Chiropractors are no strangers to the question: “Is chiropractic care safe for children?” Extensive research on the subject of chiropractic care and techniques tailored to the unique bodies and needs of children indicates – Yes!

One common concern regarding pediatric chiropractic care is based upon a misunderstanding that everyone, regardless of age, receives the same techniques and treatments. However, just as a child sees a pediatrician, receives child-appropriate doses of medications, and responds differently than adults to different medical treatments, so too do children require tailored chiropractic care.

The field of pediatric chiropractic care is enormously large and effective, and has helped children across the globe. And just as different bodies young and old have different needs, chiropractors modify techniques depending on the age and development of the child.

Childhood chiropractic care has resulted in high improvement of conditions from musculoskeletal pains to GI ailments, and has been employed to successfully treat childhood asthma as well as pain in the back, joints, and soft tissues.

This summer, the Chiropractic Board of Australia and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) released statements about the safety and efficacy of pediatric chiropractic care, asserting that the practice is gentle and effective. The ACA further cited over 115 years of scientific literature investigating adverse events in pediatric chiropractic care, and illustrated that such adverse events were “exceedingly rare.”

Pediatric chiropractic care has been demonstrated as an important component of childhood health care, and supports the wellbeing of young people through safe, gentle, and effective treatments.

It is commonly held belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but until recently the prevailing argument was simply that breakfast eaters started the day with sounder cognitive function and set themselves up for overall better performance and achievement as the day progressed.

However, a recent study in the UK suggests that children who skip breakfast on a regular basis are likely missing out on all recommended essential nutrients throughout the day.

In general studies conducted over many years, skipping breakfast has been proven to increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, reduced memory function, and weight gain. However, only recently have studies of nutrition shown the effects of missing out on micronutrients such as vitamins C, D, E, B-complex and K, folic acid and beta-carotene, and the correlation of obtaining these nutrients beginning with a meal at breakfast.

Iron and Calcium Deficiencies May Be Linked to Skipping Breakfast

Detailed statistics of participants in the study show that more than 30% of children who skip breakfast were low on iron, and more than 20% of the children were deficient in calcium. Comparatively, only 3% of children who ate breakfast regularly were low in iron and or calcium. Not surprisingly, fat intake throughout the day was higher when children did not eat breakfast.

Researchers determined that older children, those aged 11 to 18 years, were more likely than their younger peers (ages 4 -10 years) to skip breakfast. And girls were more likely than boys to begin their day without a meal. But the missing micronutrients in the younger breakfast skippers was greater than in the older group, indicating that the younger you are, the more important it is to eat breakfast so that your body can derive and process nutrition throughout the day.

Even children in the study who ate a nutritionally balanced diet despite not eating breakfast were still found, when tested, to be lacking in essential nutrients, further indicating that breakfast may be key to establishing efficient and balanced dietary intake. The study also indicated that children who did not eat breakfast ended up consuming the same number or fewer total calories as children who ate breakfast every day.

Acoustic Wave Therapy uses vibrations to soften the connective tissue under skin that hardens and causes cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy stimulates collagen growth in areas troubled by cellulite, rejuvenating the connective tissue beneath the skin and enhancing the appearance of cellulite. Here are some of the benefits of this cosmetic treatment.

1. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Non-Invasive

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that carries no risk of scarring and few side effects. The treated area may take on a temporary reddened appearance, indicative of the increased blood circulation that occurs as connective tissues beneath the skin are relaxed. Acoustic Wave Therapy is one of the safest plastic surgery procedures, and most patients are able to return to normal activities on the very day of their treatment.

2. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Painless

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a painless procedure that uses sound vibrations to treat cellulite. In fact, many patients report that undergoing Acoustic Wave Therapy is a pleasant experience.

