Roundup Pesticide Causing Harm to Cows and Our Health

Monsanto's Roundup pesticide, or glyphosate, has been known to cause harm to the environment, to our family's health, and now to dairy cows!

A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology studied 30 dairy cows in Denmark and found that 100% of all cow urine samples showed cell toxicity, organ damage, and mineral depletion. They found that every cow involved in the study had some level of Roundup in their system and determined that Roundup consumption for these cows is toxic to their health.

So how did these cows get Roundup in their system? Roundup that is sprayed on crops will seep into the ground and bind to important minerals like cobalamin (B12) and manganese as well as being taken up into the plants roots. This means that the mineral content of our soil and crops will be depleted and the pesticide residing in the plant can be fed to humans and other animals that may act as a food source for people around the world. Typically dairy cows in the US get exposed to this from breathing air that is active with pesticide overspray, eating contaminated grass when out to pasture, and from their feed which is typically made from pesticide laden GMO crops. The Danish cows involved in the study however were fed with imported GMO crops from the US since Denmark does not allow farmers to grow GMO crops from Monsanto.

What does this mean for your family's health? Well let's look at the cycle.... Pesticides are being sprayed, soil quality declines, crops grown in this soil are deficient in essential nutrients, cows are getting chronic disease from pesticide exposure and mineral deficiency, and your family is consuming the tainted milk, mineral deficient crops, and eating beef from cow's ridden with chronic diseases.

Can you see where you can run into a problem here?? Well I've got some suggestions for you and your family to help avoid pesticides and improve your health.

1) Buy organic fruits and vegetables when possible or grow your own from organic seeds. Buying organic is a more expensive but the more you can decrease your family's exposure to toxic pesticides, the better able your body will be to detoxify and remove those chemicals from your body. Growing your own is definitely no walk in the park and it does take work to plant, tend, and harvest but the payoff is great because you'll know exactly what goes in to growing them and cooking them too! A great tip would be to team up with local family, friends, and neighbors to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables and trading or to join a local co-op to team up and grow fresh goodies at a discount price.

2) Find a local farm that upholds high standards in the treatment and food of their livestock. Check out Local Harvest to find a farm near you. I'd recommend finding an organic farm (that doesn't use pesticides on their crops/grass) that allows their livestock room to graze on grass and possibly even allow you to buy a bulk package of some type that includes cuts of chickens, beef, pork, etc. Some may even have fruits and vegetables shares for purchase too so you can get organic meats and greens!

3) Cleanse your body at least once a year. This can help your body get rid of the toxins and pesticides that have been stored in your body over the past year and allow your energy production, hormones, and metabolism to get back on track! I personally recommend the 10 day AlignLife Ultimate Body Cleanse. There is only one fasting day but the included supplements can get your insulin and blood sugar stable while correcting your gut and getting rid of cravings.

If you've never done a cleanse before I'd highly recommend attending an Ultimate Body Cleanse Workshop in our office which takes place on the second Monday of every month. We will discuss why you'd want to do a cleanse, what the benefits are, and what the Ultimate Body Cleanse entails!

Natural Depression Management without the Dangerous Antidepressant Wellbutrin

Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men during their lifetime and about 20% of women are usually formally diagnosed. Some of these mood changes and depressed feelings can be attributed to hormone changes but many women may be prescribed an antidepressant medication that can set them up for a lifetime of dependence and harmful side effects.

In addition, about 15% of mothers suffer from postpartum depression or the baby blues during the first month after they welcome baby home. For most women small changes in mood after baby can be normal and caused by shifts in hormones due to the fact we no longer have a little one's placenta leaking hormones in our bodies. Many women may turn to their doctor for advice on ways they can ditch the depression and jump back into being a "normal" parent. Depression can be very troublesome and leave mothers feeling frustrated that they may be neglecting their child and even worse that they may be a bad parent.

Well just to set your mind at ease, there is no "right way" to be a parent. I always tell my newly pregnant friends and family members that they'll get tons of advice on how to be a parent and the "right way" to do this or that but ultimately all the advice you get will never work for your child! Every child is different and every family dynamic as well so I usually say that learning how to be a parent is more of a crash course type of experience that you can't explain or really prepare for. Those little ones will flip your life upside down and then grind what's left into the carpet but you'll always have a laugh at a particular thing they did that day or a question that caught you by surprise (and in most cases off guard without any discernable form of an acceptable answer).

But anyways back to the point.... for those women and mothers that are dealing with depression, your doctor may recommend an antidepressant to help get your mood back on track. I highly caution you to do your research on the medication before you begin any regiment especially if you are breastfeeding as many of these medications can pass into breast milk. One popular medication recommended by doctors today is called Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that was first approved for use in the United States by the FDA in December 1985. Wellbutrin manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline promised that it would make patients "happy, horny and skinny" and even claimed it could help quit smoking. However due to the large number of seizures that were reported the drug was quickly taken off the market in 1986. It was reintroduced in 1989 and since then has been climbing the charts as the go to antidepressant that acts on increasing brain activity.  Nowadays, Wellbutrin is recommended for not just depression but also Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), abnormal moods, difficulty focusing, and off-label uses such as getting high, weight loss, bipolar depression, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), pathological gambling, and even sexual dysfunction.

In 2012, the United States Justice Department announced that GlaxoSmithKline was required to pay a $3 billion dollar fine after pleading guilty for misrepresenting and promoting unapproved uses of Wellbutrin for weight loss and sexual dysfunction, and paying kickbacks to doctors such as media physiologist and sex advice guru, Dr. Drew Pinsky of the "Loveline" show. There are also many other lawsuits pending against the manufacturer but with the monetary benefits from the sales of Wellbutrin, it doesn't look like any changes will be made soon.

In this respect, I feel it is my duty to inform pregnant women or those trying to conceive that Wellbutrin has an increased risk for serious birth defects such as heart defects, club feet, reduced testicals, and possibly even retard fetal growth. Even though the Mayo Clinic still recommends Wellbutrin for depression during pregnancy, regulatory agencies from many countries are warning of other side effects such as heart and lung malformations, preterm birth, and other physical defects. In those under 25, there is also an increased risk for suicide.

Some other side effects include:

• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• rash or blisters
• itching
• hives
• weight loss
• drowsiness
• excitement
• dry mouth
• dizziness
• constipation
• excessive sweating
• confusion
• hallucinations
• irrational fears
• fever
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• chest pain
• muscle or joint pain
• rapid, pounding or irregular heartbeat
• seizure

So what can you do to ditch the depression naturally?

