The cooler weather approaching means Christmas music, Holiday parties, and the not so jolly sniffles. The Fall and Winter seasons tend to increase the incidences of cold- and flu-like symptoms. The cold, flu, and allergies promote sinus drainage, and excess fluid build-up in the ears often leads to ear infections. Many children are susceptible to ear infections due to their young immune system and their nature of sharing germs with each other.

As a pediatric chiropractor, I have many parents initially bring in their little ones due to re-occurring ear infections. Chiropractic adjustments have been known to be a safe and effective way to not only assist the body with healing from ear infections, but also as a means of preventing such issues. Below are simple yet effective tips on how to battle ear infections for you or your little one.

  1. Boost Immunity 

    The most effective way to battle ear infections is to prevent them from ever occurring. Boosting the immune system can be obtained through proper nutrition and chiropractic adjustments. Taking daily probiotics is a natural way to boost immunity. Probiotics are good bacteria that support digestive health by decreasing gut inflammation, which in turn, boosts immune function. Be sure to get a good quality probiotic, as it is being used to fuel your body. You can talk with Jessica, our nutritionist on staff, about supplement options.Chiropractic adjustments also boost the immune system. Adjustments take irritation and pressure off the nervous system, the master controller of the body (including the immune system). Adjustments are natural and gentle methods that increase immunity in order to make your body more adaptable to the changing environment.

  2. Eliminate Dairy and Gluten 

    Dietary changes are a big factor in immunity and drainage production. Foods that contain dairy and gluten are prone to increase the production and thickness of mucus and drainage. As mentioned, increased amounts and the quality of drainage can lead to excess fluid in the ear. Fluid that is not drained properly can lead to the accumulation of viral or bacterial organisms, leading to ear infections. Dairy and gluten can also promote gut inflammation, triggering autoimmune responses over time, resulting in the development of food allergies. Ideally, it is encouraged to eliminate dairy and gluten if you or your little one is prone to ear infections. Simply reducing the intake of food containing dairy and gluten is also helpful.

  3. Garlic Oil 

    Garlic has natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidizing properties. Garlic also contains an anti-microbial agent, allicin. All the properties of garlic can be used to decrease inflammation, infection, and pain associated with ear infections. Garlic can also help with excess ear wax accumulation. Garlic can be in the form of oil, allowing easy absorption through the skin, and inner ear. Many recipes can be found online to make your own garlic oil, or it can be purchased online or at Whole Foods. Apply a few drops to the ear, and use a cotton ball to cover the ear, once or twice per day. Use garlic oil drops for children when they are asleep so the oil can fully absorb. Although garlic oil is a natural and effective way to battle ear infections, it is not recommended when the eardrum is ruptured.

For more information regarding chiropractic care and ear infections, call Dr. Samaira Dumpson at 404-355-5499.

As a chiropractor, I am faced with questions regarding proper mattresses and pillows almost on a daily basis. The average adult gets anywhere from 6-8 hours of sleep per night, which is 42-56 hours weekly, or 2,184-2,912 hours each year. In other words, we spend a significant time of our life sleeping; therefore, it is important to have proper support when doing so. Recently, I was in the market for a new mattress and found myself asking the same questions patients ask me all the time: What is the best mattress for my back? Like most markets in America, there are countless options when shopping for a mattress. Do I need firm or soft support? Pillow top or memory foam? Stationary or adjustable foundations? Name brands from Sealy, Serta, Tempur-Pedic, to revolutionary brands such as Casper? The options are limitless and can in fact be overwhelming, at least from my point of view. When you consider the investment (money and time spent sleeping), the selection of a particular mattress is a firm decision, no pun intended.

Just as characteristics of mattress may vary, the variety of spinal support varies per individual. I hope my shopping experience can provide some insight on finding the best mattress for your back.

Steps to Finding the Best Mattress

First thing, you must get out there and test drive different mattress from brands, materials, and firmness. Although a five minute test in the store doesn’t provide the optimal sleep experience, you will get a feel for what type of mattress is comfortable for your needs. From a spinal support perspective, a firmer foundation provides ideal support and allows your spine to be in a neutral position when sleeping on your back or side. The ideal mattress will conform to the natural curvature of the spine and evenly distribute pressure. For simplicity purposes, any firm mattress that allows the spine to remain in neutral position is the most important characteristic when finding a mattress that is best for your back. Other qualities come down to personal preference.

