Saturday, June 22, 2013

Under Pressure - The Stresses of Applying to a University Are Just the Beginning


Laugh if you must, but things are getting harder for students these days. While going to university for your parent's generation might have been an exception to the rule, more and more people are expected to apply for entry-level jobs with at least a bachelor's degree. The paradox of this shift from vocational school and life experience to post-secondary education is that more and more students are graduating each year with the same qualifications. So it's entirely possible that you can, in fact, study Russian literature for four years and be qualified only to make coffees or stock books.

More than just a snide joke that those successful business students crack at the expense of clueless liberal arts majors, the pressures of students are more and more real. First, there is the inflated sense of importance of getting into a good school that starts as early as junior high, and usually kicks in particularly strong in high school. Guidance counselors report more and more children under the age of 18 who are, quite simply, freaking out about their futures, even though they are technically still children. The amount of essays, standardized tests, and then additional standardized tests that are required to apply to university are overwhelming and somewhat mind boggling for high school students.

This is not to say that students don't require discipline or a look at how much work is required to make it in this world. It's that they should save their time worrying for an occasion where worrying is actually warranted. The problem here, many behavioral experts conclude, is that pressures are starting to mount on children when in reality, there is nothing to worry about yet. This can actually be a lot worse later on, when there are real things to worry about.

And in case anyone has forgotten, there are many real things to worry about. First and foremost on the minds of many young students is debt. Because, you see, to attend university, many students must take out loans, loans that are required to be paid back rather quickly after graduation.

So while students who are off to college and have already exhausted themselves on the stresses of applying just for college are attending classes and working on all of their projects and deadlines, they may forget about the bills they have piling up, waiting to creep up on them until graduation. And for many very intelligent university students, this doesn't come to mind until they have finally gotten their thesis out of the way and are ready to start thinking about jobs.

During such tough economic times, making the transition to the workforce from the world of studies is even more of a harsh reality check. Especially for students who chose a major that will not immediately get them some sort of work, it is difficult to learn that as special and as gifted as many people might have said you are, the current world of work is not as interested. While it is dangerous to build up student's egos to believe that they will never have to take a "regular" job, it is also important to remember what their worry priorities were while enrolled in university.

So after all of the pressures associated with attending school--balancing a job and work, excelling in courses, making sure you actually get the course load you need to complete the degree you want--there is now the added pressure of crippling debt looming right overhead. Students who applied to university three years ago had no idea they would be receiving their degrees amidst one of the worst recessions the world has seen in recent times, and that getting a job would be a lot more difficult than they realized.

As much pressure as students have been experiencing since grades began to get inflated and landing a spot in a freshman university class became an epic endeavor, the new world that awaits them after graduation is even more stressful. Because while a professor might excuse a late paper, it's going to be a lot more difficult to convince someone from a collection agency to do the same thing if your entry-level job is not providing you with enough money to live comfortably and pay off your student loans.

Chiropractic Care for Sports


Chiropractors are not selective. A chiropractor can treat a person who has a sports injury. In evaluating your health issues, a chiropractor will ask about your life style, diet, your family, and of course, your sports. He will ask you on the incidents that transpired, which caused the pain. He may require you to have some diagnostic procedures that may be necessary to identify the exact problem. After obtaining the results, only then will your chiropractor be able to assess the right treatment that you need.

The science of chiropractic is concerned in the restoration of a person's health by permitting the body to heal itself. This objective is achieved by aligning the vertebra and giving it the needed nutrients to achieve full recovery. When the body is in proper alignment and appropriately fed, it will regain its strength and will heal on its own. Thus, the desire to have a healthier well-being is attained.

People engaged in any kind of sports can seek chiropractic treatment. Hence, if you are into basketball, swimming, baseball, soccer, cycling, track and field, volleyball, or tennis, go and see a chiropractor to have a check on your limbs and joints

Understanding this need, chiropractic has been included as a basic element in the National Football League. It has also become an essential element in national sports events like the Olympics.

Injured sports persons are given advice on how to execute some moves that will not damage their spine and to thwart further injuries. A chiropractor do not only aim to eliminate the pain temporarily but likewise helps in stopping potential soreness and damage by educating you on the appropriate manner of lifting, sitting and moving.

If you are a sports person, do not wait for pain to attack you or accidents to happen to you. Have some time to visit a chiropractor. Remember you only have two legs and two hands, which are all necessary to your sports. Losing just one of them will spell a big difference on how you play or can devastate your ego. Therefore, I urge you to see and visit a chiropractor now.

You do not even need to wait for symptoms of pain. Your being involved in sports is enough reason for you to have a chiropractic check-up. Being treated by a chiropractor can even enhance your sporting skills and abilities.

Chiropractic care gives us a manifold of advantages regardless of the kind of profession you are in -- sports, office, student, etc.

Chiropractic Facts


Chiropractic has been around for years, but only in last 30 or so years has it begun to become mainstream. Before that, the American Medical Association had a vendetta and was on a constant mission to destroy the practice. Since that unfortunate time, people have been seeing the benefits of chiropractic and now it is widely accepted. Although this is true, there still remain many misunderstandings.

First, a lot of folks don't think chiropractors are real doctors. It is true that they are not medical doctors, but neither is a dentist. Chiropractors are real doctors, just of chiropractic, not medicine. In fact, chiropractors study all the same things that medical doctors do, just not the medication part. Instead, they study adjustment techniques and practice them.

Another common myth is that medical doctors don't like chiropractors. This can be true, but is not in general. Doctors are smart people and many have seen the positive results and research that has proven over and over again that chiropractic is effective. It is effective in a different way than medicine though. Medicine is largely focused on treating people after they have problems and treating symptoms. Chiropractic focuses on prevention and allowing the body to heal itself.

Some folks also have heard that once you start going to the chiropractor, you have to keep going. This is true in the same sense that going to your medical doctor is something you have to keep doing. Exercise is also something that doesn't benefit you by doing only once. There is nothing about chiropractic itself that makes you need to keep coming back, but your body experiences forces that pull it "out of whack," and chiropractors put it back. So in a sense, you only need to go as often as you get out of whack.

The fact of the matter is that chiropractic has been tested over and over for decades and has been shown to be an effective as a preventative and a treatment. But this of course depends on the problem. For instance, someone with a broken arm will not find much relief with a chiropractor. They need an orthopaedic doctor. On the other hand, following the healing of the bone, a chiropractor would be a great choice to help rehabilitate your arm's muscles and ligaments so that it doesn't hurt you for the rest of your life.

It is important to understand the chiropractic facts, because chiropractic is essential for the highest quality of life.

Back-To-School Tips for Teachers and Students From Your Chiropractor!


Summer vacations are filled with activity, but back-to-school can mean long hours in a desk for students and equally long hours on the feet for teachers.

Teachers and students returning to the classroom after summer vacation can better prepare for the school year ahead with the following chiropractor's tips.

Chiropractors recommend to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time, if possible. For teachers, this means being conscious of how long your students are sitting in a desk, often made of hard wood or plastic, as well as how much time you are spending standing on your feet. For classes longer than 45 minutes, provide a five-minute classroom break for your students to get up and stretch, and for you to take a break and sit if you have been standing. Not only does this help keep the muscles agile and help avoid overuse injuries or pain, but it also helps stimulate and energize the mind, making learning more productive when you return.

Teachers often have to stand in the front of the classroom, lecture -style, and teach for extended hours during the day. Standing in place for extended periods places an extra burden on the low back and legs. Poor postural habits are easy to form in this situation. Chronic poor posture can lead to additional pain and dysfunction including headaches, fatigue, tension, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, to name a few. To avoid falling into poor postural habits while teaching, practice correct posture. Correct standing posture is straight yet relaxed. Stand tall and lengthen your spine comfortably. Do not become rigid or try to flatten your back Keep your knees soft, not locked. Use the space in front of the room to move around instead of standing in a small area.

Further, if you teach lecture-style, try to schedule your classes so that you have ample time between classes to walk, stretch, and sit a bit with your legs elevated to relax your back and leg muscles. If your class times are scheduled for you, make a conscious effort to maximize your time between classes to walk, stretch, and/or sit. The better care you take of your body now, the healthier you will be when you are ready to retire and dash off and do all of those great things that you have been saving for.

Students are also at risk of developing poor postural habits due to sitting for extended periods of time. Students spend hours on end in a desk and in front of the computer. Unfortunately, very few students have correct posture while sitting. Most slouch forward with hunched shoulders or either lean back out of alignment. The proper sitting posture is feet flat on the floor with the back naturally against the chair and shoulders back and down. Remember to allow regular breaks from sitting to walk and stretch.

Chiropractors are advocates of prevention and regularly provide injury prevention awareness, helping people lead healthier lifestyles. Practicing correct posture can help prevent a lifetime of chronic pain and dysfunction. Consider asking your local chiropractor to volunteer to come speak to your students about injury prevention, posture and leading a healthier lifestyle.

Important Reasons Why Your Child Should Visit a Chiropractor


Chiropractic is commonly viewed as a therapeutic treatment for neck and back pain. It has proven to be very effective. So effective that many of its other health benefits are overlooked. Simply stated, chiropractic care is much more than a pain reliever.

