Since its development in 1976, The Webster Technique has commonly been used throughout pregnancy as a well-researched and documented chiropractic analysis and adjustment that optimizes the neuro-biomechanical function of the sacral-pelvic region. Created to “reduce the effects of subluxation and/or SI joint dysfunction,” the Webster Technique has been utilized to relieve the main causes of dystocia, or difficult labor.

Dystocia is dependent upon the three P’s; Power (Deficient uterine function), Pelvis (pelvic narrowing), and Passenger (mal-presentation of the fetus), which can all lead to a difficult labor. The Webster Technique addresses each of these potential causes by balancing the pelvis and alleviating any sacral misalignment.   

Uterine nerve interference, caused by sacral misalignment, can be alleviated simply and gently with chiropractic care, by removing the subluxation by opening the pathways between the nervous system and the uterus prior to and during labor. Tightening and torsion of pelvic muscles and ligaments can cause pelvic misalignment, which in turn can affect the fetus’ ability to shift into a desirable position for decent through the pelvic canal.  Regular chiropractic visits can alleviate these symptoms as well as maintain a properly functioning reproductive system.

Chiropractors with the 180-hour post-graduate certification are licensed by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) to practice the Webster Technique.  Both Dr. James and Dr. Tira have received this certification and are proficient in performing the Webster Technique.  They see many young families and expectant mothers seeking gentle chiropractic care in La Mesa and the greater San Diego area.

While a nice Diaper Genie and some baby clothes would be helpful after a baby’s birth, think about giving the gift of chiropractic to help your favorite mother-to-be throughout her pregnancy and labor.  An inspired idea to help mom and baby prepare for a smoother and easier laboring experience would be ideal for the entire family! Visit our Chiropractic office in La Mesa, or call us for information on how Chiropractic can benefit you and your baby during pregnancy and beyond.  We would be delighted to serve you.




Sources:
http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/midwives-advocate-chiropractic-care.html
http://icpa4kids.com/about/webster_technique_history.htm

Did you know that a majority of the chemical compounds responsible for affecting brain function are located in the gut? This includes neurotransmitters and key-player hormones like Serotonin, Dopamine, Glutamate, GABA and Norepinephrine. The digestive tract is complex; it has its own nervous system that’s practically independent from the brain. Communication between the gut and the brain is bi-directional so it’s no wonder that our digestive system, also known as the “enteric nervous system,” plays a crucial role in our psychological and emotional well being. Just as the brain can upset the gut (butterflies), the gut can upset the brain (depression)!   

Depression has commonly been viewed as a disease or long-term mental disturbance or illness that can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, a staggering number of individuals without serious depression are prescribed antidepressants for long periods of time. However, antidepressant medications were originally intended for serious, short-term cases. Despite research debunking the benefits of long-term antidepressant use, these drugs remain the go-to for a seasonal case of the blues or an “unexplained” gloomy stint when exercise, sun exposure, diet, or balance in life have taken a back seat. 

Short-term research trials show that antidepressants provide no clinically significant benefits for mild to moderate depression in comparison to a placebo.  However, taking the antidepressant can make matters much worse.  Antidepressants cause gastric distress in up to a quarter of the people who take them. Due to all of the aforementioned-shared chemicals and the brain-gut connection, this makes perfect sense. Ultimately a healthy digestive system is key at keeping depression at bay. This means staying off antidepressants, unless an extreme case of depression is diagnosed, and even then – discussing with your practitioner an appropriate time frame to taper them out of your system to prevent too much damage, like chronic depression.  

1 in 10 Americans are currently on antidepressants in the United States, according to the CDC. And 60% of these people have been taking them for more than two years and 14% for more than ten years!

The most popular type of antidepressants are the “SSRIs” or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Examples include Celexa, Lexapro, Sarafem, Paxil, Pexeva, Zoloft, and Symbyax.

