Children, ADHD, and Sensory Disorders


It is any parent’s greatest wish to see their children happy and healthy. There is nothing more joyful than seeing a carefree, innocent smile light up your child’s face. Read more

Leaky Gut and Autoimmune Disorders


Your gastrointestinal system is an incredible design. It contains endocrine (hormonal) and immune system cells. It cooperates with beneficial bacteria to break down food and protect against harmful pathogens. Read more

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Growing Healthy Kids

March 28, 2012 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Asthma, Babies, Children, Chiropractic, Digestive Health, Immune System, Medicine, Research, Spine, Wellness Leave a comment  

Every parent wants to grow a happy, healthy child that lives up to their potential. But the stresses of life can keep this from happening. Many problems in children and teenagers can be traced back to a difficult birth process. If a newborn’s head is pulled or twisted during delivery, they can develop spinal misalignments. This distorts the infant’s nerve system function, resulting in motor control issues like torticollis, or digestive issues like acid reflux, colic, and constipation. These issues often clear up after a course of gentle chiropractic care.

Nerve system malfunction (subluxation) frequently results in chronic ear infections. In preschool or elementary school, subluxation can cause problems like asthma, ADHD, emotional difficulties, and learning difficulties. The goal of chiropractic care is to treat nerve system malfunction so the body can return to normal function. Ideally, children will never develop the health problems that held back their parents and grandparents. Childhood should be spent enjoying life, not managing chronic health conditions.

In 1989, a survey of the children of chiropractors and medical doctors showed striking differences between the two health care approaches. Chiropractors’ children showed stronger immune systems than medical doctors’ children. Regarding ear infections (otitis media), 80% of medical doctors’ children suffered from this problem, while only 21% of chiropractors’ children had ear infections. For medical doctors’ children, 88% had taken antibiotics, but only 51% of chiropractors’ children had.

It is easier (and cheaper) to grow healthy kids than to fix damaged adults.


Kids and Chiropractic

December 7, 2011 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP ADHD, Asthma, Babies, Children, Chiropractic, Medicine, Research, Stress, Wellness 6 Comments

Every parent wants to grow a happy, healthy child that lives up to their potential. But the stresses of life can keep this from happening. Many problems in children and teenagers can be traced back to a difficult birth process. If a newborn’s head is pulled or twisted during delivery, they can develop spinal misalignments. This distorts the infant’s nerve system function, resulting in motor control issues like torticollis, or digestive issues like acid reflux, colic, and constipation. These issues often clear up after a course of gentle chiropractic care.

Nerve system malfunction (subluxation) frequently results in chronic ear infections. In preschool or elementary school, subluxation can cause problems like asthma, ADHD, emotional difficulties, and learning difficulties. The goal of chiropractic care is to treat nerve system malfunction so the body can return to normal function. Ideally, children will never develop the health problems that held back their parents and grandparents. Childhood should be spent enjoying life, not managing chronic health conditions.

 Kids enjoy getting adjusted while cuddling with mom or dad.

In 1989, a survey of the children of chiropractors and medical doctors showed striking differences between the two health care approaches. Chiropractic children showed stronger immune systems than medical children. Regarding ear infections (otitis media), 80% of medical children suffered from this problem, while only 21% of chiropractic children had ear infections. For medical children, 88% had taken antibiotics, but only 51% of chiropractic children had.

Safe. Natural. Effective. What more could a parent want for their child’s health care?

About the author: Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP, is a wellness-certified chiropractor at Vital Life Chiropractic in Eagan, Minnesota.


Do flu shots work? Reviews of medical studies

October 26, 2011 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Babies, Children, Immune System, Medicine, Research, Wellness Leave a comment  

Do flu shots work? Here is what we learned from reviewing medical studies as a group.

Not in babies: In a review of more than 51 studies involving more than 294,000 children it was found there was “no evidence that injecting children 6-24 months of age with a flu shot was any more effective than placebo. In children over 2 years, it was only effective 33% of the time in preventing the flu. Reference: Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy children. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2 (2008).

