With so much news of the annual flu epidemic, measles outbreak, or even as "little" as the common cold, the last thing you want is more fear into your system. Why? Fear creates an increase in cortisol levels (stress hormones) that in turn affects your endocrine system (i.e. progesterone, insulin, and much more).
So here are some natural ways to help you continue to be health! I've included my 2 MUST-HAVE things in life; you can call it my deal-breakers for myself and my future kids.
YOGA:
The International Journal of Yoga concludes that the " Results from this study show that yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life. " (1)
CHIROPRACTIC [for you and your kids] (2):
To encourage good neural plasticity (brain and nerve development).
To support “first-class” nerve communication throughout the body to promoting health and well being.
To help strengthen their child’s immunity – encouraging fewer colds, ear-aches and general illness.
To help resolve breastfeeding issues and colic.
To reduce the detrimental impact our modern world has on our children’s health.
Encourages children to thrive by supporting digestive strength.
To diminish nerve interference which may impact their child’s capacity to learn and concentrate.
To promote body balance – helping to resolve poor posture, asthma, allergies and bed-wetting.
To help kids stay fun and light hearted.
To help kids stay in tip-top shape.
Now, I always love action-worthy fun things to incorporate into my lifestyle as I learn here's some fun things to do: Got snot, mucus, congestion, all the above? Your body's trying to get that bug/allergen out of your system! When going to yoga classes (either at home or out in the world), this is why it's so helpful!
"Get that bug out, boogers!"
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) encourages blood flow to the sinuses. In retrospect, inverted postures or any type of forward bends will focus on the sinuses, that may ultimately help ease congestion. So when you see your little one learning to tumble like gymnastics, it's actually not a bad idea!
Now, Dr. Wong you mentioned chiropractic. How do I know who's a trusted person to go to for my precious child? When people ask me about who the best pediatric chiropractor to go to locally, I always refer them to either ask me or if they are a Do-it-yourself type, there is a trusted site I utilize (better than google).>> http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/<<
Is a pediatric chiropractor only for babies?
Depends on their expertise and focus! However, most chiropractors are family-oriented because they know the importance of a healthy family.
I'm honored when to work with families in my local community and worldwide because parents and families alike all have a similar goal: raise happy, healthy children to do great in the world. Parents contact me for advice and referrals to wellness professionals with an integrative and holistic mindset for the top reasons:
Their child is healthy and they want to know more on how to maintain their wellness because of the constant epidemic that breaks out in the world.
Their child may not be diagnosed with any developmental challenges or delayed milestones, but are a handful! They are not sleeping throughout the night or seem to catch the cold/cough/flu for weeks at a time, and even constipated for more than 4 days at time.
Their child may have a health challenge like cerebral palsy, down syndrome, colic, constipation, regressions and looking for assistance the natural way to support their child to maintain their best development and gut health.
Every week I have a new topic on health updates that I discuss and teach FREE on my >>FACEBOOK PAGE<< and my >>INSTAGRAM<< as I know how important knowledge is when we are out of hope and answers.
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Wisdom from me to you...
Dr. Kate Wong
BA Psychology
Doctor of Chiropractic
References:
(1) Woodyard C. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International journal of yoga, 4(2), 49-54.
(2) Barham-Floreani, J. (2009). Well adjusted babies: A chiropractic guide for wholistic parenting from pregnancy through to early childhood. Melbourne, Vic.: Vitality Productions.