Category Archives: Pediatric Chiropractor Billings MT

Tech-free Zone

Tech-free Zone

tech-free zone

According to new research by the British Chiropractic Association, over half of us are watching TV in bed before dozing off. Many more use other electronic gadgets in bed, and those of us that do, are spending up to four hours staring at these screens! Many feel this can help them get to sleep, but there are other issues involved that should be considered.

Pain and Sleeplessness

What many of us may not have thought of is that this common habit can wreak havoc on the structure of our bodies. More hours spent hunched over small screens or sitting in uncomfortable positions can lead to poor sleep, bad backs and necks and other spinal problems.

Protecting Your Health

If you need to use a gadget while you’re in bed, make sure your back is supported with a pillow and that the device or the TV is at your eye level. And it’s not just about your spinal health–research shows that turning off the TV can better support optimal sleep. The bright lights from the screens of our gadgets can stimulate our brain, negatively affecting our sleep quality.

Get the sleep you need and protect your mind and body by making your bedroom a tech-free zone! Then give us a call and schedule an appointment with us to protect your spine and maintain your health.

Give Your Baby a Head Start

Give Your Baby a Head Start

newborn-baby, Give Your Baby a Head Start

While the birth process can be an exciting time for the mom-to-be, it can be a traumatic event for the baby.

Why? Squeezing through the cramped birth canal puts pressure on the baby’s spine and cranium — even under normal, natural circumstances. This trauma may adversely affect the function of the baby’s nervous system.

Add in procedures such as inducing labor, forceps and vacuum extractions and it’s easy to see how the birth experience can be punishing for any newborn.

A c-section can also cause trauma for your baby. According to an article from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) website, “Most moms who have had a c-section describe a pulling and tugging sensation as the baby was being taken out of the belly.”

Promoting a Healthy Nervous System

Getting your baby adjusted soon after birth is a safe and natural way to promote a healthy nervous system. As chiropractors, we check for spinal subluxations or disturbances in the nervous system. When those disturbances are removed, your baby can experience healthier growth and development.

You may also notice that your baby sleeps better too!

Safe and Gentle Care

Chiropractic care has an excellent track record, particularly when it comes to children. It’s estimated that unfavorable events connected to pediatric chiropractic care are estimated to be 1 in 250 million. When we adjust infants, we only use gentle pressure, the amount of pressure it would take to determine if a tomato is ripe or that you would use to press comfortably on your eye.

After your baby’s long journey into the world, we invite you to bring your child in to experience the many benefits of chiropractic care.

Planting Seeds to Grow Healthy Kids

Planting Seeds to Grow Healthy Kids

Planting Seeds to Grow Healthy Kids

Just as planting a garden requires fertile soil, quality seeds, plenty of sunshine and water, planting seeds to grow healthy kids requires specific actions.

With a dizzying amount of advice dispensed over the Internet, through the TV and by well-meaning friends and family members, it’s not always easy to know what advice to follow. Consider the following for growing healthy kids — naturally, of course!

Make Smart Dietary Decisions

From frozen foods filled with chemical ingredients to fast food dietary disasters, it’s not always easy fueling kids with healthy edibles. Here are some foods to consider including in your child’s diet:

  • Low-fat dairy products
  • Poultry
  • Fish (choose fish that’s low in mercury)
  • Whole grain breads and cereals
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Healthy monosaturated fats (in moderation) such as extra virgin olive oil

As childhood obesity is a growing problem, remember to control portions and offer healthy snacks to fight hunger between meals. Another way to curb the calories is by opting for water versus juice or soda. Flavor it with lemons or limes.

The Sleep Your Child Needs

The amount of sleep your child needs varies depending on age. Too little sleep can affect mood, school performance and overall health. Chronic sleep deprivation may even result in depression. It’s a good idea to set a regular bedtime routine for your child. These can include bath time and story reading.

Encourage older kids to turn off electronics well in advance of bedtime and read instead. Those high-tech gizmos and gadgets, from notebooks to smart phones, can wreak havoc on your teen’s sleep. Many studies link the use of electronics to later bedtimes and less shut-eye.

Why Exercise Is Essential

Though high-tech temptations abound, sidelining kids from outdoor activity, regular, brisk exercise helps kids to have healthier bodies and minds, too. Exercise also helps children get better sleep and fight stress easier. Though participation in a team sport is a great way for kids to get regular exercise, they can also get fit by walking the family dog, playing an outdoor game, or taking a bike ride.

Boost Health Naturally

Just as your kids brush their teeth to enjoy better oral health and a brighter smile, regular chiropractic care may help your child enjoy better health. Why? Because kids who have a healthier nervous system that’s free from interference may also benefit from a stronger immune system.

Schedule a wellness checkup for your child today!