Not in children with asthma: A study 800 children with asthma, where one half were vaccinated and the other half did not receive the influenza vaccine. The two groups were compared with respect to clinic visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations for asthma. CONCLUSION: This study failed to provide evidence that the influenza vaccine prevents pediatric asthma exacerbations.  Reference: Effectiveness of influenza vaccine for the prevention of asthma exacerbations. Christly, C. et al. Arch Dis Child. 2004 Aug; 89(8):734-5. “The inactivated flu vaccine, Flumist, does not prevent influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially the ones with asthma…In fact, children who get the flu vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than children who do not get the vaccine.” Reference: The American Thoracic Society’s 105th International Conference, May 15-20, 2009, San Diego.

Not in adults: In a review of 48 reports including more than 66,000 adults, “Vaccination of healthy adults only reduced risk of influenza by 6% and reduced the number of missed work days by 0.16 day. It did not change the number of people needing to go to hospital or take time off work.” Reference: Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 1 (2006).

Not in the Elderly: In a review of 64 studies in 98 flu seasons, for elderly living in nursing homes, flu shots were non-significant for preventing the flu. For elderly living in the community, vaccines were not significantly effective against influenza, influenza-like illness, or pneumonia. Reference: Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 3(2006).

 

About the author: Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP, is a wellness-certified chiropractor at Vital Life Chiropractic in Eagan, Minnesota.

 


The doctor in the mirror

September 21, 2011 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Chiropractic, Digestive Health, Healing, Medicine, Wellness Leave a comment  

“The whitecoats say you have allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, depression, chronic fatigue, GERD and fibromyalgia.  They say you’ll be on a dozen different medications for the rest of your life.  But what does the doctor looking back at you in the mirror say?  

The doctor in the mirror says you have an innate wisdom inside, capable of RE-CREATING a healthier version you.  A ‘you’ without allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, depression, chronic fatigue, GERD or fibromyalgia.  That doctor is just waiting for you to remove the roadblock.

Health is your birthright.  Health is your natural state.  Health is what you get when you have a clear nerve system.  Don’t be imprisoned by the whitecoat’s diagnosis, it’s merely a temporary state.  Find a Chiropractor who works for the doctor inside of you and you’ll leave sickness and dis-ease behind in the dust.”

Thanks to Dr. Rob for sending out this logical message!

About the author: Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP, is a wellness-certified chiropractor at Vital Life Chiropractic in Eagan, Minnesota.


Helping preemies recover from a rough start

August 24, 2011 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Babies, Children, Chiropractic, Digestive Health, Research, Wellness Leave a comment  

A case report authored by Kelly A. Miller credits chiropractic care with the successful management of a pre-term infant who had suffered severe lung ailments, gastrointestinal complications and developmental delays, both physical and mental.

More than 50,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States each year. Of those who survive, many suffer from lung ailments and respiratory distress, with some facing a life-long battle.

These alarming numbers have our office pointing to the case report published recently in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.  The report suggests that chiropractic care may alleviate some associated effects of premature births.

In this particular study, an infant born at 24 weeks gestation underwent surgery and spent four months in a neonatal intensive care unit. After her discharge from the hospital, she continued to receive antibiotics as well as ventilation and oxygen therapy. Three months after her discharge, she was diagnosed by a chiropractor with spinal subluxations. The infant weighed only 12 pounds; she was listless, constipated and congested. She was put on a regimen of regular chiropractic evaluations and adjustments, starting with twice daily for two weeks, that were decreased gradually to once every two weeks. During the course of chiropractic care, according to the case report, the baby increased her range of motion and started breathing on her own as her lung function improved; she was less congested and colicky and became noticeably more verbal and alert to her surroundings.

Four months later, the infant was virtually symptom-free and in no need of further medical attention. In her physical and cognitive development she was now one month ahead of her age.

