Life Is Better (and Less Painful) Without Tampons

Before we begin: Let me prefix the rest of this article by saying if you are woman enough, keep reading. Men, we will be talking about vaginas, bleeding, menstruation, tampons and sooo much more.  If you can’t handle that then forward my article on so the women in your life can be enlightened. 
 
I am always looking for ways to improve my health and my patients’ health.  I was reading through some TBM (total body modification) manuals when I came across an article about how tampon use in women is linked to lupus.  I was shocked.  My first thought was “I use organic tampons and those are still bad? But why?”

The first time that I ever heard about a diva cup was a few years back in chiropractic school.  My thought was how disgusting!  You put a cup where, when you’re bleeding? And then you re-use that cup?  Gross. Those hippies should go hug a tree or something and use a tampon! But hearing about the lupus connection was enough to make me think again about the diva cup.

The problem with tampons is that you never completely remove them. To easily see this, put a tampon in a glass of water and leave it there overnight. The next morning, you’ll notice that the water is no longer clear and pieces of tampon are left in the glass.  When you put a tampon into your body it doesn’t absorb all of the blood.  It leaves some behind and then it also leaves parts of the tampon behind too. That leftover material causes an autoimmune reaction.

I have used my diva cup for almost a year now and here are some amazing things that I noticed.  Before starting on the Diva Cup, my periods were difficult despite supplements, treatments and eating well to make them easier. They lasted for about five to seven days, with quite a bit of cramping and pain during the first three. For the whole week, I felt pretty drained. It was the worst time of the month for me.

After the first cycle using the Diva Cup I noticed a huge shift. Cramping was minimal, and bleeding was notably reduced. But the best part? The whole thing was over in three days flat (roughly two days, plus a day spotting).

So, if you’re ready for your life to get better…

Where/how do I buy a Diva Cup?

Whole Foods usually has them in stock as do many local vitamin and health food stores. You can also buy a Diva Cup online via Walgreens or Target (at the time of this writing, Target is the cheapest option by $10).

You’ll notice a “Model 1” and “Model 2” option. Model 1 is intended for women under 30 who have never had a child. Model 2 is for women over 30 and/or women who have given birth. Even though I’ve given birth, I decided to go with model 1, and it’s worked well for me.

How do I insert the Diva Cup?

When you start your period, just use the Diva Cup instead of a tampon. Inserting the Diva Cup needs to be done sitting on a toilet. Fold the cup into a C like pattern, then fold in half again. Insert the cup as far as you can go and release the C hold. Gently pull the bottom of the cup until you can feel like there is a suction that has been made with the cup inside.

How do I remove the Diva Cup?

First, wash your hands, and sit down on the toilet to remove the cup. Use your muscles to help push the cup out, as if you were having a bowel movement. Once the cup is close to being out, put your finger in your vagina to break the suction seal from the cup. (No, it won’t be all bloody and disgusting. The cup collects all the blood at the bottom, and the rest of it is clean.)

Dump the contents from the cup into the toilet, and then wash the cup out.  I tend to use soap and water in between each use, and when I shower I soak the cup in a solution of water and Loaslan (a cleaning herb) and then rinse the cup off before reinserting it. You can also just wash it with a mild soap and water or peroxide. When you are done with your cycle, the Diva Cup can go in the dishwasher to give it a full cleaning.

How frequently do I need to change my cup?

That depends on how much you bleed. I can go 12 hours before I need to change mine. I know some people that have to change their cup every few hours the first day or so. The first time that you use it just check it the same amount that you normally would change your tampon. You will then be able to track how much you really need to change it.

If I do Yoga is it going to leak?

As long as you insert the cup properly, and achieve suction, it won’t leak, even if you do a headstand. For proof, put a little water in a champagne glass. Put your Diva Cup in the glass, forming a suctionQuestions about painful periods or pelvic health? Book with Dr. Devon James, or see Dr. Cassidy Mangan, our pelvic floor physical therapist, at Within Reach Healing in Hinsdale. to the inside of the glass. Turn the glass upside down, to see that it won’t leak. The cup works the same way in your vagina.

