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As you prepare for the birth of your baby, it is important to be aware of the impact that our choices during labor can have on the birth process. One key factor to consider is the role of fight-or-flight hormones, such as adrenaline, in the body. These hormones can be released during labor in response to feelings of fear, stress, or anxiety, and can have a significant impact on the progress of labor.
When these hormones are released, they can slow down or even stop contractions, which can lead to the need for more interventions during the birth process. Additionally, the release of these hormones can also cause stress for your baby, which can have negative effects on their health and wellbeing. Here are a few ways labor can stop progressing.
To help promote the release of oxytocin, the hormone that is responsible for the contractions of labor and the bonding between mother and baby, there are several things you can do. Here are a few ideas to consider:
By being aware of the impact that our choices during labor can have on the release of oxytocin, you can take steps to promote a smoother and more comfortable birth experience for both you and your baby.
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As you scour the internet you to find natural relief for constipations seems like an easy fix. Not necessarily... CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION IN PREGNANCY
FIRST-LINE TREATMENT FOR CONSTIPATION IN PREGNANCY They may sound like simple solutions but the majority of moms-to-be will find relief from constipation by increasing their dietary fiber and fluid intake. Lenny Sue, from Alpine Midwifery, says "My go to is to add bulk to the diet. Extra vegetables high in fiber, extra water, and plenty of walking. If this doesn't do the trick, then try adding a little Senna to your morning supplements but follow safety instructions and only use 1-3 days without consulting your midwife or doctor. SECOND-LINE TREATMENT FOR CONSTIPATION IN PREGNANCY Osmotic Laxatives Laxatives are recommended if dietary modifications fail to improve the symptoms. The best Osmotic laxatives include lactulose, sorbitol, magnesium sulphate or citrate, and salts (sodium chloride, potassium chloride). Osmotics are a type of laxative that work by pulling water into the intestines. Since the medication is not well-absorbed by the intestine, very little gets into the blood which means exposure to the pregnancy would be small. Misty McBride, a midwife at Ohana Midwifery, but has a degree in Clinical Herbalism from the North Carolina School of Natural Healing. She recommends, "Calm magnesium is best, as it works osmotically by pulling water into the bowels." Start with the recommended 2 teaspoons and ad 1-2 more till constipation is resolved. In conclusion, if these remedies do not help with constipation, you may need to consult your pharmacy for additional remedies. Sometimes hormones just rule! Benefits of Folic Acid During Pregnancy Benefits are highlited during the week of January 3-7th.12/3/2022 Contact: Dr. Joshua Welch, DC
Safe Haven Chiropractic 1528 US 395 N Gardnerville, NV 89410 530-318-9522 [email protected] National Folic Acid Week: January 3-7, 2023 Dr. Welch, a Chiropractor focused on Prenatal and Perinatal Care, is pleased to announce National Folic Acid Week, taking place from January 3-7, 2023. This week is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of folic acid and its role in preventing birth defects and promoting overall health. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is essential for proper brain function and plays a key role in mental and emotional health. It is also important for the proper development of the neural tube, which becomes the brain and spine in a developing baby. That is why it is especially important for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to get enough folic acid. It is estimated that 1 in every 4,600 babies is born with anencephaly, born without the front part of the brain (forebrain) and the thinking and coordinating part of the brain (cerebrum). Another neural tube defect is spinal bifida and it is estimated that this occurs in 1 in every 2,758 births. It is important that all women who are of childbearing age to ensure that have 400mcg of extra folic acid. Important growth of the baby happens very early in pregnancy, before most women know that they are pregnant. During National Folic Acid Week, we encourage everyone to learn more about the benefits of folic acid and to make sure they are getting enough of it in their diet. Good sources of folic acid include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains. It is also available as a dietary supplement. In addition to its role in pregnancy and brain health, folic acid may also reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. It is important for everyone, not just women of childbearing age, to get enough folic acid. We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating National Folic Acid Week and to take steps to ensure they are getting enough folic acid in their diet. Together, we can promote the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones. Dr. Joshua Welch, DC With the rise of concern over coronavirus COVID-19, we feel the need to provide you with our prevention measures and some insight on how to protect yourself during this time.
