Dr. Bill's Office

2012-01-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Blog!

2012-01-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

The Four Most Common Childhood Illnesses: What should you do?

2011-12-23T08:27:00.000-08:00

A very high percentage of children will have one or more of the following illnesses during their tender years:

1. Fever

2. Ear infections (the #1 reason that children seek a physician’s help)

3. Cold/sore throat/sinus issues

4. Tummy ache (including constipation or diarrhea)

What you SHOULD NOT DO…IS PANIC!

This is not the time to call 911, rush to your doctor’s office, rush to the emergency room, shove medications at your child immediately or lose control.

This IS the time to do your best to be rational, look at your options, and react to the above four illnesses for what they usually are:

Signals to you as a parent and to your child that something is wrong and then for you to

figure out what to do about it.

In my opinion after practicing pediatric chiropractic for three decades the worst thing that you can do as a parent is:

-Start shoving medications or over the counter drugs to cover up the symptoms

The best thing that you can do for these illnesses is:

-Take stock of your child’s overall health FIRST

What do I mean by this? Look at your child with any of the above symptoms/illnesses. Does she:

-still have good energy

-look lethargic, have shallow breathing, have bad coloring

On the other hand recent history of your child:

-Has she:

-been getting adequate sleep lately

-been particularly stressed with things at home, school, with friends, etc.

-been eating relatively well or does she deserve a spot on the classic “Super

Size” me video where a guy ate only McDonald’s super size meals for a month,

(if you haven’t seen it…it’s worth a viewing…it should gross you out and keep

you away from super sizing or even eating most of the fast food crap).

-been drinking enough water…or too much soda

Are you starting to get the picture? If your child has been sleeping badly, eating badly, is stressed out, then he or she kind of deserves to get sick! Don’t treat the symptom of a cold or tummy ache only…

CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH HABITS!

The old commercial with the dude at a bowling alley that has just consumed all kinds of nastiness in food and drink…and lo and behold he gets an upset stomach?! GOOD…he deserves it! The commercial was for an antacid and the slogan of the commercial was:

“Don’t change your eating habits, just take our antacid with you.”

What the commercial should have said was:

“Go ahead and eat like an idiot, pay for our antacid and we’ll help you keep abusing your body!”

Colicky Baby? 8 Suggestions to Help ©

2011-11-30T13:45:00.000-08:00

Colicky Baby?

Solutions and Suggestions:

1. Get informed. Find out what the causes are of colic and pursue them. Go natural first!

One of the challenges in being informed is that there is a lot of information, and you need to decide what is applicable and what is not.

Seek out medical advice from both Mechanistic and Vitalistic standpoints. It is good to compare advice and see what your best options are.

2. What are you feeding the baby? If you are breastfeeding, then if your baby is unhappy or colicky, look at your eating habits first. The top of the not to eat list would be:

-spicy foods, sweets, processed foods, dairy, wheat, nuts, etc.

Be careful with baby foods that you purchase. Some of them have processed foods and preservatives that are not good for your child. Once your child has teeth, then just use a processor or even a baby food grinder to give your child the good food that you’re eating.

3. Be careful to not just cover up your baby’s symptoms and think that all is well. Symptom chasing can be dangerous and not in your child’s best interests. Many symptoms should not be ignored, while some are more innocuous. (A great read on this subject is Dr. Mendelshon’s book How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Dr.)

4. Find some natural ways to soothe your baby’s needs. Could your home be quieter some times in the day or night? Could the room that he/she sleeps in be darker, more soothing? Are there harmful substances in the home environment that could be removed, (smoking, strong odors, etc)? Could the environment be made cleaner, more inviting, more relaxing to all that hang out there?

5. See a Pediatric Chiropractor for a check up.

A couple of Danish studies in over 91% of colicky babies improvement from Chiropractic care. This was significantly higher than the efficacy of dimethicone (a digestive and anti-gas medication) with colicky babies. (4)

A pediatric chiropractor can check the baby’s nervous system for interference, (more in chapter 12 on this), and be helpful with digestive issues a7. s well. I have personally seen great results in dozens to hundreds of colicky babies in my practice.

Since the four major categories of colic are:

a) Stomach-reflux, difficulty digesting, etc.

b) Intestinal-gas pains, constipation, diarrhea

c) Muscular-particularly after a difficult birth

d) Neurological-pressure on the nervous system

All four of these categories respond particularly well to gentle chiropractic treatments and spinal adjustments. Cranial sacral treatment is amongst the most gentle and can help the ‘over-stimulated’ baby the most. Going back to Dr. Roumeliotis’ comment on an immature nervous system, who better to help than someone who specializes in the nervous system: a Pediatric Chiropractor.

6. Are there some emotional issues that Mommy/Daddy and baby can improve on? Are you in need of some counseling or assistance? Seek help from family, friends, your community or your fellow church members. You and your baby’s health is worth it.

7. Swaddling a baby or wrapping them in a fairly tight blanket is sometime soothing

8. Increase the noise level. This seems counter-intuitive, but many parents swear that the blender, vacuum cleaner and other loud household noises seem to calm their colicky child down.

The only explanation that I can think of is the physical therapy treatment using Electrical stimulation. The P.T. actually ‘overstimulates’ an already unhappy muscle and sort of forces it to ‘calm down’.

Dr. Bill Lawler

Part 2 of “Our Daily Meds” by Melody Petersen

2011-11-21T15:25:00.001-08:00

Drug companies target children and parents:

Pharmaceutical companies… “are now targeting the increasingly profitable and fast growing

Medicine market for children. The companies’ marketers have created:

-storybooks

-video games

-soft, cuddly toys

This is all in an attempt to attract children’s attention. These marketers also know that parents want to have as perfect of a child as possible, hence:

-human growth hormone can help sons grow taller

-ritalin can help children interact better

-antidepressants can help shy children play better with other kids

What are the effects? Thousands of children have been harmed by these drugs. More than 7,000 reports of drugs harming children ages 0-2! In three years: 1997-2000. More than 750 of those children died!

Hooked on Prescription Drugs

2011-11-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

Quotes from: Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves
Into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs
By Melody Petersen

This book was written by a former New York Times correspondent, who specialized in covering the pharmaceutical companies. The more she looked into these companies, the more she realized that there was a major amount of information for a book.

What she discovered was that many drug companies are more concerned with sales than research. She found that the drug sales reps had enormous latitude in rewarding doctors with perks, bonuses, and that it was all part of the drug companies HUGE marketing budget.

“Selling prescription drugs-rather than discovering them-has become the pharmaceutical industry’s obsession.” (p.2)
“America has become the world’s greatest medicine show.” (p.4)

Americans spent $250 BILLION in 2005 on prescription drugs. Americans spend more on medicines that do all the people of:
-Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico,
Brazil and Argentina…combined!

Celebrities are spokesmen for the products. Professors and distinguished Doctors are on the payroll of major drug companies earning $25K+ for ‘speaking opportunities’ and up to $500K a year to tell people how wonderful the drug is, in the guise of objectivity.

The average American takes home 12 prescriptions a year, while older Americans take home 30.

Consequences: more than 100,000 Americans die each year not from illness…but from prescription drugs! That breaks down to 270 Americans dying every day from prescription pills.

Dr. Arnold Relman, professor emeritus at Harvard Medical School wrote:

“Again and again you see examples where patients get far more medication than they
need. The average senior in American is probably taking twice or three times the
medications they require.”

More to come next week…

HOW TO BUILD YOUR RESILIENCY

2011-08-25T14:09:00.000-07:00

HOW TO BUILD YOUR RESILIENCY:
How to be tough when tough times come a calling…

I thought I would pass on a great article that I just read in a wellness oriented magazine called:
Experience Life. It’s the September, 2011 issue, and the title of the article is:
“The 5 Ways to Build Resiliency”

The basic premise is that our attitude and our habit DO make a difference in how we react to life’s challenges…no matter how small or how severe they might be.

The tips include: 1. Pump up your positivity (positive mental attitude is not just a phrase)
2. Live to Learn (keep being curious and asking questions)
3. Open your heart (kindness, service, forgiveness)
4. Take care of yourself (eat right, exercise, reward yourself often)
5. Hang on to Humor(laughter and not taking life too seriously helps!)

Check out the article. You can make the choice of how happy you should be and want to be…no matter what happens to you and your loved ones.

Dr. Bill

http://www.experiencelife.com/issues/september-2011/life-wisdom/the-5-best-ways-to-build-resiliency.php

What should you go to a Doctor for?

2011-07-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

When was the last time that you went to the Doctor to be
Healthier…and not just Less Sick?

So, go ahead and think about it…when was the last time you went to see a Doctor that was NOT because of a symptom?

Your immediate thought might be:
“Why would I go to a Doctor if I don’t have a symptom?”

Here are a couple of answers:
1. To a Western Medicine ‘mechanistic’ Doctor, you wouldn’t go unless it was for an annual screening or exam, which is still symptom based
2. To a Eastern Medicine or ‘vitalistic’ Doctor, you would go to get or stay healthy, and not just- to-not-be-sick.

Confusing? It probably is because it goes against what we have been raised on in the U S of A and many other parts of the world. The primary rule of western medicine is:
-Find the symptoms, make a diagnosis, treat it, next

What about finding out more about the individual? What are their:
-eating habits
-sleep habits
-stress levels
-exercise habits
-relationships
-nervous system function/interferences

I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer being in a health alliance with a professional that cares about the whole me and not just my heartburn, blood sugar level and blood pressure.

It’s time to re-think how we think about health and sickness. We were born to be healthy, not sick but if we only are concerned about our health when we are sick…then we’re missing the point.

Why does your kid get sick?

2011-06-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

Why does your child get sick?

Here are some possible answers:
-germs
-allergies
-doesn’t clean his/her hands enough, etc.

Now here’s a totally different kind of list:
-poor eating habits
-doesn’t sleep enough
-depressed immune system
-too much stress
-decreased nervous system function

What’s the difference between the two lists? One is
-‘outside in’ thinking (Western medicine: treat the symptom approach)
-the other one is ‘inside-out’ thinking.(Eastern medicine or look for the cause approach)

When your child gets a headache, is it because she doesn’t have enough aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen in her body? If that’s not the reason, then why do you give her a ‘pain inhibitor’?

When your child gets a fever, is that a good thing or a bad thing? If it’s a good thing, then 95% of the time you don’t over react or do anything right? Or do you react like it’s a bad thing and give your child an ‘anti-pyretic’ (once again, Tylenol, ibuprofen or aspirin…which and anti-fever…and reduce it).