3. Acoustic Wave Therapy Can Be Performed Over a Short Period of Time

One of the benefits of Acoustic Wave Therapy is that full treatment doesn’t take very long. Depending on the severity of cellulite, individual treatment sessions can last 15 to 45 minutes. Treatments are performed twice a week for three to six weeks. You’ll need a follow up treatment every three months.

4. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Affordable

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a very affordable treatment for unsightly cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy costs between $80 and $150 per treatment session, depending on the region in which you live, the doctor who performs your procedure, and the extent and severity of your cellulite.

Whether you’re scheduled for a long road trip, shopping for a small army of friends and family members, wrapping dozens and dozens of gifts or camping out in the kitchen to get all your cooking complete, major holidays can easily put your body at risk of injury. Prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, extensive walking, awkward positions, overeating and plain old mental exhaustion are all common when the holiday season comes into full swing. Here are a few common sense tips to assist in keeping you healthy and pain-free this holiday season:

•Traveling: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar levels stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring along a small blanket and travel pillow, bring all required travel documents as well as any maps or reservations for rental cars and hotels, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky luggage and gifts – use a push cart or dolly and obtain assistance whenever appropriate and/or possible

•Shopping: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, have your shopping day pre-planned in regards to locations to visit and gifts to purchase, use shopping carts when available and take gifts to your vehicle frequently rather than risking injury by lugging pounds of gifts from store to store, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky gifts

•Cooking: maintain proper posture while at the counter/sink, alternate between sitting and standing positions, take frequent breaks, stretch often, careful when using knives and other sharp objects

•Gift Wrapping: maintain proper posture, stretch frequently, be careful not to leave scissors or sharp cutting objects on the floor where they can be accidentally stepped on or where they can be accessed by small children or animals, be careful and obtain assistance when moving or wrapping larger or bulky gifts

•Holiday Eats and Treats: do your best to avoid over indulgence of those holiday eats and treats, maintain activity levels to counter act all that holiday feasting, avoid driving when you’ve consumed those holiday spirits

•Treat Your Body To A Holiday Gift: if you find those aches and pains creeping in or just want to be in tiptop shape this holiday season, stop by your chiropractor’s office and treat your body to the most valuable gift of all… the gift of health!

A car accident can be a very debilitative experience that may result in one or more of the following:

• Injuries is to the upper spine, and neck.

• Joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, arm pain and leg pain.

• Pain and stiffness that may develop right away or 7-10 days after an accident.

Regardless of the pain you feel, your goal is Maximum Possible Recovery

At PRI clinic, we want you to focus your energy on healing. If you have been in an accident, it is important to see a chiropractor and a physiotherapist as soon as possible. Potentially serious and costly injuries may seem insignificant at first, but without proper consideration and care they could result in life-long disabilities. With our assistance, you may be able to regain the health you had prior to the accident.

We know that a car accident injury is never simple, and recuperation often involves a great deal of time, pain, and frustration. That’s why our multi-disciplined team focuses on combining the best that medicine has to offer with a human touch, motivating you to work towards your recovery at a reasonable pace and to push yourself to new levels of success.

We diagnose the injuries you have sustained as a result of the motor vehicle accident and treat those injuries and their resulting disabilities. It is also our job to properly document your injuries, disabilities and treatment. Without proper documentation there is no legal proof or evidence of your injuries or disabilities. We will obtain and compile documentation that is valid and medically necessary regarding your injuries. Valid documentation includes diagnostic studies such as X-ray, MRI, and CT scans. Objective findings, including determination of any loss of movement of a joint or “palpating” muscle to feel for tightness, rigidity, or “spasm” are intricate parts of your exam. If any permanency is noted it will be well documented and a request for on-going treatment will be in order.

With so many reasons to count on us, why spend another day fighting pain and frustration alone? Call us today and schedule your appointment for better health tomorrow.

Surgical operations are a standard part of modern medicine. By many estimates, the average person will have about nine surgical procedures during their lifetime, including outpatient and in-office procedures. These surgeries may be quite minor and routine, such as a mole removal – or extremely serious, as with organ transplants.