The basic tenet of chiropractic is that the central nervous system controls and coordinates every function of your body. This central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and the millions of nerves that extend to every cell and tissue in your body. Your delicate nervous system is protected by the spinal column. Your spinal column is comprised of 24 freely moveable bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae may become misaligned causing interference to your nervous system. This minor misalignment of a vertebrae is termed subluxation.

A recent study of over 1200 infants revealed that 95% of those evaluated were found to have from mild to severe spinal issues. Symptoms of these issues included hyperactivity, sleeplessness and vomiting. The authors note that chiropractic adjustments were beneficial. Many of the infants stopped crying, became quieter, showed signs of muscle relaxation and sleepiness. This study also concluded that, if left untreated, these spinal issues called subluxation, can lead to impairment of motor skills and the central nervous system resulting in a lower resistance to many infections and viruses especially those affecting the ears, nose and throat.

You may ask yourself how a child's vertebrae could become misaligned. The first potential for misalignment is the birth process. Breach presentation, forceps delivery and prolonged labor place a significant amount of stress on a newborn's spine and nervous system. Other events include falls while learning to walk, sports injuries, etc. The list goes on and on. All of these seemingly mild traumas have a cumulative effect and may result in subluxation.

As an adult you are able to discuss with your chiropractor any symptoms or health issues you notice. Infants and young children don't as readily express themselves in words. They express themselves in other ways. They cry, become irritable and don't eat properly. When your child is seen by a pediatric chiropractor they will be expertly evaluated for the presence of subluxation. They want to make sure that your child begins life with the best possible potential. Whether your child presents with symptoms or for a check-up, a thorough history of the birth and labor process is taken. This is followed by a thorough physical examination that includes orthopedic, neurological and movement testing. If subluxations are detected, a proper treatment program will be explained.

To review, we have talked about how the brain and central nervous system control and coordinates all functions of the body. Minor misalignments of the vertebrae are called subluxations. Subluxations are caused from a difficult birth process, falls, sports injuries, etc. These subluxations interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system resulting in a loss of health. Chiropractors are specially trained to identify and correct subluxations, thereby alleviating symptoms and restoring health.

So why should your child or infant to a chiropractor? So that they reach their full potential. To give them the best start in life. Because they are worth it.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Chiropractic Myths


Myth #1: Chiropractic is addictive.

Reality: Chiropractic isn't addictive, however, it is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, more energetic and pain free as a result of chiropractic care. It's similar to how some people get used to exercise and the feelings that come from a workout.

Myth #2: Chiropractic is just for back pain.

Reality: Chiropractic has been used to help many symptoms ranging from sinus pain, migraines, rib pain, menstrual cramps and knee pain. Chiropractic adjustments can also be used on an ongoing basis as prevention, similar to taking antioxidants to ward off disease.

Myth #3: "I can crack my own neck/back. I don't need a chiropractor."

Reality: The need to pop your neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and popping a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will be balanced and stop being so moveable and noisy. Cracking or popping your own spine may give you relief for a while but soon the urge to 'pop' reappears because the cause of the spinal tension hasn't been corrected.

Myth #4: Chiropractic is dangerous.

Reality: Recent research states that patients are no more likely to suffer a stroke following a visit to a chiropractor than they would after stepping out of their family doctor's office.1 This means that there is no increased danger from getting a chiropractic adjustment than there is by going to your medical doctor's office. Another study found that treatment of neck pain with anti inflammatory drugs, like Advil, cause 100-200 deaths per million cases. 2 Compare this with the ratio of 1-2 cases per million for chiropractic. It's about 100 times safer to go to a chiropractor than to take over the counter medication. That's something to think about!


  1. Spine 2008 (Feb 15); 33 (4 Suppl): S176-183

  2. J. Manipulative Physiol. Ther. 1995 Oct;18(8):530-6.

Myth #5: Chiropractic is only for adults.

Reality: We take our children for regular check-ups at the dentist and optometrist, but we never think of taking them to a chiropractor. Teeth and eyes are important but what about their spines? Did you know that most adult problems that chiropractors deal with actually have a start in childhood. The 'growing pains' of a 12 year old boy can become crippling low back and leg pains in adulthood. It's better to stop it at the beginning than to wait until it gets worse.

Myth #6: Spinal adjustments are uncomfortable.

Reality: Most times a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. In fact a great sense of relief is usually experienced. On some occasions it may feel like a bruise is being pressed or similar to the sensation of tender muscles after starting an exercise program. Over time, as your nervous system integrates the effects of the adjustments, most people feel a continuing sense of ease. This is one reason many people make chiropractic the cornerstone of their wellness lifestyle.

Wear High Heel Shoes With Minimal Foot Pain


What a day. You can't wait to take your shoes off. Being fashionable can be painful, if you constantly wear high heel shoes. Beware of neuromas, bunions, "hammer toes", heel and arch pain which can become debilitating as you decide which high heels to wear.

Good news ladies! You may continue to wear high heel shoes with minimal to no foot pain if you take care of your feet.

Your feet are engineering marvels. They are the foundation to your body. Problems with your feet can also affect your knees, hips and back. Each foot is made up of three sections: forefoot, mid-foot and hind-foot. The forefoot involves your toes. The mid-foot is the middle section of the foot, and the hind-foot involves the ankle and heel.

Each foot is supported by three arches. Foot arches are the body's springs and shock absorbers. They propel your feet and absorb body weight and impact when you walk, run or jump. Daily wearing of high heel shoes restricts your feet and the associated articulations and deforms the transverse and medial longitudinal arches. The transverse arch runs across your the bottom of your toes, while medial longitudinal arch runs lengthwise along inside part of your foot.

High heel shoes change how your feet distribute body weight. Usually, there is an increased weight distribution to the second to fourth toes which collapses the transverse arch. Your body attempts to lift and pad the fallen transverse arch with calluses. Other scar tissues will also form underneath the ball of your toes. You'll often experience pain at the bottom of the second to fourth toes after hours of wearing high heels.

These shoes can also increase the tension in the medial longitudinal arch and concentrate abnormal impact to the ankle and heel. Arch and heel pain can be debilitating after a full day of in high heels.

The narrow, toe box common to most high-heel shoes often deforms the forefoot and causes neuromas between the third and fourth toes, bunions and hallux valgus and hallux rigidus to the big toe.

There are sensible precautions that you can take which allow you to continue wearing high heels with minimal to no foot pain. Wear heels that are two inches or less. High heels disrupt gait and posture for the entire body. Shoes that are greater than two inches significantly influence lower extremity mechanics and gait.

Stretching the calf muscles will reduce some of the tension and tightness in the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis and calcaneal bursitis are common among runway models and ballroom dancers.

If you experience pain to your heel, arch or toe, get them treated before the problems become permanent. Conservative treatments should always be considered before any type of foot surgery. Conservative treatments are cost effective and less complicated.

A chiropractor who is knowledgeable in foot biomechanics and pathology can help you with your foot pain. Chiropractic adjustments restore ankle and toe articulations that are often restricted and hindered from wearing high heels. Mild form of hallux valgus and rigidux may be help with chiropractic adjustments. Deep muscle and soft tissue treatments such as trigger point therapy and Active Release Technique can relief heel, arch and toe pain associated to ankle and foot joint restrictions. Cold laser therapy not only reduces inflammation associated with neuromas, but it also relieves the burning pain.

The shape, size and arches of your feet are unique. Once your foot pain has resolved, custom orthotics for high heel shoes should be fitted for long term care. These customized, shoe inserts correct foot over-pronation and support the medial longitudinal arch. The high heel orthotics also have metatarsal pads that remove unwanted pressure to your second to fourth toes by lifting and supporting the transverse arch.

Do I Need A Chiropractor?


The simple answer is to get evaluated and checked by a Chiropractor. The spine is the body's protective covering of the spinal cord. The spine as a structure needs to have the ability to support gravity and resist the normal stress and strain that one's lifestyle imposes. Inactivity and the sedentary living that is commonplace in the 21st Century has brought with it a new set of challenges to our health. Postural deviations and dysfunction in the spine have become the norm in our society.

As a Chiropractor, I have evaluated over 10,000 spines. Unfortunately most people that walk into our clinic do not exemplify normal spinal posture. The sample is biased in that symptoms such as back and neck pain have already become prevalent. The ideal scenario is to be evaluated for alignment as an infant and throughout childhood development. When the school nurse reports that a teenager has a scoliosis,is it too late? Chiropractors do one thing and they do it very well, that is to evaluate spinal function and alignment and where there are aberrations or postural changes, they correct them.Once the determination has been made that ones spine is abnormal recommendations for correction from one doctor to another may vary. The disparity is truly based on intent. The majority of Chiropractors are considered alternative healers.

Most allopathic physicians do not practice correction as a model and will gear their care toward symptoms, employing medications and sometimes surgery. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications nor surgery. In fact they are an alternative to each.Currently a mere 10% of the U.S population visit a Chiropractor. Chiropractors are the most sought after alternative care providers in the US. Numerous studies exist that prove Chiropractic to be safe and effective. Spinal function is greatly improved, but here are some other noted benefits:


  1. 87% of low back pain patients improved under chiropractic care

  2. 94% of acute neck pain (Torticollis) patients got better under chiropractic care

  3. Chiropractic prevents arthritis

  4. 90% of lumbar disc patients got better with chiropractic care

  5. Chiropractic reverses aberrant sensory issues and improves motor control

  6. Chiropractic increases balance and prevent falls

  7. Chiropractic has been deemed safe for children

  8. Chiropractic is 457% more effective than Medicine for chronic low back pain

  9. 83% of dizziness sufferers improved under chiropractic care

  10. Chiropractic certified 75% more effective than drug therapy for headaches and migraines

  11. 85% to 100% of headache sufferers got better with chiropractic care

Is Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Safe?


