Author Archives: Dr. Tiffany Johnson

Avatar of Dr. Tiffany Johnson

About Dr. Tiffany Johnson

I'm Dr. Tiffany Johnson, from Healing Touch Chiropractic in West Fargo. I provide family chiropractic services to the North Dakota communities of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo. I believe health is all about creating wellness and living your life to its fullest potential. My interest in family health is a personal one; as a wife and mother of two young children, I understand the challenges families face today when trying to live a wellness lifestyle I'm passionate about transforming lives and am particularly inspired by the health changes that can happen within families with just the simplest of changes. It only takes one person to begin living healthier, for the benefits to rub off on every family member. I love what I do because through the transformation of one person, a thousand lives are being changed!

Are Antibacterial Products Really Better for Your Health?

Posted on by
Reply

Last week it was announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will finally be making a determination on whether antibacterial soap is causing more health harm than good among consumers.  I say “finally” because it’s taken four decades for the FDA to take action. The main catalyst for this move is the use of the chemical triclosan, the germ-killing ingredient found in 75% of the antibacterial products sold in the U.S., including soap, body wash, detergents, cosmetics, children’s clothing, toys and even toothpaste!

I’ve never been a fan of antibacterial products. There’s no  evidence that these products are actually effective, and the FDA’s own website states, “the agency does not have evidence that triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.”

Yet, more and more I see the youngest patients in my office stocked with their tiny child-size bottle of sanitizer; complete with the bright colors, fruity fragrances, cartoon-characters on the label, conveniently attached to their wrist, zipper or backpack. I’ll ask them about it, just to get their take. “It keeps the germs away,” they say. They’ve grown accustomed to using these products at home and school, and their parents have come to believe that products that say “antibacterial” are superior and good for the family.

The alarm bells around triclosan have been going off for years. It’s been linked to disruptions in hormonal activity in animals. I’ve often suspected the use of this chemical (along with the widespread use of many others) to be a contributing factor in the rise of early puberty in our girls. And, boys are not immune to the hormone altering affects; in boys estrogen mimickers produce the opposite effect, delaying puberty (especially in obese boys).

Triclosan has also been shown to reduce circulating thyroxine in rats. Lack of this circulating thyroid hormone can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition which has reached epidemic rates.  Chances are you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and if so, you’ll recognize the symptoms: fatigue, thinning hair, depression, cold hands and feet, and difficulty losing weight.

As if that weren’t disturbing enough, the real danger of these antibacterial products may be the link to antibiotic resistance and superbugs. Antibacterials like triclosan don’t “kill” germs as you might expect, but rather “alter” them by interfering with the bacterial enzyme through penetration of the bacterial wall.  Since bacteria can evolve very quickly, microbes have the potential to develop enzyme systems that are resistant to triclosan (and antibiotics) over time. Could this be why antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more widespread and their numbers are growing?

Regardless of whether your antibacterial products include triclosan on the label or not, they are still full of chemicals. And regardless of whether they are ingested or used topically, these chemicals are still absorbed into the body with each and every use. My recommendation is, and has always been, plain soap and water.

More importantly, don’t be so afraid of germs. Your body’s immunity is like a muscle, it must be used to remain strong. If your body’s immune system is strong, it will do the work to protect you from infection. Parents, let the kids play in the mud, eat dirt, put their fingers in their mouths.  Heck, the worst that could happen would be they need a bath and some good ol’ soap and water.

Dr. Tiffany

Get a Grip on Stress (Before it Gets a Grip on You)!

Posted on by
Reply

April is National Stress Awareness Month and I couldn’t let the opportunity go by without addressing a topic that plays such a large role in our overall wellness (or rather, lack thereof).  Study after study confirms as much as 95% of the illness and disease we face today is related in some way to stress, making it a very real threat to our longevity; more than any inherited gene, super-virus or toxin.