Depression that persists while on antidepressants can be directly linked to the gut’s relationship to the brain. Ninety-five percent of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut. When SSRIs are taken to make sure the serotonin is more readily available to the brain, it results in a serotonin overload in the digestive system as well. Serotonin in the digestive system is a signaling agent for matters of its own communication to the brain. These effects make the name “antidepressant” misleading when used long-term. Unfortunately, only about 15% of patients that are treated with an antidepressant stay “well” for a long period of time. The remaining 85% start having a relapsing course and it becomes much more of a chronic burden.

 Proof is in the pudding, not just in the physiology.

In England, people are getting relieved of their depression with prescriptions for nothing other than EXERCISE!  Since a study from 2007 surfaced with its astonishing results, some are starting to disregard pharmaceutical companies in this instance. In a ten-month span comparing gym use versus antidepressant use with the depressed, it was found that those sent to the pharmacy were actually relapsing and those sent to the gym were overcoming their depression. Now that’s empowerment! So, rather than asking your doctor if (insert newest drug here) is right for you, ask your doctor if EXERCISE might be right first.

For most suffering from depression, a medication-free remedy lies within reach. Commonly, people feel defenseless against depression and automatically seek pharmaceutical intervention, trusting that a pill will “balance” them, when in reality it does the opposite. Among other things like exercise, chiropractic care, and sunshine, keeping a healthy gut  is crucial in fighting depression.  Incorporating a probiotic full of friendly bacteria, would be a crucial step in promoting optimal function within the gut. 

The following is an insightful grouping of important goodies to keep depression away by Dr. Mercola, the well renowned osteopathic physician of www.mercola.com. Check out the section “Four More Top Tips for Overcoming Depression” by following this link: 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/vitamin-d-for-depression.aspx

Sources: 

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-gut-brain-connection

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=gut-second-brain&page=2

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/24/health/24iht-snbrain.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.pointofreturn.com/gut_health.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ssris/MH00066

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/vitamin-d-for-depression.aspx

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/06/frightening-story-behind-the-drug-companies-creation-of-medical-lobotomies.aspx

http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/digestive_problems_can_cause_anxiety_and_depression/

www.npr.org

1.  The Ingredients

Worried about getting sick?  How about some mercury and a dose of formaldehyde to keep you healthy? That sounds insane until you take a closer look at the ingredients of your run of the mill flu shot.  Here is just a sampling of some of the ingredients:

Beta-propiolactone:
The vapor is very irritating and the liquid form is carcinogenic. Propiolactone is "reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen." (IARC 1999) Recognized - carcinogen, Suspected - gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, respiratory toxicant, skin or sense organ toxicant. More hazardous than most chemicals in 3 out of 3 ranking systems. On at least 5 federal regulatory lists. Ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to humans. Propiolactone was once widely used in the manufacture of acrylic acid and its esters, but its use has been mostly phased out in favor of safer and less expensive alternatives.

Thimerosol  
A mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Mercury causes brain neuron degeneration. Evidence has been found showing the direct effect of mercury exposure on neurodegenerative processes in the brain. It was “finally” recognized in 1999 that the long half-life of ethlymercury could theoretically result in accumulation and toxicity during chronic applications and as such joint statements by the American Academy of Pediatricians and the United States Public Health Services recommended the removal of thimerosal from all vaccines. However, it still remains.

Neomycin sulfate
Interferes with Vitamin B6 absorption. An error in the uptake of B6 can cause a rare form of epilepsy and mental retardation.

Formaldehyde
A carcinogen found in almost every vaccine that is included to inactivate viruses to prevent causing the disease once the vaccine has been injected. The FDA states that excessive exposure to formaldehyde may cause cancer, however “there is no evidence linking cancer to infrequent exposure to tiny amounts of formaldehyde via injection as occurs with vaccines.”

Egg protein (chicken embryo)
Found in influenza vaccines, which are used as culture media. The vaccine should be avoided if allergic to eggs or egg products. 

2. The vaccine is no more effective than the placebo

The CDC recommends that children under two years of age get the influenza vaccine despite the published systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children (6-23 months) that found the flu vaccine to be no more effective than a placebo!