This case study is promising, but more studies of this kind are needed.  Nevertheless, this report gives hope to many parents of premature babies with underdeveloped lungs.  Even full-term infants as young as a few months can benefit tremendously from regular chiropractic care.


Asthma: An Alternative Approach

June 15, 2011 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Babies, Balanced living, Children, Chiropractic, Healing, Immune System, Wellness Leave a comment  

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic illness that affects children. It is a condition that strikes fear into the heart of almost every parent. Currently, asthma costs over $11 billion to manage and accounts for over 5,000 deaths yearly in the United States alone! In people who have asthma, the small tubes in the lungs become inflamed and irritated. They contract, spasm, and produce mucous, which plugs up the airways. Children can literally gasp for air. These “attacks” can last minutes or hours, and can be terrifying. Since 1982, asthma in children has increased by 75 percent. That is not acceptable!

Have you ever wondered why some children subjected to the same stresses, pollens, and other triggers develop asthma while others do not? After all, if asthma was directly caused by something in the air, then all children would have it. Why is that? Air that would not normally bother a healthy person can have an adverse effect on a child whose nervous and immune systems are overloaded. You may be surprised to learn that asthma is only a symptom. It means that your child’s body is not able to deal with this problem on its own!

We need to remember that we are dealing with children, NOT their asthma, NOT their label. Let’s take a look at how the body functions. Your health is based on four profound principles: 1) Your body is self-healing and designed to regulate all its functions. And it follows a very exact program in order to perform all of its functions. 2) Your nervous system is the program that runs your whole body and all its functions. It controls how you breathe, the way you digest food, your immune system, and everything else. 3) As long as there is no interference to the function of your nervous system, you should experience the best of health. 4) Nerve interference can be removed, and that is what chiropractors do every day. This restores normal body balance, and all body functions start to improve - including breathing. And no drugs are involved! 

If you know someone who is suffering with asthma, consult with a doctor of chiropractic. Children should not be burdened with a regimen of pills and inhalers. They should be strong and healthy, and able to focus on having fun. How many parents of children with asthma would be overjoyed to know that their child’s body is capable of recovering from asthma? 100 percent! 

www.vitallifechiropractic.com


Childen: Healthy by Design

April 20, 2011 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Brain, Children, Healing, Immune System, Stress, Wellness Leave a comment  

Last week in USA Today, a special series on children’s health reported:

The rate of chronic disease in kids … has doubled in the past two decades: 26% of children now suffer from a long-term health problem, says a 2010 study of more than 5,000 children ages 2 to 8 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. And more than half of children in that study have had some kind of chronic illness — one that limits their abilities or requires special medication, equipment or services for at least 12 months — sometime in the past six years, the study says.

Did you read that? We are talking about kids between the ages of 2 and 8! Unhealthy lifestyles are to blame for the recent doubling of chronic disease: food lacking in nutritional value and a lack of exercise. What if parents knew they could help to counteract the effects of modern living?

Through my postgraduate training in wellness, I studied four areas in depth: Eating well. Moving well. Thinking well. Maintaining a clear neurological connection between brain and body. When you achieve all four of these things at the same time, for a period of time, you move toward wellness. If one of these four aspects is neglected, you move toward chronic illness.

What do parents report about their kids under chiropractic care? From my client surveys, we see:

  • Decreased use of inhaler for asthma
  • Improved attention span and behavior
  • Faster recovery from colds and flu

Children were born to be healthy, not sick! In this imperfect world, we can reduce the effects of unhealthy lifestyle by maintaining a clear neurological connection between brain and body. What more could a parent want for their child than to see them grow up strong and healthy, with minimal use of medications or emergency room visits?

