Chicago Chiropractic News

Infant Acid Reflux/Colic and resolution with chiropractic-Chicago chiropractor 60630

2009-07-10T15:31:00.003-04:00

Acid reflux and colic. Sixteen infants were diagnosed by their physicians with acid reflux (9 infants) or colic (7 infants). Ten of the 16 mothers reported difficulty in their child's birth (mechanical forces) that could have caused upper cervical (neck) injuries, such as the use of vacuum extraction or the wrapping of the umbilical cord around the infant's neck.

In every child, trauma-induced upper cervical subluxations (spinal distortions causing nerve damage) were found.
In every case, the acid reflux and/or colic (all 16) resolved after the child received chiropractic care to the upper cervical area. (4)

4 Elster E. Sixteen infants with acid reflux and colic undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care to correct vertebral subluxation: a retrospective analysis of outcome. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic. 2009;2:1-7

Sunlight Protects Older People From Heart Disease And Diabetes-Northwest side chiropractor 60630

2009-07-08T18:58:00.005-04:00

In a new study it was discovered that older people can reduce their risk of developing heart disease and diabetes by spending more time in the sunshine.

Sunlight boosts vitamin D in the skin and older people are more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency due to the natural aging process and changes in lifestyle.

Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, a combination of medical and metabolic disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common. The researchers found 94 percent of people in the study had a vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency or insufficiency.

The amount of sunlight it takes to make enough vitamin D is always less than the amounts that cause reddening or burning so it should be possible to get the benefits without the worry about skin cancer or skin damage.

Elderly people (and everyone else) can also boost vitamin D levels by eating foods such as oily fish, liver and eggs.

Ironically, as we get older and need to spend more time in the sun, we do the opposite - we spend less time outdoors - and cover ourselves up with clothing.

DO IT NOW. Your body can store enough vitamin D in the sunny months so you'll have enough in you to stay healthy all winter. (2)

2. Ling L, Pan A, Hu F, Franco OH. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and metabolic syndrome among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Diabetes Care.

Create More Energy-Get Your Nervous System Tuned Up -Chiropractically

2009-07-07T13:44:00.004-04:00

Most people get their tires balanced, realigned and checked for leaks. If they don't there'll be increased wear and tear and wasted energy.

But what about getting your body balanced?

If you use it you've got to make sure it's still in alignment. Otherwise you'll waste energy and have increased wear and tear.

When does a tire start to wear down? After 5,000 miles? 10,000 miles? 20,000 miles?

The answer: It starts to wear down the moment you start driving.

It's the same with your body. If you are alive, you are using it and it's getting worn.

Make sure you're healthy - make sure your body's structural system is aligned and balanced. You'll have less wear and tear - in other words, you'll age slower and stay younger longer.

STRESSED OUT?? Chicago Chiropractor -northwest side 60630

2009-07-07T13:33:00.003-04:00

The economy, business, jobs, investments, expenses, bills, the future - there are so many things that can stress us out.

But let's be honest. These stresses are nothing new - they might be a little more intense today than a few months ago - but we have always had to deal with financial challenges, with bills, with an uncertain future.

That we live under stress is a given. Yes, life is stressful. Can you escape stress? It's impossible! To be alive is to be under stress.

But stress doesn't have to eat you up inside; it doesn't have to be the kind of STRESS that damages your physical and mental health.

This brings us to what chiropractic can do for you in these trying times. Chiropractors get such good results because they release pressure on your nervous system and body structure. Chiropractic care helps you manage stress better.

So don't let yourself tighten up into a mess of stress. Come in for a chiropractic checkup and adjustment to de-stress your system before you start to develop serious health concerns.

Other things to do when under stress: exercise (it really does make a difference), eat nutrient dense foods, avoid junk foods (they affect your nervous system and weaken your physiology), make sure you get sun (good for your endocrine organs and mood) and take a break from your usual routine and go for a walk, take a vacation or engage in some relaxing activity.

To this we can add meditation, prayer and staying connected to teachers, mentors and friends who can give us advice or at the least, just listen.

Don't just sit there and fall victim to stress. Do something! First and foremost take care of your brain and nervous system - please don't ignore yourself. You need chiropractic care now more than ever.