Boost immunity We currently ask that any patient that has been traveling outside of the US into level 3 countries take the precautionary measures as advised by the CDC to stay home for 14 days after arriving back from your travels. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html We also advise that any patients who are showing the following symptoms of: cough, fever, and shortness of breath and also any early signs of illness to stay home. We often have a liberal policy in treating our patients who are unwell, but during this time, it is imperative to protect not only our health care providers and employees as well as our patients. If you are sick, we are happy to set up a telemedicine call for you to access our providers so that they may be able to offer some safe and effective herbal and supplemental remedies to fight it off. Please feel free to call our front office to schedule a consultation time. We are taking extra measures at Elevate in order to mitigate the potential spread of pathogens. All providers have been asked to avoid contact with patients if they are currently experiencing any type of illness like symptoms. We’ve also upgraded our cleaning and disinfectant measures. Finally, for those of you who do come in with your children; we have removed toys from the rooms. Please bring your own toys to entertain your child during your appointment. We hope that our patients/clients will continue to use Elevate to help to support their immune systems and continue their proactive treatment plans in order to stay healthy. Please follow these behavioral guidelines that have been provided by the CDC to protect your potential for exposure. Ultimately, these guidelines should be practiced regardless since the flu and seasonal colds are still rampant during this time of year. LIFESTYLE Stress reduction: Chronic stress can negatively alter immune system responses, making you more likely to get sick. Identify your personal stress reduction strategies and practice them regularly. This is why it’s so important to keep your appointments if you are well, so that we can help to mitigate the side effects of stress. Keep in mind that stressing about not getting sick, can in turn, make you sick! Sleep: Sleep has a big influence on immune function, so it is essential to get plenty of sleep. Practice good sleep hygiene and maintain consistent sleep hours—turn off screens, ensure the room is cool, quiet, and dark, and set a reminder to help yourself go to bed on time. Exercise: Moderate, regular physical activity helps to boost immune system function by raising levels of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies, increasing circulation, and decreasing stress hormones. Establish and follow an exercise program to not only help prevent respiratory infections but also to improve cognitive and physical resilience. Nutritious foods/diet: Research indicates that brightly colored vegetables and fruits boost immunity better than most supplements. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables—aim for 10 servings per day. Include fermented vegetables or other probiotic-containing foods. SUPPLEMENTS, NUTRIENTS, AND FOODS TO SUPPORT IMMUNE FUNCTION There are several nutrients, plant-based botanicals, and supplements that can boost immune function and provide symptom relief during illness and may help to shorten the duration of illness. For preventing and treating viral upper respiratory infections, consider some of the following: Vitamin C: Vitamin C may help to prevent infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses. Regularly administered vitamin C has been shown to shorten the duration of colds, and higher doses of vitamin C during an illness can also act as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. Vitamin D: Vitamin D, known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is one of the most important and powerful nutrients for supporting the immune system. Numerous studies have shown that it helps reduce the risk of colds and flu. Unfortunately, a high percentage of the population is deficient, so daily supplementation (ideally in the form of vitamin D3) offers the best protection. Vitamin A: For short-term use and particularly for those with moderate vitamin A deficiency, supplementation can be extremely helpful in supporting the body’s ability to fight infections, particularly with regard to respiratory infections. Zinc: Zinc plays a significant role in boosting immunity. Often available as lozenges, zinc can help to reduce the frequency of infections as well as the duration and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of onset. Selenium: Selenium, a key nutrient for immune function, is also an antioxidant that helps boost the body’s defenses against bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. It may particularly help to protect against certain strains of flu virus. Selenium is easily obtained from foods, with the richest source being Brazil nuts. Honey: Honey, preferably raw, is a good demulcent (it relieves minor pain and inflammation of mucous membranes), has antioxidant properties, and has some antimicrobial effects. It is helpful for coughs and sore throats and can be added to hot tea. Elderberry extract/syrup: Elderberry can be helpful in reducing cold duration and severity. With regard to flu, it has been shown to help prevent infection with influenza viruses as well as demonstrating potent antiviral properties that can aid in reducing flu duration and symptoms. Caution in using elderberry may be needed in some people with autoimmune diseases, however, due to the way it stimulates the immune system. Garlic: Garlic contains a variety of compounds that can influence immunity. Some studies have shown that both fresh garlic as well as aged garlic extract and some other garlic supplements may reduce viral upper respiratory infection severity as well as function in the prevention of infection with viruses that can cause colds. Probiotics: Probiotics contain “good bacteria” that not only support the health of the gut but also influence immune system functioning and regulation. Studies have shown that probiotic use can decrease the number of respiratory infections, particularly in children. Jade Windscreen + ASR: Jade Windscreen is a traditional Chinese formulation that has been used through the centuries and is said to tonify the wei qi (our bodies defense system) and protect against external pathogens. It’s a combination of several herbs including astragalus that has been used for centuries to strengthen the body’s defenses. It’s especially useful for people who chronically get ill (repetitive colds) and also suffer from allergies. The People’s Herb formulation also includes astragalus, reishi and shiitake mushrooms. These adaptogenic medicinal mushrooms add an extra boost to nourish the system and to create an extra layer of protection from our hectic lives. this being for generally healthy people and that it's best to seek advise from a licensed health professional if it is safe for you to add in these supplements. In good health, Melinda Choy, LAc, oversees Acupuncture Services with Barton Health and is CEO of Elevate Wellness Center.  Study Shows the Source of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Be a Place Most Doctors and Sufferers Never Look…Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is brutal. In fact, many sufferers describe the condition as debilitating.
