What is colic?

This is best defined as a long period of uncontrollable crying in infants lasting more than 3 hours and happening more than 3 days a week, which disrupts their sleep and optimal health development.

Research tells us that colic affects 1 in 4 babies based on standard criteria, however it is likely that it is higher when factoring in infants who struggle with the following:

• Frequent periods of crying
• Discomfort 
• Reflux
• Indigestion

Here are some challenges that your babe may be experiencing:

• Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain
• Crying for no apparent reason (rather than hunger or diaper change)
• Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished
• Predictable timing - more often in the evening or shortly after eating
• Facial discoloration
• Body tension, stiffening, arching, cranking or throwing their head and neck backwards
• Burping often or passing a lot of gas
• Active grimacing or a ‘painful’ look on their face
• Presence of reflux and/or constipation

Even your older kiddos who struggled with colic may have grown into other things such as:

• Constipation
• Ear infections
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Depression

How can Pediatric Chiropractic help?

Colic has become more apparent with the increase in prenatal stress and birth intervention. Babies are more stressed out than ever! With so many traumas, toxins, technology, and negative thoughts increasing in the world, babies are UNCOMFORTABLE.

What causes colic? The answer is simple: stress on the brain and nervous system. Neurologically-Focused, Pediatric-Trained chiropractors have a specific analysis to find where their stress is being held and are able to remove it so they can move from fight or flight mode to growth and development. This will allow them to calm down and regulate their stress instead of absorbing it all.

The post Chiropractic & Colic appeared first on Delta Health.

There are two main problems that cause and contribute to ear infections

1. Poor ‘plumbing’ or drainage
2. Weakened neuro-immune function

Physical trauma to the neck in utero, during birth, or from a fall early in life, creates a ‘kink in the hose’ coming from the ears, sinuses, and head. This kink creates a clog in the drainage system of the surrounding structures. This isn’t just the ears, nose, and throat region. It also includes the lymphatic system that drains the head and neck.

When the increased stress gets stuck on the nervous system, not only does it clog up the physical space in the ears and sinuses, but it also creates lack of movement, causing the fluid to become stuck. The longer the fluid is allowed to sit in the inner ear, the greater the chance for those viruses to set up shop and wreak havoc. 

Common colds, allergies, and sinus infections can all cause blockages in the ears, which increases the risk of recurring ear infections.

Tips on how to treat ear infections naturally

Pediatric Chiropractic Care

This should be your first line of defense when it comes to ear infections! Inflammation starts to build up and infection settles in due to the added stress on the nervous system in the upper neck that leads to a lack of drainage in the ears.

Pediatric specific chiropractors are trained to assess where that stress in the nervous system resides and properly treat the area. Kiddos struggle more often because they are going through massive developments as they continue to grow. Their eustachian tubes are also shorter and narrower than adults.  This can increase the risk of blockage and be a live petri dish in their ears! Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help reduce the pressure and improve movement to allow for proper drainage.

Garlic oil, colloidal silver, and a warm compress

These are all great natural options to help soothe your kiddo’s ears! However, they too, just as antibiotics and steroids, do not assess the root cause. Use in accordance with chiropractic care to help your child feel their best and reduce childhood ear infections.

The post Ear Infections & Chiropractic Care appeared first on Delta Health.

What is torticollis?

Torticollis is a stiff, stuck, and twisted neck where the child’s head is continually bent to one side, making it difficult to turn and rotate their head and neck in both directions.

In my experience, most cases of torticollis are easily overlooked and missed. Parents are typically told that “it’ll get better with time” and their infant will “grow out of it.” However, truth be told, they don’t grow out of it. Kiddos actually grow into a whole load of other issues.

They’re more susceptible to ear infections and respiratory infections like croup, chronic cough, and even RSV. Severe forms of torticollis can lead to plagiocephaly (flattened skull due to repeated pressure).

What causes torticollis?

It is diagnosed as congenital if it is caused by abnormal positioning of the fetus while still in the womb. This could be due to malposition like being breech or lowered amniotic fluid. It could also be considered congenital if it is caused by a genetic condition that affects the muscular system.

However, the most common form is acquired. The most common cause of acquired torticollis is birth trauma. The amount of pulling and twisting on an infant's head, neck, and spine that occurs is significant and many times leaves the child with a subluxation, or misalignment, that then contributes to the torticollis. This is significantly worse if there was a birth intervention, such as: forceps, vacuum extraction, and c-section.

The more severe and apparent the torticollis, the more severe the subluxations patterns likely are for the child.

Here are 3 steps to help it change quickly!

1. Get is assessed and measured by a Pediatric Chiropractor

2. Make sure baby has plenty of tummy time

3. Don’t get them walking or into walker equipment too soon

The post What is Torticollis? appeared first on Delta Health.

Why should my infant be checked by a chiropractor? 

