Can Newborns Go to a Chiropractor?

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We highly encourage getting your newborn checked out by a chiropractor! Now, you may have some questions in regards to pediatric chiropractic care and we are here to answer those for you! Listed below are the most frequently asked pediatric related questions we get in our office, but if you have any additional questions, please give us a call at 916-625-6395!

 

FAQ 1: Should newborns go to the chiropractor? Newborns should be checked for spinal subluxations considering how traumatic the birthing process can be for babies! Parents will bring their babies in to a chiropractor if they are experiencing colic, constipation, trouble sleeping, shoulder dystocia, torticollis, head rotation issues, and a number of other concerns.

FAQ 2: How soon can babies see a chiropractor? Babies can be seen any time after birth. We typically recommend bringing your baby in within the first 4-6 weeks to make sure they are able to grow with an optimally functioning nervous system and spinal subluxation free!

FAQ 3: Can chiropractors adjust babies? Chiropractors can adjust babies! Chiropractors that have training through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association are properly trained on how to work with babies. Adjustments on babies are much different than adults because the bones are not completely ossified.

FAQ 4: Does chiropractic help infant congestion? Chiropractic does not treat infant congestion, but it can help by removing interferences from the nervous system, which will in turn allow the immune system to function better.

FAQ 5: What does a pediatric chiropractor do? Pediatric chiropractors can assess your child for spinal misalignments and restricted motion. We also check reflexes, cranial bones, and soft tissue to make sur everything is functioning optimally!

Why Consistency is Key to an Exceptional Quality of Life

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One of the most commonly heard words in our office is the word “consistency”. Consistency really determines how quickly you’re going to start seeing the results of the care you have just committed to here in the office. How consistent you are with not only coming in for your scheduled adjustments, but also keeping up with the at home routines as well, will show the Doctor just how committed you are to improving your overall quality of life! That is truly our end goal here; to help guide you and your body to an exceptional quality of life so you can conquer your goals with ease! So, naturally, the only way you are going to see results in anything you do is by staying consistent. The definition of the word consistent is: “Acting or done in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate.” Coming in and getting adjusted consistently is the primary way to get the relief and progress you were seeking before starting your health journey. Those who fall off of a schedule tend to stop seeing results, and then begin to feel discouraged about their health journey. When the progress is not happening, it can be really frustrating. That’s why being on top of your schedule is important! If you miss an appointment, be sure to make it up and get back on track. The best way to see results is to stay consistent and have a realistic view on the care you are receiving. If you are committed to being healthy and doing whatever necessary to stay that way, then you are definitely on the right path to living a happy and healthy life!

 

By: Peyton Reyes

Motivation and Improved Mindset After the New Year

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The “New Year” has come and gone, we are now heading into the second quarter of the year already! You look around and people are no longer talking about their resolutions as much. This year, our team here at Synapse Chiropractic are throwing out the idea of ” New Year Resolutions” and continuing throughout the remainder of the year with new and improved mindset to help continue our goals on a more long-term basis!

People often wonder how people find the motivation to completely change their mindset, routine, etc. past the first month of the year. Here are just few ways we have found that have altered the way we live our lives!

Positive Affirmations: This may seem mundane to some, but saying a positive affirmation in the morning can really make a big difference! There is something about looking at yourself in the
mirror and saying, “Today is going to be a good day!” or whatever phrase it takes for you to improve your mindset as soon as you start your day. These affirmations will be different for everyone, but saying it out loud and saying them throughout the day can make a huge difference. Some people regard this action as prayer, others call it manifestation, and some just call it plain speaking it into existence. Whatever you call it,  positive affirmations are a great way to always keep yourself in a positive mindset, especially on your “off” days.

Celebrating the Small Things: Celebrations are always exciting and shouldn’t just be contained to “big” things. The small things in life that people may think are insignificant or not worth a big
reaction are exactly what I’m talking about. Whether it be that you cleaned the house, got out of bed, or even that you learned how to cook a new meal- those things are exciting! Celebrating those small accomplishments will make life so much more exciting and you will always have something to look forward to as the year goes on. People get so caught up that they aren’t achieving enough, when in reality, everyone’s accomplishments are different. What may be an “easy” task for one person may be the only thing that someone else was able to muster up the energy to do that day. Any amount of progress, even small, is still progress and all of these things are worth celebrating each and every day!

