For those parents who choose not to vaccinate, it is important to familiarize with the signs and symptoms of different diseases. They also need to be aware of any requirements that certain schools or camps have in regards to vaccinations.  In addition, boosting a child’s immune system with the following is beneficial: breastfeeding, adequate sleep, decreased stress, decreased environmental toxins, and regular visits with their family chiropractor.  

If parents decide on vaccinating their child, they can specifically choose vaccines that they feel are appropriate for their child to have.  One important guideline to follow is to omit vaccines with mercury (thimerisol) or live viruses.  Parents can opt for partial vaccines where they do individual inoculations.  An example would be to have the diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus independently and at separate times.  Parents should be aware of what to look for, should there be an adverse reaction and report it to the Public Health Agency of Canada.  It is important to note the lot number, date, time, amount and who administered the vaccine.  Some countries suggest delaying the vaccinations until age 2, or at least until they have been weaned from breastfeeding as they feel that these children have less reactions.  And finally, it is important to boost the child’s immune system before the shots, and this can be achieved in giving them vitamin C and Vitamin B complex for 48 hours before and after the vaccination, as well as have the child checked by their family chiropractor pre and post vaccination.

For those parents who feel that there are risks with the conventional vaccines but feel that they need to do something, there are Homeopathic vaccines.  Homeopathic immunizations do not involve injections; alternately they are taken orally in a sugar pill form. Immunization remedies are made from disease matter.  They are prepared in a homeopathic manner in order to render them completely safe and non-toxic and they do not contain toxins or chemicals. Once the homeopathic remedy is administered, it is recognized by the body so that when the child comes across the disease later in life, the body is equipped to fight it off.

As to whether you should vaccinate your child or not, only you can and should make that decision.  Ultimately, parents deserve to have access to all the information available, so that their choice about vaccinating (conventional or homeopathic) or non-vaccinating, can be an informed one.  Listed below are a few resources:

·         "The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults" by Randall Neustaedter

·        "What your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave. The issues and vaccinations are broken down and discussed individually, she offers an alternative schedule as well as some suggestions on how to best optimize the child's outcome if vaccination is the choice. 

For any questions you may have about boosting your child’s immune system or for general health and wellness, please contact one of our practitioners at evolve Nurturing Vitality.

Conventional medical options include a watch and wait approach, bracing and finally surgery.  Bracing is typically the medical approach for curves between 25 to 30 degrees.   These braces exert pressure against the spine in hope of achieving stabilization, however they do not correct the curves. 

Chiropractors work with the spine and look at spinal joint motion and alignment.   Curves can be stabilized and even reduced with Chiropractic care by leveling the pelvis, strengthening the psoas muscles and maintaining spinal motion in the neck.  Over 80% of patients with a scoliosis greater than 30 degrees have been shown to have a loss of a normal cervical curve as well as a reversal (kyphosis) of the curve.  Chiropractors, in addition to massage therapy and acupuncture can help restore normal functional curves in scoliotic patients.

For a spinal assessment please contact one of the chiropractors at our office.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is generally characterized by 2 major factors: pain experienced in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum of 12 weeks, and secondly, having 11 or the 18 noted ‘tender’  points in the shoulders, midback, arms, neck, lower back, hips, and knees.  Although this is a specific criterion, it is important to acknowledge that FM symptoms can change day to day, and be varied between patients. 

Many different treatment approaches exist for Fibromyalgia.   Top of this list includes Chiropractic treatment, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Naturopathic supplementation, and Massage Therapy.  In addition, studies have also shown that resistance training and cardiovascular endurance can help reduce symptoms and pain patterns.   

ART is a safe and highly successful technique that, in addition to adjustments, can give many patients the relief and recovery that they need and are looking for.  The upper extremity protocols for ART can help with repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis and golfer's elbow and swimmer's shoulder which happen over time.  Acute injuries from lifting or pushing heavy objects can also be addressed with ART, as strained or scarred muscles and tissues can cause a lot of pain, and can also entrap the many nerves in the shoulder and arm.

Suggested causes may include gas, lactose intolerance, food allergies, constipation or structural weakness within the infant’s stomach area.  Any of these causes may be attributed to nerve dysfunction and joint misalignments within the spine resulting from the birthing process.  This can negatively affect the communication between the brain and the digestive organs.     

There are many babies that are irritable, yet do not meet the criteria for colic.  They can be described as one who is generally difficult to calm, is only content when held, is at times inconsolable even when physiological needs have been met and cries more often than a content baby.  Many of these babies are irritable due to a musculoskeletal origin and may present with an unusual posture, often arching their back, muscle tightness along the spine and sleep disturbances.  