3. With a strong immune system, your body can fend off the flu naturally
Take the following measures to keep healthy, instead:

Get under regular Chiropractic care 
Everyone needs a Chiropractor on their wellness team.  In the past, people went to the chiropractor for infectious diseases, not aches and pains. Chiropractors were especially instrumental and popular during the 1918 flu pandemic.  That’s because chiropractic influences the efficiency of the immune system. Instead of flu shots for the whole family, try Chiropractic first.  

Maintain optimal Vitamin D levels
 If you aren’t getting plentiful sun exposure (without sunscreen), it’s ESSENTIAL to supplement with Vitamin D3 . A good rule of thumb for kids is 35 IU’s per pound of body weight and 8000 IU’s daily for the average adult. For optimal maintenance, you’ll want to get your blood tested to determine your personal requirements to reach 50-70 ng/ml Vitamin D levels).

Address emotional stress

Eat nutrient-rich foods 
Eat the foods your body was genetically designed to eat. Avoid sugar; viruses are opportunists who thrive on it!

Get sufficient rest

Move your body
Simply by increasing your body temperature, your immune system is boosted to aid in killing pathogens, just as a fever does when the body is ill. Exercising at least five times per week decreases your chance of having a cold by 50%.  The increased oxygen to tissues also helps fight cancer cells.

4.  The flu is nothing to be afraid of
It seems like every year the CDC and news outlets are reporting 'the biggest flu epidemic YET'.  With all the fear mongering, it's no wonder people are lining up for the shot and getting sick.  Stress and fear lowers your immune system!  Take a deep breath, relax, and follow the outlined measures above to support your immune system. As long as you stay hydrated, getting the Flu is nothing to be afraid of.  In fact, it will also strengthen your immune system. For most people that get the Flu, symptoms last only a few days. While feeling lousy is no fun for anyone, you can rest assured knowing your body knows exactly how to heal.  A few days of symptoms far outweighs the side effects of a vaccine that doesn’t prevent the flu in the first place i.e no benefit with all the side effects!

[Speaking of side effects: according to the CDC, one ”may develop GBS in the days or weeks after getting a vaccination.” Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The chances of getting GBS may be small, but not worth the risk of getting such a severe, debilitating, disorder. A few days of Flu symptoms versus a lifetime of GBS seems like a clear choice.]

5. The evidence against the vaccine is relatively straightforward
The Vaccine Information Statement that is issued by the government and given to each recipient of the vaccine literally states: 

“One brand of inactivated flu vaccine, called Aluria, should not be given to children 8 years of age or younger, except in special circumstances. A related vaccine was associated with fevers and fever-related seizures in young children in Australia. Your doctor can give you more information.

Unfortunately the CDC and various other organizations state that getting the Flu Vaccine is the “best way to prevent getting the Flu” despite the lack of research and evidence that supports this. When those in the healthcare field are refusing the flu vaccine in exchange for loss of employment (shocking in this economy) it speaks very loudly and should be taken into consideration. What is it that they know and perhaps observed that isn’t necessarily obvious or available to the rest of us? All we can do is educate ourselves, ask questions, and remember we ALWAYS have a choice whether or not to get vaccinated (check out NVIC.org to find exemptions for your state).

Check out this video that cites just one hospital (of many across the nation) that has fired their employees for noncompliance of getting the Flu shot:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2084961609001/fired-for-not-getting-flu-shot/

When feeling under the weather, are you left wondering if there’s more you can do for yourself other than a trip to urgent care for another z-pack? Other than doing the best for your body’s immune system with regular chiropractic care and a healthy diet, a well researched remedy may already be in your kitchen.  Afterall, food is the best medicine!

Fresh garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic fighting not only bacteria, but also viruses (like the flu) and protozoa (like malaria, giardiasis, and more). Garlic also has antifungal and cancer fighting properties!

Unlike antibiotics where resistance is a concern, your body won't build a resistance to garlic. All you need is one to two medium sized cloves per day. Remember, fresh is best (a rule of thumb for ALL food). Simply crush up some garlic to activate it and swallow.  Don't like the taste or can't convince your kids?  Bathe it in some manuka honey first.  

This is a great way to help naturally support your immune system.  It's always important to remember that health happens through you when you adopt healthy habits, exercise, rest, and decrease spinal stress with lifestyle choices including regular chiropractic care.