1) Get your adrenal gland checked for dysfunction. Due to the chronic stress associated with the traditional American lifestyle, our adrenal gland steals resources that are needed for the correct production of stress adaptive hormones and this can exhibit symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, depression, decreased libido, and mood changes.

2) Make sure you're getting enough sleep. If you're not getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night (possibly more depending on your age) then your body is not able to recooperate from the demands of the day. This can lead to a lack of nutrients necessary to upkeep your energy production and support the hormones that dictate your mood.

3) Make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D. During the fall and winter months, we get much less time outside and much less sun exposure which can decrease the body's natural production of Vitamin D. In order to make Vitamin D, your body needs cholesterol to convert the inactive D3 form to the active form which helps with bone growth and repair, muscle function, digestion, and mood. If you're currently taking a cholesterol medication, I can guarantee that you're Vitamin D deficient because most cholesterol medications turn off your body's natural cholesterol production which is needed to make Vitamin D active and if you're taking a cheap Vitamin D supplement I can almost guarantee its Vitamin D3 which your body can't convert. A great way to make sure you're getting enough is to take about 800 IU of an active form of Vitamin D daily. Check out AlignLife's Active D.

4) Take a supplement designed to increase your body's natural production of Serotonin. Serotonin is the "happy hormone" your brain produces to keep your mood elevated, keep you focused, help you sleep, and even relieve anxiety. AlignLife's 5-HTP has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, insomnia, help relieve chronic migraines and ADHD symptoms. I have helped many of my patients reduce and discontinue their antidepressant medications with the use of this supplement.

Resources:

1. Hensley S "Glaxo To Plead Guilty to 3 Charges in Sweeping Health Settlement." NPR.org July 2012

2. Information about bupropion [Wellbutrin] National Institutes of Health

3. Stretch K "Antidepressants Get FDA's Black Box Warning" Dynamic Chiropractic Nov 2004

4. Peterson DM. "Crime Does Pay - Big: GlaxoSMithKline Fined $3 Billion; Stock Rises" Dynamic Chiropractic Sept 2012

5 Whalen J "Dr. Drew Was Paid BY Glaxo; Radio Host Extolled Virtures of Antidepressant After Attending Events for Firm" The Wall Street Journal July 2012

6. Steel S " Side Effects from Big Pharma: Wellbutrin-Dangerous for You and Your Baby"

Everyone should Get Crackin with Pistachios

Everyone has heard about pistachios from those snappy "Get Crackin' " commercials that have been all over the radio and TV. These little guys are great for helping to keep a healthy heart with lower lipids and more antioxidants and according to new research they are also great for digestion too!

According to the most recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition and the newest research from the Institute of Food Research in the UK, nearly ALL of the polyphenols (a type of antioxidant that helps to lower inflammation that can contribute to heart disease) in pistachios are released during digestion. These same antioxidants can be found in fruits and vegetable but due to many factors (including the scary though of figuring out a recipe that will taste good and include all of our family's vegetable servings for the day) prevent Americans from eating their daily recommended intake of 7-10 servings of fruits and vegetables.

Previous studies from the University of Pennsylvania have also linked pistachio intake to lowering cholesterol levels and raising the antioxidants in the blood to help us keep healthier cholesterol levels and prevent the oxidation (process responsible for making cholesterol sticky so it can gum up our arteries) of the cholesterol in our blood. According to Penny Kris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at University of Penn, "our results [from previous studies on pistachios] suggest that a heart-healthy diet including pistachios contributes to a decrease in serum oxidized-LDL levels, in part through cholesterol lowering, and also due to an added benefit of the antioxidants in the pistachios."

So for those of you who don't have some pistachios in your snack drawer,  GET CRACKING!!!

PS: Make sure the ones you have at home aren't on the recalled list of pistachio products that are contaminated with Salmonella. Here's the link to find out if they are > http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/salmonella-peanut-butter-47011501

Resources:

1. http://www.chiroeco.com/chiropractic/news/14186/54/pistachios-all-theyre-cracked-up-to-be-/
2. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100520092942.htm

9 Essential Home Remedies for Summer

Summer ailments are such a bother but the great news is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to keep the family safe and healthy! I've got a few home remedies to share that you probably already have lying around the house!

1.) OUCH! I got a sunburn.
White vinegar is an essential for the kitchen, cleaning, and now your medicine cabinet too! It can help to ease the pain, ditch the itch, and prevent blisters from forming on areas of sunburn. I recommend applying with cotton ball or paper towel and soaking for about 10-15 minutes. You can also dab on some olive oil after the alcohol treatment to help that skin heal and bounce back faster with the Omega-3s that are essential for skin healing!

2.) My skin just looks OLD with all these sun or age spots!
Before you go to bed I recommend scrubbing with a lemon and loofah. (Don't do this in the morning because one of the extra compounds in lemon can darken when exposed to light.) The lemon's citric acid can help to exfoliate as it dissolves the darkened and dead skin cells. Lemons also have a healthy dose of Vitamin C to help prevent further skin damage and restore that baby soft skin.

3.) AHH! We itch all over from mosquitos!
Grab a banana and split it up with the family but save that peel! The inside of the banana peel can be rubbed and held down with a band-aid to help moisturize the skin and calm irritation. Lavender oil can also be used to counteract the mosquito venom so I'd dab a drop or two of that on there too.

4.) Swelling  injury or small cut?
Grab a green tea bag to reduce inflammation and stop the bleeding. Try freezing used tea bags for small and successful ice packs on the go!

5.) Poison Ivy in the Yard?
Prepare a spray of water and rubbing alcohol to spray on your skin before you head out into poison ivy infested areas. Rubbing alcohol can help prevent the oil from poison ivy from spreading over large areas and can help reduce exposure afterwards too. (I recommend a 1:2 ratio of rubbing alcohol to water)

6.) Yellowing Nails?
Soak those nails or dab them with a cotton ball that has been soaked in a peroxide/baking soda mixture. Used over time, this can reduce the yellow color of your nails, freshen your laundry, and whiten your teeth! (I recommend using 1 tbsp peroxide mixed with 2 tbsp of baking soda for a paste.)

7.) Unsightly Dry and Cracked Heels?
Soothe your tootsies with some crushed papaya by soaking them in a tub of papaya for 30 minutes. The enzymes can help soothe and remove the cracked or rough skin.