Many women who are used to receiving regular chiropractic care find themselves questioning whether or not they should continue with this treatment once they become pregnant. There are no known complications to chiropractic care to be concerned with during your pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant and some have additional training in specific methods.

Chiropractor who use low-force or gentle techniques may be preferred by pregnant women as there is no cracking or twisting of the spine during the adjustment.

Is Chiropractic Safe During Pregnancy?

Chiropractic during pregnancy is an effective, drug free and safe treatment for both the mom and her baby. Chiropractic care can continue while you are pregnant, or you can begin a new chiropractic treatment program as early as the first month of pregnancy. Treatment will help you better deal with the many changes that are occurring with your body. Special adjustments by the chiropractor, designed for pregnancy, help balance the pelvis, reduce any nerve irritation in the spine and generally help your body feel more at ease overall.

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy in order to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout the pregnancy. With a better balanced pelvis, babies enjoy a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth which can result in an easier and safer delivery for both the mother and her baby.

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can lead to a healthier overall pregnancy. Other benefits include controlling nausea symptoms, relieving back, neck and joint pain, reduce the risk of possible cesarean section as well as reducing the amount of time a woman is in labor and delivery. Chiropractors trained in the Webster Technique are able to perform adjustments using this technique when babies are presenting breech. Studies have shown an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when the Webster Technique was used.

How do I get adjusted while pregnant?

Many chiropractors have either specially designed pillows or tables that allow the expectant mother to lay on her stomach, safely and comfortably during her chiropractic adjustment. Women that are uncomfortable lying this way can still be adjusted by lying on their side.

Are there benefits to Chiropractic Care Post Pregnancy?

After your delivery, your body's supply of relaxin is reduced and your bones and ligaments start to return back to their original positions. Chiropractic adjustments help this process by making sure that everything is aligned. Chiropractic is an essential part of the postpartum process and is especially helpful if you've had a difficult pregnancy or birthing experience.

Chiropractic also helps your body deal with the added stresses that occur as you hold and take care of your baby. Additional bending, lifting, stretching and rocking will become part of your daily routine. Your body will need help adjusting to these new movements and chiropractic is a great help.

As more women look to chiropractic care as a means of maintaining good health throughout pregnancy, more health care providers are referring to chiropractors within their communities. Be sure to discuss chiropractic as an option when you meet with your health care provider. If they are not aware of chiropractic care in pregnancy, ask them to find out it. Most chiropractors welcome the opportunity to partner with other health care providers to help pregnant women enjoy a positive pregnancy experience.

Improve Your Baby Health by Minimizing Pelvic Pain and Constraint During Pregnancy


Congratulations! The stork has arrived. If this is your first baby, you couldn't be more excited. Soon, the good news will spread like wild fire. For the next nine months, your body will undergo drastic changes to accommodate the new bundle of joy.

Besides nutrition, proper growth and healthy position of the fetus also depend on sufficient space available within your uterus, low back and pelvis. Unfortunately, there are internal and external factors that can strain the development and positioning of your unborn baby.

Prenatal positional plagiocephaly is a common deformation from intrauterine constraints. Uterine fibroids and uterine malformations are the two most common causes of intrauterine constraints.

As the fetus grows, it faces further challenges from the lumbar spine and pelvis. The lumbar spine and pelvis undergo major structural renovations during pregnancy thanks to hormonal level changes to estrogen and progesterone.

Abdominal mass and protrusion increase as pregnancy progresses. And the lumbar spine must balance this through biomechanical and structural modification. Otherwise, the pregnant woman will topple over. Unfortunately, the unborn baby may be strained and placed in an unhealthy position in the process. Furthermore, spinal joint dysfunction and low back strain may also occur.

Like the lumbar spine, the pelvis also undergoes some structural and biomechanical modification during pregnancy. Additional pelvic space is needed to prepare for birth through the vaginal canal. And this pelvic space must be big enough for proper migration and position of the fetus. Otherwise, there may be malpositional risk and birth trauma to the fetus.

Have you ever wondered why breeching occurs and why some women require caesarean section? Breeching and caesarean section may occur when the fetus is extra-ordinarily large and the mother is petite in comparison. Otherwise, breeching babies are mostly due to inadequate structural changes to the lumbar spine and pelvis.

To ensure sufficient space for the fetus, various joints in the pelvis begin to separate and the pelvis expands. If there is no dysfunction to the sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joints, then unobstructed pelvic space can be created for vaginal birth. And labour and delivery are smooth and efficient.

Unfortunately, the sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joints can become dysfunctional during pelvic expansion. Sacroiliac and pubis symphysis pubis joint dysfunctions are very common in the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. In addition to low back and pelvic pains, joint dysfunctions can prevent full expansion of the pelvis.

Depending on which area is affected, the pelvis may not be able to expand fully either front to back or from side to side. This kind of pelvic constraint may cause fetal malpresentation such as breeching and higher incidents of birth trauma. Caesarean section may be needed if fetal malpresentation is too risky for vaginal birth.

Pelvic constraints from sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joint dysfunctions are biomechanical problems. For uncompromised pelvic space and volume, these joints must align and articulate properly during the expansion process. Do you know any kind of medication that can correct sacroiliac and symphysis pubis joint dysfunctions so the pelvis can expand and accommodate vaginal birth without hesitation?

Concerns for the sensitivity of their unborn children and harmful side effects from taking pain medications during pregnancy, many contemporary women are turning toward chiropractic care. There's no risk to the fetus with chiropractic care. Pregnant patients are positioned on side-lying postures during chiropractic treatments. And treatments are modified to accommodate for pregnant mothers and their unborn children.

Whether it's for low back or pelvic pain, chiropractic care can reduce the risk of pelvic constraint and breeching associated with pregnancy. Healthy moms have healthy babies!

Secrets to Retaining Patients - How to Increase Patient Volume For Chiropractors


There is much taught in chiropractic school with the exception of two - acquiring and retaining patients. Our competitive world requires a strong focus to the practice's greatest asset - the patient. Simply put all activity of the practice revolves around providing patient value. The main reason is the patient-to-patient influences are stronger than ever; most of this stemming from technology. Doctors and there offices are one tweet or blog post away from doom.

However, the purpose here is not to scare you but rather provide three simple tactics that you can use to retain and even acquire new patients. The key here is exemplary service and support. It all begins from the moment the patient calls or enters the practice. What then are the best methods for retaining patients without technology? Simply, people, procedures and property.

People. There is nothing more prevalent to business then internal employees: they are the frontline to the organization. Peter Drucker once stated that, "organizations exist for one reason- the [patient]". Failure to exemplify a customer culture only diminishes a firm's ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with patients.

I recall a time while visiting my chiropractor. Once inside I walked to the front desk only to be greeted by the Apathetic Annie, the receptionist frowned incessantly. It only took me two other appointments to find another chiropractor. I am not suggesting everyone be constantly upbeat but the first impressions are imperative. Ensure success with a warm empathetic greeting. Employees are those that interface with patients and exude the passion for the practices' services. Hiring individuals that exemplify apathy only harm the practice. The manner in which patients are serviced helps to offer competitive differentiation.

Second, ensure all staff conversations are kept in private nothing is more frustrating to patients then to hear of the belligerent one preceding them.

Third, ensure the phones are answered promptly and with rapt professionalism. All calls should follow an exemplary script.

When patients are serviced appropriately they inform others of their positive experience. Such feedback assists with decreasing marketing and advertising costs while also retaining current patients.

Procedures. The healthcare industry is rift with ridiculous yet mandatory procedures related to HIPPA. However there are simple methods for moving patients efficiently through the office without frustration. For first time patients always request an arrival time of 15 to 20 minutes prior to the appointment to help remove the barriers of entry. It is also best to place a reminder call or perhaps sending a checklist of mandatory information for the appointment this ensures swiftness.

Second, explain as you go. Patients are enamored with communication the more you tell them, the more comfortable they become with information. Remember they are investing in not only your recuperation assistance but entrusting you with their health.

Third, ensure the practice provides the same procedural structure. Your CA, PT and others on staff should follow similar protocol so as not to confuse and frustrate. Patients desire an easy flow and the practice should be as synchronized as a Swiss watch.

Property. Individuals always judge books by their covers and patients are no different. On a recent appointment with a supplier, I could not find a spot to park my car. All employees were in visitor spots. On another visit, I entered the main lobby of a potential client to what seemed like a hurricane. These images leave a certain perception of company operations. Simply put pictures say a thousand worlds. The reception area must be tidy, organized and exemplary of the service you provide.

Some of the best methods to illustrate your admiration for patients include easy egress to parking, well-lit buildings (if located in commercial buildings), smiling staff and signage drawing attention to the practice's location. Staff should have a uniform and a visible nametag. Brochures, magazines and other documentation must be placed in organized receptacles. Organizations that build a culture of patient awareness and enthusiasm are those that thrive.

Today, competition is too strong and patients are too influenced by others. The vital components that offer differentiation and maintain patient relationships not only thrive but acquire more patients, retain existing ones and increase profit margins.