After trying out different styles, research the mattresses online. Consumer reviews provide another perspective on product quality and overall experience. Some things to consider include coil count (the more the better) and the breathability and heat retaining properties. Also research the type of materials used for chemical and allergen exposure. Daily and close contact with such chemicals and allergens may have adverse health reactions for some individuals.

Lastly and most importantly, whichever mattress you decide to invest in,  ensure there is a window of time or a trial period to test out the product. Many distributors like Mattress Firm, department stores such as Macy’s and Sears, and direct companies including Casper and Bear, allow consumers to test out the mattress for 30-100 days. The true testament of the mattress will be determined after multiple nights of sleep. Such trial periods allow for proper mattress assessment and provide the option to exchange and in some cases, even return the product. My personal experience supports this time period. My first few nights on my new mattress were far from dreamy. At one point I wanted to throw the mattress out the window; however, after a few nights to allow my body to adjust to the change, I now am satisfied with my decision. The point of it all, once you have made your purchase, be patient and allow your body time to adapt to your new mattress.

Best wishes on your ideal mattress hunt. Please comment below and share your favorite mattress type.

What is the name of your business and what is its function?

Our business is Catalyst Fitness. To the general public we offer One on One Personal Training, Small Group Personal Training on Demand, Yoga, Massage, and Corporate Wellness Programs. Our Small Group Personal Training on Demand is unique in that your session begins when you arrive and ends when you complete the workout, rather than starting and ending at a predetermined time. This allows members to fit in a workout that works perfectly with their schedule. For example, if you are 5 minutes late for an Orange Theory or Blast class, you’re stressing out trying to get there and not interrupt the class. Or if you are 15 minutes late you’d probably decide to just not go if they haven’t already given up your spot since they over sold the class. Our On Demand model eliminates the stress of being late or missing the class completely because the workout doesn’t start until you arrive. It also allows us to keep our Group Training “Personal” by regressing and progressing movement patterns (aka exercises) to meet the individual goals and needs of the participant. On the Industry side, our educational team speaks at and conducts conferences, clinics, and workshops all over the world. We write educational platforms for equipment companies and curriculums for educational organizations. By educating and training thousands of trainers each year, we are able to impact the lives of millions of people around the world.

 

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Dr. Samaira utilizing the ViPR during her one-on-one training at Catalyst Fitness.

How long have you been in Atlanta?

Catalyst Fitness opened its doors in 2004 as a brick and mortar facility. Our owners, Bill and Valorie Sonnemaker, have lived in Atlanta for over 20 years and have long considered it their home. They have two kids, ages 11 and 2, and love being an integral part of Buckhead and the surrounding communities.

What do you like most about Atlanta?

We love the slow and smooth pace of the South and the small town feel with the big city options. Atlanta is steeped in Southern charm, but it’s balanced by the buzz of a Metro culture. Its central geographic location and easy access to the airport are also a big plus given our frequent national and international travel for industry conferences and engagements.

What separates your business from the others and makes it the best?

SCIENCE…At Catalyst Fitness, we have developed an evidence based approach to health and fitness that is systematic, progressive, and scalable. We use methods that are founded in and backed by science, following a specific system and order that progresses in intensity and challenge for the individual, and that is scalable to every individual’s specific needs. We provide clients the results they want while addressing their biomechanical needs in order to achieve optimal functionality in the safest and shortest amount of time possible.

Who is you ideal client?

We value clients who recognize the difference of what we offer as compared to others. Our ideal client is educated and discerning. They want the best for themselves, and they recognize who offers the best in the industry and why.

Is there something that people in the community do not know about your business that they should know?

We are the authority on health and fitness. What we do today with clients is what others in the Atlanta area will do with their clients in 5-8 years. For example, we were the first to bring TRX, Trigger Point Therapy, and ViPR training tools to Georgia, and we continue to stay at the forefront of health and fitness by working with new and innovative companies as well as educational companies. We have won more international and national industry and popularity awards that any other facility in the Southeast and are home to the 5X winner of Atlanta’s Best Personal Trainer, Bill Sonnemaker, and Personal Fitness Professional (PFP) Trainer of the Year, Valorie Sonnemaker

 

What is the name of your business and what is its function?
STACK Sports Performance & Therapy. We offer sports performance training and physical therapy

How long have you been in Atlanta?
November 2015

What do you like most about Atlanta?
The wide range of athletes in the area, from your first year athletes to your professional athletes.  The passion of athletics in the area is incredible and the desire to achieve peak performance is what excites our staff most!

