Synergy Wellness of Birmingham, MI is grateful to help the people of Metro Detroit and beyond by being a portal for health and wellness information. Please visit us at www.drvanloon.com for more information about out office.
Can chiropractic help my allergies?
The answer to that question is yes! I often have new patients that come in for low back pain, headaches, sciatica, etc, that don’t mention their allergies because they don’t think we can help. I’d like the opportunity right now to explain exactly how we can.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is a chemical response generated by your immune system in response to an allergen (a substance you’re allergic to, like dust, cat/dog dander, specific foods or materials, etc). This chemical response is usually an overproduction of histamine, which is an important protein and neurotransmitter released when tissues is damaged or experiencing an allergic response. The common responses to an allergic histamine response are asthma, stuffy/runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, cough, skin rashes or hives, heartburn, even fluid retention or weight gain.
What part of our body fights allergies?
That would be our immune system. The immune system is comprised of many cells that work in concert to fight off bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites and microbes that enter our body through our noses, mouths or skin. It also flushes out our own dead cells and can attack tumors and even donated organs. Inside the body, these “invaders” are filtered through our lymphatic system (which we can usually see working because the glands in our neck swell). If your immune system isn’t functioning optimally, your body is then more susceptible to getting sick.
How can chiropractic help with allergies?
Chiropractic isn’t a treatment for allergies, per se; what it does is relieves the nervous system of stress by finding and adjusting subluxations. Subluxations are misalignments that cause a joint not to move properly, thus disrupting the flow of energy through the nerves that pass through that area of the body. These can occur through the cranium and spine, but also through any other areas of the body (we often find that the wrist bones are subluxated in people that have chronic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). When you free your nervous system of these subluxations, it functions better. When your nervous system functions optimally, your immune system is better capable to fight the allergens we encounter in our environment. Many chiropractic patients report a dramatic increase in overall health and a reduction in allergy symptoms after getting regular adjustments. Some even have been able to successfully go off their allergy medication!*
The medical answer to allergies is to treat the symptom (with a prescription or allergy shots). The chiropractic approach is more conservative; we help your nervous system to be free of interference so it can fight off the things that trigger an immune system response. If you or someone you love is suffering from allergies, contact the us to see why Dr. Vanloon was voted one of the top chiropractors in Metro Detroit for 2012!
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
*This article is not a substitute for a relationship with a qualified medical professional. Please consult your chiropractor or medical physician before considering discontinuing any prescribed medication.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Have headaches? Synergy Wellness can help!
Dr. Laura Vanloon and Synergy Wellness of Birmingham, MI truly care and are grateful to be a portal of health and wellness information. For more information about Dr. Vanloon or her practice, visit us on the web at www.drvanloon.com!
Have you (or anyone you love) ever had a headache? Silly question, I know; it is estimated that almost all Americans have suffered from at least an occasional headache, with one study suggesting that 28 million suffer from regular migraine headaches. Is this normal? Is this acceptable? Sadly, too many people consider headaches to be a part of life. I know, because I used to be one of those people.
As a patient, as a chiropractic student and as a chiropractor, I still suffered from consistent migraines. I had headaches most days, in varying degrees of intensity. There were even periods of my life that I had a headache for an entire month. I was prescribed every medication you can think of; I've tried every over the counter palliative measure available; I was open to every homeopathic remedy anyone mentioned. At my best stretch, I was able to make 6 weeks without a migraine. I even had an MRI and a carotid artery ultrasound, both of which diagnosed no structural cause for the headaches. I also thought I had run the gamut of available chiropractic and alternative techniques, including: Diversified, Gonstead, Activator, Cranial-Release Therapy, BEST, DNFT, Toggle, Thompson drop, trigger point therapy, manual cervical spine traction and Reiki, all of which offered me limited or no relief. This was especially frustrating because I am a chiropractor, and I had many patients who sought my help for their own headaches. However, like many others, I had come to view headaches as a part of life. That is, until I found KST.
