September 30, 2008
· Filed under Chiropractic, Green Baby ~ Healthy Baby · Tagged children, Chiropractic, Ear Infections, infants, Natural Health Care, otitis Media
I have some great news for parents looking for a natural approach to treating ear infections (otitis media) in infants and children. First I would like to explain why young children are more prone to ear infections. In a child, due to the shape of the young skull, the eustation tubes are horizontal allowing fluid to lay stagnant and become infected more easily. As the child grows the tubes point downward allowing them to drain properly. Also, the development of their young immune systems is still a work in progress. However there is another contributing factor, the upper cervical subluxation, a fixation or misalignment of the first vertebra of the spine.
So where does the upper cervical subluxation come from and how does chiropractic fit in the picture? It is hypothesized that there is a significant link between the birthing process and recurrent ear infections especially if the ear infections occur in the first year of life.
Ear infections are most common in pre-school age children however it is unusual for an infant to have an ear infection in the first year of life. If we look back to the birth process, we can easily see how the upper cervical subluxation may have occurred. Birth is a traumatic event for babies and mothers alike, but especially for babies. Many births involve some pulling or twisting on the baby’s head and neck, even in a natural birth this exists to some extent. It is very prevalent if the birth involved forceps, a vacuum or cesarean section. Lately surgeons try to cut the smallest opening possible during a c-section. They then have to yank and pull very hard on the baby’s neck to compress him/her through the small opening. This trauma can cause a misalignment and neurological disruption to the cervical spine, especially where the skull meets the first few vertebrae in the neck. This misalignment can restrict lymphatic drainage mainly on the side of the earache and lead to fluid build-up in the middle ear.
All young children are exposed to viral and bacterial infections but they don’t all get ear infections frequently or at an early age. It is the body’s response to the pathogen which determines which children encounter early and recurrent ear infections. When you child’s body is functioning properly it should recognize the “bug”, attack, and dispose of it. However when the lymphatics are not able to drain the disposal cannot take place. This is when the infection and often chronic infections occur. Another indication that the cause of recurrent ear infections is related to the spine is when the infection always occurs in the same ear.
Read more about research on chiropractic benefiting ear infections.
http://www.healthychild.com/chiropractic-ear-infections.htm
September 28, 2008
· Filed under Chiropractic, Our Family, Travel · Tagged Chiropractic, New Albany, Ohio, Olympics
My First Equestrian Show
Today I attended my first equestrian event with Greg and Jack, The New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix and Family Day. It is held on Les Wexner’s personal horse farm. When we first arrived I didn’t realize what a large event it was. The day opened in the morning with many fun activities for children, which ran all day long, such as blow-up slides, trampolines, a rock climbing wall, carnival rides, face painting, petting zoo, games, food and more! We didn’t arrive until later, just as the show jumping was about to begin. With Jack in the Baby Bjorn we trekked across the large parking area, past all of the activities to the grand stands and found a place to sit. I was amazed at how close we felt to the field the way the stands were set up. It was a great view of the event. The show field was beautifully manicured. The jumps/fences on the course had exquisite design with gorgeous flowers. There were 28 horses competing. The program outlined a little bit about the sport and the rules which was helpful. I really enjoyed watching the horses and riders. I can remember watching horse jumping on TV as a child and I remember being fascinated by it. It was even better in person, although it was a bit warmer than I expected and dressed for.
Great attire
When Jack’s attention span wore out we got up and walked around the grounds for a bit since we didn’t have an opportunity to check everything out due to arriving late. We scoped out all of the fun activities that Jack might be able to enjoy when he is older next year. I checked out the age and weight limits for the bunji trampoline and rock climbing wall, which I would meet. I would like to try those out next year. That’s the kid in me coming out! We also decided our niece, Clareese might enjoy going next year too. We’ll have to tell her all about it.
This weekend was a busy one for me. Prior to the New Albany Classic, on Saturday I began my first post graduate degree program. You would think that after spending the first 27 years of my life as a student that I would have had enough of studying, tests and torture, but no. You see, I have had this goal since before I started Chiropractic College to some day be the U.S. Olympic Team Chiropractor. My first step was to get my Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Next comes the CCSP (Certified Chiropractic Sports physician) which is what I started on Saturday. It is approximately a 6 month process involving 5 live weekends and 5 online classes and a testing day in San Diego, CA. I wasn’t planning on doing this certification so soon after graduating but it just happened to be offered in my backyard, Columbus, Ohio so I decided to take advantage of that. Upon completing the CCSP degree program, I will go on to get a DACBSP (Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physician), followed by fulfilling a 2 week internship at the Olympic training center in Colorado, and then, if the athletes and staff like me and think I did a good job, I might, some day be considered for the position of US Olympic Chiropractor!
I know in my heart, I will be there, some day!
“If you want something bad enough and work hard enough, ANYTHING is possible”
– Heather Prenger, D.C.
More photos from The New Albany Classic…