WATCH AND WAIT=INSIDE-OUT THINKING
FREAK OUT AND REACT IMMEDIATELY WITH A PILL =OUTSIDE-IN THINKING
Inside-outers honor the body’s healing abilities
Outside-inners like to get rid of symptoms immediately

Want to try something different? Find ways to help your child be ‘healthier’…
-eat better
-sleep more
-get their nervous system checked by a pediatric chiropractor
-(like you did with a pediatric dentist for their teeth)
-find ways to de-stress
-get them out in nature more and around the TV and video games less

Symptoms are actually good. Their like the warning lights in your car telling you to pay attention and find out how you can help treat the body better.

Get the picture?

Our bodies were made to be healthy. We just need to help them out from time to time and not make it worse with all kinds of medicines and over the counter crap from the drugstore.

Bread is good for you, right?

2011-06-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

"We actually ruin every meal of the day with one of the most antigenic foods on the planet, bread."

The Bread Trap
Pathways Magazine

Bread is a vehicle. In a sandwich, it drives other food neatly and with little spillage into a bag or wrapper, into a lunchbox, and then into the mouth. A popular meal while driving, the sandwich can be sort of neatly eaten with one hand while the other hand sort of competently manages the steering wheel. Bread envelops. It absorbs excess liquids, and shapes the contents within for optimal handling. And that’s just for lunch.

Later, at dinner, when eating tends to be somewhat more formal, often with some sauce or other potential messiness sitting on a plate, there is sometimes a desire to wipe up the last drop of liquid with an edible sponge. Again, bread serves a purpose. Lightweight, dry and fresh enough at room temperature (at least for a while), bread travels well and sits neatly on a shelf. No wonder that bread and similar wheat products, sweetened or plain, are ubiquitous throughout much of the world and the darling of the processed food industry. Bread takes on many forms: loaf, bagel, doughnut, muffin, pasta, croissant, fry bread, roll and even birthday cake. Bread and other wheat-flour products are among the most common breakfast foods.

The History of Bread

By 4000 B.C., wheat cultivation had spread from the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East through much of the world. Until modern food distribution and storage was developed, it played an essential role in sustaining populations through long periods between harvests, when there was no other food. This, in turn, enabled nomadic hunter-gatherers to settle into permanent communities, and to even trade away excess wheat with outsiders. Wheat’s utility in the problem of seasonal famines ensured its continual increase in acreage until the present day, when it has reached a peak of cultivated acreage.

However, the wheat our ancestors ate was different in form, quantity and antigenicity from what people eat today. Until the 19th century, a very recent time in human history, wheat was generally mixed with other grains, beans and nuts. Only in the last 200 years has pure wheat flour with high gluten content been milled to the point of refined white flour. Generally, the wheat people eat today is no longer stone-ground from whole meal flour, as even our recent ancestors ate. Almost all of us alive today have been given white wheat-flour products on a daily basis from a few months of age—before our intestinal lining can properly filter anything other than mother’s milk to our bloodstream.

For many years, the USDA’s food pyramid was dead-weighted with the absurdly large 11 servings of grains and grain products. The average person took this satire of a diet seriously, and actually ate up all that bread, bringing it into every meal—and snacks, as well.

An Inescapable Trap

Even if an individual attempts to eliminate all grains from her diet except for stone-ground grain, it’s too late. The high-gluten, refined grain that we have all eaten from infancy has created a ubiquitous problem, from the gut to the bloodstream to the brain…and sometimes the joints, cardiovascular system and endocrine system, as well. The food sensitivity that our culture has dropped on us has done the kind of damage that leaves no easily identifying marks. Bread inflicts wounds so subtly and gradually that most of us consider ourselves immune to any such damage.

The huge and complex gluten protein, especially its gliadin fraction, is thought to be the worst problem in the glutencontaining grains. The proportion of gluten in wheat has been enormously increased by hybridization since our distant ancestors first started making food from wild grasses. Gluten’s name comes from the Greek word for glue, and its adhesive, elastic property is the very thing that holds a loaf of bread or bite of cake together. But when that glue hits the intestines, it interferes with the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the accompanying foods of the same meal. And because gluten is of almost no nutritional value itself—nutrients having been bred out in favor of its adhesive properties—little value is gained from that meal. At best, even the person who considers himself immune to wheat allergy is getting a worthless, glued-together, constipating lump in the gut from what was considered a nourishing meal. A run-down, mildly fatigued feeling is a constant symptom of adults with the most minor reaction to wheat. We actually ruin every meal of the day with one of the most antigenic foods on the planet.

At worst, such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and lymphoma can result from severe celiac disease or extreme gluten sensitivity. Less severe reactions are experienced by many who may have occasional unexplained diarrhea or intestinal gas and bloating, vague joint pains, infertility or brain fog.

In order to effectively replace wheat in our lifestyle, we need to find a way to mimic some of the adhesive/elastic properties of wheat flour and bread products. A sandwich thus becomes a lettuce wrap, or its contents are placed on a plate or in a bowl. Meats, vegetables and fruits play a more prominent role. A spoon is ready to scoop up the last of the sauce on the dinner plate. Lunch goes into a thermos.

You can make a lot of extra work for yourself by going to the supermarket and attempting to replace all of the breads and desserts in a typical diet with gluten-free grains, but you’ll still be getting a nutritionally depleted meal—poor compensation for spending extra time reading processed food packages for gluten content. The whole-food solution is the simplest and most nourishing. Shop the produce aisle and the meat counter, and let those purchases alone comprise your diet. It will make you discover new and delicious vegetables that you have never tried before, and it will set you free from the bread trap.

Fever in your child: time to panic or to allow the body to heal?

2011-05-27T09:01:00.001-07:00

Dr. Philip Incao in an article regarding this issue stated:

Children’s Health: A Question of Balance: (Pathways magazine, 12/01/2010)

“Antibiotics, aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs cool down and suppress the fire of the immune system so that symptoms subside before the illness has fully worked its way out of the body.

“In healthy people, the inflammatory response of the immune system rarely gets out of control. In such cases an antibiotic may be called for. Although an antibiotic may be lifesaving, it never heals an inflammation- it only suppresses it. The causes of the inflammation must still be healed after the antibiotic treatment. Otherwise, the immune system may remain weakened."

Why does a person typically get a fever? It is a signal from the body, a messenger if you will, telling the body that there is a healing crisis going on. It is the body’s attempt to heal, overcome something foreign or toxic that the body needs to get rid of. Attempting to get rid of the fever with an ‘antipyretic’ (or fever suppressing medicine) is like killing the messenger.

Reactions to medicines and immunizations can produce fevers because the body is attempting to cope with the toxin that has just been introduced to it. The best approach is to be calm and to make your child as comfortable as possible. Keep them warm, well hydrated, and only have them eat when they have an appetite and even then easy to digest foods like broth, the famous chicken noodle soup, herbal teas and juices are good choices.

Sleep is one of the most powerful elixirs in any healing crisis. Help your child be at ease and they often understand that their body is healing itself. My one son always knew what to eat and in what quantity even when he was a young child.

-Dr. Bill Lawler

Here is the link for the full article:
http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/component/option,com_crossjoomlaarticlemanager/Itemid,49/lang,en/view,crossjoomlaarticlemanager/

My kids are drug addicts and they're only 10

2011-05-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

A recent article DR. Claudia Anrig raised awareness about the alarming increase of prescription drugs given to children. the article is featured in the "To Your Health" magazine and can be found online at the following link:

http://toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=1427

Here are a few of the highlights from the feature article:

In December 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported the latest findings by Medco Health Solutions Inc., which determined that roughly one in four children and 30 percent of adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are taking a medication for a chronic condition in the United States. Nearly 7 percent of children are taking two or more such drugs, according to the company's research for 2009.

Some believe this trend is just the result of doctors and parents becoming more aware of drugs as an option for kids, but the problem remains that many of these drugs have not been tested specifically for the pediatric population. Danny Benjamin, a Duke University pediatrics professor, is specifically concerned about the well-established drugs since the pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to test them. "We know we're making errors in dosing and safety," said Benjamin

"Atypical antipsychotics are extremely powerful drugs that are being used far too commonly - especially in children - given their safety issues and side effects," says Dr. David Musina.

A Worldwide Problem

As with most trends in the United States, other countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia tend to follow suit. For instance, despite the guidelines set forth by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the number of prescriptions written in the U.K. for Ritalin is up 33 percent and in Canada, the use of ADHD drugs increased almost 50 percent between 1999 and 2004, according to IMS Health Canada. Although no current figures are available, there are very real concerns regarding the continued increase in the number of prescription drugs being given to Canadian children.

The Solution

Your chiropractor's primary goal when caring for you and your children is to allow the body to heal itself naturally. That means using conservative treatment options first, rather than turning to medication. In many cases, particularly regarding some of the pediatric conditions treated heavily with drugs these days (diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep problems, asthma, etc.) lifestyle modifications including exercise, nutrition, weight loss and stress reduction can go a long way - without drugs - to improve your child's health. Talk to your chiropractor for more information.
--------------------------------------------

There are some very alarming facts and trends highlighted in this article. Every parent needs to know there is another option! Clearly the most dangerous and expensive route is prescription drugs. It is evident that the parents only want what is best for their children and in hopes to help their children's health they reach out to the only source they know: medicare. However there is a better way. Our hope is to raise awareness for all you loving parents out there searching for the safest way to raise healthy kids! And that is what we are all about here at Chiropractic4Kids&Families!

To finish up this article here are some scary facts:

Drugging Our Children?

Many of the prescriptions or refills dispensed to children and teens in 2009 were for conditions not normally associated with children. Take a look at these staggering statistics (from most to least dispensed):

Asthma drugs: 45.388 million

children 0-9 years: 28.252 million
children 10-19 years: 17.136 million

ADHD drugs: 24.357 million

children 0-9 years: 7.018 million
children 10-19 years: 17.339 million

Antidepressants: 9.614 million

children 0-9 years: 1.026 million
children 10-19 years: 8.588 million

Antipsychotics: 6.546 million

children 0-9 years: 1.396 million
children 10-19 years: 5.150 million

Antihypertensives (treatment for high blood pressure): 5.224 million

children 0-9 years: 1.819 million
children 10-19 years: 3.405 million

Sleep aids: 307,000

children 0-9 years: 14,000
children 10-19 years: 293,000

Non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes: 424,000

children 0-9 years: 30,000
children 10-19 years: 394,000

Statins (treatment for high cholesterol): 94,000

children 0-9 years: 11,000
children 10-19 years: 83,000

Chiropractic and Reflux?

2011-04-21T16:03:00.001-07:00

A mother brought in her cute four month old son, and said "I've never been to a chiropractor and frankly don't understand how chiropractic can help my son, but I'm ready to try something else."