My positive experience with chiropractic as a teenager had inspired me to go to school to become a chiropractor; it had relieved chronic mid-back pain I was suffering with, plus many other incredibly life-enhancing benefits. However, headaches are NOT normal. They shouldn't be viewed as a part of daily life. Taking ibuprofen every day should not be a part of your wellness routine. However, that is what traditional medicine would have you believe ~ that taking a drug every day is the best strategy for your headaches. I'm here to tell you, there is hope for chronic headache sufferers! The pain you have isn't because your body is deficient in aspirin or acetaminophen; the pain can be caused by a subluxation within your nervous system. A subluxation is any disturbance to the energy that flows through your nervous system, commonly caused by a bone being slightly out of place within your spine. The wonderful fact is, correcting those misalignments is exactly what a chiropractor specializes in!
In practice, I use a technique called KST, the Koren Specific Technique. It is very gentle to the patient and incredibly specific. I use a tool to administer the adjustment, which means that there's no cracking, twisting or popping! The best part about the technique I use is the results ~ I find that my patients hold a KST chiropractic adjustment longer than a traditional adjustment. As for my own results with this technique, they are outstanding ~ I have been migraine-free for three years!
Try KST chiropractic ~ it just may be the best adjustment of your life!
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
**This article is not intended to replace medical attention. Please consult your chiropractic physician or a qualified medical professional before discontinuing any medication or changing a prescribed treatment plan.
Have you (or anyone you love) ever had a headache? Silly question, I know; it is estimated that almost all Americans have suffered from at least an occasional headache, with one study suggesting that 28 million suffer from regular migraine headaches. Is this normal? Is this acceptable? Sadly, too many people consider headaches to be a part of life. I know, because I used to be one of those people.
As a patient, as a chiropractic student and as a chiropractor, I still suffered from consistent migraines. I had headaches most days, in varying degrees of intensity. There were even periods of my life that I had a headache for an entire month. I was prescribed every medication you can think of; I've tried every over the counter palliative measure available; I was open to every homeopathic remedy anyone mentioned. At my best stretch, I was able to make 6 weeks without a migraine. I even had an MRI and a carotid artery ultrasound, both of which diagnosed no structural cause for the headaches. I also thought I had run the gamut of available chiropractic and alternative techniques, including: Diversified, Gonstead, Activator, Cranial-Release Therapy, BEST, DNFT, Toggle, Thompson drop, trigger point therapy, manual cervical spine traction and Reiki, all of which offered me limited or no relief. This was especially frustrating because I am a chiropractor, and I had many patients who sought my help for their own headaches. However, like many others, I had come to view headaches as a part of life. That is, until I found KST.
My positive experience with chiropractic as a teenager had inspired me to go to school to become a chiropractor; it had relieved chronic mid-back pain I was suffering with, plus many other incredibly life-enhancing benefits. However, headaches are NOT normal. They shouldn't be viewed as a part of daily life. Taking ibuprofen every day should not be a part of your wellness routine. However, that is what traditional medicine would have you believe ~ that taking a drug every day is the best strategy for your headaches. I'm here to tell you, there is hope for chronic headache sufferers! The pain you have isn't because your body is deficient in aspirin or acetaminophen; the pain can be caused by a subluxation within your nervous system. A subluxation is any disturbance to the energy that flows through your nervous system, commonly caused by a bone being slightly out of place within your spine. The wonderful fact is, correcting those misalignments is exactly what a chiropractor specializes in!
In practice, I use a technique called KST, the Koren Specific Technique. It is very gentle to the patient and incredibly specific. I use a tool to administer the adjustment, which means that there's no cracking, twisting or popping! The best part about the technique I use is the results ~ I find that my patients hold a KST chiropractic adjustment longer than a traditional adjustment. As for my own results with this technique, they are outstanding ~ I have been migraine-free for three years!
Try KST chiropractic ~ it just may be the best adjustment of your life!
