The nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves of the body, controls and regulates the entire body. Many childhood health problems are merely the result of nervous system interference, usually along the spine. Our gentle adjusting techniques help reduce these disturbances so your child’s body can resume working as it was designed. Better health is the natural result when the brain and body have clear communication pathways.
Ear infections. Biomechanical restrictions in the upper spine can compromise the nervous system and immune system, making your child’s ears a breeding ground for viral infection. Bedwetting. Nervous system compromise in the lower back can block nerve messages responsible for bladder control. Many children regain their confidence and self-esteem with chiropractic care.
Scoliosis. Instead of crude bracing or the all too common “wait and watch” approach, chiropractic care has helped countless children with this common disfigurement. Wellness. An obvious symptom isn’t required! Enjoy the peace of mind of having your infant or child checked to uncover structural or neurological problems before they become serious. Many of the hard-to-correct problems we see in adults are long-standing problems that began, and remained undetected in childhood. If you have questions, use the email link below. Or give us a call and arrange a telephone consultation. We’re happy to discuss any concern without cost or obligation. Yours in Health, Chad Schleiger, D.C.
0 Comments
Parents bring their children in for a host of reasons including earaches, ear infections, back and neck pain, digestive disorders, tension headaches, upper respiratory infections, infantile colic, asthma, enuresis (bed wetting), constipation, allergies, autism, ADHD and general overall wellness. Chiropractic care for children is becoming increasingly common as evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of pediatric care grows. In fact, chiropractors will see more than 68 million pediatric visits this year alone.
Why Chiropractic? Chiropractors aim to identify and eliminate stress on nerves caused by misalignments in the spine known as subluxations. Subluxations are the result of physical, chemical and emotional stresses on the body and though they are often painless, they can result in serious health disorders. Physical stress may begin in the womb if the baby is positioned poorly or may be caused by a traumatic birth experience. The twisting and torsion to a baby’s skull, spine and pelvis during birth, for example, can lead to a condition known as Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome, a common cause of upper respiratory infections, ear infections and tonsillitis. In addition, the inevitable tumbles and falls of early childhood while learning to walk, play sports, and ride a bike increase the risk of injury to the spine. While the initial pain of these accidents usually resolves in time, if dysfunction in the spine is left uncorrected it can continue to affect nervous system function and cause major problems as the child grows into adulthood. Additionally, emotional stressors, such as anxiety and depression, and chemical stressors, such as processed foods and other toxins, are indirect causes of subluxations. These stressors cause irritation to joints and other soft tissues, causing dysfunction in the spine and negatively affecting the function of the nervous system. Is Chiropractic Safe For Children? One of the most common concerns we hear from parents is regarding the safety of having their children getting adjusted. Chiropractic is not only one of the safest and most effective forms of pediatric health care, it’s also extremely gentle. As an Elkhorn Pediatric Chiropractor, the adjusting technique we use on an adult is not the same as the technique used on a child or infant. Children’s spines are extremely mobile compared to an adult’s, so only slight, non-thrusting pressure is needed to make an adjustment. The journal Explore recently published a revealing study investigating both the health benefits and risk of side effects in children who were treated by a pediatric chiropractor. Of the 812 pediatric cases reviewed, 717 reported improvement or resolution of their primary complaint following chiropractic care while only 9 reported aggravations related to treatment. These were described as “soreness” or “fussiness”. In addition, 74 of the cases reported improvement in areas unrelated to their primary complaints such as quality of sleep, mood, immune function, and range of motion. Will Chiropractic Care Work For My Children? It’s important to understand that the purpose of chiropractic care is not simply treating sickness or disease; the goal is to help the body function at its optimum level naturally by identifying and removing subluxations that interfere with the body’s nervous system. When the nervous system is allowed to operate without interference, the immune system functions more efficiently, the body has improved resistance to infection and disease, and your child’s body functions better overall. At The Wellness Pointe of Elkhorn, WI, we believe in taking a proactive approach to health by maintaining an optimal nervous system with chiropractic care instead of waiting for illness or disease to happen. Through regular gentle, non-thrusting chiropractic adjustments in combination with counseling on proper nutrition, exercise and postural habits, we can help your children reach their optimum health potential. To make an appointment today, call us at 262.215.2292 or email us at TWPChiro@gmail.com. Sources: Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic. Explore (NY). 2009 Sep-Oct;5(5):290-5. Gutman G. Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome in Infants and Small Children. ICA Review, 1990; July:37-42. Read more about us at www.thewellnesspointechiro.com or LIKE US on FaceBook. God Bless, Chad Schleiger, D.C. One of the many things our Elkhorn, WI chiropractic office specializes in is treating Sports Injuries. We work with kids, weekend athletes, high school and college athletes, and pro athletes. Anyone that is active can end up with a sports injury that would benefit from being treated by a sports chiropractic clinic of Elkhorn, WI.
