SPINAL BALANCE WELLNESS CENTRE
  • Home
  • What is Spinal Balance Wellness Care
    • Definition
    • Facts
    • Subluxations
    • Corrections
  • Why Choose Spinal Balance
    • Why Us?
    • Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT)
    • Pregnancy & Babies
    • Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET)
    • Applied Kinesiology (AK)
    • FAQ
  • Who We Help
    • Interactive 3D Spine
    • Asthma
    • Back Pain
    • Bedwetting
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome >
      • Carpal Tunnel Test
    • Children and Infants
    • Headaches
    • Neck Pain
    • PMS
    • Scoliosis
    • Slipped Disc
    • Stress
    • TMJ
  • Blog
    • Health Articles
  • Gallery
  • Testimonials
    • Written Testimonials
    • Video Testimonials
  • Products Available
  • Contact

Tongue-tie: A Holistic Approach for Breastfeeding Infants

17/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Author // Andrea Auerbach, D.C.

New moms are well aware of the importance of breastfeeding. Moms who are eager to breastfeed their new-borns often find themselves disheartened if they run into difficulties with nursing.
They may find the infant is having trouble maintaining suction, or chewing on the nipple, or becoming irritable during and after nursing. An infant may tire from the added effort and fall asleep before eating enough. Insufficient weight gain may become a concern. The mother, in turn, may suffer from blocked milk ducts, painful breasts or cracked nipples, and may become frustrated and discontinue nursing. Often this leads to the mother feeling depressed and believing that if she cannot meet her child’s needs she is not a good mother.

Chiropractic care offers a conservative approach that appeals to many parents. It is gentle, non-invasive and proven safe for children. As chiropractors we assume the structural makeup of the infant is intact and then we look for what is obstructing normal function. Chiropractic care facilitates the child’s body to heal on its own. In her article, Dr Jeanne Ohm states, “In the case of breastfeeding difficulty, as with many childhood disorders, the cause of the problem often traces back to undetected biomechanical injuries to the spine and cranium at birth. The failure to recognize these biomechanical injuries and their relationship to difficulty in breastfeeding leads to incorrect conclusions and, therefore, inadequate recommendations and treatments.”

These “biomechanical injuries” are termed subluxations. Subluxations are misalignments of the bones that interfere with the nerve transmission (communication) to the area and in turn the function of a joint. The spinal bones (vertebrae), bones of the skull (cranial bones) and facial bones including the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) all participate in the process of latching and sucking. A baby that is having difficulties nursing most likely has subluxation in one or more of these areas. It has been my experience that when an infant is subluxated in these areas and adjusted, these obstacles to nursing are corrected and normal function returns. Breastfeeding is then resumed.

Subluxations can occur in a number of ways exacerbated by physical, chemical or emotional stresses. Williams Obstetrics, the “bible of obstetrics,” parallels chiropractic theory by stating, “the diameter of the woman’s pelvis is decreased when the sacrum is displaced.” In this circumstance the mother has a misalignment or subluxation of the pelvis. This may interfere with the baby’s ability to attain the optimal positioning. Compression on developing foetal structures and the nerves they protect may occur with this alteration in positioning.
Additionally, the birth process is a traumatic event for the new-born even under normal circumstances. Even when the baby is in the optimal position, obstetric intervention to extract the baby may cause undue force to the baby’s head and neck. Deliveries employing mechanical devices, such as forceps and vacuum extractions, use excessive force and add extreme stress to the baby’s cranium, spine and nervous system.

Frequently, present-day obstetricians advocate C-sections as a comparable alternative to vaginal birth. However, many prospective parents and practitioners are aware of the traumatic effects of C-section on the new-born and mother. Extracting the baby through layers of the mother’s muscles puts even greater force on the baby’s head and spine and may result in changes in alignment of the spine or the cranium. Additionally, a C-section delivery deprives the baby of an essential process called moulding. The cranium of an infant is made up of separate bones held together by cartilage. During the birth process the bones overlap and return to an optimal position that allows them to be freely moveable. The mobility of the cranial bones is important because subluxated cranial bones can interfere with the child’s ability to latch and suck.