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
**This article is not intended to replace medical attention. Please consult your chiropractic physician or a qualified medical professional before discontinuing any medication or changing a prescribed treatment plan.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Can chiropractic help ear infections?
Dr. Laura Vanloon and Synergy Wellness of Birmingham, MI truly care and are grateful to be a portal of health and wellness information. For more information about Dr. Vanloon or her practice, visit us on the web at www.drvanloon.com!
How many children do you know that have NEVER had an ear infection?
Let me ask you an easier question ~ how many children do you know who HAVE had an ear infection? Or multiple ear infections? Sadly, that is the norm now for babies and children to have to visit to their pediatrician for treatment. In fact, ear infections (also known as Otitis Media) account for approximately 1/3 of all pediatric visits. The cause of the recurrent ear infections is variable, from birth trauma to being associated with the drop in immunity you experience after having a cold or flu, and many things in between.
The most common go-to defense for an ear infection is, of course, antibiotics. Let's think for a moment about how effective that treatment is. After taking antibiotics, does that protect the child from getting another ear infection? No. Not only does it not prevent future recurrences, but it wipes out the "good" bacteria that is necessary for our system to function optimally, but overuse of antibiotics has several negative side effects. Namely, the child may have or develop an allergy to that particular medication. Second, taking antibiotics frequently allows development of "super bacteria" that are able to resist normal types and quantities of antibiotics. Third, and I believe most important, studies indicate that most children have the same outcome from the ear infection without taking an antibiotic at all. Unfortunately, that research isn't well-known and many parents still seek traditional medical intervention.
But fortunately, I do have an alternative, less-intrusive and pain-free way to help your child heal from an ear infection and possibly prevent them from recurring ~ get your child adjusted by a chiropractor! How can chiropractic help? By removing the misalignments to the bones that are interfering with the nerves that supply the ear, it can allow your body to heal itself. When the nerves are functioning optimally, the fluid should drain from the middle ear. With regular chiropractic care to help keep your child's spine in alignment, your immune system can strengthen its own defenses and be more capable of fighting off subsequent infections.
Does someone you love suffer from ear infections? Let us help! We offer very gentle chiropractic treatment in our office that children LOVE! The adjustments are pain-free and they will feel so much better ~ many of the children in our practice tell their parents when they need an adjustment! Come experience Synergy Wellness in Birmingham today.
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
**This article does not substitute for medical advice. Please consult your chiropractor or medical professional of choice to help decide the best course of care for yourself or your child.
How many children do you know that have NEVER had an ear infection?
Let me ask you an easier question ~ how many children do you know who HAVE had an ear infection? Or multiple ear infections? Sadly, that is the norm now for babies and children to have to visit to their pediatrician for treatment. In fact, ear infections (also known as Otitis Media) account for approximately 1/3 of all pediatric visits. The cause of the recurrent ear infections is variable, from birth trauma to being associated with the drop in immunity you experience after having a cold or flu, and many things in between.
The most common go-to defense for an ear infection is, of course, antibiotics. Let's think for a moment about how effective that treatment is. After taking antibiotics, does that protect the child from getting another ear infection? No. Not only does it not prevent future recurrences, but it wipes out the "good" bacteria that is necessary for our system to function optimally, but overuse of antibiotics has several negative side effects. Namely, the child may have or develop an allergy to that particular medication. Second, taking antibiotics frequently allows development of "super bacteria" that are able to resist normal types and quantities of antibiotics. Third, and I believe most important, studies indicate that most children have the same outcome from the ear infection without taking an antibiotic at all. Unfortunately, that research isn't well-known and many parents still seek traditional medical intervention.
But fortunately, I do have an alternative, less-intrusive and pain-free way to help your child heal from an ear infection and possibly prevent them from recurring ~ get your child adjusted by a chiropractor! How can chiropractic help? By removing the misalignments to the bones that are interfering with the nerves that supply the ear, it can allow your body to heal itself. When the nerves are functioning optimally, the fluid should drain from the middle ear. With regular chiropractic care to help keep your child's spine in alignment, your immune system can strengthen its own defenses and be more capable of fighting off subsequent infections.