8.) Dry Lips and Dehydration?
Most of the time when you're lips are dry its a huge sign that you're dehydrated, however in the summer months it may also be partially due to sun exposure that is drying out those supple tissues. Try smoothing on olive oil a few times a day to hydrate and heal those lips.

9.) Dry and Sun Damaged Hair?
Rejuvinate it with the healthy fats in avocado. Use as a pre-wash treatment by applying smashed avocado for 30 minutes before your shower.

6 Ways to Reduce Pesticide Exposure for Your Family

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been cutting down on pesticide usage in the United States and requiring additional testing to understand the effects of pesticides on humans since 1996. Americans use more than a billion pounds of pesticides each year to fight pests on farm crops as well as in our homes, schools, businesses, parks, and other public places.

Newer research is showing that small amounts of pesticides are accumulating over time to cause serious harms for our children's brain and body development. There are critical times of development in children when exposure to pesticides or other chemicals can permanently alter the way their body functions since their organs, immune system, and even their body's enzymatic and metabolic systems are still developing. The facts in the matter are that children have different feeding and play habits that increase their exposure levels and they have higher risk for long term damage due to exposure during their development. Children tend to play on the floor or in the grass where pesticides are more likely to have been sprayed and they also tend to put objects in their mouths which can also increase their exposure levels. As a parent, it is very important that we realize that pesticides, herbicides, and even chemicals in our cleaning products can cause serious harm to our children and we need to do as much as possible to decrease the amount of exposure for them.

A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, pesticide exposure has been estimated to have cost more than 16 million IQ points in children under 5. These pesticides have been encountered in food, air, dust, and soil at home and in school and are now being linked to decreased intelligence, learning problems, and even ADHD. Adverse effects of pesticide exposure range from mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea to more serious symptoms such as long-term neurological, reproductive, and developmental disorders.

So what can you do to decrease your family's exposure?

1.) Buy fresh (and organic as often as your budget allows) produce that is in season and grown in the US or Canada. Avoid purchasing produce or products that contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). These products contain crops whose genetic code has been altered so that they are less at risk for crop destruction from pesticides and herbicides used to treat pests. Recent studies have demonstrated that when these crops are consumed along with pesticides or herbicides the risk for tumors increases significantly. (This pesticide exposure is usually due to ground water contamination due to pesticide run off from crop spraying.) GREAT TIP: Check your super market produce label. 4 digits means its conventionally grown. If it starts with a 9, its organic. If it starts with an 8, its genetically modified. 

2.) Use high quality filtered water at home to decrease your family's exposure to pesticides, prescription medications, and toxins that are contained in your water supply. Reverse osmosis filters are one of the best but even cheaper filtered water pitchers can help to decrease your family's exposure to additional chemicals. (Check your city's water report to find out what else may be lurking in your water supply.)

3.) Bathe pets regularly to kill fleas so you can keep toxic treatments to a minimum.

4.) Use natural products, essential oils, and natural pest management at home and outside to keep pests to a minimum. (This includes dry cleaning or laundry products, sunscreen, bug spray, ant and spider killers, and even fertilizers.) Check out yesterday's post for a recipe for a great bug spray utilizing essential oils.

5.) Avoid using lawn and garden products that combine fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides as these can easily be transferred to clothing and children's toys and brought in the house.

6.) Make sure your child's school or daycare minimizes the need for spraying pesticides by practicing Integrated Pest Management. This practice incorporates sealing cracks, keeping trash secured from pests, and using traps or gels to avoid excessive pesticide exposure.

DIY Natural Bug and Mosquito Repellant for Family and Yard

That's right ladies and gentlemen. As a parent and a doctor, I am SICK of spraying my child and my home with chemicals that can cause permanent neurological, developmental, and reproductive harm to my family. I am sick of reading the research that is showing the dangers of traditional pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals that are used in everyday cleaning products. I am scared for my child and for other Peoria families based on the newest chemical additives that Peoria has begun to add into our water supply to counteract the current chemicals, pesticides, and even prescription drugs that are already lurking in our drinking glass.

Are you scared? If you aren't you SHOULD BE. As a parent, I am mandating that my household begin to use natural products for cleaning, de-pesting, and de-bugging our family home and our bodies. We've been switching gradually over the past 6 months but after looking over some new research on permanent childhood developmental issues that were caused by adverse reactions to household chemical products, I've made up my mind. I'm PISSED and I'm going ALL NATURAL!

Here's two great recipes for bug repellant that we are using to keep the gnats, flies, and mosquitos at bay in our new backyard and one to soothe mosquito bites for children that weren't covered completely and to repel them in the future. (By the way we moved into our new home last week and threw Camryn's party this weekend, introducing these debut recipes to our family members and friends as NATURAL options for bug repellant.)

Lavendar Vanilla Bug Spray
seemed to work well on gnats and flys but not so much on mosquitos

10 drops of Lavendar essential oil (purchased at Naturally Yours for under $5)
10 drops of Tea Tree Oil (purchased at Naturally Yours for under $10)
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 16oz spray bottle (filled the rest of the way with water)

Lemon Eucalyptus and Citronella Bug Spray
worked great on children, pets, and around the deck and yard

10 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil (purchased at Naturally Yours for under $5)
10 drops of Citronella essential oil (purchased at Naturally Yours for under $5)
1 16oz spray bottle (filled the rest of the way with water)

Soothing Bath Water 
Add the following to bath water to soothe sores/cuts and help to repel bugs for future outdoor exposure:
5 drops of Lavender or Peppermint essential oil
5 drops of Tea Tree Oil

Another great tip is to cut out floral or sweet smelling shampoo/conditioner or body wash for the whole family to cut down on attracting bugs. I switched to an all natural tea tree oil shampoo/conditioner and tea tree oil liquid castile soap purchased from Naturally Yours for my daughter and myself to help repel those little blood suckers too!

Get Rid of Your Child's Ear Infection Without Antibiotics

Is your child pulling on their ears or complaining of ear pain, running a fever, or irritable? Then you are one of 10 million parents whose children are affected by ear infections every year. Middle ear infections also known as otitis media account for more than 35% of all pediatric visits, as a result parents want answers and solutions to cutting down the length of ear infections and the cost of treatment. As a Peoria chiropractor, I am very concerned for every child that comes into my office complaining of chronic ear infections because this can put children at risk of permanent hearing damage as well as speech and developmental difficulties.