To be fair, stress isn’t all bad, and can affect us in both positive and negatives ways.  Sometimes stress is what energizes us and stimulates our creative thinking.  Sometimes stress becomes overwhelming and frustrating, tiring our minds and bodies and deteriorating our health.  The reality is that stress levels are growing higher and study after study shows that there is a connection between unmanaged stress and illness and disease, ultimately leading to rising health care costs for families and employers.

It makes good sense from a wellness standpoint, as well as from a financial one, to take steps to better manage stress levels.  Following are some simple and common-sense action steps you can put into practice today:

Nutrition: Eating a well-balanced diet and drinking a healthy amount of water is key to looking and feeling your best.  Low carb, low fat; the information on what constitutes a proper diet is vast and conflicting.  When it comes to nutrition one thing is true—variety is the spice of life.  I recommend keeping your food real, and focusing on nutrient-rich vegetables and quality protein.

One easy way to instantly improve your health is to drink more water.  How much water is the right amount?  A good rule of thumb is to take your weight, in pounds, divided by 2 (i.e.: A person weighing 150 pounds needs to drink 75 ounces of water per day.).  High levels of physical activity, medications and drinks high in caffeine may increase your need for water even more.

Sleep: Getting enough rest at night is essential for your body to recharge and heal from each day.  Everyone requires a different amount of sleep.  On average, the range is between 6-10 hours per night.

Exercise: The body needs a good amount of cardiovascular exercise each week to maintain health…but not as much as most people think.  All you need is 3-4 thirty-minute intervals of exercise per week to stay healthy.  Also, stretching should be performed daily to release the tension that builds up in our muscles.

Breathing: Have you ever paid attention to your breathing habits?  Be sure that you are taking nice deep breaths while expanding your chest.  Short, rapid, shallow breathing deprives the body and brain of important oxygen.

Proper Nervous System Function: The health of your nervous system is often overlooked when assessing stress and wellness levels.  When was the last time you had your nervous system checked?

The nervous system is the most important system of the body—so important in fact, that the spinal cord and brain are the only parts of the body totally encased in bone for protection.  With the nervous system being so critical to body function it only stands to reason that to operate at peak performance the messages from your brain must be sent through the nerves without interference.  That is why doctors of chiropractic check for vertebral subluxations.

Subluxations, when left uncorrected, will not only slow and skew communication from the brain to the body but may lead to numbing, pain, or illness.  Regular chiropractic care is essential to ensuring proper nerve system function.  Chiropractic adjustments remove nervous system interference; this enables the body to better manage stress and maintain health.

Stress can impact your health at any age.  That’s why the best advice I can give is, “Get a grip on stress before stress gets a grip on you!”

Dr. Tiffany

Healthy By Choice, Not By Chance

Posted on by
1

I was reflecting on the office and our patients the other day. I smiled as I recalled first opening the doors of our office as a new doctor back in 2005. I couldn’t wait to offer my services to the community and share all I had learned, throughout my years of training and internships, about healing and the power of the body. I can’t believe how far the office has come since that time and the number of people we’ve served. I’m so grateful that some of my very first patients are still visiting our office to this day.

Then it hit me… I realized that some people might wonder why someone would visit a chiropractor on such a long term basis. Is their back that messed up? Are they suffering from chronic pain and symptoms? Is the chiropractor just that bad (ha, that was a joke!)?!

While it’s true that many patients first enter our office with the goal of relieving pain or symptoms, pain relief is actually the least significant benefit that Chiropractic care can offer. When your spine is aligned and your nervous system is functioning optimally, every area of your life is affected in a good way.

Here are just a few of the reasons patients choose to include chiropractic as part of their long-term wellness strategy…

Structural and postural changes.  Most patients experience positive corrective changes in their spinal structure and posture, which is directly related to having a healthier nervous system. This kind of correction takes time, but can be seen during progress evaluations and in x-rays.

Functional improvement.  Relief of pain or symptoms doesn’t mean you’re back to 100% health. With long term care, your body systems will have a chance to return to full functional capacity and your health will return once again. That means you’ll experience an improvement in your health expressions, and you’ll see evidence of this through nerve system scans performed routinely in our office.

