Yes, there is a simple test for adrenal dysfunction.  Simply sucking on a cotton ball a multiple times throughout the day can give your doctor a window into your adrenal hormones, specifically cortisol and DHEA.  These two hormones must be in a particular ratio and balance through out the day.  If they are not, many symptoms occur and much damage can be done to your body.  Most specifically, hormonal imbalances, leading to blood pressure changes, fatigue, aches, pains, PMS, severe menopause symptoms, thyroid dysfunction, irritable bowel syndromes, intestinal pains, and the list goes on.   What would create adrenal dysfunction?  The adrenal glands were made for the old "fight or flight" response, one which would have saved us from getting eaten by a lion, for example.  Today, something as simple as being "cut off" by another driver evokes that response and our adrenal glands begin to wear out.  If you think you need your adrenals checked, ask your chiropractor or doctor trained in functional medicine.

Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease, symptoms and pain once it occurs, Doctors of chiropractic emphasize improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness in the first place. Most people would rather be healthy and avoid illness, if they could. What does this have to do with prenatal chiropractic? Making sure the spine is adjusted through these astounding changes that the body makes in the amazingly short nine months of pregnancy is vital to carrying well, an easier delivery, and quicker recovery post natal. Most chiropractors are educators of nutrition, detoxification and can guide you in appropriate exercises while awaiting the arrival of your new bundle. The total body approach is essential in created an energetic, feeling good new mama who is ready to interact with her new family.

Adrenal fatigue is a very common condition that plagues many due to our current lifestyle.  Malnutrition due to gastrointestinal disorders, poor food choices, medications and chemicals are contributing factors.  Pair that with a fast pace, pressure from work, lack of sleep due to late nights in front of the TV or computers, and lack of exercise and lack of stress reduction...and you are on your way to exhaustion.  Symptoms of exhaustion are mood changes, "blow-ups", chronic fatigue, lack of energy, prone to injuries,chronic sickness and weight gain.  If left unchecked, the other organs of the body suffer, and new imbalances and symptoms are created.  Adrenal fatigue can contribute to illness such as diabetes and hormonal imbalances.

Living a true chiropractic lifestyle can re-balance your life and heal adrenal fatigue.  Spinal adjustments reduce stress on the body, re-balance the nervous system and relax the mind. The adjustment frees the nervous system to allow the body to communicate with every cell in order to run efficeintly.   Most chiropractors can teach you how to eat properly, sleep right and exercise appropriately.  Did you know that the adrenal glands heal between 10pm and 2pm.  If you go to bed late, you miss this critical healing time.

If you think you may have adrenal fatigue, your chiropractor, if trained in functional medicine or nutrition, can send you for an Adrenal Stress Index test or any other lab work that they deem necessary.  Your chiropractor can then advise you to use nutritional products to restore the body's natural ability to heal itself.

For now, get your adjustments, eat whole(preferably organic) non-processed foods, balance you protein, fat and complex carbs at every meal, exercise a little every day, use what ever method of stress relief works for you, slow down and "smell the roses", take it easy on the caffeine, and get to bed early.

 Many of you know that I am an advocate of going barefoot whenever possible.    Studies show that a barefoot childhood will result in fewer instances of deformed toes, greater foot flexibility, stronger foot muscles, greater agility, better hip circumduction and more flexibility of the gluteal and hamstring muscles and greater ability to touch their toes. 

When you go barefoot, you stand more upright and posture improves.  Since the foot and the spine contain the most proprioceptive sensory receptors, natural unrestricted movement of the feet is vital for overall neurological well-being.  These factors have lifelong consequences for a healthy, functional nervous system.    

Adults who go barefoot have naturally shaped feet, straighter toes, free of corns, hammer toes, bunions and calluses, well-shaped legs resulting from a natural and balanced gait, a more natural motion, free of the wight brought on by shoes, prevention of blisters , ingrown toenails and plantar warts.   

Barefoot running and exercise is becoming a growing practice showing better performance, less ankle sprains, less plantar fasciitis and less lower back disc problems due to more of a natural motion and foot awareness.  Many top companies are trying to produce shoes that can emulate the bare foot such as Nike "free" and Merrill.    Going barefoot, your feet and legs tire less, circulation is better and endurance is increased.    

In addition; going barefoot is an additional remedy to varicose veins, slipped disc and athletes foot.   Kids should go barefoot as often as possible, yes even with "flat feet" .  You want to develop the muscles of the feet which will hold you for the rest of your life.  Beach walking is an excellent exercise done barefoot as is Yoga and Martial arts which are always done barefoot.  If you have been a shoe person all your life, you will have to start slow to develop all those muscles again.  Start by wearing none in the house and when stretching.   

When you come in for your adjustments, be sure to kick off your shoes.  I will check your feet as the alignment of the foot is the beginning of the chain.  If your feet are off, you can be sure that the rest of the spinal alignment above will follow, decreasing the whole bodies over all pe.

Yours in health,   Dr. Kimberly Maziarz Carlucci, DC 86 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ  07042 973-744-9880 www.PosturePerfectChiropractic.com

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this case study as I have observed facial asymmetry as well as asymmetry of the skull following birth many times in my 15 years in family practice.  Ususally the parents come in extremely concerned and fighting the option of putting a sort of "molding helmet" on the childs head for long periods of time during the day. Another aspect with facial asymmetry is to make sure the jaw is aligned.  A symptom of this would be difficulty in nursing.  Similarly, misalignments in the upper cervicals may make it difficult for the child to nurse from both sides of the body, as in a limitation of turning its head both right and left.   It is important to have these asymmetrys checked of course, as well as the size of the head.  But I myself have never had a case not clear up with adjustments of the spine and cranium ,   As well as manipulation of the musculature.  Enjoy the case study below.
Yours in health,  Dr. Kimberly Maziarz Carlucci

Case Study

  Catherine Généreux DC Bio & Joel Alcantara DC Bio    

  
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic ~ Volume 2011 ~ Issue 1 ~ Pages 35-39    Abstract

Introduction: To present the chiropractic care of a patient with facial asymmetry concomitant with vertebral subluxations.

Clinical Features:  A four day old male presented with a facial asymmetry sustained at birth.  Additional complaints included constipation, hypersalivation, and intestinal gas.  Objective indicators of vertebral subluxation were identified via motion palpation and cranial examination.  Infant reflexes were unremarkable.  

Intervention & Outcomes: Logan Basic, Diversified, and Active Release were the techniques utilized over the course of care to reduce vertebral subluxations.   The parents were given instructions on how to provide daily muscular treatments at home.  The home regimen included soft-tissue massage, cranial massage, and inversion therapy.

Conclusion: The case of a four day old male with a history of facial asymmetry, constipation, hypersalivation, and intestinal gas is presented. Dramatic improvement in facial asymmetry is noted following the introduction of chiropractic care concomitant with a reduction in vertebral subluxation. Improvements were also observed with the patient's additional complaints.  Further research is warranted to determine the benefits of chiropractic intervention.

Hey everyone!  Spring is just around the corner.....Are you ready!  Get looking good!   Get some energy!  And be able to enjoy the upcoming months.  Join us in Montclair, Monday, March 14th for a free lecture on just how to do it!
86 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ at 7pm.   Please RSVP at drkimmymaz@aol.com.