Young children are more at risk for developing ear infections because their eustachian tube (where the ear drains) is still developing and is oriented horizontally which doesn't facilitate drainage like in the adult ear where it angles downward to allow fluid to drain more easily. By the age of 2, this tube is usually oriented in a better position to reduce the risk of ear infection however some children may have spinal misalignments in the upper neck that contribute to a buildup of fluid in the ear and cause chronic ear infections.

Ear infections can result from either a bacterial or viral infection due tofluid that has built up in the ear.  For many children, these ear infections can become a chronic problem that requires multiple antibiotic treatments and possibly even a recommendation for serious surgery to place tubes in the ear to facilitate drainage. In fact, frequent ear infections are the second most common reason for surgery in children under 2.

What are my child's treatment options?

Traditional medical treatment focuses on antibiotics which may only be effective if the infection is caused by a bacterial. Repeated dosage of antibiotics have shown to be less effective than the child's own immune system and may actually create antibiotic resistant bacteria that can cause more serious health conditions.

Another option is a myringotomy or tympanostomy surgery, which consists of  placing a small opening in the eardrum for a tube to be inserted. This tube helps to relieve pressure in the ear and vents fresh air to prevent further infection, but in most cases the tube is pushed out after a couple of months. 20-30% of these surgeries will need to be repeated and in some cases will need to be followed with a more serious surgery to remove the adenoids, called an adenoidectomy.

More parents than ever are now considering chiropractic care as an option for their children because it is a safe, non invasive option that focuses on realigning the spinal bones in the neck to allow for better ear drainage and allows for the child's immune system to fight off the infection. The nerves in the upper neck direct drainage from the ear and also encourage the child's immune system to build up resistance that can prevent future ear infections. Chiropractic care for children suffering from ear infections focuses primarily on gentle chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck and entails approximately 6-8 treatments for the average child. Other factors that may effect length or frequency of treatment include the severity of the infection, how long it has been going on, and if they have previously taken antibiotics. At AlignLife, I perform a thorough examination of the child and ask about other factors that may be contributing to your child's condition such as diet or exposure to second hand smoke. In many cases, parents are surprised how quickly their child improves and embrace the effectiveness of chiropractic care in maintaining a wellness lifestyle for the whole family.

Research

Dr. Joan Fallon, a New York chiropractor, has published research showing that after receiving chiropractic care, nearly 80% of children were free of ear infections for at least 6 months following their initial visit.

A 1996 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, found a 93% rate of improvement for children that underwent chiropractic care for their ear pain/infection. This study also found that children that had not previously undergone antibiotic treatment required fewer treatments to relieve their symptoms.

For more information about chiropractic care for children suffering from ear infections, please feel free to give my office a call 309-689-6200 to setup a free ear infection consultation during the month of August.

5 Ways to Get Your Children to Listen and Obey the First Time...

Do your children seem to ignore everything you say?

Do they seem to forget their chores or just selectively not hear your nagging?

Area you sick of yelling and time outs that just leave your throat hoarse and your child crying?

Well I've got some great tips on how to turn your frown upside down and get your children to actually listen. You'll have a cleaner house and a happier family when everyone is working together and speaking the same language when it comes to getting those chores done.

One thing that is really important to remember when dealing with children of differing ages is that their brains are all functioning on different wavelengths. What does this mean? In a nutshell, your 2 year old doesn't think the same way as your 8 year old, so you may have to use different consequences or approaches for each child. The basics are the same though, when you nag and drag out the point of your conversation, children's attention spans tend to block out what you're saying and miss the fact that they need to take out the trash that night. I'm going to share 5 different communication tips and tricks to help you get your household back under your control.

1)  Jog Their Memory
Don't nag. Repeating your commands over and over to children will cause 'tune out'. Instead try keeping a list of their chores or responsibilities on the fridge and having them refer to it often if they are forgetting something. If they frequently forget a chore, try jogging their memory with a single word rather than a lecture. For example, try saying "teeth" to remind children to brush their teeth instead of chanting it like a rain dance every night. Kids know what they are supposed to do but due to brain remodeling around kindergarten and middle school, they may need a simple reminder to jog their memory.

2) Add Positive Incentives
Adding an incentive may be a great way to motivate the whole family to get their chores done on time. For example, with younger children sticker charts work great when you can "redeem" stickers for a bigger prize like staying up later while older children may appreciate something more concrete like a family movie and game night when everyone does their chores all week. If the whole family knows they have to keep on track and complete their chores they may remind each other of something that wasn't done.

3) Tell Them Why
Children's brains are always looking to make connections so it is important to give them a reason why to do a certain thing. They need to be able to rationalize and make connections in order to have common sense and be able to problem solve on their own. So the next time you're running out of breath screaming at your child to sit down at the table, explain to him/her that chairs are meant for sitting and standing on chairs makes them dirty.

4) Teach Them Feelings instead of Actions
Children bite, hit, scream and throw tantrums when they don't know how to express what they are feeling. Its hard to stop yourself from saying too much or making your child feel invalidated when they don't feel heard. Instead, listen first then teach them the words to express how they are feeling and work together to create a solution. So the next time Sally runs up to you saying that Tom won't share a toy: Listen to her frustration, identify the emotion (You seem very frustrated), and then ask what a possible solution that would keep both of them happy could be. You may be surprised when Sally suggests taking turns and they are both happy when you set a kitchen timer so they get equal play time.

5) Give them Options
Children LOVE to be in control and be independent. Give them a choice so its always their idea :) For example, you're running late to soccer practice and Joey doesn't want to put on his coat and shoes to leave. Instead of lecturing and yelling, ask if he'd like to put on his coat or his shoes first. Either way he's getting ready to leave but now its HIS choice of which to do first.

5 Games You Should Play with Your Toddler

Last week I posted an article on boosting baby's brain development at an early age and discussed the importance of interaction. But these "hands on" activities aren't just for babies! There are many games or activities you can do with your toddler or child to help increase brain connections called synapses which can help with development and knowledge of how things relate together. In addition these games can help improve motor skills which are needed for hand-eye coordination and balance as they grow.

I've listed 4 games below that you should definitely put in the line up this summer for your toddler.