What about the menstrual smell?

Actually, the smell with a Diva Cup is pretty much nonexistent, unlike with pads or tampons.

How long can I use the same cup?

Just use common sense here. The cup should last a few years, but replace it whenever it starts to look worn out. And remember, you’ll be saving a good chunk of change by not buying tampons every month.

Questions about painful periods or pelvic health? Book with Dr. Devon James, or see Dr. Cassidy Mangan, our pelvic floor physical therapist, at Within Reach Healing in Hinsdale.

Hot Yoga (And a Balanced Life)

I left more than just sweat on my mat when I tried Hot Yoga.

Outside of swimming in high school, I’ve pretty much had a lifelong aversion to exercise in any form. So, when a patient tried to talk me into a hot yoga “40 day challenge” program, my first thought was “you’ve got to be kidding me.” It’s the dead of summer, and I get hot and sweaty just carrying groceries in. Why would I want to PAY to sweat even more?

For some reason (can you say “peer pressure”), I told her I’d try it out. The first class was tougher than I’d imagined (and I’d imagined it being pretty bad). The thought that kept running through my mind was would it kill them to put a clock in this room? Just when I was sure I couldn’t go on, and would face plant into my mat at any moment…it was over. Someone placed a cool washcloth with essential oils on my forehead.

Later, I  gave myself a pep talk and it pretty much consisted of what I tell my patients: Stop your stinkin’ whining and complaining.  Appreciate what you can learn from, and grow through, in whatever situation you find yourself in. I took a dose of my own medicine, and it led to significant change in my life.

Hot Yoga has been an amazing “reset button” in my schedule. The fact that I could sneak in for an hour (or even a half hour) between patients, shower, then head back to work has really helped me shed a lot of stress, and helped me take care of myself, when all too often I say “yes” to everything asked of me. Plus, I celebrate the little things, like how refreshing a shower was after a hard workout.

For the first time I learned to show up for myself.  I give my time, my advice, my love so freely. I’m always putting other people’s needs before myself and this was something that I got to do for myself.

Hot Yoga has helped me let go of my… everything. Now that I’ve worked this into my schedule, I’m more balanced, happier, and able to give and do all my responsibilities with much less resentment. Even though I love my family, friends and patients, it’s been nice to take an hour and not speak a word, and just listen to the thoughts and dreams that might not otherwise come to the surface. My thoughts, my dreams, and things that I didn’t even know were bothering me.  Ironically, it was focusing on my movements that gave me the freedom to sort out the mental clutter. There was something about putting so much effort into not falling, or coming out of the yoga pose that gave me the ability to see what was going on in my own heart and mind.

Yoga has helped me to love and accept myself where I was at, right now.  Not an idealized version of myself, who’s a size 2, treats 90 patients a week, and always has the perfect (paleo) dinner on the table at 5pm, sharp. 

I challenged myself and congratulated myself when I moved up in difficulty in poses, which became about much more than just stretching ligaments or building muscle endurance.  I felt accomplished, inspired, and for the first time in a long time I was doing something that was fun.

I met some amazing, inspiring teachers.  There were moments with their words that hit me at the times I really needed to hear them. “When you feel like things are falling apart, it’s really that it’s finally those pieces that are falling into place.”  “Rest is work too.”  My teachers have had the ability to say just what I needed over these past few months.  Technically, those are simple things that we all “know,” but something about a 95 degree room where you literally are stretched to your limits helps you feel, process and take hold of things much differently.

I didn’t gain myself back, I grew into a new person and for the first time I flew instead of staying in my cozy thought and life patterns.  I shifted and changed for the better.  Did I lose weight?  Yes about a pants size, I felt stronger, but those were secondary to the mental garbage that I left behind on the yoga mat.

 Does yoga still sound terrible to you? That’s ok. Find something that you love to do, and move your body…do it with regularity, and the weight will come off. (Ok, there’s a little more to working out than that…but it’s a starting point).