ARTHRITIS-FIX or PATCH-Chicago Chiropractor -Jefferson Park 60630

2009-06-28T15:40:00.003-04:00

Many people hear the word "arthritis" and don't know what it means. When they go to their medical doctor, they are told "they have arthritis and here is some drugs.There is nothing you can do".I understand the confusion because no one has explained what arthritis is and how it can be stabilized ,slowed down and maintained like any disease,pain free and without losing what you like and want to do in life.

O.K. this is what is really going on. Joints in your body move. That is their purpose. When a joint gets irritated from a)accident b)structural defects[scoliosis or any genital defect]c)neglect/ no spinal alignments d)poor posture,poor sitting habits,slouching or one sided activity or work, they get inflamed.The joint thinks to itself "If I just don't move, everything will be O.K."

The result is that any joint with this background begins to form a bridge,called a spur, and if in the spine ,the disc begins to wear away from the irritation and with other joints in the body ,the cartilage begins to wear away .This produces more inflammation and eventually you begin to have pain .That pain can be 30 years later. Mostly what people notice is a decrease in their range of motion or very minor ,come and go pain with some activities.You body is giving you signals which is a smart time to begin to address.

My office reverses the irritation with putting the joints into a neutral postion and strengthening the muscles around the joints to create the best joint possible. If one does this habitually ,your joints lives a long and healthy life .If this is not done, the joints wear out faster like a speeding train.

It is your choice how you want to age!!!!

Whiplash/Car Accident-Chicago chiropractor 60630

2009-06-25T18:21:00.004-04:00

A car accident can be very deceptive.It could be you don't feel any pain or headaches for weeks or you feel you can't be hurt because your car sustained little damage.People react differently than plastic ,metal or glass.An immediate chiropractic exam is essential.Specific chiropractic spinal adjustments are necessary because they realign joints thrown out of position and restore normal motion to assure proper healing.
At our office, we incorporate massage and eventually strengthening so you will not re-injury yourself.That is sadly missing in medical care for whiplash as is correcting vertebae that got displaced in the accident.
You might have a constant headache ,dizziness ,neck or back pain ,arm or leg pain.
If you have an accident, get yourself to our office to get the best care available and to make sure you get all care necessary to get you back to a healthy state.

ADHD DRUGS VS.CHIROPRACTIC and natural remedies

2009-06-23T17:59:00.004-04:00

Children with ADHD are often found to be vaccine injured and/or the victims of suppressive care - including the use of antibiotics and other drugs.
That may be a contributing factor to the high numbers of children with neurological and learning disorders, dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, asthma and other such problems.
It would be better for these children to get under chiropractic care, to be placed on a nutrient-dense natural, organic diet and to be tested for heavy metal toxicity.

In addition to chiropractic care, children can benefit from other forms of expressive care such as homeopathy, herbalism and naturopathy to cleanse their systems.

Instead MDs place these drug and/or vaccine-injured children on yet more drugs, further altering their body chemistry, driving disease deeper into the brain and adding to their toxic burden. The dangers of drug therapy for ADHD children were further highlighted on CBS News on May 26, 2009 in a report on the drug RisperdalT.

It is supposed to be used primarily for adults with severe psychological problems but MDs, in their desperate attempt to find yet another drug "magic bullet," are using it to treat ADHD in children. Last year it was prescribed more than 6.5 million times. The side effects include the development of female sex organs in young males. One boy asked his mother if he was a girl. Read the report at http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/22475.html

Scoliosis Screening for Kids-Free-North west chiropractor 60630

2009-06-10T19:19:00.005-04:00

First American Bank and I will be having a back to school day August 22,2009 in the morning.First American is at 5000 N Elston in Chicago. I will be checking kids for scoliosis and explaining to the parents what I have found. Scoliosis always develops in a child while they are growing and if left unchecked will continue into adulthood. It is a twisting of the spine out of its normal curve and it has an adverse effect on the nervous system thus communication is impaired and the joints age faster as an adult. It can show up as headaches, allergies, lots of colds or various aches and pains in the child.
There will be other fun stuff, policemen speaking on safety and tattoos for the kids.
Join us !!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chiropractic Healing-CTS-Northwest side Chicago 60630

2009-06-04T18:29:00.005-04:00

CTS is the occupational disease of the 21st century.You can have the following : tingling and numbness in the hands ,fingers and wrist; swelling of the fingers; dry palms; whitening of the palm w/pressure; and pain so intense it wakes you up at night.
At Seaman Chiropractic, we check both the wrists and the neck which is often overlooked.We have had more than a few patients come to us after CTS surgery with the same symptoms returning and it was really a pinched nerve from their neck or upper back.
Anyone who suspects they have a problem should begin with natural non-invasive care first.Usually it is the last doctor they need to see.

