More has been understood about pain in the past 20 years than the previous 100. We still aren’t clear on a number of things with regard to pain – especially chronic pain. But as science uncovers more each year, the focus becomes clearer. Pain changes everything, including how our immune systems function.
It’s All Hallows Eve.
Growing up in Calgary, I got used to wearing my snowsuit over my costume. I mean, seriously, it’s a tough go when you are a fancy robot, with your Cougar boots and a winter jacket on!
It’s a Canadian thing…you wouldn’t understand
As a kid I pounded the streets in search of those wrapped treats. I would eat so much for months. usually by Christmas, my mom would throw out the last rejected bits that I wouldn’t touch. (Tootsie rolls are gross!…sorry not sorry.)
And like clockwork, every year I was sick as a kid. I had bronchitis 5-6 times per year and chronic sinus infections all winter long. I took so many antibiotics as a kid that my teeth turned yellow. True Story.
My own kids – they’ve never taken an antibiotic. Never. They’ve never needed one. Do they get sick? Sure they do! But they process it very quickly and it’s over.
Yesterday I was talking with a mom in my family practice. Her kids were so excited about Halloween. As parents, we love that our kids show such excitement and wonder about something like Halloween. As a stick in the mud parent/family chiropractor, I shudder at what all those treats are doing to our kids’ immune systems.
School starts and the kids are outside less. The sun is out less and less each day as fall approaches. We start with more of the comfort foods and less of the fresh foods. Kids are packed together in the schools and the boogers are everywhere.
Then comes Thanksgiving and lots of over eating and late nights. Fall begins and we are shut indoors more and more. Halloween comes and the kids fill up on candy. The sugar causes a depression in the immune system and the kids express more and more tacky colds and flus. This continues through November and then Christmas comes. More late nights, treats all day and by now the grandparents and families are swapping their viruses like a group of teens swapping selfies at the mall.
January and February are here and the family “can’t seem to shake this cold”. It recycles and the story continues until spring when we get outside again and soak up some vitamin D again.
As parents, we need to keep our heads up at all times. I first learned of the Switch Witch a few years ago. On Halloween Night, the kids take a bit of their candy and keep it. The majority of it is left out for the Switch Witch who comes and leaves a toy or sporting good for them.
The kids get the fun of getting dressed up, going out for Halloween and enjoying some candy. But we keep them well instead of letting them get unwell.
So – is the Switch Witch coming to see you this year?
Want some direction on how to keep you and your family healthy this winter and beyond?
Join us November 7 at 6:30PM for our EAT BY DESIGN seminar.
Dr. Craig Hazel’s mission is to help families THRIVE. After graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, he went on to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas Texas. He is passionate about seeing children and families in his private practice at Synergy Chiropractic in Kanata Ontario. A sought after speaker, he has been featured regularly on TSN Team 1200, CTV and Rogers TV. He is also the Chairman of the Alliance for Chiropractic of Ontario.
We have a teenager in our house this week!
Our daughter Kate turned 13 this week. As I reflect on the milestone, I recall my own foray in to my teens and the subsequent learning and growth I had. I thought what advice would I have loved to have been given when I did. So I shared my thoughts with her and now here for each of you.
As you stand on the starting line of becoming a young woman, I thought there are some things you need to know before you begin.
Take time to know what and who matters to you. Your friends, family and supporters all want you to win but not at the cost of losing your sense of yourself. Only ever hang out with people who celebrate you and never hang out with people who tolerate you.
This took me 44 years to figure out. When I’ve promised myself something and committed to doing it, it has made all the difference in my self-esteem and confidence. When I don’t, I beat myself up. Whether its making a phone call, showing up on time, completing that project or doing something that inspires you, keep your promise to yourself and watch how it changes you.
Rather than beat yourself up, learn that every thing in life is an opportunity to grow. Without failing once in a while you can’t learn. Just like when you learned to ride your bike, you had to fall a few times to know how to stay up. Be patient and always know that you are allowed to fail.
Always be willing to try new things. Find new places to explore. New forms of art to enjoy. New foods, sports, friends, whatever. Enjoy learning and appreciating how wonderful the world is and how much you’ve never seen of it.
As your body changes, you’ll think you are the coolest kid in town and perhaps the next day feel like you are a ‘demi-gorgan’. So, take care of your body. For years, I would play sports hurt or ignore what my body was trying to tell me. Now, I wished I had only listened.
Take time every day to give thanks to all of the people and things that you have in your life. Start and finish your day with a couple of thoughts of gratitude for the abundance in your life. It makes all the difference in how you see the world.
When you give, you get. Where your energy goes, your energy flows. When you think negative thoughts, more negative stuff shows up in your life. When you think positive thoughts and act on them, you get more abundance in your life. When you are generous with your time and talents, you get more in return. Know when you need to say no, but don’t be shy in giving more either when it matches your values.
When you want to HAVE things in your life, you have to DO the things necessary and in order to do those things, your first have to BE that person. Never compromise yourself and always stay true to being you.
You are incredible and I am so honored to be there alongside you thought it all.
Love dad.
Dr. Craig Hazel’s mission is to help families THRIVE. After graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, he went on to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas Texas. He is passionate about seeing children and families in his private practice at Synergy Chiropractic in Kanata Ontario. A sought after speaker, he has been featured regularly on TSN Team 1200, CTV and Rogers TV. He is also the Chairman of the Alliance for Chiropractic of Ontario.promise
I LOVE my tech (technology). I love my iPhone and all the things that I can do with all of it. It’s incredible.
What I don’t like is the problems that it creates in our bodies. Tech neck is the effect or secondary condition of a primary problem – AHS (Anterior Head Syndrome).
In a normal spine, the head should align directly over the spine. In this position, the head is directly over the body’s center of gravity. The head is supported by a c-shaped curve formed by the vertebral bones in the neck. This curve acts as a shock absorber for our head with every movement we make. As a result of bad posture while sitting, standing, desk work, texting or using handheld devices, or because of an accident, or for any number of macro or micro traumatic reasons, a person’s posture will change such that their head is shifted forward from a neutral position.
For every one inch that your head shifts forward, the weight of your head doubles. This shift in head position means that the muscles of your neck and your upper back will need to work harder to hold your head up. This can cause neck and back pain, and muscle fatigue. Research has shown that blood flow through a muscle decreases as contraction increases, and is virtually cut off at 50-60% of continuous maximal contraction. Lack of blood flow results in buildup of lactic acid and other metabolites that cause muscle pain and soreness. If you find your upper back muscles fatigued and sore, with massage and only get temporary relief, then you may have Anterior Head Syndrome.
Anterior Head Syndrome can lead to many different conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction,
AHS – Anterior Head Syndrome may result in many different secondary conditions.
headaches, spinal decay, sinuses issues, dizziness, upper back pain, and so much more.
One of the biggest concerns that NeuroStructural chiropractors have is that we are seeing AHS occurring in children and teens at alarming rates. We are seeing spinal decay in teenagers that we would see in sixty year olds. Take a look around at the school yard or mall, you’ll notice the rounded shoulders, head forward and lack of muscle tone in the upper and middle back. Our children are aging faster than ever as a result of the use of technology.
So how do we keep ourselves and children safe, but still enjoy the use of technology?
Click on the image below to join our 30 Day Posture Reform Challenge!
Dr. Craig Hazel’s mission is to help families THRIVE. After graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, he went on to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas Texas. He is passionate about seeing children and families in his private practice at Synergy Chiropractic in Kanata Ontario. A sought after speaker, he has been featured regularly on TSN Team 1200, CTV and Rogers TV. He is also the Chairman of the Alliance for Chiropractic of Ontario.