Many amateur and professional athletes are sidelined with injuries that could be avoided. Others sit it out on the bench because their injury does not respond to ordinary treatment. Still, others are playing, but at less than peak efficiency, simply because their structural system is not balanced. Progressive coaches, athletes, and doctors are realizing that pain killing drugs are not the answer. They merely cover up the symptoms, deceiving the athlete into actions which could make the injury more serious and longer lasting. The Wellness Pointe's Chiropractic approach to health closely relates to the needs of the sports participant. Most sports involve body contact, fast starts and stops, and body positioning that places an unusual amount of strain on the back and structural system. The Wellness Pointe Chiropractic of Elkhorn, WI considers a person as an integrated being, giving special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Sports chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so the player enjoys peak performance, experiences a minimum injury risk, and has fast recuperative powers. Many world class and Olympic athletes, as well as professional stars and teams, have retained sports chiropractors to provide care. Joe Montana, Nolan Ryan, Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jubbar, and Carl Lewis all utilize chiropractic care. The Players Association of the NFL has officially incorporated sports chiropractors as a regular part of care. Chiropractors have been selected as attending doctors at the Olympic Games and at national and world championships in track and field, cycling, volleyball, powerlifting, aerobics, and triathlons. Our Chiropractic Wellness office in Elkhorn, WI will not only help get you out of pain, but will try to find the cause so your symptoms don't return. “Lifting weights and seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis has made me a better golfer. I’ve been going to a chiropractor for as long as I can remember. It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.” – Tiger Woods. Visit your local Elkhorn, WI chiropractor today! These are the five most dangerous words. People will often think or say this to themselves or others when they are feeling pain. But, when should you call the doctor?
Often times an acute injury will improve on it’s own with rest and ice. These are the first steps for someone to take on their own. Listen to your body and don’t push or aggravate a condition. Don’t just block the pain with painkillers or anti-inflammatories and then work when you shouldn’t. This will often make a condition worse. If a condition is improving then continue to give it a little more time to heal. The body is designed to heal itself. However, if a condition does not seem to be getting better after a few days then it may be time to call the chiropractor. Neck, back pain and headaches can certainly be debilitating. When this pain is accompanied by pain, numbness or tingling into the arm or leg you need to know that the condition is more severe. Also, the further down the leg, for instance past the knee, then it is much worse and you should consider calling the chiropractor right away. If your pain is accompanied by muscle weakness, this changes everything. This usually indicates nerve damage and you should call right away. Remember, listen to your body. Try to rest and use ice, initially for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. If not getting better after a few days or the condition seems to be more severe then earlier attention by a professional will usually lead to an earlier recovery. Give your local Elkhorn Chiropractor a call today so we can assist you in correcting the cause. While chiropractic care has been around for over a hundred years, there are still many misconceptions about what chiropractic is all about, what it feels like, sounds like and why. And, if you’re hesitant about giving it a try, we’re here to calm your nerves and tell you a little bit more about what we’re all about.