Does someone you love suffer from ear infections? Let us help! We offer very gentle chiropractic treatment in our office that children LOVE! The adjustments are pain-free and they will feel so much better ~ many of the children in our practice tell their parents when they need an adjustment! Come experience Synergy Wellness in Birmingham today.
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
**This article does not substitute for medical advice. Please consult your chiropractor or medical professional of choice to help decide the best course of care for yourself or your child.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Synergy Wellness asks, "Are fevers good or bad?"
Dr. Laura Vanloon and Synergy Wellness of Birmingham, MI truly care and are grateful to be a portal of health and wellness information. For more information about Dr. Vanloon or her practice, visit us on the web at www.drvanloon.com!
As unbelievable as it may be, fevers can actually be good for you or your child! It is your body's natural defense against infection. Our immune system raises our internal temperature as a means of fighting off viruses and bacteria that have entered our body. There are thousands of illnesses that would cause a fever; examples are the flu, colds, ear infections, chicken pox, pneumonia, bladder, kidney or prostate infections and it is common for children to experience a fever after receiving vaccinations. For many people and especially parents, a fever can be a scary thing. I'm hoping with this blog to shed some light on the facts of a fever, and help you understand why it may not be in your best interest to use a drug to suppress it.
Your child can have a fever of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit without need for distress. Yes, you read that right. 105 degrees. Truly, it is only when you have preexisting brain damage or if your infant is under 4 months of age that you run a risk of damage to the brain by a fever. (However, it is important to take into account the overall health prior to the fever before deciding when traditional medical intervention is warranted ~ if your or your child's health is less than ideal, it would not be appropriate to "ride out" a higher fever as it would be in an otherwise healthy individual.) Fever is truly is a symptom of an infection. Your body is obviously fighting vigilantly when you have a fever, and the last thing you want to do is to get rid of your body's natural defense by way of taking a fever-reducer like acetaminophen or aspirin. Think of it this way ~ a smoke alarm going off (you have a fever) to alert you to a fire in your home (virus or bacteria in your body). Taking a fever-reducer is like taking the battery out of the smoke alarm to quiet it down. The fire still burns, now you just don't hear the warning. The fever is actually heating up your body to kill off the bacteria or virus that has invaded your body ~ it's really a beautiful design, you just have to let it happen!
There are some things you can do to help alleviate some of the discomfort of a fever without erasing its positive effects. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water, and make sure your electrolytes are up. Anytime you are dehydrated, it's harder for your body to cope with the stress of an illness. Also during a fever, it is helpful to eat less than you normally would. Your liver is working overtime to clear your body of the toxin that is causing the fever, and adding digestion increases the burden on your system. As a later measure, you can apply a cool compress to your forehead. I would avoid taking a cool bath; this can make you shiver, which would actually increase your body temperature. Most importantly ~ don't freak out! Relax and let your body do what it was built to do.
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
**This article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. As in any case, please consult your chiropractor or healer of choice if you have any concerns, need more information or simply need your fears eased. It is not our intent to diagnose or treat any condition, and we do not endorse self-diagnosis or treatment.
As unbelievable as it may be, fevers can actually be good for you or your child! It is your body's natural defense against infection. Our immune system raises our internal temperature as a means of fighting off viruses and bacteria that have entered our body. There are thousands of illnesses that would cause a fever; examples are the flu, colds, ear infections, chicken pox, pneumonia, bladder, kidney or prostate infections and it is common for children to experience a fever after receiving vaccinations. For many people and especially parents, a fever can be a scary thing. I'm hoping with this blog to shed some light on the facts of a fever, and help you understand why it may not be in your best interest to use a drug to suppress it.