A baby can encounter their first misalignment, or subluxation, in utero, but more often than not it happens during the birthing process. Birth can be stressful for your newborn. Regardless if it was a vaginal birth or c-section, there is a lot of twisting and pulling on the baby’s spine, not to mention the most important part, their head and neck. That’s where their brain and brainstem (houses consciousness, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and sleeping) live!

Chiropractic looks at the body as a whole. This isn’t just fixated on a symptom. We focus on the child’s nervous system to help calm it down, rebalance it, and regulate it. Stress during pregnancy and birth trauma are the number one causes of neurological interference in children.

Neuro-muscular tension and misalignments can result in colic, digestive issues,  poor sleeping, difficulty with latch, immune issues, excessive grunting or arching, and so much more!

When should I bring them?

There isn’t a perfect answer for this. I have seen mamas and their new babes on the way home from the hospital less than 24 hours after the birth, I have seen them 2 weeks after the birth. I really leave this in your court because I want you to be as comfortable as possible. However, I suggest it being sooner rather than later. We want to make sure that the transition Earth side is as smooth as it can be and the baby can function at an optimal level.

Adjusting infants is different from adults. It is very gentle. No popping or twisting occurs. I have specialized training that allows me to competently assess your child and deliver the most safe care. The pressure used is the same as checking the ripeness of a tomato. To be honest, most babies sleep through their first adjustment!

Here are some indications that chiropractic care may be beneficial for your baby:

• Birth trauma: fast or long labor/pushing time, vacuum/forceps delivery, bruising, misshapen head
• Troubles feeding: not able to latch, painful latch, leaking and/or clicking with feeding, only feeding on one side, reflux
• Elimination issues: constipation, bedwetting
• Neck/back issues: favoring head to one side, arching of their back, colic, flattened head
• Neurological issues: ADD, ADHD, sensory processing disorder
• Illness: ear infections, respiratory infections, sinus congestion

The post Pediatric Chiropractic: When and Why? appeared first on Delta Health.

We were literally about 20 minutes from boarding our flight to get back home and see our kids before they went to bed. No luck. Allegiant decided otherwise. I got pretty frustrated in about 4 seconds and it lasted a while. Just ask Andrea.  I didn't do anything but I could feel my blood pressure go up, my attitude sucked and my hands start to sweat a little bit. I was angry. They were messing with my schedule, my plan and my time. All I cared about was me for while.

Here's a fact...That anger I felt didn't help anything. In all honesty, it just hurt me. It got me stirred up for a good 2 hours. It consumed my thoughts and my physiology. It changed me from the inside out. It was a choice I made to not stop it. I just let it roll on. Almost like I thought something would change. It didn't. Ask Andrea. 

Here's the deal. How I handled that was from an animal, emotional instinct. I didn't get what I wanted/needed so I got upset. Rather than pausing and putting some logic and intention to it and putting an end to it realizing nothing would change it I just keep hanging on to it. 

This is a small example of having an uncontrollable change you. It's dumb. It's a choice you aren't willing to make in those instances. Do I let it happen or not? Do I let it shift my attitude? Sounds like an easy choice doesn't it? It's not. You get it. 

Here's the thing. I really try to focus on what I control. What happens outside of me I don't control. Other people. Weather. Situations. None of them for the most part. What I do control is pretty simple...

1. My attitude. - What attitude do I choose to roll with after an event or situation? That's a choice I get to make. 

2. My effort. - Where do I put my effort when things don't go as planned. Do I focus my effort on complaining or finding a solution and taking action? 

3. My focus. - Is it on what's wrong or what's right or what good can come from it? Is it the problem or solution?

Life's too short to let the uncontrollables take your focus, attitude and energy from your effort. Guard these. Use them how you want, not what the external situation is pressing you to do. Remember...it's a choice. It's a hard one. We get in the habit of trying to control that which we don't. We do this instead of mastering what we do control. 

Control what you control. Attitude. Focus. Effort. 

If you spend your time in these 3 areas your life will move forward in many ways. Trust me. Learn from my mistake today. 

Catch you soon...if we ever get home. 

The post Wasted Energy appeared first on Delta Health.

It’s constant.

It’s annoying.

It creates anxiety and stress.

It’s a pain in the ass.

Period.

With all this being said, there are ways now to deal with it in more effective ways. Even if it doesn’t go away you can minimize the effects on your life. As a person who still deals with bilateral tinnitus I want to share with you 4 effective areas I have improved my issue with.

1.     Habituation – This is the process the body/brain goes through to “get used” to it. I have found that when I expose myself to a myriad of sounds that my brain is more engaged in those sounds than the ringing. It allows my brain to recognize the tinnitus just as a background noise and not the focus. I have done this with headphones and also noise focused on one side or the other.

2.     Nutrition – I have found that some things set it off more than others. Caffiene, alcohol, high sugar intake…these all cause my problem to amplify. I still use all of these but in a minimal way. I have also found that proper hydration helps a ton as does keeping my blood sugar levels stable and not getting too deprived.