1) Tea Party for Stuffed Animals
Outdoor tea parties aren't just for children! Grab a blanket and serve up a spread for your little ones and      their stuffed animals. It can help spur the imagination, increase fine motor skills required for cutting small        snacks and gripping small cups, and its a great way to learn social etiquette. I personally always thing of Gru and the girls from Despicable Me "clinking" whenever I think of a tea party :)

2) Go for a Nature Hike
Grab the kiddos and a bag to collect scavenger hunt items such as twigs, leaves, and rocks. Make sure to point out hidden things such as mushrooms growing from beneath moist leaves or moss growing on a tree and encourage them to feel the different textures of nature with their fingers to improve their tactile sensation.

3) Chalk It Up
A bucket of sidewalk chalk is a small investment for the amount of time your children can use it to play. I'd recommend building a couple of hopscotch trails for them to hop along and drawing some animals for them to guess what they are. Show them how to trace their hands or feet and they'll be set in finding new things to trace. This can encourage motor and language development as they identify animals or numbers while hopping around on one foot.

4) Have a Ball
It might take awhile for toddlers to get the hang of catching or throwing a ball but its important to teach them to aim early (unless of course you like the breeze from a broken window!). Catching is usually easier for them to grasp but you'll need to assist by throwing the ball directly into their outstretched arms until they understand that their feet must move towards where the ball will land. To practice throwing try having them toss wadded up paper, bean bags, or Wiffle balls into a trash can or laundry basket. To step it up a notch use streamers and a hula hoop to make a "ring of fire" for them to toss into. (The ring of fire also works as a great attraction at parties)

5) Parachute Games
Hold a sheet or blanket by the corners to toss items such as socks or Wiffle balls high into the air. According to Dr. Lisa Chiarello, a pediatric physical therapist and associate professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, reports that "while your child's bouncing the object with his arms, he's learning the concept of up and down. And because you're both moving your feet a little too, he's practicing stepping sideways, in and out.".

Still concerned about your child's development or want some more personal advice for your family's situation? Call AlignLife at 689-6200 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Andrea Schnowske.

3 Ways to Boost Baby's Development At Home

Every child grows at a different rate and meets milestones at a different pace because there is a wide range of "normal" when it comes to growing up. But the biggest concern for most parents happens when their babies fall behind in reaching milestones or have issues with physical coordination.

According to Dr. Karl Rosengren, a professor of psychology at Northwestern University, many children that are behind in their development such as not meeting milestones can benefit from consistent additional help at home. So what can you do to help baby's development and strengthen those much needed core skills needed for on track development?

1.)  Host a Sing A Long Time
The rhythm of nursery rhymes or song can help build an early form of coordination and assist with brain development. As an additional bonus try moving baby's arms to the beat or acting out the nursery rhyme as this can also improve brain development and also boost learning capacity later in childhood.

2.)  Take Time Out for Baby Wearing and Tummy Time
Baby wearing is a great tradition for families because it allows interaction with mom or dad to help stimulate sensory development and encourages baby's neck and upper body muscles to develop which can help protect them from health issues later in life. I also recommend at least 15-30 minutes of tummy time daily  to ensure that your child's muscles and basic motor skills are developing on track. I recommend laying baby on your chest and making cooing noises for parents who are trying tummy time for the first time. In addition according to the American Physical Therapy Association, babies who play or lie on their bellies meet motor milestones quicker than their peers so make sure you make time for baby!

3.)  Have a Ball
Encourage baby to develop hand to eye coordination by playing with balls at a young age. Rolling a ball can not only help with sight tracking but can also help baby's brain make coordination connections at a young age to encourage balance and motor skill mastery. Kim Graber, associate professor of kinesiology and community health at University of Illinois reports that babies love to play with balls and they can learn key skills from basic games.

If you're still worried that your child is not reaching milestones on track and are concerned it may be due to a sensory disorder or brain development issue, call my office at 689-6200 for a free baby development consultation to discuss underlying health concerns and ways to boost healthy brain development at home with simple exercises.

Chiropractic Adjustments Superior to Medication for Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common conditions that affects Americans today and it affects approximately 31 million every year. It is the most common cause of missing work and 20% of workers that take leave for low back pain become disabled.

Many traditional medical treatments used for low back pain are costly and inefficient which leads to the further budget and health care cost constraints for the US. The cost of low back pain is astounding and is a severe detriment to our health care system and our national budget. In 1998, the direct costs associated with low back pain were estimated at $26.3 billion.  This cost does not include indirect costs such as lost income from work, decreased productivity, or costs associated with care of daily activities that cannot be performed.

Traditional medical treatments rely on medication to cover up the pain, physical therapy to strengthen muscles but ignore the underlying joint issue, or surgery to cut out painful tissues without prevention for future injury. This treatment model can lead to recurrent injuries or medication addiction that can cause further health issues but a feeling of helplessness for the patient.

A recent double blind study looked at effectiveness of current treatment options including the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, spinal adjustments, and placebo in three separate groups. Participants reported  physical disability, function, off work time, adn rescue medication usage. The results revealed the chiropractic adjustments were superior to diclofenac and placebo with faster pain relief and better function and quality of life improvements. In addition, the spinal adjustment group used 3 times less rescue medication than the diclofenac group with the number of days of usage of that rescue medication being half that of the diclofenac group.1

This study is revolutionary in the fact that the author demands the replacement of ineffective treatments with better alternatives such as chiropractic adjustments in an effort to provide better patient care and outcomes as well as reduce the costs associated with low back pain.

As a Peoria chiropractor, I have helped many patients who've failed to respond to traditional medical treatment or have had their back pain return after treatment. Here at AlignLife, I focus on finding the root cause of the problem and correcting that first, followed by recommended the proper nutrition required for optimal healing and the preventative exercises necessary to prevent the injury from recurring. I want to make sure that patients have the tools they need to get better, stay better, and live better.

If you've been dealing with back pain and haven't been seen by a chiropractor, then you need to try it now. Call 309-689-6200 to schedule a free low back pain consultation at AlignLife today.

References
1 von Heymann et al. Spinal high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in acute nonspecific low back pain: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial in comparison with diclofenac and placebo. Spine 2013 April 1; 38(7):540-8

Is Medication Causing Your Erectile Dysfunction?

If you've experienced erectile dysfunction, you are not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health over 30 million Americans frequently have problems developing or keeping an erection. Your risk for ED goes up as you age, so its very important to be proactive in keeping your sexual health brimming before you have an issue in the first place.

The are many situations and stressors that can affect libido and the ability to have an erection, however in many cases the problem may be "under the hood". There are four things that need to be working correctly in order for men to sustain a normal erection.

