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!

Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?

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In short, YES! We highly encourage getting regular adjustments before, during, and after pregnancy! Now, you may have some questions in regards to prenatal chiropractic care and we are here to answer those for you! Listed below are the most frequently asked pregnancy 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: When should you start prenatal chiropractic care? When should you start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy? The best time to start chiropractic care for pregnancy is before you get pregnant. The second best time to start is right now. The earlier we are able to balance the pelvis and remove stress from the nervous system, the better! Many mamas wish they would have started earlier!

FAQ 2: Is chiropractic ok during pregnancy? Is getting adjusted by a chiropractor safe during pregnancy? Chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy and many mamas actually prefer it to other alternatives. You will want to seek out a Webster’s certified chiropractor because they have the additional training in prenatal chiropractic. Members of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association are preferred due to their training.

FAQ 3: What do prenatal chiropractors do? Prenatal chiropractors will check your pelvis to make sure it is balanced. They will also check your round ligaments along with all of the other ligaments surrounding your pelvis to make sure everything is balanced. This will help create more room for the baby to grow comfortably. Prenatal chiropractors will also be able to help with sciatica, neck pain, mid back pain, and trouble walking during pregnancy.

FAQ 4: Does prenatal chiropractic care help with labor? Studies show that chiropractic care can help mamas before, during, and after pregnancy. Sufficient chiropractic care can help reduce labor pains and delivery times!

FAQ 5: Is getting adjusted by a chiropractor safe during pregnancy? Chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy and many

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

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

Conquer Cold & Flu Season With Your Immune System

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With “cold and flu season” rapidly approaching, many people start to wonder what steps they can take for themselves and their families to help combat the many viruses that often go around during the fall and winter months.

You often hear the most common approaches; drink lots of water, eat healthy, get some exercise, etc. Although those are beneficial, many people may not be getting the results they want. Have you ever considered visiting a chiropractor to help you fight off the different types of stresses your body may be exposed to?

In this blog, I will introduce the facts as to why chiropractic is so valuable to one’s health and the many ways it can help your body conquer this upcoming cold and flu season!

Torque Release Technique:

The first aspect I want to discuss is the way our office is different than many other offices in the area. We are one of the only offices in Northern California (Rocklin, CA) to practice the Torque Release Technique. This technique provides the body with a tonal adjustment, meaning it will make sure your nerves are communicating at the proper frequency they need to in order for the whole body to function properly.

A good way to think about it is similar to playing an instrument. When your guitar, for example, is out of tune, the notes and chords you play will not sound right, even if you are doing everything else correctly.

The same goes for your body. You could be drinking your water, eating your veggies, everything you’re supposed to do to keep yourself healthy. But, if your nerves are not communicating the way they should be, your body will never truly function at its most optimal level!

Now, think back to the guitar. You notice it’s out of tune so what do you do? Do you just keep playing it, hoping it will magically tune itself? Probably not. You will go and tune the guitar so the music you play sounds nice again. Again, the same thing applies to your body! Once you begin receiving your tonal adjustments and your body is back “in tune”, you will be able to function at your absolute best!

Immune System:

Now that you know how our office compares to others, it’s time to learn about how adjustments can keep you healthy and functioning properly through the fall and winter! The key is in the relationship between the Torque Release Technique, getting regular adjustments, and the immune system itself!

TRT (Torque Release Technique) deals with healing the nervous system and as we know, the nervous system controls all of the other systems in the human body, including the immune system!

The nervous system’s job is to determine what is going on in your environment and then tell your body how to adapt and react to it. If your nervous system is not functioning properly, it can slow the response of the immune system to a negative environment.

However, if your immune system and nervous system are working at their best abilities, your body will be able to better adapt to the stresses that could potentially be in your environment! If your body is able to adapt, it will then develop the ability to defend itself against these stresses, helping to protect you from getting sick!

So, let’s say your nervous system isn’t functioning properly. How is the adjustment going to fix it? Great question. When the doctors use TRT, they are essentially “unblocking” any nerves along the spine that may have subluxations or interferences! These interferences are what decrease the communication between your nerves and the brain.

When the signals are interfered with, the nervous system is unable to tell rest of the body what it needs to be doing. After the doctor delivers the proper adjustment, it is then your body’s turn to recognize the changes and adapt to how you really should be functioning.

Receiving regular adjustments just further helps your body heal itself by removing those subluxations that may pop up in your day-to-day life. Once your body understands and adapts to functioning at the highest level, handling everyday stressors, such as those stresses in our environment, for example, becomes much easier and much more effective!

Conquering the Cold and Flu Season:

If the upcoming cold and flu season causes you to hibernate in fear of catching anything, it is definitely time for you to give chiropractic a shot! Give your body the best chance to defend itself, so you can keep doing the things you love!

Remember the keys to conquering the cold and flu season: stay hydrated, take Vitamin D supplementation, stay active, and GET ADJUSTED! You deserve to live your best life and we want to help you in the journey to get there!