The Stress of Holidays on your Health!

 The holiday season is here, stress levels can be elevated.  Stress is not just for adults, but can and often does affect children as well, specially if the family is under stress.  When you are under stress your immune system does not function at the optimal level it needs to to fight off infections or pain.   At this time of year, if you add an already-weakened  immune system to being around large crowds of people who may be sick while doing holiday shopping, visiting family and attending parties, then you may be putting yourself at higher risk for illness.

 

The most common symptoms of holiday stress include headaches, backache, fatigue, irritability, high blood pressure and difficulties sleeping.

Chiropractic adjustments release muscle tension, reduce nerve irritation, improve blood circulation and boost the white blood cell count.  This helps the body return to a more balanced and relaxed state and helps your body fight off illness.

So, instead of giving up holiday memories with your loved ones due to sickness–decrease your chance of getting sick by keeping your stress at bay.  Contact ‘Chirpractic Wellness at Brier Creek" to see what we can do to help alleviate your stress levels and help you further enjoy your holidays!
Here are some things you can do to help decrease holiday stress:

• Lift packages correctly, firewood, groceries and other heavy items with your legs, not your back. When lifting, hold objects close to your body; rather than flexing forward, maintain a slight arch in your lower back and bend at the knees before standing up with the object.

When cooking or standing for an extended period, elevate one foot with a foot rest or stacked books, about six inches from the floor. Alternately elevating each foot relieves tired back and leg muscles.

Travel stress can be minimized if you start your journey having gotten plenty of rest ahead of time, allow plenty of extra time to your destination, pack light, use well-balanced wheeled luggage when you can and be careful to avoid heavy loads on your shoulders from bags with shoulder straps.

Place a pillow or folded towel behind the small of the back when traveling by car or plane, to help maintain the arch in your lower back and support the rest of the body properly. This relieves the discs and joint structures of the spine from unnecessary pressure.

Get enough rest. Many health problems that occur with the holidays are simply due to fatigue.

Your child and Chiropratic Care!

Your Child’s Health and Chiropractic 

Parents who want to maximize their child’s health should take a proactive approach in their growth and development.  Here are a few major strategies that you can implement to keep your child healthy and help them reach their potential.

 

Understand that your child’s brain and nervous system control and coordinate every function of the body.

 

This includes the immune system and how the body heals and regulates itself. It is essential to make sure your child’s spine and nervous system are developing and functioning properly. The primary goal of a chiropractor is to look for factors which cause the nervous system to function improperly. Subluxations, or minor misalignments of the vertebra, are the most common cause of nervous system interference. Just like a pinched nerve in your neck can cause pain in the arm, organ systems like the digestive or immune system can be affected when its nerve supply is compromised.  In children, the most qualified physician to locate subluxations is a chiropractor who specializes in pediatrics.

Recognize the warning signs.

 

Believe it or not most subluxations do not cause pain! Infants may show difficulty sleeping, breastfeeding or have issues with digestion (colic and reflux) and elimination. They may show a tendency to hold their head to one side or prefer breast feeding from one side. Without the language to explain what’s wrong, some newborns exhibit unexplained crying or a lack of appetite. 

Toddlers may experience repeated ear and respiratory infections or chronic sinus congestion.  Subluxations are often found in children who suffer from chronic earaches.  An impaired nerve supply can make their middle ear and eustachian tubes susceptible to fluid buildup or even infection.  Traditional treatment usually involves the antibiotic amoxicillin.  However, a recent study showed that children taking amoxicillin can actually compromise their immune system making it twice as likely to have recurring ear infections.
Adolescents may experience asthma, headaches, bedwetting, stomach pain, hyperactivity, behavior problems (ADD) and frequent colds and infections. 

A common symptom during adolescence, especially in girls, is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine called a “scoliosis.”  Alert parents may notice that a high shoulder or low hip make clothing fit poorly.  Back and leg pain may be present. A thorough chiropractic examination can help detect scoliosis in its earliest stages.  Safe and natural chiropractic care has helped many young women avoid braces, surgery and the psychological effects of this underlying deformity.  Other posture abnormalities such as a tilted head, rounded shoulders or hunchback warrant a chiropractic evaluation.