She had taken her son to several MDs, received various opinions and medications, but her son was still suffering from reflux several times a day.

I explained how we do our best to 'calm down' the nervous system in people and then work on both the spine, and the stomach to help accomplish that.

This poor little guy probably 'hurled' about 2-3 times in the 10-15 min. consultation and exam. Mom was getting tired of smelling like her son's undigested food all the time.

We found some areas of concern and subluxations on the little guy. While he remained pretty happy on Mom's lap, we gave him his first gentle adjustment, and then two days later a follow up adjustment.

I taught the Mom some things to do to help with his tummy and to calm him down.

After the second visit, his reflux is almost gone. Mom is happier and so is the little bugger. Now they need to work on sleeping better...

Turning the 'power back on full' is what chiropractic is all about!

If You Are Going to Vaccinate...

2010-12-06T07:58:00.000-08:00

Prep them by doing the following:

1: Make sure that you give them great nutrition:
No sugar, no processed foods, only the good stuff!

2: Make sure that they are exercising, moving, walking, running, (not being couch potatoes!)

3: They need to be well rested! Lots of sleep.

4: Garlic, oil of oregano, mushroom and other supplements that can help stimulate the immune system!

5: Chiropractic adjustments to clear the nervous system and help them be ready for the immune system challenge that they will face.

6: Positive imagery and emotional support.

If You Vaccinate, Ask 8!

2010-12-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

What You Need to Know Before & After Vaccination

Under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, over $2 billion has been awarded to children and adults for whom the risks of vaccine injury were 100%. Vaccines are pharmaceutical products that carry risks, which can be greater for some than others. NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about the risks and complications of diseases and vaccines and speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision.

1: Am I or my child sick right now?

2: Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before?

3: Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system problems?

4: Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child?

5: Do I have full information about the vaccine's side effects?

6: Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction?

7: Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number, for all vaccinations?

8: Do I know I have the right to make an informed choice?

Source: www.nvic.org (National Vaccine Information Center)

Ways to Get Informed About Vaccinations

2010-12-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Here are a few books and websites I recommend to do some research on vaccinations.

Books:

What Every Parent Should Know About Childhood Vaccinations by Jamie Murphy
Click here to order on Amazon.com

Shot in the Dark (DPT discussions) by Harris Coulter and Barbara Loe Fisher
Click here to order on Amazon.com

What your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Children's Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave
(M.D., F.A.A.F.P.)
Click here to order on Amazon.com

Vaccines, Autism, and Childhood Disorders by Neil Miller
Click here to order on Amazon.com

Websites:

www.nvic.org (National Vaccine Information Center)
www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/preface.htm
www.thinktwice.com
www.mychiro4kids.com (Dr. Bill's Website)
www.vaccinerights.com
www.alanphillipslaw.com (researcher of the myths & truths of vaccinations)
www.icpa4kids.org

10 Myths and Truths About Vaccinations

2010-12-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

Myth #1: “Vaccinations are safe”

Truth #1: “Vaccination causes significant death and disability at an astounding personal and financial cost to uninformed families.”

Myth #2: “Vaccines are very effective”

Truth #2: “Evidence suggests that vaccination is an unreliable means of preventing disease.”

Myth #3: “Vaccines are the reason for low disease rates in the US today…”

Truth #3: “It is unclear what impact, if any, that vaccines had on 19^th and 20^th century infectious disease declines.”

Myth #4: “Vaccination is based on sound immunization theory and practice…”

Truth #4: “Many of the assumptions upon which immunization theory and practice are based are unproved or have been proven false in their application.”

Myth #5: “Childhood diseases are extremely dangerous”

Truth #5: “Dangers of childhood diseases are greatly exaggerated in order to scare parents into compliance with a questionable but highly profitable procedure.”

Myth #6: “Polio was one of the clearly great vaccination success stories…”

Truth #6: “The polio vaccine temporarily reversed disease declines that were underway before the vaccine was introduced; this fact was deliberately covered up by health authorities. In Europe, polio declined in countries that both embraced and rejected vaccine.”

Myth #7: “My child had no reaction to the vaccines so there is nothing to worry about…”

Truth #7: “The long term adverse effects of vaccinations have been virtually ignored, in spite of direct correlations with many chronic conditions.”

Myth #8: “Vaccines are the only disease prevention option available”

Truth #8: “Documented safe and effective alternatives have been available for decades. (However they have been systematically attacked and suppressed by the medical establishment.”

Myth #9: “Vaccinations are legally mandated and unavoidable”

Truth #9: “Legal exemptions from vaccinations are available for many- but not all- US citizens.”

Myth #10: “Public health officials always place the public’s health above all other concerns…”

Truth #10: “Many of the public health officials who determine vaccine policy profit substantially from their policy decisions.”

Allowing the Body to Heal Itself

2010-11-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few natural remedies for some common health challenges:

Allergies - Freeze dried nettle, acidophilus, black walnut (for parasites)

Asthma - Ephedra/licorice (anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic, decongestant, etc)

Bed Wetting - Horsetail tea (bladder), chamomile tea (emotional stress)

Colds/Coughs - Zinc, Emergen'C, eucalyptus/tea tree oil, pulsatilla

Constipation - Aloe vera juice, senna leaf tea, licorice, more greens in diet, less dairy

Diarrhea - Acidophilus, charcoal, more greens in diet

Ear Infections - Garlic oil (warmed), collodial silver (kills bacteria)

Fever - For infant-- white willow bark tincture enemas or (sometimes) let nature take its
course. Fever is a sign that the body is killing the infection and taking care of the problem all on its own. Just watch the temperature.

Flu- Boiron Oscillowcocinum, bathe in apple cider vinegar and wrap around calves, zinc, Apple cider vinegar drink (8 oz water 2t ACV, pinch cayenne, 2t honey)

Headache- More water, peppermint oil (on temples and base of neck)

Heartburn- If frequent, Hawthorne berry tea, more greens in diet, low dairy intake

Hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD) - Hyland's calms forte, lower sweet or refined foods, GLA, magnesium, exercise, B-Complex vitamin supplement

Immune System (weak) - More greens in diet, acidophilus, garlic, echinacea, Emergen'C

Sinus Congestion - Collodial silver (sprayed or dropped up nose), bathe in ACV (20 min and increase water intake afterwards)

Stomach problems - Licorice-- stomach pain reliever (if long term, take DGL licorice), aloe vera juice, peppermint tea

Strep Throat - Xylitol (kills virus in mouth), ACV drink, Emergen'C, honey lemon tea, Echinacea, mullein and lobelia at onset

Tonsillitis - Zinc, acidophilus, garlic capsules, Echinacea, honey lemon tea (soothes and heals throat), ACV drink, bathe in ACV

Boosting Your Child's Immune System

2010-11-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

Echinacea - this natural herb will enhance your own immune system. Many research studies have proven its effectiveness.

Vitamin C - this simple vitamin can fight off invading germs. Younger kids up to age 6 will benefit from around 250 mg per day. Older kids and adults can take 500 mg per day. Available as a powder, chewable, or capsule.

Fruits and vegetable supplement - the immune-boosting properties of nature's food is remarkable. If your kids won't eat enough fruits and vegetables, try juice with fruit and veggie supplements.

Zinc - this mineral is a safe and effective way to boost the immune system. Children up to age 6 years can take 10 to 20 mg per day. Older kids and adults can take 20 to 40 mg per day.

Probiotics - the common name used for this is Acidophillus. These are healthy bacteria that live in our intestines and help with our immune system. The best species of probiotics are lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. Available as liquid, powder, and capsules, children and adults can take as directed.

Avoid weakening your own immune system.

Source: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp#T042501

Bad Habits

2010-11-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

1: Overdosing on sugar: Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, (the equivalent of about two cans of soda), can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by forty percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours.

2: Excess alcohol: Excessive alcohol produces an overall nutritional deficiency, depriving the body of valuable immune- boosting nutrients. Second, alcohol, like sugar, consumed in excess can reduce the ability of white cells to kill germs. Amounts of alcohol that are enough to cause intoxication are also enough to suppress immunity.

3: Food allergens: After many encounters with food allergens, the intestinal lining is damaged, enabling invaders and other potentially toxic substances in the food to get into the bloodstream and make the body feel miserable. This condition is known as the leaky gut syndrome.

4: Too much fat: Obesity can lead to a depressed immune system. It can affect the ability of white blood cells to multiply, produce antibodies, and rush to the site of an infection.

Source: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp#T042501

Feeding Your Immunity

2010-11-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

Vitamin C: Vitamin C supplements are inexpensive to produce, and it’s available naturally in many fruits and vegetables.

Take around 200 milligrams a day
Eat at least 6 servings of fruits/veggies a day
If taking supplements, space them throughout the day (not one large dose)

Vitamin E: Antioxidant and immunity booster

Stimulates the production of natural killer cells (destroy cancer and germ cells)
Enhances the production of B-cells producing antibodies
May reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging
Implicated to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
Cut the risk of heart attacks by 50%
You need 100-400 milligrams per day, depending on your general lifestyle

Carotenoids:

Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by interfering with how the fats & cholesterol in the bloodstream oxidize to from arterial plaques.
Protect against cancer by stimulating the immune cells called macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor, which kills cancer cells.
The body converts into vitamin A

Bioflavenoids:

Aid the immune system by protecting cells against environmental pollutants.
Protect the cell membranes against the pollutants trying to attach to them.
Lessen the formation of microscopic clots inside arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke

If you eat the recommended 6 servings of fruits/veggies a day, you will get your daily dose of bioflavenoids.

Zinc:

Increases production of white blood cells that fight infection and helps them fight more aggressively.
Fights against cancer and helps white blood cells release more antibodies.
Zinc supplements have been shown to slow the growth of cancer.
It is best to get zinc from your diet (aim for 15-25 milligrams daily)
A great source of zinc for infants and young children is zinc-fortified cereal.

Garlic:

Stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells
Boosts natural killer cell activity
Increases the efficiency of antibody production
Can act as an antioxidant that reduces build up of free radicals in the bloodstream
Lower incidence of intestinal cancer
May play a part in getting rid of potential carcinogens and toxic substances
Heart friendly food - - keeps platelets from sticking together and clogging blood vessels

Selenium:

Mobilizes cancer fighting cells

Omega 3/Fatty Acids

Oils act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat bacteria
Protect against damage from over-reactions to infection.

Source: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp#T042501

10 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

2010-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

1: Drink your lemons. Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drink freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or add salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body's internal "climate" at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is an alternative

2: Give your body an herbal boost. Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the winter. Essential oils, fresh herbs and whole food remedies are always preferable over packaged herbs or supplements, since they have a much higher potency and frequency and your body absorbs more of their value.

