Family Chiropractic Battling Ear Infections

Top 3 Ways to Battle Ear Infections

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Top 3 Ways to Battle Ear Infections

 

With cooler weather comes the Holidays, lots of sweets, and the not-so-jolly sniffles. This time of year is described as the “cold and flu” season and is a time that many experience in an increase in yucky symptoms. These colds promote sinus drainage and excess mucus (fluid) build-up in the ears, which often leads to ear infections in little ones. Here are the top 3 things that you can do to battle these ear infections:

 

1) Find a pediatric chiropractor and get your child adjusted

 

As a pediatric chiropractor, I have many parents who initially bring in their little ones due to re-occurring ear infections. Chiropractic adjustments are incredibly effective in draining the ear, combatting the infection, boosting the immune system, and preventing future ear infections.

 

The nerve coming out of the top of the neck innervates the muscle (tensor veli palatini) that surrounds the Eustachian tube. After birth, the top bone in the neck is often misaligned and can placed stress onto this nerve, causing the tensor veli palatini muscle to spasm. When this happens, fluid comes into the Eustachian tube and cannot escape. The fluid becomes stagnant and develops into an infection. Gentle and safe pediatric adjustments take stress of the impacted nerve, and allow the muscle to relax so that the fluid can drain from the ear. Ear infections are a plumbing problem and chiropractors act as the plumbers to get things moving again!

 

In addition, chiropractic adjustments boost the immune system by up to 200% which increases the body’s ability to fight off future infections!

 

Here is a link to a video that goes into more explanation of chiropractic and how it can benefit kids who suffer with ear infections:

https://youtu.be/cOBp16OYYPs

 

2) Eliminate Dairy and Gluten

 

Dietary changes play a huge role in the function of the immune system and overall mucus production. Foods that contain dairy and gluten are inflammatory to the body, and increase the production of mucus/ fluid that drains into the ear. If your little one is prone to ear infections, I encourage you to eliminate these foods the diet (especially while there is an active ear infection)!

 

3)Garlic Oil

 

Garlic has natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidizing properties. Garlic also contains an anti-microbial agent, allicin. All the properties of garlic can be used to decrease inflammation, infection, and pain associated with ear infections. Garlic can be in the form of oil, allowing easy absorption through the skin, and inner ear. Many recipes can be found online to make your own garlic oil, or it can be purchased online or at most natural health food stores.

 

Here is a recipe you can use:

http://naturalfamilytoday.com/health/how-to-make-garlic-oil-for-natural-remedies-tip-tuesday/

 

OR if you choose to buy one online, here is a brand that I recommend:

 

Apply a few drops to the ear, and use a cotton ball to cover the ear, once or twice per day. Use garlic oil drops for children when they are asleep so the oil can fully absorb. Although garlic oil is a natural and effective way to battle ear infections, it is not recommended when the eardrum is ruptured.

 

For any other questions regarding ear infections, please reach out to Dr. Savy at blossomfamilychiro@gmail.com or by calling 727-498-5643.

 

Alternative Ways To Help Child With ADHD

Alternative Ways To Help Child With ADHD

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Alternative Ways To Help Child With ADHDADHD is a prominent diagnosis these days. In fact, the newest statistics show that 1 in 7 children are diagnosed with ADHD, and these numbers are rising drastically with each year. Many teachers have told me me that 25% or more of their students are taking Ritalin on Adderall so that they can sit still and concentrate through the day.

The truth is, ADHD is misunderstood. Many people think that ADHD is a problem, when in fact, it is a superhero power in and of itself. ADHD is a simple condition to understand. Once we understand what the CAUSE of ADHD is, we understand that the symptoms we see are simply the EFFECTS of that cause.

ADHD is like a Ferrari

Children and adults with ADHD have “Ferrari brains.” This means that their brains like to go fast; they are stuck on the gas pedal at all times! These Ferraris get places MUCH faster than other cars. This is the child’s superhero power and the reason why so many of our famous inventors, artists, and innovators have been described as having ADHD.

However, If you are looking at a Ferrari, you will notice that they not only have a huge engine (fast brain), but that they also have very large brakes and a sophisticated suspension and handling system. Essentially, the Ferrari can go really fast because it can take corners fast and brakes quickly!

Although a child with ADHD has the fast engine (fast moving brain), they have small brakes and poor handling. In today’s world, that means these kids have a hard time slowing down and sitting still, difficulty paying attention in slow moving environments (i.e. class), and a tough time moving from one activity to another.

