I'm going to the zoo for my birthday!

We have discounted Louisville Zoo tickets all year long through our company. To purchase log onto www.louisvillezoo.org/tickets. The company name/login is LSCHIRO. Discounted tickets for singles, families or groups. Have fun and be sure and ride the Sponge Bob 3D ride! 

Don't Fry Day!

Don't Fry Day is just a few months away. What is this all about? The Friday before Memorial Day is National Don't Fry Day! This is a time when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Skin Cancer Prevention Council generate information about sun safety. The campaign goal is to educate everyone about the dangers of sun and skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. More than 1 million skin cancer causes annually.

Up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.

On an adverage day more than 1 million Americans use a tanning salon.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, from the sun and tanning beds, is a proven human carcinogen, accodring to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The incidence of many common cancers is falling, but the incidence of melanoma continues to rise faster than any of the other seven most common cancers.

People who use tanning beds before age 30 increase their chances of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

Stay Safe! Stay Healthy! Wear hats and sunscreen and cover up!

 If you would like more information please visit the following websites. Free information is available for familes, schools and daycare centers.

Don't Fry Day Pledge   Here you can get free information, ideas for holding a Don't Fry Day Event

Dont' Fry Day Logo      Posters, Stickers, Video, and fun products. Each participating classroom will be entered in a drawing for 240 UV-sensitive beads, a rel time uv moniter, extra stickers and other sun safety resources.

Chiropractic and Sports

http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/chiropractic-care-for-the-child-athlete.html

There are some negative opinions in chiropractic regarding contact sports like boxing and football. Some of our colleagues feel these sports should be avoided. Whatever your particular opinion, these sports (pee-wee football, boxing and the like) have been around for decades and are here to stay.

The sports chiropractor should not attempt to replace the medical staff already in place at any level of competition. However, it has been my experience that as chiropractors if we care for the athletes chiropractically and not attempt to interfere with or replace the trainers, medics or EMTs, our acceptance both on and off the field is much greater. Having been a team chiropractor for numerous athletic teams from professional baseball, wrestling, and boxing to the little league football and soccer levels, I'd like to share some information, as well as my experience, as such.

Almost all organized levels of children's sports have age and weight limitations. In some sports, such as martial arts, events not only have an age and weight requirement but they also have the children categorized (or matched) according to their skill level. Team chiropractors' should be aware of the proper use of safety equipment and proper fit of protective gear like football helmets, pads and sparring gear used in contact sports.

Injuries to children's spines are not unique to contact sports like football or martial arts. They are also seen in non-contact sports like gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. Injuries to the pediatric spine vary according to the specific mechanism of injury. Therefore, the pediatric sports chiropractors knowledge of particular sports is helpful in assessing the care he or she will render.

Specific to the child athletes' spine one should have knowledge of the ossification centers. The primary centers at the vertebrae, or centrum, and the neural arch unite forming the vertebral arch. Fusion of the body with the posterior elements occurs as early as 3-6 years and as late as 16 years. The secondary centers of ossification, consisting of the two vertebral body end plates, the two transverse processes and the spinous process fuse between 14 and 25 years of age. Also the joints of Luschka are not fully formed until age 7. Additionally, some bones, such as the sacrum, do not fuse until well into the second decade of life, and thus may function as individual vertebrae depending on age.

Subluxations, fractures or failure of fusion of secondary ossification centers can result from head impacts as experienced in football or martial arts, or from falling on the child's feet or buttocks as in gymnastics or cheerleading. Development of the normal spinal curves will assist in dissipating compressive forces or loads. However, athletics may induce concussive forces the body cannot adapt to thus resulting in vertebral subluxation complexes.

The common area of injury from a head impact is the mid to lower cervical (C4-C6). The common area of injury from a forces from below, as in falling on the feet or buttocks, is T-9 - L2. Flexion injuries of the spine commonly affect the C4-C6, T5-6 and L1-L2. And one should always check the upper cervical spine.

T. K. Videman, M.D.1 from the University of Helsinki in 1987 found that the slightest hypomobility in diarthrodial joints (facet joints) would cause joint degeneration in 5-7 days, which becomes irreversible in 2-3 weeks. Following 5 weeks of joint fixation, 18 months of care was required for optimal healing which was almost always incomplete. The sooner we as chiropractors can care for the child athlete, and correct his or her subluxation, the less likely they are to have life long patterns of ill health and who better than the chiropractor to care for these little athletes.

Caring for the children during an event should be discussed next. The team chiropractor should be able to assess the athlete's specific needs. Never disregard the need for a comprehensive chiropractic evaluation. And please, no public display of adjusting. (P.D.A.)

Team chiropractors who will spend time working with children athlete should educate themselves regarding specialized training in the field of chiropractic pediatric adjusting techniques. That is not to say adjusting the child with bilateral supine, rotary breaks and lumbar roll both sides as is sometimes done on adults. Rather learn how to adjust children correctly through programs like ICPA's certification program, which Dr. Webster started and we are continuing to promote.

When evaluating a child either on or off the field before applying a chiropractic adjustment, one should be able to objectively evaluate as many components of the vertebral subluxation complex as possible. The sports chiropractor needs to be aware of the functional uniqueness of the child's spine when doing so. For example, the normal range of motion in a child's spine is greater than that of an adult. This is important to know when assessing a child's spine.

Also, as a team chiropractor for any sport, and any level, there will come a point in time when you are the only attending health care provider. It would be a good idea to know when you should transport via EMT in emergency situations. My experience is that no one will belittle you if you play it safe. One of our chiropractic colleagues from an opposing team thought he could tape a knee and get the star player back into the game only to learn later that the child had suffered a fractured fibula.