We don’t snap, crackle or pop — we adjust. An adjustment is a specific, highly accurate thrust that gently aligns your spine, as it should be, with absolutely no cracking of anything. Sometimes a popping sound is heard which is just the gas being released when your body moves into place. Chiropractors have many years of education. Today’s chiropractor receives a broad education very similar to medical doctors. In fact, it’s quite comparable to the education received by medical practitioners. Often, before acceptance to a five-year chiropractic college, prospective chiropractors must complete a minimum of four years of undergraduate work with a heavy emphasis on the basic sciences. A medical doctor (MD) and a chiropractor (DC) while different have both received a degree from a government accredited medical school or chiropractic college and are licensed to practice. Once you go, you don’t have to go forever… but you’ll probably want to! Your health is completely up to you. You can come for relief, or to keep your body in shape and functioning as it should. Preventative care keeps you feeling your best and helps your body prevent aches and pains in the future. It’s just like visiting your dentist regularly! Yes you can see a chiropractor after surgery. Have you had surgery in the past? We’d love to sit down with you and talk to you about how chiropractic care can help. Rest assured that we would avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Adjustments are gentle. Most people explain that they feel calm and refreshed after an adjustment. Since repeated adjustments may be necessary, an adjustment must feel good to get the patients to return to finish their care… and they do! We’re experts at making adjustments feel good and ensuring you’re comfortable. Chiropractors don’t just adjust your spine. Wrist. Jaw. Shoulder. Elbow. Hip. Ankle. Back. Knee. Feet. Hands. We adjust them all! Chiropractic care works so well and can be used virtually anywhere in the body and has effects on virtually every function of your body. We’re here to support you. Being a chiropractor is more than just helping your body realign itself, it’s about supporting you and helping you achieve your best potential, goals and a truly joyous life. We’re here to encourage you while you discover true wellness. If you have questions and would like to sit down and talk, we’d love to listen. Remember, the whole reason why we’re here… is you. Call your local, trusted Elkhorn Wellness Chiropractor today! Chiropractic for Children
Why would a child have a spine and nervous system problem? Traumatic births. Learning to walk. Slips. Falls. The list is endless. Yet, because children have such an adaptive capacity, these problems are often brushed off as “growing pains” or just a “phase they’re going through.” “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” When a child has some form of physical trauma or physical stress it puts their nervous system into a higher state of stress, or what we call "fight/flight". How does this happen? Most individuals and parents understand that the central nervous system is a very important system, if not, the MOST important system in maintaining and coordinating health. But most people don't understand the details of the central nervous system. The nervous system works in two modes of operation: 1.) sympathetic or "fight/flight" or "gas pedal" and 2.) parasympathetic or "growth/development" or "brake pedal". These two modes of operation, for the most part, are an autonomic (or automatic) response to our environment or our lifestyle. When your little one is running around the soccer field, his/her sympathetic nervous system automatically engages to enhance other systems like the cardio-respiratory centers to increase heart rate, increase breathing, pushing blood and oxygen to fuel their muscles, and at the same time it weakens the response for systems such as immune modulation, growth and digestion. This "fight or flight" mode is designed to be "turned on" for a short period of time and then "turned off". So when your little one shakes hands at mid field and goes back to the van with mom and dad, the parasympathetic nervous system should automatically turn on while the sympathetic or "gas pedal/fight/flight" should be turned off so they can absorb and digest their healthy post-soccer game snack that mom has prepared for them. Make sense? So what's the big problem? One thing we must understand is "we cannot be in GROWTH and PROTECTION mode at the same time". The biggest problem we see is the sympathetic or "gas pedal - protection mode" response gets "STUCK ON" for kids at an early age because of some sort of birth trauma (scheduled C-section, emergency C-section, vacuum, forcep delivery, increased in-utero constraint, breech position, etc), early childhood slips and falls, or mom experiences a very stressful pregnancy. Because this protective "gas pedal" response gets "stuck on" the nervous system never has a chance to "grow and develop" and coordinate the other immature or developing systems such as: immune system, digestive system, endocrine, etc... The BIGGER problem. We live in a time where more children are suffering from chronic illnesses than ever before (allergies, ADD/ADHD, autism, breathing difficulties, gut problems, immune system imbalances, eczema, auto-immune disorders, etc) and the reason is simply STRESS (stressful pregnancy for mom, birth trauma for baby, GMO food, environmental chemicals, etc...) that has caused our "gas pedal" response to get "stuck on" and our body, or our children's bodies, never