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one million Americans have CFS—that's about one in every 300 or so people in the United States! Chronic fatigue syndrome has eight official signs and symptoms:
Possibly the worst part about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it has completely puzzled doctors and researchers. To date, the cause is officially unknown, and many treatments are largely guesswork without great results. But a recent discovery may change everything… Researchers Might Have Found the Cause Now, a team of scientists from Cornell University think they may have found the cause of CFS in what many think is an unlikely place: the gut. According to Science Daily: “Now, for the first time, Cornell University researchers report they have identified biological markers of the disease in gut bacteria and inflammatory microbial agents in the blood. “In a study published June 23 in the journal Microbiome, the team describes how they correctly diagnosed myalgic encephalomyeletis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in 83 percent of patients through stool samples and blood work, offering a noninvasive diagnosis and a step toward understanding the cause of the disease.” Dr. Maureen Hanson, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell and the paper's senior author writes, “Our work demonstrates that the gut bacterial microbiome in chronic fatigue syndrome patients isn't normal, perhaps leading to gastrointestinal and inflammatory symptoms in victims of the disease… Furthermore, our detection of a biological abnormality provides further evidence against the ridiculous concept that the disease is psychological in origin.” This is extremely important for a few reasons… First – for many years, victims suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome were often ridiculed and called “lazy.” Many were told it was all in their head. If this research is accurate, then it is pretty clear this is not the case, and chronic fatigue is a real condition. Even more important, doctors and researchers now have a great starting place to explore new treatment options and possibly find a cure! Dr. Ludovic Giloteaux, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study adds, "In the future, we could see this technique as a complement to other noninvasive diagnoses, but if we have a better idea of what is going on with these gut microbes and patients, maybe clinicians could consider changing diets, using prebiotics such as dietary fibers or probiotics to help treat the disease" Here is something important to note… Even though CFS puzzled most doctors and researchers, this finding appears to validate the claims of some doctors who have treated CFS patients for years. For quite some time, many chiropractors and some medical doctors with extensive knowledge of nutrition have proposed that an imbalance of gut flora was responsible for chronic fatigue syndrome. Moreover, the establishment often ridiculed these doctors for claiming to help chronic fatigue patients with nutritional counseling, prebiotics, probiotics, etc. Now it looks like their claims may have been validated. While we are on the subject of “gut health,” here is more great news… One of the important things the gut does is send signals that tell the brain it's full. In one study, researchers found that feeding rats a high-fat diet reorganized the gut-to-brain neural pathway and triggered inflammation in brain regions responsible for feeding behavior. Because previous research has shown that a high-fat diet can dramatically affect gut microbiota composition, the researchers in another study tested if these resident microbes may be the connection between the diet and neural changes. They found that when gut flora composition was restored, the rats' gut-brain signals and brain inflammation returned to normal as well. This resulted in the rats eating less and gaining less weight, even if they continued to consume a high-fat diet. The research team concluded that the type of gut bacteria that thrive on a high-fat diet negatively affect the brain signals responsible for feeding behavior. In this study, the researchers had to use drugs to manipulate the gut flora of the rat subjects. But can food also do the trick? According to Science Daily: “In a separate study, the researchers fed animals a high-fat diet and supplemented some of them with blueberry, a fruit packed with anthocyanins, a natural anti-microbial ingredient. Animals fed blueberries had a completely different microbiota profile, less inflammation, and more stable blood sugar levels. Thus, specific properties of bioactive foods may be used to target and improve the microbiota composition and overall health.” There is no doubt, nutrition is one of the most important factors in health and often the most overlooked. Inventor Thomas Edison once said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” Research like this brings us one step closer to Edison’s prediction. What’s incredible is how the more technologically advanced we become, the more researchers discover the importance and power of the body's own regulatory capabilities when given the correct nutrients and when freed from interference.  One of the more serious and potentially disabling effects of subluxation is progressive spinal degeneration. This process is relentless and is indifferent to the age of the unsuspecting victim.