Focus on the Present: This one can sometimes be easier said than done. We can all find ourselves getting caught up thinking about the past and what may or may not happen in the future, but the most important thing is being in the now. Getting through one day at a time and really cherishing each day is crucial to changing the mindset you carry through each day. Focusing on the present will help reduce any stress or anxiety the past or future might present to you. There is a motivation technique that goes along the lines of you can do anything for just one minute. Basically all that is saying is that even the hardest of hard things, you can do for one minute. If you are presented with a task, even if it seems impossible, attempt if for just one minute. Once you begin, the task will seem so much less daunting. This can also be applied to expressing feelings, as well. Let yourself feel the feelings for one minute. Whether that is sadness, frustration, even grief. These emotions are natural and unless you are able to develop healthy coping mechanisms, they can easily take over and dictate your entire day, and then pretty soon, your entire life. So let yourself feel all of those emotions and feelings for one minute. Allow yourself to express that in whatever way you need to, so long as you can regroup and get back to what you were doing once that minute is up. Practicing this can help keep your mind clear and on track with what you need to do that day, while still allowing yourself to be human and feel other emotions than just “happy” all the time.

Getting Adjusted Regularly: This one may seem like an obvious one coming from a blog by a chiropractic office, but it really does help with gaining a positive mindset. Getting adjusted keeps your systems functioning properly, helps keep your mind clear, and makes sure everything is in order from the inside out. Those who get adjusted regularly are going to have the ability to adapt to stress much easier and feel more in tune with themselves on a regular basis. Keeping the body happy and healthy will put you in the best mindset for the year going forward, and frankly, for life.

By: Peyton Reyes and Allison Judd

Avoid Aches and Pains While Traveling This Year

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Are you traveling for the holidays? Let’s talk about a few tips that you can do to help make traveling easy and enjoyable! We don’t want to be bogged down by the aches and pains of traveling once we’ve reached our destination. Let’s make sure you’re able to spend all the time with friends and family feeling your best.

For our road- trippers: Before we start our trek, let’s get into the car and sit up in a nice good posture. At this point, check your rear-view mirror and make sure it is in the proper position for you to be able to see. This will be used as a reminder to watch your posture as the trip gets started. If you start to slouch or sink into your seat, you won’t be able to see clearly through the rear-view mirror. This simple reminder will help with avoiding unnecessary low back pain. Another posture tip is to make sure you are sitting in a neutral position for your spine! Leaning up against the window or leaning towards the arm rest will be another movement that can lead to unnecessary aches and pains. The final tip is to make pit stops often and get out and stretch to keep your body moving! Staying in one position for multiple hours can cause tightness and pain throughout your entire body.

Prefer to fly? These tips are for you!: Similarly to driving, if you are taking a longer flight, make sure to get up and walk to the bathroom or walk up and down the aisle every so often! Again, this will keep your body moving and help keep pressure off your lower back. Have a connecting flight and have a decent lay over? Find some space in the airport and do some stretching. Make sure you are utilizing any time you can to keep your body as mobile as possible throughout your travels!

Getting Comfy: Sleeping in your old childhood bed or a hotel bed while away for the holidays? To help avoid any unwarranted neck pain, let’s talk about your pillow. If you are a side sleeper, it is important to make sure that your nose stays in the center of your chest. The best way to ensure this is to check your pillow height. If the pillow is too thin or too thick, then it will force your head to be in a position that can cause that “kinked” feeling. If you tend to sleep on your back, position the bottom of the pillow down towards your shoulders to help keep your head flat. We want to avoid the pillow pushing your head forward and putting it in a flexed position. If you sleep on your stomach, my best tip is to try sleeping on your side or back. Sleeping on your stomach not only puts pressure on your spine, but also forces you to turn your head one way or another the entire night! This will definitely lead to lots of aches and pains when you wake up!

These are just a few tips to help avoid those travel pains we have all experienced! However, if you are just simply unable to avoid those pains, this will be the ideal time to give your local chiropractor a call for help! Allow them to help you start the new year off on the right foot! Happy holidays, everyone!