 But here’s the real secret to exercise: your brain and spirit need it more than your body.  Your mental health is so important. Without it, your life falls apart in a day, a week, a month…it will fall apart.  Showing up for yourself, loving yourself, and giving yourself the ability to listen to your body is absolutely necessary for long-term health and a fulfilling life. 

For years, I didn’t exercise because I was saying yes to too many things. The bottom line is that whenever you say “yes” to one thing, you’re saying “no” to something else. My “yeses” to everyone else were crowding out the things I needed to do to be a healthy person.

Update: yoga is now part of life at our Hinsdale office. If you want to find your own reset button, take a class with Julie Shramovich or unwind at one of Haley Marcin's sound healing sessions.

Pumpkin Paleo Whoopie Pies!

I may not be Betty Crocker but I can make some pretty yummy things. I’m a copy artist when it comes to food. I see something amazing and then I make it as Paleo as possible and I try hard not to cheat on sugar too badly. It’s a fine balance between it tasting good and thinking it’s missing more sweetness.

The hunt for Pumpkin Bread hit me the past week and I remembered this amazingly bad for you pumpkin roll that I used to make. Here is what I found after looking at a few recipes put together and although they don’t look like a masterpiece they tasted like one. The original inspiration was these pumpkin whoopie pies with creamy cream cheese filling. http://dreamydesserts.blogspot.com/2008/10/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-creamy-cream.html

Pumpkin Paleo Whoopie Pies w/ Cream Cheese Filling (Makes about 12-14 Pies)

Pumpkin pie portion

Preheat oven to 350° Mix together
3 cups of GF Flour (I used Namaste Gluten Free Perfect Flour Blend from Costco)
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon allspice
1 cup of coconut palm crystals

Make sure that the above ingredients are mixed together well before adding the liquids together slowly while you are blending them.
Mix together in a separate bowl before adding to solid mixture

1 cup Olive Oil
1 can 15 oz. pumpkin
1 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Once mixed together place contents in a pastry bag with a round tip, or a big zip lock plastic bag with the corner cut open. Use a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Squeeze out concentric circles of batter starting from the middle and then working your way out. The batter doesn’t really spread out much from what you place on the sheet so what you put there is what you are going to get. Diameter should be around 2 inches but you can make them the size of your choosing. Cooking time may vary if they are bigger or smaller. Place in the oven for 11 minutes and then let cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Filling

1- 8 oz. package of cream cheese softened
1 Stick of butter, room temperature
1 cup of coconut palm sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of allspice

Blend together cream cheese and butter. Add the coconut palm sugar, vanilla and spices.

If you have found that your pies are too thick you can take a sharp knife and cut them in half like I did. Take a spoon and add a dollop of the cream cheese frosting to one of the half sides and use another half to spread out the frosting evenly throughout the two sides.

You can eat them right now or let them cool in the refrigerator and enjoy the next day for a party or the next week or two for your family.

Want more ideas for eating well without giving up every treat? Book a visit with Dr. Devon James at Within Reach Healing in Hinsdale.

You Can’t Just Take More Vitamin C* (Because You Don’t Actually Have an “Immune” System)

*Before we begin, let me just say that Vitamin C is great, and I’m in no way discouraging anyone from taking it. But Vitamin C alone is not a “magic bullet.”

Despite all the hype in the media about the “immune system”, the body doesn’t have an immune system.

Nope.

A better way to look at it is that the body is an immune system.

Other systems in the body, like the central nervous system, skeletal system, respiratory system, endocrine system, and reproductive system…are complete functioning systems with a clear set of organs and responses.

Rather than a single “immune system,” it’s better to think of an immune alliance among various systems and organs, which when coordinated by the brain, gives an immune response to the present disease, such as bacteria or viruses.

Or, to put it simply, you need a lot of things functioning properly to stay healthy, not just this elusive “immune system” that everyone seems to know so much about.

This alliance is composed of the Thymus (endocrine) for lymphocytes, Spleen (Lymphatic, blood) for antibodies, Long Bones (skeletal) marrow-blood, Stomach (Digestive system – HCL to destroy ingested parasites), Intestinal flora (digestive) destroys pathogenic microbes and manufacture B12 and Liver for detoxification and enzyme production.