get to "grow and develop" as they are designed to. How does Chiropractic and keeping your pregnancy less stressful help PREVENT this epidemic of sickness in our kids? Your nervous system's role is to "perceive your environment and coordinate the behavior of every cell." When mom conceives, a half cell from dad and half cell from herself meet to form one cell (This ONE cell has all the functions of growth, respiration, reproduction, digestion, perception, etc that the ENTIRE body will need after it is bore into the world in roughly 9 months). This cell then undergoes replication and division for the next 9 months to grow a perfectly healthy baby.... but only if mom is under minimal stress. When mom's nervous system perceives a stressful environment it activates her "gas pedal" response. When this happens, mom's nervous system, which is coordinating the behavior (development) of her soon-to-be baby's tissues, organs, nervous system, etc.., does so, stressfully. Under these stressful circumstances; fear, pressure, poor diet, lack of movement, environmental toxins, etc..., it is very difficult to "grow and develop" a baby with healthy, well-functioning tissues, organs and systems. The chiropractic adjustment, because it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, applies the "brakes" and slows mom's nervous system down and hence, allowing the "growth and development" of her baby to happen normally and naturally and a good doula or midwife will educate and empower soon-to-be mommas with the knowledge to make the best informed decisions for herself but more importantly, the baby - minimizing the emotional (mental) stress of mom during her pregnancy and help minimize the risk of birth trauma and other unnecessary interventions. Chiropractors, doulas and midwives work together to help keep mom and the baby in "growth and development" mode. Because let's face it..... the 9 months of pregnancy is the biggest growth and development phase anyone will ever go through! This is a great reason to consider a doula or midwife as well as a chiropractor for your pregnancy. - Chad Schleiger, D.C. Imagine balancing a 12 lb. (5.5 kg.) bowling ball on the tips of your fingers.... all day long. That’s just one of many things your neck must do. Your neck and shoulders work hard. Even the smallest deviation in the relationships of the seven bones of your cervical spine (neck) can cause pain and reduced head and neck mobility. Minor and Major Generally, we see two types of neck pain cases. Minor neck and shoulder pain involve sensations of discomfort, stiffness or soreness. If these symptoms last for more than 14 days or the joints have been stuck for 14 days or longer, they start to undergo arthritic changes -arthritis! These changes are irreversible so we consider them major. Just small minor stressors that build up over time such as, credit card bills, flat tire, family relationships, etc can cause ill-health in our bodies, especially our spine and nervous system. Response to Stress Physical, emotional or chemical stress can affect the frequency and severity of neck pain. For many of us, the neck and shoulders are the “weakest link in the chain” and so stress shows up here. Often, emotional stress is the overlooked culprit. Ever hear of something being a “pain in the neck”? Fear, anger or frustration can trigger the tightening of our neck muscles without our even being conscious. In time, chronic muscle spasms set in. Which can lead to headaches. Some over-the-counter pain reliever might dull the pain, but it ignores the underlying cause.
Sometimes this can be the tricky part of a chiropractor's job because most (90% or more) of spinal misalignments or what we call "subluxation" occur without any symptoms at all.
So we use a couple of outside measures to find internal mishaps in your body. During the examination on your first visit to our practice, we use a number of tools and techniques to determine the presence and extent of any misalignments in your spine. When your spine is not aligned properly, nerve interference is often the result. This can affect your entire body, even your immune system. Chiropractic care is designed to reduce this nerve interference, which then permits your body to assume its true, healthful vigor. How do we determine whether there are misalignments in your spine? Well, we generally use a number of different diagnostic tests, which may include one or more of the following: Leg length tests – A contracted leg, causing one leg to appear shorter than the other can be a common sign of spinal misalignment. Gait – We may have you walk as we notice any pelvic or spinal abnormalities that affect your stride or the way your heels strike the floor. Bending – Bending in different directions and at different angles can reveal spinal problems such as inflexibility or scoliosis. Rotation – Restricted movement when turning your head to the right or left can be a significant clue that misalignments are present. Posture – Checking your posture from the side can reveal a forward leaning head and other postural distortions. From behind, we’ll note a high shoulder or hip. Palpation - This is an easy check that chiropractor do with their hands while they feel your spine to look for any imbalances in your spinal column. In the early, easiest-to-correct stages, spinal misalignments often produce no noticeable symptoms. Yet. A spinal checkup in our practice can reveal problem areas that we can address before they become headaches, back pain or more serious health issues. Call our Elkhorn Wellness Chiropractic Office today!