Infant Formula Facts-Northwest Side Chiropractor 60630

2009-06-04T18:14:00.002-04:00

Rocket fuel chemical in most powdered infant formula

No, that's not a misprint. The March 2009 Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology revealed that perchlorate, a potent thyroid toxin (a rocket fuel chemical) that may interfere with fetal and infant brain development, was found in most of the infant formula sold in the US. (2) In adults, exposure to perchlorate may cause cancer, anxiety, fatigue, depression, hair loss, unexplained weight gain and decreased libido. In at least 35 states and the District of Columbia , perchlorate was been found in drinking water. More at www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17460.cfm

Subluxations??? What you need to Know for your Health-Jefferson Park Chiropractor 60630

2009-06-01T19:48:00.007-04:00

Every part of your body is directly or indirectly connected to every other part of your body. A disturbance in one area can affect many other areas.

That's why a chiropractor could adjust (realign) a spinal bone in your neck (cervical spine) and your sciatica, lumbar disc problem, low back pain or constipation could disappear!

Similarly a lower back or sacrum adjustment could release pressure on your neck and head, eyes and ears.

A vertebra out of alignment (a subluxation) could stress nerves that affect your internal organ systems and cause digestive complaints, skin problems, allergies, asthma, autism, gynecological and sexual problems, vision and hearing problems and other conditions. Additionally, balance and coordination are intimately connected to your entire body structure and that's why elite athletes often seek out chiropractic care.

There's no limit to the ways chiropractic can benefit everyone. That's because almost everyone, from infancy to adulthood, develops subluxations.It is just a part of being human. Chiropractors are the only professionals trained to locate and correct subluxations. At our office, we encourage you to bring the family and we'll check everyone.

Ear Infections and Chiropractic-Northwest side Chiropractor 60630

2009-05-29T16:32:00.005-04:00

Ear infection and hearing. A three-year-old girl had bilateral ear pain, ear infections and hearing loss after three unsuccessful implantations of ear (tympanostomy) tubes and multiple medications. The child was given chiropractic care where upper cervical vertebral subluxations were located and corrected.

The patient reported an increase in hearing and the child's mother reported the child had less ear pain, was less irritable and had better speech after the initiation of chiropractic. Medical audiology reports documented speech and hearing improvements after the implementation of chiropractic care.

It is confusing and sad to me that parents choose drugs and surgery for their children without educating and researching alternatives like chiropractic.Chiropractic has no side effects and is gentle and safe.Far better than antibiotics and other drugs which has long-lasing effects and side effects.Parents are even hesitant when they are patients themselves.Why would it be safe and gentle for adults but not good for their greatest achievement,their children ?????

Chiropractic Vs. Physical Therapy

2009-05-17T19:57:00.004-04:00

I find that many people have confusion about the diference between chiropractors and P.T..The biggest difference is how we approach a problem.Generally chiropractors,who are physicians, take x-rays and does a thorough exam to find the cause of the problem and P.T.'s use a prescription from a M.D. who may or may not have done the above and then prescribe a treatment plan that the P.T. follows.

Chiropractic heals from the inside out.Meaning we care about the structure and stability of the joint.If in the spine, we want to have correct placement of vertebrae so the nervous system can emerge from the spine and correctly communicate with the entire body.At Seaman Chiropractic, we also consider strenthening the muscles when the inner structure is more stable and pain is decreased.

P.T.'s move the joints but don't know how to adjust to put structure into the correct position.They work on stabilizing the muscles which helps decrease some types of pain but is not at the cause of the problem.So paeple can get a decrease in pain but not a correction of the problem.

We do the best at combining correcting the cause of the problem and then stabilizing the musculature of your core or all the muscles surrounding any joint you are having problems with.