If there are several systems at work, how can we “boost” our immunity? Well, immunity goes up when the overall health of the whole body is enhanced.

PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY

The body tries to communicate to you through symptoms, so it’s important to investigate those symptoms rather than just trying to suppress them. Most of my patients experienced low immunity from a handful of causes:

1. Not sticking to your circadian rhythm: going to bed too late, lack of sleep.

2. Eating way too much sugar

3. Emotional stress (fights with another person, anxiety)

4. Lack of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids in the body (basically, you run out of fuel)

5. Dehydration (Your lungs use more water than any other organ, so make sure you are drinking enough. Your weight * .66 = ounces of water/day.)

So, what should you do when illness sets in? The first step is to reverse the negative factor that lowered your immunity. Sleep, eat meat and veggies, and drink lots of water.

GET TREATED

Yes, I practice applied kinesiology (AK), so of course I’m going to say this…but here’s why I’m saying it. When you’re sick, your body needs to be reprogrammed, so that your systems work together to fight off viruses and bacteria.

When you come in, I can help you discover the “problem behind the problem.” For example, if you’re experiencing a sore throat, it’s related to toxins being cleaned out of your colon. (This is why it’s important to diagnose the symptoms, and not just use a throat lozenge to try to cover the pain).

Feeling run down, or catching every bug that goes around? Book a visit with Dr. Devon James at Within Reach Healing in Hinsdale.

Getting Kids to Take Supplements (It’s Not Impossible)

Note: I originally wrote this post when my daughter was preschool age. She’s a little older now, but I wanted to encourage parents who may have difficulty getting their kids to take supplements.

While I’m an advocate for a kid’s first line of defense being a nutrient-dense diet, sometimes supplements must come into play for a child’s wellness.  When nutrition needs a boost, the question becomes “how do I get my child to take supplements with minimal fuss?”

In our household I take a strong stance on supplements.  Addison knows that mommy means business when it comes to her health, and supplements are not a choice! I take the approach of strong parenting on this subject, and as the parent, when I say, “It’s time for supplements!” Addison obeys.  I give her freedom in other areas.

For example, Addison can pick out her own clothing. It’s inconsequential to me if Addie looks completely bizarre and mismatched; I don’t care what she wears to school. I care about the state of her body. And therefore, she has to take the supplements. I am the parent, she is the child.

Even though I’m insistent on this point, I do recognize that supplements can be a little hard for children to take.  So here are some ways to make the whole process a little easier.

MAKE LIQUIDS YOUR FIRST CHOICE

Addison’s doctor and I try to stick with liquid supplements as much as possible.  Solid pills can be a struggle. We also opt for kid-friendly supplements when we can.  These are different from store brand over the counter, which are often coated in sugar.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Sometimes the unavoidable happens and Addison is in need of a doozy of a supplement.  It’s a hard day when we can’t get what she needs in liquid or kid-friendly form, so I have developed a plan of action for this worst-case scenario. If it’s a really disgusting supplement… I will take the hit for the team and lead by example. If Addison is prescribed 2 zinc tablets and she finds these too offensive, I will show her how it’s done by taking 4 zinc tablets in front of her. I will chew them up and scrunch my face into ridiculous, funny faces, exaggerating the experience until we are both busting out laughing.

She is so entertained that when it’s her turn, the zinc tablets have transformed from an obstacle into an enjoyable experience. She takes the tablets, tries out her own goofiest faces, we are both laughing, and the pills have already been taken. It may be a different tactic for you and your child, but the point is to make it into a fun bonding experience.

TRY A DISGUISE

You can disguise the pill with some laughter or you can disguise it in other ways. If Addison is really having a hard time, I will blend the supplement into something yummy, like frozen mangos.  I have heard of other parents getting away with disguising it in a nut butter or apple sauce.  If push comes to shove, and you are desperate, try a spoonful of honey.

I no longer have to bribe Addison with a spoonful of honey. Now she reminds me when it’s time to take her supplements.  She affectionately calls cod liver oil “fish treats”.  If she could she would eat the entire bottle of Tuna-Omega 3 from Standard Process or Cod Liver Oil Junior from Nordic Naturals.    She sets such a great example that I have lost any sympathy for my adult patients who whine about the taste of supplements. If my 4-year-old could do it, so can you! 

