We love helping pregnant mothers prepare for the birth of their upcoming bundle of joy with gentle and custom chiropractic care designed to meet the needs of their changing body.

Here’s why:

1. Optimal Function, Optimal Birth

Keeping your spine healthy allows us to ensure your entire nervous system is functioning as it should. When you’re able to keep your spine aligned and nervous system balanced during pregnancy, you’re setting your body up to work as effective as possible. When you’re pregnant, a body working in peak performance is what you’re after!

2. Pain Relief

The joy of having a new baby is well worth the aches and pains you go through to get there. During pregnancy, it’s entirely common for mothers to experience not just back pain, but joint and muscle discomfort. This is largely due to the weight of the growing baby as it puts new stress on shifting internal organs. The good news? Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and effective during all stages of pregnancy.

3. Proper Alignment

As a chiropractic patient, you know that our focus is typically spinal alignment. But for pregnant mothers, we’re also focused on ensuring proper pelvic position for a couple of reasons. First, if the pelvis is misaligned, it can limit the amount of space the developing baby has to grow and move. Second, it helps you keep proper posture throughout your pregnancy, which can prevent slouching that leads to unnecessary body aches.

4. Delivery Benefits

A smooth, healthy and speedy delivery is every new mother’s dream when it comes to the birthing process. But what you may not know is that a misaligned pelvis can lead to difficult delivery issues as the baby isn’t always able to get into the most ideal delivery position. For mothers who hope to have a natural and non-invasive birth, this can lead to problems.

Many of our patients have reported that with regular prenatal care, their deliveries seemed faster and required less artificial intervention.

Migraines is a highly tedious complaint by many people. Migraines occur in unpredictable episodes that bring on a throbbing headache that is often consisted of fuzzy eyesight, susceptibility to bring light or loud sounds, and sometimes vomiting.

Some migraines are developed by the result of changes in blood pressure, neurotransmitters in the head, or muscle spasms in the neck. Blood pressure and neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, affect each other.

Migraines can also be associated with the monthly cycles. Many women suffer from hormonal migraines, which occurs when hormone levels are fluctuating and estrogen drops. As the estrogen level drops, the level of serotonin in the head drops, as well as the blood pressure, which increases the risk of migraines developing. If the level of estrogen is very high, the drops in estrogen may also be very high and this will increase the risk of hormonal migraine. The causes for high estrogen levels include high body fat percentage, high load of chemical substances (plastics and pesticides), and poor liver performance (leaky gut, high alcohol consumption and high load of chemical substances).

The thyroid gland affects the monthly cycle, serotonin level, muscles, and blood circulation inside the head, so therefore, a poor functioning thyroid gland may also cause migraines.

Healthy lifestyle changes are important to help treat migraines naturally.

Natural Treatment For Migraines

Food:

Some foods affect neurotransmitters and blood pressure. Foods that may trigger migraines: gluten, casein, chocolate (theobromine and tryptophan), alcohol, nicotine/cigarette smoking, caffeine in coffee and other drinks, and food additives: glutamates, aspartame, and nitrite.

Choose organic, whole foods to fuel your body, and limit your intake of alcohol.

Stress:

Stress has a major impact on neurotransmitters, blood pressure, and muscle tension. Chiropractic adjustments improve spinal function and alleviates the stress on your nerves/nervous system, resulting in lower stress levels.

Traumas:

Traumas to the head, jaw, and neck such as falls and car accidents, often trigger migraines. A good chiropractor can help by performing adjustments to correct spinal curves and nerve interferences.

Sleep:

Lack of sleep, or poor quality of sleep increases the risk of migraines. Be sure to get 7-9 hours of good quality sleep. Develop a nightly routine to help get your mind in the sleep mode (hot tea, shower, read a book), and sleep in a dark, quiet room.

Water:

Dehydration and lack of moisture intake causes migraines. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. At least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day is recommended to avoid dehydration.

Reference:
http://www.foodmatters.com/article/what-is-causing-your-migraines-how-you-can-treat-them-naturally

Happy November and Tuesday! One more day closer to Friday, but just not close enough. You may be sitting at your desk, feeling tried and drained…stuck inside a stuffy office with crappy fluorescent lighting… had a busy weekend of work and kids’ events, or a long weekend of too much fun and now back to work for the week…with a booked schedule of deadlines and appointments…

Balancing work and life is A LOT, throw school into the mix and it can be very overwhelming, and burn your energy fast. Remember to take care of yourself, even through all your schedule craziness. Care for your body and mind. Self-care is crucial to living a healthy and happy life, and we all want to be healthy and happy, right?