Proper postoperative care is a critical component of recovery after a surgery. Your surgeon will often place restrictions on your activity for a period of time after your procedure, and you should always adhere to their advice. However, most surgeons do not explicitly mention chiropractic treatment in their aftercare instructions.

In a 2012 article, three patients who had prior lumbar spinal fusions at least two years previous, were treated with spinal manipulation (three treatments over three consecutive days) followed by physiotherapy rehabilitation for 8 weeks. At the completion of care, all three patients had clinical improvement that was still maintained a year later. Another study reported 32-cases of post-surgical low back pain patients undergoing chiropractic care, which resulted in an average drop of reported pain from 6.4 out 10 to 2.3 out of 10.

Whether you’ve undergone a tooth extraction or surgery to help repair a broken bone, you should make certain that all of your healthcare providers are updated on your medical history. This includes your chiropractor. As a health care provider, your chiropractor needs to know your current medical status and all procedures you’ve undergone, no matter how seemingly minor. Keeping your chiropractor up to date will allow them to make the best decisions for your health and safety.

Although they are different disciplines, chiropractic and surgical care aren’t at odds with each other. By keeping your healthcare providers up to date on your medical history and asking questions, you can help ensure that your treatment team is working in conjunction to ensure your health and wellness.

Cycling has seen a spike in popularity, trading in the car for a bicycle has become more commonplace than ever. Some cyclists strap on their helmets and ride for exercise or enjoyment, while others view cycling as a way to protect the environment from unnecessary emissions.

Although cycling has many benefits, cyclists can be at risk of injury from their sport. The repetitive nature of riding a bike can cause problems with both muscles and joints due to overtraining, poor form, poorly fit bike, or many other factors.

Common biking Injuries and how to prevent them

1. Lower back pain

Lower back pain can cause problem for cyclists for a number of reasons. The easiest explanation is the prolonged bending of the back. It doesn’t take a musculoskeletal expert to see that cyclists spend long periods of time in a fixed position. A poorly fit bike or bad body position on the bike can lead to lower back pain due to abnormal wear to the joints along your spine as well a number of muscular imbalances.

How to prevent lower back pain (LBP) – There are a few tools you can use to help fight lower back pain while you hit the road on your bike.

Form – As with anything to do with the spine, posture is important. While riding, keep a neutral spine by bending at the hips and avoid hunching your mid-back. Your spine naturally has a curve to it, this should be maintained while riding but not overemphasized or flattened. It is often difficult to evaluate your own posture so it is worth having someone look at your body position on your bike or use a trainer in front of a mirror.

Equipment – A poorly fit bike may also be the cause of your LBP, being either too stretched out or compacted by your bike can result in abnormal stresses to your back. Most local bike shops have trained staff that can assist you with ensuring your bike is the correct size for you as well as any minor adjustments required to fit the bike to your body.

2. Knee pain

Pain in your knees can be caused by several factors, most commonly it is due to poorly adjusted cleats or pedals forcing your feet out of alignment with your knees however improper seat height, prior knee injuries, poor cycling form, muscle imbalance or overtraining can cause knee pain.

How to prevent knee pain – There are a few things to look for when trying to determine the cause of your knee pain.

Pedals/Cleats – How your feet sit on the pedals could be the key to preventing your knee pain, especially if you are using clipless pedals that lock your feet in place. Your knee should be pointing straight ahead and your feet should be parallel to the ground while you are pedaling. Riders often have a tendency to tilt their knees out.

Seat Height – A seat height that is either too high or too low will cause stress on the knees. Too high and you will be hyperextending the knee on every pedal stroke and too low causes a loss in power and excessive load to the knees. Ideally, your knee should be slightly bent (not locked) at the bottom of your pedal stroke with your feet parallel to the ground.