Top tips to ease the pain of colic and irritable babies: 

#1 – Have your baby assessed by your family Chiropractor.  Function of your baby’s spine and nervous system can play an integral role in the overall health of your child.  Healthy babies, free of nerve irritation, are happier babies.  Musculoskeletal irritation can cause a great discomfort for the baby, thus causing the irritability. 

#2 – Dietary considerations.  Food allergies are of interest when it comes to colic.  Many clinical studies have shown that the baby’s discomfort may be caused by reactions to certain foods.  For example, many children have been known to be intolerant to milk proteins from cow’s milk, either in their formula or through the mother’s breastmilk.  Pasteurized cow’s milk consumed by a breastfeeding mother has been shown to be a trigger for colic.  Other common food allergies to consider include soy, nuts and gluten.   

Fruit juice should also be avoided. Mothers should be taking Vitamin D, B vitamins and omega 3 oils.  There are antispasmodic teas which can offer therapeutic relief.  These teas include chamomile, fennel, licorice and lemon balm.  These can be ingested either by the mother or the infant by using an eye dropper (10 to 20 drops).   

#3 – Quality Probiotics for Mother and Baby.  Probiotics repair and support the infant’s digestive system. 

#4 – Correct Breastfeeding Technique.  If a mother – baby duo are struggling to successfully breastfeed, advice from a lactation consultant can be very helpful.  Some newborns struggle to get a good latch on the nipple, which may be due to poor breastfeeding technique or inability to open their jaw fully.  If it is the latter, a visit to the Chiropractor may help release any restrictions.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your healthcare practitioner at evolve Nurturing Vitality.

• Runny nose or Congestion
• Fever greater than 100°F or 37.8°C
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Cough &/or Sore Throat
• Joint & Muscle Pains
• Nausea, Vomiting &/or Diarrhea
• Infants: Fatigue, Fever, Breathing changes, Skin Discoloration (Bluish), Severe irritability

 

Consider vaccination if you are a/an:
 

• Pregnant woman
• Adult over 65
• Individual with chronic pulmonary conditions
• Obese individual
• Individual with kidney disease
• Immunocompromised individual
• Individual with neuromuscular disorders ie: Cystic Fibrosis
• Individual with malignancies

 
Note: Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner to help you make an informed decision.

Preventative Measures:

• Vitamin D – Individuals with low blood levels are more susceptible to acquiring influenza with significant harm.  Health Canada reports significant deficiencies of Vitamin D amongst the Canadian population.  Vitamin D is important for immune health.  Daily dosage @ 1,000 IU.
• Eat plenty of Fruits & Vegetables to maintain a healthy immune system.
• Increase consumption of Vitamin C, multi-minerals like Selenium and Probiotics.
• Reduce or eliminate consumption of refined sugars and processed foods.
• Hand washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching of the face after potential exposure in public places.

If you are symptomatic:

Sneezing or coughing into elbow or tissue and immediate discarding of tissue into non-touch receptacle.
Rinse throat with warm salt water gargles 3X per day and nasal rinses 3X per day.
Avoid public places to reduce exposure to other individuals unless seeking medical help.
Get plenty of rest.

Practice aforementioned preventative measures as they are likely to minimize severity of symptoms.  Many otherwise healthy individuals with adequate nutrient status and who employ immune supportive techniques report fewer symptoms.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your healthcare practitioner at evolve Nurturing Vitality.

This was the first of 3 ART seminars for Dr. Chamberlain and she is now certified in Spine protocols.  She will complete the Upper Extremity and Lower Extremity protocols over the next 9 months.  In the last few weeks since her certification, she has already seen some impressive results with resolving both acute and chronic pain conditions in her patients by using both ART and giving adjustments.

Dr. Rahim had the opportunity to complete the Master’s ART course With Dr. Michael Leahy, founder of ART. Dr. Shamira spent four and a half hours with seven other colleagues and the founder of ART, learning further skills and new protocols to help patients with chronic pain and repetitive injuries.  New protocols include further success in resolving rotator cuff injuries/conditions and whiplash related symptoms.

These injuries, among many others, can be seen not only in adults and our elderly population, but also in our athletic teens and children who participate in repetitive activities. With the use of ART, Drs. Rahim and Chamberlain have additional tools to help resolve many chronic and acute injuries and conditions.  In addition, adding supplementation of calcium/magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin C can also enhance healthy tissue.

ART is a safe and highly successful technique that, in addition to adjustments, can give many patients the relief and recovery that they need and are looking for.