1. The stimulus from the brain must be present.
2. The nerves directing the process must be functioning at 100%.
3. The blood circulation to the penis must be adequate.
4. The veins must be able to trap and keep the blood within the penis.

In many cases the nerve supply from the brain or nerves of the spine can be inhibited due to poor posture habits, previous spinal injury, or arthritis in the spine. As a Peoria chiropractor, I have seen huge improvements in nerve function with simple chiropractic adjustments to align the joints of the spine. Chiropractic adjustments are a safe and conservative treatment that works to restore nerve function in many different areas of the body. In addition, many postural issues and limited mobility due to arthritis can be corrected or improved with simple strengthening exercises.

In some instances, the blood supply to the penis can be affected due to muscle tension that restricts blood flow to the pelvic organs. When you relax musculature with therapeutic massage and restore normal posture with strengthening exercises, you can increase the blood flow necessary to sustain an erection.

Many men are not able to rely on the prescription medication that traditional medical doctors suggest due to negative interactions with their current medication. However, a recent study revealed that men taking medications may actually have an  INCREASED risk of erectile dysfunction. The 2012 study published in BJU International found erectile dysfunction was more prevalent the more medications men were taking. 

Increased risk percentages are listed below.

Men taking 0-2 Medications had a 15.9% increased risk of ED.

Men taking 3-5 Medications had a 19.7% increased risk of ED.

Men taking 6-9 Medications had a 25.5% increased risk of ED.

Men taking 10+ Medications had a 30.9% increased risk of ED.

References

1. Londono et al. "Population-based study of erectile dysfunction and polypharmacy". BJU International , 2012; 100(2):254-9. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10761.x/abstract 

Can Chiropractic Care Help with Pregnancy Back Pain?

During pregnancy, the soon-to-be mom's center of gravity begins to shift forward in her pelvis as the uterus grows in size and she gains an average of 25 to 35 pounds over the course of her pregnancy. This increased weight and change in disbursement can cause increased stress on the spine and low back specifically. Recent studies report that approximately half of expectant mothers will develop back pain at some point in their pregnancy.1-3 In addition, baby's head can also place pressure on nerves causing pain into the buttocks and legs. It is important to realize the normal anatomy before you can begin to understand how chiropractic can benefit pregnant mothers.

The uterus is attached to your spine and pelvis by three ligaments that help suspend the uterus in the abdomen without twisting. However due to postural imbalances or malposition of the bones of the spine or pelvis, the uterus can become tipped or twisted which can not only increase constraint on the growing babe within you but also cause back pain for the expectant mother.

As a Peoria pregnancy chiropractor, I have found that its a great idea for women to get their spine checked when they first become pregnant, throughout pregnancy, and after birth. Any imbalances within the spine and pelvis can be corrected before they can contribute to pregnancy discomfort, problems during childbirth, or chronic pain conditions. Some chiropractors, such as myself, have also undergone additional training with regard to modified adjusting procedures or specialized pregnancy techniques such as Webster Technique that can make chiropractic care safe for the mom-to-be.

Chiropractic care is safe for the mom to be and is especially useful for mother's wishing to avoid harmful medications that can injury their unborn baby. Doctors of Chiropractic can also offer advice on nutrition, exercise, and ergonomics that can aid expectant mothers in a healthy pregnancy and reduce injury.

A February 1991 study published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiologic Therapy found that 84% of pregnant mothers reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. There was also a significantly less likelihood of back labor when chiropractic adjustments were provided.4

17 cases of low back pain during pregnancy treated with chiropractic care were reviewed. Average pain scale improved from 5.9 at first visit to 1.5 at the termination of care. The average number of visits before pain relief was reported was 1.8 days with an average time of 4.5 days after the first visit. 94.1% of cases demonstrated significant improvement. No adverse events were reported.5

In one specific case, a 29 year old female presented with low back pain and history of two previous Caesarean deliveries due to failure to advance during labor and associated fetal distress. The patient underwent chiropractic care utilizing Thompson drop and Webster Technique. She reported alleviation of low back pain and successful vaginal birth.6

Want more information about how chiropractic can help your pregnancy? Call my office (309) 689-6200 to schedule a free pregnancy consultation today!

                

References

1. Östgaard HC, et al. Prevalence of Back Pain in Pregnancy. Spine 1991;16:549-52.
2. Berg G, et al. Low back pain during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1988;71:71-5.
3. Mantle MJ, et al. Backache in pregnancy. Rheumatology Rehabilitation 1977;16:95-101.
4. Daikow et al. Back Pain during pregnancy and labor. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1991 Feb;12(2):116-8
5. Lisi AJ. Chiropractic spinal manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy: a retrospective case series. J Midwifery Womens Health 2006 Jan-Feb; 51(1):e7-10
6. Alcantara J The Chiropractic Care of a Gravid Patient with a History of Multiple Caesarean Births and Vertebral Subluxation. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Res. March 11, 2008

Toddler Approved Chicken Soup Saves the Day

That's right folks! A treasure trove of a meal with only a few ingredients that's your little ones are sure to approve. My daughter literally licked the bowl clean.

I've been in a "soupy" mood lately with all the rain and wanted to find a light meal that didnt require an experiment in the kitchen. We all know less is more when it comes to a recipe so here's the delivery.

Note: I've been obsessed with bok choy lately but it's got a great flavor kick and serves as a great and more nutritious alternative to celery.

Ingredients:
One rotisserie chicken fully cooked (for times sake but you can also crockpot one as well for approximately 3 to 4 hours)
One bunch of carrots
One medium bok choy
One medium onion
4 chicken bouillon cubes
8 cups water
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Strip the chicken of all the meat and skin. Cut the carrots into 1/2 inch round slices, the onion into roughly diced 1 inch pieces, and bok choy into 1" pieces. Throw all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to boil for ten minutes. Lower to medium heat and cook for 1-1 1/2 hours until carrots and bok choy are tender.

Serve with a smile and a sippy cup :)

P.S. Yes I realize she is so fashion savvy with two headbands (one of which is being worn as a necklace) and a second necklace.

How to Get Rid of Those Annoying Headaches

There were approximately 45 million Americans complaining of headaches last year. These headaches can be very frustrating to many individuals especially if they are causing disability or interfering with daily activities such as work or interacting with your family. There are many different types of headaches, so the first step in treating headaches is to determine what type you are suffering from.