Chiropractors are interested in educating our communities as to the effectiveness of chiropractic care in restoring the baby’s normal ability to breastfeed. Presently, ankyloglossia is diagnosed in 5 percent of newborns. There is no clear evidence in the literature that surgery for tongue-tie is the answer for latching issues or that it occurs as often as it is diagnosed.

Moms who receive this diagnosis for their child should look further into the possible cause of distress and seek out chiropractic care before resorting to surgery. This alternative approach can be their “Plan A,” before moving to an invasive “Plan B.”
​
I encourage you to learn about the many benefits of chiropractic care as part of a wellness and healthy lifestyle program as your children develop and grow into young adults.
0 Comments

Get your greens! Make time for a green juice each day and your body will thank you.

10/7/2017

0 Comments

 
By: Sheridan Williamson
Many people I consult with say they don’t have the time to make breakfast, let alone make a green.  If we were asked something like ‘Which food is rich in this nutrient?’ – I could always say ‘leafy greens and green vegetables’ because they cover almost all bases. Green smoothies are certainly not a fad - their extremely high nutrient content makes them a fantastic option for people that are looking for optimum health but are time poor.
Vitamins and minerals through food
If you’re taking a multivitamin tablet daily, you might want to rethink where your money is going. It is crucial that we get our vitamins and minerals through food, because each vitamin requires enzymes, co-factors, co-enzymes, minerals and other macronutrients to be absorbed and utilised by the body. When a vitamin is chemically isolated, our body cannot do the wonderful things it could potentially do.
Nutrients from natural foods are essential; nutrients that are chemically formulated into tablets or pills by man are certainly not. I crave greens. Without them I feel sluggish, I lack vibrancy and natural energy, I lose clarity of mind and focus and I feel like I lose my spark. When I increase them, I feel like all those things come back to me almost instantly, because my body is being given the tools it needs to thrive as well as it should.
Support detoxification
Unfortunately it is fact that we live in a toxic world. We are surrounded by chemicals in our food, personal care products, cleaning products, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Some of these things we can control, but others we can’t. Research has found that more than 200 chemicals can be found in a new-born’s umbilical cord, including BPA, petrochemicals, pesticides, lead and mercury.
Thankfully our body’s innate intelligence can assist us in eliminating some of these toxins, although many do remain within our body so it’s important that we provide it with the correct tools to support constant detoxification. One way to do this is to consume an abundance of greens. Chlorophyll, which is what makes green vegetables green, binds with toxic heavy metals stored in blood and tissue and assists their elimination, counteracting their major toxicity. 
Side effects of metal toxicity may include chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, general brain fog, depression and anxiety, to name a few.
Get greens into your diet
Some people feel that green smoothies and juices often require a sweet touch to it, usually from fruits or honey. Whilst this is fantastic, many individuals are at times unable to have too many sugars in their diet, due to bacterial overgrowths, the need for weight loss or insulin resistance.
Spirulina
Spirulina is one of hundreds of algae species and is commonly known as blue green algae. It is a tiny organism that usually grows in water. Spirulina does not have roots, leaves, or stems, however it does contain a pigment called chlorophyll, which is required by all plants to turn sunlight into food energy. The only difference between chlorophyll and haemoglobin (red blood cells) is that chlorophyll contains a magnesium atom while haemoglobin contains an iron atom.
Spirulina creates proteins and sugars just as animals do. It is an excellent source of plant protein, as well as being a rare food source for the essential fatty acid GLA. It is high in B12, iron which is easy to absorb, antioxidants and phytonutrients. These all help enhance immune function and slow down the aging process, while decreasing the activity of free radicals that damage body cells. 
Chlorella like spirulina, is a single cell green algae and is part of plankton. Chlorella provides the highest concentration of chlorophyll known. It is also a valuable source of protein, iron, vitamin B12, betacarotene and nineteen amino acids. Chlorella is also the food substance with the highest known levels of RNA and DNA. Some researchers believe regular use of chlorella might help repair genetic material in cells by providing important building blocks. This in turn helps protect health and slows the aging process.
In some studies chlorella shows promise of helping reduce blood pressure. Fibromyalgia sufferers experienced notable benefits after using chlorella and it can also help speed wound healing. One of chlorella’s most promising benefits comes in the area of immune system function. Scientists do not know the exact mechanism by which chlorella accomplishes this but they believe chlorella boosts the activity of T-cells and macrophages resulting in an increase in interferon which helps the immune system battle bacteria and viruses.
Barley grass. We all know that multiple servings of vegetables are recommended each day but many of us fall short of that goal. Key nutrients of barley grass include chlorophyll, amino acids, carotenoids, essential fatty acids, flavonoids, vitamin K, enzymes, vitamin A, minerals, folic acid and B vitamins. All these nutrients work together to promote health and energy in all systems of the body.
Sweet leaf. A small amount of dried sweet leaf (stevia) has been added to the green powder to add some sweetness but being a herb it also has some medicinal properties. Sweet leaf is 300 times the sweetness of sugar and has a negligible effect on blood glucose. It has been reported to help with high blood pressure and hypertension and has properties to help heartburn when drunk as a tea.
Kelp has over 70 minerals, including iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron, along with amino acids and enzymes. This range of nutrients, especially iodine, makes it an essential promoter of glandular health – in fact iodine is essential for the functioning of the thyroid. The thyroid gland makes a hormone that contains iodine which is required for every cell in the body to help with metabolism. Without iodine we may feel listless, tired, have dry hair and skin, lack motivation, cold hands and feet, hair loss, brain fog and anxiety.  It’s an important nutrient that also helps in the architecture of our glandular tissue, including breasts, ovaries and prostate. Iodine deficiency has been linked to an increase in cysts, nodules and cancers in glandular tissues.

