Pregnancy, Women’s Health and Chiropractic New Beginnings Chiropractic Mount Horeb Wisconsin

Dr. Trudell offers a "Baby's First Visit" appointment at no charge for infants born to mothers who were patients during their pregnancy. The birth process can be very stressful to the infant's spine, even in the best possible birth situations. To help get your baby off to the best possible start, Dr. Trudell encourages you to bring him or her in for a Baby's First Visit Checkup. This includes a thorough infant chiropractic physical and exam, report of findings, and adjustment. If we find areas that are subluxated from the birth process, we will be happy to treat those areas with safe and gentle chiropractic adjustments. Please let Dr. Trudell know if you have any questions.

Dr. Trudell has teamed up with Terry Haag, RN to co-teach Intuitive Birth Class. This class offers parents a safe and natural approach to birthing, and helps a woman trust her intuition and her body to birth her baby naturally. Classes focus on prenatal care, nutrition, importance of spinal and pelvis alignment during pregnancy and delivery, releasing fears using relaxation and visualization and more. Classes are starting soon. For more info please contact Brenda at intuitivebirthclass@yahoo.com, or visit www.intuitivebirthclass.com (coming soon!)

How many of you reading this article know somebody or have heard of somebody having trouble getting pregnant? Did you know that chiropractic care has been proven to help females with infertility? I once read a quote that said, "Infertility. If you haven't struggled with it, chances are you know someone who wants to become pregnant, but can't.” Infertility affects more than 6 million women and their partners across the country. But don’t give up hope because there are other things you can do besides infertility drugs and IVF. Chiropractic is more successful than you think, and there is more research than ever that may “crack the case” and offer couples new hope.

Success for infertility with chiropractic adjustments is more common than people realize. Research shows a possible link between spinal adjustments and increased fertility in some women. Dr. Madeline Behrendt stated, "It (chiropractic) gives couples who have been infertile or who are planning on having a family hope." Dr. Behrendt led a study with 15 women who struggled with infertility, some for more than a decade. For various reasons, each women visited a chiropractor. Of these women, 14 became pregnant. Dr. Behrendt says "the chiropractor identifies spinal distortions, which are called subluxations, and once they were detected and corrected, the fertility function improved." This shouldn’t be that surprising when you understand how the body works. When the spine is out of alignment, the nerves can misfire and may cause a hormone imbalance, which may prevent a woman from getting pregnant.

Another true story much closer to home was a woman in Oregon, WI. This individual was a very athletic female and had been trying to become pregnant for over 5 years. When she visited the chiropractor, he noticed vertebral subluxations (misalignments) at multiple levels, and chiropractic care was administered using the Gonstead Method. In the abstract it stated that the woman was pregnant one month after care began and had a successful pregnancy.

Stories like this are so amazing yet very true and are happening more often. I think the internet helps people find out that there are more options for them with infertility. I encourage you to forward or share this article with as many people as you can because if I can help even one person it is more than worth it. I also encourage sharing the information because I believe that infertility is more common than a lot of people let on. Infertility can be very scary and make people embarrassed or ashamed that something may be wrong with them, but it may be something as simple as visiting your chiropractor. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to call us at the office.

For many couples, the dream of becoming parents is easy to achieve. They decide when they would like to start having children, try a couple of times, and then voila- a baby arrives nine months later! But for millions of Americans, this is not the case. According to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 12% of women in the US (7.3 million) between the ages of 15-44 had difficulty conceiving or carrying a baby to full term in 2002. This number continues to grow each year, along with the frustration of the couples who cannot achieve their dream of becoming parents.

Most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are also said to be infertile. Why do some women have problems conceiving and others don’t? This question is asked every day by couples struggling to have a child and the answers aren’t always clear. In some cases, the cause may be obvious, but in others, it is not.

Infertility affects women and men equally. Finding out the cause early can help couples fix the problem and hopefully conceive. But at least one third of the time, doctors cannot find a reason, and the couple is left with only questions. Male reasons for infertility may include deficient sperm production, varicocele, infections, ductal obstructions, and ejaculatory dysfunction. Female reasons can be a bit more complicated because her body needs to release an egg and be able to carry a baby to term after fertilization. Some of the reasons are polycystic ovarian disease, age, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovulatory dysfunction, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions and scar tissue from abdominal or pelvic surgery, irregular menstrual cycles, immunological infertility, and hormonal disruptions.