Spinal degeneration slows or stops.  The subluxation process is slowed or stopped with long-term Chiropractic care, and many spinal structures can regenerate as well. This is the exciting thing about your body’s healing abilities! Regeneration of the damaged cells and tissue of the body accompanies the removal of nerve interference and you’re regaining health and vitality.

Improved quality of life.  When your pain and symptoms are gone, and your immune system is functioning at 100% capacity, the quality of your life will be substantially better. The result: a longer and healthier life in body, mind and spirit!

Decreased dependence on medication, and visits to the hospital.  As your health improves and your body begins the process of healing itself and functioning optimally, most patients lose their dependence on medication and see that they no longer get “sick” as they have in the past. No more medications, no more side-effects, no more hospitals, invasive tests or surgery; yes, that’s a good thing!

With all those amazing benefits, it’s no wonder many of our patients have been around for years! They chose to live a wellness lifestyle, rather than leave their health up to chance. And, regular adjustments are a part of a healthy lifestyle and the choice to continue was theirs.

Dr. Tiffany

The Top 5 Reasons You See So Many Children at our Office

Posted on by
Reply

It’s something new patients to our office comment on all the time. Some share their surprise when they hear those tiny voices, or remark on our children’s play area. Others will just come right out and ask what’s on everyone’s mind, “Why are there so many children in your office?”

I love it when people ask my staff and me this question; it’s truly a teaching moment for us! You see, at the root, their question is based on the misunderstanding that a chiropractor is a “back doctor” and that our services are for adults with backaches and other pains.

Allow me once and for all to lay this misconception to rest: Chiropractors are doctors of the nervous system. The nervous system is comprised of the brain, spinal cord and nerves, and controls every cell, system, tissue and organ of the body. It’s encased in bone for protection (mostly the vertebra of the spine).  Your spine runs along your back. And that my friends, is where the Doctor of Chiropractic comes in: In simple terms, our work involves eliminating vertebral interference, which causes stress to the nervous system and affects your body’s ability to function optimally.

So when I’m asked why there are so many children within our office, I’ll usually respond, “Well, they have a spine and nervous system, don’t they?!”  The reaction is usually a light bulb moment, and a much deeper conversation about kids and chiropractic that hits on these 5 points…

Birth: The birth experience is an amazing process, but for many children it’s a time when significant degrees of trauma are experienced.  Physical stress may start in the womb with the baby lying in a distorted or twisted manner.  In addition, pulling, twisting, pushing, forceps and vacuum extractions all cause traumas to the spine of a newborn creating subluxations and spinal cord damage that can be silent for years. Early detection and correction is the key, which is why I recommend every newborn get checked as soon as possible after birth.

Nervous System: As I already mentioned, the nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord, and controls every function of the human body.  Interruption of this communication network means your body is not functioning at 100%.  As children grow, learning to hold up their head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and nerve function.

Trauma: Microtraumas (repetitive falls) and macrotraumas (large falls or accidents) must be taken seriously.  Running, jumping, falling, twisting are just a few of the mechanisms for childhood spinal injury.  Furthermore, movements while changing a diaper, learning to use a walker, being lifted by parents, carrying a back-pack, physical demands of sports and sleeping positions all become stepping stones for serious future difficulties if not dealt with immediately.

Prevention:  A healthy spine and nervous system helps to prevent common health problems experienced in children.  Colic, reflux, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, chronic ear infections, headaches and bed wetting can often be traced to nerve system stress. Prevention is the key at an early age to deal with problems that could plague your children for a lifetime.

Posture: You may have heard the old adage, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”.   A child’s spine is subject to a number of stress and strains placing it at risk of future problems like scoliosis or a curved spine.  To prevent this from taking place and causing future health challenges, regular spinal screens are extremely important.

