Chiropractic care supports babies and children to live, learn and grow to their full potential. Have you thought about getting your kids checked?

When we are born, the bones of the skull are very soft, and separate from each other. This allows them to move relatively independently and freely. This freedom of movement of the cranial bones allows the skull to be compressed and elongated to decrease the circumference of the skull during birth.  Ideally, the skull will expand and mould over the few days following birth. Next, the skull begins to develop through different stages and will continue to do so until the age of twenty five. As the skull develops, fontanelles close (we actually have more than two, but they close by 1 month old), sutures (joins between cranial bones) form and the bones become harder and less pliable. Because of this small time frame, the earlier a cranial issue can be identified and corrected, the easier it is, and the less effect it will have on a child as they grow.

Changes in the shape of function of the skull can directly affect the flow of CSF and therefore, affect the underlying brain. One of the most obvious and severe cranial  problems that chiropractors see is Plagiocephaly, usually occurring in young children under the age of two. Plagiocephaly is the name given to a severe asymmetry of the skull. The most obvious and common type is a flat spot on either side, or across the back of the skull. These ‘flat spots’ have become much more prevalent with babies spending more time on their backs.

Much more subtle signs of a cranial problem can often be seen in children as well as babies. These changes may appear as one eye opening more than the other, one eyebrow appearing lower than the other, or uneven level of the ears when looking from the back or the top of the skull. Even frequent ear infections and attachment issues with breast feeding can indicate a possible cranial issue.

In infants, middle ear infections (Otitis Media) are often more an issue of drainage from the middle ear rather than the body’s immune system not fighting the infection.  In infancy, the Eustastian Tube (which drains fluid from the middle ear to the back of the throat) runs almost horizontal. As we grow, the tube begins to angle down to aid drainage. Therefore, it is important for a child that the tissues surrounding the tubes are not causing any interference to the drainage of fluid. Lack of drainage can lead to a build-up of pressure, creating a good environment for infections which cause ear pain. Changes in the cranial system or upper part of the neck can influence the drainage of the Eustastian Tubes.

A baby’s ability to attach during feeding is vital as they grow and develop. The benefits of breast feeding where possible, are many and varied, and are important for healthy growth and development of a child. There are certain cranial problems that may arise as a result of the birth process, or the position of bub in the uterus that can result in poor attachment when feeding. The earlier any cranial faults can be identified and corrected, the better the chances of successful breast feeding.

As with any chiropractic technique, the aim of craniopathy is to identify the cause of any dysfunction (to the cranial system) and, with the use of specific cranial corrections, restore function. Cranial corrections use very gentle pressure and are very safe for all ages.

Having a healthy cranial system is just as important  as having a healthy spine. A healthy skull means CSF can bath and supply nutrients to your brain so as to control and coordinate all the functions of your body.

If you have any questions, or would like any more information, please contact our office.

Dr. Troy Miles 

Dr Troy Miles is a certified Craniopath as well as a Chiropractor.

A baby’s brain, the most immature organ at birth, continues developing as higher brain centres integrate primitive reflexes (eg startle and suckle) and establish postural reflexes (for movement, balance and co-ordination) as a baby grows into a child.

Most parents are aware of the developmental milestones. These are tracked closely in the first few years of life in  a child’s “Blue Book” and are mostly assessed by your local Maternal and Child Health Nurse.

In their first few years, almost all children learn to move, balance, speak and read emotions. They go on to master more complex tasks like reading, music and understanding themselves. During a child’s early years, some children don’t progress according to developmental milestones, with delays in learning, socialisation and motor co-ordination limting their potential. Nearly 20 percent of children starting school do so with some form of neurodevelopmental delay. In fact, a 2010 study into neurodevelopment of gross motor skills and cognitive function, showed that gross motor skill development is a significant predictor of cognitive function.