 

By: Dr. Tod Williams

What Kinds of Stressors Can Chiropractic Help With?

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By: Dr. Tod Williams

Most people when they think of chiropractic care, they may only think it can be helpful for issues like back pain and headaches. However, chiropractic care focuses on removing interference in the nervous system to allow our bodies to function and heal at its optimal ability. Now, first we have to understand the three types of stress on the nervous system that causes our body to have dis-ease; physical stress, chemical stress, and emotional stress.

Physical Stressors

-Major impacts to the body, such as car accidents, slips, or falls that impact the spine immediately.

-Repetitive daily motions that slowly change how our spine is shaped, such as looking down at a cell phone for extended periods of time or sitting at a desk with poor posture for work.

Chemical Stressors

-The food and drinks that we put in to our body or the air that breathe. Especially those living in areas that are susceptible to wild fires.

-The chemicals that we put on our body that are absorbed through our skin such as our shampoos, sunscreen, lotions, etc.

Emotional Stressors

-These come in many different forms for each person. The stress that comes with our work, family, school, and all other things that we deal with throughout the day can be very emotionally stressful.

 

Now, how does chiropractic care help stabilize our mood and help with anxiety? Chiropractic adjustments stimulate what we call “happy hormones”. These include cortisol, oxytocin, neurotensin, dopamine, and serotonin. These hormones working together are responsible for regulating our stress level.

Cortisol: It is responsible for assisting the body in dealing with stress.

Oxytocin: It is also known as the “love hormone” and is connected to the reliability, understanding others’ feelings, or creating/maintaining a connection.

Neurotensin: It modifies the discomfort caused by stress.

Dopamine: Plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It helps us strive, focus, and find interest in activities and topics.

Serotonin: It helps regulate mood, social behavior, appetite, digestion, sleep, and memory.

Back to School Tips for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul

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By: Dr. Tod Williams D.C

 

Class is back in session! The beginning of the new school year can be a fun and exciting time for your kids, but it can also be a stressful time. The beginning of the school year can be stressful for students, like meeting new teachers, getting back into the routine, and the work load of classes. So, as we start the new school, year let’s learn some tips to help set up our kids for success!

 

Tip #1: Choose the Right Backpack to Avoid Back Pain!

Our kids might want to go for the backpack that shows off their personality, but unfortunately, it may not offer a ton of support. We want the straps of a backpack to be wide and cushioned, and if we can find backpack that has the third strap that connects across the chest, that’s even better. The third strap across the chest helps with weight distribution, reducing stress and relieving pressure off the shoulders.

Another important tip is to make sure your child is wearing the backpack correctly. Wearing the backpack with just one strap on the shoulder might look cool, but carrying all the weight of the back pack on one side of the body can lead to misalignments to the spine!

 

Tip #2: Proper Posture in Class!

When sitting at a desk for hours each day over the course of the school year, it is important for your child to be practicing proper posture. Hunching over the desk and slouching can cause neck, shoulder, and back issues. To help prevent hunching over and their head from tilting over their shoulders, it will help to get a standing desk that tilts toward them to keep their books and homework at eye level. You can also teach them a couple stretches to do at their desk, especially for when standing is not an option! Those stretches will improve their spinal health and their ability to concentrate in class!

 

Tip #3: Keep Your Child Adjusted!

Regular chiropractic care will boost the overall health of your child. Chiropractic adjustments will help manage your child’s stress levels. Chiropractic care will also help boost your child’s immune system so they avoid getting sick throughout the school year. Being healthy allows them to avoid less sick days and falling behind in their classes. Better physical health will ultimately lead to better mental health!

How Can Chiropractic Help Long-term?

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You may have heard someone say “If you go to the chiropractor, you will have to go for the rest of your life” or “chiropractic is only for neck and back pain.” Those statements are completely incorrect. Though neck or back pain may be the initial reason people consider going to a chiropractor in the first place, we often see that people continue to go, even after the initial cause is resolved! This is usually because they have realized how good their bodies can feel with routine chiropractic care! After completing an initial phase of corrective care, we recommend wellness care at a lower frequency to maintain the changes made during that initial phase and to continue to improve your overall health. I will also discuss in this blog the additional benefits of wellness care and why it is important to add it to your health routine.