Today’s parents have a desire for their children to achieve a state of true health, safely and naturally. And, this is leading a growing number of moms and dads to seek health care options which support their children’s own natural ability to be healthy.  Chiropractic is one such option. 100% of children function better with 100% nerve function and all children deserve the right to express their fullest potential.  And therein lies the reason for the large number of kids in our office!

Dr. Tiffany

Autism: Are We Asking the Right Questions?

Posted on by
Reply

Last week, major news outlets reported on a new National Center for Health Statistics study, which revealed some alarming data related to the increase in Autism Spectrum Disorder in American children.  The study, which was reported in, “U.S. autism estimates climb to 1 in 50 school-age children”, revealed that as many as one in 50 U.S. school age children have a diagnosis of autism. This is a 72% increase since 2007, the last time the study was conducted.

Leading researchers on the study sited that the new numbers may not necessarily represent more cases of autism, but instead may reflect greater awareness, stating, “…the increase in the estimates from the current parent survey was the result of diagnoses of children with previously unrecognized autism.”

So, more children who have autism are being diagnosed with autism earlier; does that make the results of this study any easier to take?  Why isn’t anyone asking the most important question, “Why?”

Instead of being so accepting of these results, why aren’t we as parents and communities demanding more answers into the reason behind these alarming statistics?  It doesn’t matter if it’s 1 in 88 or 1 in 50; either way, that’s too many children and families whose lives are being affected.

Regardless of your generation, raising a family is a hard job; yet I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of fear and sorrow for the families of this generation. We’re a country with a drug problem (and no, I’m not referring to street drugs, I’m talking pharmaceuticals).  We’re force-fed a food supply that isn’t really ‘food’. Our children receive up to 50 toxic injections before the age of 5. As a result, our homes and families are being broken – in mind, body and spirit.

I can’t imagine anything worse than having a sick and struggling child — the emotional, mental, financial, marital, physical stress this puts on a family.  To me these statistics are a sign that peace, love and harmony are at risk in our communities. And, not only at home, but in our schools, too; how will our teachers continue to teach our children?

What’s the answer? One expert I saw interviewed suggested, “We better put more services in place for these children and their families.”  Really, that’s the best solution we’ve got?

Parents, it’s time we stand up, insisting on answers and demanding better.  In the meantime, I can help these kids and their families through chiropractic… Together, WE can help our community and the world so that families can live in health and happiness always, just like how we did as kids.

Dr. Tiffany

Are You a Step Away from Better Health?

Posted on by
Reply

Have you ever thought about how your feet affect your spine? Sure, our feet do a great job of helping us get around, and they hold up pretty well despite putting on several miles a day. Our feet also impact our health – although not in the way you might think. Your feet may not hurt, but they could be the source of the pain in your back, those headaches, or even your digestive distress.

The joints and muscles of your body function most efficiently when they are in physical balance. The body is a biomechanical chain where abnormal movement of one joint can interfere with the proper movement of the others. Your feet are your body’s foundation and if they are not properly supported, posture problems develop that place excessive stress on your spine and joints.

How can you avoid this source of stress and the symptoms that accompany an unstable foundation?  Here are my head to toe tips…

Tip 1: Start at the top.  When it comes to your feet, it’s important to use your head and make decisions in footwear that keep your feet happy and support proper posture.  It’s no surprise that women are 4 times more likely to have foot problems than men; look at their shoes to see the reason why.  Even a modest 2½-inch high heel can increase the load on the forefoot by 75%.  And pain in the feet often leads to pain elsewhere in the body (or worse).  A change of shoes may be all it takes to improve pain (from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head), and improve overall health by relieving stress on ankles, knees, hips, the vertebrae of the spine, and more.

Tip 2: Get adjusted.  You knew that was coming, however, it’s true.  Regular chiropractic adjustments restore balance to the spine, improving posture and overall nerve and body function.  When proper balance is achieved, stress on the feet is relieved.  Note: If your pain and problems originate in the foot, the spine will continue to be under stress and won’t hold an adjustment for long.  And, that brings us to Tip 3…

Tip 3: Know thy feet. How can we know if your feet are the source of your pain and health challenges?   At our office we have the technology for that!  We can diagnose your foot problems, and their real cause, with a state-of-the-art digital foot scan.  A scan of your feet can provide pressure readings that depict how your feet are balancing your body’s weight.  If your scan shows any imbalances, we can help you decide how to correct them.  Often correction can be achieved using custom orthotics.