Chiropractor - 6 Steps to Become a Licensed Doctor


A Chiropractor goes through intense specialized training in order to be able to offer treatment as a licensed doctor of chiropractic medicine. The initials D.C. after your practitioner's name stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. He or she must put in years of studying and interning with a licensed D.C. in order to be able to offer treatment. Here are the six steps to becoming a chiropractor:

Obtain a four year bachelor's degree. It is important that undergraduate coursework is selected that supports the final mission of becoming a D.C. such as anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and social sciences.

Apply to chiropractic colleges. The college will look over the applicant's GPA and coursework to evaluate whether the applicant is a viable candidate for your school. There are multiple schools of chiropractic medicine around the country so it is important that the applicant take a look at the ones that are located in the regions which would be conducive to their living and studying for four years.

Attend four years of intense schooling in order to prepare for a career as a D.C. The four years will be a combination of academic work in areas such as microbiology, physiology, anatomy, chemistry, and lab-work. There will also be thousands of hours of required hands-on practice working with patients.

Get licensed. After the four years of school has been completed, testing for licensure must be passed. The test which is administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners consists of four parts, all of which must be passed in order for a license to be obtained.

Set up practice or join an existing team of practitioners. It is helpful to be willing to relocate, if necessary.

Ongoing education is required in order to stay current on modern practices and discoveries. Most states require continued study in areas that pertain to the field of chiropractic care. Sometimes a specialty will be studied and added to the menu of services that the D.C. offers such as massage or alternative therapies.

If you are looking for alternatives to traditional medicine's prescription drugs and focus on illness, you may want to visit a chiropractor. Turn to someone who is a highly trained individual dedicated to the prevention of disease and the enhancement of wellness. Place your health in the hands of a skilled D.C. and watch your well-being and whole body happiness increase.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Equine Massage and Machine Therapy, And Chiropractic Manipulation - Are They Necessary?


My first question to you would be, "How many massages have you had in your life?" If the answer is none, then you need to get a good full body massage in order to understand where I am coming from. If you are an avid follower of sports, you know that most athletes are massaged, whirl-pooled, given chiropractic alignments and hooked up to machines of many different types on a regular basis. Our bodies as well as our joints were not designed to endure the constant pressure and stress that we put them under during the rigors of competition. Prey animals were designed to run in short spurts in order to escape from their predators. They were not intended to go at top speed for five or six furlongs or run one or one and a half miles a few times a month on a regular schedule. Horses were not designed to jump over seventy-five or one hundred, four or five foot fences, three or four times a week. What we do to ourselves and the animals we love is to tear down our bodies, as well as their bodies, and aid in the destruction of muscles as well as joints. Even competitive body builders will only work on one half of their bodies one day and the other half of their body the next day. This is to help rebuild from the stress of over use on the previous day. Equine animals are usually ridden on a daily basis when in competition.

It is no secret that I am a certified massage therapist, but this was acquired after probably twenty-five years of using other Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, and Therapists that used machines on my horses; usually on a weekly basis. This was a constant necessity for as long as the horses were in competition. This was money that was well spent because I was riding them myself and I was able to know and feel the difference in them after treatment. Also, with therapy, there is an increase in circulation in the their muscles and their whole body, and they grew before my eyes. Their muscles became more developed and were allowed to reach their full potential. I'm basically saying that I saw my horses become much larger, wider and fuller in muscle but in the best kind of way due to the constant care and rebuilding of them as they performed their demanding tasks. My experience with different machines, as well as Massage Therapists and Chiropractors, brought great results. Using equipment such as Infrared blankets, Electro-magnet Blankets and Electro-magnetic machines for the joints, The Laser, Ultra Sound and Bio-scan equipment, were all effective in their own way.

If you are involved with horses in competition and you are thinking about starting a therapy program, know that this must become a constant commitment in order to get true results. If your horse is under a grueling schedule and you wish to keep your four legged friend in good form and help him or her in battling soreness and ailments that come along with the territory, then therapy is the best way to accomplish this. Beware!! There are many people that claim to be sports and massage therapists but they just cannot get the job done, mostly because it takes years of practicing horsemanship as well as therapy. Word of mouth probably is your best bet. I always considered therapy an absolute expense and necessity but money very well spent. That is the reason why I became certified. Not necessarily to perform for other horseman but mostly to massage my own horses just because I believe in therapy so much.

Keeping up with the muscular anatomy of your horse does residually result in less joint injuries. Muscles, ligaments and tendons are all adjoined as a whole. This is why I was always a lover of therapy machines. Different types of machines seem to work differently for different problems that arise. Addressing these issues as soon as they arise is a major part of nipping problems in the bud. If you are armed with different types of therapy machines and as time goes on and you deal with these problems, you will soon learn which machines work the best with each particular problem and you will develop your own form of therapy. My definition of a good therapist is the way in which they interpret the best approach in helping your horses to heal themselves.

If you are fortunate enough to find a good Massage Therapist, Chiropractor or Acupuncturist and you see and feel the difference, you will be very quick to jump on the therapy wagon because it works!

Rid Low Back Pain and Sciatica During Pregnancy


Is low back or leg pain and sciatica causing problems with your pregnancy? Should this be the case, Chiropractic is a great natural, drugless approach to help with your pain. Many people often wonder if Chiropractic care can help a mother and their baby achieve a healthier pregnancy and delivery. Not only is chiropractic gentle and safe, but it is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many mothers who waiver from taking prescription and over the counter drugs during pregnancy. In fact, many clinical studies have shown chiropractic to be the choice for pregnant mothers experiencing pain.

One particular study by a member of the American Medical Association, Dr. Irvin Hendryson showed that women who were in their third trimester of pregnancy who received chiropractic adjustments were able to carry and deliver children with more comfort. A fellow orthopedist by the name of Per Freitag, M.D., showed in a hospital study that used chiropractic adjustments on pregnant patients and found that mothers need for pain killers during delivery decreased in half.

Along one's spine are 24 vertebrae (bones in the spine), with a sacrum and coccyx bone directly beneath them, and they work in tandem and surround the central nervous system. The brain produces neurological signals that travel down your spinal cord throughout the nerves to all of a person's limbs, organs, and muscles in the body. These signals direct all of the body's functions, and contribute to growth, repairing cells and tissues, and the natural healing mechanism of the body. When your spine is subluxated, or misaligned, nerves become tensed, and these pathways of signals become altered, causing the body to function inefficiently. Such imbalances in posture can occur with pregnancy such as a high hip, rotated pelvis, spinal curvature, sway back, dropped shoulder or any of many variations in structure, which can contribute a more difficult pregnancy. According the the American Jounal of Pain Management, the authors state: "posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture."

Chiropractors focus on the cause of many symptoms and specialize in the detection and correction of these spinal subluxations to improve body function. Much like orthodontics, this process can take from several weeks to months depending on the spinal structure and misalignment severity of the patient. As subluxations decrease and the central nervous system can work better, healing takes place more efficiently.

During pregnancy; women go thourgh a series of physiological and hormonal changes to create the most optimal environment for their developing baby. Every system of the pregnant woman's body. As a pregnant woman's boy changes during baby development, their center of gravity is skewed, altering their posture, placing more pressure on their lower back and pelvis, which may result in pain. A study by MJ Mantle showed that fifty percent of all pregnant women complained of low back pain.

When random people were polled in our community, Sherry Grieco of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania said that "Chiropractic has helped me and my family tremendously. During my last trimester of pregnancy, Chiropractic care made me feel more comfortable. It helped me with my hip and sciatic pain." Traci LaGanke of Wilmington, Delaware has also gotten much relief with her pain during her two pregnancies. "I suggest to anyone with lower back pain to see a Chiropractor. Carrying 30-40lbs. of excess weight and lugging car seats have only added to my pain, and chiropractic care has kept me pain free throughout my pregnancy. Helene Neidig of Hockessin, Delaware is eight months pregnant, and works in an office setting. "Regular Chiropractic adjustments make me feel looser and rid me of acute back pain. I used to have chronic back pain before pregnancy, that would become more aggravated at my desk working ten hours a day. I highly recommend seeing a chiropractor before, during, and after pregnancy. I thought that my chronic back pain would come back and it has not!"

The best time to seek chiropractic adjustments is throughout the entire pregnancy and immediately concluding labor and delivery, a great option if a mother is or wants to help eliminate back and leg pain.

Picking The Right Chiropractor To Treat Your Back Pain


When you are trying to select a chiropractor to treat your back pain it is necessary to screen them to make sure the doctor you select is the best one in the area. What you must do is create a list of all the chiropractic clinics in the area. Now that the list has been established you can visit the website of these clinics to get some insight on their overall professionalism.

Does the website of the chiropractor look professional or are there major flaws with it? If the website is well designed and professional looking it shows the doctor places an emphasis on being professional which is an important character train.

While reviewing the website of the chiropractor look for information about their licensing. These doctors need to have a license that is current and valid, never go to a chiropractor if their license is not current.

After you have determined which of these chiropractor's are licensed the next question is how effective are they. The only way of measuring this is by finding out how many of their patients are happy with the results produced. In order to get this information what you need to do is look for testimonials that were posted by these former and current patients. While reading over the feedback that was provided it will become very clear who is the most popular. If there is not a significant number of testimonials to review then what you need to do is use the search engines and type in the name of the chiropractor you are screening. This search will show you all of the reviews posted on the Internet and should give you everything you need to make the right decision.