3: Get a full night's sleep. Everybody's different. Whatever your personal sleep requirement is, get it! Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels, keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.

4: Eat plenty of protein. Protein is a building block for a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets that are low in protein tend to be high in carbs which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system.

5: Drink plenty of water. You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.)

6: Stop drinking coffee. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. A mineral supplement helps to offset caffeine's damage.

7: If you do only one thing to boost your immune system, eliminate white sugar. You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly. Many holistic nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body; some practitioners are known to prioritize eliminating sugar from the diet over recommending that people quit smoking. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but avoid artificial sweeteners; they are even worse than cane sugar.

8: Stock up on raw fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. Dark-colored produce (berries, kale, and broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants.

9: Spend some time out in the cold. Exercise can make a noticeable difference to your health and happiness by releasing endorphins. Most of us spend 90% of our lives indoors, inhaling dubiously filtered air and other people's germs, so take every opportunity to get outside. Time spent outdoors in the cold also stimulates the thyroid gland.

10: Nurture yourself. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions - if you're feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold. Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. Take a "mental health day" every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you're happy, you're far less likely to get sick.

Source: http://www.suite101.com/content/10-ways-to-boost-immune-health-a8274

How to "Healthify" A Recipe

2010-10-11T08:32:00.002-07:00

Here are some ingredient substitutions you can use to "healthify" your meals. Also listed are the benefits to the switch.

Butter/Oil -- Olive Oil- With this substitution, you get your essential fatty acids (EFA's),
vitamins A, E, B's and zinc -- also better for cooking
Coconut Oil - EFA's
Canola Oil - Better for cooking
Earth Balance
Apple Sauce

Sugar -- Honey - vitamins A, B, D and E
Agave (nectar from cacti) [3/4 c to 1 c sugar] - low glycemic index
Pure Maple Syrup
Date Powder (dehydrated dates)
Fruit Juice

Shortening -- Coconut Oil - EFA's (possible weight loss)

Mayonnaise -- Veganaise -- healthy oils

Sour Cream -- Plain Yogurt - low fat, contains cultures

Table Salt -- Sea Salt - contains minerals

Milk -- Rice Milk
Almond Milk

White Flour -- Whole Wheat - higher in vitamins B, C, A and E
Spelt/Kamut
Rye - 20 % protein, fiber, B's, iron and magnesium

White Rice -- Brown Rice - 80% more B vitamins; more protein, magnesium, calcium, B's, Fiber
and vitamin E.

How to Read Food Labels

2010-10-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

High Fructose Corn Syrup: Corn syrup modified by enzymes to increase fructose. May lead to onset of diabetes in adults.

Corn Syrup: Made by chemically splitting corn starch. Highly caloric and may contribute to weight gain and tooth decay.

Sugar: In refining sugar, it loses 99% magnesium, 98% zinc, 93% chromium, 93% manganese, 88% cobalt, and 83% copper. Eaten in excess, it prevents the absorption of other nutrients as well. Average American consumes 100 lbs per year.

White flour: In milling wheat, it loses majority of its manganese, chromium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, & calcium.

Partially/Hydrogenated Oils: Chemically induced hydrogen saturation of carbon bonds in oils causes the structure to change. Our body is unable to process it as we do other oils. Tend to increase cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease.

BHA and BHT: Petroleum based preservatives. May cause elevated cholesterol, liver & kidney damage, and sterility.

Aspartame: Artificial sweetener (NutraSweet, Equal, and others) linked to hyperactivity, depression, headaches, insomnia, etc.

MSG: Flavor enhancer may cause headaches, gastrointestinal, cardiac, muscular, neurological, respiratory, and skin problems.

Sulfites: Preservative. Allergic reactions may vary from mild to life threatening. FDA prohibits use on fresh raw produce.

Sodium Nitrate or Sodium Nitrite: Preservative in many processed meats. When combined with a natural body or food chemical, amines, they can become carcinogenic.

Yellow #5: Petroleum based dye that may cause allergic reaction, hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness and sleep disturbances.

Red #40: Food dye from petroleum linked to ADHD and others.

A general rule of thumb: If you cannot pronounce it,

it probably isn’t natural and may cause harmful effects.

Healthy Recipes

2010-10-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Veggie Animals

Using toothpicks to assemble, take some sliced veggies such as carrots, celery, peppers, broccoli and make animals. I’ve seen one that had the dip right on top (on the head). The kids thought the food was fun.

Sweet Potato Fries

I make these homemade

Salsa

1 can black beans (or soaked black beans) 1 can shoe peg corn (drained)

1 can diced green chilies 3 or more avocado

6-8 diced tomatoes (or 1-28oz can chopped tomatoes) 1 pkg Good Seasons Italian dressing

1/4-1/3 cup vinegar Juice from ½ lemon

Optional: cilantro, red onion, green onion

Stir all ingredients together & chill. Serve with tortilla chips.

Hummus

1 16 oz. can garbonzo beans or 1/2 can of black beans and 1/2 can garbonzo (i use half and half)

2 cloves garlic

3 TB tahini

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 tsp. cumin

1/4 c. olive oil (i use 1/8)

juice from 1/2 lemon

Put in food processor and enjoy! I leave some of the juice from the black beans in there so it makes up for less olive oil. I still drain most of it, but leave a tiny bit in there. Serve with whole wheat tortillas or crackers.

Popcorn

Air popped corn                                                    Extra virgin Olive oil

Braggs liquid Aminos                                           Nutritional yeast (1/4-1/3 cup)

Pour olive oil (in place of butter) on top of popped corn. Spray Braggs liquid aminos (in place of salt) and nutritional yeast (high in B vitamins).

Apples and Nut Butter

This is a great after school snack or a day at the park. Apple slices can be dipped into pineapple or lemon juice to prevent browning. Bring a small container of peanut or almond butter for dipping.

Ants on a Log

Celery Almond or peanut butter Raisins

Wash a stalk of celery (I buy organic celery, as it is one produce item that is heavily spread with pesticides) and put a strip of nut butter on it. Then place some raisins on top. It’s fun to make and eat, so kids may enjoy this snack after school. I enjoy it anytime.

Dried Fruit

Can be purchased or dehydrated at home. I like to use fruits that are getting soft or will not be eaten. Before I go out of town, I dehydrate or freeze most of my produce for this purpose. Some of my favorites are apples, peaches, apricots, pineapple, bananas, mango, and strawberries. Watch for sales on these items as well. You can easily make some homemade fruit leather too by blending and pouring onto a dehydrator sheet.

Peanut Butter Balls

Mix together: 1 c honey

1 c peanut or almond butter

Add: 2 c whole grain flours (wheat germ, oats, etc) ½ c raw sunflower seeds

½ c sunflowerseeds Raisins

Nuts (optional)

Make into balls and roll in dried, unsweetened coconut.

Green Smoothie

4 cups baby spinach or mixed greens (preferably organic) ¾ cup water

1 frozen banana (peeled first and then frozen) 2 cups frozen fruit

Put spinach and water in blender and liquefy it. You do not want any ‘chunks’ of spinach. Add in frozen fruit to your desired thickness. If needed, add water or juice.

Raw “Frosty”

3 cups water ¼ cup Maple Syrup, Dates, agave, or honey

¼ cup carob or cocoa powder 2 t. Vanilla or more

5-6 frozen bananas Cherry Extract (opt)

In a blender, combine water and bananas. Add carob, maple syrup and vanilla. Blend until smooth. If the carob leaves a bitter taste, add a TINY pinch of cayenne pepper.

6 Week Bran Muffins

2 1/4 cup boiling water 5 t soda
1 cup coconut oil 1 1/2 cup agave or honey
4 eggs 2 cups raisins, nuts, or dates
1 qt plain yogurt 5 cups whole wheat flour/sprouted flour
1 t salt 4 cups Bran Cereal (All Bran or Essential 10)
2 cups Bran flakes (Peace Essential 10)

Add soda to water, let cool. In separate bowl, cream coconut oil and add sugar and eggs (one at a time). Stir in yogurt and remaining ingredients. Chill for at least 2 hours and then make muffins whenever you wish. Batter keeps in the fridge for up to 6 weeks! Bake 425 for about 15 minutes. Makes 5 dozen.

Wraps

Tortillas (uncooked are best) 1 cup cooked brown rice

1 can black beans 1 tomato (sliced)

1/8 onion (finely chopped) ½ cup hummus

1 clove garlic (minced) lettuce

1 cup salsa 1 avocado (sliced)

Dressing of choice (ranch, chipotle, etc.) 1 can olives (sliced)

Cheese (optional)

Place black beans, onion, and garlic in saucepan and warm. Cook 1^st side of tortilla and flip. As the second side cooks, place toppings on, starting with-cheese, black bean mixture, hummus, rice, avocado, tomato, olives, salsa, lettuce, and dressing.

Sweet Wrap

Tortillas (uncooked are best)

Honey or agave

Cinnamon

Cook first side of tortilla and flip. Top with some honey or agave and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Roll up tortilla and eat as a snack.

Rachel Ray Potatoes

1 small onion Olive oil

½ green pepper 1 t paprika

clove of garlic red potatoes

palm full of grill seasoning (season salt)

Coat jelly-roll pan with olive oil and place cut up potatoes on it. Sprinkle potatoes with season salt & paprika. Sprinkle cut-up peppers, onion, & garlic on top. Bake 30 min at 450°-500°.

Trail Mix

1 cup raw cashews – pieces or whole I cup roasted peanuts

1 cup raw almonds 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1 ½ cups date pieces 1 cup raw sesame seeds

1 cup raisins

Mix together and enjoy.

Super Charge Me Cookies

Makes 4 dozen cookies

4 cup quick oats

2 2/3 cup spelt flour

1 tsp (rounded) sea salt

1 – 2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 –1 1/3 cup raisins or chopped dried fruit

3/4–1 cup carob or chocolate chips (optional; or use more dried fruit, nuts, or seeds)

1 tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder

1 1/3 cup flax meal (not flax seed)

2 cups pure maple syrup

¾ cup almond butter (may use cashew, peanut, hemp seed butter)

2 tbsp pure vanilla extract

½ cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, salt, cinnamon, coconut, raisins, and carob or chocolate chips, sift in baking powder, and stir until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine flax meal, syrup, almond butter, and vanilla and stir until well combined. Stir in oil. Add wet mixture to dry, and stir until just well combined (do not overmix). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon batter onto baking sheet evenly space apart, and lightly flatten. Bake for 13 minutes (no longer, or they will dry out). Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 1 minute (no longer), then transfer to a cooling rack.