Orthotics restore both your structural and functional balance and help you develop the strength and flexibility needed to keep your body stable as you stand, walk and run.  With regular wear, they encourage optimal muscle and nerve function by guiding your feet through a more normal pattern of movement, eliminating excessive forces on the other joints of your body with each step that you take.

Why custom?  No one else’s feet are exactly like yours. Off-the-rack shoe inserts are mass produced, made from a generic mold, and cannot provide the specific support that you and your feet need.  Foot Levelers is one of the most trusted names in the industry and we trust them and their digital scan technology to help correct foundational instability.  Based on an exam and the results of your scan, a pair of orthotics is custom-made to support all three arches of each of your feet, specifically designed to provide the proper structural support that you need.  Regardless of your lifestyle, the perfect pair can be made for you to accommodate nearly every shoe (high heels, work boots, tennis shoes, etc.) and footwear need (sweaty feet, wet conditions, etc.).

Is it possible your pain or health challenges are related to your body’s foundation (a.k.a. your feet)? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to contact our office to schedule a digital foot scan. The results can reveal any imbalances in the feet and how they may be leading to problems in the knees, hips, back and shoulders.

Dr. Tiffany

Is This The New Childhood in America?

Posted on by
Reply

Recently at a speaking engagement I misspoke, and an attendee pointed out my mistake.  Instead of saying, “This may be the first generation of children to not outlive their parents,” I said, ““This is the first generation of children to not outlive their parents.”

I was not exact in the statement of that fact and I apologized. However, after further reflection, perhaps it wasn’t a mistake after all, but rather more of a “Freudian Slip”?

Freudian Slip: n (Psychology) any action, such as a slip of the tongue, that may reveal an unconscious thought.

Just look around at our kids and the state of their health today, you can’t deny they’re sick…

1 in 3 is overweight
1 in 6 has learning disabilities
1 in 9 has asthma
1 in 10 has ADHD
1 in 12 has food allergies
1 in 20 has seizures
1 in 88 has autism
50% have chronic illness

Frankly, this is a generation of children that I’m having a hard time relating to.  I don’t remember my elementary friends bouncing off walls…or drugged and lethargic.  I don’t remember them missing weeks of school.  I don’t remember having vaccinations and shots at school.  I don’t remember kids leaving school because of fevers.  I don’t remember kids visiting the office 3 times a day for their daily medications.  Our school nurse didn’t and couldn’t administer pain relievers (not even aspirin).  I was never in the nurse’s office, but I heard the typical treatment protocol was a glass of water and a few minutes of rest sitting in a chair or lying on a cot.

What is different today?  Are there more germs?  No.  Are the winters longer?  No.  Is it colder outside? No.  Although, I’ve heard these silly statements suggested as possible theories.

Following are some questions that may give you some insight on today’s “lifestyle” as compared to 20 years ago…

  • How was your birth with your children?  Think of the birth experiences 20 years ago vs. now.  Did you know there has been a dramatic increase in the percentage of inductions, C-sections, forceps and vacuum extractions?
  • Did you breastfeed?
  • As a mother, was your diet (when pregnant and/or breastfeeding) largely white and fluffy foods (breads, pastas, crackers, chips, cookies, sweets)?
  • Have your children been checked for nervous system interference by a family chiropractor?
  • Did you vaccinate?  If so, when did you start?  Did you notice any behavior changes after the inoculations?
  • Have your kids been given antibiotics or medications?
  • What was their first food?
  • What do they eat for breakfast?
  • How much water do they consume?
  • What other drinks do they consume?
  • Do they sleep 10-12 hours/night?
  • Do they get one hour of exercise/day?
  • How stressed are they (rate 0-10)?
  • Do you have family meals and are they home-cooked?
  • Do you love and take care of yourself?  Your children learn from you.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, principals, everyone…are we looking around?  Something clearly isn’t working here.  Is this the new “normal” in our country, and if so, why would we allow this to be acceptable?