In 1930, iodine was seen to be lacking in the diet and was added to salt. Then by the 1970’s, salt became something that we were told not to consume due to hypertension. So it’s now believed that a large percentage of the population is not getting enough iodine.

Broccoli sprouts are an excellent source due to the extensive scientific research of the health benefits of cruciferous vegetables and their role in the prevention of chronic disease. In particular, bioactive compounds in broccoli are implicated in a number of health benefits and disease prevention. These include:
  • reducing the risk of various cancers
  • reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
  • protection of the nervous system  
  • regulation of the immune system 
As a member of the brassica vegetable family, broccoli is one of the most potent sources of glucosinolates. The breakdown of glucosinolates produces a group of bioactive molecules known as isothiocyanates that have anticarcinogenic properties. The most common glucosinolate found in broccoli is glucoraphanin. The breakdown of this product produces the phytochemical sulforaphane: a highly potent product involved in “switching on” detoxification enzymes that elevate our cellular defence system against oxidative damage and cancer development. Broccoli sprouts are a rich source of Vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, along with folate, fibre, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
0 Comments

Given the right conditions - heavy metal detoxification

5/7/2017

0 Comments

 
By Cyndi O’Meara

​The body’s first line of defence to heavy metals, bad bacteria, parasites, poisons, toxins, phthalates, zeno-oestorgens and virus’s is the microbiome – that amazing group of organisms that live in your gut and help you do many things, including dragging heavy metals out of your body.

Since the dawn of time, humans have been exposed to heavy metals. When a volcano erupts it releases mercury and other heavy metals; many of our soils are enriched due to volcanic activity.  Our oceans have methyl mercury, they always have.  Heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, aluminium, lead and copper are all around us and our body has the capacity to either use these metals or rid the body of it.


Given the right conditions, our body has several fail-safe mechanisms.  The first line of evacuation of heavy metals is the microbiome in the gut. If these bacteria can’t get rid of the heavy metal, the toxins pass into the blood and then with the help of key chelation biochemistry the metals are chelated (joined to compounds) and either taken back into the gut via the liver or released through sweat and urine.  Failing that, the body will store the heavy metals in organs, hair and fat tissue until it can release them safely.
 