Heel And Foot Pain-Jefferson Park Chiropractor 60630

2009-05-14T12:18:00.005-04:00

Are you experiencing heel or foot pain? 99% of the time ,the first thing I look at are your arches.If your ankles are starting to angle inward,your arches are collapsing and you need custom orthotics to keep your feet in a neutral position.That is the most common reason for heel pain.It is also important to get you ankles adjusted because left in that abnormal position ,they begin to jam and your range of motion decreases and that will lead to further pain.In addition you need to stretch your achilles tendon because that also leads to decrease range of motion and increasd pain.
Second you should change your gym shoes every 6 months max.They may look good but the mid sole breaks down.
I can tell you what is the cause of the pain and give you the correct plan to correct it

The Elderly Brain needs Sun-Jefferson Park 60630 Chiropractor

2009-05-13T19:13:00.004-04:00

With warmer weather approaching we need to start benefiting from that great source of all life's energy - the sun. Researchers have for the first time identified a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment in a large-scale study of older people. The study looked at almost 2,000 adults aged 65 and over. As levels of vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were more than twice as likely to be cognitively impaired. One problem faced by older people is that the capacity of their skin to absorb vitamin D from sunlight decreases as they age. (6)
At Seaman Chiropractic we ofen supplement patients, especially in winter, with liquid D3.

6. Llewellyn DJ, Langa K, Lang I. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D concentration and cognitive impairment. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2009 Feb 4 (Epub ahead of print).

North Park University Workshop-Chicago Chiropractor

2009-05-07T18:47:00.005-04:00

During a recent healthy lifestyle presentation at North Park University here in Chicago I had expected the faculty to attend, but instead got thirty 18-20 year-old student audience members staring at me.

I had to change my workshop instantaneously. They call that flipping the script. What do they know of spouses and work and grocery stores? They live in dorms and their stress is more about parents, school grades, what career path to choose.

They are physical education students. They know about muscle but not about the master controller, the nervous system, and what creates and sustains an excellent nervous system to control everything from your immune system to your organs, to whether or not you can move.It was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of work to keep them interested.

Migraines and Chiropractic success

2009-05-06T17:53:00.005-04:00

Subluxations are tiny distortions in your body that interfere with the communications between your brain, nerves and body parts. This can create intense stress in your system.

Chiropractors correct subluxations so your energies flow more freely, communication returns and your body stress levels drop. No matter what the disease or condition you are healthier and happier when your subluxations are corrected. (1)

There are many studies showing the benefits of chiropractic for migraine sufferers. For example, in one study chiropractic care resulted in a reduction of 90% of migraine episodes with the length of each migraine reduced by 38%. In addition, medication use dropped 94% and other symptoms associated with migraine such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia (light and sound sensitivity) were reduced. (2)

In another study, a 28-year-old woman with 15 years of severe migraines, irregular menstrual cycles and inability to conceive began chiropractic care. Within two months the migraines completely ceased. A regular menstrual cycle began 7 weeks into care and within 6 months she became pregnant. (3)

A ten-year-old girl was unable to go to school due to her six times a week migraines. Three years of medical care afforded no relief. After five chiropractic adjustments she was migraine-free. (4)

Anyone suffering from headaches of any type would do well to see their chiropractor to ensure that they are free of subluxations. If there are subluxations, no amount of drugs will correct them-a chiropractic adjustment is essential.

1. Ressel O, Rudy R. Bio vertebral subluxation correlated with somatic, visceral and immune complaints: an analysis of 650 children under chiropractic care. JVSR. October 18, 2004;1-23.
2. Tuchin PJ. A case series of migraine changes following a manipulative therapy trial. Australasian Chiropractic & Osteopathy. 1997;66(3);85-91.
3. Vilan R. The role of chiropractic care in the resolution of migraine headaches and infertility. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. 2004;6(1):338-341.
4. Bofshever H. Encephalgia/migraine. ICPA Newsletter. Jan/Feb 2000.

Preventing Chronic Ear Infections With Chiropractic-Chicago Chiropractor 60630

2009-04-23T19:27:00.002-04:00

Chronic ear infections. A child with chronic ear infections since birth received a chiropractic adjustment at 11 months of age. After 8 weeks of care the child no longer experienced ear infections nor had any drugs or antibiotics. Improvements in personality and behavior were noted by mother, babysitters and chiropractor. (13)

13. Thomas D. Irritable child with chronic ear effusion/infections responds to chiropractic care. Chiropractic Pediatrics. 1997;3(2):13-14

Consumer Reports on chiropractic success with back pain

2009-04-23T19:12:00.005-04:00

Great news! An article just appeared in Consumer Reports magazine ranking chiropractic at the top of the list for lower back pain relief.

A few interesting points in the article are:
More than half said the pain severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer
88% said it recurred throughout the year.
46% lose sleep because of it
31% reported that it thwarted their efforts to maintain a healthy weight,
24% said that it hampered their sex life.
58% of respondents said they wished they had done more exercising.