The most common type of headache is called a tension headache. It is estimated that 88 percent of females and 69 percent of males suffer from tension headaches. This type of headache is most often related to stress or mechanical problems in the neck and is usually described as pressure or tightness in the neck or around the head.

Migraines are the second most common type of headache. These debilitating headaches cause approximately 157 million hours of work lost every year and affect approximately 17 percent of the American population. Migraine headaches can be recurrent and typically last from 4 to 72 hours. They are described as moderate or severe pain that can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, throbbing pain in the head or neck, and sensitivity to light or sound. In children, these headaches may also be accompanied by abdominal pain which can make them very hard to diagnose. Many migraines are related to a trigger such as certain foods or hormone imbalance that causes blood vessels within the brain to dilate. These enlarged vessels can cause inflammation of the surrounding nerves in the brain which can contribute to the vicious cycle of violent and debilitating pain.

The last type of headache, a cluster headache, is characterized by frequent recurring cycles that are extremely severe and can be associated with pain around the eye with tearing or numbness, nasal congestion, and eyelid sagging. These headaches progress very rapidly and go from zero to debilitating in 10 minutes or less. It is theorized that these types of headaches are related to sudden and severe nerve irritation and can also be related hormonal changes.

As a Peoria chiropractor, I have found that the underlying cause of EVERY one of these headaches is an underlying nerve irritation which can be due to a mechanical misalignment in the neck, dehydration or toxicity in the body, or hormone imbalance that can trigger or exacerbate these headaches. I’ve found the absolute best way to determine the cause of your headaches specifically is to have consultation focused on the occurrence and characteristics of your headaches followed by an examination to determine the best approach to correct the underlying issue.

According to a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, migraine patients that utilized chiropractic adjustments to correct nerve irritation in the neck showed a significant improvement in the amount and length of their migraines and also reported less disability and medication usage. 72% of participants reported a decrease in incidence of their migraines with 22% of those reporting more than 90% reduction in migraines after 2 months of treatment.

Chiropractors are the only physicians that have extensive training in identifying and correcting the mechanical misalignment I mentioned above. They utilize specialized chiropractic adjustments to correct the nerve irritation without the use of medication or risky procedures. I’d highly recommend visiting your local Peoria chiropractic office at AlignLife for an integrative approach designed to find and correct the underlying cause of your headaches and they will empower you with proactive techniques to get rid of them for good!

4 Causes and Cures of Debilitating Headaches

There are three recognized types of headaches that affect over 45 million Americans every year and they include tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Many headache sufferers report that they rely on over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Excedrin or a prescription medication from their doctor to relieve their headaches, however these medications simply stop the brain from recognizing pain and DO NOT correct the underlying issue of nerve irritation! So the key point that I want you to take away today is that medication does NOT get rid of the cause of your headache and this is why headaches frequently return. If you want get rid of your headaches you’ll need to identify the true cause of the irritation and work on correcting that issue.

As a Peoria chiropractor, I have found that the underlying cause of EVERY one of these headaches is an underlying nerve irritation which can be due to a mechanical misalignment in the neck, dehydration and toxicity in the body, or hormone imbalance that can trigger or exacerbate these headaches. In some individuals I find that there may be multiple factors that are contributing to their headaches, so a multifaceted whole body approach may be needed to resolve recurrent headaches.

A mechanical misalignment is caused from damage to the joint structure in the neck that can contribute to muscle spasms and nerve irritation. When the joint is damaged the bones misalign, muscles strain or spasm, ligaments can be torn or sprained, and the nerves surrounding the joint can be irritated or compressed. The good news is that the damage is fully reversible but ONLY if you restore the normal joint alignment so that the whole joint structure can heal fully. Chiropractors are the only physicians that have extensive training in identifying and correcting the mechanical misalignment I mentioned above. They utilize specialized chiropractic adjustments to correct the nerve irritation without the use of medication or risky procedures that can result in permanent damage.

Another cause of headaches is dehydration which is the loss of water and electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, and potassium that are needed for the body to maintain healthy function. It is most commonly due to deficient daily water intake that causes blood vessels to narrow which reduces the brain’s supply of blood and oxygen. However the brain is unable to feel pain so headache discomfort results from irritation of the pain receptors lining the skull. As a general rule, it is recommended that you drink half your body weight in ounces of water (for example: If you weight 100 lbs then you should drink 50 oz of water daily).

Toxicity is a commonly overlooked cause of headaches that can result due to the inability of the liver to keep up with detoxifying the body. There are many toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis from our environment, food and water, and chemicals in our household cleaners and cosmetics. These toxins can cause a number of symptoms that include headaches, decreased energy production, difficulty with weight loss, and general body aches and pains. A full body detoxification, such as the Ultimate Body Cleanse is recommended in this instance to resolve the toxic overload and restore your body’s ability to function.

The last cause I’d like to discuss is the hormonal headache that many women suffer due to hormone changes that occur with their menstrual cycle. Immediately before the start of the menstrual cycle the female hormones estrogen and progesterone drop to their lowest levels while during ovulation these hormones spike to higher levels. These changing hormones can cause constriction and/or dilation of the blood vessels that causes symptoms that mimic tension or migraine headaches. Many conventional doctors and headache specialists often overlook this common headache trigger and don’t offer long term solutions. As a Peoria chiropractor, I am happy to report that a majority of my patients report improvement or disappearance of headaches once they address their hormone imbalance with long term solutions focused on a whole body approach.

If you are suffering from recurrent headaches and have not had long term relief with conventional medical treatments, I’d highly recommend visiting your local Peoria chiropractic office at AlignLife for an integrative approach designed to find and correct the underlying cause of your headaches and they will empower you with proactive techniques to get rid of them for good!

DIY All Natural Air Fresheners

There are toxic ingredients in the common aerosol and even wax air fresheners that are on the market today. Many of these harsh chemicals can trigger asthma or allergies and can lead to headaches. With the number of toxins in our home environment already, we need a natural alternative that won't break the bank or lead to health problems. I've got the solution so LISTEN UP!

Many of the staples you'd find in your kitchen can be used to brighten your home with delicious scents and even bring a unique blend to any holiday. For this project you'll need some mason jars, variety of herbs, spices, and citrus, and possibly some essential oils to mix for different scents!

Step 1:
To start with you'll need to figure out what scents you think will work best for your home. I've got some suggestions listed below and you can mix and match as much or as little as you want.