The most common medical treatments today include drug treatments or surgery. For men, these may include antibiotics, artificial insemination or surgery to open blocked areas. For women, many of the drugs are hormone-related and are given to override the women’s natural hormonal cycle. Most focus on ovulation, generally forcing it to begin or become regular. Assisted Reproductive Technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), involves removing eggs from a woman's body, mixing them with sperm in the laboratory and putting the embryos back into a woman's body. Many of the treatments can be harsh on the women’s body and lead to side effects such as mood swings, dry cervical mucus, stomach pain, breast tenderness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression, weight gain, ovarian cysts, and use for more than a year may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Fertility treatments are also very costly, up to $15,000 for one round of IVF. There are no guarantees that it will work the first time, and many couples may try it 2 or 3 times. Many fertility drugs and treatments increase a woman's chance of having multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born prematurely. Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems. These are all unexpected costs that have to be factored in to the economic burden placed on couples who have already spent their life savings trying to conceive.

So what options do couples have who are looking for a more natural approach to treat infertility? Alternative treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, craniosacral therapy, Maya abdominal massage, nutrition and yoga are becoming common within the infertility community. Many alternative treatments are safer, have fewer side effects, are less stressful, cost less, and do not increase the risk of having multiples. Couples often feel closer using a more natural approach. Traditional infertility treatments can be very stressful on couples do to hormonal changes, financial burden, and the separation from the “experience” of creating a child together for the couple if IVF was used.

A number of studies have shown that chiropractic care can be very beneficial for treating infertility. Chiropractic adjustments may help to stabilize the autonomic nervous system and allow the reproductive organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, or prostate, to function properly. Cranial therapy and chiropractic adjustments may also have an affect on the pituitary gland or hormones. If there is a structural reason for the infertility, such as an imbalance of the pelvic floor muscles or uneven tension in the uterus, chiropractic adjustments can help relieve this to restore normal function to the area. It is a great treatment to start with because it is safe, effective, non-invasive and cost effective.

Acupuncture and herbal therapy have also been shown to increase fertility, especially when the cause is functional rather than structural. It can help improve ovarian function, increase blood flow to the endometrium to produce a thick lining, and regulate hormones that affect ovulation and reproduction. It also works great in conjunction with other treatments and helps to enhance their effectiveness by making your body more responsive to the treatment.

Other treatments like Maya Abdominal Massage focus on restoring the uterus to the proper position, increasing blood flow and lymph drainage in the pelvic area, and breaking up adhesions or scar tissue around the uterus and other abdominal organs. All of these things are essential to maintaining a healthy environment for the reproductive organs.

While medical treatments are a common way to deal with infertility issues, they are not without problems, such as high costs and negative health effects. With any health issues, it is important to find the cause of the problem and fix it, not just to cover up symptoms or override the body’s natural systems. Alternative and natural treatments are designed to work with your body, not against it. Finding a qualified alternative practitioner may be your first step in the journey to conception. For more information or resources on infertility and women’s health, please visit www.newbeginningschiropractic.net.

It’s often said that the best cure is prevention, and in the cases of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, those words could not be truer. May is National Women’s Health Month, and this article will focus on REAL prevention of the most deadly and debilitating diseases affecting American women today. This article will not be focusing on expensive, and often dangerous, medical treatments that people turn to once they are in a full-blown course of a disease. What it will cover are healthy lifestyle changes that prevent diseases from beginning, and are useful treatments for reversing the damage of diseases in progress. Some of the topics also pertain to men as well, so everyone should read this. Do yourself or a loved one a favor this Mother’s Day, and pass on this information to help save a life.

The number one killer of American women today is heart disease, accounting for 28% of deaths each year. The second and third leading causes of death are cancer and stroke, with 22% and 7.5%, respectively. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 39% of all female deaths occur from cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes coronary heart disease, stroke and others. That is approximately 500,000 American women a year. As discussed in an earlier article, chronic inflammation is an underlying process that leads to CVD and cancer. Unless a treatment program involves eliminating the inflammation, most conventional treatments will not cure the problem.