A child’s poor motor skill development and co-ordination can result from poor spine alignment as a result of the birth process or other small traumas that may occur early in life. Chiropractors are trained in the detection of poor spine alignment (subluxation) as well as the windows in which milestones should be reached.

Great Tips for Parents:

• Encourage ‘tummy time’ which develops the baby’s posterior neck muscles, and fires strong neurological feedback in the brain stem (needed to stimulate normal development). A great time for this is at nappy change time. Try using a rattle, book or your face to help your little one hold their head up.
• Forward and backward rocking while on the tummy can be another helpful exercise. This can be done lying baby on the tummy in the pram and rocking, or by holding your baby firmly  on a large exercise ball and rocking. This is a great way to stimulate the vestibular system which is essential for good balance and co-ordination.
• Develop cross co-ordination movements with activities such as marching while lying down (with straight arms and legs), swimming and providing clear areas on the floor to encourage crawling.
• Massage both hands and feet for a few mintues several times a day.
• For older children, drumming while using two-handed patterns, playing at the park, encouraging swinging, spinning and crawling games.

We encourage you to bring your baby or child in to a chiropractor to assess their full spinal health and help maximise their development toward full potential. Both Dr. Alevaki and Dr. Miles are very proficient in assessment and correction of the spinal problems that affect babies and children. In fact, it is our passion!

 More information.

We often hear people say how ‘stressed’ they are. But what is stress? What does it actually do to us? And what can we do to better manage stress in our lives?

Stress comes in many different forms and affects all people differently. We can group the stress in our lives into 3 main categories- emotional, chemical and physical.

Emotional stress is what we experience when we talk about ‘being stressed’. Such things as work, expectations from others or of ourselves, living busy lives and the pressure we put ourselves under are all forms emotional stress.

Chemical stress comes from all the different substances we put in our bodies. Too much caffeine or alcohol, the pollution in the air we breathe, medications and even the additives in our water are all examples of chemical stressors we subject ourselves to.

Physical stress is from all the bumps, knocks and falls we have. This category also includes poor posture, sitting too long, wearing inappropriate bags (backpacks and handbags) and even wearing high heels!

Our body’s stress response is a short-term survival mechanism designed to protect us in times of threat. It is our “fight or flight” response that is designed to prepare us to either run away from a dangerous situation or stay and fight for life.

No matter the type of stress, our body’s physiological reaction is always very similar. We release hormones and glucose into the bloodstream to provide extra energy and alertness. Here are some of the changes we experience as a result of stress;

• increased blood pressure and heart rate
• increased cortisol and noradrenaline (stress hormones)
• increased glucose levels and insulin resistance
• increased clotting factor
• increased lipids and cholesterol (increased LDL and decreased HDL)
• decreased immunity
• decreased short term memory and concentration
• decreased serotonin (the neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy)
• increased sensitivity of senses- including pain
• bone loss and muscle changes

The problem is that this fight or flight response is an instinct to help us survive in the wild, such as if we were to come across a big bear, a brown snake or a boxing kangaroo! However, this instinctive response does not work as well in the modern Western world of constant stimulus and stress that we live in.  The longer and more often this stress response is switched on, the more severe the effects on our health.

 As you contemplate the above list of physiological responses, it becomes clear just how big a role stress plays in our health. It is no surprise that stress leads to a number of our modern health issues such as heart disease (inc. clotting factor/blood pressure etc), diabetes, (inc. glucose/insulin resistance), and depression (serotonin). Stress can lead to a poor-functioning immune system, poor sleeping patterns, memory or concentration issues and an increased sense of pain. In fact, the stress response has been linked to just about all chronic diseases. 

It is important to remember that it is not our body’s response to the stress that is a problem, it is our chronically stressful environment. This is what we need to change.  Artificially changing the body’s response (lowering blood pressure/cholesterol/ insulin/clotting factor etc) does not address the cause, it is simply an effort to cover up the effects/symptoms of stress.