Now that you know which of these chiropractor's are the most popular and therefore the most effective you need to start calling them. The purpose of the telephone call is to find out whether they are accepting new patients and what the fees are for their chiropractic services. Some of these doctors are so popular they have waiting lists that are several months long. Some doctors work solely on a cash basis while others process insurance claims, you need to confirm what forms of payment the chiropractor's accept before you book the appointment.

While at first glance this will seem like a significant amount of work you need to look at the reason for this effort, you want to put an end to your back pain and to do that you need to find the most effective chiropractor in your area.

How Much is Your Case Worth?


Evaluating personal injury claims is a tricky business. In the past six years my firm, CapTran, has underwritten 10,000 requests for pre-settlement advances by plaintiffs. We have never had anyone tell us that their case was not a "slam dunk" or that they were not going to get a substantial settlement. We are always told the insurance company is going to settle quickly because their case and/or attorney are so good.

Our experience tells us - baloney!

Unrealistic expectations in personal injury law are a recipe for certain disappointment. Rarely do even slam-dunk cases get settled quickly for large amounts. Quite the opposite, slam-dunk cases usually involve serious injuries that require a long time to treat. Settlements are rarely reached prior to the victim achieving maximum medical improvement.

Hubris aside, everyone wants to know the real value of their case. Unfortunately, accident victims are often beset with self-appointed experts replete with stories and anecdotal evidence of huge jury awards. They know someone who knows someone who got a huge settlement for a back strain or "whiplash". These influences do nothing but confuse the issue and most of the time has nothing to do with reality.

The truth is that, with the exception of the horrific paralyzing or disfiguring injury, most accident damage awards fall within a very predictable range. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that 3 million people are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year and insurance companies pay out nearly $20 Billion in bodily injury claims annually. The Insurance Research Council conducts a survey of auto claims every five years. The survey's participant's account for about two out of every three claims paid in the United States. In short, there is an enormous amount of data available to insurance companies regarding every conceivable type of injury and the amount paid to settle the claim.

Facts to consider

1. The average amount paid for a bodily injury claim is less than $10,000.

2. The amount paid varies widely by state.

3. Insurance companies are very wary of chiropractic treatment, especially if it is the only treatment.

4. Insurance companies are very wary of excessive physical therapy treatment.

If your attorney is experienced in personal injury cases he or she will know the range of values and the claiming behavior of insurance adjusters in your area. Our experience is that attorneys are prone to overestimate the value of your case rather than underestimate it. We urge you to listen to your attorney's advice regarding claim value because it is unlikely that they will overestimate its worth. If you attorney is not experienced in PI cases - well, get another attorney.

That having been said, we offer the following thoughts that come from our experience. We have limited our comments to the most common type of case - motor vehicle accidents.

Factors to Consider

There are a great many factors that impact on the potential value of you claim. In order to determine whether (and how much) to invest in your case, CapTran® uses these factors or case attributes, to calculate the value of a case. In general we look at the following case attributes:

1. The event

2. Liability

3. Ability to pay

4. Damages

5. "Quality" of the Defendant

6. "Quality" of the Plaintiff - you!

1. The Event

What actually happened? Not what you think happened, or even what you know happened but rather, what can be verified or proven.

o If the police did not arrive at the scene it will be more difficult for you to prove anything.

o If you received a ticket you will have a difficult time collecting full value for your case (in contributory negligence states you may collect nothing!)

o If the defendant received a ticket, his or her insurance carrier is more likely to readily admit liability.

o If the accident happened in a manner that is unquestionably not your fault and/or demonstrates recklessness on the part of the defendant, the insurance carrier is more likely to attempt to settle.

o Where there witnesses unrelated to you and not in your vehicle present? If so, defendant's insurance carrier is more likely to readily admit liability.

o Did the other driver admit liability at the scene? If so, defendant's insurance carrier is more likely to readily admit liability.

o Did you take pictures of the car at the scene or later?

o Was your vehicle moving or stopped? If lawfully stopped it is highly unlikely that you will be deemed to have contributed to the accident and the defendant's insurance carrier is more likely to admit liability.

2. Liability

The certainty of liability or the availability of a defense will impact the level of enthusiasm the insurance carrier has to settle your case. If there appears to be a valid defense available, even if not perfect, the value of a settlement offer will suffer. If the injuries are minor, the only thing the insurance company has to lose is the expense of trying the case.

3. Ability to Pay

Regardless of your damages, someone has to have the ability to pay in order for you to collect. The availability of insurance or a financially strong defendant is critical to the ability to achieve financial redress for your injuries.

Amount of insurance coverage. Insurance policies have limits on the amount they will pay per accident victim as well as per accident. If you are one of several people injured in an accident you will have to share the coverage with the other claimants. For example, if a policy has a "per accident" cap of $100,000 and five people are injured each with a claim worth of $50,000 (for a total of $250,000) there will not be enough to cover all claims.

Self Insurance. Many large companies self-insure meaning that instead of paying premises to an insurance company, they set aside certain monies each year to establish an insurance reserve to handle future claims. Many times the company will actually have its own so-called captive insurance company.

4. Damages

Severity of impact. This is common sense. If your vehicle has a sustained little damage the insurance adjuster will know that a jury is likely to conclude that no one could have been seriously injured in such a "fender bender". On the other hand, they will not want to go up against an attorney that can hold up a picture of your severely demolished vehicle telling the jury "why, my client is lucky to be alive!"

When you received treatment. If you went to the emergency in an ambulance that is better than if you went to the emergency room two days later (especially if you went to your attorney first).

Soft tissue injuries versus broken bones. Most minor accidents involve what used to be called "whiplash" but are now referred to as cervical strain or sprain. A broken bone is easy to prove and easy for juries to understand. With soft tissue injuries, it is difficult for juries to separate good claims from fraudulent ones. Insurance adjusters know that juries will not award large amounts for soft tissue injuries.

If you have a broken bone, especially if it is a weight-bearing bone, you have an injury that can be verified by indisputable evidence such as x-rays.

Amount of your medical bills. While "meds" are a very significant (often the most significant) factor in determining case value, there is no simple formula to use in determining case value. Forget the junk about "3 times meds" or "3 times specials". Insurance Research Council survey data reveals that bodily injury claims cannot be estimated in such a simple fashion. Values vary widely from state to state and the type of meds is very important. Some rules of thumb are:

1. "Treating" expenses carry more weight with insurance adjusters than diagnostic expenses. It matters little that you decided to have an expensive MRI or CAT Scan.

2. Chiropractic expenses are severely discounted by insurance adjusters (and ignored by us).

3. Excessive visits to the physical therapist are not only discounted by adjusters but along with chiropractic bills also raise a red flag for what is called "build-up".

Medical providers that treated you. Insurance adjusters look for treatment by medical specialists that indicate clear-cut injuries associated with vehicular impact. If you are only treated by the ER physician and perhaps your family doctor it will not carry as much weight as if you were treated by an Orthopedic Surgeon or a Neurologist.

Documentation of your injury. Failure to go for medical treatment, or large gaps of time between treatments, are red flags for insurance adjusters. Inadequate documentation will not pass muster with insurance adjusters.

5. Quality of the Defendant

Appearance matters in court. Every adjuster knows that a sympathetic defendant is less likely to suffer large verdicts. The inverse is, of course, true as well. The kind of evidence, especially prior acts that can be presented in court varies from state to state but defendants must be wary that adverse evidence regarding the plaintiff will see its way into the jury room.

6. Quality of Plaintiff - YOU!

We have had several good cases lost because the jury simply didn't like the plaintiff. If you appear too strident or are overly aggressive, combatant or belligerent, a jury will find a way to punish you for your behavior.

If you have had several minor accidents a jury may conclude that you are a scam artist.

Above all else, try to be realistic in your evaluation of your claim. The object of the tort system is to compensate you for your damages not to unreasonably enrich you. Be sensible and reasonable and you will enhance your chances for a successful outcome. Good luck!

This article is intended for information only and should not be construed as legal advice. You should consult your own attorney for legal advice.

©Copyright Capital Transaction Group Inc

Components For Building A Great Chiropractic Business Empire


Thousands of chiropractors enjoy success, in part due to the wider acceptance of chiropractic. But, the difference between being a practitioner versus a business person is very simple...

...if you must go to the office in order to continue your flow and stream of income, then you are basically a practitioner. On the other hand, if you desired to stop going in tomorrow and the revenue and income continues without you, then you have a business.

The difference is about choice and vision. You can choose to treat until you can no longer adjust or you can create a business that can serve thousands of patients long after you have retired. In other words, as a practitioner your legacy can die when you stop treating. But, if you build a business, your legacy can continue for generations to come.

Now, there are five components for creating a business model, versus a practitioner model. Let's examine those right now!

But, before we explore the five components here's a question: If you are going to deliver exceptional chiropractic care, why would you want any patient to settle for anything less than the best...a world-class operation?

Here's the five components for creating a world-class business that can impact thousand more lives than you can as just a practitioner:

1. Powerful Brand. Think of the brands that you admire and support and then ask yourself, is your brand of chiropractic that powerful? If most people do not see your office as a brand, then you have a lot of work to do. What is a brand? It is much more than a name or logo, even though that's important. Your brand must be recognized and identified with something greater than what you do. You build brand value by understanding that your brand is based on anything that the public can see, hear or smell that relates to your brand of chiropractic.

