Pathways Article Summaries and References
Issue 05 - Spring 2005
Letter from the Editor
Jeanne Ohm, DC
Doctors of Chiropractic have been working with children since the early days of chiropractic over 100 years ago. Their reliable services have offered parents a safe option for natural health care. The founder of chiropractic, D.D. Palmer, D.C., had this to say in 1910, “The principles of Chiropractic should be known and utilized in the growth of the infant and continue as a safeguard throughout life.” Truly, the importance of chiropractic care for the family was recognized and practiced since the onset of the profession.
Over the years, the practice of chiropractic became known by many as merely the treatment of bad backs and necks. When I began care in 1976, I went to a Doctor of Chiropractic because of spinal injuries. Within several months of regular care, my back pain resolved, but even more significantly, my migraine headaches went away, my allergies subsided, my bouts of asthma disappeared and my menstrual cycle became regular. My Doctor of Chiropractic explained that chiropractic care was not the treatment of bad backs or disease, but the restoration of normal nerve function. Since all body functions are dependent on a healthy nerve system, many health changes can occur under regular chiropractic care. Thus began my revelation about true health and wellness and my pursuit of chiropractic as a career.
When we first opened our office 24 years ago, my husband and I discovered that most people, like ourselves, began care for spinal injuries and pain. By taking the time to explain the essentials of chiropractic with our patients, they too understood the role chiropractic plays in the family wellness lifestyle.
Today, we have parents coming to our office drawing the natural conclusion that since Doctors of Chiropractic are working with the nerve system, their children need care as well. Just a few weeks ago, a mother made an appointment for her son in our office. In our initial consultation she revealed that her son had been diagnosed with ADHD and since ADHD was determined to be a dysfunction of the nervous system, the logical steps for her son should include care that addressed interference to the optimal function of his nerve system. Based on speaking with other parents and researching the role of chiropractic on the internet, she chose to bring her son in for an initial exam to determine if her child had any spinal subluxations that may be affecting his ability to concentrate.
Today is fortunately the age of information, where parents are privy to knowledge previously kept from the public. The internet has allowed parents to explore and research information on their own—affording them the ability to make informed decisions for their families’ well-being. Additionally, parents are talking with other parents, sharing success stories about their children’s health and opening new doors and options they were not previously aware of. The importance, safety and efficacy of chiropractic care for children is reaching more and more parents and whole families are participating in wellness lifestyle changes that are making a huge impact on their families’ present and future well-being.
It is truly an exciting time of movement and change as parents are taking active responsibility for their families’ health. We are proud to play our role in offering information that supports the chiropractic family wellness lifestyle in Pathways and on our website. We respect and appreciate parents right to choose wellness and we will continue to provide parent’s with perspectives that offer families the solutions they are seeking.
Feature Article:
Why Wear Your Baby?
Sharon Reuven
More and more frequently, parents can be seen with their babies tucked snugly into cloth carriers of various types in malls, on the street, and in the home. This mode of baby travel is steadily gaining popularity and for good reason: soft carriers have proven to be a simple, practical way to incorporate baby care into busy lifestyles.
Although baby wearing is an old concept, researchers in the past fifty years have confirmed the wisdom of this timeless practice. Studies have revealed that our children’s social, emotional, and physical development are all significantly affected by early exposure to motion and human contact...
About the Author:
Sharon Reuven resides in Toronto, Ontario. This article was reprinted with permission by Earth Baby. You can visit their site for additional information: www.earthbaby.com
Parenting:
Learning Through Compassion
Jan Hunt
From the Article:
Over the years, I have counseled parents on the importance of responding to a baby’s cry. My first article on this subject listed ten reasons for a quick response to tears, and discussed the importance of giving loving messages and emotional reassurance to a baby, who after all can only communicate pain or unhappiness with cries and body language. This article will explore another benefit of compassionate responsiveness to tears: helping the baby learn to talk...
Reprinted with permission from the author.
About the Author:
Jan Hunt is a parenting counselor and writer whose articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines. She is the Director of the Natural Child Project, Editorial Assistant of Empathic Parenting, and a member of the Advisory Boards for Attachment Parenting International and Child Friendly Initiative. Jan and her family live in Central Oregon. Her 21-year-old son, Jason, was homeschooled from the beginning with a learner-directed approach. Her first book, The Natural Child: Parenting from the Heart, was published last December. To order her book, arrange for telephone counseling, or for other questions, write to Jan at: janhunt@naturalchild.org.
Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding Basics for a Successful Start
Valerie Lavigne D.C.
This article review important breastfeeding information that may make or break a woman's success in breastfeeding.
From the Article:
New mothers often think breastfeeding is easy and natural, but if you’ve ever heard stories about difficult latches, thrush, mastitis, cracked nipples or any of the problems associated with breastfeeding, you know that it is really a learned art and sometimes a little help is needed during the learning process. As a new mother or a future new mother, you need to equip yourself with as much knowledge as possible to ensure that your breastfeeding experience is successful from the very beginning. This article will help you understand why "breast is best";, how to get a proper latch, and how to know when baby is getting enough milk...