I think it’s an important life lesson for children to learn that not everything that’s necessary in life is going to be pleasant. There are many things in life as an adult that we have to do or else we will face consequences. We have to make the hard choices and do what is good for us. This is applicable in so many BIG ways, and a LITTLE thing like a supplement can help your little one learn it!

Wondering which supplements make sense for your child? See how we care for kids at Within Reach Healing, or book a visit with Dr. Devon James in Hinsdale.

When Earaches Strike!

We’ve all been there. It’s the middle of the night, the house has quieted,  all is dark and at rest when the siren cry of a child wakes you with the alarm of an earache! As a parent who is familiar with that cry of pain, I’d like to arm you with some at home care that you can provide your child when an earache hits.

Earaches happen more frequently in children because their eustachian tube points upward. An adult’s eustachian tube is directed at a downward angle, providing better drainage. Food allergies may also induce an earache as they cause inflammation in the muscles around the eustachian tube.

Whatever the cause of your child’s earache, you can be prepared and enabled to address the pain and discomfort. Keep in mind that the following natural home care remedies are secondary to the importance of a medical provider properly examining your child’s ear with a scope to ensure that the drum remains intact and has not ruptured or become infected.

Essential Oils

Firstly, I would recommend being prepared and keeping Sweet oil in your medicine cabinet.  This can be found at your local apothecary or health food store. NOW is a good brand.

To use sweet oil as a remedy, heat up the bottle like you would warm a baby bottle. Immerse the bottle in hot water for a few minutes. Once it is warmed, remove it from the water and test a few drops of the oil on the inside of your wrist to ensure it is not too hot. It should be *warm* not hot! It is very important that you do not put HOT oil in your child’s ear! If the oil is at a safe temperature, put a few drops in the ear canal and then insert a cotton ball as a stopper into the opening to keep the oil from running back out.  I recommend following this with a hot compress.

As an alternative to sweet oil you can use coconut oil and or a mixture of garlic and olive oil.  These options are antimicrobial and will fight the infection in the ear.

Melaleuca, tea tree oil, can be applied topically behind the child’s ear;  this will absorb through the skin and fight the infection.

Vitamins

Supplements are useful in fighting infection. It is helpful to talk to your child’s pediatrician about vitamin D at the first sign of illness. Ask them for the right dose for your child’s age and weight.

Taking fish oil internally can help combat the build up of ear wax which is caused by a lack of fatty acids. A few high quality and trusted brands are Nordic Naturals, Carlson’s, or Standard Process.  Nordic naturals and Standard Process carry kid-friendly flavors.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic drugs can be found at your local health food store.

Belladonna 30c reduces earache pain and fever.

Pulsatilla 30c may help with nasal congestion.

These natural home remedies can ease pain and discomfort and support wellness until your child can get in to see an Applied Kinesiologist, and or a provider that practices total body modification.  The provider will be able to adjust your child’s ear which will open up the tube allowing the stagnant fluid/cesspool to drain out. This visit can be followed up by taking Antronex, a natural antihistamine, every day, for up to a month. Standard Process carries this as well. Check with your provider about the duration.

Adding Essential Oils, Vitamins and Homeopathy to your tool kit should better arm you for when an earache occurs. With these natural home remedies you are enabled to support your child’s health and wellness and complement your child’s care from their A.K.

Is your little one prone to earaches? Learn about pediatric care at Within Reach Healing, or book a visit with Dr. Devon James in Hinsdale. If your child has a high fever, ear drainage or severe pain, call their pediatrician right away.

Breastfeeding: It Can Be Tougher Than They Tell You

THE BEST MEDICINE

There are a few amazing features of breast milk that can’t be reproduced. Breast milk is a cure-all. You can apply it to a rash, put it up the baby’s nose if they have a sinus infection or in their ear for an earache. I’m serious. It is some good stuff. Breast milk also has antibodies. This is what provides your baby with all the codes and answers to childhood diseases and any kind of sickness. The amazing thing is that the breast milk changes daily and even with each feeding.   The baby connects to mother and mother’s body will sense what the child needs and the breast milk will deliver the goods to the baby.

