The Intersection of Crossfit and Chiropractic

Bottom Line:

If you’re into Crossfit, then you know how addicting it can become. The mix of high-intensity interval training with a little competition can help you stay motivated and make amazing changes to your body. The key to success is staying consistent with your workouts, but it can be challenging if you start to suffer injuries.

Why it Matters:

Injuries can often occur when your body doesn’t have the correct balance of strength and flexibility. Muscles tears, sprain and strains, and even painful arthritic changes can flare up by either lifting too much weight or by not having enough flexibility to support that weight through a full range of motion. So, here a few tips to reduce the likelihood of injuries:

-       Take a few minutes to stretch before and after your workout.

-       Increase the weight you lift slowly and focus on reps vs. max weight.

-       Use good posture and ergonomics during your workouts. Don’t “cheat” and increase your risk of an injury

Next Steps:

Researchers have discovered that a combination of proper warm up/cool down, a full range of motion and progressive intensity training can help reduce injuries when strength training. One of the most effective ways to improve your spinal mobility and flexibility is through Chiropractic care. Adjustments to your spine and extremities have been shown to increase their range of motion and may help you find that perfect balance of strength and flexibility. 

Science Source: Short-term effect of spinal manipulation on pain perception, spinal mobility, and full height recovery in male subjects with degenerative disk disease: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2014

Progressive resistance strength training and the related injuries in older adults: the susceptibility of the shoulder. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 2014

---

Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

---

Why Growing Up Regular is a Good Thing

Bottom Line:

Constipation is a common issue many for children. It also stinks for parents. No one enjoys luring their child to the potty with a reward hanging in the balance for a job well done. But, for many families, the frequency of bowel movements with your child can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Fortunately, most cases of constipation aren’t a medical emergency and can be resolved without the use of medications.

Why it Matters:

Passing a large, dry stool isn’t fun. And if your child is fearful that it may hurt, then he/she may try a variety of tactics to avoid going. This becomes a vicious cycle that leads to more abdominal pain and constipation. So how do you break the cycle? A combination of high-fiber foods, plenty of fluids, exercise, and even Chiropractic care have been shown to improve the regularity of children.

·       High-Fiber Foods: foods that are high in fiber can help prevent gas and bloating.

·       Exercise: regular physical activity and exercise can reinforce normal bowel function.

·       Chiropractic: researchers have children may have an increased frequency of bowel movement after receiving Chiropractic adjustments.

Next Steps:

Encouraging your child to take time out from play and regularly use the toilet is an excellent first step towards overcoming issues with constipation. By keeping an eye on their diet, establishing daily routines, and using other forms of natural care (such as Chiropractic), your child should be on track to grow up regular!

Science Source: Successful resolution of chronic constipation in pediatric patients with adjustments to sites of vertebral subluxation. Clinical Chiropractic. 2008. Constipation in Children. Mayo Clinic. 2018

---

Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

---

Kids and Colic

Bottom Line:

There’s nothing like the sound of a colicky baby. If you’ve experienced this in the past, I hope that sentence didn’t send shivers down your spine. Colic is characterised by intense crying and fussiness for 3 or more hours a day, which conveniently starts just about the time you are getting ready to sit down and relax for the night! The symptoms associated with colic typically peak at around six weeks old and disappear by 3-4 months, but the time in between can be one of the most stressful for any parent.

Why it Matters:

The exact cause of colic is still unknown. The development of the gut, or digestive system, appears to be an important factor. Also, stimulation to their still-developing nervous system may play a role. While love and patience may be the best “medicine” for dealing with colic, researchers have also discovered that Chiropractic care may be beneficial.  One study found that Chiropractic adjustments provided over a 2-hour decrease in crying time per day.

·       Colic is defined by extreme crying or fussiness for more than 3 hours per day.

·       There is no known cause of colic, but the development of the digestive and nervous systems seems to be a key factor.

·       Chiropractic care may be beneficial in reducing the symptoms associated with colic.

Next Steps:

Dealing with colic isn’t easy, but try not to get too stressed out. Within a few months, the symptoms should naturally subside and all of those hours spent crying will be in your rearview mirror.

Science Source: Colic. Mayo Clinic. 2018. The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. JMPT 1999.

---

Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

---

The ADHD Generation

Bottom Line:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is commonly identified when a child has difficulty paying attention and controlling their behaviour. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed the rate of children diagnosed with ADHD increase by 42%. The potential for over-diagnosis has caused a lightning rod of controversy within the medical profession as doctors have begun to speak out about the number of prescriptions that are filled each year for powerful stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall.

Why it Matters:

Providing powerful psychoactive medications to children has a significant set of risks, without providing a cure. And while the medications can improve the symptoms, they don’t address any of the underlying causes of the disorder. This is why leading healthcare organisations have begun to encourage a more conservative approach to managing ADHD. Adding conservative care, such as behavioural therapy, has been shown to eliminate the use of medications for nearly 40% of kids.

·       The American Psychological Association has recommended behavioural therapy as a first line treatment for kids under 5.

·       Exercise elevates the levels of dopamine and serotonin which can increase focus and attention.

·       Reducing sugar intake while increasing protein and high-fibre foods can help stabilise energy levels.

Next Steps:

Our practice has worked with many families who have a child diagnosed with ADHD. We will happily direct you to additional resources that will help you find natural treatment options.

Science Source: Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 1997-2016. Pediatrics. 2018. Time. Growing Up with ADHD. 2018.

---

Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

---