What separates your business from the others and makes it the best?
We offer premiere coaching each session the athlete steps on our training floor. We set realistic measurable goals and keep our athletes on track to achieving these goals.

Who is your ideal client?
Any athlete that is looking to take their game to the next level. Someone who is dedicated to their craft on and off the playing field.

Is there something that people in the community do not know about your business that they should know?

We are the only full service sports performance facility in metro Atlanta, we helps athlete maximize their athletic potential by developing strength, power, coordination, agility, speed, flexibility, and energy systems with an additional focus on injury prevention, recovery/regeneration, and nutrition.

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Have you been to STACK? Let us know what you love about them in the comments below!

 

 

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis, also known as Wry Neck, occurs when a neck muscle is contracted or in spasm, causing the head to turn to one side and the chin to rotate to the opposite side. Torticollis can be congenital (present since birth) or acquired. Torticollis in infants is commonly acquired by positions in the womb, and the birthing process (especially cesarean, vacuum extraction, and forceps deliveries). In some cases, the cause of  torticollis is unknown.

 

What are Common Symptoms of Torticollis in Children?

The most common symptom of torticollis is the rotation of the head to one side, and rotation of the chin to the opposite side. Other symptoms include discomfort and pain, decreased neck range of motion, tight neck muscles, and difficulty breastfeeding on one side. Chronic torticollis in infants can result in the flattening of one side of the head (plagiocephaly) due to consistent sleeping positions when lying on their backs. In serious congenital cases, face asymmetry, hearing difficulty, vision problems, and developmental delays can occur.

 

How can Chiropractic Help Children with Torticollis?

Pediatric chiropractic adjustment is a natural, gentle, safe, and effective method to correcting misalignment in the neck region. Such misalignment can lead to muscle imbalance, causing one side of the neck muscles to become contracted over time and even other developmental issue due to the impact on the nervous system. Call our office at 404-355-5499 for more information on how our pediatric chiropractor can help your child with torticollis.

What’s the deal with the chairs that wobble that you see around the office? Yes,  they are fun, especially when your favorite song plays through our speakers; however, there are therapeutic advantages to the chairs. The wobble chairs are designed to create proper mobility in the lumbar, sacral,and pelvic regions. The unique design of the chair allows for 360 degrees of rotation, lateral (side to side), forward,and backward flexion. The different ranges of motion are also beneficial for the intervertebral discs, especially those in the low back.The combined movements create disc mobility, and disc re-hydration to combat the daily loads of impact on each disc.  The movements produced by the wobble chairs also aid in delivery to nutrients to the disk, and assist in carrying away waste products.

 

wobbleNow that you understand the benefits behind the wobble chair, it’s time to make sure you are utilizing them correctly in order to maximize the benefits. First, make sure you have an upbeat song. We always have fun jams playing in the office, so that should be the easiest step of them all. Seriously, after you set a timer (we recommend 3 minutes), make sure to stabilize your balance by holding on to the arms of the chair. Slowly move the pelvis through a variety of motions including front to back, side to side, circular and figure eight movements. As stability and comfort of the chair, feel free to increase the speed of the different motions. So wobble, like nobody is watching, for your health’s sake.

What is the name of your business and what is its function?

CrossFit Terminus is a full-service strength and conditioning facility dedicated to quality coaching.  We strive to help individuals become a better version of themselves by providing excellent service and unparalleled coaching in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

How long have you been in Atlanta?

We opened in August 2013 and have always been in Old Fourth Ward. In late 2016 we plan to open up our brand new state of the art facility off Memorial in Reynoldstown.

What do you like most about Atlanta?ter

We love the diversity of our community, and we intentionally welcome all people with open arms and support each person’s goals, whether those goals are to build muscle, lose weight, or simply have a healthier body.

Also, the name Terminus represents our love for our city.  When Georgia decided to build a railroad line from the Midwest down to modern day Atlanta, a stake was put into the ground just a few miles away from the gym, which became known as Terminus, literally meaning “End of the Line.” Contrary to popular belief, we did not take the name Terminus from the AMC show The Walking Dead, although it was a nice coincidence!