Soda - - It's Worse Than You Thought

2010-10-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients in Assorted Sodas

Coca Cola

Carbonated Water – the result – tooth decay hundreds of times faster than sparkling water

Caramel Coloring – Not certified by the FDA (considered exempt)

Same toxicological properties as caramel produced by heating

sucrose.

Caramel is burnt white sugar – sugar on top of sugar

Aspartame – Approx. 200 times sweeter than table sugar

92 side effects are possible results on consumption ex: headaches, vision

loss, seizures, neurological problems, cardiovascular problems, and death.

Converts to formaldehyde at a temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit –

The human body’s natural temp is 98.6

Phosphoric Acid—linked to lower bone density in epidemiological studies

Used to remove rust from metal

Kills brain cells

Damages skeletal system and greatly disturbs the body calcium-

Phosphorus ratio

Potassium Benzoate –

In combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), sodium and

potassium benzoate may form benzene, a known carcinogen.

Heat, light and shelf life can affect the rate at which benzene is formed.

Caffeine –

acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects eating plants

A psychoactive drug – crosses the blood-brain barrier and effects mostly the

central nervous system where it alters brain function, causing changes in

perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and behavior.

In healthy adults, caffeine’s half life is approximately 4.9 hours

Half life = the time required for the activity of a substance taken into the

body to lose one half its initial effectiveness.

Overuse

Caffeinism – caffeine dependency with a wide range of unpleasant physical and

mental conditions including nervousness, irritability, anxiety, tremulousness,

muscle twitching, insomnia, headaches, respiratory alkalosis, heart palpitations, peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal flux disease.

Long term consumption of low dose caffeine slows hippocampus-dependent learning and impairs long-term memory.

Linked to hyperactivity

A 2008 study showed that women who consume 200 milligrams or more caffeine per day have about twice the miscarriage risk as women who consume none.

20-30 % of American adults consume more than 500 milligrams of caffeine per day – twice the amount doctors consider a large “drug dose”.

Caffeine has diuretic properties (increases the flow of urine). These properties put extra stress on the kidneys and have a dehydrating effect on the body. Various studies also link caffeine to birth defects and research shows that it interferes with DNA replication and robs the body of vital nutrients, especially B-vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, and potassium and prevents the absorption of iron.

SUGAR: The average can of soda is equivalent to 11 tablespoons of sugar.

No wonder soda plays a role in diabetes, kidney failure and anxiety

Random Concerning Facts:

Our bodies were made to have a natural pH balance of 7.3 which is slightly alkaline. A pH of 2 is 100,000 times more acidic than a pH of 7. Each can of soda has a pH of 2. A pH of 2 means that a person would have to drink 32 eight ounce glasses of alkaline water just to neutralize the effect of one can of soda.

Some mechanics use soda to remove rust from batteries and cables.

Soda originated in pharmacies – coke was supposed to relieve indigestion

Police use coke to remove blood from the streets

Sprite: contains all the ingredients that coke does except the caramel coloring, however, it has acesulfame potassium which is yet another artificial sweetener and high fructose corn syrup – more sugar!

Orange Soda: high fructose corn syrup, glycerol ester of wood rosin (a stabilizer that tries to keep a chemical reaction from occurring), food starch-modified (buffer against excessive heat), yellow 6 (a sulfonated version of Sudan I, a possible carcinogen), red 40 (originally made from coal tar, now made from petroleum)

Tips for replacing scary problems with simple solutions:

If carbonation has to happen, only give your kids sparkling water, mineral water (add juice for a taste similar to soda), or sparkling cider. Cider is better because it doesn’t have the high level of carbon dioxide that sparkling water does.

Sparkling Water Ingredients:

Carbonated water is like regular water only pressurized heavily with carbon dioxide.

Martinelli’s Cider Ingredients:

Pasteurized 100% Pure Carbonated Apple Juice from U.S. Grown Fresh Apples, Vitamin C, No Water or Alcohol, No Concentrates, No Sweeteners or Preservatives.

Sources:

www.wikipedia.com

www.caringmedical.com

www.organicconsumers.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ndG76q4og&p=4F0B5262345A19F9&playnext=1&index=12

http://www.dherbs.com/articles/dangers-drinking-soda-127.html

Tips For Picky Eaters

2010-10-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

1. Remain Calm. If you child picks up on your stress about their eating it can sometimes end up escalating into a battle of wills and can even become a control issue.

2. Serve Small Portions. Their little stomachs do not need much to get full and especially when trying a new food it can be far less intimidating for them to see just a small amount on their plate!

3. Respect their Hunger Levels. It’s best not to force your child to eat past where they feel full. Children tend to eat when they are hunger and stop when they are full…trust that they know their bodies.

4. Serve a new food with a Favorite. This way they can feel comfortable knowing there is something that they like on their plate to enjoy. They can mix up the two items if it helps. I still do that myself sometimes with food that isn’t my favorite but I know is good for me, I’ll only eat asparagus if I can mix it with rice!

5. Offer fruit or vegetables for snacks. In between meals let them snack all they want on healthy fruit and vegetable slices.

6. Watch the clock. Make sure to stop all snacks about one hour before your meal. That way they’ll be hungry when they come to the table.

7. Make it tasty! Serve vegetables with a yummy dip or fruit with some yogurt. Little ones love to dip their food! Try serving veggies raw and steamed – they may have a preference!

8. Get them Involved. Getting your picky eater to help you purchase food and help prepare it can be fun for them. Of course this isn’t possible all the time but occasionally make the whole process an experience they can be a part of, it can be really fun!

9. Keep it Separate. Sometimes it’s all about food touching! If this is an issue for your picky eater then when possible keep ingredients separated (think, salads, stir fry etc) Maybe like me, they don’t like their cool salad touching their warm rice or potato. This makes perfect sense to me! Those divider plates are fantastic, for some picky eaters that’s all they need to be able to enjoy their meal!

10. Food Talk. When you’re talking to your child about food try to avoid using taste as an indicator of whether a food is good or not. Instead talk about how healthy it is, it’s color, shape and texture.

11. Role Model. If you want your children to eat healthy foods then you need to as well. This isn’t easy for a recovering picky eater but it definitely works in encouraging your child to eat healthy food!

All information found at:
www.todayiatearainbow.blogspot.com

Kids with Ear infections? Wellness options?

2010-10-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

I just recently had a question sent to me by email concerning Ear Infections, Chiropractic, and how to help a child with ear infections without drugs/surgery.

The basic premise is how do you help the body heal itself? Is there a way to help an ear infection, an ear inflammation or sinus related issues without antibiotics, or over the counter remedies?

The answer is an emphatic yes. One must assess the situation with a competent pediatrician (chiropractic pediatrician, osteopathic or medical). If the pediatrician's response is 'drugs first' then the child often doesn't have a chance to 'fight the infection or inflammation' with the incredible arsenal of healing responses that the body has.

If the pediatrician is more wellness oriented, then things such as sinus and eustachian tube massage, increased vitamin C, oil and garlic drops for the ears, chiropractic adjustments, etc can all help the body overcome the healing crisis on its own.

In almost 30 years of Pediatric Chiropractic practice, I have seen hundreds of children with ear infections and inflammations. In only a very small % of the time, less than 5% did the child need to have medical intervention.

How does it work? That's a rather long explanation, but I would invite your specific questions and refer you to the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Assoc) website: icpa4kids.com.

Trust the body more and medicines less.

Nutrition Workshop Highlights

2010-10-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

We recently had a workshop on Nutrition here at our office and would like to share it with those who couldn't make it. In posts to come (today) will be:

Healthy recipes
Healthy substitutions (making your favorites healthier)
Tips for feeding picky eaters (from www.todayiatearainblow.blogspot.com)
Info about soda
Simple improvements in the diet (white vs brown)

To see comments about the workshop from patients, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/topic.php?uid=147163951990549&topic=1055

For more information about our office and services, please visit:

http://www.mychiro4kids.com/index.php?p=107684

Constipated no longer!

2010-09-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

Whew, long time no update Dr. Bill!

Okay, here we go with a new, good story:

My almost 4 year old grandson Eli just moved into our house, he and his family are in transit...on the way to Bejing, China...but that's another story, and two days ago, he was in a lot of pain from not being able to go potty.

Some of you know the pain personally, or know of loved ones who have suffered from such a condition. Not fun, no 'joy in mudville' and thing can just sort of get worse.

Well, Eli's bright Mommy, my eldest daughter Becca, suggested that Gramps give Eli an adjustment. I did just that.

I adjusted his lower back, L4-5 area that is directly connected to the spinal nerves that go to the intestines, the poop area and what not. I then did a gentle (sort of) massage on his descending large intestine (where the poop often gets kind of stuck), and went on my way to work.

By the end of the day, the boy had visited the toilet with significant contributions no less than 6 times...

Moral of the story: constipation might be linked to a nerve system blockage that can be helped by a chiropractic adjustment. See a pediatric chiropractor in your area, and get things 'flowing' again! (visit icpa4kids.com to find a pediatric chiro near you).

Dr. Bill

Neurosensory Deficits, Disorders, and Challenges:

2009-10-12T15:21:00.000-07:00

Dr. Bill just attended a seminar called: Neurosensory Integration. It was all about helping children develop more normally and specifically those with:

-learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, low energy, decreased coordination, developmental delays, etc.

While neither chiropractic nor this neurosensory integration 'treat' any of the above conditions, many of the above the conditions have responded very nicely to a combination of chiropractic adjustments and improving one's neurosensory functions.

It may mean a young boy can't figure out how to do simple scholastic things because he's just not 'wired' exactly right, or there is too much confusion going on in his nervous system. Or that a young girl lacks coordination because her nervous system set up is overloaded or understimulated.

Check out the icpa4kids.com website for more information, or give us a call or an email to see if we can be of help to you or your children.

9 week old with colic-made happier!

2009-06-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Picture a cute little 9 week old girl. She looks cute, but something from the tired look in the mother's eyes tells the observer that all is not well.

The mother explains that the little 'angel' basically never sleeps. She will take a short nap for 10 minutes and then wake up screaming.

In my office, the wee one cried as hard as I have ever seen a child cry and her face turned a bright red at the least movement or touch.

We checked her out for subluxations (spinal misalignments that can interfere with the body's normal energy and healing abilities). No surprise, she had a bunch of them.

After a very gentle touch to the neck, and a few other areas: (interspersed with the little girl's full throated-red-faced screaming), all of a sudden, she calmed down and started to yawn.

The Mom called later to say that for the first time in this little girl's 9 week existence, she laid down for a nap for 90 mins. and when she woke up she was happy!

Chiropractic helps little bodies and big ones to work better!!!