2. Significant Products and Services. You must offer what people really want and need and you must communicate this strongly in all of your marketing communications, both internally and externally. You must create a demand for lifetime care. You must reach a broader audience, not just P.I., but patients who can enjoy a healthier and more active lifestyle with your brand of chiropractic. But, your brand must include more than just adjustments; massage, rehab, orthotics, nutrition should be incorporated as part of your branded services. Products should be included in your product-service mix.

3. Strong, Competitive Position. Ideally, you must be the most recognized and respected and trusted brand of chiropractic in your marketplace. You must totally dominate your marketplace. You must be number ONE. This can patient convenience, i.e., office hours and no-wait guarantee policy. Your office. Your T.E.A.M. Your brand name. Your brand logo. Your product-service mix. These all contribute to your competitive position in the marketplaces you serve. Do not settle for second place. Second place is first loser!

4. Consistent, Reliable Earnings and Sales Growth, and Robust Profit Margins. You cannot multiple zeros, so you must have a business model that generates a minimum of a 15% annualized growth rate. More is better. But, you must grow and you must retain profits that can be reinvested in the business for more growth. You cannot build a business if you are taking out every dollar generated by the business. You must manage your lifestyle in order for the business to sustain growth year after year.

5. Lots of Potential. It is really not important how well you have done in the past or how badly, what is important is what is the potential in the future? Are you getting better and better at attracting new patients? Are you keeping patients longer? Are you hiring better talent? In other words, what are you doing to build your brand, dominate your marketplace and provide patients with extraordinary patient-centric service? You must have potential, but you must execute to achieve your potential. How many offices can you open in the next year? How many patients can you serve next year? What are the targets that you have written down that show AWESOME potential, when you execute your plan?

Finally, what is the passion level for the brand by you, your T.E.A.M., and more importantly your patients? Is is a 5 or a 10? Anything below five and you are putting people to sleep and they are voting with their feet...they are leaving. Anything above an 8 and you are dominating your marketplace.

Passion is about focus and having everyone know the higher purpose of the business. It is not money. It is about serving. But, when you hire those who seek a paycheck, you are undermining your brand value. It is difficult to train "passion." Better to hire cheerleaders and fire sourpusses. What skills or experience a cheerleader may lack, can be taught.

Passion, purpose and focus. These will take your brand to the top in your marketplace. Now, build a plan around these five components and serve thousands of patients...one at a time!

Going Through Fat Loss Factor Reviews - Things You Need To Know About Fat Loss Factor


If you think you're getting close to obesity or you have actually become an obese person yourself, that can be so alarming. You know what they say, health is wealth and by having an overly fat figure, you are most likely going to suffer from various types of disease and, of course look unattractive. As an aid to this, may want to consider going through a diet program such as the Fat Loss Factor. The biggest question is, does it really work? The best way to find out is by reading through Fat Loss Factor reviews on the web. Nevertheless, let us try to dig deeper on what it is all about.

The Man Behind Fat Loss Factor

The diet program is actually created none other than Dr. Michael Allen who happens to be a licensed chiropractor, as well as a specialist for health and wellness. All of the credentials seem rather genuinely solid and definitely not just another money eating scam. Dr. Allen had thought of creating this program after conducting an experience that led a certain female patient of his to lose around 90 pounds in a short period of time.

What The Fat Loss Factor Covers

The program runs for exactly 12 weeks with the first two weeks being the period of detoxification. Based on the program itself, the detoxification period aids in purifying the body from all pollutants and toxins that compliments the entire weight loss process that follows thereafter. The detoxification diet is done through consumption of organic foods such as fruits and veggies. The program does not promote the use of any health supplement for this phase, making it an all natural detox.

Moving on, you will have to be prompt in avoiding certain matters. Some of which would be calorie and saturated fat rich meals. Another thing that you need to avoid is to get yourself too stressed, especially with work. When you're stressed, your body becomes weaker and loses energy to go on with exercises that are included in Fat Loss Factor. Rather than the usual cardio sessions, it has a the High Intensity Interval Training that comes with extended durations of a variety of cardio workouts. For instance, rather than a 20 minutes on the treadmill, the program will require you to have an hour on it. In addition to that by going through Fat Loss Factor reviews, you will know the importance of consuming several meals a day with very low amounts rather than two to three times a day with large intakes to boost metabolic functionality. Last but not the least, Dr. Allen also focuses on the significance of drinking a lot of water to avoid not only hunger, but craving pangs to avoid compromising the entire weight loss venture.

Final Verdict Of The Fat Loss Factor Program

With all of the above given, you can really ensure that the diet plan is really no joke at all and that you can count on it for a good end result for weight loss. Furthermore, most Fat Loss Factor reviews will tell you how wonderful it works.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident


Unfortunately, many people have been involved in car accidents. Sometimes the accidents are severe, being either fatal or life-threatening to the driver or passengers involved but other times they are minor fender benders and the persons involved are able to walk away from the accident unscathed or so it seems at first.

At first drivers and passengers may feel a little stiff but appear to be uninjured. But it is not uncommon for car accident injuries to go hidden for months or even years. When people do begin to have pain, they may feel it in their back and neck and the pain may be accompanied by headaches and tension.

These symptoms may get worse over a period of time and eventually completely debilitate a person, preventing him or her from performing their normal daily activities. Many people suffer from these symptoms without realizing that their injuries resulted from their seemingly small car accident.

Many people go on without getting properly diagnosed, using painkillers to mask the pain and wearing braces to temporarily reduce the pain. Those people would do well to visit a chiropractic doctor. These doctors specialize in soft tissue as well as structural damage and are well acquainted with car accident injuries.

A chiropractor can take x-rays and assess your injuries. Most people are surprised at how misaligned their necks and joints can really get from simple car accidents. But receiving regular chiropractic care is a natural way to treat the pain and tension resulting from whiplash and other car related injuries.

Chiropractors can readjust your neck and back getting it into proper alignment, use muscle stimulation procedures to reduce tension, and assign and instruct you to do the proper exercises to strengthen your back and muscles. A chiropractor will try to correct all of the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can be such a great source of pain.

Chiropractic care is great because it is natural; the pain is treated by directly fixing the problem rather than prescribing drugs. It is also less invasive. No surgical tools, cutting, or blood is involved. All joint alignments are done with the force of the hands.

Visiting the chiropractor is not at all like visiting any other general physician or a surgeon which many people are apprehensive about. Rather, many people report their appointments as relaxing and look forward to their next treatment.

Patients can also be assured that chiropractic care is safe for everyone and it is important that all passengers, even children are checked out by a chiropractor. Chiropractors have gone through years of vigorous specialized training and schooling, passed many tests, and gone to great lengths to become licensed and certified to treat all people, children included.

It is wise to see a chiropractor immediately after a car accident to insure that you don't have any hidden injuries that will severely affect your life later. Don't wait, do it before your case with the insurance companies is closed, because often times insurance companies will cover the cost of chiropractic treatment of car accident related injuries.

Chiropractic Care Treatments For Specific Health Conditions


Chiropractic is grouped as alternative health care medicine created by D.D. Palmer during the 1890s. It emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and protection against mechanical diseases of the musculoskeletal system, specially the spine. In chiropractic medicine, it's assumed that disorders have an impact on general health through the nerves inside the body.

There are lots of kinds of chiropractic treatment carried out by chiropractors and they usually involve manual therapy including manipulation of the spine, manipulation of other joints and manipulation of soft tissues. Additionally, they practice treatment through exercises, along with health and lifestyle counseling. They are anchored on the presumption that spinal joint dysfunction disrupts the body's function and natural intelligence.

In the present day, chiropractic medicine is often turned to for the treatment and relief of pain. Chiropractic medicine is a century old practice but it has successful holistic approaches which are developed in the last 30 years. A Nashville Chiropractor does not merely ease physical and emotional pain. He gets to the core reasons for the existence of pain in the patient's overall system.

Chiropractors are essential on the grounds that they provide the option of healing minus the usage of medication and surgery. As mentioned earlier, they place emphasis on the alignment of the spine, on soft tissue and on the central nervous system as they anchored on the belief that constrained movement in the spine can be the reason for reduced function and pain.

Spinal manipulation is one particular type of therapy utilized that allows you to improve function. Other treatment options include massage therapy, stretching, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation. For certain pain, the following are the treatments being used or administered:

Back Pain - Numerous studies have found spinal manipulation to be effective in the treatment of low back pain. Spinal manipulation has really become the recognized treatment method for this condition and is no longer deemed as alternative.

Cervicogenic Headaches - Chiropractic manipulation is usually successful in reducing cervicogenic headaches. These are headaches that start in the back of the head or neck.

Neck Pain - Chiropractic manipulation can boost simple whiplash and neck problems. Some neck pain is due to structural problems which imply that the bones, tendons, joints, ligaments and/or muscles are not working properly.

Sciatica - Sciatica is recognized as an inflammatory reaction of the sciatic nerve. The treatment best used by this situation is physical therapy modalities of chiropractic medicine. Methods contain therapeutic massage, electrical currents and ultrasound.

How to Operate a Successful Chiropractic Practice


Freedom. Financial. Philanthropy. Ask any chiropractor about their individual reason for beginning a practice and they will eventually emphasize the following words. There are many chiropractors that do very well and others that continually struggle.