What separates your business from the others and makes it the best?

We are here to share our passion for fitness and create a community based on the pursuit of fitness.  Our goal is to foster unbreakable bonds with an open-minded environment, and we strive to create greatness inside and outside our community. We are committed to providing excellent customer service, maintaining open communication, and never losing focus on helping individuals achieve balance and success inside and outside of the gym.

Who is your ideal client?

Our ideal client is anyone who is willing to better him or herself by practicing patience, hard work, and commitment.  We are here to help all kinds of people regardless of their athletic background achieve their fitness goals.

Is there something that people in the community do not know about your business that they should know?

We believe the biggest misconception of CrossFit Terminus is that we are solely interested in a ‘competitive’ environment.  In reality, our goal is to help people in all walks of life become better versions of themselves.  We love seeing people become more confident and better prepared for the unknowns of every life.  We want people to take fitness as a long-term approach, striving for health over the course of a lifetime.

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, promoting the benefits associated with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding has rewarding benefits for both mom and baby, but at times, it can be equally as challenging. What are the benefits, and why is it worth the many obstacles that moms face while breastfeeding?

Research suggest that breastfed babies have lowered risk of asthma, childhood obesity, ear infections, eczema, and SIDS. Breast Milk includes hormones and antibodies that are utilized to support the baby’s proper immune system functions and nutritional needs. Breastfeeding promotes bonding and reduces health risks for mothers. Breastfeeding benefits for mothers include a decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, osteoporosis, and promotes emotional health and postpartum weight loss. Breastfeeding is also more economical and environmental friendly.  

With anything in life, one typically ask if the journey is worth the trouble or work that it demands. Although breastfeeding has the obvious benefits, many mothers and babies struggle along this journey. The incidence of latching and breastfeeding issues continue to rise with time. Common issues range from latching difficulties, little or decreased milk production, and discomfort of the mother.

For those who struggle with breastfeeding, there are other options to consider before you withdraw. Latching issues could be related to misalignments in the baby’s upper neck, resulting in discomfort while feeding. Chiropractic adjustments safely correct spinal misalignments,making latching a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for the baby. Milk production issues and discomfort, can be addressed with other health care experts from lactation consultants, La Leche League, Midwives, and primary care providers.  

For more information about how chiropractic care can help with breastfeeding difficulties for your baby and you, contact Corrective Chiropractic at 404-355-5499.

What is an Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen is an active ingredient in over the counter and prescription drugs. It is commonly used to treat pain and reduce fevers. Many pregnant women use common over the counter actemaniophens such as Tylenol and Excedrin to treat back pain, headaches, toothaches, the common cold, fevers, and muscle aches.

 

Are they safe to use?

Unlike other over the counter and prescription drugs, actemaniophens are technically considered safe to use during pregnancy because the side effects are minimal for the growing and developing fetus and mother compared to other drugs. However, although it is deemed fairly okay to take, most medical doctors recommend minimizing the use of actemaniophens throughout pregnancy.  

 

What are the risks?

All drugs, prescription and over the counter, have associated side effects that vary with individual cases. To see a list of common side effects of actemaniophens, visit https://www.drugs.com/sfx/acetaminophen-side-effects.html. For pregancy and actemaniphen warnings, visit https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/acetaminophen.html. Both links provide information on known side effects and interactions. However, new data is now showing a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and an increased risk of hyperactivity in children. According to a new study, prenatal exposure to acetaminophen is associated with an increased risk of having children with hyperactivity, emotional and behavioral symptoms. To read the entire study, Association of Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy With Behavioral Problems in Childhood, go to http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2543281.

 

What are other options?

There are natural and safe options for symptoms that acetaminophen are commonly used for. Musculoskeletal symptoms such as back pain, headaches, and other muscle related aches, can be addressed with prenatal chiropractic care. Chiropractic care has been proven to safely and effectively treat such symptoms. The only “side effects” associated with prenatal chiropractic care is decreased pain, increased energy, more room for baby to grow and develop, and shorter labor and delivery times. Call our office at 404-355-5499 to schedule an exam with our prenatal chiropractor, Dr. Samaira. If outside the metro Atlanta area, please visit http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/ to find a prenatal and family chiropractor in your area.