Did you know that chiropractic care is safe for babies? Did you know that chiropractic care can help boost the immune system, help children sleep better and improve behavior and attitude? Find the answers to these questions and more below from Erica Forzese of Seaside Family Chiropractic.
What typically brings people to a chiropractor?
There are a number of issues that bring people to a chiropractor initially. The most common childhood presentations I see are ear infections, colic, digestive issues, asthma, bed wetting and growing pains. Adults tend to present with more neck pain, back pain, headaches, and disc problems, yet chiropractic is for so much more than symptoms of pain. I also have several expectant mothers that begin care to escape the pains of pregnancy.
What are the benefits of chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care benefits all aspects of your body's ability to be healthy. This is accomplished by working with the nervous system--the communication system between your brain and body. Doctors of Chiropractic work to correct spinal, pelvic and cranial misalignments (subluxations). When misaligned, these structures create an imbalance in surrounding muscles and ligaments. Additionally, the resulting stress on the nerve system may affect the body's ability to function optimally. We have the innate or in-born ability to heal ourselves of illness, disease, broken bones, lacerations etc. If the body is functioning at it’s optimal potential, this can be done with ease. If nerve interference is present, this innate ability to heal is diminished. With chiropractic care, proper nerve function can be restored allowing for the body to reach it’s true healing potential….naturally!
What are the benefits for children? Is it safe for babies?
Chiropractic care for children offers your family a solid foundation for wellness. Throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood, the chiropractic lifestyle offers choices and benefits for your greater health and well-being. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) has commenced ground breaking studies on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. Outstanding preliminary results show that chiropractic care is not only safe for children, but more significantly, parents have reported unexpected improvements in their children while under care such as:
- Improved sleeping
- Improved behavior and attitude
- Improved immune system function
Infants also tend to respond quickly and favorably to chiropractic adjustments. An adjustment for a child or baby is significantly different from that that a parent or other adult may experience. The pressure and techniques used are modified for the age group. For instance, the pressure required to make an adjustment on an infant is no more that the amount you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato! In my office, my child patients are so excited to get adjusted, they hop right up on the table before I can get in the room. They enjoy it, they understand that it makes them feel better and stay healthier.
Can chiropractic care hurt your spine?
No, Chiropractic does just the opposite. An adjustment performed by an educated and trained chiropractic physician is very specific. Chiropractors are trained to locate vertebrae (spinal bones) which are misaligned (subluxated), resulting in nerve pressure. The chiropractor, using various techniques, eliminates the nerve pressure by restoring proper joint alignment and motion (this is called an adjustment). If subluxations are left untreated, the body adapts to the fixation by compensating for the lack of motion in other areas of the spine. This cycle eventually leads to the early onset of chronic conditions such as arthritis and disc problems. For this reason, it is so important for children to have their spines checked regularly.
How often does the average person go to a chiropractor? How often would you recommend?
Frequency of visits completely depends on the stage of care. When someone comes to my office in pain, whether it has been long standing or has just occurred, I typically recommend multiple visits a week for a few weeks to help stabilize the spine. I taper down the visits as improvement is noted and they begin holding their adjustments. Those seeking supportive or wellness care tend to come in once every 4-6 weeks to maintain proper spinal alignment and nervous system function, and to prevent illness and dis-ease within the body (this includes both adults and children). My ideal patient would get checked at least twice per month to ensure optimal health. During pregnancy, I usually recommend that mom get checked weekly to ensure the pelvis remains balanced as her uterus enlarges and her biomechanics change. A common myth is that once you start chiropractic care you have to go for the rest of your life. In reality, it is very similar to going to the dentist…you don’t HAVE to go, but it is great for your teeth and prevents decay. Chiropractic is great for your spine and nervous system and prevents chronic problems (degeneration).
Is it safe for pregnant women to go to a chiropractor? What are the benefits for pregnant women?
Absolutely! It is so important for a woman to be adjusted during pregnancy for a number of reasons. Some people raise their eyebrows when they hear about a pregnant woman receiving chiropractic care. What they often don’t understand is that chiropractic care is beneficial to both the mother and to her growing child! Here are just some of the benefits: Improved functioning of the nervous system helps both the mother and the developing fetus Proper alignment of the pelvis supports the growing uterus and allows maximum room for the baby to grow Proper positioning of the fetus for labor and delivery helps reduce the amount of pain the mother experiences during labor allowing for an easier birth Lower back/pelvic pain due to the weight of the developing fetus is reduced Some common hormonal side effects that result from pregnancy are eliminated In addition, many chiropractors, including myself, have been trained and certified to use the Webster Technique, a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This in turn reduces torsion in the uterus, a cause of intra-uterine constraint of the baby and allows for optimal fetal positioning in preparation for birth (head down). Many women have successfully avoided Cesarean section births because of this technique.
Does your family seek out chiropractic treatment?
Yes they do! I check my husband and daughter weekly, they don’t always need an adjustment, but I still evaluate them on a regular basis. A large portion of my extended family also receives adjustments regularly. I personally get checked weekly. Regular adjustments have kept our family healthy. My daughter is now 17 months old and has NEVER been sick! Hard to believe, but true. And my husband and I have not had any significant illness or cold in years. I attribute this to regular adjustments and making healthy life choices.
Are there any discounts for full families?
Yes, I have multiple Family Wellness Plans that help to subsidize the cost of care for families. The larger the family, the more you save. Essentially, if the entire family on a Wellness Plan comes in at the same time they only pay for 2 adjustments and the rest are free! Unfortunately, these plans do not apply if we are filing insurance for them, but they are welcome to opt for the self pay plan which may save them on co-pays or co-insurance costs.
What is your medical education background?
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Clinical Sciences. I also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic with a doctorate in Chiropractic with a concentration in family practice. I received Clinical Excellence awards from both schools upon graduation. In addition to my D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) I have completed well over 180 hours of continuing education in chiropractic care for the pediatric and pregnant populations. I will soon be the only chiropractor on Hilton Head Island with a Certification in Pediatric Chiropractic care. I also hold current certifications in Webster’s Technique (described above), CPR and First Aide. In 2008, I participated in a chiropractic philanthropic trip to the Fijian Islands where I helped to evaluate and adjust thousands of underprivileged children over the course of two weeks. Family practice is my passion and I will continue to further my education in this field.
What made you decide to become a chiropractor?
Initially, I had intensions to become an orthopedic surgeon. I was very involved in athletics in high school and undergrad and found the field very interesting. I didn’t experience chiropractic care until I was in my early 20’s when I began having some low back pain. My chiropractor introduced me to the philosophy, science and art behind chiropractic and I have been hooked ever since! It became obvious to me that the body is an amazing creation that has the ability to heal itself naturally if allowed to function optimally, without nervous system interference. There is an absolute need for certain medical procedures, medications and surgeries; but I feel these avenues of treatment are significantly overused in today’s medical community. Chiropractic offers a natural form of healing that does not lead to side effects, toxic buildup of chemicals or major complications and it actually works to remove the CAUSE of the problem rather than mask the symptoms. This is what I want to provide to my patients…a long term solution rather than short term relief.
I have adjusted patients just hours old up to those well into their 90s. Helping to keep families well through chiropractic is a passion of mine. Children are always welcome in my office whether they are getting adjusted or just along for the ride. I have a wonderful play area, with coloring, toys and movies that keeps the kiddo’s entertained for the short time they are in the office. I also offer free consultations for those that are interested in learning more about the benefits of chiropractic but are unsure if they want to commence care.