Personally I’m concerned and refuse to stand by and allow the declining health of our children become the standard.  I will not accept it for my own children or for my patients, and I will do everything I can to change this reality for our community and our world.

Dr. Tiffany

P.S.  My friend and colleague Dr. Fabrizio Mancini hosts a weekly show on Hay House Radio. It’s called “Self-Healing with Dr. Fab” and it was inspired by the book, “The Power of Self-Healing”, which I reviewed last year on this blog. We’re especially excited for this week’s show, “Raising Healthy Children in a Sick World- What Every Parent Must Know”. It will air at 10:00am (CST) this tomorrow, Thursday, March 14, 2013. If you can’t catch it live, you can visit the website to listen to the archived show (it’s free for 1 week). You’ll find the link for live listening and the archived show list here.

Dr. Fab has been a mentor and inspiration to me; we share the same no-nonsense, natural approach to health and healing. I have no doubt you’ll learn a great deal from this episode and his future shows. As a matter of fact, Dr. Fab’s debut show from last week is still available for free listening on the Hay House Radio Archive. In last week’s show he shared how as a pre-med student he became interested in chiropractic and natural healing. It’s a powerful story!

The Benefits to Letting a Fever Run its Course

Posted on by
Reply

It’s a conversation I see and hear quite often. In fact, last week I noticed this very discussion taking place among some of my friends on Facebook…

“Help; my little one is running a fever! We’ve tried Advil, Motrin, and Tylenol, but he’s still so hot! I’m worried…why aren’t the meds bringing his fever down?!”

Then the flurry of comments begins and everyone offers their advice for “breaking” the fever. These kinds of conversations literally keep me up at night. As a matter of fact, my palms are getting sweaty as I type this, and I’ve got that uncomfortable feeling in my stomach… I always feel this way when fear, frustration and concern come together inside me. Why would a doctor find this type of conversation so upsetting? Read on…

A fever is the body’s inborn ability to fight an infection, virus, etc.  Just like heating meat to kill the bacteria before we eat it, the fever does just the same, only within the body. The fever prevents the bacteria from reproducing, and as the temperature of the fever rises, it begins to kill the bacteria.

But, what happens when we don’t allow a fever to kill the bacteria? That’s when we end up chasing symptoms! For example, the immune system may not be able to fight a sniffle, and in turn the sniffle becomes a sinus infection. While initially just a minor cough, suddenly a cold turns into a deep chronic cough or even pneumonia. The next fever that isn’t naturally fought could create digestive issues (stomach pain, constipation). I could go on and on with examples.

Just like a cough is the body’s innate ability to get something out of the body, the fever is the same. It is there to fight the infection and/or virus. But, instead of allowing the body to do what it knows to do and allow for healing, we rush to the medicine cabinet.

For example, when a child has a cough, it’s common to give them a cough suppressant. While this may help quiet their cough, it doesn’t mean what was causing the cough is out of the body; no, it’s just suppressed.  The same goes for giving a fever reducer. The body’s innate ability has been halted by synthetically bringing the fever down. Does that mean what was causing the fever is out of the body? No, it is just suppressed! And that’s when we must ask; are we giving our body the tools to be stronger or weaker?

I’m concerned that we’re being bogged down by a fear-based medical system. Parents, especially, are scared that something will happen to their children because of what we see, hear and are told by the media and advertising. I understand; as a mom, I’ve been there. But I think we’re going out it all wrong.

I don’t want you to take my word for it; do the research and learn more about how the body innately and naturally works. I’m confident you’ll then understand why the advice I give to these panicked moms and dads is so important: Do what you can to NOT interrupt the process.  