What can we do to lessen the effects of stress on our bodies? It is important to realise that just as we all have different forms of stress in our lives, we also respond to them differently. There are a number of ways in which we can decrease our daily stress. The first step is to identify the types of stress in your life (physical, chemical and/or emotional). Once we’ve identified the stress, we can begin to build a plan to address it.  Sometimes it can be as simple as changing how you react to a situation, person or place.

There are many ways to better deal with stress. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• walk – it improves breathing and releases endorphins (our happy drugs).
• exercise. It doesn’t matter so much what you do,  as long as you get moving.
• avoid or reduce chemical stressors such as caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and pollution.
• eat good, wholesome food and drink more water.
• have regular adjustments- research shows chiropractic adjustments   stimulate parts of the brain that help you better cope with stress.
• have a massage.
• meditate – calming your mind will calm your body as well.
• hug someone- a hug will help you relax and promote release of endorphins.
• read a book or watch a movie- in a good chair of course!
• find a hobby

It is important to remember that the stress response is a normal, healthy reaction that we need, in order to survive. It is the chronic, daily stress in our lives that we must identify and change. This is the key to reducing stress.

So, Christmas is around the corner. The kids have concerts and parties, there is the work Christmas party and oh-my-goodness! When am I going to find the time to buy the presents?!

Does this sound familiar?

For a time when we should be starting to slow down, many of us feel like we are one of those mice running on a treadmill… faster and faster.

5 TopTips to Help Make Christmas a Stress Free Zone

1. Do I really need to have Christmas  as my deadline? Think about it. If you are working between Christmas and New Year or even in those first weeks of January, this is a much better time to sit and focus on a project.

2. Can I do my research and/or shopping online? Personally, I love the tactile nature of shopping, but I do ALL my research online first and then enjoy one or two days out and about.

3. What is my budget? Many people buy gifts on credit and don’t realise how much they’ve spent until the credit card account arrives in January. When making your list, include a column for budget. Total it, and see if it’s realistic. If not, edit the amounts!

4. Which events do I really want to go to? Sometimes, we attend events just because we feel like we should… Life’s too short- just say NO!

5. Am I setting myself up for failure? Many of us picture the perfect family where everyone is well-behaved, the turkey is moist, the gifts are wonderful and the children play quietly  with their new toys. Is this your reality? Don’t expect the perfect Christmas Day celebration. What will be, will be.

Christmas is a time to spend with our loved ones and show gratitude for the wonderful people we have in our lives and realise just how fortunate we are. We know that with a healthy spine and nervous system we are better able to see the world more clearly and make better choices for our family and ourselves. Make sure you have a special Christmas check-up at c4w!

We wish you a splendid and healthy Christmas Season!

From everyone at chiropractic4wellness.

top10 tips4detoxification

Drink up- water improves clearance of toxins and wastes from your system. It also enhances your absorption of water-soluble vitamins and minerals.

Eat your greens- Green vegetables are extremely alkaline. They contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and enzymes and are essential for your fibre intake and a healthy digestive system.

Keep it natural- Avoid processed, packaged food. Look out for hidden additives, sugars, salts,  and artificial colours and preservatives which place extra burden on your liver.

Have a massage- What a gorgeous way to detox! Massage stimulates circulation, loosens your tight muscles and supports elimination of toxins and wastes by improving lymphatic flow.

Walk it out- Exercise is not only great for weight-loss; it improves your mood, reduces anxiety and nervous tension and improves digestion.

Get into balance- A chiropractic adjustment is an invaluable method of attaining and maintaining good health. Regular care helps improve your circulation and nerve supply to all areas of the body.

Spend more time in bed- Sleep allows repair and regeneration of cells and tissue. Make sure you get seven to eight and a half hours a night.

Love your liver- Your liver is the major organ of detoxification, so it is imperative to take good care of it. Eat your leafy greens, broccoli, lemon, grapefruit and rye. Ask your naturopath about the best ways to improve the health of your liver and safely optimise detoxification.