DON’T ASSUME BREASTFEEDING WILL BE EASY

Another misguided assumption I had was that breastfeeding would be easier. Since I am larger in that department, I figured I should be a huge milk producer. Well that’s not true; the size of the breast doesn’t determine how much milk one produces. I think that my initial problem was that no one caught that Addison was tongue-tied, which means the tissue that attaches the tongue to the bottom of your mouth was too much.

This causes issues because the tongue needs to elevate in order to suck from a breast. With a bottle they only have to use the tongue to stop the milk from coming out. Bottle feeding is a passive way to eat whereas breastfeeding is an active way. The best way to resolve this is to find a local doctor in your area and have them laser the extra skin that didn’t separate well. This doesn’t hurt the baby at all as there are no nerve endings to this area. This is done when the baby is a few months old. Look into this if it hurts when you are nursing the baby. Pain typically is a signal that something isn’t quite right with the baby’s tongue or mouth position.

Many times after a harder labor the baby’s head and face can get shifted around. I recommend seeing a doctor that is confident in working out the cranials in the head and in the face. Sometimes an occiput adjustment to the newborn can help the baby open their mouth wider in order to take in the proper amount of breast tissue for feeding which then causes less pain.

There can also be other issues that can be related to low milk supply. For adequate supply you need to drink about a gallon of water a day. Also make sure that you are getting enough salt. After having the baby your hormones and your body go through a bit of readjusting, this is where a functional endocrine doctor, especially one that specializes in applied kinesiology, can really help out.

GOOD FOR YOUR CHILD, GOOD FOR YOU TOO

Breastfeeding is great for the mother! It reduces postpartum depression because every time you nurse, oxytocin, the love hormone, is released. It also reduces your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding burns a lot of fat and calories. Plus, if you are exclusively breastfeeding it can naturally provide 98% contraceptive protection in the first 6 months after birth.

Many times when the mother goes back to work she quits nursing. It is tough using breast pumps, and to be honest, even though many of them are $400 they don’t even come close to getting as much milk from your breast compared to your child. Hospital grade pumps are great to help increase supply of milk and to get more milk.

I struggled. I had to formula feed her a little and substitute with goat’s milk at times but the majority of her nursing history she got breastmilk. It wasn’t easy but I’m glad I fought through my insecurities, and my inadequacies and used those struggling times to improve and let go of lies that I probably had for a long time. I’m thankful for my Applied Kinesiology Doctor that helped me physically, mentally, and emotionally overcome. I am happy that part of my job is to do the same for other mothers.

There are a lot of naysayers out there about nursing and some of them may even be in your own family. When you and your baby decide to stop nursing please make sure that it is your decision and not the negative pressures of family or society. You are doing a wonderful thing for your baby and plain and simple the negative voices just don’t get it. These are your breasts, and if you want to use your breasts for what they are made for, then rock it out!

Need help with breastfeeding or postpartum recovery? See our pregnancy & postpartum care, or book a visit with Dr. Devon James in Hinsdale.

Concussions, Ouch!

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. If you or your child hits their head, get checked by a physician first. The aftermath of a concussion can lead to headaches and dizziness that lasts for months to over a year. This complex disorder is known as post-concussion-syndrome. The symptoms of concussions and the prolonged recovery time can lead to behavioral health issues such as anxiety, confusion, and depression.

Three NFL deaths have been linked to suicide following post-concussion syndrome. Through applied kinesiology post-concussion syndrome can be treated to alleviate inflammation and bring faster healing to the brain.

WHAT’S HAPPENING INSIDE YOUR HEAD

Inflammation must be managed with a brain injury. Omega 6 promotes inflammation and omega 3 decreases it. When inflammation lingers, the omega 6 resolver and cascade is in full force.