References:
- World Health Organization. Global strategy on infant and young child feeding. 2002-4;13.10
- Duncan B et al: Exclusive Breast-feeding for at least 4 months protects against otitis media. Pediatrics 91(5): 867-872, 1993
- Beaudry M et al: Relation between infant feeding and infections during the first six months of life. Journal of Pediatrics 126: 191-197, 1995
- Popkins BM et al: Breastfeeding and diarrhoeal morbidity. Pediatrics 86(6): 874-882, 1990
- Bardare M et al: Influence of dietary manipulation on incidence of atopic disease in infants at risk. Annals of Allergy 71: 366-371, 1993.
- Horwood LJ, Fergusson DM: Breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic outcomes. Pediatrics 101(1),1998
- Mich els KB et al: Prospective assessment of Breastfeeding and breast cancer incidence among 89,887 women. Lancet 347: 431-436, 1996
- Righard L., 1998. Are Breastfeeding problems related to incorrect breastfeeding technique and the use of pacifiers and bottles? Birth 25:1 40-44.
- Glover R, Oct.2003. .Positioning and Stability Transforms Breastfeeding Outcomes. ALMA Seminars;learn from the experts Melb.
Parenting:
Our Children's Needs
Robert Elias Najemy
From the Article:
A human being is pretty much formed and programmed in his or her concepts about himself or herself and the surrounding world by the age of eight. Most of the work, which is done today by psychologists and psychiatrists, is to solve the problems and fill the gaps left by the experiences of those earlier years. Wouldn’t it make sense to pay more attention to how we bring up our children so that they can be stronger, more able, happier, more in harmony with themselves and their environment?...
About the Author:
Robert Elias Najemy’s recently released book, The Psychology of Happiness, is available at amazon.com and at www.HolisticHarmony.com.
Family Life:
Identifying Causes for Spinal Stress in Children
Jeanne Ohm, DC
From the Article:
Physical trauma to the spine and the result of back pain caused by heavy backpacks has been receiving national attention. Parents are becoming aware of spinal stress in their children. In addition to the backpack dilemma, there are numerous overlooked causes of children’s spinal injuries not as well recognized...
Chiropractic for Life:
Beyond School Scoliosis Screenings
Raelyn Cancel, DC
From the Article:
Making decisions regarding the health and well-being of their families is an awesome responsibility for parents. With the magnitude of information available, making these critical decisions might seem confusing or even overwhelming. This may be confounded if there is a limited exposure to family chiropractic care...
About the Author:
Raelyn Cancel, D.C., has been awarded Diplomate status for successful completion of the ICPA’s 360 hour, postgraduate Diplomate Program. She is a 1990 graduate of Life West Chiropractic College and practices in Wiarton, Ontario.
References:
- Association of Chiropractic Colleges: Issues in chiropractic. Position paper #1. The ACC Chiropractic Paradigm, Chicago, July, 1996, Association of Chiropractic Colleges.
- Anrig, A, Plaugher, G. Pediatric Chiropractic. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1998.
- Yawn B, et al. A Population-Based Study of School Scoliosis Screening. JAMA 1991; 282(15).
- Karachalios T, et al. Ten-Year Follow-Up Evaluation of a School Screening Program for Scoliosis. Spine 1999; 24(22).
- Masarsky C, Todres-Masarsky. Somatovisceral Aspects of Chiropractic. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone, 2001.
Pregnancy & Birth:
A Timely Birth [Part One]
Gail Hart
From the Article:
The timing of birth has major consequences for a baby. Too early or too late can mean the difference between life and death. Or so we have come to believe; and it’s undoubtedly true at the extreme ends of preterm and post term birth dates. Although few babies are born at these extremes of the normal length of pregnancy, much of our prenatal care is based on bringing babies to birth “in a timely fashion”- neither too early nor too late. But our understanding of "timely" is clouded, and some of our methods are self-defeating. By intervening in the natural timing of birth, we sometimes exacerbate the problems or create entirely new ones...
Copyright ©2004 Midwifery Today, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Midwifery Today, Winter 2004, Number 72.
About the Author:
To contact the author, please write to her at: hdw4@msn.com
References:
- McClure-Browne, J.C. 1963. Comparison of perinatal mortality rates versus gestational age through the past three decades. Postmaturity, Am J Obstet Gynecol 85:573-8211;82.
- Eden, R.D., et al. 1987. Perinatal characteristics of uncomplicated postdates pregnancies. Obstet Gynecol 69(3 Pt.1): 296–99.
- Weinstein, D., et al. 1996 Sep–Oct. Expectant management of post-term patients: observations and outcome. J Matern Fetal Med 5(5): 293–97.