The typical American diet is full of pro-inflammatory foods that are not heart healthy and can lead to chronic health problems. Women’s diets are no exception to this, even though moms try to get the rest of the family to eat well. Pro-inflammatory foods include grain-fed meats and poultry, grains, breads, rice, trans fats, polyunsaturated omega-6 oils (corn, sunflower, safflower, canola, etc), corn and corn byproducts, sugar, alcohol, dairy and processed foods (donuts, cookies, candy, crackers, chips, baked goods, soda and sweetened beverages, cereals). Just because something is on this list doesn’t mean you can never eat it again. But if the majority of your food choices each and every day are these foods, you may be headed for disaster and not even realize it.

The scariest thing about diseases like CVD and cancer is that it takes years for the damage to be done, happening so slowly that most people don’t even realize it. Many women report that they feel great throughout their 20’s, start to slow down a little in their 30’s, notice a few problems in their 40’s, and then they hit 50 and major problems appear out of nowhere. It’s not like heart disease can happen in one day. It takes years of poor health decisions to have catastrophic, and sometimes irreversible, effects. That is why it is so important to make good decisions early in life.

This is even more important for women. A lot of our healthcare practices are centered on a male model of physiology and biochemistry. Women have unique health circumstances like pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. Our hormones are different, and we often metabolize vitamins, supplements, herbs and medications differently. Variables such as age, level of physical activity, and being pregnant also affect our daily needs. Because of these factors, it is important that we don’t follow a one-size fits all policy on health.

In order to decrease inflammation and help prevent the deadliest diseases affecting American women, look to the diet first. In the last few years, there has been much discussion about the paleo diet. The book The Paleo Diet, by Dr. Loren Cordain, takes a look at what our early ancestors ate, and the types of food our bodies were designed to digest. The foods that were available then provided all of the necessary requirements for carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. These people were fit and thrived in their environment. They were not obese or dying of breast cancer and heart disease. They also weren’t suffering from infertility, migraines, painful periods, high cholesterol, constipation, osteoporosis, arthritis, PMS, acne, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome and other common female disorders.

The staples in the diet were full of fiber, contained heart healthy fatty acids, didn’t raise cholesterol, regulated blood sugar, and were full of lean protein. The animals that our ancestors consumed ate grass, plants, or green algae, so there were naturally high in omega 3 fats. This is very different from the grain eating and obese animals we get our meat from today, full of omega 6 fats.

If you would like follow what our ancestors did, and live a long life free of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, and many other women’s health problems, then start today by changing your diet to decrease inflammation. Choose foods like organic lean beef, pork, poultry and omega 3 eggs, making sure they are grass fed and free of hormones and anti-biotics. Eat plenty of wild fish, not farmed. Most of your food each day should be fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, the wider variety of colors the better. Dark chocolate, preferably at least 70% cocoa, and red wine, both in moderation, provide phytonutrients and heart protecting qualities. Almonds, walnuts and pecans provide essential fats. Use extra virgin olive oil, pure extra virgin coconut oil (not hydrogenated), and organic grass-fed butter to provide your daily fats.

Additional supplements may be necessary to provide vitamins and minerals not acquired form diet alone. High quality multi-vitamins, magnesium, fish oil with EPA/DHA, vitamin D, CoQ10, ginger, turmeric, garlic, probiotics, and acetyl-L-carnitine are beneficial for preventing disease. Many of these contain anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants that keep our organs and blood vessels functioning properly. Exercise and an active lifestyle will also provide many health benefits, but the results will be even more dramatic and long lasting when combined with the dietary changes.

The greatest part of all is that this diet is perfect for the whole family, and the earlier it is started, the longer lasting the effects will be.

Hundreds of years ago, a woman in labor was almost always at home, surrounded by other women. Most of these women had already given birth before, and therefore, were able to assist and comfort the woman now giving birth. Often times, natural pain remedies and family traditions were passed down as well, and some births would have many generations of women from one family in the same room. This gave the pregnant woman a sense of strength and reassurance that her body could handle this amazing feat.

Things are a lot different today, as deliveries have moved to hospitals, the procedure has become more medical, and fewer people are allowed into the room to support the laboring woman. While many times the father is present and able to help support the mother-to-be, sometimes this woman is alone, or just needs a little extra support.

According to Doulas of North America (DONA), a doula is someone who accompanies a woman in labor and helps by "mothering the mother", and taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. This person in no way replaces the roles of the father, the midwife, nurse or doctor. She is there strictly as a support system for the mother to make sure that her needs are met without stepping on anyone else's toes.

