Many women who are pregnant and experiencing headaches, neck and back pain may be looking for relief and a way to avoid using pain medications. Drugs and surgery are absolutely needed at times, but when pregnant, serious consideration is needed for the safety of both mom and baby. For those who are seeking a natural and effective way of treating a spinal condition, chiropractic care may be right for you. As a chiropractor/acupuncturist serving the Oklahoma City area, I have had the honor of treating numerous expecting moms with great results.

Pregnant bodies need a flexible and balanced spine, hips, and pelvis; internal organs need to be free of postural stress, as well as, nerve stress. During pregnancy, may physiological changes occur within the body as it prepares for the growth and delivery of the baby. Such changes with the growth of the abdomen can include pelvic changes, increased curvature of the back, swelling, and inflammation of the joints. With these changes, a misalignment of a joint or the spine can likely occur. Misaligned joints of the body along with the increasing weight of the growing baby can put a tremendous amount of pressure on the spine and organs.

It has been observed that 50-70% of pregnant women suffer from lower back pain. It is also highly common for pregnant moms to experience headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension. When it comes to chiropractic care for pregnant moms, there are no adverse effects, unlike those which come along with many medications. The benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include: a healthier pregnancy and baby, help in the control of nausea symptoms, an easier and safer delivery, and relief of back and neck pain. An adjustment can highly reduce spinal nerve stress, promote healing throughout the body, and increase proper positioning for the delivery. It is also important to remember to continue your chiropractic care regularly after childbirth to ensure good health for yourself as a busy mom and for your growing child.

It is important during pregnancy to seek out options that support your body's natural abilities to function and heal. Chiropractic care will help ensure that all the body's systems are functioning to there best capacity which will promote a easier pregnancy, a safer delivery, and a healthy newborn. Along with a better diet, exercise, and avoiding drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, chiropractic care should be an essential part of a pregnant woman’s healthcare regimen.

*Read this article written by Dr. Seyoung Kim for "BragBook Magazine"  in the Spring/Summer 2011 Issue

By Jane Sheppard

Ear Infections and ChiropracticEar pain is the number one reason for child visits to chiropractors. Many chiropractors believe that there is a strong link between the birthing process and recurrent ear infection, also known as otitis media. During the birthing process, cervical (neck) vertebrae can become misaligned, disrupting nerve function, which can affect the eustachian tube. This may lead to fluid buildup in the middle ear and cause otitis media.

Ear infection or otitis media accounts for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Antibiotics, the usual treatment, are not always effective and may even lead to a recurrence of ear infections. Many children are dealing with a continuing cycle of repeat ear infections, which lands them back at the pediatrician for more antibiotics. For nearly 100 years, the chiropractic profession has claimed that ear and other upper respiratory infections respond favorably to chiropractic adjustments.

A promising study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics indicates that there is a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections. 332 children with chronic ear infections participated in the study. Each child, ranging in age from 27 days to 5 years, was given a series of chiropractic adjustments. The results show that close to 80% of the children did not experience another ear infection within the six-month period following their initial visits. The six-month period included maintenance treatments every four to six weeks. Joan M. Fallon, D.C., the author of the study and the chiropractor who treated the children in the study, states that this pilot study can serve as a starting point from which the chiropractic profession can begin to examine its role in the treatment of children with chronic ear infections. She asserts that large-scale clinical trials need to be undertaken in the field.


http://www.healthychild.com/chiropractic-for-chronic-ear-infections/

Allergies

The most common immune disorder is the allergic reaction which occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and produces too many neutralizing chemicals to counteract it. Your immune system is in charge of keeping your system 100% organic, removing any thing that it determines to be foreign.

Chiropractic and Allergies

Chiropractic care releases the pressure on the nervous system allowing the immune system to work more effectively. Recent studies of psychoneuroimmunology have shown that the functioning of the nervous system is relevant to the function of the immune system. Chiropractic care is a hands on approach to body alignment. The chiropractic system of health removes subluxations, a term that refers to vertebra that are out of alignment, causing stress on the nervous system. Chiropractic care realigns the spine and allows the body to heal itself. The body’s ability to heal itself, is restored through the central nervous system and the re-connections that it brings to the rest of the body. Regular chiropractic adjustments allow the body to function properly. They also help the body’s immune system to function properly. If you have allergic reactions to a substance, you may benefit from regular chiropractic care. A healthy body is capable of neutralizing toxic substances in your system. Chiropractic care is the most holistic approach to allergy treatment, allowing your body to do what it was built to do.

Chiropractic Care

Everybody benefits from chiropractic care. It allows you to function properly and maintain your health. Proper spinal alignment is the super-highway of the nervous system, one traffic jam can cause problems on the other end of the nervous system. The central nervous system works hand in hand with your environment, the air you breath, the food you eat and the water you drink. Keeping your system healthy helps ensure a healthier life. See your chiropractor for regular chiropractic care.


http://afcchiropractic.com/allergies-chiropractic-care/

Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body which reside on channels or meridians; these are pathways in both the exterior and interior of the body. These points, when needled, can regulate the way in which the body functions. Acupuncture helps by addressing problems that affect fertility such as an under-functioning thyroid (hypothyroidism) or over-functioning thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Can Acupuncture Be Used To Treat Infertility?
Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some but not all causes of infertility. For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

When Should Acupuncture Treatment Begin?
Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process-oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before progressing to insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. This pacing of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medicine. However, conception occasionally occurs when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

Infertility And Acupuncture: When Should I Stop?
Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Consequently, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve to help prevent miscarriage.


What Are The Risks Of Using Acupuncture With Infertility?
There are minimal risks in using acupuncture for fertility treatment. The risk of miscarriage may increase if incorrect acupuncture points are used during pregnancy. This is one reason why those choosing to include acupuncture in their treatment regimen should only be treated by an acupuncturist who specializes in treating fertility disorders. Acupuncture is generally safe regardless of a person’s medical history.