For more ergonomic ideas, visit your Chiropractor

If you’re thinking about taking up cycling, talk to your chiropractor before you strap on the helmet and hit the road. Together you will be able to identify potential injury concerns and ensure you get off to an injury free start. If you are experiencing pain, numbness or tingling or other musculoskeletal problems while riding, your chiropractor will also be able to provide treatment and advice to treat these problems.

Counseling psychology is a specialty within clinical psychology that focuses on personal and introspective functions throughout a person’s life. Counseling psychology focuses on the emotional, social, work, school and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives with strict attention paid to stressors and severe issues people struggle with on a day to day basis. Counseling psychologists help their clients with their physical, emotional, and mental health issues to aid in alleviating stress and resolve crises’ that plague their lives.

Similarly to a health consultant, Counseling psychologists diagnose patients and provide different treatments for more severe psychological symptoms. Across each stage of a person’s life, your psychologist will focus on:

Healthy aspects and strengths of a patient and focus on building on those traits

Find the sources of anxiety by observing a patient’s lifestyle and environmental factors

Use outside influences to pinpoint a patient’s stressors

Observing work/life balance of a patient

Counseling psychologists use many different methods and practices to successfully diagnose and treat their patients. Counselors host individual, group, and family sessions to learn more about the patient’s needs and stressors. Having outside perspectives to comment and elaborate about patient’s give counseling psychologists a better assessment of the patient’s needs. Dealing with a crisis in a patient’s life is also a crucial part of the job. Dealing with difficult situations is a huge when it comes to counseling psychology as many of the patient’s have gone through traumatic events in their life and it’s the job of the psychologist to find these stressors. Other skills used include psychological tests, clinical supervision, counseling meetings and coaching and training.

Outreach

Clients who serve under counseling psychologists encompass a wide variety of individuals and groups that benefit from counseling. These psychologists work with individuals of all ages including:

Young children with behavioral problems interfering with their school and home life

Adolescents with substance abuse issues or issues with schoolwork or bullying

Adults who struggle with family life, career issues, overcoming obstacles and those with suicidal tendencies

Elderly individuals concerned with the reality of retirement and health issues

Working with organizations and groups also is a huge part of working with a counseling psychologist. Using their skills in the workplace to counsel disgruntled employees is an important outlet for many organizations that aids in the overall productivity and effectiveness of companies.

The overall impact of counseling psychologists is palpable across many fronts. Giving individuals, groups and organizations a safe place to get help from a professional in confidentiality is paramount to overcoming many of life’s difficulties. The skills possessed by counseling psychologists can help many patients across various different platforms. The specialized treatment, diagnosis, and coaching given is unique to the individual and the process of working with a counseling psychologist can give you an outlet you can trust to aid you throughout your entire life.

Acupuncture is effective for pain relief. Researchers from the University of South Florida (Tampa) and the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine document that acupuncture alleviates pain, in part, by regulation of microglial cells.

The researchers cite evidence demonstrating that acupuncture inhibits “microglial and astrocytic proliferation coupled with improved functional recovery after SCI [spinal cord injury].” The researchers note that their investigation summarizes “clinical evidence demonstrating that acupuncture is capable of producing analgesia in neuropathic pain by suppressing microglial activation.”

The researchers also noted that acupuncture has an inhibitory effect on microglial activation and cited specific acupuncture points shown to elicit specific microglial responses. They discussed other mechanisms shown to alleviate pain by modern research. They noted that acupuncture stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, including opioids, in the central nervous system.

A different research team used fMRI data to compare true acupuncture with sham acupuncture for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The acupuncture point LI4 (Hegu) was tested. Both short-term and long-term responses were measured. True acupuncture at the real acupuncture point stimulated significantly “greater activation in the hypothalamus and deactivation in the amygdala” for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Both research teams made significant findings. They noted that acupuncture modulates homeostasis – the feeling of balance and wellness, and alleviates pain. In addition, acupuncture activates certain areas of the central nervous system and deactivates areas of the limbic system thereby regulating emotions correlated with pain.