Add a pediatric chiropractor to your health team.

 

While taking a health history, a pediatric chiropractor will ask questions regarding your child’s birth (delivery), how often he is sick, the use of antibiotics, diet, behavior, school work and social interaction. These are just a few of the many questions which are taken into account during a thorough health history.  A physical evaluation will follow to determine the extent of interference in your child’s nervous system.

Chiropractic is safe and effective.

 

Tailored to their age and weight, a child’s treatment often requires no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato. A chiropractor who specializes in children uses techniques to make the child comfortable during their visit and insures there is no pain or discomfort involved with treatment. At our office, kids look forward to their adjustment and often run and jump right up on the treatment table.  As a parent, it is important to find a chiropractor which understands the benefit of “early” chiropractic care and the importance of creating a warm and friendly office environment.

Know the role of exercise and nutrition.

 

Remember to set healthy eating habits and avoid foods high in trans-fats, refined sugars, fruit juices and processed foods. Exercise is also paramount in maximizing the health, coordination and fitness levels of your child.  It is important to limit the use of television and computer so they remain physically and mentally active.  A healthy diet and proper exercise will ensure that they maximize their immune system and brain function, provided that they maintain their spinal care and remain subluxation free.

A final thought.

 

Remember, chiropractic care for children is different from that for adults. If your child suffers with any health condition or seems to be failing to thrive, he may greatly benefit from chiropractic care. A pediatric chiropractor successfully treats children with these conditions and more on a regular basis. Parents should add a chiropractor who specializes in pediatrics to their healthcare team. With over 16yrs of experience and having advanced education in Pediatrics, Dr. Craig French and his office are here to take care of all your child's chiropractic needs.

Would You Like to Learn More

 

Contact Dr. Craig French of Chiropractic Wellness at Brier Creek for more information about chiropractic care for your child.

Stiletto's and The Chiropractic Perspective!!!!

OUCH!!!!

Written By: Sherry French

Ok Ladies, I know we all have been there, we have worn these type of shoes at some point in our lives.  When I was in my twenties and thirties, even during three pregnancies I wore high heels ( I know crazy, but a girl needs to feel sexy even at 9 months pregnant, RIGHT!). I still wear a high wedge at times, but that does give a different level of support then a stiletto.  Being married to a Chiropractor has given me a different perspective on the health of my spine, as well as educating me on the importance of good spinal support and health.

Here is an article I found and wanted to share with you regards High Heels and Chiropractic.


Two publications carried an article based upon a release by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. The articles from the January 2, 2008 Hudson Valley Press, and the January 8, 2008 Indiana Star, discuss the perils of high heels from a chiropractic perspective.  Dr. Gerard Clum spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and president of Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, California starts the article off by stating, "From a health standpoint, there's no good side to heels."

The FCP release notes that wearing high heels changes the biomechanics of walking, therefore affecting the foot, leg and spine. Dr. Clum notes, "Dangers associated with wearing high heels affect the entire body, particularly the knee, hip, and back." He continued, "The abnormal weight-bearing and stressful posture induced by high heels can strain both the low back and the neck, not to mention the foot, ankle, and knee."

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress made several recommendations for women who wear high heels.

These are:
If high heels must be worn, Dr. Clum advises not to wear them for more than two hours a day. He states, "Many high-heeled shoes do not allow for proper space and movement of the toes.

Typically, the pointy toe of the shoe causes pain in the front of the foot, which creates pressure on the metatarsals." Doctors at the Foundation are not suggesting flat shoes but they do suggest wearing heels of two inches or less as a compromise. Dr. Clum summed up the chiropractic perspective by saying, "The vast majority of women who come for chiropractic treatment do not associate the heel height of their shoes with their ailments. It is important for women to realize that their everyday choices, including what shoes to wear, will affect their entire body, not only their feet."

If you are experiencing foot pain or lower back pain and have been a big supporter of high heels in your life, give
Dr. Craig French a call at 919-596-2900 for an exam.

REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY (RSI)


Repetitive Strain Injury is a condition caused by performing a repetitive task over a prolonged period of time. RSI is more commonly associated with shoulder, arm and hand pain resulting from working for extended periods of time whilst typing at a computer. However, RSI can also be associated with other joints in other areas of the body e.g. Back Pain.