That’s what I love about my favorite healing modality and why I love the chiropractic profession so much! Our focus is not on symptoms or interrupting the body’s natural healing abilities. Rather, the goal of chiropractic is to assist the body in functioning at such a level that you don’t get sick as often. And when you do get sick (because we all do from time to time), your immune system, stronger because of more efficient and higher functioning body-brain communication, is better able to fight off the disease, letting you, or your child, recover more quickly, and in a natural way.  As a result, you become more attuned to your body and your body’s healing reactions and abilities, and are also able to better adapt to future bouts of illness.

Dr. Tiffany

A Deeper Connection? Constipation, MiraLAX and ADHD

Posted on by
2

One of the most common complaints I see in our office is young children experiencing tummy aches and constipation. Interestingly, these two complaints tend to appear together and are often accompanied by seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as difficulty with focus and concentration problems, which often have parents exploring the possibility of ADD/ADHD.

It’s really not surprising that these symptoms would present together. Our digestive system is actually interrelated to many other systems of the body, such as our immune system and central nervous system.  That’s why if these complaints are not addressed immediately, and are allowed to continue into adulthood, they may advance to stomach pain, constipation (or other bowel irregularities), menstrual dysfunction, and/or depression and anxiety.

When a child has stomach pain and constipation, and gets checked by the family MD, the result is usually a drug, and most likely that drug is MiraLAX.  As a pediatric chiropractor, MiraLAX is on my Top 3 List; this list includes the top 3 medications children are usually taking when they first come to see me.

Let me be clear; I am in no way suggesting that I am an expert on medication.  I am, though, an expert in how the human frame works, what it needs, and what changes the physiology of the human body.  I can, without a doubt, share that anything put into our body changes the physiology on the inside.  In the case of any medication, not only will it affect the symptom, and the system related to that complaint, but it will change the physiology of your entire body. When a new patient comes to my office, I have to consider the possible reactions the medications they are taking (or have taken) are having on their body.

Yet, I do often wonder if there’s something deeper at work and a recent article on constipation in children and common medications used to alleviate their symptoms was an eye-opener. For those not familiar, MiraLAX is commonly referred to as a “miracle” laxative. It’s available without a prescription and according to Merck & Co, manufacturer of the drug, it’s “safe” and “without harsh side effects”. Yet in December of 2011, the FDA placed MiraLAX on its Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) due to a connection to “neuropsychiatric events”. Yes, “neuropsychiatric events” as in autism, dementia, depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, among others.

The active ingredient in MiraLAX that sparked the warning is “polyethylene glycol”, specifically Polyethylene Glycol 3350 (PEG for short). This ingredient is also found in many other laxatives you may be familiar with including Dulcolax and many more.

Polyethylene glycol is manufactured from “ethylene glycol”, which is used in automotive antifreeze and brake fluid. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “It and its toxic byproducts first affect the central nervous system (CNS), then the heart, and finally the kidneys. Ingestion of sufficient amounts [as little as 30 ml — KM] can be fatal.”

There have been several other serious complications linked to polyethylene glycol containing laxatives. Topping the list is kidney damage, allergy related hives and anaphylaxis (especially for children), and esophageal perforations.

Clearly the ingredient is not fit for human consumption. Oh, that’s right, it wasn’t intended for that. PEG is a chemical manufactured by Dow Chemical Company and is used in paint, rubber, textile manufacturing, detergents and toilet bowl cleaners!  For the properties that make polyethylene glycol such a great thing for the toilet, you can check out this very detailed and interesting article on MiraLAX here.

You should also know…

  • Despite all of its well-established risks, MiraLAX has never been tested for safety in pregnant women and children.
  • MiraLAX was approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for use by adults, and for no longer than 7 days. Many take these laxatives daily and for extended periods of time.
  • The use of laxatives is particularly common throughout pregnancy and PEG containing laxatives are recommended to many pregnant women.
  • In March 2012, the FDA Adverse Reporting System showed 2257 reported adverse events related (in any way) to PEG products (up from 7 in 2001). Included in these reports are serious kidney, urinary, bowel, blood, skin, and neuropsychiatric symptoms – and at least 3 children’s deaths.
  • A citizen petition “To Investigate Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Product Safety for Use with Pediatric Patients” was filed with the U.S. Federal Drug Administration on June 6, 2012. You can view a PDF of the report here. It’s a little dry, but still makes for some very interesting reading.

