A well adjusted child!

Posted by Michelle Chard DC on Mar 21, 2012 in General | 0 comments

One of the most common questions we get is, “Why should I get my child adjusted?”.  There are many different answers to that question and the answer depends on your particular situation.  However, there are a few guidelines that all parents can follow.

1.  Pregnant mothers:  Mothers should be seen throughout their pregnancy to assure that their baby is in the best position possible to avoid intrauterine constraint.  It is important to maintain balance in the mother’s pelvis because this is the passageway for the baby.  The diameter of the woman’s pelvis is decreased when the sacrum is displaced as well.  These changes in the spine and pelvis can also cause an imbalance in the muscles and ligaments.  When the pelvis is in alignment, the uterus is able to grow with the growing baby.  If the bones are out of alignment, the uterus will not be supported the way it is intended to be.  This will reduce the amount of room for the baby.  This can affect the baby’s developing spine and skull.  This can also prevent the baby from getting into the best possible position for birth.  When baby is in the best possible position (vertex, occiput anterior), labors tend to be shorter, less painful (yes, there is such a thing), and less medical interventions are needed.  The Webster technique is used by a Certified chiropractor to make sure the pelvis, muscles, and ligament are all doing what they need to be doing.

2.  Newborn:  The newborn baby should be brought in as soon as possible after birth.  Imagine the pressure birth can cause to the developing head and spine.  Even in the most natural, non-traumatic birth, it is still traumatic.  Some things baby might experience that chiropractic can help are:difficulty nursing (difficulty with latch, not wanting to nurse on both sides).  Craniosacral therapy can be very helpful with this too.  

• colic
• torticollis (often is seen when the baby is around 2 months old due to muscles developing.  However, the damage is usually in utero)
• difficulty sleeping
• wellness/sickness-chiropractic can help the developing nervous system.  Having regular chiropractic care can help the body to fight off sickness.

3.  Infants

• any new milestone.  Holding up head, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking.  These are all essential to the developing spine and it is important that it is happening to a well adjusted spine.
• torticollis
• difficulty sleeping
• wellness/sickness- ear infections, viruses.
• acid reflux
• spitting up
• constipation

4.  Childhood

• trips and falls
• other trauma: motor vehicles accidents; etc
• Wellness care- every 4-6 weeks it is important to get your child checked.  They may not always need an adjustment.  This should occur more often during a sickness or injury
• difficulty sleeping
• bed wetting
• headaches
• anger
• developmental difficulties
• constipation
• asthma

Schedule your children for a consultation today!!

4 For 4 decades: Part 2!

Posted by Michelle Chard DC on Mar 7, 2012 in General | 2 comments

My road to my first half marathon is less than one month away.  Race for the Roses is April 1 and I have already registered.  Being a working mother, it is hard to find time to run.  When I get a free moment, I am off for a run.  My most memorable run was a few weeks ago when I ran 7 miles in the rain/snow.  It was so cold, but I finished.  Surprisingly, there were a ton of hard core runners out there completing their runs too.

Increasing mileage slowly is important to make sure you don’t injure yourself.  Most injuries in training occur when the long runs get to 7 or 8 miles so it is important to spend a lot of time in this range.  My knee started to hurt a few weeks ago so I backed off a bit, but it seems to be back to it’s old self with some good treatment from Dr. Michelle Waggoner and Active Release Technique!  The key is to only increase mileage by 10% each week.  This will avoid injury and keep your muscles and joints happy.

This week is a 10 miler!  I will be running along Duke, 52nd street, and then the Springwater Corridor!  See you there!

The Webster Technique

Posted by Michelle Chard DC on Mar 7, 2012 in General | 1 comment

Are you pregnant?  Do you know someone who is pregnant? The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and chiropractic adjustment that a Webster certified chiropractor uses in order to reduce to effects of a misalignment of the sacrum and the sacroiliac joint.  When the sacrum is misaligned, it causes tightening of the pelvic muscles and ligaments.  When the muscles and ligaments are tense and tight, it can cause constraining effects on the uterus which can prevent the baby from assuming the best possible position for birth.  Dr. Larry Webster discovered a technique as a safe way to restore proper pelvic function for pregnant mothers, by reducing interference to the nerve systems.  Reducing intrauterine constraint lets the baby get into the best possible position for birth.  Some common symptoms during pregnancy that may indicate a sacrum or sacroiliac dysfunction are (but are not limited to) low back pain, sciatic and leg pain, and pubic bone pain.