Spinal subluxation degeneration begins shortly after the manifestation of subluxation. Research indicates that the degenerative process may begin within 10 days to 2 weeks upon acquiring a subluxation. It will progress until it has completely destroyed the disc and fused the spine, a potentially crippling and disabling state. If that is not bad enough, subluxation degeneration may destroy the spinal nerve system as it progresses, leading to further health problems. Subluxation degeneration is characterized by 4 phases: Phase 1 : . Spinal distortions visible on x-ray . Abnormal nerve function . Disc, joint and muscle swelling, inflammation or damage . Minimal symptoms, if any Phase 2: . Disc degeneration, decay and instability . Abnormal nerve function and transmission . Abnormal calcium production and the beginning of arthritic spurring. Increase in symptoms or none at all Phase 3: . Severe disc degeneration and decay, bone fusion begins . Severe nerve interference, nerve failure begins . Massive arthritic spurring, deformed vertebra and advanced calcium deposits on the spine . Severe symptoms or none at all . Muscular atrophy or weakness, permanent scar tissue and adhesions Phase 4: . Complete spinal fusion, massive bone deformation and severe arthritis . Nerve system failure, and possible nerve death . Failure of related organ systems . Muscular atrophy or paralysis, loss of feeling and numbness . A potentially terminal condition has been created  Good posture is simple and eloquent by design in form and function. The body is designed to have the head, rib cage, and pelvis perfectly balanced upon one another in both the front and side views. If the posture is deviated from normal, then the spine is also deviated from the normal healthy position. Unfortunately, abnormal posture has been associated
with the development and progression of many spinal conditions and injuries including: increased muscle activity and disc injury, scoliosis, work lifting injuries, sports injuries, back pain, neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel symptoms, shoulder and ankle injuries as well as many other conditions. Additionally, postural abnormalities in adolescent years have been recognized as one of the sources of pain syndromes and early arthritis in adulthood. Therefore, posture should be checked and corrected in children before more serious problems can occur. Call today for a free posture check! 530-577-5433  1. Pain is the last symptom of dysfunction. A patient’s back is often restricted or unstable for months or years before it presents as a problem and they show up in a chiropractor’s office. In addition, the absence of pain is not health. While medication may be needed, if you take a pill and the pain goes away, the dysfunction that caused it still persists. Muscle, ligament and joint injuries often occur as a result of long-term biomechanical dysfunction, sometimes from past injuries, making the area more susceptible to future injury. 2. Athletes use chiropractors to stay well and perform better, not just for the occasional injury. Athletes choose chiropractors because we are movement specialists. Chiropractors were spotted all over the Olympic coverage last year, and top athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, Evander Holyfield, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all been proud patients of chiropractors. These days it’s far more common than not for major athletes and sports teams to keep chiropractors nearby to help prevent injuries, speed injury recovery, improve balance and coordination, and give them a greater competitive edge. 3. The body does not perform as a cluster of separate mechanisms, but rather a cascade of events that all starts with proper control by the nervous system. The nerves that travel through and control every function of your body originate at the spinal cord and their transmission may be disrupted if the joints of the surrounding spinal column are not moving properly. This disruption in biomechanical integrity combined with altered physiological function is what chiropractors call a subluxation. Below is a chart that illustrates the relationship of the spinal nerves exiting the vertebra branching off to the various organ systems. You can see why it is not uncommon for a chiropractor to treat a patient with mid-back pain who also suffers from irritable bowel system, a patient with a subluxated sacrum who has been unsuccessfully trying to become pregnant, or a patient with an upper back fixation and acid reflux. 4. Doctors don’t do the healing. Sorry to disappoint you, but a chiropractor will never fix your back. What we are able to do is restore proper motion in the joints, which relieves tension on the nerves and muscles and allows your body to do the healing that it is inherently made to do. As chiropractors, we believe that the body is a perfect organism in its natural state, and all disease comes from a disruption in the body’s proper transmission of signals by the nerves which affects its ability to heal and to defend against disease-causing agents. We never treat disease. We assess to find which spinal levels are causing the disfunction, and we adjust it to restore proper nerve flow so the nervous system may work as efficiently and effectively as possible. 