Make the decision to keep your child healthy by choice, not by chance!

www.vitallifechiropractic.com


Probiotics: The good guys in your gut

November 29, 2010 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Children, Digestive Health, Healing, Immune System, Nutrition, Supplements, Wellness Leave a comment  

What are you made of? If you’re healthy, you’re made of bacteria. Ideally, your body contains 10 microorganisms for every human cell. When your ecosystem is working in balance, the probiotics (beneficial bacteria) in your gut help you digest your food, produce vitamins, and act as part of your immune system, preventing overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

We may have gone a little too far in avoiding germs. We now consume about one-millionth of the healthy probiotic bacteria that evolved with us for thousands of years. Pesticides, herbicides, poor nutrition, stress, alcohol, and prescription drugs (antibiotics) have made most of us dangerously deficient in probiotic bacteria. Antibiotic drugs do not distinguish between good and bad bacteria; one course of antibiotics can cause diarrhea and wipe your intestinal tract of beneficial bacteria. You cannot replenish your probiotics to adequate levels by eating yogurt. Supplementation with probiotics is the best way to restore the good guys after a course of antibiotics or a bout of diarrhea. Feeding your probiotics with dietary fiber from apples, oranges, and beans can help them stay healthy and abundant, so it’s important to maintain a healthy diet.

Our current nationwide state of probiotic deficiency has been connected to digestive disorders, immune deficiency, vitamin deficiency, allergies, eczema, asthma, fibromyalgia, Candida infections, cancers, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, and systemic infections. Probiotic deficiency can cause a lack of energy-producing B-vitamins, causing symptoms like fatigue or depression.

A well-designed 6-month study showed that children aged 3-5 had much lower incidence of fever, coughing, and runny nose if they took probiotics twice daily. A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis was more effective than L. acidophilus alone. Compared to kids taking no probiotics, antibiotic use was reduced by 84%, runny nose by 59%, fever by 73%, and coughing by 62% if they took the combination probiotics. Days of absence from child care also dropped by 28% (Leyer et al, 2009. Pediatrics 124(2): e172-179).

It is safe to say that all Americans are deficient in probiotics. This means that we cannot get enough from diet alone, because the composition of our food has changed so much. Public health regulations ensure that bacteria are not allowed in foods. While cleaning up our food sources has reduced outbreaks of infectious disease, there are some minor corrections to be made. Work with your health care provider to see how probiotic supplementation can help create your 100-year lifestyle.

Contact us for more information.


Asthma and children

October 27, 2010 Dr. Barbara Kaiser, DC, CCWP Asthma, Balanced living, Children, Healing, Immune System, Wellness Leave a comment  

This month, let’s chat about a condition that strikes fear into the heart of almost every parent: asthma. It is estimated that in the next twenty-five years, 50 percent of all children will have difficulty catching their breath. 50%! That is not OK! Currently, asthma costs over $11 billion to manage and accounts for over 5,000 deaths yearly in the United States alone! In people who have asthma, the small tubes in the lungs become inflamed and irritated. They contract, spasm, and produce mucous, which plugs up the airways. Children can literally gasp for air, for minutes or hours.

I want you to really think about this for a moment: Have you ever wondered why some children subjected to the same stresses, pollens, and other triggers develop asthma while others do not? After all, if asthma was caused by all the factors the public has been taught and led to believe, then all children would have it. Why is that? Air that would not normally bother a healthy person can have an adverse effect on a child whose nervous and immune systems are overloaded. Asthma is only a symptom. It means that your child’s body is not able to deal with this problem on its own!

Doctors of chiropractic like myself have been helping children with asthma for years. We need to remember that we are dealing with children, NOT their asthma, NOT their label. Let’s take a look at how the body functions. Your health is based on four profound principles: 1) Your body is self-healing and designed to regulate all its functions. Amazing! And it follows a very exact program in order to perform all of its functions. You could say you are on “autopilot!” 2) Your nervous system runs your whole body and all its functions. It controls how you breathe, the way you digest food, your immune system, and everything else. 3) As long as there is no interference to the normal function of your nervous system, you should experience the best of health. Period! 4) Nerve interference can be removed, and that is what I do every day. This restores normal body balance, and all body functions start to improve - including breathing. And no drugs are involved! I like that! If you know someone who is suffering with asthma, please have them talk with me at 651-757-5096. I can help!

Link to Dr. Kaiser’s website