One of the greatest compliments I receive comes from patients who trust me with their most prized possession-their children. Children need Chiropractic care. Is that a new idea? Not really. Consider that when we are first formed in our mother's womb the embryo's initial distinguishing changes are in the form of brain and spinal cord. From the rudimentary central nervous system all the nerves for the body branch off and communicate to the cells of the embryo. They tell each cell which part they are to play in the newly developing body. The hands form - due to the nerve impulses from the brain directing that activity. Those same nerves remain in place to communicate control to that hand. Every organ, tissue, and limb is formed the same way. As we grow our brain constantly controls all function through the nervous system. The goal then is to keep all pathways of communication open and clear-creating homeostasis or balance. Anything interfering with that pathway is harmful. The question is "How harmful?" and "How long before the effects are seen?"
The bone structure around the spinal cord is a marvelous creation that allows for mobility and yet protects the body's communication pathway-the nervous system. Those same vertebrae found in the spine may inhibit the nerve flow if they are slightly out of position-called subluxation. This causes stress on the nerve and the body part this pathway communicates with. By removing the stress from the nerves through chiropractic adjustment the brain may once again communicate clearly to the body.
Maintaining open communication through the spinal cord is crucial to growing bodies. Children experience many falls as part of the learning and growing process. Falls that often cause misalignments. The affects of these misalignments are often not recognized for years. Symptoms such as athsma, allergies, colic, some scoliosis, and immune deficiency can often be traced to the associated pathway from the brain being inhibited by subluxation. In the same way a cavity in your tooth doesn't hurt the first day it begins-misalignments don't always show symptoms for quite some time.
My wife and I have 5 children. 2 of them experienced early childhood before my understanding and training in chiropractic. The other 3 have had consistent spinal check ups and been adjusted as needed throughout their early life. Wow! What a difference. Overall the younger 3 have experienced less illness, more energy and overall health.
Chiropractors who adjust children are trained in techniques that relieve stress on the delicate tissues found in children. Often just a fingertip of light pressure moves a child's subluxation back into place. Children enjoy their visits and look forward to coming back.
Is your child's spine in line? We've found a great way to determine that, A computer generated sensing device called the SEMG which detects stress along the muscles that support the spine-signifying subluxation. It is simple, quick and safer than an X-ray.
On Saturday, March 24th we're sponsoring a SEMG Screening for young spines. Ages 0-18.
Keeping Children well, is it possible?
I received a phone call last month from a mother distressed about her son who was in the ear infection spiral. One infection after another was occurring and the antibiotics weren't helping. The doctor had just prescribed the third antibiotic and suggested a preventative antibiotic just to try and change the pattern. The parent was upset at the lack of progress for her seven month old and seeking an alternative to the antibiotic routine. This young child's story is common. The approaches we discussed that day follow. Prevention is always best. Keeping your health is much easier than trying to get it back after it is lost. The advice I gave the parent was to get more involved personally in the care of her son. This included specific hands on instruction and general counsel to seek out good information, books and classes to broaden her base of knowledge to use for future care.
The basic hands-on steps to take for improving cold and flu symptoms in children are:
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1. Eliminate dairy and sugar from the diet. Dairy is mucus generating while sugar will feed the bad guy "germs". Anything with sugar in it will accelerate the growth of both viral and bacterial infections. This includes fruit, juice, and other sweets-natural and artificial. You wouldn't throw gas on a fire to put it out, and you shouldn't give bacteria sugar and expect them to go away faster. Feed the child fresh vegetable soups, whole grain breads, and plenty of water. After3 to 4 days of feeling back to normal the diet may include some sugars and small amounts of dairy again. Gradually add them back in over a time.
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2. Move the lymph. The lymph system acts like a garbage collector for the body. It is important to keep the flow going so that the infected tissues are able to clean up the debris. Massage the chest working from the middle out to the sides. Stroke down the sides of the neck starting at the base and working your way up to the ear. This helps the lymph glands to drain more effectively. You may use a garlic, menthol or eucalyptus ointment to clear the sinuses and improve drainage as well.
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3. Use natural methods to counteract the infection. When a patient is pale, has a white tongue coating and feels cold, use garlic, onions and/or horseradish which are great at reducing mucus and creating more heat. Most children won't willingly eat these white vegetables so they may be chopped and pressed to be used as a poultice in a cheesecloth pouch and placed on the skin to get into the blood stream and clear the sinuses and improve immune function. Be sure to move the garlic every hour or two so as not to allow the acid to irritate the skin. Sounds simple, yet works great. When a child is hot, red, and fevered with a yellow tongue coating use Echinacea and Golden Seal to cool off the child and improve their function. The use of homeopathy is also fantastic at caring for infants and children. I recommend a kit and book for parents to keep with them as they raise their kids. The success stories are numerous.
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4. Get the child checked by a chiropractor for subluxations which are misalignments of the spine. Subluxations interupt the nerve flow from brain to the rest of the body. Free up the stress on the nervous system and the organs and tissues are able to communicate more clearly with the brain. This flow of information from the brain literally controls every aspect of life and is key during illness. By adjusting the spine this communication may be opened up, allowing proper healing. Children who are checked for subluxations regularly enjoy reduced amounts of illness.
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5. Love, compassion, and humor go a long way to improving those who are ill. Maintain open loving relationships. Steer clear of bitter feelings and emotions that hinder progression of the patient.
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6. When the illness is not responding (progressively getting worse over three to four days with the above course of care) a culture of the bacteria is essential in order to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic. The fewer antibiotics used the better. The AMA has been working to reduce the usage of antibiotics for years. The doctor's suggestion often is 'wait and see'. Unfortunately, parents demand something to give their child, which is one reason so many prescriptions are given and used unnecessarily. Education is needed on both sides.
Some excellent books on raising healthy kids were written by the following authors: Dr. Lendon H. Smith, Kathi Kemper, and Michael A. Schmidt. Local lectures and workshops by alternative practitioners are also great resources to build your information base and comfort at assuming a more active role in the health process.
To offer parents answers to questions about their children health, St. Louis Spine & Health is hosting a Free SEMG Screening Day for children under the age of 18 years old. The SEMG is a state of the art computer-based spinal scanner that detects imbalance in the spine without the radiation exposure and cost associated with x-rays. Join us for this child focused day, Saturday March 24th. Please call to set up a time. (314) 576-1495.
Dr. Neifert encourages prevention and education using natural methods to restore and maintain health. He practices at St. Louis Spine & Health Center
12401 Olive, Suite 202, Creve Coeur, MO 63141 (314) 576-1495
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You're The Best!
Our patients are known for taking proactive steps toward health. Remember . . . a healthy body is capable of healing itself. The following are conditions improved or overcome by patients who followed their treatment plan-optimizing their body's healing potential at St. Louis Spine Health. Overall wellness, back pain, migraine headaches, hormone imbalance, colic, knee pain, work injuries, energy balance, allergies, EMG exposure, auto accident injuries, emotional health, shoulder pain, bladder infection, immune deficiencies, health maintenance. |