Fats are important.  Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are by name and function crucial to our health.  They come in two varieties - Linoleic Acid (LA) and Alpha -linolenic acid (ALA) and both must be consumed and converted to their healthful derivatives EPA and DHA for proper functioning of every organ system in our body.  In order to gain the healthful effects of these fats they must meet certain criteria.  These criteria include both eating the optimal ratio of omega-6 (LA) to omega-3 (ALA) and their proper conversion in the body via enzymes.  The optimal dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is roughly 2:1.  The human body is a poor converter of ALA to EPA/DHA, deriving at most a mere 10% of EPA/DHA from ALA.  When eating fish oils converting these fats is not a problem because we are consuming them directly.  In addition, LA competes with ALA for precious enzymes in the conversion process which adds another hurdle.

Vegetarians and vegans who consume large quantities of LA and not enough ALA are therefore on the wrong side of the equation.  Vegans especially intake more than twice the amount of omega-6 fats which causes the ratio to tilt into a more dis-ease producing direction which includes heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and immune disorders.  Sources of LA include: cereals, breads, and evening primrose oil.  Sources of ALA include: Chia, Kiwifruit and Flax.  Knowing all of these challenges vegetarians/vegans face in getting the right amounts of essential fatty acids, what can we do to keep ourselves full of the right fats?

When done right, vegetarian and vegan diets are incomparably healthy.  Improving EFA status is relatively easy without having to consume fish oils.  We must ensure that the conversion of ALA to EPA/DHA is high.  We can do this by eating adequate amounts of protein to guarantee the production of enzymes that take part in the conversion process.  Also. we need to limit our intake of alcohol and trans fats as they depress the enzymes function.  We can also decrease LA intake by cooking less with safflower, grapeseed, sunflower, corn and soybean oils.  Instead, monounsaturated fats in olive and canola oils and whole foods such as avocados and most nuts are preferred in our diets.  Processed foods and deep fried foods have high omega-6 and trans fat content and should be kept in dietary moderation in order to sustain a healthful fats balance.  Recommended intake of ALA rich foods is roughly 3 grams per day.  Most importantly, we need to keep the VEG in vegetarian/vegan and eat a diverse amount of whole foods and vegetables to ensure that we are maintaining a solid foundation.

Being a vegetarian/vegan is not as difficult a challenge as some believe it to be.  With the right information and guidance the equation for health/dis-ease balances right into place.  Furthermore, it is always prudent to consult a qualified health practitioner for support and a fresh perspective.

prenatal, post-natal and pediatric chiropractic

As our clinic is more than fifty percent family care, it is important to us to provide parents information and resources about the many options available for themselves and their children, so that they may acheive their wellness potential. We will continue to update this information in the future, and we also invite you to read our articles section, which contains more information on care for pregnancy, infants and children from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Hello Everyone!

The countdown is on for the Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay for the kids: just 1 week away! For those of you interested, or those of you who haven't pledged yet, there is still time to donate to this excellent cause.  Kick start your summer by helping us send deserving kids to camp! Easter Seals Camps give BC children with disabilities the chance to discover their individual abilities. Camp sessions are carefully planned and designed to encourage these children to gain new skills, develop new friendships, gain confidence and independence; skills that will help them to live lasting and fulfilling lives. On average, over 800 children with disabilities from all over BC attend a one-week camping session at one of three Easter Seals camps located across the province: Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, Squamish near Vancouver, and Winfield in the Okanagan. It is because of fundraising events like the Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay For The Kids that the BC Lions Society is able to operate the camping program at no cost to the families, many of whom are already financially burdened by the costs associated with raising children with special needs.  On June 20th-21st, Team Travis will be at Swann Guard stadium running for 24 hours, and you can help us by donating online at www.24hourrelay.com.  Select Team Travis and my name: Alaina Overton.  Your help is tremendously appreciated!!! 

Have an excellent summer,

Alaina

Our immunity faces a host of challenges that ultimately if left untreated can trigger allergic reactions beyond the digestive system.  Some of the more common dis-eases include: Acne, Arthritis, Asthma, Celiac disease, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn's Disease, Eczema, Food allergies, Irritable bowel syndrome, Psoriasis, and Weight gain.

A healthy digestive system is fundamental for a healthy mind and body.  All of the energy we need to function is obtained from one source - the food we eat and in turn our body's ability to optimally utilize the food.  Determining the status of your digestive system is imperative in understanding how it may be contributing to non-optimal health.  Exploration through allergy testing has a high degree of accuracy for detecting antibodies created by the immune system in response to ingestion of an offending food or weakness in the gut wall.

In order to best understand what may be happening in your system, for support and a fresh perspective consult with a qualified healthcare professional like a naturopathic doctor.

Dr. Bobby Parmar
Naturopathic Physician
evolve Nurturing Vitality
2025-West Broadway
www.evolvevitality.com
t.604.255.7777