1. Injury and Illness Prevention:

You do not have to be in pain to benefit from chiropractic adjustments. The goal of the adjustment is to remove any nerve interference in the body. It is cheaper and more effective to take preventive measures than to be reactionary to any injury or illness. The rest of this blog will cover specific areas that can benefit from regular wellness chiropractic visits.

2. Range of Motion:

Chiropractic improves joint mobility. Better joint mobility reduces your risk of injury and cartilage deterioration. Chiropractic adjustments also help with loosening tighter muscles and improving strength in weaker muscles.

3. Nervous System Function:

Your nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and all the nerves from the spinal cord that connect to every cell, tissue, organ, and muscle in the body. Your nervous system also controls and coordinates all other systems in the body. Chiropractic adjustments enhance your nervous system function and boosts blood flow throughout your body. Removing any interference to your nervous system enhances your whole-body performance.

4. Digestion:

Above, we learned that all systems are controlled by the nervous system. Your digestive system and nervous system are closely linked. Nerves in your spine control how your body digests food. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, constipation, and even heartburn can be resolved through chiropractic care. It is evident that gut health has a major impact on overall health. A healthy gut means superior digestion, a stronger immune system, improved sleep, and an ability to combat certain autoimmune diseases and cancers.

5. Sleep:

Regular chiropractic adjustments take unhealthy strain and stress off of the nerves, promoting relaxation. People who are able to get a better night’s rest can notice benefits like; being sick less often, lower risk for heart disease, mood improvement, and less injuries. While we’re sleeping, hormones flood the body, promoting healing, growth, repair, and other functions. The nervous system rests and recharges. Cortisol, a stress hormone, reduces while the body is asleep. Muscles relax, heal, and rest up, preparing for the next day of activity and use. The immune system releases cytokines, chemicals that fight inflammation, infection, and trauma.

6. Immune System:

While on the topic of the immune system from the last point, the immune system is influenced by your nervous system and endocrine system. Chiropractic adjustments can help strengthen your immune system by helping your body perform at peak performance, which allows it to fight off any germs. Having a higher functioning immune system leads to less illness and sickness overall!

How to Keep Yourself Healthy During the Summer

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The days are longer and the weather is warmer; summer is here! This is the best time to enjoy the outdoors and continue to stay healthy. As much as we want to be outside and enjoying our summer activities, it is still important to remember these tips to help keep you healthy while enjoying the summer days.

1) Stay Hydrated! The weather is warmer and that means we will lose fluids much easier, no matter the activity. The daily recommended water intake is 8 glasses of water, but if we are outside doing any vigorous activity, we are going to want to increase that intake to keep up with the fluid loss. A good rule of thumb is to make sure to drink AT LEAST half your body weight in ounces of water PER DAY! This will ensure that your body is getting enough water and staying hydrated all summer long!

2) Get FREE Vitamin D! Our body makes vitamin D when exposed to direct sunlight. The summer time offers you plenty of opportunity to get outside and expose yourself to the natural sunlight. 15-20 minutes a day during the strongest rays (10am to 2pm) with the most skin exposed will provide you the optimal daily dose of vitamin D. The sun is allowing you to get the vitamins you need (for free, too!) that help promote healthy bones and teeth. It also helps with easing the symptoms of depression, inflammation, and helps to increase brain development in pregnancy and infancy.

3) Take Care of Your Skin! The two most common products used in the summer time are sunscreen and bug repellent. Be careful of the products that you are using though. The skin is the largest organ of our body and has the ability to absorb all of the toxins into our body that we put on ourselves. When shopping for sunscreens this summer, you want to avoid these 6 ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, retinyl palmitate, homosalate, oxtocrylene, and parabens. Some great non-toxic sunscreen brands are: Badger Balm, Blue Lizard, All Good, California Baby, Babo Botanicals, Poofy Organics, Goddess Garden, Think, Beautycounter, Kabana, and Earth Mama Organics.

Get out and enjoy the summer, but remember to protect yourself, your body, and your health!

