Chiropractors are no strangers to the question: “Is chiropractic care safe for children?” Extensive research on the subject of chiropractic care and techniques tailored to the unique bodies and needs of children indicates – Yes!

One common concern regarding pediatric chiropractic care is based upon a misunderstanding that everyone, regardless of age, receives the same techniques and treatments. However, just as a child sees a pediatrician, receives child-appropriate doses of medications, and responds differently than adults to different medical treatments, so too do children require tailored chiropractic care.

The field of pediatric chiropractic care is enormously large and effective, and has helped children across the globe. And just as different bodies young and old have different needs, chiropractors modify techniques depending on the age and development of the child.

Childhood chiropractic care has resulted in high improvement of conditions from musculoskeletal pains to GI ailments, and has been employed to successfully treat childhood asthma as well as pain in the back, joints, and soft tissues.

This summer, the Chiropractic Board of Australia and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) released statements about the safety and efficacy of pediatric chiropractic care, asserting that the practice is gentle and effective. The ACA further cited over 115 years of scientific literature investigating adverse events in pediatric chiropractic care, and illustrated that such adverse events were “exceedingly rare.”

Pediatric chiropractic care has been demonstrated as an important component of childhood health care, and supports the wellbeing of young people through safe, gentle, and effective treatments.

It is commonly held belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but until recently the prevailing argument was simply that breakfast eaters started the day with sounder cognitive function and set themselves up for overall better performance and achievement as the day progressed.

However, a recent study in the UK suggests that children who skip breakfast on a regular basis are likely missing out on all recommended essential nutrients throughout the day.

In general studies conducted over many years, skipping breakfast has been proven to increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, reduced memory function, and weight gain. However, only recently have studies of nutrition shown the effects of missing out on micronutrients such as vitamins C, D, E, B-complex and K, folic acid and beta-carotene, and the correlation of obtaining these nutrients beginning with a meal at breakfast.

Iron and Calcium Deficiencies May Be Linked to Skipping Breakfast

Detailed statistics of participants in the study show that more than 30% of children who skip breakfast were low on iron, and more than 20% of the children were deficient in calcium. Comparatively, only 3% of children who ate breakfast regularly were low in iron and or calcium. Not surprisingly, fat intake throughout the day was higher when children did not eat breakfast.

Researchers determined that older children, those aged 11 to 18 years, were more likely than their younger peers (ages 4 -10 years) to skip breakfast. And girls were more likely than boys to begin their day without a meal. But the missing micronutrients in the younger breakfast skippers was greater than in the older group, indicating that the younger you are, the more important it is to eat breakfast so that your body can derive and process nutrition throughout the day.

Even children in the study who ate a nutritionally balanced diet despite not eating breakfast were still found, when tested, to be lacking in essential nutrients, further indicating that breakfast may be key to establishing efficient and balanced dietary intake. The study also indicated that children who did not eat breakfast ended up consuming the same number or fewer total calories as children who ate breakfast every day.

Acoustic Wave Therapy uses vibrations to soften the connective tissue under skin that hardens and causes cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy stimulates collagen growth in areas troubled by cellulite, rejuvenating the connective tissue beneath the skin and enhancing the appearance of cellulite. Here are some of the benefits of this cosmetic treatment.

1. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Non-Invasive

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that carries no risk of scarring and few side effects. The treated area may take on a temporary reddened appearance, indicative of the increased blood circulation that occurs as connective tissues beneath the skin are relaxed. Acoustic Wave Therapy is one of the safest plastic surgery procedures, and most patients are able to return to normal activities on the very day of their treatment.

2. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Painless

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a painless procedure that uses sound vibrations to treat cellulite. In fact, many patients report that undergoing Acoustic Wave Therapy is a pleasant experience.

3. Acoustic Wave Therapy Can Be Performed Over a Short Period of Time

One of the benefits of Acoustic Wave Therapy is that full treatment doesn’t take very long. Depending on the severity of cellulite, individual treatment sessions can last 15 to 45 minutes. Treatments are performed twice a week for three to six weeks. You’ll need a follow up treatment every three months.

4. Acoustic Wave Therapy Is Affordable

Acoustic Wave Therapy is a very affordable treatment for unsightly cellulite. Acoustic Wave Therapy costs between $80 and $150 per treatment session, depending on the region in which you live, the doctor who performs your procedure, and the extent and severity of your cellulite.

Whether you’re scheduled for a long road trip, shopping for a small army of friends and family members, wrapping dozens and dozens of gifts or camping out in the kitchen to get all your cooking complete, major holidays can easily put your body at risk of injury. Prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, extensive walking, awkward positions, overeating and plain old mental exhaustion are all common when the holiday season comes into full swing. Here are a few common sense tips to assist in keeping you healthy and pain-free this holiday season:

•Traveling: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar levels stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring along a small blanket and travel pillow, bring all required travel documents as well as any maps or reservations for rental cars and hotels, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky luggage and gifts – use a push cart or dolly and obtain assistance whenever appropriate and/or possible

•Shopping: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, have your shopping day pre-planned in regards to locations to visit and gifts to purchase, use shopping carts when available and take gifts to your vehicle frequently rather than risking injury by lugging pounds of gifts from store to store, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky gifts

•Cooking: maintain proper posture while at the counter/sink, alternate between sitting and standing positions, take frequent breaks, stretch often, careful when using knives and other sharp objects

•Gift Wrapping: maintain proper posture, stretch frequently, be careful not to leave scissors or sharp cutting objects on the floor where they can be accidentally stepped on or where they can be accessed by small children or animals, be careful and obtain assistance when moving or wrapping larger or bulky gifts

•Holiday Eats and Treats: do your best to avoid over indulgence of those holiday eats and treats, maintain activity levels to counter act all that holiday feasting, avoid driving when you’ve consumed those holiday spirits

•Treat Your Body To A Holiday Gift: if you find those aches and pains creeping in or just want to be in tiptop shape this holiday season, stop by your chiropractor’s office and treat your body to the most valuable gift of all… the gift of health!