Infertility And Acupuncture: Who Make Up Typical Patients?
Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes. Spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture. Acupuncture is often combined with herbal remedies to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

Resources:
-Article written by Dr. Mike Berkley on behalf of the APA. Dr. Berkley is an expert on acupuncture, herbal medicines and traditional medicine as means for treating infertility.
-http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/acupuncture.htm

Our Body & How It Works

 The human spine is made up of small bones called vertebra. The vertebra are stacked on top of each other to form a column. Between each vertebra is a cushion known as a disc. These disc are there to support the stress you put on your body. The vertebra are held together by ligaments, and tendons attach muscles to the vertebra. The neck supports the weight of your head and the lower part of the spine holds most of the body's weight. Even a minor problem with the bones, muscles, ligaments, or tendons in these areas can cause pain when a person stands, bends, or moves around.

 If you're experiencing back pain, you are not alone. Eight out of ten adults will have lower back pain during their lifetime. And most will have more than one episode of acute low back pain. Next to the common cold, back pain is the second most noted reason for missed work in the U.S. Common causes for back pain include poor muscle tone in the back, muscle tension or spasms, back sprains, ligament or muscle tears, joint problems, or a combination of these factors. Sometimes nerves from the spinal cord can be irritated or pinched due to a disc being compressed. This may cause numbness, weakenss, or tingling in the arms or legs. People who are in poor physical condition or do work that includes heavy labor or long periods of sitting or standing are at greater risk for low back problems. These people also get better more slowly. Emotional stress or long periods or inactivity may make back symptoms seem worse.

If your pain is minor, you may get relief from over the counter medications such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen, along with rest and applying a cold pack to the affected area. However, if your symptoms are severe, keep you from performing your daily activities, and do not subside within a few days, you will need to seek professional care. If you don't tolerate strong pain medication or have numerous side affects associated with prescription medications and want a natural alternative for treating your symptoms, chiropractic may be right for you.



Getting Relief from Neck & Back Pain with Natural Healing

Chiropractic is the most popular, drug-free healthcare in the world. Modern Chiropractic, discovered in 1895 by Dr. D.D. Palmer, is a system which helps release serious stresses from the body, known as subluxations. A subluxation is a tiny distortion in your spinal stucture that can effect your nerves, muscles, energy, brain functions, internal organs, disc, bones, tendons, ligaments, posture, and overall health. Stress is the cause of subluxations, for example, physical stress such as poor posture, accidents, sitting or standing for prolonged periods in the same position, and other physical traumas.

 Chiropractic focuses on the problem and enhancement of your body vs. only focusing on the treatment of symptoms. Your chiropractor will help you get relief from your pain, discomfort, and other symptoms by performing a spinal manipulation, a method of using the hands to apply force to the back to adjust the vertebra of the spine, which helps to correct the subluxations. Other treatments which can be performed in conjunction with the spinal manipulations are traction therapy, massage, soft tissue therapy and acunpunture-all which are proven to help aid the healing process. By releasing the stresses of the body, your chiropractor will help to increase the function of your brain, strengthen you immune systems defense abilities, and improve your energy level. Through the use of the spinal manipulation, your chiropractor will help activate your body's natural healing abilities, allowing your body to function at its best.

 Until you feel better, your chiropractic physician may recommend some changes in your daily activities to help facilitate a speedy recovery. When dealing with severe back pain, you should avoid: heavy lifting, lifting when twisting, bending forward, and reaching, and sitting for long periods of time. You should rest your body from activities which can cause physical stress including heavy cardio exercise and lifting weights. However good these may be for you, they are not recommended while under care. A gradual return to normal activities and exercise will be recommended, but the most important goal is for you to return to your normal activites as it is safe.


Prevention
 
The best way to prevent neck and back problems is to stay fit. Through proper diet, exercise, healthcare and awareness, you can help to maintain overall health and avoid unneccasary stresses which could lead to injuries.
 
A balanced diet will keep your body functioning correctly and improve your health. Healthy eating begins with learning how to eat smart. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. Eating organic foods and avoiding processed items, as well as proper hydration can help lead to a satisfying, healthy diet.

A regular exercise routine is key to maintaining proper back and neck posture and support. There are many exercises that can be done to condition the muscles of your body and back which helps provide much needed support to the spine. Cardio exercise along with a weight lifting and stretching routine are highly recommended and adds to your general health. Remember, you should consult your physician about the exercises that would be best for you after recovering from a previous injury.

Maintaining proper healthcare is important. It is highly recommended to consult your physician for a yearly check-up, as well as, going to your chiropractic physician for a monthly maintenance visit. Doing so, even when feeling well, will help to correct small misalignments which can slowly build over time and develop into a serious injury later on.

Be aware of your daily routine and the stresses that can be caused from it as well as your family history and your own previous injuries. For many of us, our daily routine can consist of sitting, standing, or driving for extended periods, heavy labor and lifting, and even emotional stress. Over time, these actions can wear on your body, weakening it, and increasing your susceptibility to injury. Here are a few key points to follow daily in order to prevent injury: keep all lifted objects close to your body; use a chair with good lower back support and stretch as often as possible when sitting for long periods; alternate resting one foot on a low stool when standing for long periods; use a pillow behind the small of your back and stop often to walk a few minutes if driving for an extended period; and sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees or sleep on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between them.


Are you or someone you know suffering from neck or back pain? Contact Dr. Seyoung Kim located at 5583 NW Expressway in Oklahoma City at 405-773-3131 or visit www.kimchiropractic.com for more information.   

*Article written by Dr. Seyoung Kim for BragBook Magazine-Issue 6: Spring 2012.