Check out the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association's website at: www.icpa4kids.com.

Summer Rap

2009-05-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Dr.Bill's is the place to go:

Boost your health, and your immune system too-

Chiropractic helps your health to not be blue.

Bad backs, stiff necks, car accidents yes,

Chiropractic and wellness your bodies will bless.

Bring in your sick ones, from the big to the small,

In our groovy office, we always have a ball.

If you’re looking for ways to help your kids without pills,

There’s no better place to go then Dr. Bill’s!

Ear infections...gone!

2009-04-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of helping a young 2 and 1/2 year old overcome the chronic ear infections that he had suffered from since he was 3 months old. Mom was tired of giving him antibiotics and the tubes that were put in his ears didn't seem to make much of a difference either.

So, after getting some relief from her low back pain, she brought her toddler in to get checked out.
He had recently had three cycles of ear infections in a row and was dependent on antibiotics each time to help him overcome them.

After a spinal exam and computerized thermal scan, it was evident that he had some subluxations in his neck and upper back areas. He also had congested sinuses and blocked or at least inflamed Eustachian tubes.

He was adjusted gently in both his mid back and neck and then given a massage to his sinuses and the area of his neck relating to the neck lymph nodes and Eustachian tubes.

He came in two days later and was already feeling better and the sinus congestion and ear infections had decreased. By the next week, he was free of the ear infection and sinus challenges.

Now some three months later, he continues to be healthy and happy and free of infections for the first time in his short life.

The body knows how to heal itself...sometimes it just needs a little help.

KSL radio and website article, 4.1.09

2009-04-02T13:02:00.001-07:00

Yep, that's right...Dr. Bill got a 'brief' interview on KSL radio about:

Parents turning to chiropractors instead of pediatricians. The overall text is decent and from a bigger article from USA Today on Monday March 31, 2009. The last line should be tweaked a little bit to: "Lawler stated that while he doesn't promise to cure any illness or disease, he does do his best to help remove interferences to healing and works hard at helping the body heal itself."

You can go to the KSL.com website and have a listen if you'd like...The blogsite comments went from encouraging to nasty...a bit more polarizing emotion out there than I realized!

Audio

Randall Jeppesen reporting

Parents turning to chiropractors instead of pediatricians

April 1st, 2009 @ 9:49am

By Randall Jeppesen

ALPINE -- More parents than ever are taking their kids to the chiropractor instead of a pediatrician.

Bill Lawler has been a chiropractor for 27 years. He's currently practicing at Chiropractic 4 Kids and Families in Alpine and says in the past couple of decades his patients have been getting younger. Nearly half are under the age of 18.

"Newborn babies, usually not seconds after they've been born, but within days to weeks definitely," he said.

He says most often parents bring kids in for ear infections but also for sleeping problems, bed wetting issues, colds, the flu and about anything else.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says nearly three percent of all U.S. children are treated by chiropractors. He cautions more studies need to be done to prove the techniques are safe and effective.

Lawler welcomes more research to document what works. Lawler says he never promises patients he's going to cure a child's sickness, but he says he'll work to relieve tension and stress from the body so the body can heal itself.

E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com

New York State Vaccine Panel

2008-12-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder and president of the NVIC (National Vaccine Information Center) gave these remarks before a vaccine panel in New York State on Dec. 15, 2008. Her plea rings true for parents who want the freedom of choice. In her remarks she challenged the very premise of vaccine efficacy.

Please read her well thought out statement:

Barbara Loe Fisher
Co-founder & President, National Vaccine Information Center
Vaccine Education Roundtable
December 15, 2008
Stony Brook University, Long Island, NY

Assemblyman Alessi and NY State Legislators:

Thank you for holding this Vaccine Education Roundtable to discuss issues which impact on Assembly Bill 5468 to insert philosophical exemption in New York vaccine laws. I appreciate the invitation to be part of this panel on behalf of New York members of the National Vaccine Information Center, [1] a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to prevent vaccine injuries and deaths through public education and defend the informed consent ethic.

Vaccination is a medical intervention performed on a healthy person which carries an inherent risk of injury or death. [2] [3].[4] The risk of harm can be greater for some than others[5] and there is no guarantee that vaccination will, in fact, confer immunity. With very few predictors having been identified by medical science to give advance warning that harm or failure to confer immunity will occur, vaccination is a medical procedure that could reasonably be termed as experimental each time it is performed on a healthy individual.

Further, the FDA, CDC and vaccine makers openly state that often the numbers of human subjects used in pre-licensing studies are too small to detect all adverse events caused by a new vaccine.[6] This makes government recommended use of newly licensed vaccines by millions of children a de facto uncontrolled national scientific experiment. In this regard, the ethical principle of informed consent to vaccination attains even greater significance.

Informed consent means that a patient or guardian has the right to be fully informed about the benefits and risks of a medical procedure and be allowed to make an informed, voluntary decision about whether or not to take the risk. Informed consent is an important check and balance for the relationship between physicians and patients that encourages physicians to obey the Hippocratic oath to “first, do no harm.”

The affirmation of the informed consent ethic in the practice of modern medicine is rooted in a rejection of the traditional paternalistic medical model, which places the patient or guardian in an unequal, powerless position with a physician and facilitates uninformed, involuntary risk taking. The human right for individuals to exercise informed consent to participating in scientific experiments was officially acknowledged by the judges of the Nuremberg Tribunal after World War II. Their ringing endorsement of individual inviolability and the right to self determination when taking medical risks has became an internationally accepted moral guidepost for the ethical practice of modern medicine. The first principle of the Nuremberg Code [7] begins with:

“The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential. This means that the person involved should have legal capacity to give consent; should be so situated as to be able to exercise free power of choice, without the intervention of any element of force, fraud, deceit, duress, overreaching or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion; and should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the elements of the subject matter involved as to enable him to make an understanding and enlightened decision.”

In America, the closest we come to upholding the informed consent principle with regard to vaccination is in the 18 states which allow personal, philosophical or conscientious belief exemption to vaccination.[8][9] In the 2008 edition of America’s Health Rankings, [10] Vermont is ranked the number one healthiest state. Vermont allows philosophical exemption to vaccination. In fact, out of the top ten ranked healthiest states, six of them allow philosophical exemption (Vermont, Minnesota, Utah, Idaho, Maine, Washington).

New York ranks 25th in health behind the nation’s most populous state, California. The state of California,[11] has twice as many residents as New York, as well as more foreign born residents and those who speak English as a second language. However, in almost all other demographics, California is nearly identical to New York [12] in ethnic diversity; numbers of children under age 18; median household income and persons living below poverty.

California allows philosophical exemption to vaccination.

What is interesting is that in the top 10 healthiest states, four had among the lowest vaccination rates for children ages 19 to 35 months: Utah (37th) , Idaho (45th), Maine (40th) and Washington (48th). California which is ahead of New York in overall health ranking, is 31st in vaccination coverage of 19 to 35 month olds while New York is number 9. The healthiest state, Vermont, is 29th in vaccination coverage.

In fact, health is not primarily measured by high vaccination rates or an absence of infectious disease. [13] High vaccination rates are not the most important measure of the overall health of citizens. The 18 states allowing philosophical exemption to vaccination have not compromised individual or public health when compared to other states.

This past September, the CDC announced that national childhood vaccination rates are at near record levels, with at least 90 percent of young children receiving all but one CDC recommended vaccine. Less than 1 percent of children aged 19 to 35 months remain completely unvaccinated. [14]

Today, the U.S. government recommends the use of more vaccines than any other country in the world: 69 doses of 16 vaccines for girls; 66 doses of 15 vaccines for boys given between the day of birth and age 18. [15] ,[16] That is triple the numbers of vaccinations recommended by public health officials and physician organizations a quarter century ago, when 23 doses of seven vaccines (DPT, MMR, OPV) were routinely given.

But in comparison to other nations, the overall health of Americans has not improved since 2004 and there are 27 countries that exceed the US in healthy life expectancy while the U.S. ranks 39th in infant mortality. [17]

Today, 1 in every 143 babies born in America dies; [18] 1 child in 450 becomes diabetic;[19] 1 in 150 develops autism;[20] [21] 1 in 9 suffers with asthma;[22] ,[23] [24] and 1 in every 6 child is learning disabled. [25]

The chronic disease and disability epidemic that has developed in the last quarter century is killing and injuring more children than any infectious disease epidemic in the history of our nation, including smallpox and polio. The social, economic, and human costs are enormous: nearly two billion dollars has been paid to vaccine victims by the federal government in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [26]while three-quarters of the more than $2 trillion dollar annual price tag for health care is spent to care for the chronically ill and disabled. [27]

The big question vaccine educated parents are asking is: why are so many of the most highly vaccinated children in the world so sick, suffering with all kinds of chronic brain and immune system dysfunction? Why are babies born in the richest country in the world dying more often than babies born in poorer countries, who do not get vaccinated at all or who get far fewer vaccines?

It is a question that has not been answered by any scientific study conducted to date because there has never been a large, prospective study comparing the long term health of highly vaccinated children to unvaccinated children. In the absence of definitive answers, the right to freely exercise medical, religious and philosophical exemption to vaccination is a human right that may well determine the biological integrity of this and future generations in America.

Because vaccines are pharmaceutical products that carry significant risks greater for some than others; because doctors and public health officials are not infallible; because what is considered scientific truth today can be proven false tomorrow; because philosophical exemption to vaccination does not negatively impact on the health of individuals or states; and because informed consent to medical risk taking is a human right, the National Vaccine Information Center urges legislators to affirm the freedom of all New Yorkers to make informed, voluntary vaccination decisions for themselves and their children by supporting philosophical exemption to vaccination.