Let’s start November on a healthy positive note! Here we have six ways to boost your energy right now. Start working with one, then incorporate more and notice how each one makes you feel, both mentally and physically. Be mindful and listen to your body – your body knows exactly what it needs to thrive and be healthy. These will not only boost your energy but also boost your mood and productivity. Great energy is a good marker of health!

6 Ways to Boost your Energy Right Now

1. Meditate and Breathe: Turn off your phone and computer, and disconnect with your surroundings for 10 minutes. Sit comfortably with your spine straight, eyes closed, and practice deep breathing. Focus on your breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
2. Drink a Green Machine: Skip the energy drink and go for a nutrient-packed smoothie. Nourish your body with the good stuff that Mother Nature provides for us. You can make your smoothie in the morning before work to have in the afternoon or have a blender at work (don’t worry your co-workers won’t be annoyed by the noisy blender, they will want in on your energy booster tricks).
   • Green smoothie: non-dairy milk, handful spinach/other dark leafy greens, frozen banana, handful frozen or fresh fruits (blueberries, mango, dark cherries etc.), healthy fat/super-food (coconut oil, avocado, chia, hemp, flaxseeds)!

• Go for a Walk: Take 10-20 minutes to get outside in the sunshine and fresh air. Research shows that sunshine energizes you, boosts your mood, and provides you with your healthy daily dose of vitamin D. Your skin will be glowing after a couple days of this (and that’s always a plus)! Wear heels to work? Then, have a pair of sneakers at work to slip on for your walk.
• Hydrate: Dehydration is the number one cause of fatigue. Fluid supports the flow of blood in your body. If there is not enough fluid in your blood, your body will over-work itself, causing fatigue, dizziness, and mental fogginess. Hydrate yourself with water, lemon infused water, and herbal teas throughout the day to supply your cells with nutrients and oxygen, and to keep your energy up!
• Have Good Posture: Sitting at a desk all day on a computer can compromise your posture a great deal. When you sit or stand with you neck and head forward, your arteries become agitated, which restricts the blood flow to your brain (similar to dehydration). Research suggests shifting your posture to an erected spine can give you more energy and reduce stress. Your mom was right – sit up straight, no slouching!
• Get Adjusted: Chiropractic care is a drug-free approach to wellness. Regular adjustments are vital for keeping your body balanced, flexible, and functioning at its best. Not only does chiropractic care improve your posture and physical performance, but also improves the nerve communication within your body and boosts your immune system!

Everything is more enjoyable when you are filled with energy!

Omega-3 is a type of fatty acid. Fatty acids are small molecular component found in all fats, but their type and structure differs between foods. They are part of the process of building new cells, which is the key to developing the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, supporting the health of your brain, and helping the body absorb nutrients.

Omega-6 is another essential fat for human health. However, the typical American consumes far too much omega-6 fat, and consumes far too little omega-3 fat. Omega-6 is primarily sourced from corn, soy, safflower oil, and sunflower oil. Consuming exceeding amounts of omega-6s encourages the production of inflammation in your body. Many scientists believe that the imbalance of omega-3 and omega 6 is one reason that there is high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and cancers today.

Omega-3 comes from both plant and animal sources. The primary plant sources are flaxseed, walnuts, seaweed, chia, and hemp. The primary animal sources are krill oil and fish oil.

The body cannot make Omega-3’s alone; we can only get it from the food that we eat. Therefore, it is essential to make sure we have a daily dose of omega-3 through whole foods.

3 Main Types of Omega-3s:

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

5 Reasons to Take Omega-3s Daily:

1. Brain cells: Omega-3s support healthy brain cell structure. There are over 100 billion cells in our brain, which are responsible for powering our bodies. The human brain is about 60% fat, and each cell has an outer membrane, which is made up of fats (lipids). Creative thinking, planning and following your goals and dreams rely on our brain to function properly.
2. Fetal brain development: Research shows that children of those women who consumed Omega-3s while pregnant scored very well in developmental and behavioral testing. Omega-3s are critical building blocks of fetal brain and retina development.
3. Anti-aging: Omega-3s have incredible anti-aging effects on the brain. Research suggests that since the brain metabolizes DHA into anti-inflammatory compounds, it may be effectively slowing cell death (which naturally occurs with age). Insufficient omega-3 intake impairs learning memory as you age.
4. Mental health and happiness: Omega-3s not only help in the formation of healthy brain cell membranes, but also the flexibility and fluidity of the membranes. They help regulate the flow of proteins and neurotransmitters, which act chemical messengers and are directly related to mood. Omega-3s also helps increase the levels of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter associated with our “reward response,” and serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with our ability to access feelings of well being.
5. Hormone balancing: As omega-3s act build healthy cell membranes, enabling effective communication between cells; it makes it possible for hormones to adhere to cells more easily. Omega-3s also aid the body in keeping the cellular receptor sites repaired (where hormones are) and in optimal condition, which is key for premenopausal/menopausal women. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s also eases the symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea.