Are Drugs the Only Option?

Most children with ADHD are given a class II controlled substance (the same class as cocaine) to control symptoms. However, many people don’t understand that these drugs can stunt and impair normal brain growth and development, and can have many unwanted side effects including sudden death. Although these drugs have been prescribed for 50 years, there has never been a study that compares the benefits and risks of taking these prescription drugs.

So how can we help kids with ADHD “apply the brakes” and “navigate the corners?” How can we help them better copy with stress, school and the changing demands of life? Are addictive stimulant and psychoactive prescription drugs the only options? The answer is no! Drugs are not the only answer or option for these kids. For parents searching for alternative ways to help your child with ADHD, chiropractic care can help!

What is ADHD?

As we know, ADHD is a neurological disorder that is dealing with a dysfunction in the nervous system. Within the nervous system, there are two modes of operation:

  • There is the “gas pedal” mode which is the fight or flight stress response, or sympathetic state. This stress response is responsible for survival. This kicks on when you are in danger or when you are scared. It should turn on (when needed) to keep you alive, and then turn back off again after danger is out of the way.
  • There is also “brake pedal” mode, or the parasympathetic state, where growth and development happens.

Many children with ADHD are stuck on “gas pedal” mode. They just can’t slow down and are missing out on these growth and developmental phases because the “brakes” won’t turn on. But why?

The Birth Process

The birth process can be very tough on the child especially if there is a c-section, or stressful birth or delivery. The pulling and twisting of the child’s head can easily misalign the top bone in the neck (the atlas) which sits right next to the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve is responsible for the entire braking system in the body. If this top bone is misaligned, it will shut down the brakes and keep the child in “gas pedal” mode.

How can Chiropractic Help with ADHD?

Gentle and specific pediatric chiropractic adjustments can help with ADHD by restoring proper structure to the spine and taking pressure off the nervous system (specifically the vagus nerve) so that the “brake pedal” can turn on and slow the child down. Although chiropractic doesn’t treat ADHD, it allows the body to function appropriately so that kids can live a normal and symptom free life.

If you are wondering if chiropractic can help you or your child with ADHD, please give contact Blossom Family Chiropractic at 727-498-5643 or email blossomfamilychiro@gmail.com.

Child Chiropractic Care

Can Chiropractic Care Help A Child With Constipation?

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Child Constipation and Chiropractic CareYour baby hasn’t gone to the bathroom in days. When she eventually does poop, she strains and cries in discomfort. You changed her diet, increased her water intake, added fiber to her food, and tried giving her prune juice, still with no success. You are frustrated with the situation but don’t want to give her medication. What are your other options?

Chronic Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages, from infants to seniors. In fact, the United States alone spends more than $800 million on laxatives per year. Constipation is an extremely prevalent condition in the pediatric population and accounts for more than 25% of visits to the pediatric gastroenterologist.

Child Constipation And Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic Care has been proven to be a natural, effective, and conservative way to relieve constipation and other digestive issues in children.

Chiropractors correct misalignments (subluxations) in the spine that place stress onto the body’s master control system, the nervous system. Misalignments of the vertebrae are very common after the birth process, and when the child learns how to crawl, walk, (and FALL)! When the tailbone, low back, or hips are misaligned, it places stress onto the nerves that innervate the digestive organs. This can lead to constipation, diarrhea, IBS, excessive gas, bedwetting, etc. Chiropractic Adjustments restore proper structure to the spine, take stress off the nervous system, and allow the child’s body to function optimally!

A Little Boys Story:

A 3 year old boy, Jaxton, came to our office 6 months ago after suffering with constipation his entire life. His mom had tried EVERYTHING (or so she thought)! Jaxton had gone through every diet change in the world but was ultimately given daily laxatives and enemas for the constipation. When we performed a scan of his spine, we saw that there was stress being placed onto the nerves innervating his digestion organs.

After only 1 chiropractic adjustment, Jaxton pooped normally. Since that time, Jaxton has had regular bowel movements without the need for medical intervention. The little boy has continued with chiropractic care, and only continued to become healthier!

Questions or Comments:

Blossom Family Chiropractic is the leading pediatric chiropractic office in St Pete, and specializes in pediatric, pregnancy, and family care. If you have any questions regarding your child’s health or would like to make an appointment, please call us at 727-498-5643 or email us at blossomfamilychiro@gmail.com.