De-clutter- We all give our wardrobes an overhaul, but what about your fridge and pantry? Throw out food past it’s use-by date. Clean your shelves and cupboards and fill the empty spots with the fresh, healthy produce your body will love.

Feed the soul- Engage all the senses- smell, sight, touch, sound and taste. Kinesiology is a great way to reconnect with these, while correcting stress, imbalances and promoting wellbeing and vitality.

Anna Kaluzny. naturopathc4w

Together with The Chiropractors Association of Australia and the Just Start Walking initiative, we will be holding our second walk4wellness.

Regular walking has been shown to be one of the easiest, yet most beneficial forms of exercise for your spine.

Our walk4wellness will be held on Saturday 22nd October.  We will depart from the office at 1.30pm walking across to and around Princes Park. Returning to c4w for afternoon tea.

Be sure to register on Facebook. (Yes, we are also on Facebook now!)

Bring along your entire family.  Strollers, dogs and all for a great day, and learn more about keeping your spine healthy.

We will also be running a talk in the office on Tuesday 18th October at 7.30, focusing on other things you can do to keep your spine healthy, and functioning at its best throughout all stages of your life.

Originally from Bendigo, Troy and his entire family has been getting regular chiropractic adjustments since he was a baby. So he has seen first hand how chiropractic can help people of all ages to live their life to their full potential.

As a chiropractor, Troy’s focus is on helping entire families to achieve their health goals. From bubs only days old, to their great parents in their 90′s (or beyond!!). Troy has a special interest, and has completed further training, in working with pregnant women to optimise their pregnancy and birth experience and recover again post-pardum. He also specialises in cranial (skull) adjusting and it relates to neurological development in babies and children. Troy uses a variety of chiropractic techniques, from low force to more traditional manual adjustments. His primary technique of choice is Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT), which is low force.

Outside of c4w, Troy is a keen sports person, who follows a wide variety of sports. He keeps fit by cycling, running, swimming, yoga and gym workouts. He has a strong family background in farming, so he loves to get outside and taking the time to get back to nature and just take it all in

Troy is involved with and volunteers for a number of chiropractic organisations. He is an instructor for SOT in Australia and helps to raise money for the Australian Spinal Research Foundation by helping organising and run seminars for chiropractors and students throughout Australia.

Drink up- water improves clearance of toxins and wastes from your system. It also enhances your absorption of water-soluble vitamins and minerals.

Eat your greens- Green vegetables are extremely alkaline. They contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and enzymes and are essential for your fibre intake and a healthy digestive system.

Keep it natural- Avoid processed, packaged food. Look out for hidden additives, sugars, salts,  and artificial colours and preservatives which place extra burden on your liver.

Have a massage- What a gorgeous way to detox! Massage stimulates circulation, loosens your tight muscles and supports elimination of toxins and wastes by improving lymphatic flow.

Walk it out- Exercise is not only great for weight-loss; it improves your mood, reduces anxiety and nervous tension and improves digestion.

Get into balance- A chiropractic adjustment is an invaluable method of attaining and maintaining good health. Regular care helps improve your circulation and nerve supply to all areas of the body.

Spend more time in bed- Sleep allows repair and regeneration of cells and tissue. Make sure you get seven to eight and a half hours a night.

Love your liver- Your liver is the major organ of detoxification, so it is imperative to take good care of it. Eat your leafy greens, broccoli, lemon, grapefruit and rye. Ask your naturopath about the best ways to improve the health of your liver and safely optimise detoxification.

De-clutter- We all give our wardrobes an overhaul, but what about your fridge and pantry? Throw out food past it’s use-by date. Clean your shelves and cupboards and fill the empty spots with the fresh, healthy produce your body will love.

Feed the soul- Engage all the senses- smell, sight, touch, sound and taste. Kinesiology is a great way to reconnect with these, while correcting stress, imbalances and promoting wellbeing and vitality.

Anna Kaluzny. naturopathc4w