Omega-3s and Children’s Brains:

• Improves children’s literacy level and academic performance
• Helps children with ADHD
• Improves emotional processing and social skills of children
• Improves children’s mood and memory
• Improves short bowel syndrome (SBS) in children

From the time of your pregnancy through your child’s later life, omega-3 fats have a radically important role in their brain health and other functions. It is crucial to maintain an adequate intake of omega-3s through whole foods or supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Babies receive DHA through mother’s breast milk, so continuing to breastfeed through the first year will give your child a great head start for health and success.

Recommended Omega-3 Intake for Kids:

• 0 to 12 months: 0.5 grams/day
• 1 to 3 years: 0.7 grams/day
• 4 to 8 years: 0.9 grams/day
• 9 to13 years (boys): 1.2 grams/day
• 9 to 13 years (girls): 1.0 grams/day
• 14 to 18 years (boys): 1.6 grams/day
• 14 to 18 years (girls): 1.1 grams/day

“When your cells contain equal amounts of Omega-6s and Omega-3s, as was the case with early humans, this promotes less inflammation, less constrictive blood vessels, and prevents clot formation, all important functions in preventing many diseases.”

– Artemis Simopoulos, President of the Center for Genetics, Nutrition, and Health.

The answer is both!

Not all fats are created equal! Highly processed, hydrogenated fats which are used in packaged foods are extremely dangerous to our bodies. These bad fats can lead to problems with your immune system, cardiovascular system, and even your behavior and mood. They contribute to weight gain, skin conditions, high blood pressure, and liver damage. Unhealthy fats includes trans-fat and inflammatory vegetable oils. Unfortunately, these fats have increased in our diet as they make us fatter and contribute to inflammation, which plays a role in nearly every chronic disease on the planet.

So, Where is the Good Part?

Well, our body needs healthy fats for insulation, vitamin and mineral absorption, organ protection, and most importantly for brain health. These fats can steady our metabolism, maintain hormone levels, nourish our skin, hair and nails, and provide lubrication to keep our body functioning properly.

Healthy fat is required for calcium to be effectively incorporated into bone as key bone-building vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they rely on fats to be absorbed and transported within the body. In order to have proper lung function, the airspaces of the lungs have to be coated with a thin layer of lung surfactant, which is 100 percent saturated fatty acids. Your brain is mainly made of fat (60%) and cholesterol (40%). A diet without healthy fats robs your brain of raw materials it needs to function optimally. A diet with healthy fats supports memory and is critical for overall brain function. Certain healthy fats, such as coconut oil and oily fish are necessary for proper nerve function and protection. These nerves influence everything in the body from metabolism and muscle movement to the appropriate release of insulin.

What are the Healthy Fats?

• Avocados
• Olives
• Coconuts
• Nuts & Seeds
• Nut Butters (such as, almond butter and tahini)
• Wild-caught salmon and cod
• Organic pasture-raised eggs
• High quality organic oils: Organic cold-pressed extra virgin and unrefined (such as, olive oil and coconut oil)

There are so many benefits for including more healthy fats into your diet, therefore, it’s important to include a variety of sources as they all offer a variety of benefits. The right fats can improve your mood, skin, and hair, while protecting you against diabetes, dementia, cancer, and much more. Try a new fat today!

Tips on How to Use Healthy Fats

• For cooking at high temperatures (stir frying or baking) use coconut oil.
• For sautéing, use olive or coconut oil.
• Use avocado as a wonderful dressing to a salad or a spread on a sandwich.
• Add a spoonful of coconut oil to a smoothie.
• Cook eggs in coconut oil for the ultimate healthy fat dish.

If you have any questions, contact our office by emailing blossomfamilychiro@gmail.com or calling 727-498-5643.