Many struggle for a myriad of reasons (capital, location, passion etc.) but one of the main reasons is that business development and marketing are not a major focus. In fact, many colleges fail to instruct in this important area. Colleges immerse students (and rightfully so) in the sciences so that diagnosis and care are paramount. Yet business development is needed because without it practices flounder.

The reason for focusing on business development is:
1. Business Development provides structure - The set of processes and procedures required to develop patients helps provide an operating framework for the practice.
2. Patients - There is only one reason to be in practice - the acquisition and retention of customers.
3. Financial Future - The ability to consistently, relentlessly and aggressively develop business increases the future financial strength of the practice.

Just to be clear there are numerous reasons to be in practice. However without a solid framework for business the practice fails. As many know, the average chiropractor subsists in small office with a light patient load of one hundred visits per month. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (2009) Median annual wages of salaried chiropractors were $66,490 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $45,540 and $96,700 a year.

What then helps define the successful practice? Practices cannot be defined it terms of profit; they must be defined by acquired and retained patients. Actions create patients. Ultimately the patient determines the practice, what it produces and whether it will prosper.

What is required is an organizational framework. MASSç©¢ is a strategic framework meant to keep chiropractors focused, motivated and accountable to be successful. MASSç©¢ integrates four vital areas of practice operations (Marketing, Accounting, Sales and [Patient] Service to create communication channels and messages that deliver clear, consistent and compelling messages that influence and create more patients.

Sales and Marketing areas must create messages that evoke patient output and deliverables. Patient Service must create the organizational culture to influence patient-to-patient communication. Finally, practices must continually reinvest and reallocate organizational funds to find and keep patients. Here is a brief description of how to create a successful practice with these attributes.

Marketing
Marketing is defined as an exchange of information for the benefit of providing value to the practices stakeholders. Simply put, patients do not buy services; rather, they invest in relationships. When marketing is apparent, relationships strong and trust built, revenue is easier to obtain.

Every practice is a relationship business. Therefore it is incumbent upon chiropractors to create community. The larger the community the easier it is to build patient volume. Exemplars include large marketing companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook et. al. Each of these organizations built a huge client base without advertising - the communities of each promoted the organizations brand.

Ask any chiropractor today and they are perverse to tell you they are doctors. Yet when you look at their offices and patient load you wonder how well. Today, to earn a decent living, chiropractors had better be able to attract patients to themselves and their talents and in sizable numbers. More importantly to attract these numbers doctors need to acknowledge that they are a brand and more importantly in the marketing business.

Effective marketing builds brands, which then provide patients. Brands offer instant recognition and identification. They are also promise consistent, reliable standards of quality, size, or even psychological attraction. Several national and regional surveys typically illustrate that patients choose brand by name alone!

Accounting
Certainly we all enjoy the fortunes of making money, however, it is not necessarily true that what we make it is what we keep. The issues with many chiropractors are twofold: 1) the concept of saving revenues for the purposes of volatile economic times and 2) investing revenues back into the business.

Business investment is vital in two functional areas: sales and marketing. While fundamental, almost 91% of business owners surveyed indicated a trivial reinvestment into these endeavors. It is very easy to purchase ornate material items and another to save for a rainy day. Monetary investments help hire additional staff, invest in helpful marketing campaigns, and even save for a future family issue. It is one thing to become marred in frugality another in foolishness.

Sales
The ultimate goal for any practice is exchanging value for services. Selling therefore is an exchange. Whereas marketing provides the template for the communication of value, selling is the end process. However, it is very difficult for many chiropractors to ask a very simple question, "Do you want to make an appointment"? In order to "book" business chiropractors must not only engage in healthy discussions but they must also ask questions that probe for interest. The only way to get business is to tirelessly ask for it.

Service
Over 50% of every patient communication results in patient service. The key differentiator for every practice is treating your patients as the practice's vital asset. This requires engaging patients from first impressions to departure. In fact, the practices culture must hinge on the concepts that the patient is 1) the most imperative aspect of the practice, 2) is not an interruption but its purpose and 3) the practice exists because of it. Treat your patients well continually and they become your greatest marketing and sales force. As service levels increase so do the levels of patient-to-patient influences.

At first glance these might appear as timely burdens. Not true. None of these takes more than just a few moments each day. More importantly, spending on average 25% of each day on any one of them can reap huge business results. The real test stems from developing activities that chiropractors conduct daily to remain on top of their game so that they can create a successful practice.

That said, I challenge each of you reading this. Develop a list of no more than 6 to eight activities that you can conduct daily for the next 21 days. Focus each day on completing each of them. Set goals while also establishing an accountability partner to ensure your success. Monitor your results during this time and look at the new results. You will be amazed at your success. Then continue since what gets remembered gets repeated. Your practice will grow more successful each month.

Stay tuned for my next article installment where I discuss these activities to help you get started immediately.

ç©¢2011. Drew Stevens PhD. All rights reserved.

Pilates and Chiropractors


The inclusion of Pilates training into Chiropractic School could broaden the future of back treatment and chiropractic medicine such that doctors are recognized for their additional skills as back exercise specialists. Adding Pilates to the treatment process of patients not only improves services but also expands marketability and provides doctors with a competitive edge.

SES is a unique therapeutic exercise program that combines flexion, extension, self-traction, stabilization, flexibility and trunk strengthening for patients with back pain. The principles of Pilates are grounded in contemporary research from the fields of Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy and Motor Learning. The Spinal Exercise System is a focused yet simplified combination of traditional physical therapy, Pilates Method and Alexander Technique.

Pilates teachers, propose that Chiropractic Colleges offer a certification courses for its current students and graduates. The curriculum would include lectures and exercise labs on stabilization, muscle recruitment, core strength and posture.

Pilates programming would be divided into two parts:
Part 1: Floor Exercises using a Stabilization Ring and Body Bar
Part 2: Pilates Xercizer equipment for the Chiropractic Office

Pilates Floor Exercise
Pilates Floor Exercises use a stabilization Ring and light weight Body Bar (which can be merchandised to the patient). The Ring is used to teach the patient pelvic, ribcage and spine stabilization techniques.

Pilates Xercizer
The Xercizer is an advanced Pilates Reformer which operates on spring resistance. The resistance helps to hypertrophy muscles that have been deconditioned from age, inactivity or chronic injury. The Xercizer is like having a complete gym in one unit because it allows a wide range of exercises which address the fitness of the Legs, Hips, Upper Back, Lower Back, and Abdominal Wall. SES requires the patient to recruit the TrA, PF, ES and other central muscles for support prior to a limb movement. Full range of motion strengthening helps to build mobility in the spine and hips. The sequences on the Xercizer are simple and easy to learn; yet they help the patient organize complex postural adjustments and stabilization.

Background
It has been determined by the US Department of Health and Human Services that many patients with back problems receive inappropriate care. Many treatments do not yield long-term results; in fact some treatments are considered detrimental for the patient.

Common treatments for back problems include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, surgery, and medication. Chiropractic adjustments are the favored course of treatment for low back pain. Physical agents and modalities such as heat, ice, massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), passive flexor/extensor activities, and ultrasound do not typically produce long-term changes in the patient's spinal strength and alignment. In general studies have shown that passive therapies are less effective than active mobilization and that exercise programs seem more effective for long-term results. Research on repeated back surgeries concluded that many patients become more disabled.

Many Doctors of Chiropractic would agree that most treatment strategies for patients with back conditions have failed to provide any long-term vision for "Spinal Fitness". Many clinical back exercise programs seem crude and elementary considering the new findings about spine stabilization, muscle recruitment and posture adjustments in persons with low back pain (LBP). The Spinal Exercise System (SES) could enhance Chiropractic Medicine by offering the patient a an exercise system that changes the Spine Stabilization System.

No one disagrees that stabilization exercise is necessary for strengthening the lumbar extensors; but there is no universal system of instruction. There also is no clear consensus on what kind of muscle recruitment patterns are effective for creating bilateral strength in the hips and spine. For example, pelvic floor training could have a profound effect on pelvic stabilization and low back alignment but is rarely taught in a clinical setting as part of pelvic stabilization. Typically a patient misunderstands the details of an exercise and thus loses the effect. The Pilates Program is a formula for teaching patients proper back exercise. It aligns itself with the philosophy that you must "turn on" the muscles, improve the alignment and strengthen the integrity of the spine.

Research by scientists such as Paul Hodges elucidates the role of exercise in the treatment of back pain. These studies support the fundamentals that are taught in the Pilates Program.

Pilates is a specific type of training designed to help patients overcome habitual movement patterns and improve spinal flexibility and strength. It teaches the patient to alter spine stabilization patterns within varied exercises and loads.

Diagnostics and Chiropractic


Diagnostics are very important to the health field of chiropractic. Chiropractors learn many different exams and diagnostic testing to do on their patients during a physical examination. It is with these tools, that the chiropractor knows how to proceed with their treatments. Chiropractors are focused on their patients' total body health. While some may think that chiropractors are focused on just the spine that is simply not true. Chiropractic is a natural form of health care that takes care of the entire body. Chiropractors eliminate any type of interruption that may be impeding on the nervous system. By doing this, the body is then allowed to get full nervous flow and can thrive at it's highest potential. Chiropractors perform adjustments that can be done through their hands of through small instruments. Chiropractors can aid the helping the patient become more healthy through diet and nutrition, as well as encouraging them to start a fitness routine. In contrary to many misconceptions, chiropractors often refer to other physicians. The goal of their health care should be to make the entire patient better and if an medical doctor's drugs, advice and care is needed, it is important to value that.