_______________________________________________________________________

1 www.NVIC.org [Return]
2 Coulter HL, Fisher BL. 1985. DPT: A Shot in the Dark. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. [Return]
3 Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, D.C. National Academy Press. www.nap.edu [Return]
4 Institute of Medicine. 1994. Adverse Effects Associated with Childhood Vaccines: Evidence Bearing on Causality. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. www.nap.edu [Return]
5 Institute of Medicine. 1994. DPT Vaccine and Chronic Nervous System Dysfunction: A New Analysis. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. www.nap.edu [Return]
6 Institute of Medicine. 1994. Research Strategies for Assessing Adverse Events Associated with Vaccines. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. www.nap.edu [Return]
7 Shuster E. 1997. Fifty Years Later: The Significance of the Nuremberg Code. NEJM 337 (20): 1436-1440. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/337/20/1436 [Return]
8 Centers for Disease Control. 2008. Childcare and School Vaccination Requirements 2007-2008. Page 26. http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/schoolsurv/CombinedLaws2007.pdf [Return]
9 National Vaccine Information Center. http://www.nvic.org/state-site/state-exemptions.htm [Return]
10 United Health Foundation. 2008. America’s Health Rankings. http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2008/index.html [Return]
11 U.S. Census Bureau. 2000. California Quick Facts. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html [Return]
12 U.S. Census Bureau. 2000. New York Quick Facts. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36000.html [Return]
13 J Fisher BL. 2008. Vaccines, Autism & Chronic Inflammation: The New Epidemic. PB Industries, Inc. [Return]
14 Centers for Disease Control. September 4, 2008. Most U.S. Parents Are Vaccinating According to New CDC Survey: Vaccine Coverage Rates for Children Remain High. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080904.htm [Return]
15 Centers for Disease Control. 2008. Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 0-6 Years – United States. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2008/08_0-6yrs_schedule_bw_pr.pdf [Return]
16 Centers for Disease Control. 2008. Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 7-18 Years – United States. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2008/08_7-18_years_schedule_bw_pr.pdf [Return]
17 Snited Health Foundation. 2008. America’s Health Rankings. http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2008/othernations.html [Return]
18 Ibid. [Return]
19 Centers for Disease Control. 2003. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, U.S. 2003. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2003.pdf [Return]
20 Centers for Disease Control. February 9, 2007. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report: Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders --- Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 14 Sites, United States, 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5601a2.htm [Return]
21 J Centers for Disease Control. February 9, 2007. Press Release: New Data on Autism Spectrum Disorders. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2007/r070208.htm [Return]
22 Centers for Disease Control. December 12, 2006. Press Release: State of Childhood Asthma, U.S. 1980-2005. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/06facts/asthma1980-2005.htm Full Report: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad381.pdf [Return]
23 Bloom B, Dey AN et al. December 2006. Vital Health Statistics: Summary health statistics for U.S. children: National Health Interview Survey, 2005.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_231.pdf [Return]
24 Centers for Disease Control. March 31, 2004. Press Release: Nine Million US Children Diagnosed with Asthma, New Report Finds. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey, 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/04news/childasthma.htm [Return]
25 Centers for Disease Control. November 4, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report:Percentage of Children Aged 5-17 Years Ever Having Diagnoses of ADHD or Learning Disability by Sex and Diagnosis – U.S., 2003. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5443a8.htm [Return]
26 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Statistics Report: December 2008. http://www.hrsa.gov/Vaccinecompensation/statistics_report.htm [Return]
27 JPartnership to Fight Chronic Disease. 2008. Almanac of Chronic Disease, 2008 Edition. Page 7. http://www.fightchronicdisease.org/pdfs/PFCD_FINAL_PRINT.pdf [Return]

6 Week old gets 'un-constipated'!

2008-07-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

This is for all of you parents and grandparents out there that have children or grandchildren who have digestive issues, including constipation.

A little cute 6 week old girl came into my chiropractic office this week, and she has had an issue with constipation since birth. The grandparents are neighbors of ours, and asked if there was anything that I could do to help.

I explained the chiropractic helps the nervous system thing and encouraged them to bring the wee one down for me to check her out. They brought her down the next day.

While Mommy held her little girl in her lap, I checked her out gently with Grandma's help. We detected two 'subluxations' (misalignments in the spine) and a little pressure in the descending tract of the large intestine.

Very gently (the amount of pressure to hold a pen in one's hand) I touched the two areas of subluxation, and then gently massaged the large intestine area.

I hadn't heard back from them until this morning...and they said that the little angel was "pooping at least once a day" ever since the one adjustment!

How cool is that!?

Got a kid that has some digestive issues? Get them checked out by a pediatric chiropractor...

Another baby 'turned' by chiropractic Webster technique

2008-04-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

We had another success story with a 29 year old woman pregnant with her third child.

She came into my office in her 34th week of pregnancy. She informed me that her OB/GYN had told her that the baby was in a normal position. We worked with her with some regular adjustments and at about the 37th week, the baby turned to a posterior presentation.

I did the Webster Technique of decreasing 'in-utero' constraint by adjusting her sacrum, and then relieving pressure on her round ligament. This was performed 3 times, (once a week for 3 weeks).
She went to full term and happily delivered the baby in a 'normal' head forward position! She was happy, the baby had a beautifully shaped head, and is happy too!

Check Webster Technique on the International Chiropractic Pediatric Assn website: www.icpa4kids.com for more information.

Case Study on Chiro care helping 'normal' delivery

2008-03-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a great case study proving once again that some good chiropractic care during pregnancy can help Moms and babies in substantial ways. It's a little bit technical, so ask any questions of clarifications needed. Bottom line: Chiropractic Care is a great idea anytime, but an awesome idea when pregnant!

Case Study
The Chiropractic Care of a Gravid Patient with a History of Multiple Caesarean Births & Sacral Subluxation
Joel Alcantara, BSc, DC Bio Ingrid Hamel, DC, FICPA Bio
[March 11, 2008, pp 1-5]

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the role of chiropractic care in the management of a gravid patient with pregnancy-related low back pain and two prior Caesarean births.

Clinical Features: A 29 year old gravid female was provided chiropractic care to alleviate her low back pain. The patient had two surgical Caesarean deliveries for two previous births due to “failure to advance during labor and associated fetal distress.” In addition to the low back complaint, she wanted to undergo a trial of chiropractic care to possibly enable her to have a natural childbirth.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient was cared for primarily with the Webster Technique, employing a drop-piece mechanism for the sacral adjustment. The patient’s low back complaints were ameliorated along with a successful vaginal birth.

Conclusion: This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care in patients with pregnancy-related musculoskeletal complaints, and the possibility for facilitating vaginal birth despite previous Caesareans. We encourage further research into this area of care.

Key Words: Webster Technique, VBAC, Gravid, Caesarean, Pregnancy, Chiropractic, Sacral Subluxation

Traumatic Birth Syndrome

2008-01-31T16:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, trauma from birth...to the Mommy obviously, but especially to the newborn child!

Think about the whole birth process...a 5-8 lb baby is trying to come out of a very small opening, either vaginally or by c-section. There is tremendous pressure on the baby's head (that's why the fontanelles and 'sutures' of the cranium are not fused together yet.

Then the process of the infant entering the world is very challenging, even if it is in the right position. The neck that has yet to develop muscles is also severely challenged, twisted and sometimes pulled.

The OB/GYN can use forceps or a vacuum extractor to 'assist' in the delivery, further challenging the newborn's entrance into the world.

Chiropractic enters into the picture as the science of restoring balance to the delicate neck and head by gentle procedures.

There is a great deal of research on the subject of trauma to the neck of the newborn and its profound effect on the baby's ability to function and thrive. (Go to www.icpa4kids.com for articles and further info.).

Get your babies checked by competent pediatric chiropractors as soon as possible after the birth.

You and your child will be glad that you did.

Dr. Bill

Drain those sinuses!

2007-12-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

For years I have taught people to manually massage the sinuses with their thumbs. A mother came in today and told me an awesome story about her 5 year old doing this at a basketball game.

So, these two mothers and some of their children are sitting in the stands and the one friend complains to the other about her cold and is blowing her nose and all. The cute little 5 year old 'trained' patient of mine, spontaneously reaches over and starts massaging her friends' sinuses to help her.

The mother of the 'massagee' asked the 'massager's' mother "What is your daughter doing to mine?" She then had to explain the sinus drainage technique and the why behind it! Great story or what? Are kids awesome or what?

Here are the basics of the sinus drain technique:

1.Using moderate pressure, use thumbs starting in the middle of the forehead (frontal sinuses) and push laterally or sideways towards the ears, repeat 2-3 times (especially if you feel a lot of 'gunk' or mucus underneath).

2.Start with thumbs on either side of the middle of the nose (maxillary sinuses) and again push sideways towards the ears as in step #1.

3.Start with thumbs under jaw and in front of big neck muscle (SCM-sternocleidomastoid) and push down towards collar bone.

This will help sinuses and eustachian tubes to drain, whether you are 1, 5, or over 50...and even a 5 year old can master it and do it on a friend!

Other sinus-mucus tips:
1.Avoid dairy (adds mucus that you don't want)
2.Do the "C" (vitamin C that is...lots of it...depending on one's size: 500-1000-2000mg at a time
2-3 times a day).
3.Use saline solution and squirt it up the nostrils (not for the faint hearted, but very helpful)

Good luck!

New Massage Therapist

2007-12-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

This is Karli Stevens, and her dog Max. She is happy to be on board at the office and specializes in the following therapies:

Deep tissue massage
Swedish massage
Injury/Structural Integration
Advanced Cranial Sacral therapy
Shiatsu

Come on in for a massage...it's good for the body and the soul.

Another 'baby' turned in utero!!!

2007-11-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

This just in...on Halloween a sweet Mommy came in and said: "Please help turn this baby, and help her to come out today!"

Minor request...reasonable in as much as she was one week overdue. She was at the point that it was fairly safe to guess that she was pregnant...

The baby had turned 'posterior' and that was making life challenging for both the wee one in the womb and for the mom. So, I applied the Webster Technique (see www.icpa4kids.com for complete details), and said a little prayer along with it.

Well, we didn't hear from Mom yesterday or today, so the suspense was killing us. Cheryl my fearless assistant called this Mom's good friend and this was the news:

Yes, she had the baby later that same day, actually at about 3 am Nov. 1st, but less than 12 hours of her visit here at the office AND only in labor for about 90 minutes, AND THE BABY WAS BORN IN THE NORMAL ANTERIOR POSITION!!!

Once again, the body has incredible wisdom if we will simply give it a little help and then get out of the way.

Dr. Bill's current record is 17 for 17 in helping babies to turn in utero prior to birth! The Webster technique has helped thousands of babies to be delivered happier and healthier!

Scary stuff...flu vaccinations...

2007-11-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

We'll throw in a couple of halloween pictures...and then some scary stuff about flu vaccines...

Yes, that is my weak attempt at a 'beatnik'-hippie type guy...with hair! Cheryl is the witch and some weird guy named Erin is the goateed one...

An article from the Lancet just this Sept., talked about the dubious benefit that flu vaccinations are to the elderly.

There is little to no evidence that the flu vaccinations are of any benefit to the elderly, but that they may be in fact difficult for their aging immune systems to handle.

A misleading statistic is how many people die each year from the flu. It has been reported as high as 30-40,000 people a year. On a closer look, the actual numbers were only 257 and 753 in 2001 and 2002 respectively. (Flu Deaths Outrageously Exaggerated to Increase Vaccine Sales; Lew Rockwell.com, Oct. 9, 2004).

Think at least twice before advising anyone to get the flu vaccine...or it will be scary Halloween time for real!