RSI is commonly associated with performing repetitive manual tasks such as computer work, housework, typing and work of a laborious nature e.g. gardening, digging and construction. RSI may also result from pregnancy, stress and trauma.
Common symptoms of RSI can include:

• Upper part of the body: numbness, tingling, pain in the arm, thumb, index and also the middle finger and neck.
• Lower part of the body: back pain, numbness and tingling in the legs.

A commonly overlooked cause of RSI, is nerve problems originating from the spine. Spinal misalignments reduce normal vertebrae movement and will interfere with the nerves supplying different areas of the body. 


Chiropractic and Dr. Craig French look at how to successfully identify and treat the cause of this condition with early mobilisation of the wrist and or spine and if necessary referral to orthopaedic physician or other specialist depending on the case in question.


Office ergonomics plays a very important role in posture and its affects on spinal and joint conditions.

Nervous System..

The Nervous System controls the function of the entire body. The Brain is the control centre, and the spinal cord and nerves are the messengers. When correct spinal alignment is altered, the nerves can be irritated producing pain.

Scientific research has shown that the slightest pressure on the nerve will alter nerve function, producing pain and possibly numbness as in Repetitive Strain Injury. Chiropractic treatment has been found to be most effective in the treatment and management of these conditions. As a result, you may also have referred pain in other parts of your body originating from the spine.

If you live in Durham or the surrounding areas of Raleigh, Morrisville, Brier Creek, RTP,  NC, contact Chiropractic Wellness at Brier Creek to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

The Pregnant Patient!

During pregnancy, a number of body changes occur to the expectant mother, some physiological (changes in body chemistry and loosening of the ligaments) and endocrinological (hormonal). These changes occur for the purpose of creating an optimal environment for developing the baby and well being for the mother. During pregnancy, most women experience a number of biomechanical and neuromuscular problems which respond favorably to gentle safe chiropractic treatment, along with massage and exercise instruction.

Approximately 90% of pregnant women experience back pain. Although the majority experience back pain in their last trimester, studies have showed that symptoms often begin by the twelfth week.

Risk factors for low back pain during pregnancy include previous back problems, increased weight gain, age, and multiparty (having had more than one child). Neck and back pain primarily occur as a result of increased weight gain, change in the distribution of weight thereby causing an increased demand on the spinal and pelvic muscles. These stresses also alter the normal spinal curves and related biomechanics. The result is increased physical stress to the body leading to pain and discomfort. 

 Chiropractic is a primary health care profession that deals with a wide variety of these types of musculoskeletal disorders. All functions of the body are controlled by the nervous system. This system consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerve roots and all nerves in your body. These delicate structures are protected by the spinal column and pelvis. Any of these bones can lose their normal alignment and may contribute to the above symptoms. Additional symptoms include headaches, nausea or insomnia.

There is a large amount of research supporting the efficacy of chiropractic during pregnancy. The results of some of these studies are summarised below:

• Women who receive chiropractic adjustments in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy were able to carry and deliver children with more comfort. (1)
• The need for pain killers during delivery is reduced by up to a half. (2)
• Approximately 91% of pregnant women with sacroiliac joint pain achieved relief with manipulation. (3)
• Almost 3 times less back pain was experienced during labor when 
  manipulation was administered during pregnancy. (4)
• Women had a positive response to chiropractic treatment for pre and post partum symphysis pubis dysfunction. (5)

(1) American Medicine Association records released in 1987 during the trial in US District Court Northern Illinois Eastern Division, NO. 76C3777.

(2) Freitag, Per: - Expert testimony of Pertag M.D., Ph.D. Comparing the results of two neighbouring hospitals, U.S District Court Northern Illinois Eastern Division, No.76C3777, May 1987.

(3) Daley et al, (1991) Sacroiliac Subluxation: a common treatable cause of low back pain in pregnancy. Fam Prac ResJ, 11 (2) 149-159.

(4) Diakow, PR. Et al (1991) Back Pain during pregnancy and labour. JMPT 14 (2): 116-8

(5) Andrew & Pedersen (2003) A study into the effectiveness of Chiropractic treatment for pre and postpartum women with symphysis pubis dysfunction, Eur J of Chiropractic 48, 77-95.