       Citrus/Fruits:     Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit, Cranberry, Strawberry

      Essential Oils/Extracts:     Eucalyptus oil, Almond oil or Almond extract, Vanilla extract, Spearmint oil

     Spices/Herbs:     Basil, Cilantro, Thyme, Rosemary, Pine sprigs, Bay leaves, ground or whole Nutmeg,  
                               ground Cinnamon or Cinnamon sticks, ground or whole Cloves, ground or whole
                               Allspice, Vanilla beans

    Suggested combos:     cilantro lime, lemon basil, lime mint, eucalyptus spearmint, orange cinnamon clove,
                                      pine clove allspice, eucalyptus vanilla, orange vanilla clove

Step 2:
Combine your ingredients. You'll usually want to use approximately 2 cups of citrus/fruit, 2-3 fresh herb sprigs, and 1 tsp of essential oils, extracts, or spices as a guideline but feel free to adjust quantities to mix up the flavor.

Step 3:
Fill the rest of the jar up with water.

Step 4:
Heat it up and let the smell permeate! There are many different ways to heat the mixture up depending on how large of an area you'd like the smell to fill as well as how long you'd like it to stick around. The best and quickest way to fill a large area is with steam from cooking it in a pot on the stove, but you'll really have to be careful that the water doesn't dry up. Some of the slower methods include a crockpot, candle warmer, or a ceramic/glass bowl with a tea light underneath. These are going to release slower smells and won't need constant "babysitting".

You can make them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for quick use. You can reuse each of these mixtures approximately 2-3 times but you might need to add a few more ingredients to refresh the smell the 2nd or 3rd time around. Make sure to store them in the fridge when not in use.

Crossfit Chronicles Week 1

I had a TON of views on my last Crossfit post from people who not only love the Paleo lifestyle but those CrossFit junkies that live for the muscle burn! Well I'd like to tell you that I'm joining up to CrossFit and getting whipped and burned in only 2 days a week :)

I'm currently in the February On-Ramp Program at Crossfit Peoria in the West Lake Shopping Center. Tuesday's class was definitely a lot different than the open house I attended last time but fun none the less. We learned how to do a dynamic pre-workout stretch that really got your muscles warmed up and lengthened before diving into air squats, kettle bells swings, and kipping swings. Needless to say the air squats were probably the most brutal since form was the biggest stress. My legs felt like noodles by the time I left but we did manage to "fit in" about 70 squats.

I was pleasantly surprised by the kettle bells and found that most of the muscles used for the swing were in my legs and core. My arms just pretty much held the kettle bell and held on for the ride up! If you haven't seen kettle bell swings before you HAVE to check this out! By the way this video is a little intense from what we did Tuesday but man this guy is just kettle bell crazy!!!

The kipping swings on the other hand were like a savior that I wish I had back in elementary school. Do you remember those physical fitness tests that we used to have to do? I believe I am scarred for life due to my pull-up or should I say lame pull-ups attempts back in the day. I distinctly remember being told that you just have to pull your body up and move your chin above the bar. That's it....that's all the instruction I ever received. I was never taught the importance of using your rhomboids (the muscles between the shoulder blades) to start the motion and then using your core to power you up the rest of the way. Well needless to say I felt like I was on top of the world after Tuesday's class because you guessed it I got real instructions on how to power up from the swing and turn it into a pull-up!! I feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that my previous excuse of "I just don't have any upper body strength" will NOT stand anymore! I'm on the path to do my first pull-up and will be able to do a little dance jig and show Mr. Judkins that I am not a weakling!! (Yes I remember my gym teacher's name from Elementary school because like I said I was scarred for LIFE!)

After Tuesday's class I will admit that I was quite sore especially in the thighs and hip stabilizers from all those squats and I was having a hard time moving and sitting. I was really worried about the Thursday class because I could barely walk and I had no idea how I was going to do more squats. But turns out I didn't have to worry much because those dynamic exercises were perfect way to stretch out those sore muscles without having to hold a static stretch and suffer through the pain of prolonged contraction and stretching in opposing muscles. All in all a great class since we did have to review the drills from Tuesday (increased reps but not as repetitive as we only had to do a few cycles) and then learned some great forms that will come in handy when we are the buff gals and guys of Crossfit Peoria. In other words, I survived my second class on Thursday and thought I did quite well. We learned some barbell lifting techniques and proper form and then did some drills with V-sits and box jumps.

I'm still a bit sore today but no where near as sore as I was on Wednesdays and I know that those dynamic stretches will be the key in between classes. I am looking forward to next week!!

Mumps Vaccination INCREASES Risk of the Disease

Many parents have heard rumors that vaccination is not as safe as the CDC claims and that it may not give children the protective benefits against the disease as they are led to believe. Couple that with the many reports of children developing autism, brain inflammation, and even death after routine vaccination and you can bet that parents want to find more current information and studies in children about vaccination.

I’d like to share some new and shocking information about mumps vaccination and how it has been linked to 94% HIGHER rates of mumps outbreaks in those vaccinated against the disease! The New England Journal of Medicine released a study in November 2012 that looked at a recent mumps outbreak in an orthodox Jewish community in the United States. The outbreak occurred June 2009 - June 2010 and included 3,502 children. Researchers looked at 1,648 clinical specimens confirming mumps and found that 89% of those who contracted the disease had been vaccinated at least twice for mumps and another 8% had received at least one dose of the mumps vaccination. That’s 97% of those vaccinated that contracted the disease while only 3% were unconfirmed as to having been vaccinated before.

This study shows that not only are vaccinated children at risk for developing the same disease they were vaccinated against, but they also have a HIGHER risk than unvaccinated children for developing the disease. Why is this you ask? Well children that have been vaccinated have been exposed to numerous toxins and heavy metals that are used inside of the vaccination to keep it stable and last longer on the shelf. These same chemicals will not only put their immune system at a disadvantage, but in numerous studies they have caused cancer development, nerve damage, and even led to autism and gastrointestinal symptoms.

So as parents, we really need to look into the benefit and risk ratios and look at the lack of research being done on these vaccinations in children before we condemn our children to being injected with chemicals that can have toxic effects and cause long term damage.

AlignLife prides itself on providing the most current and well researched evidence on the benefit and risk ratios of vaccination to parents. We provide you with the information necessary for you to make the most informed decision for your child. If you’d like more information about current research, refusal to vaccinate or alternative vaccination schedules, your rights as a parent when it comes to vaccination, or even more information on natural ways to boost immunity for your family, please contact your nearest AlignLife office. Visit our website at www.AlignLife.com