Your child can have a fever of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit without need for distress. Yes, you read that right. 105 degrees. Truly, it is only when you have preexisting brain damage or if your infant is under 4 months of age that you run a risk of damage to the brain by a fever. (However, it is important to take into account the overall health prior to the fever before deciding when traditional medical intervention is warranted ~ if your or your child's health is less than ideal, it would not be appropriate to "ride out" a higher fever as it would be in an otherwise healthy individual.) Fever is truly is a symptom of an infection. Your body is obviously fighting vigilantly when you have a fever, and the last thing you want to do is to get rid of your body's natural defense by way of taking a fever-reducer like acetaminophen or aspirin. Think of it this way ~ a smoke alarm going off (you have a fever) to alert you to a fire in your home (virus or bacteria in your body). Taking a fever-reducer is like taking the battery out of the smoke alarm to quiet it down. The fire still burns, now you just don't hear the warning. The fever is actually heating up your body to kill off the bacteria or virus that has invaded your body ~ it's really a beautiful design, you just have to let it happen!
There are some things you can do to help alleviate some of the discomfort of a fever without erasing its positive effects. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water, and make sure your electrolytes are up. Anytime you are dehydrated, it's harder for your body to cope with the stress of an illness. Also during a fever, it is helpful to eat less than you normally would. Your liver is working overtime to clear your body of the toxin that is causing the fever, and adding digestion increases the burden on your system. As a later measure, you can apply a cool compress to your forehead. I would avoid taking a cool bath; this can make you shiver, which would actually increase your body temperature. Most importantly ~ don't freak out! Relax and let your body do what it was built to do.
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
**This article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. As in any case, please consult your chiropractor or healer of choice if you have any concerns, need more information or simply need your fears eased. It is not our intent to diagnose or treat any condition, and we do not endorse self-diagnosis or treatment.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Synergy Wellness may help with bed-wetting!
Dr. Laura Vanloon and Synergy Wellness of Birmingham, MI truly care and are grateful to be a portal of health and wellness information. For more information about Dr. Vanloon or about the practice, visit us on the web at www.drvanloon.com!
Bed wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is an embarrassing occurrence for children and frustrating for parents. It's more common than you may realize ~ some sources estimate over 6 million school-aged children and pre-teens are affected by it. There are many reasons that could cause bed-wetting; among others, an imbalance in bladder muscles, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, excessive fluid intake, stress or emotional issues, nervous system immaturity or lumbar, pelvic or sacral subluxation. However, laziness and disobedience are usually NOT causes, and the child should not be punished as a result.
There are 2 types of bed-wetting, or enuresis: primary and secondary. Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (or PNE) is when there has never been a period where the child did not wet the bed. Secondary is when the bed-wetting begins after a significant period of successful dry nights. There are different symptoms associated with each, which help your doctor diagnose which type your child may be struggling with.
The great news is that chiropractic can help! There have been may cases of bed-wetting that have been successfully treated with chiropractic adjustments, with some parents noticing a fairly immediate improvement! How chiropractic works is to identify the subluxated bones (which are the bones that are slightly out of their normal alignment, causing interference to the nerves that exit the spinal cord at that area) and correct their alignment. This is an easy and safe treatment to do, and is not embarrassing at all for the child. In my office, I adjust using a very gentle technique called KST, or Koren Specific Technique. It involves using a tool to gently adjust the bones of the spine and pelvis very specifically, often yielding results that patients haven't received through traditional chiropractic care. I have seen many cases of bed-wetting that have significantly decreased and some who have completely resolved. You or your child could be next!
Have you tried everything (including seeing your pediatrician) without success? Try chiropractic and you and your family may enjoy freedom from bed-wetting!
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
*This blog in no way constitutes medical advise and does not replace consultation with a licensed medical professional. Please see your chiropractor or primary care physician before attempting to treat any condition.
Bed wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is an embarrassing occurrence for children and frustrating for parents. It's more common than you may realize ~ some sources estimate over 6 million school-aged children and pre-teens are affected by it. There are many reasons that could cause bed-wetting; among others, an imbalance in bladder muscles, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, excessive fluid intake, stress or emotional issues, nervous system immaturity or lumbar, pelvic or sacral subluxation. However, laziness and disobedience are usually NOT causes, and the child should not be punished as a result.
