stress reducing so long as it is something you actually want to do; consistency- minimum of 20-30 minutes at a time, a few times a week to get the health benefits; don’t overdo it- too much can be at least as bad as too little
Meditation ➔ regular, sustained basis- daily for 15-30 minutes at a time
Social Support ➔ getting social support from the right person, the right network of friends, the right community is wonderful but the strongest stress-reducing qualities of social support is the act of giving social support- to be needed; charitable acts also serve as an amazing source of control because we all have the ability to make the world a better place with our actions
Posture ➔ vital for all of you WFH people- keep your computer at eye level, take short, frequent breaks, move your mouse to your side (brings shoulders back), be aware of your posture and correct it regularly throughout the day (shoulders down and back, head neutral).
Diet ➔ My favorite rule for a “diet” is the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time you eat whole, real foods and 20% of the time you have Chick-fil-A and a pint of Blue Bell.
The 80/20 rule applies to stress management as well. 80% of the stress reduction is accomplished with the first 20% of effort. Don’t procrastinate your stress management for Monday or next month when you have less going on. Take time out to do it almost daily. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Stick with it and the changes will come!
Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?
“Is it safe?” is probably the most frequently asked question when it comes to chiropractic care and it is a good question. When seeking out treatment options you should 100% be asking those type of questions because YOU are the best advocate for your health and for your families health. So don’t be afraid to ask if it’s safe, what the risks are, what benefits it provides, or if there are any contraindications.
By Dr. Kelli
You’ve suffered from debilitating migraines for as long as you can remember. After a dreadfully long day of dealing with clients in the office, the pounding in your heard starts as abruptly as, yet, another ring of the phone. You’re venting to your colleague and they say, “I’m telling you…go see a chiropractor! It will help!”
You want relief but you’ve heard conflicting things about Chiropractic and you just don’t know if it’s safe…not to mention the thought of someone cracking your neck sends chills down your spine.
I hear you. You’re not alone.
“Is it safe?” is probably the most frequently asked question when it comes to chiropractic care and it is a good question. When seeking out treatment options you should 100% be asking those type of questions because YOU are the best advocate for your health and for your families health. So don’t be afraid to ask if it’s safe, what the risks are, what benefits it provides, or if there are any contraindications. In fact, I encourage it. I want you to make an informed decision. My goal as a healthcare provider is to educate and empower you to take control of your health so that you can live a life fully connected in mind, body and soul.
Alright, let’s talk chiropractic!
In chiropractic school we have 10 trimesters. Trimesters 1-3 were spent studying fundamental sciences and the basics of adjusting (how the joints move, what muscles they attach to, direction of movement, etc.) Trimesters 4-7 we moved on to more advanced courses and started learning hands-on adjusting. As you can probably imagine, practicing an adjustment on anything other than a living, breathing human being would be a tricky task. So we practiced on each other- our classmates. I say this because no one *really* knew what they were doing back then and experience was severely lacking but it was OK because we understood that chiropractic is safe.
HISTORY & EXAM
Before we get to the adjustment itself, I want to talk about what happens before an adjustment because it’s an important piece to understanding the safety of chiropractic.
Prior to that first adjustment, a thorough history and examination should always be performed to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for chiropractic care. At that point we can exclude any anatomical or neurologic anomalies that may require additional testing or referral to another provider. Additionally, it allows us to identify any red flags or contraindications, which include certain neurological conditions, cancers, fractures etc. In terms of safety, the purpose of the history and examination is to rule out ANY reason that manual adjusting may result in a negative outcome.
Only after it’s determined that the patient is a good candidate for care is an adjustment administered.
RISKS OF ADJUSTMENTS
Every single action we take has risks, whether you are commuting to work or taking Tylenol to relieve a headache. The important thing to consider is the risk to benefit ratio. We determined at some point in our life that the risk of getting into an accident while driving to work is offset by the benefit of having a job and providing for your family. So, every day we drive to work even though >40,000 people died in automobile accidents in 2020. The same goes for chiropractic adjustments--the benefits far outweigh the (rare) possible risks associated with it.
Adverse events is the term that medical research uses to describe negative side-effects. What research shows is that the risk of major adverse events with manual therapy (adjustments) is very low. When these rare risks do occur they typically include exacerbation of a slipped or herniated disc, spinal nerve compression and, in very rare cases, vertebral artery dissection (stroke). Again, when these occur, it is normally with patients who have pre-existing conditions. This brings home the point of why the history and exam are so important. Keep that in mind the next time you are frustrated completing pages of paperwork or when your chiropractor is asking you questions that you think are irrelevant to your complaint…there is a reason for the madness!
I know stroke is a big concern for a lot of people so I’ll touch on it here. Research has shown that people go to chiropractors with pain from a stroke in progress as opposed to a chiropractor actually causing the stroke. This is because stroke via vertebral artery tear is accompanied by severe head and neck pain, so guess who these patients go to see first? That’s right, the chiropractor. Additionally, a major study in Canada found that, statistically, patients were at higher risk of having a stroke after seeing their medical doctor than from seeing a chiropractor. Yet again, this is likely due to the fact that when they go to see their provider the stroke is already in progress. I’m going to sound like a broken record here but this is why chiropractors are trained to recognize stroke presentation and other red flags in the history and exam to keep you safe!
SIDE EFFECTS
If there is a reaction to the adjustment it is usually mild-moderate and lasts 24-48 hours including things like muscle soreness, stiffness, headache, local discomfort, radiating discomfort, and fatigue. I’ve found this to be consistent with my own personal experience. I have adjusted thousands of people and only a handful reported mild soreness after the adjustment. More often, they report side effects like less pain, better sleep, improved mobility, and decreased stress/tension.
