Baby Flipping

I am sure that some of you saw the video of that Russian woman flipping and twirling her baby around in the air like a circus performer. It caused quite a stir on the internet with people on both sides of the argument getting quite heated. The video definitely provokes emotion, whether you think it is crazy or you are, yourself, a twirler.

This is probably the image that comes to mind when most people think of baby flipping. Some of you, though, might think of a breech baby turning in utero. Finding out that your baby is breech can be pretty stressful on mom and dad, especially when the knowledge comes late in the pregnancy. Thoughts of a C-section or fear of a  medical attempt to flip the baby from the outside (external version), can flood the mind. If you look at this  link for the external version they make it look so easy. Maybe that is why it is a cartoon. Forcing a baby to change position does not sound like the most comfortable process. Many mothers have spoken of much soreness after a failed attempt…but sometimes it works…and it is better than a C-section.

What if there was another option? Instead of forcing the baby into a new position why don’t we figure out why he/she is in that position to begin with?

Many times fetal positioning is due to intrauterine constraint. There might be something out of position that is putting undo stress on the uterus. This could be a spinal issue, a muscular issue, a neurological issue, a ligamentous issue, or an issue with all of the above.

A Chiropractor named Larry Webster developed a technique, The Webster Technique, that looks at the relationship between the spine, the uterus, the round ligament, and the nervous system, and how improper function of these structures might set the stage for a breech presentation. This is not a baby turning technique by any means. Rather, it is a way to relieve intrauterine constraint that might be preventing the baby from assuming a normal presentation. Relieving this stress allows the baby to turn from a breech position naturally, on its own terms, without the application of external forces.

Checking out a chiropractor in your area who as been trained in the Webster Technique might be worthwhile for any mom carrying a breech baby. It is safe and effective…unlike what is going on in the video above.

Does A Clogged Drain Keep You Up At Night?

Do you see that tube labeled “Eustachian tube”? That is the anatomical drain for the middle ear. It is designed to drain fluid from the middle ear into the throat and prevent fluid build up and infection.

There are three sections of the ear: outer, middle, and inner. All three of these can have their own issues and “infections”. The outer ear can be irritated with swimmers ear while an inner ear issue can result in balance and equilibrium problems. The ear issue familiar to most is the middle ear infection (otitis media). This is very common in young children often treated with antibiotics, though the mayo clinic says that “most ear infections don’t need treatment with antibiotics”. In recurrent cases the medical field suggests inserting a tube in the eardrum to allow fluid buildup to drain through the ear canal as opposed to the Eustachian tube…but wait…why is the Eustachian tube not draining properly?

There are a few reasons that the drain might be clogged. The Eustachian tube is lined with smooth muscle that can spasm or become inflamed. The opening in the throat that is the end of the Eustachian tube can get clogged with thick mucus or food. The important question is to ask why the existing drain is not draining.

A specific chiropractic adjustment can help relax the smooth muscle that might be at the root of the middle ear infection. There may also be dietary issues. Here is a link to a few articles about ear infections and chiropractic care. If your child has ear infections or you have been told that he/she needs tubes, it might be wise to consult a specific chiropractor to see if the issue can be traced back to the spine and nervous system. Many children have been helped with their chronic ear issues and many have been able to avoid drugs and surgery. This has also allowed children and MANY parents to sleep a little more soundly through the night.

The Crooked Forest

These trees in Poland grow with this right angle near their base. Apparently there are about 400 crooked trees right in the middle of a forest of “normal” straight trees. The trees grew this way due to a human mechanical intervention from which they could not escape. They were basically molded in their years as saplings after being planted in the 1930′s.

This demonstrates a major biological principle in the form of the adaptability of life. These trees developed with a mechanical stress that forced them to grow a certain way. They still grew, but maybe not as optimally as the trees without the bent trunks. After the stress was removed they grew tall and straight toward the sun through a process called phototropism..another adaptation.

Human life is adaptable in the same way. Our bodies are meant to adapt to the stresses that our environment presents. Without adaptation we would cease to thrive. Those trees would have been crushed without adapting to the circumstances under which they developed.

It is crucial to make sure that our children are adapting to their surroundings. Specific chiropractic care assesses the adaptability of an individual to adapt to his/her surroundings. There will always be some type of stress present in the lives of our kids, but we need to make sure that they are able to respond appropriately and reduce the negative impact that it has their lives . The crooked trees might look unusual, but at least they are alive and thriving in their own little community.