There are 2 types of bed-wetting, or enuresis: primary and secondary. Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (or PNE) is when there has never been a period where the child did not wet the bed. Secondary is when the bed-wetting begins after a significant period of successful dry nights. There are different symptoms associated with each, which help your doctor diagnose which type your child may be struggling with.
The great news is that chiropractic can help! There have been may cases of bed-wetting that have been successfully treated with chiropractic adjustments, with some parents noticing a fairly immediate improvement! How chiropractic works is to identify the subluxated bones (which are the bones that are slightly out of their normal alignment, causing interference to the nerves that exit the spinal cord at that area) and correct their alignment. This is an easy and safe treatment to do, and is not embarrassing at all for the child. In my office, I adjust using a very gentle technique called KST, or Koren Specific Technique. It involves using a tool to gently adjust the bones of the spine and pelvis very specifically, often yielding results that patients haven't received through traditional chiropractic care. I have seen many cases of bed-wetting that have significantly decreased and some who have completely resolved. You or your child could be next!
Have you tried everything (including seeing your pediatrician) without success? Try chiropractic and you and your family may enjoy freedom from bed-wetting!
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
*This blog in no way constitutes medical advise and does not replace consultation with a licensed medical professional. Please see your chiropractor or primary care physician before attempting to treat any condition.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Synergy Wellness asks, "What is your idea of chiropractic?
Dr. Laura Vanloon and Synergy Wellness of Birmingham MI, truly care and take pride in being a portal of health and wellness information. For more information about Dr. Vanloon or about our practice, visit us on the web, at www.drvanloon.com!
What is the perception of chiropractic?
I had my car in for service at a local dealership recently and in conversation, it came up that I
am a chiropractor. The service employee’s response was “I bet you’re really strong to be a chiropractor. My buddy gives me a bear-hug and my whole spine cracks. You look too little to be able to do that!” I thought ‘Wow-that’s really what this gentleman thinks chiropractic is!’, which got me thinking outside the bubble some chiropractors live in. When you’re insulated in a
successful practice filled with patients who get the “Big Picture” (I’ll explain more about that in a moment), you can lose sight of what a great deal of the population think of chiropractic and chiropractors. I would like to take this time to dispel some of the rumors.
All the chiropractor does is 'pop' your back and you feel better, right?
It’s not as simple as it sounds. There is a science, art and philosophy behind what a chiropractor does. Now with that said, I will offer the sad caveat that just like you have bad restaurants and bad hairstylists, you can have bad doctors, too-in any specialty.
The science is finding the exact area of the spine that is putting pressure the spinal cord which is resulting in the pain or dysfunction you are experiencing. It is also helping the patient to determine what other aspects of their lifestyle may be hindering them from being as well as they can be, and helping them to find more health-conscious habits.
The art is determining how to best adjust the area that is causing the nerve interference or ‘subluxation’, which is the chiropractic-word for bone out of alignment. This is not only what direction is necessary to restore the bone to proper position, but also the specific type of technique that would be most appropriate for the patient and the amount of force required for the adjustment.
The philosophy is the ‘Big Picture’ I referred to earlier. That is the understanding of the role the
nervous system plays in your overall health, and how it governs every function in your body. When your nervous system is healthy, the energy that flows through your nerves is able to properly reach the cells, tissues, glands, organs and muscles that they supply. When they have the right amount of energy, they can better perform their normal function—be it digestion, hormone production, respiration, or any of the thousands of processes that go on inside
our bodies on a daily basis. Sufficient nervous energy is also essential to healing, whether it’s healing from a particular injury or accident, persistent inflammation or just the physiological effects that stress has on our internal structure and immune function.
So now tell me-does a chiropractor do more than just “pop” your back?
Health and happiness,
Dr. Laura Vanloon
*This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your chiropractor or medical
physician before considering discontinuing any prescribed medication or changing your course of therapy.
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