Omega 6 is one of our body’s natural coping mechanisms for response to pain and injury. When your body is at full health and functioning optimally omega 6 responds to acute distress and turns on. Omega 3’s then respond to shut omega 6 back down. Inflammation becomes an issue when the body does not shut back off the omega 6 resolver, this is due to an imbalance in the body, an over abundance of omega 6 and not enough omega 3.

Let’s relate this process to cooking in order to better illustrate and understand the relationship between omega 6 and omega 3.

Let me present a picture of boiling water on the stove top. In an optimal situation where everything is functioning normally, the stove top burner gets turned on under the pot of water. The fire is neither good nor bad in this situation. It is simply a tool to bring water to a boil. The flame gets turned on as needed to accomplish a goal. The flame gets shut off once the water has been brought to the desired temperature. Omega 6 should act as that flame. It gets turned on in response to an acute injury and ideally should get shut back off.

But what if the flame is unbalanced in that cooking scenario and your body lacks the proper balance of omega 3 to shut the flame down? The burner on the stove does not get shut off, the kitchen catches fire, and you call the fire department to come put the fire out. In this scenario, pain-relieving medication is taken to shut off the omega 6 response; the fire is put out.

What happens if the fire still persists after medication? That kitchen fire spreads to a house fire that spreads to the rest of the buildings on the block. At this point you are in serious trouble. The situation is akin to taking 800mg of Pain Reliever and still experiencing pain.

TAMING BRAIN INFLAMMATION

Let’s discuss how we can combat that inflammation and create an optimal environment. The best way to begin this process is internally through diet. Begin by eliminating consumption of foods that are high in omega 6 such as wheat, rice, oats, millet, and all grains. Eliminate sugar consumption as it is high in omega 6 and strips essential minerals away from the body. One of the minerals it robs the body of is magnesium, which is essential for proper inflammatory regulation.

Eliminate cooking with oils that are liquid at room temperature and introduce coconut oil, butter, or lard.

Grain-fed meats are loaded with Omega 6, as much as possible, eliminate these and opt for grass-fed alternatives.  Farm-raised fish are heavy carriers of Omega 6. Eliminate these and opt for wild.

To create a good internal environment that combats inflammation eat a diet of grass-fed meats, vegetables (no potatoes), and fruit. This will create a prime internal environment for reduction of inflammation.

Supplements can play an important role to help balance your body’s omegas.  It’s best to see your AK to discover which supplements will be most beneficial; she can then muscle test supplements to help establish which will be effective to fight inflammation. This reduces waste caused by taking unnecessary and costly supplements and also reduces the risk of further throwing off your body’s biochemistry caused by taking unneeded supplements. The supplements your AK may test on you could include the following; cod liver oil, tuna omega 3, magnesium, sesame seed oil, black currant seed oil, Spanish black radish, garlic, boswellia, ginger, turmeric, curcumin, and zinc. These help establish proper cofactor and co enzymes to have the winning chemical cascade for omega 3 pathway.

Omega 3 is great for head trauma because you have a fat head! Yes, your brain is about 60% fat. Any time that there is trauma to an area it’s important to give that area the building blocks needed to heal and repair.

HOW YOUR AK CAN HELP

Now that we’ve explored what steps you can take to create a better omega balance internally in order to fight inflammation, let’s take a look at the work your AK can do to fight inflammation and treat post-concussion syndrome.

Sometimes neck trauma is associated with the concussion, similar to a whiplash injury. Oftentimes, neck trauma causes headaches as the neck muscles are unbalanced. Some of the muscles in the neck are “on” and the opposite are “off”. The ones that are left “on” are doing all the work for both sets of muscles. Getting those “off” muscles to turn back on is different than exercising them. The fuse is blown and needs to be turned on with manual therapy to the muscles and or an adjustment to the spine.

It’s important to check the muscle’s origin, where the muscle inserts, to ensure the muscle ends have not pulled away from the bone. If so, the muscles can be stimulated back onto the bone, this also turns that muscle back “on” to functioning.