If you are pregnant and live in Durham or the surrounding areas of Raleigh, Morrisville, Brier Creek, RTP,  NC, contact Chiropractic Wellness at Brier Creek to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica: Durham, North Carolina

Being a Chiropractor in Durham, NC,  I see patients from most of Wake County and other parts of the state that suffer with sciatica.  After treatments with medications, rest, and physical therapy the problem persists because these treatments do not get to the cause of the sciatica the majority of the time.

 If you have pain that shoots down your leg, experience numbness or tingling in your leg or foot, have weakness in your legs or even soreness and pain by your butt, you could be experiencing sciatica. 

Medication at best will just cover up the pain of sciatica, but it will not correct it.  Taking medication is like if you went to the dentist for a toothache or painful cavity and the doctor said for you to take some pain medication and anti-inflammatories but not treat the cavity.  You know that the cavity would continue to decay and get worse, eventually needing drastic procedures to fix what could’ve been prevented in the first place.  Yet, this is the way most doctors treat patients and you follow their lead.

Physical therapy has a slightly higher success in treating the sciatica as many times the PT will first do some therapies like electric stimulation or ultrasound to ease the pain and decrease the swelling, then do some stretching to loosen the muscles and probably finish with some strengthening exercises to try to stabilize the area.  Short term this gives relief but this in long term can cause problems as the underlying cause is still not being corrected and doing these exercises will just splint the area in the imbalanced position.  The problem will further degenerate years down the road.

Chiropractors look for the cause of the problem.  Many look for misalignments called subluxations, where the vertebra move out of place/alignment, putting pressure on the nerve, therefor causing the symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling, and leg weakness.  These bones moving out of place/alignment can cause a herniated disc, swelling and degeneration in the long run. By performing chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors reposition the bones of the spine to remove the pressure on the nerve, thereby getting to the cause of the problem.

Would you like your health professional to find the cause of your back pain and sciatica so you can enjoy your normal daily activities and time with friends and family?  Would you like to finally live without the pain and prevent future problems?

If you answer yes to these questions, live in Durham or the surrounding areas of Raleigh, Morrisville, Brier Creek, RTP,  NC, contact Chiropractic Wellness at Brier Creek to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Whiplash Symptoms and Treatment!

Here is what the Mayo Clinic has to say about Whiplash:

Whiplash is a neck injury that can occur during rear-end automobile collisions, when your head suddenly moves backward and then forward — similar to the motion of someone cracking a whip. These extreme motions push your neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion.

Whiplash injuries can be mild or severe. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice applied to the painful neck muscles. If pain persists, prescription medications and physical therapy may be helpful.

Most people recover from whiplash in just a few weeks, but some people with whiplash injuries develop chronic conditions that can be extremely painful and disabling.

My Take: Sure, many people that suffer a whiplash injury to the neck or low back feel better after a short period of time...but have they really recovered from the injury? 

I have learned from many years of treating neck and back pain from whiplash trauma...that it's best not to leave musculoskeletal symptoms related to a car accident or other whiplash cause untreated.

What happens is the bones of the spine get knocked out of place and stay there...even though you feel better. In addition...the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that were injured from the whiplash, do not heal properly.

They end up being weaker, less flexible, more pain sensitive, and prone to re-injury.

In order for the bones of the spine (and spinal discs) and the surrounding soft tissues to heal properly the right conditions need to be in place such as proper position and motion. Allowing the injured parts to heal on their own sets the stage for chronic neck or back pain down the road.

More often than not, patients that present to Chiropractic Wellness at Brier Creek with chronic neck pain and headaches, have a history of whiplash injury from an auto accident.

It's sure a lot easier to treat a whiplash right after it happens than to treat a chronic back, neck pain, or shoulder pain syndrome years later.

Here's the deal...If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident...recently or in the past...you should get checked out by a chiropractor. Don't wait until the neck or back pain becomes chronic and hard to treat...do it NOW!

Dr. Craig French is the Doctor of Chiropractic Wellness at Brier Creek in the RTP area. To schedule a complimentary whiplash evaluation call 919-596-2900 and mention this blog post.