Workshop At North Park University-Jefferson Park Chiropractor

2009-04-17T19:43:00.008-04:00

It is always fun to do workshops on a healthy lifestyle.I imagine most of the information is not new but it is important to hear it again and maybe this time,hear it differently because it just might be the time you want to make a change.
Since this project of life is a 70 to 90 year project,you may fall off the exercise, real food, stress reduction, sleep band wagon. Humans need reminders to jump back on.

That is why it is important to have a health coach behind you. I am the perfect person for that because my interest and knowledge is in natural healthcare including
nutrition, movement, core strength, supplementation stress reduction and a healthy nervous system which controls everything.

We will be at North Park University Friday, April 24th 2009 at 10:30am speaking and interacting with the faculty. I am so excited.

Disc Herniations of the spine-Chicago Chiropractor

2009-04-16T19:37:00.008-04:00

Twenty-seven patients with painful disc herniations of the neck and low back (lumbar) spine received chiropractic care. MRIs revealed that in 63% of the patients the herniations had completely disappeared or been reduced. (12)
We ,at Seaman Chiropractic, use a specialized ,gentle table specifically designed for disc protrusions, herniations and slipped discs called a Flexion -Distraction table.
I also have had great success with the combination of this table and acupuncture for sciatica(leg pain).Your disc is a shock absorber and a spacer between the bones of the vertebrae.It is like a jelly doughnut with a soft center.

12. Ben Eliyahu DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. JMPT. 1996;19(19).

Pregnancy And The Advantage Of An Adjusted Mom

2009-04-14T23:31:00.005-04:00

For many decades chiropractic care has been a blessing to pregnant women. Chiropractic has become the drug-free, natural, safe and effective approach to the fatigue, stress, exhaustion and pain (especially in the back, hip and pubic area) that sometimes occur in the later months of pregnancy. (1-4)

In addition to making pregnancy much more comfortable, chiropractic adjustments help pregnant women have easier births.

Further, chiropractic may prevent a breech presentation. Why? Spinal distortions (subluxations) can cause the pelvis to constrict a little and make it difficult or impossible for the unborn child to turn into proper position.

When the chiropractor corrects subluxations the entire structural system, including the pelvis, relaxes. Labor and birth are easier and a breech baby may turn into the proper position so a Caesarian section would not be needed.

To ensure a more relaxing pregnancy, labor and delivery, a balanced, stress-free spinal column and body structure is essential. Every pregnant woman should get a chiropractic checkup.

1. Stein K. The value of chiropractic care in cases of pregnancy. ACA J Chiropractic. July 1964:19.
2. Brynhildsen J, Hansson A, Persson A, Hammar M. Follow-up of patients with low back pain during pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1998;91(2):182-186.
3. Phillips C. An effective drug-free approach to premature contractions. ICA Review. October 1998.
4. Phillips C. Back labor: a possible solution for a painful situation. ICA Review. July/August 1997.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Niles Chiropractor

2009-04-13T10:44:00.004-04:00

Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome (also called mucous colitis and nervous bowel) affects millions. It is an uncomfortable condition with cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, heartburn or upper abdominal indigestion. In this study a 25-year-old woman with chronic irritable bowel syndrome for the past five years visited a chiropractor. Her symptoms began to disappear that day and two years later she remained symptom free. (11)
I have found that acupuncture also is very successful for the relief of symptoms of IBS

11. Wagner T, Owen J, Malone E, Mann K. Irritable bowel syndrome and spinal manipulation: a case report. Chiropractic Technique. 1996;7:139-140.

Preventing Chronic Ear Infections With Chiropractic-Chicago Chiropractor 60630

2009-04-11T13:54:00.004-04:00

DID YOU KNOW?
Chronic ear infections. A child with chronic ear infections since birth received a chiropractic adjustment at 11 months of age. After 8 weeks of care the child no longer experienced ear infections nor had any drugs or antibiotics. Improvements in personality and behavior were noted by mother, babysitters and chiropractor. (13)

Example of chiropractor adjusting children-Chicago Chiropractor

2009-04-10T17:27:00.006-04:00

From ABC News,an example of a chiropractor adjusting children like I do in my office.This is a great little ABC news story. Send this to anyone whose children may need chiropractic care. That means anyone who has a child. After all, all children benefit from chiropractic care, as many of our patients well know.