When treating concussions your Applied Kinesiologist can check for an ocular lock. This is often the source of visual disturbances associated with the concussion. Each eye must be muscle tested.  By muscle testing an arm while directing the patient to set their eyes in varying directions we can test ocular muscles. A weak ocular lock will trip the circuit causing an immediate feedback signaling that your body doesn’t like that particular eye position. Each one of these eye position correlates with a particular area in your spine to reset each eye movement.

If a patient complains of dizziness or spinning sensations associated with their concussion an AK can help relieve this by adjusting the ear so the eustachian tube can properly drain out and decrease pressure which can help relieve dizziness.

In treating concussion symptoms it may be important to treat the nervous system as an injury can cause the nervous system threshold to get reset to a new marker. For example, it typically takes one pound of pressure to obtain a reflex response when your knee is tested. With one pound of pressure we can hit your knee and expect an involuntary kick. When the threshold has been reset due to an injury, that knee’s reflex response may now have the same response at only a quarter pound of pressure. This is an example of a new reset point. A body that has been through trauma is overly sensitive and over reactive. You need to go to an Applied Kinesiologist that can help you to reset this overly sensitive nervous system back to its original set point.

With any concussion or with post-concussion syndrome it is important to get in to see your Applied Kinesiologist to get back on the road to healing. By combining a proper anti-inflammation diet with AK treatment one can reduce and resolve post-concussion syndrome returning once again to a path of health and wellness.

Still dealing with headaches, dizziness or brain fog after a concussion? Book a visit with Dr. Devon James, and see how our team helps young athletes with sports injuries at Within Reach Healing in Hinsdale.

Back to School… or Back to Sick?

Want a plan to keep your kids healthy all school year? See how we care for kids at Within Reach Healing, or book a visit with Dr. Devon James in Hinsdale.As fall approaches our children are returning to school. Each new year is a special season for our children to grow in strides, learn new things with their classmates and make new friends. But as our children learn together, play together, and share together, they oftentimes share more than we would like them to; the school season is a Petri dish for disease and infection as germs are passed back and forth around the classroom!

While we can embrace this season as an opportunity for our child’s immune system to strengthen, it is also good to have a plan of action to keep your child at optimal health this school year. Here is a checklist to keep your child at their best.

Diet and the Brain/Body Connection

Remove sugar from their diet. Sugar depresses the immune system. Eliminate all sugars, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods. The best diet for a growing child is meat, vegetables, and fruit. Keep introducing whole food, fruits, and veggies to them and their taste buds will come around.

Sleep for Success

Establish better sleeping habits. The best way to set healthy sleeping patterns is to wake your child up at the same time every day. Growing children do better with consistent naps and schedules. See the chart below for the recommended hours:

Age 0-1 need 15 to 16 hours of sleep
Age 1-3 need 12 to 14 hours of sleep
Age 3-6 need 10 to 12 hours of sleep
Age 7-12 need 10 to 12 hours of sleep.
Age 12-18 need 8 to 9 hours of sleep

Supplements

Support your child’s diet. When shopping for supplements avoid brands coated in sugar. Ask your local Holistic Doctor for recommendations. Here are some that I like to use:
Vitamin D – Ask your child’s doctor to check their vitamin D level and recommend the right dose for their age and weight. I recommend Liquid Vitamin D from Thorne Research.
Multi Vitamin – I recommend Catalyn from Standard Process for daily use.
Viral supplement – Take when sick or as a preventative. I recommend Congaplex Chewable from Standard Process. Vit A, Vit C, and Zinc.

Homeopathy

Natural remedies for when your little one is under the weather. The most common are as follows:
Pulsatilla – Congestion and yellow discharge, wet cough
Belladonna – Ear aches, High fevers
Nux Vomica – Flu, body ache, exhaustion
Ipecac – Vomiting, nausea
Drosera Rotundifolia – Dry, persistent, nighttime cough
Arnica Montana – Injury, bruises, swelling

Regular Treatments

Continue to visit your local Holistic Doctor/Chiropractor for regular adjustments. Preventative care will better enable your child toward health and wellness and support their systems in defense.

Want a plan to keep your kids healthy all school year? See how we care for kids at Within Reach Healing, or book a visit with Dr. Devon James in Hinsdale.