- Hannah, M.E., et al. 1992 Jun 11. Induction of labor as compared with serial antenatal monitoring in post-term pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial. The Canadian Multicenter Post-term Pregnancy Trial Group. N Engl J Med 326(24): 1587–92. PMID: 1584259
- Luckas, M., et al. 1998. Comparison of outcomes in uncomplicated
term and post-term pregnancy following spontaneous labor. J Perinat
Med 26(6): 475–79. PMID: 10224605.
Chiropractic for Life:
The Chiropractic Approach To Infertility: A Review of Recent
Chiropractic Research
Cody Williams, D.C
From the Article:
The heartache and emotional turmoil of infertility affects more and more couples every year. As the number of infertile couples grows, so does the intervention offered by the various healthcare industries. Many couples are aware of no other option other than conventional medicine and consequently have a treatment program that consists of drugs and surgery. However, in this society where healthcare is shifting from pain and drugs to health and wellness, countless others are calling out for a holistic, natural approach for the treatment of infertility. So what kind of solution can chiropractic offer? Recent research reinforces that the chiropractic approach to fertility is the same approach that has encouraged so many to adopt the chiropractic lifestyle: a safe and economical alternative to traditional medicine and a focus on whole body wellness. Recent chiropractic research into fertility offers hope and encouragement to those seeking a natural option for wellness...
About the Author:
Cody Williams, D.C. is a member of the ICPA and has a family practice in Monte Vista, Colorado. He successfully completed the ICPA’s 120 hour, post graduate certification program in 2004.
References:
- Infertility. WebMD Health, 2004. http://my.webmd.com
- Nadler, Asher. Torque Release Technique in the Clinical Management of Infertility Related Cultural or Religious-Based Lifestyle. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research
- Bedell, Leslie. Successful Pregnancy Following Diagnosis of Infertility and Miscarriage: A Chiropractic Case Report. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation
- Peris, Anna. The Family Investment. Fertilitext, 2004. www.fertilitext.org
- Shelley, Jessica. Healthy Pregnancy In a Previously Infertile Patient Following D.N.F.T. Chiropractic Care: A Case Report. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.
- Kaminski, Tammy. Female Infertility and Chiropractic Wellness Care: A Case Study On the Autonomic Nervous System Response while Under Subluxation Based Chiropractic Care and subsequent Fertility. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research
- Peacock (Anderson), Elizabeth. Reduction of Vertebral Subluxation using Torque Release Technique with Changes in Fertility: Two Case Reports. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.
- Madeline, Behrendt. Insult, Interference and Infertility:
An Overview of Chiropractic Research. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation
Research.
Pregnancy & Birth:
Cesarean Section
Christiane Northrup, M.D.
From the Article:
One striking example of the overuse of technology in childbirth is delivery by cesarean section. In 1993, 22.8 percent of live births in the United States were by cesarean section. In teaching hospitals, the rate is now closer to 25 percent. In some cities, a white woman with insurance has a 50 percent chance of having a cesarean section. The cesarean rate is this high because there is a movement to offer C-sections as a viable option to normal birth. During my residency, when cesarean rates began to soar, I thought to myself, “How can it be that 25 percent of women are not able to go through a normal physiological event without the aid of anesthesia or major surgery? How could the human race possibly have survived?”...
About the Author:
Christiane Northrup, M.D., obstetrician/ gynecologist, is internationally known for her visionary, empowering approach to women’s health and wellness. As a practicing physician for over 25 years, Dr. Northrup is a leading proponent of medicine and healing that acknowledges the unity of the mind and body, as well as the powerful role of the human spirit in creating health. Dr. Northrup is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book, Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom (Bantam, revised 1998), which was #1 on Amazon.com in 1999, has been translated into 16 languages, and has sold over 1.25 million copies. Read her full bio here: www.drnorthrup.com
Chiropractic for Life:
Why Should Children Have
Chiropractic Care?
Jeanne Ohm, DC
From the Article:
More and more parents are seeking chiropractic care for their children. Many spinal problems seen in adults began as early as birth. Even so called “natural” birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and developing nerve system. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and chronic infections can often be traced to nerve system stress.
Mind-Body:
Take Your Power Back
Paula Barnes
From the Article:
I spent a lot of time when I found out I was pregnant reading, asking advice, and trying to get my questions answered so that I could do everything right for my baby. I even interviewed pediatricians to find the one I felt comfortable with and who I felt would care for my baby best. I often say that I don’t know if I would have changed anything I was doing at the time just because someone said I should try another approach. I was comfortable with the decisions I had made through much investigation and thought. I felt I was in control.
About the Author:
Paula Barnes is the coordinator of Oklahaven’s Parent Support Group, a service of Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center. The purpose of the group is to empower parents to trust their inner strength, be confident in the decisions they make for their families to live natural lifestyles. Visit Oklahaven at: www.chiropractic4kids.com
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