Usually chiropractic care is taken care of with adjustments and spinal manipulations. Chiropractors can also use therapeutic treatments and modalities to help relieve pain, and to get the spine back in alignment. Chiropractors are not back crackers. They allow the spine to go back into the correct position so that the nervous flow can be restored. Chiropractic care can heal many different conditions. These conditions range from back pain to neck pain to headaches and migraines. Chiropractors can also treat athletic injuries and other disease processes. Visit your chiropractor in Schaumburg to learn more about what chiropractic can do for your health.

I Have Back Pain - Should I See a Chiropractor or an Osteopath?


When we first get back pain we try to ignore it for a while but when it gets to the stage of not being able to ignore it or get rid of it anymore we have a decision to make - should you go to see a chiropractor or should you go to see an osteopath? Firstly, what are the differences between the two and is one better than the other?

The most profound differences between chiropractors and osteopaths is in their history. The founders of chiropractic believed that all problems in the body arise from a problem in the nervous system. Osteopaths, however, thought that all problems in the body arise from a problem in the vascular system. Over time these philosophies have subtly changed and have become very similar. Problems arise when there is a lack of function one way or another. This could be from a nerve that is being pinched not allowing all the information to be transferred, a muscle that has become tight due to an altered gait, problems in your arteries causing a lack of blood flow, or foreign materials (drugs, alcohol) that cause irreparable problems in the body. In conclusion, chiropractors and osteopaths now have very similar philosophies.

The main differences now come from the education. Both are four or five year masters degrees at an accredited university. Both learn anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neurology, practical skills and much more but only chiropractors learn about radiology. Chiropractors are trained radiologists, which mean they are able to both take and report on x-rays. Osteopaths are able to train in radiology at a post-graduate level but not all osteopaths choose to do so.

Techniques used by both chiropractors and osteopaths vary very slightly. There is a lot of overlap in the treatment methods but both sets of practitioners have techniques that are unique to them. For example, some chiropractors use sacro-occipital technique whereas osteopaths use a similar but different technique called cranial osteopathy.

So now we know the differences, who should you see?

Both chiropractors and osteopaths are regulated by government so you know that you will be getting safe and effective care from either. If you feel you may need an x-ray then a chiropractor may be the way to go. It is important to find a chiropractor or osteopath that you feel that you can trust, relate to, or have had a personal recommendation for. All chiropractors and osteopaths treat in slightly different ways and it is important to find a technique that suits you best.

How Can a Chiropractor Help Me With My Back Pain?


What is a Chiropractor and what can they do? First of all a doctor of chiropractic is a special field of medicine dedicated to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of spinal disorders of the muscular skeletal system. In simple layman's terms they can manipulate the spine, placing it back into alignment.

A spine, especially the lower back can become misaligned from work related injuries, lifting objects wrong, sports injuries, or injuries from automobile accidents. If you are suffering from neck or back pain then more than likely, you need to see a chiropractor for treatment. X-rays may be taken to better see what is causing your back or neck pain. If your spinal system is out of align then an adjustment may be in order.

What constitutes an adjustment to your spine? When you are given an adjustment you will be asked to lie on a chiropractic table. The table will probably consist of a series of drop mechanisms which the doctor will use to help realign your spine. He or she will feel along your spine to see which area needs to be realigned. There are hundreds of different techniques used but basically they do the same thing, realign your spine.

Most of the time, you are in more pain walking into the doctor's office, than the actual treatment. The chiropractic adjustment may only take 10 to 15 minutes then depending on the doctor. You may also receive electrical stimulation, sometimes referred as a tens unit where electrode pads are placed on the area being treated. You will feel electrical timed shock to your muscles which helps your muscle tension. Another method is to lie down on a special table that will pull you gently to help the doctor complete the spinal manipulation.

Most back pain come from discomfort of the lower back area. Going to a doctor of chiropractic regularly can alleviate your back pain. Most insurance companies cover the cost of your care. When asking yourself; how can a chiropractor help me with my back pain; remember what I am telling you here. My experience with chiropractic has been very helpful. Always remember to get a second opinion if you are ever in doubt about treatment. Remember, that prevention, along with prescribed exercise can help eliminate your back pain. There are several devices on the market today to help with your back pain, but knowing that you have someone you can count on to help by making readjustments to your spine.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Membership Practice: Walmart and Unlimited Chiropractic Care


Some people just don't like Walmart. But, LOTS of people obviously DO like Walmart. In fact, in less than 50 years Walmart has become the largest corporation in the world.

Walmart is the world's largest corporation for one reason, value. Sam Walton's little business became a BIG business because their prices were just a shade lower than their competition's. As a result, the average American family shops at Walmart EVERY week for the typical stuff you could buy at any grocery store or hardware store or clothing store. Granted, no one goes to Walmart for specialty items or designer clothing.

While the typical prejudice is that Walmart serves only low-income families, actual research shows that the retailer has a growing high-income clientele that shops there for their store brand items for even greater savings. In other words, intelligent, informed consumers shop there to save money on items they purchase on a routine basis where name brands are not necessary and the saving sis appreciated.

Which brings me The Membership Practice, a concept in chiropractic that provides individuals and families with access to chiropractic care at affordable fees without the need for insurance. In fact The Membership Practice model offers unlimited chiropractic care at a low monthly fee deducted from your credit/debit card. The business model is based on long-term maintenance and wellness care. The assumption is that the average user of wellness-based chiropractic care will get checked an average of once a week.

While some practitioners complain that the fees are too low and cheapen the profession's image. My response is "baloney!". The concept actually enables chiropractors to help more people get the regular care that helps families stay healthy and out of the doctor's office. Fewer trips to the doctor's office means money saved that can go to other needs the family may have like vacation, retirement, braces, etc. Just like Walmart's new slogan ""Saving people money so they can live better lives", The Membership Practice aims to lower the barriers to families having affordable access to routine chiropractic care anywhere in the United States.

Heck, I can even see The Membership Practice in all 6000 or so Walmart stores across America! What a great deal for Walmart, chiropractors and the public. Imagine getting the family adjusted once a week when they go to Walmart or 500-1000 new customers going shopping at Walmart when they go for their weekly adjustments. Imagine 12-15,000 fully employed chiropractors earning a god living as they adjust hundreds or thousands of folks each week. And, imagine the money and lives saved because of the number of Americans taking fewer drugs and making fewer visits to the doctor's office because of their new-found health.

The vision of The membership Practice is that every man, woman and child in America has access to quality, affordable chiropractic care. Insurance is hardly affordable for chiropractic care these days. IF the average American is to have ready access to regular chiropractic care, it is imperative that the profession find ways to make it available. And honestly, I've always believed the free market is where the solution to rising health care costs would be found.

Look for The Membership Practice near you. If you don't have one, let me know. I'll help you find one. And, maybe one day you'll even find them in your local Walmart store.

Headache in Children


Headache is generally considered an adult problem but it is actually very common in children as well. There are numerous reasons why children suffer from headache and chiropractic may offer natural relief for children, and adults, who live with them.

Identifying headache

While older children can tell you if their head hurts babies cannot, so it can be difficult to detect if your baby is suffering from headache. Some signs to watch for are pulling their ears, twisting and contorting their bodies, not wanting to look straight ahead and inconsolable crying. While many parents give Paracetamol to calm the child this is not the solution to the problem.

Why do children get headaches?

There are a number of common reasons why a child may suffer from headache, some of these include sinus or viral infections affecting the ears and respiratory system. Also, children who are in stressful situations where they feel unable to cope may be prone to headaches.

Another common cause which may contribute to a child's headache is allergy and sensitivity to certain food items. In rare instances headache in children can be a symptom of a more serious problem. It is important that if your child suffers from headaches, and has symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, clumsiness, changed personality or over tiredness you should seek medical advice to determine the cause.

Subluxation

While many things can trigger headaches by far the most common cause is a functional, mechanical spinal issue. A condition chiropractor's refer to as subluxation. The vertebral, or spinal subluxation involves abnormal changes in the function of a joint.

A subluxation results in the nervous system not functioning as well as it should. For example, the muscles of the neck are controlled by nerves that come from the spine, which are in turn controlled by the brain. A joint problem in the neck or skull may irritate the nerves that directly supply these muscles and lead to tightness and discomfort.

As the child runs around and plays all day, these muscles become fatigued and headache may result. This spinal/muscular type of headache is commonly referred to as stress headache. When spinal joints are not functioning properly and muscles are tighter than they should be, there may also be a small change in other functions such as blood flow to the brain.

This may result in severe headache, a condition referred to as migraine. In school age children, migraine may sometimes present as abdominal pain and nausea, but no headache. Children with abdominal migraine become very inactive and want to sit around and be quiet.

Treatment

A chiropractor is specifically trained to find and correct vertebral subluxations that cause nerve interference. If your child has a headache, your chiropractor will take a detailed history, do a thorough examination and may have an x-ray taken. In cases where the subluxation is the cause of the headache, your chiropractor is well trained to apply very safe and gentle techniques to correct it.

Your chiropractor may also help you identify any factors such as food sensitivity or allergy which may be contributing to your child's headaches.