As chiropractors, we must focus on the vertebral subluxations and the dangers of such especially those arising out of sports injuries. We should also educate the players, parents and coaches. Each year I hold a coach's clinic for all the area "Pop Warner" football coaches. This clinic is well attended because we bring in a certified athletic trainer to teach basic training and taping techniques. I also do a chiropractic health orientation and educate coaches and trainers on the cause and the harmful effects of subluxations.

In my presentation, I use the Emmett Smith quote "playing in a football game is like being in 30-40 care accidents" and then I multiply that by the 10 games the kids have each season. I also use this opportunity to show them the benefit of chiropractic care for the athletes, both pre and post game. This clinic is held in my office so the coaches, parents and players have the opportunity to see it first hand.

Whether the children are participating in contact or non-contact sports, a proper chiropractic evaluation by a qualified pediatric chiropractor can keep them in the game and help to minimize if not prevent injuries leading to vertebral subluxations.

Dr. Joel Miller is professor of pediatrics at Life University, School of Chiropractic. He has been an I.C.P.A. member since 1990. Dr. Miller has served as a team chiropractor for the Minnesota Twins, the Boston Red Sox, WWF Wrestling, Florida State University atheltic teams and numerous children's sports organizations. Dr. Miller is also a member of the I.C.P.A.'s distinguished speakers bureau and conducts seminars for the I.C.P.A.

References:

1. Videman T. Connective tissue and immobilization. Key factors in musculoskeletal degeneration? Clin Orthop 1987 (221)26-32 / Medline ID 87274475

Originally Printed in: I.C.P.A. Newsletter September/October 1998

Lexington Ky Chiropractor, Children and Laughter

Fact: Preschool-aged children laugh up to 400 times a day, but by the time we reach adulthood, we only laugh about 17 times per day! I don’t know about you but when I read that statistic above, it makes me wonder why there is such a drop in laughter as we age. Is it because we begin to take life too seriously? Is it because our jobs and obligations begin to demand so much from us that we forget life is about living rather than just existing? Maybe it’s because as we enter adulthood we want people to take us seriously; in the process we trade laughter and silliness for what we consider maturity and respect. Or, it could just be that we no longer have a Big Wheel or crayons or can sit and watch an episode of Barney without someone making fun of us. Who knows? The answer may be a mystery but the significant benefits of laughter are not. Did you know that when you make someone laugh that you very well may be helping them strengthen their immune system, reduce food cravings, or even increase their threshold for pain? There’s even an emerging field known as “humor therapy” that is helping patients heal more quickly after surgery. Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, adrenaline, and dopamine. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter has also been found to increase the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells within the body. All this creates a stronger immune system and better ability to ward off the effects of daily stress. A good laugh also exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. Some research suggests it even provides a good workout for the heart. Laughter shifts our focus away from anger, guilt, stress, and negative emotions that can create more discomfort and stress within our lives. Laughter is contagious. If you bring more laughter into your life, you will not only help others around you to laugh more, but you will realize these same healthy benefits yourself. So it seems that laughter really is the best medicine but how do we increase our dosage? Here are a few ideas… Start with a shift in your perception. Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a “threat” or a “challenge.” Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as “challenges,” making them less threatening and more positive. The next time you are faced with what seems to be a roadblock in life (a threat), don’t get upset—becoming bitter and resentful—instead look at it as an opportunity to detour around it (a challenge). Sure, it may take a little more time but that detour may have something in store for you that you never dreamed possible. Slow down. Regardless of how much we try, humans are not machines. Slowing down and spending time with others is vital to bringing more laughter into our lives. We can’t make someone laugh if we don’t take the time to engage them or genuinely care about them. Take a few minutes each day and when you pass a co-worker in the hall or even some stranger at the store...say hello and pay them a compliment. As you rush through your day, remember to also take time for those who serve you. The drycleaner, the waiter, the waitress, the clerk...use each interaction as a way to try and make someone else’s day instead of expecting them to make yours!

Written by Daniel Decker   http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/the-benefits-of-laughter.html

 Lexington KY Chiropractor

ADHD And Chiropractic

In the October 2004 issue of the peer-reviewed research publication, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), comes a case study of a child with ADHD (Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder),who was helped with chiropractic.

The case was of a 5 year old boy who had been diagnosed with ADHD at age 2. The child’s pediatrician prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin), Adderall, and Haldol for the next 3 years. The combination of drugs was unsuccessful in helping the child.

At age 5 the child was brought to a chiropractor to see if chiropractic care would help. The history taken at that time noted that during the child’s birth, there were complications during his delivery process. The results of this trauma and complications resulted in a 4-day stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. The child’s mother reported no other incidence of trauma.

The chiropractic examination and x-rays showed noticeable spinal distortion including a reversal of the normal neck curve indicative of subluxations. Chiropractic care was begun and the child’s progress was monitored.

According to his mother, positive changes in her son`s general behavior were noticed around the twelfth visit. By the 27th visit the patient had experienced considerable improvement.

The child was brought by the mother to the medical doctor for a follow up visit and questioned the usage of the Ritalin. The medical doctor reviewed and examined the child and based on that assessment and his clinical experience, the MD felt that the young boy was no longer exhibiting symptoms associated with ADHD. He then took the boy off the medications that he had been taking for 3 years.

The conclusion of the author of the JMPT case study noted, “The patient experienced significant reduction in symptoms. Additionally, the medical doctor concluded that the reduction in symptoms was significant enough to discontinue the medication.”

LifeStyle Chiropractic 859-217-5433 Lexington KY Chiropractor

Webster Technique Certified

http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/adhd-helped-with-chiropractic-a-case-study.html