For anyone with constipation issues, especially a child, it’s important to address the problem at its source within the body. Laxatives may be offering short-term relief, but the tradeoff is long-term health problems in the future. I prefer to take the approach of working WITH your body and the parts you are given, to make your body strong and heal from the inside-out. For those interested in learning more about my approach, you can find more information on my website.

Dr. Tiffany

Healing Ear Infections the Natural Way

Posted on by
Reply

Last week in our office we made it an educational focus to share with our patients about ear infections. The topic is sure a popular one and the questions and conversation with parents in our office inspired me to write this post.

With an estimated 10 million ear infections diagnosed in babies and young children each year, ear aches and ear infections are the number one reason for doctors’ visits.   And let me tell you, ear aches hurt and for many kids can develop into a chronic and recurring problem.  Many will tell you that ear infections are just a regular part of childhood.  I have a different opinion; while ear infections may be “common” they are not “normal” and there are ways to avoid ear infections, the associated pain, and the repeated rounds of antibiotics and surgery that are the traditional treatment.

Almost half of all children have an ear infection by their first birthday.  The typical diagnosis by an MD will be followed by a prescription for antibiotics. However, antibiotics are typically ineffective and when antibiotics fail and the ear pain persists, surgery to insert ear tubes is often the next step.  As with any surgery, there are risks involved and no guarantees of success.

That’s why when there are safe and gentle solutions for prevention and treatment, parents want to hear about it; and as a fellow-parent, I want to share! So, here’s why children are more prone to ear infections and how chiropractic can offer parents a safe and natural alternative to antibiotics and tubes.

Why Children Are Prone to Ear Infections

The Eustachian tubes in children’s ears are straighter and smaller than those of an adult and that makes it easier for bacteria to enter the middle ear through the nose and throat.  When the Eustachian tube becomes clogged, it fails to properly drain fluid from the middle ear. This fluid backs up behind your child’s eardrum and it can become inflamed and infected, causing pain and pressure.

The main factors that lead to otitis media (middle ear inflammation) are allergies, infection, mechanical obstruction, and nutritional deficiency.  I believe there is a strong link between the birthing process and recurrent ear infection as birth trauma can cause significant stress to the spinal column, causing interference to the nerves of the cervical spine, altering function to the ears, nose and throat. I wrote on the topic of birth trauma here a few months ago in, “Misdiagnosed and Under Reported in Infants: Traumatic Birth Syndrome“.

Chiropractic is an all-natural solution that has helped countless children with recurrent middle ear infections.  One promising study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics indicates that there is a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections.

The study involved 332 children with chronic ear infections. Each child, ranging in age from 27 days to 5 years, was given a series of chiropractic adjustments. The results showed that close to 80% of the children did not experience another ear infection within the six-month period following their initial visits. The six-month period included maintenance treatments every four to six weeks.

Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly.  This is important since rounds and rounds of antibiotic treatment for ear infections weaken the immune system, leaving children more susceptible for future ear infections, and other illness, to develop.  This is precisely what I see in my office, in fact, one mother shared her story last fall and inspired another post here at “Health with a Healing Touch”. Please take a moment to click through and read Elise’s Story.

As a pediatric chiropractor, I’m specially trained to locate and correct spinal misalignments in children and provide gentle and safe adjustments that allow the body to heal on its own, without drugs and without surgery.  But it’s important to note, I’m not interested in just treating the symptoms of ear infections; my hope is to relieve the causes of ear infections by removing any nerve interference in your child’s spine thus allowing their body to heal on its own.

If ear infections have been a problem for your child, please contact my office and learn about a new approach to bring them relief.

Dr. Tiffany