What are the right conditions?


1. Normal heavy metal exposure
The problem is that many of us are now being exposed to heavy metals from every angle of our life through dental amalgams, increasing concentrations in the air, polluted houses from copper piping, lead based paints, cleaners, off gases from carpets and furnishings, personal care products and makeups, air pollution and the increase of mercury in our water ways and thus in our fish and drinking water to name a few.  Our exposure is far greater than it was just 100 years ago.

2. A healthy microbiome
Through antibiotics and other medications, chlorinated water, refined foods, genetically modified corn, round up, herbicides and generations of dysbiosis, we have a weakened microbiome which in turn cannot clean up the heavy metals in the first incidence.  Improving the microbiome would be the first line of defence to stop heavy metal toxicity - using beautiful stocks and broths as well as the Changing Habits Probiotics and fermented foods begins this healing process.

3. A diet enriched with micro and macro nutrients
Once the heavy metals head into the blood system, there are several chelation (joining) pathways for heavy metals to be bound, so as not to disturb other important biochemical pathways.  Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants) help in this chelation process, as do our macronutrients (fats, amino acids and sugars).  The problem is that most people are not consuming nutrient rich foods with sufficient micro and macronutrients in order for the body to do chelation of heavy metals naturally.

4. A diet enriched with green foods containing chlorophyll
Green leafy foods contain chlorophyll - high concentrations are found in chlorella.  Chlorella is a water-grown algae full of chlorophyll; it is highly regarded for its ability to detoxify and cleanse the body by binding to toxins and heavy metals and carrying them out of the body systems. It also cleanses and helps oxygenate the blood. I also ensure that I eat some sort of green salad mix at every meal.  By taking the Supreme Green Blend and daily greens, there is increased assistance in helping the second line of removing heavy metals.

5. A diet using seasonal herbs and spices
Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years; fresh and seasonal were used as well as dried – these were used for taste as well as medicinally. The herb coriander, which is also known as cilantro has been found to be a natural chelating agent. ‘Coriander chelation’ calls for a small amount of fresh coriander, which can be made into a pesto sauce, added to salads and very often in Asian dishes and eaten on a daily basis while in season.  Turmeric - both fresh and dried is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chelates some heavy metals.  

There are probably many other herbs and spices that help with getting rid of heavy metals but these are two that have been studied extensively. 


6. A diet dictated by the seasons
In evolutionary terms we ate seasonally and locally, we ate foods that we adapted to eat depending on the environment, altitude, cultures and traditions.  Typically, more food was available in the summer and less in the winter.  There was an ebb and flow on an annual basis for food and as a result, there was a gaining of weight in the summer and then a loss of weight in the winter.  This ebb and flow enabled the body to detoxify by losing fat cells and any heavy metals that may be enclosed within the fat cells or surrounding organs.   Smaller amounts of foods were consumed during this time, thus allowing the body to naturally detoxify any remnants of heavy metals or toxins that were being stored.

Fast forward to today… what happened in our evolution enabled us to survive a volcano spewing mercury and other heavy metals, but it’s not like that now.  The 6 factors ‘given the right conditions’ I’ve discussed show a very different world. 
By allowing our evolutionary bodies to experience these conditions while still living in a modern world, we may be able to enhance our body’s natural ability to get rid of heavy metals on an ongoing basis as opposed to waiting until we are sick and then trying to dispose of a build-up of heavy metals. That in turn may cause problems as they are dumped by the body.
 
Here is a list of possible symptoms from heavy metal exposure:
Picture
July 2015
0 Comments

    Archives

    May 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

    We serve a large numbers of pregnant mums, their babies and their children who choose the chiropractic way of life. We happily look after individuals who desire expert natural health care. They happily pay and enthusiastically refer their like-minded friends an colleagues for our excellent care.