 

By: Dr. Tod Williams

How to Handle Seasonal Allergies Like a Pro

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Spring is here! It’s that time of the year where the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the flowers around us are blooming. That means more time for outdoor activities- whether that means going to the park, walking your pets, yard work, attending your kids’ sporting events, hanging out by the pool, or any of your other favorite outdoor hobbies. Sometimes though, all the time spent outdoors means we are faced with dealing with the pollen that is getting spread and suffering from those annoying seasonal allergies.

After enjoying a day outside, you may start to notice that your nose is getting stuffy, eyes are itchy, and you may start getting that feeling of sinus pressure. Luckily, there are multiple ways to combat those symptoms. Now, typically, you may pick up some over-the-counter medication like Benadryl, but maybe those medications make you drowsy or you’re looking for a new, more effective way to get rid of those symptoms. Well, I’m here to give you a few tips and tricks on how you can handle those pesky seasonal allergies a more natural way!

First, my personal favorite way- eating local raw honey. Eating just a tablespoon of local raw honey every day can help build up a tolerance to the local pollen in the area. The reason why local honey is so important is because it is collected from bees that have been collecting pollen from the plants that are running rampant on our sinuses.

Supplements, like Allerplex by Standard Process, are another great alternative to help with seasonal allergies. Allerplex, with vitamin A and C complexes, supports the body’s response to seasonal allergies. This supplement helps support the body’s natural ability to loosen up mucus and supports healthy lung and respiratory function. So, when you have that stuffy nose and find it difficult to breathe, this supplement is one to help with that. If you are wondering where you can get Allerplex, we keep a supply in the office and we can even ship it directly to you!

The final way to help with your allergies is by staying regularly adjusted! Having a highly functioning nervous system results in a stronger immune system. A healthier and stronger immune system will allow your body to tolerate pollen and reduce those allergy symptoms. Many people don’t realize that we can also adjust your sinuses so that they properly drain instead of having to deal with that annoying pressure. Definitely make sure to ask a Doctor while they are adjusting you if you would like us to also adjust your sinuses! We would lvoe to help relieve some of those allergy symptoms for you!

Of course these are just a few key tips, but there are many others out there to help with your allergies. Find what works best for you and go enjoy the weather. We don’t want to be stuck inside while everyone else is out having fun because your allergies are keeping you sidelined.

By: Dr. Tod Williams

What Causes Neuropathy and How to Fix It Before Its Too Late!

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Neuropathy is damage, disease, or dysfunction in one or more nerves, especially of the peripheral nervous system (arms and legs). Common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Neuropathy is often degenerative, and is usually caused by injury, infection, disease, drugs, toxins, or vitamin deficiency. Let’s take a look at what the 3 most common causes of neuropathy are.

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy. It has been known that two thirds of the population with diabetes are also affected by diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic nerve pain occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves. The nerves’ ability to send signals to other areas of the body are prohibited by high levels of blood sugar. The capillary walls of the blood vessels are also weaker with high blood sugar, this results in the nerves not getting adequate amount of nutrients and oxygen due to lack of blood flow.

Another common cause of neuropathy is vitamin deficiency, more specifically, vitamins such as B1, B6, B12, and vitamin E. Alcoholism is a common reason for vitamin deficient neuropathy. The reason why alcoholism can lead to vitamin deficiency is because it is assumed that they are not eating a complete or healthy diet. Alcohol also effects the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B1. People that have a vegan diet also need to be careful about their vitamin intake. Vitamin B12 is naturally only found in animal-based foods. Vegans are highly encouraged to supplement vitamin B12 into their diet to help avoid vitamin deficient neuropathy.

The third common cause is the herpes zoster virus; the virus that is responsible for chickenpox in kids. This virus lays dormant in the body after adolescence and can be reawakened many years later, due to age or stress, and presents itself as shingles. The virus attacks the nerves and can cause itchiness, rashes, and pain into the nerves.

If the symptoms of neuropathy start to present themselves, it is important to take action as soon as possible before the symptoms progress! Schedule an appointment with us to have a neuropathy exam performed. We will determine if your condition is true neuropathy and come up with a treatment plan for you so we can start to reduce the progression of your neuropathy! Help us help you!