Parenting without medicines?

2007-08-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is possible to parent without medicines and drugs. There are some children who may in fact be medicine dependent (maybe less than 5%), the rest of the OTC (over the counter) and prescription medications are by and large unneeded and even harmful.

The classic medicinal 'chase' is for ear infections. Antibiotics are used, that actually lower the body's immune system and weaken the person's ability to fight the disease on its own. Often, this cycle of infection-antibiotic-weakened immune system is repeated time after time with multiple side effects.

Another classic is chasing away a fever (which is usually there helping the body fight off an infection of some kind) with a tylenol, aspirin, or some other anti-pyretic, (anti-fever). This lowers the temperature of the body in direct opposition to what the body is actually attempting to do!

Forgotten is the axiom, 'Let the body heal itself.' We are a self-healing magnificent-miracle making machine. Our body is working to heal itself 24-7. It needs some decent nutrition, cardio-vascular exercise, sleep, hydration and then it can do most of the rest on its own...it simply needs no interference.

Interference can come in many forms: physical, chemical, emotional, spiritual, etc. Physical can include traumas or injuries, and also subluxations or misalignments in the spine (the work of we chiropractors). Chemical can be medicines, bad air, bad water, bad nutrition. Emotional and spiritual are self-explanatory...

Trust the body not the OTC crud or the pharmacy. (Did you ever think that it's really not in pharmaceutical industry's best interests to get people well?). Don't rush to the medicine cabinet (or better yet, have one filled only with first aid stuff and homeopathic remedies), or to the ER.

You and your children will be glad that you did.

Are Vaccinations safe? Should I give them to my child?

2007-08-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Recently, the subject of vaccination safety and the link from vaccinations to autism is getting a great deal of press. There are still naysayers that state that there couldn't be any possible connection, (weren't there pretty adamant 'flat-worlders' at the time of Columbus as well), but the evidence continues to pile up.

Barbara Loe Fisher, president of NVIC (National Vaccine Information Center), continues to sound the alarms for parents to be informed, and to carefully consider this potentially life changing event of vaccinations.

Fisher has stated: "We have to do the scientific studies to really determine whether a policy of using 48 doses of 14 vaccines before age 6 is a wise policy."

The NVIC also recommends that parents ask themselves at least these eight important questions before allowing their children to be vaccinated:

1)Is my child sick right now? 2)Has my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before? 3) Does my child have a personal or afamily history of vaccine reactions, convulsions or neurological disorders, severe allergies or immune system disorders? 4) Do I know if my child is at high risk of reacting? 5)Do I know how to identify a vaccine reaction? 6)Do I know how to report a vaccine reaction? 7)Do I know the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number? 8) Do I know that I have a choice?
___________________________________

What are the risks vs. benefits? What is the proof that vaccinations actually help in the first place? What is the evidence that vaccinations might be mildly to fatally harmful?

I was recently called by someone who had looked at my website. This father was rather desperately attempting to find 'mercury-free' vaccines. I wished him well in that search but also cautioned him to look at all of the possible side effects of vaccinations, not just the mercury.

Conformity to an idea or a practice in and of itself has little to no merit. To quote Eric Liddell from one of my favorite movies of all time, Chariots of Fire: When asked how far his pride would take him in defending his belief of not running track on a Sunday, he responded: "Just as far as my conscience dictates."

Get informed, look for resources, make a stand.

Dr. Bill L.

Cedar Hills and Alpine Parades and Summer Rap!

2007-07-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

We just enjoyed the Cedar Hills, UT parade last Saturday the 21st of July. The Alpine parade is coming up on August 11th. Local kiddos who want to participate, let us know.

Here's our summer rap (without the music) that we have announced at all the parades:

Boost your health, and your immune system too-

Chiropractic helps your health to not be blue.

Bad backs, stiff necks, car accidents yes,

Chiropractic and wellness your bodies will bless.

Bring in your sick ones, from the big to the small,

In our groovy office, we always have a ball.

If you’re looking for ways to help your kids without pills,

There’s no better place to go then Dr. Bill’s!

Adjusted 3 week old 'inner tube' baby!

2007-06-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the privilege of adjusting the cute little 3 week old baby girl whose Mommy had the famous 'inner tube' adjustment by the pool at 40+ weeks!

The mother was still very excited about her first 'non-posterior' delivery in 4 tries. She said how easy the labor and delivery was, and as a result, how easy it was on the wee one.

Typically, newborns have neck and cranial (head) issues from the birth process. This little girl's head was beautifully symmetrical, (yes, we measure it comparing sides), and she needed very little intervention by way of adjustment!

Another testimony of natural child birth in the right position (not posterior, breech or some way other than normal-anterior) is easier on Mom and baby!

Dr. Bill

6 week old with reflux

2007-06-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

About 2 months ago, a wee little lad came into my office with a severe case of reflux. As his mother described it, it was all day long (after he ate) and it was of the projectile variety...not fun for anyone, especially the little guy. (He was being breastfed, and Mom was pretty careful about what she ate).

We checked him out to see if I could be of any help. On little tiny people, I do some hands on 'palpation' but their whole spine is only a few inches long (think about a 22 inch baby, take away the head and legs, and you've only got about 8-10 inches of spine left). I also do 'kinesiology' or muscle testing to see what's going on.

Well, he had lots of issues that I picked up both on the palpation and with the muscle testing. I gave him a gentle adjustment...and saw him later that week. I wish I could say that he was healed immediately, but that wasn't the case. Instead, he slowly improved from partial or whole days with greatly decreased reflux.

The insurance company bugged out about paying for a 2 month old getting adjusted more than a couple of times...so we went had to make other arrangements. Now I've seen him a couple of times a week for a few weeks and he is doing better...and most excitedly for Mom, he slept a whole 12 hours for the first time ever!

Go to the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Assn website www.icpa4kids.com for more information on reflux and other childhood conditions).

There are natural ways to help children without drugs and over the counter crud as well!

Dr. Bill

Baby Girl born natural and in right position!

2007-06-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry to leave you all hanging, but the cute little girl that was in Mommy's tummy and the subject of my last blog simply took a while to come and say hi to the world.

Two weeks after her due date, she decided it was time.

Mom was able to have a 'natural' labor, and the little one came fast. For the first time in three deliveries (the wee one has two older brothers), Mom had no back labor AND THE BABY HAD TURNED AFTER OUR WEBSTER TECHNIQUE ASSISTANCE AND WAS BORN IN THE RIGHT ANTERIOR POSITION!!!

Needless to say, Mom, Dad, and new little girl were all happy!

Helping a baby 'turn' naturally while in-utero

2007-05-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

I just had a unique and brand new experience after 25 years of practice. While at a water park, I saw an acquaintance that I hadn't seen in a while. She was obviously pregnant (swimsuits have a way of making that even more obvious than regular clothes) and she immediately said that she was happy to see me.

She had been thinking about coming in to see me at the office because she had heard from her sister in law that I could help 'turn' a baby who wasn't in the 'normal' presentation position while the baby was still in-utero.

I said that was true, and she even knew it was called the "Webster Technique". (Named after the founder of the technique and the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Assoc, Dr. Larry Webster). She then asked if I could help her right then and there as she was 2 days past her due date and the baby was in a 'posterior' position.

I said that I'd love to help her, but that she would have to lie face down, and I hadn't brought my adjustable table to the water park. Her husband then said, "How about using one of those inner tubes?" I said, "Well, why not?"

So, I had this 40 week pregnant mom lie down on the inner tube by a picnic table a little bit off to the side of the water park as the park was closing down. The Webster technique evaluates whether there is tension on the major ligaments that support the uterus: uterosacral, broad, and round ligaments.

In a very gentle and simple procedure there is light pressure applied to the sacrum and then to the opposite side on the abdomen addressing the different ligaments. Dr. Webster had over a 90% success rate with over 1000 pregnant moms. I personally have had the same rate but with only about 15 documented moms.

This is a far better approach than a medical procedure known as external cephalic version. The medical practitioner tries to turn the baby externally which can be very uncomfortable and can cause serious side effects.

To check out a Webster certified practitioner near you, go to www.icpa4kids.com. There is also an excellent article on the Webster technique in the ICPA's quaterly magazine Pathways new this month.

Tell your friends and others that there is an easy natural way to help a baby 'unwind' and go to the optimal position for birthing.

Dr. Bill

Are We Born to Be Healthy...or Sick?

2007-05-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

A few of you know that I've been writing a book...for a while now. I'm enclosing a couple of chapters from the intro to the book to give you all a feel for it.

“Where do I turn for health?” is the major premise of this book. Are we looking for health ‘in all the wrong places’ and if so, what can we do about it? Are there non-medical and drug answers to some of the most common maladies on the planet, i.e. ear infections, headaches, digestive/respiratory/cardiovascular disorders, etc?

I have been a practicing wellness-oriented Chiropractor for over 25 years. I am also the father of six children and have specialized in family and pediatric chiropractic. I feel strongly about the need for a discussion on these vital subjects professionally and personally. I have seen the magic of healing from the body’s natural healing abilities and the sadness and horrors of placing too much trust in medicine and quick fixes.

Can we plan for health, or do we have to plan to avoid sickness? My hope is that these few pages can stimulate thinking and even better action to claim the health that is our birthright. This will be a review for some of you and for others a journey into new waters. This is a subject that matters. Your health and the health of your children and grandchildren depend on it!

Dr. Bill L.

Why should children receive chiropractic care?

2007-05-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hello, I'm Dr. Bill Lawler. Some of you have never heard of pediatric chiropractic, some of you perhaps have heard of it, and others of you may already be practicing advocates of it.

Chiropractors are associated with taking care of 'bad' or painful backs. While that is true, the first adjustment ever given was to assist a man with hearing loss!

Therefore, we actually look at the spine as the 'gatekeeper' of nervous system interference. From birth trauma to the neck and head, to the zillions of falls that all children endure in learning how to walk, during play and in sports; their little spines are traumatized again and again.

As the little bones of the spine are prone to trauma, they can misalign and cause direct or indirect pressure to the nervous system. The adjustment of a little spine is gentle and particularly helpful during the developmental years.

That is why such conditions as: colic, ear infections, digestive issues, respiratory issues, chronic colds and decreased immune system function can often be improved by chiropractic adjustments and wellness care. Chiropractors have given millions of adjustments to children with amazing results.

The basic premise is that the body knows how to heal itself, if there is no interference to the nervous system, and the body is being treated in a wellness manner. Hence, the need for drugs, medicines, over the counter drugs can be greatly decreased if not totally done away with.

Check out the International Pediatric Chiropractic Assn. website at www.icpa4kids.com.