5. Chiropractic is for all ages. Many seniors aren’t aware of the benefits of chiropractic care which can help them not only with pain relief, but also increase range of motion, balance and coordination, and decrease joint degeneration. There’s no patient too young for chiropractic either! Chiropractors check infants moments after birth for misalignments of the upper vertebrae that may occur as a result of the birth process. In addition to supporting overall health and well-being, parents also take their children to chiropractors to encourage healthy brain and nervous system development, to assist with colic, asthma, allergies, bed-wetting and sleeping problems, and to assist with behavioral disorders. 6. We know about more than your backbone! This surprises many people who had no idea that chiropractors give advice on nutrition, fitness, ergonomics and lifestyle, screen for conditions unrelated to the musculoskeletal system and refer out to other practitioners when necessary. Chiropractors are also able to complete specialties in other areas such as pediatrics, sports rehabilitation, neurology, clinical nutrition, and addictions and compulsive disorders. Other than particular specialties and the differences in learning to adjust and learning to prescribe medication, our training hours are not dissimilar from that of medical doctor. The following are the classroom hours for basic science requirements compiled and averaged following a review of curricula of 18 chiropractic schools and 22 medical schools. 7. Successful chiropractic patients accept responsibility. When somebody says that they tried chiropractic and it didn’t help, I cringe and get the feeling that they really missed the boat. Of course, there are cases with complicating factors, but I have heard this from people with straightforward chiropractic problems when it is very clear what has happened here. In most cases, one doesn’t acquire back pain over night, and it’s not going to go away over night. If a weak core from years of sitting at your desk is to blame for the additional stress on your joints, I would expect an adjustment to provide relief, but once the condition is no longer exacerbated, I would most definitely prescribe some exercises for you to do at home. I might also suggest we evaluate your nutrition if I suspect an inflammatory diet may be wiring you for pain. Sure, I’m always happy to adjust someone and make a living, but if you’ve been given homework and you don’t do it, I better not hear you say chiropractic didn’t work when you’re hurting again! 8. Chiropractic may help you get sick less. Studies have indicated that adjustments consistently reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain, and may also enhance the production of immunoregulatory complexes important for healthy immune system defense. As far back as the deadly flu pandemic of 1917-1918, chiropractors noticed that their patients seemed to have fewer fatalities than among the general population and were able to publish their work in an osteopathic journal since no scholarly journals were accepting chiropractic data. The estimated death rate among patients of conventional medical care in the U.S. was estimated at 5 to 6 percent while the fatality rate among influenza cases receiving spinal adjustments was estimated at 0.25%. 9. “I heard I’ll have to go forever” is a myth. You may want to go to your chiropractor forever once you’ve started because you didn’t realize how great getting adjusted is, but your doctor won’t expect you to come for continuous care without symptoms. Generally, if you come in with pain, once you’ve been treated for your initial complaint, you’ll be scheduled for a few more appointments to make sure proper motion is being maintained, then it will be recommended you return occasionally to be checked just like you would go to the dentist to get checked for tartar buildup and cavities. Of course, many people still choose to see their chiropractor weekly or monthly for wellness or maintenance care. 10. Adjustments don’t hurt. There is no bone snapping or warrior-style pulling heads off spinal columns! The neck adjustment some chiropractors use causes anticipation for many new patients, but is actually much more gentle than they imagined, and involves a quick, direct thrust to a specific spinal bone. The sound an adjustment makes is called a cavitation and is only space being created within the joint causing gasses to be released from the joint capsule, which creates the popping or cracking noise. Also, chiropractic adjustments will not wear out your joints, as some imagine because they have been warned not to “crack their knuckles” for this reason in the past. Adjustments, unlike “knuckle cracking” or having your friend stomp on you while you lay on the carpet, are applied specifically to improve the motion of your joints and limit the small dysfunctions that over time can lead to arthritis. Most people after an adjustment describe the feeling as being “lighter”, having greater ease in moving the body, and being able to stand up taller. |