Compare the side effects and risks of spinal adjustments with those of common over-the-counter NSAIDs and you might be surprised to find that chiropractic care is significantly less risky and, oftentimes, results in the same or better pain relief outcomes.
SO ARE ADJUSTMENTS SAFE?
Numerous research studies regarding the safety of manual adjustments have been performed over the years and the results remain consistent: Chiropractic is safe.
Every industry has their own horror stories and chiropractic is no different. However, that is the exception, not the rule. An estimated 35 million Americans receive chiropractic care annually and they consistently experience less spinal pain, headaches, stress, fatigue, trouble sleeping, ear infections, and more.
Take a look at some of our other posts to learn more about chiropractic and why you might want to get your spine checked!
Chiropractic and The Nervous System
How much schooling does a chiropractor need to have?
I’ve Never Been to a Chiropractor…What should I expect on the first visit?
Picky Eaters
Picky eaters… if we weren’t one, we most certainly know one! Picky eating behavior in children is a very common concern among parents and that’s why today we will be discussing common causes and consequences of picking eating, as well as what we can do to best encourage the introduction of new foods into a child’s diet.
By Dr. Nikki
Picky eaters… if we weren’t one, we most certainly know one! Picky eating behavior in children is a very common concern among parents and that’s why today we will be discussing common causes and consequences of picking eating, as well as what we can do to best encourage the introduction of new foods into a child’s diet.
According to one study [1], several factors seemed to contribute to a child being a picky eater. These factors included feeding difficulties early in life, pressure from parents to eat, lack of exposure to fresh foods, and late introduction to solids (after 9 months of age). Some solutions in response to these potential causes included parents eating the same meal as their child at the same time as their child, as well as introducing solids, especially fresh foods, before 9 months of age.
Another reason for a child being extra particular when it comes to meals is that they are consuming too many calories via drinks and/or snacks [2]. Drinking juice, soda or milk throughout the day can result in a child feeling full and not wanting to eat a meal when the time comes. In order to prevent this, you can limit the amount of juice or milk a child is given, as well as avoid soda all together.
It is important that growing children receive regular snacks and meals throughout a day, but it is best if this follows a daily schedule. If a child is snacking throughout the day, they may not have an appetite when it comes time to sit down for a meal. Best practice is to avoid giving a child food in between set snack and meal times and communicating when they can expect to eat again.
Some children are more sensitive to smells, tastes and textures. While sometimes this can be a matter of personal preference, overwhelm from taste or texture can also be the result of retained primitive reflexes. If the Fear Paralysis Reflex or Moro Startle Reflex have not integrated into the nervous system, we will often times see reluctance to try new food, a restricted diet, strong sugar cravings, and/or carbohydrate-filled food cravings. To learn more about what exactly primitive reflexes are be sure to read our previous blog post here. If you would like to have your child assessed to see if primitive reflex retainment is potentially associated with picky eating behavior, a chiropractor trained in this area is a great starting point! If it is determined that primitive reflexes are still present, there are simple exercises that can be introduced to help integrate the reflex into the nervous system.
An adult or child will always be more apt to eat when our nervous system is in a parasympathetically dominant state. This is the part of the nervous system that is responsible for resting and digestion and it cannot be overly active if our system is in a state of “fight or flight”. With that being said, the environment in which a child eats is important! Making meal time enjoyable and relaxing (to the best of your ability) will improve everyone’s appetite. Here are some tips from Sanford Health for creating a blissful mealtime:
Limit distractions. Make a no device rule where there are no phones, TVs, tablets, etc at the dinner table.
Control the conversation. Make an effort to limit negative talk or save serious or difficult conversations for another time. Instead focus on positives or practice gratitude by asking each person what they are grateful for that day. Another favorite dinner time activity at our house is playing the game 21 Questions. It tends to lighten the mood and encourage interaction and conversation!
Take time to prepare. The end of the day can be hectic, so by prepping ingredients ahead of time, preparing a meal in a slow cooker or making other arrangements such as a meal delivery service, this can remove a great deal of stress associated with dinner time. Involving kids in planning and preparing meals can also make eating and trying new foods more fun as well!
At the end of the day, every parent wants their child to thrive and grow into a healthy, well-adjusted adult! Eating a variety of healthy foods is definitely a part of that process, but just remember that it doesn’t have to be a battle or ruin mealtime if your child is a bit resistant!
Here are some helpful reminders when trying to introduce different foods to a child [2]:
A child may react differently to the same foods on different days. It is not necessary to offer a substitute food.
If a child chooses to skip a meal or a snack, he or she can wait until the next scheduled time in a couple of hours.
When children are hungry because they chose not to eat, they'll be more likely to eat what is offered next time.
Children can be offered a food up to 15 times before they will try it.
Here at Renew & Restore Wellness, our goal is to serve as a resource for our patients in all different seasons of life. If you are looking to have your child assessed by a chiropractor who is trained in pediatric techniques and primitive reflex integration, but don’t live in the Southlake or Arlington area, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we will help you find one in your area!
If you are local and would like to make an appointment with Dr. Nikki or Dr. Kelli, click here.
(2018, November 1). Antecedents of picky eating behaviour in young children. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30099068/
Picky Eaters. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/picky-eaters
How Food and Eating Problems Can Be Affected by Retained Primitive Reflexes. Retrieved April 27, 2021, from https://www.organisedmind.co.uk/single-post/how-food-and-eating-problems-can-be-affected-by-retained-primitive-reflexes
Make Family Mealtime Stress Free. Retrieved April 27, 2021, from https://fit.sanfordhealth.org/blog/make-family-mealtime-stress-free-article