3.     Tricks – I have found a back of tricks that work when things get rough. Things like chiropractic, tapping, gum, oils and a few others are my go to’s. Check out our Delta Health YouTube page for more demonstrations and information on these topics.

4.     Mental – This is a huge one. I’m talking about lowering stress levels. I’m talking about learning to meditate. I’m talking about re-defining the tinnitus problem you are experiencing. The more you come to terms with it, versus fight it, the better it will become. As you become less reactive to the sound, you will turn the volume down. Realize that there is no sound. It’s a perception by your brain. Your mental state dictates the volume control.

These are the key areas for me. They work for a lot of people but we all experience different forms of tinnitus so keep searching. It’s a fight sometimes but it’s worth it. It always gets better and in the long run the lessons you learn along the way will make you a better person. Guaranteed.

The post 4 Tips to Fix Your Tinnitus appeared first on Delta Health.

We as humans are no different. We are herd animals. Our families, our communities, our tribes - we all tend to follow the leader of thought and behavior. We do it for the same reason. We feel that by following this person or group in some cases they will lead us to what we "want". We do it with daily activities from what we eat, how and why we move to the neighborhoods we live in and the cars we choose to buy. If one does it we all do it. We do things like those around us. The last couple years you have seen it come to the surface more reflected in our moral battles around politics, education, health and other hot-button issues. We do what those around us do. Just look around you. Where you live affects these beliefs. Who you spend your days with does.

Here's my point to all of this...We have started to STOP thinking on our own as a society. We have lost the discipline to stick to what we believe is right and moral to US...what ALIGNS with our guts. We have jumped on bandwagons and accepted what others say or do as the "path". They aren't you. They don't have the same history or the same vision for their future. They may also not have the same priorities even though it may look like it on the outside. They, whether an individual or a group, have picked a path and we are following it. Many times blindly only led by emotions and our animal instinct.

I ask you to start thinking critically again. Define your values for yourself and your family. Do it in a way that is true to you. Only then can you make decisions that are aligned with where you are going and what is consistent with your values. When we don't make aligned choices it begins to eat at our soul. It kills our confidence, our self-worth, our joy and our peace. Sound familiar?  Define your path and what matters to you. The herd does not always lead you to the "promise land". It will feel comfortable being part of it, but that herd may just be moving towards the edge of the cliff. Emotions are blinding. That deep animal instinct to follow is addicting. They can hold you hostage from what is real.

Don't think so? Just watch social media. Watch the news. Watch the people around you. How are they influencing the others...even you?

Stay aware my friends. Define your path. Follow it with conviction. You know what is right.

The post Herd Mentality appeared first on Delta Health.

So what causes this? Anything from extended periods of time sitting to intense workouts can cause this muscle group to get tight and sore. This puts us at risk for injury or improper movement that can eventually lead to injury.

So what can we do to loosen these muscles up? Listed are just a few of the great stretches you can do to help.

1. Foam rolling is one great tool for hip flexors, as well as other issues.
2. Pigeon stretch
3. Kneeling hip flexor stretch
4. Butterfly stretch.
5. Atlas stone stretch

Myofascial release massage work from a LMT or using a Theragun can also be great tools for tight hip flexors. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat tight hip flexors as well.

Check out the Link below to watch a demonstration on how to do 3 stretches for tight hip flexors!

The post 3 Stretches for TIGHT HIP FLEXORS appeared first on Delta Health.

Tension Headaches are the most common type of headache. They are also the most common type we treat in our office. Tension headaches typically present as a dull ache across one or both sides of the forehead. They generally only last several hours per episode and can be treated with over the counter, prescription medication or with chiropractic care.

Migraines are the second most common type of headache. They typically present as a throbbing or sharp pain in the face or neck, likely on one side. This pain can be accompanied by light sensitive, visual disturbances  and nausea. Due to the severity of these symptoms it is wise to visit a chiropractor or MD to determine if you are experiencing migraines or something more serious. The symptoms can last from several hours to a few days.

Sinus headaches are also very common.
pain in the sinuses, eyes, ears, or face are common symptoms. Congestion, itching, runny nose, fever are signs that a sinus headache might be in your future. Treating the cause of the sinus issue will likely reduce the frequency or intensity of your sinus headaches. A well trained chiropractor or massage therapist can also show you some pressure points that help release some sinus pressure.

Cluster headaches are somewhat less common but can be intense. Symptoms include severe pain on one side of the head, usually behind or around the eye, possibly a drooping eyelid and a smaller pupil. Running nose and tearing in the affected eye are also common with cluster headaches. The duration of cluster headaches is variable; but tend to come and go over several months. Prescription medications tend to help treat cluster headache symptoms. Melatonin and magnesium also have some research showing relief of symptoms. 

Check out this video where Dr. Brett gives his 3 tips to get rid of headaches once and for all

The post Four main types of Headaches appeared first on Delta Health.