Thank you and congratulations, Becky!

Normal, physiological changes of pregnancy contribute to spinal stress in the mother-to-be. Hormonal changes include increased progesterone, estrogen, relaxin, prolactin, HCG, HCS, cortisol and aldosterone. Some of these hormones lead to ligamentous laxity and increased joint mobility which make the pregnant woman’s spine more unstable and prone to discomfort and injury. There are also important biomechanical changes that occur during pregnancy, including weight gain, increased breast size, change in the center of gravity, increased lumbar lordosis, and an increased load on the spine.

Chiropractors who understand these changes can help pregnant women in many ways. Positive effects of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Relief of typical discomforts of pregnancy
• Turning breech babies
• Decreased length of labor
• Reduced likelihood of back labor
• Coordination of uterine contractions
• Optimization of the nervous system
• Increased likelihood of vaginal delivery
• Facilitation of post-partum recovery with decreased discomforts

Common conditions of pregnancy that may respond to chiropractic care include:

• Low back pain
  • Studies show about 50% of pregnant women experience LBP
• Sacroiliac pain
• Mid and upper back pain
• Neck pain
• Groin, thigh, and sciatic pain
• Headaches
• Some neurological conditions
  • Bell’s Palsy, meralgia paresthetica, carpal tunnel, intercostal and brachial neuralgia
• Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
• Post-partum pain and discomfort

Nutrients to emphasize:

• 9 months: zinc
• 9-12 months: zinc and iron
• 12 months: zinc and bulk
• 18-24 months: B vitamins and calcium (take these slowly)

Infant feeding guidelines can be complicated and confusing as sources vary widely in their recommendations. The best approach is to adapt different approaches to your baby and your lifestyle in order to find what will work best for both of you. The most important things you can do to ensure the healthiest start possible for your baby are to breastfeed for at least the entire first year, and consider breastfeeding two years or more. Your baby will continue to benefit from mama’s milk long after the first six months.

Other important points to remember are to pay close attention to the nutritional value, sugar content, and amount of pesticides and additives in your baby’s food, and to watch carefully for any signs of allergic reaction or food intolerance. Allergies most commonly affect babies’ digestive tract, respiratory tract, and skin, so watch for changes in your baby’s skin, stool, sleep patterns, activity level, appearance, or respirations. Some of these changes may come on right away, and some may not be noticed until up to four days after the suspected food.

Specific signs of food allergy:

• Skin rashes, rashes around mouth or anus, red face or cheeks
• Diarrhea or mucus stool
• Hyperactivity or lethargy
• Frequent infections
• Runny nose
• Black rings under eyes

Nutrition is most important in your baby’s first two years, when their brain and body are growing more rapidly than at any other point in their life. The time and energy you invest now to ensure optimal nourishment will benefit your baby throughout his or her lifetime!

REFERENCES

Yaron, Ruth. Super Baby Food, 2nd edition. F.J. Roberts Publishing, 2001.

Sweet, O. Robin and Bloom, Thomas A. The Well Fed Baby. William Morrow and Co, 2000.

Lair, Cynthia. Feeding the Whole Family, revised edition. Moon Smile Press, 1997.

Sears, William. “Feeding infants and toddlers.” www.askdrsears.com

Lee, Thomas Sterns. “Schedule for introducing solid foods.” www.naturodoc.com

Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the vital relationship between the structure of the body and the way the body functions. They treat “subluxations� which are alterations of spinal joint motion or position that effect both the surrounding muscles and connective tissues as well as the nerves that exit the spinal cord at that level. Chiropractors strive to balance body bio-mechanically. Not only does this minimize stress on joints and relax tight muscles, it also improves the function of all of the body’s systems by affecting the central nervous system. This type of care can benefit everyone, but perhaps the most crucial time to be checked by a chiropractor is during infancy and childhood.

The birth process is one of the most traumatic experiences our bodies ever go through. Whether delivered by caesarean section or vaginally, and whether the birth is natural or involves interventions such as forceps or suction, there is a tremendous amount of force place on the joints of the spine and cranium. Intra-uterine positioning (within the womb) can also contribute to joint dysfunction in the newborn. In the first year of life, the spine grows by 50% and the brain undergoes 65% of its post-natal total lifetime growth! For all these reasons, it is extremely beneficial for the newborn to be checked by a chiropractor trained in pediatrics and Craniosacral Therapy to ensure that all of the spinal and cranial joints are functioning properly.

As the baby grows and becomes mobile, tumbles and bonks on the head become daily occurrences. Once they become toddlers and young children, they are constantly running, jumping, climbing, and beginning sports participation, all of which involve significant chances of falls and injuries. These can cause joint subluxations and abnormal tension in the muscles and connective tissues of the body. Regular chiropractic care throughout childhood can help minimize the effects of these structural problems on the way the body functions.

Is Chiropractic care safe for babies and children?

Absolutely! In over one hundred years since Chiropractic began, there has not been even one case of a child being hurt by a chiropractic adjustment. Young bodies are very flexible and children’s bones are not fully ossified (or completely turned into bone). Therefore, very little force is needed to perform an adjustment. It is not the amount of force applied to the spine that affects the subluxation, it is the precise location and direction of force that is the key. With years of training and development of great finesse and the ability to detect subtle changes in joints and the surrounding tissues, the chiropractor is able to use very gentle techniques to effect change at a specific joint. It is much less force than the child’s body absorbs in just one fall.

What kinds of condtions respond to Chiropractic care?

Subluxations affect the function of our body’s “master� system: the central nervous system. If the affected nerve goes to a muscle, spasm is the result. If it goes to an organ, the organ won’t function the way it should. Problems with nursing, ear infections, headaches, colic, asthma, chronic bedwetting, and neck or back pain can all result from subluxations, and have been shown to respond well to chiropractic care.

The muscle spasms that result from subluxations can have profound effects on the body. For example, spasms in the upper neck create tension on the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, the dura mater. This tension can constrict the cranial nerve that controls the tongue, which exits the brain through the dura. If the tongue can no longer function properly, nursing difficulties result. Subluxations can also cause spasm in the small muscles that surround the opening of the Eustachian tube into the back of the throat which can cause excess fluid in the ears and leads to chronic ear infections. Once the skilled chiropractor removes the interference to the nervous system, spasms decrease and the condition may improve dramatically.

Conclusion

Chiropractors concern themselves with the structure and biomechanics of the body (including the spine, cranium, extremities, and the muscles and fascia that connect it all) and the way that subtle alterations in this structure affect the function of the nervous system, which controls every aspect of the body. Infants and children can benefit tremendously from regular chiropractic care. When their bodies are in proper alignment and free of subluxations they will feel better, function better, and have a more balanced foundation to grow on. We all know that tiny alterations in the alignment of the tires on our car may be completely asymptomatic for 20 or 30 thousand miles, but eventually will cause a major blowout that brings us to a screeching halt on the side of the road. In much the same way, subtle alterations of joint function and imbalances in the connective tissues of our body may not bother us in the short-term, but can have profound effects over time if they are not treated . With preventative and maintenance care during childhood, the chiropractor can help prevent “blowouts� from occurring further down the road. Children need chiropractic care to insure optimal health and body function.

References

• Hewitt, Elise G., DC, DICCP. Pediatrics Lecture, Western States Chiropractic College, Summer 2002.
• Levy, Peter J, DC. Personal correspondence.
• Fysh, Peter N., DC, FICCP. Chiropractic Care for the Pediatric Patient. International Chiropractors Association Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics, Arlington, VA, 2002.