In expecting mothers with a breech presenting baby, there has been a high reported success rate of the baby turning to vertex position.  It is also successfully used in babies presenting transverse, posterior, or in pregnancies with twins.  Correct positioning of the baby can affect the outcome of the birth by possibly having shorter labors, preventing dystocia (difficult birth), and may decrease undue stress on the babies developing spine and nervous system.

It is recommended that this technique be used throughout pregnancy to detect imbalances early and optimize pelvic biomechanics in preparation for a safer, easier birth.  It is utilized early in the pregnancy to minimize the possibility of the baby to assume improper position.  Because of the changing body biomechanics, pregnant women should have regular chiropractic appointments throughout their pregnancy and beyond. 

Craniosacral therapy

Posted by Michelle Chard DC on Feb 15, 2012 in General | 1 comment

Infant receiving craniosacral therapy

Have you ever heard of Craniosacral therapy?  It is a light touch therapy dealing with the Craniosacral system.  The function of the craniosacral system is the production, circulation, and the reabsorption of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Normally, the production and re-absorption of the CSF produces a continuous rise and fall of pressure.  When there is a buildup of pressure from dysfunction in the system, it can lead to dysfunction in the body.  It is so gentle, it is often used on newborn babies.  Practioners use a soft touch, usually no greater than 5 grams of pressure (the weight of a nickel) to release restrictions in the Craniosacral system to improve the function of the central nervous system.  It can be used as a preventative health measure for its ability to improve resistance to disease.  It is also effective for a range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction including headaches, migraines, acute and chronic pain, sinus problems, head trauma, TMJ dysfuntion, and neck pain.  People have aslo had good results with dizziness/vertigo, ear/hearing problems, visual disturbances, depression , and short term memory probems.  Some of the issues thatcraniosacral therapy has helped treat in newborns and infants are nursing issues (including weak suck or difficulties latching), colic, issues with a forceps delivery, sleep disturbances, ear infections, and torticollis.  In older children, it can help with learning difficulties, speech disorders, ear infections, and bedwetting.

Adult receiving craniosacral therapy

If you think craniosacral therapy is something that can help you or your child, please contact us.

Child receiving craniosacral therapy

4 For 4 Decades!

Posted by Michelle Chard DC on Feb 8, 2012 in General | 2 comments

Time is sure going fast now that I’m getting older.  From birthday to birthday, it used to seem like forever.  Now it seems like I just turned 30 and here I am in the year I turn 40.  I always knew I wanted to do something special for my 40th year.  My dear friend, Jen, decided that she was going to do 4 half marathons in 4 months and I thought that sounded like a great idea.  I love running and have always loved it.  I do better with training when I have something to train for.  I also want to lose 25-30 pounds (left over baby weight of 3 kids!).  I would like to take you all through my training journey in all it’s ups and downs.

The races we have decided to do are:

1. Race for the Roses- April 1st
2. Rock and Roll Half-May 20th
3. Helvatia Half- June 9th
4. Foot Traffic Flat- July 4th

We did Hood to Coast last year but due to it being on a lottery system, we didn’t get in for this year.  We would like to do the Ragnar Relay, Northwest Passage which is July 20-21st.  I would like to do  something big on my birthday or that month, but it has not been determined yet.  If you have any ideas, let me know.  We may do a few more half marathons this year, but wanted to be sure that we got 4 in a row!

Right now, I’m just getting back into running.  It’s hard to find time to run now that the days are shorter.  It’s hard to run outside when it is dark for me so I tend to train on a treadmill.  I like to know exactly how far and how fast I am going.  Other times, I train with an IPod, so I can find my pace.  I really want to get faster but I know that will come with time and distance.

Welcome to my journey and I hope you find inspiration for your own goals.