You’re valued. Your loved ones adore you! No matter how many or few, near or far, they cherish you and need you around for a long time.
You deserve health. You deserve to feel your best, to have energy, be happy and move easier. You truly deserve to live the incredible life you’ve been blessed with. You can. Health is about being better than you used to be. Your fitness is all mental; your body won’t go where your mind doesn’t push it. So push yourself and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll achieve. You have time. One hour is roughly 4% of your day. So work smarter, not harder and get up early enough to take care of yourself each day for that jog, gym class or stroll around the park. It’s not about having time, it’s about making time. You’re in charge. There are many aspects of life that are far beyond our reach, out of our control. But the way you treat your body, the way you care for yourself, you can control that. “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll You’re an example. So much about parenting, leading and living is about setting the example. If you want to inspire others to do good, be healthy and enjoy life, then go out there and do the same! You’ll enjoy it. It’s amazing how much feeling goes into your health. Taking care of you is the gift that keeps on giving. By eating right you’ll feel great, by sleeping enough you’ll feel energetic and through exercise you’ll feel empowered and happy. In the end, we’re all blessed. Don’t take for granted the opportunity you have to live the most incredible life. We’re here to remind you of this because we value you, we know you deserve it, we know you can and we know your best life is just around the corner! Call our Elkhorn Chiropractic office today! The Emotional & Physical Aspect of Healing
Are you currently suffering from chronic pain, migraines or had an accident that leaves you achy? We’re sorry, but we understand, we care and we’re here to help! Physical. Many of us often think of the physical aspect of healing and that’s where we come in. We’re here to help your spine realign, so that you can naturally heal from the inside, out. Whether it’s back pain, headaches, or far worse, we’ll give you the care you need to get better. Emotional. What about the emotional side of our pain? Stress, anxiety and sometimes depression follow or accompany chronic pain. It can make pain worse and it can be harder to talk about than physical pain. We’re here to change that because we’re here to listen… Healing Thoroughly so You Can Be You Again We know how frustrating it can be when you can’t do the things you love, when life seems unfair and when you feel there is no hope. But we’re here to help restore that hope, because we believe you can heal and you can be you again. To help your body fully heal, it’s important to address your physical and emotional pain at the same time. Physical Pain: Chiropractic care allows your body to heal from the inside out. By aligning your spine, you allow your nervous system to function, as it should. A healthy nervous system allows you to heal faster, naturally. We’ll work together to establish exercise and stretches that will help you strengthen and loosen your muscles to assist in your recovery. Emotional Pain: Keep a journal or your activity and how you feel. Over time you’ll see patterns that may help you know what to avoid, work on or tackle straight on! In times of sadness; lean on family and friends. If you continue to struggle you can seek counsel to guide you through the healing process, so you can get stronger and feel better with each new day. Try to relax. Practice deep breathing and muscle relaxation to ease the tension that stress and emotions can put on you. Create a relaxing environment at home and work by keeping the TV off and instead using music, candles, family and pets to soothe your soul. Stay positive. Focusing on your pain may make your pain worse, and research says that can lead further into depression, anxiety and stress. That will in turn, slow your healing. Instead, keep yourself distracted with positive things, focusing on your progress and counting your blessings along the way. Remember, we’re here for you in times of health and sickness. We’d love to help you through chiropractic care and get you going on the road to relief and ultimate wellness. Any questions? Call our Elkhorn, WI chiropractic office today! |
blogRead our posts and join the conversation by commenting or sharing with community. categories
All
archives
October 2023
|