Click here for the benefits of having a doula present at a birth, such as decreased need for pain meds and fewer medical interventions.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for new moms. The wonder and awe at the little person that is growing inside of you and the anticipation of meeting this bundle of joy can make any mom-to-be glow. But what happens when you have back pain, sciatica, constipation, or any of the other “normal” changes that happen during pregnancy? Being in pain and discomfort for nine months can make even the most excited mother a little irritable!

Did you know that chiropractic is a safe and effective way of treating many of the common pregnancy complaints? Did you know that chiropractic adjustments may be able to help you if you are carrying a breech or posterior baby? Did you also know that it can help reduce the pain of labor, decrease labor time, and that it is beneficial to you and your baby? If you did know all of that, congratulations! You are ahead of the game already, and hopefully you have experienced the amazing benefits of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. If you didn’t already know this, don’t worry, because you have come to the right place and it is never too late to start!

Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been proven to be safe and effective. Special tables and pillows are used to address the special needs of pregnant women. These allow extra room for a growing belly and tender breast tissue. At our office, we can accommodate a pregnant women’s body in many ways, and we work with you to decide method you like best. And we want to assure you that chiropractic adjustments don’t hurt mom or the baby. Since the mom’s body is releasing the hormone Relaxin, the ligaments all over the body are already relaxed. This means that the vertebrae in a pregnant woman move much easier and not much force is needed to make an adjustment. The main side effects of chiropractic adjustments are decreased pain and increased health!

The list of problems that chiropractic adjustments may help with is long, but some of the main ones are:

Heartburn
Morning sickness
Low back pain
Breech babies
Posterior baby/back labor
Premature Contractions
Sciatica
Swollen ankles and feet
Headaches
Constipation
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pubic Symphysis Pain (groin pain)
Dizziness

Plus, chiropractic has been shown to decrease labor time, reduce the need for pain medications and help with postpartum depression. It also leads to an overall safer birth because it restores the normal function of the nervous system and normal biomechanics of the spine and pelvis.

Before we get into how chiropractic can help all these things, let’s talk a little bit about what happens to a mother’s body during pregnancy. It’s pretty obvious that a mom-to-be goes through a rapid increase in weight gain as the baby develops. Adding anywhere from 20-70 pounds in such a short period of time can be a lot for anyone’s body to handle. The difference with pregnant women though, is that the weight isn’t evenly distributed throughout the body. Since it is mostly carried out in front of the body, it puts added strain on the low back area. Add to that the hormone Relaxin, which loosens up the ligaments, and you can have a very unstable pelvis and low back area. To compensate for the increased weight out in the front, the curve in the low back increases, which leads to changes in the curves of the mid-back and the neck. For this reason, headaches stemming from problems in the cervical spine (neck) are very common during pregnancy.

The pelvis plays important roles throughout pregnancy. It is a bony support and protector for the growing fetus throughout the pregnancy, but then must open up enough to let the baby come out during delivery. Much of what happens during pregnancy is directly related to the function and alignment of the pelvis bones. The pelvis is a ring that is made up of two pelvic bones and the sacrum. The uterus sits nicely in the middle of the ring and is attached by 9 ligaments to the sacrum, pelvis bones and some organs. When one of the bones in the ring is out of alignment, the ligaments get torqued and twisted, which leads to a torqued and twisted uterus. This can cause muscle spasm and intrauterine constraint, and may make it harder for a baby to turn inside and get into the proper head-down, or vertex position. This is called a breech position, and in most cases it will lead to a C-section if not corrected. The Webster’s Technique is a special chiropractic technique for pregnant women that addresses the alignment of the sacrum and pelvic bones and decreases the spasm of the uterine ligaments to help reduce this intrauterine constraint. There are times when the technique will not work, though, and it is important to understand that there are no guarantees. Cases when the technique may not work are with uterine fibroids, a cord wrapped around the neck or limb, pelvic scar tissue such as with a previous C-section or other abdominal surgery, a bifurcated uterus, twins, or if there is some anomaly with the baby itself. To read more about the Webster technique, please click here. For research on the Webster Technique and other pregnancy related issues, please click here.

New Beginnings Chiropractic
1861 Business Hwy 18/151 East
Mt Horeb, WI 53572
info@newbeginningschiropractic.net

Located in the North Cape Commons next to Subway and Strand's Salon

phone 437-9990 fax 437-9992