Archive for pregnancy
As a Ventura chiropractor I treat many pregnant women not only for common low back pain associated with pregnancy, but for other pregnancy symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and swelling due to water retention or joint stress. A healthy pregnancy is crucial for both mother and baby. And although regular chiropractic care during pregnancy is very important, there are many other influences that can affect a woman’s health during her pregnancy. Some of these influences are well-known, but others are not. In fact, I just ran across a new study released in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives that discusses the effects of high levels of common flame-retardant chemicals on the thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women. It is the first large study to investigate levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their effects on the highly sensitive thyroid hormone in pregnant women. “Normal maternal thyroid hormone levels are essential for normal fetal growth and brain development,” stated Jonathan Chevrier, one of the study’s authors and a researcher in epidemiology and in environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley, “so our findings could have significant public health implications.”
Where are PBDEs found? Just about everywhere, such as in carpets, textiles, foam furnishings, electronics and plastics. PBDEs can leach out into the environment and accumulate in human fat cells. Is it any wonder then that PBDEs can be found in the blood of most American residents? And, if you live in California the situation is even more criticaul because of the state’s rigorous flammability laws. Concentrations of the chemicals in blood and breast milk have increased dramatically in the last three decades.
Though it is not currently known just how the chemicals interfere with thyroid function, researchers believe that PBDEs could bind to thyroid receptors and alter how the hormone is released. The bottom line, however, is that these chemicals are dangerous, especially for pregnant women. “Our results suggest that exposure to PBDE flame retardants may have unanticipated human health risks,” said Brenda Eskenazi, a professor of epidemiology and of maternal and child health at UC Berkeley.
Why Choose Chiropractic Treatment? Your Ventura Chiropractor Has the Answer!
Posted by: | CommentsDo you know that chiropractic therapy has been rising in popularity for years and that it is continuing to grow annually as the selected healthcare option for many men and women? Your Ventura Chiropractor knows that people are making a choice on chiropractic care thanks to the many benefits that such treatment provides. No other healthcare practice is less invasive to the body and, at the same time, can promote the body’s innate potential to heal itself instead of masking symptoms with drugs.
Let’s face it, wherever there’s a musculoskeletal system, just as in the human body, there’s the likelihood of musculoskeletal dysfunction such as lower back pain and neck pain, pain in the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints, and ankle and foot pain. No one is immune from misalignment of the spine and joint inflammation, even though numerous health issues are often the outcome of sports injuries, accidents, and the aging process. Irrespective of the origin, any type of movement on a traumatized spot of the body can not only lead to more pain or suffering, but plenty of down time and inactivity. And, of course, particular musculoskeletal problems, if left untreated, can result in permanent disability.
It has been said of chiropractic care that its “pros surpass” merely eliminating a specific condition. Actually, a patient who comes in to see a chiropractor for back pain, for example, not only gains from pain relief, but also from improved circulation, a lowering or elimination of lactic acid, easier travel of oxygen and nutrients within the body, much more flexibility, less general pain and soreness, better recuperation time, a more tranquil experience, and the reduction of future injury! Is it any wonder why chiropractic care has become the treatment of choice for so many people?
Besides delivering experienced musculoskeletal treatment, chiropractors also provide education and counseling as it pertains to improving your total health and wellness. Chiropractors understand that in order for you to get healthy and stay that way, it is important for you to choose a simple health-oriented lifestyle, especially drinking lots of water to keep the body hydrated, following a nutritious diet program, and establishing a regular stretching and exercise routine.
Chiropractic treatment isn’t going to quite work “miracles, ” however it comes very close in quite a few areas that will possibly surprise you. For instance, chiropractic care can help pregnant women give birth more easily. It can sharpen the developmental capabilities of babies, like enhanced motor skills, and often prevent scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments for kids can help decrease asthma discomforts, ear infections, even bed-wetting. Besides the positive factors just mentioned, consistent chiropractic management can help adults to feel more vital and dynamic, which consequently increases productivity. And, then finally, for maturing baby boomers and the senior population, not only can chiropractic care help to reduce age-related challenges and assist in keeping an individual more lively in later years, it can also lessen the balance problems that commonly bring about critical injury from falls.
If you’re currently visiting a chiropractor, that’s great! You have no doubt already experienced any number of the health benefits mentioned above. In that case, why not enlighten your friends and members of your family about chiropractic? Don’t let someone you care about fall victim to the kind of misinformation pertaining to chiropractic care that will keep them from living their day more completely. Tell a friend or family member to give Dr. Alff, your chiropractor in Ventura, a call. They will be happy they did because he can help!
Chiropractor Ventura on Pregnancy and Chiropractic
Posted by: | CommentsChiropractor Ventura offers essential information concerning pregnancy and chiropractic. Have you been wondering if chiropractic adjustments are safe during pregnancy? The answer is “yes.” It’s even smart to get adjusted while you are pregnant. You’ve probably noticed that your body is going through quite a lot of changes, and these alterations will continue as the pregnancy progresses. A subtle change is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. this easing gives the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.
This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in increased amounts as the months go on, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. In combination with the increased size of the baby and uterus, and you have the formula for severe low back pain. As an Ventura Chiropractor, I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but most commonly it is for their low back pain.
A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why do chiropractic adjustments help? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.
To answer the second question from the introductory paragraph, by all means chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. Chiropractic is not only safe and beneficial in relieving the low back pain associated with pregnancy, but other symptoms like heartburn, nausea, swelling, and so on. In addition, should the need arise, a trained chiropractor can assist a mother who has a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information.
In summation, not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant women out there reading this, please go to see your local chiropractor, or if you are close enough, look up your Ventura Chiropractor. We can make you quite a bit more comfortable in the months of your pregnancy, and we can even make the labor process easier.
