Tag Archives: Dr. Caram

Cheerleading Injuries

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Cheerleading Injuries by Dr. Russell D. Caram

Photo contributed.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Russell D. Caram is one of our local sponsors who shares weekly articles on Bethel Buzz. Material in this article is meant to provide information about Chiropractic but is not a substitute for professional health care.  The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Bethel Buzz or its editor.

Cheerleading used to be very basic years ago when compared to today’s standards, but it has now evolved into an intense competition. This was also sensationalized by the 2000 movie, “Bring It On”, where 2 rival cheering squads competed against each other, even stealing each other’s routines. Over the past 10-15 years, it has gained national attention thru cheerleading competitions, increasing its exposure on networks such as ESPN, ESPN 2, and NBC.  College-level cheerleading, and the National Competitions are amazingly competitive, well timed and coordinated.  The squads have to be in great physical shape or someone can get horribly hurt – considering how high the stunts are off the ground.

Not surprisingly, over the course of the past 7 or 8 years, one of the leading causes of injury to present to my office in high school- and college-aged girls isn’t field hockey or girl’s basketball, it’s cheerleading. This sport is becoming more and more competitive at younger and younger ages, and the stunts are becoming trickier to coordinate and perform right away. A Live Science article in 2008 stated that cheering was “the girls’ most dangerous sport”, and has the statistics listed even higher than what I’ve posted through my office and 21 years of experience. Just Google ‘cheerleading injury statistics’ and you’re bound to come up with pages of publications that have drawn attention to these staggering numbers. Even with training and proper form, basket tosses are uneven, pyramids lose stabilization, and spotters miss catching a falling girl.  The resulting injuries are a bit more involved because the cheering squads typically wear no padding – and this causes more bruising, joint sprains and fractures.

So, what do you do if you get injured? Most often the injuries seen in my office are shoulder sprains, muscle strains, knee sprains, hip and thigh strains and contusions, sprained ankles and wrists (from overextension). Occasionally, an errand elbow will hit someone in the head causing a concussion, a headache or even a whiplash!  But treating these injuries is what the office excels in – joint and muscle sprains and strains of the spine and extremities – and getting the girls back on the squad quickly and able to perform the stunts again, just like getting a football player back in the game so he can play at his full capacity. It’s really no different.

But another benefit from chiropractic care is addressing the symmetry and balance of the individual in order to get them to perform at their greatest level. Being able to perform a walk-over with either leg forward, the splits – bilaterally, or reverse-walkovers to either side – is a sign of symmetry and is a great asset to a cheering squad – should the routine require a one-sided symmetrical performance.  Often times, just having the ability to do these things ONE way is great…but wouldn’t BOTH ways be INCREDIBLE??  My office works to improve stability and coordination by balancing the structure (frame) of the individual.  Spinal adjustments achieve this by restoring lost joint mobility, while addressing other health concerns that may be contributing to the loss – like scoliosis, sway-back, hyper kyphosis and uneven leg lengths.

So get back AT the game, and make sure you use chiropractic care to improve YOUR balance and function like the on-field athletes do!!

Dr. Russell D. Caram’s office is located on 182 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, on Route 53. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

To find out more about Dr. Caram and his practice, click here.

“Like” his Facebook page by clicking here.

Call 203-748-2499 for an appointment.


[UPDATED] Cause of Sick LeRoy, NY Teens Remains a Mystery [With Poll!]

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Cause of Sick LeRoy, NY Teens Remains a Mystery [WITH POLL!]

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Cause of Sick LeRoy, NY Teens Remains a Mystery ~ By Dr. Russell D. Caram

Pictured: LeRoy, N.Y. teen who mysteriously developed tics along with half a dozen other females at her high school. Photo contributed.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Russell D. Caram is one of our local sponsors who shares weekly articles on Bethel Buzz. Material in this article is meant to provide information about Chiropractic but is not a substitute for professional health care.  The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Bethel Buzz or its editor.

4:15 p.m. This article has been updated to include 3 more answers for the poll.

By Dr. Russell D. Caram

Over the past few weeks, you’ve probably seen an article about it, but in case you haven’t… there are 12 adolescent girls – all from the same high school in upstate NY. all about the same age. All developed a strange neurological disorder that manifests itself with uncontrollable tics, and all within a pretty small period of time – severe enough that some of them could not continue attending school.

The story of these 12 girls is now national news.  The parents are livid that the state medical authorities are refusing to disclose information about the illness – including what it is – to anyone, including the parents – and are basically telling everyone, “Stay calm. Please disperse. Nothing to see here…”

Imagine it was YOU or YOUR child.  Imagine you lived in the town and wanted to warn your children not to do what THOSE 12 did (if anything at all), but you can’t because the people who know aren’t telling you?  Imagine that you couldn’t take any special precaution to protect your other children KNOWING that something can cause harm, but you aren’t being told what it is? And when you ask the people WHO DO know, you get stonewalled?

The Health Department for NY State narrowed the causes to down to one of 4 things – genetics, environment, infectious disease, and drugs (recreational or prescription). Those authorities are from the CDC and “cluster” doctors from Columbia University. My guess is that someone sees a serious problem here.  Afterall, who calls on such bigwigs for a  simple allergic reaction or food poisoning? But they’re leaving a gaps with subtle clues…

Let’s break this down…They stated in a meeting with parents about the 4 possible causes: Environment, Genetics, Infectious Disease or Drug Toxicity(recreation or prescription).  Let’s see…

Environment: If there were something in public, there would have been some kind of public warning.  Same goes for food-borne illness – there would have been a food manufacturer exposed and given the “perp walk” of shame in order to point the finger at someone/something…like a bad batch of chicken, salmonella in the lettuce, etc. Now the “establishment” has diagnosed them with “Conversion Disorder” – a disease resulting in similar symptoms (true), but usually brought on by some kind of stress or traumatic event. But when asked, nothing fits the criteria(at least nothing has been mentioned at this time). The above-definition falls just short of the diagnosis of “hysteria”, but in this mass of 12 girls, would be termed “mass hysteria.”

Genetics:  Hardly an issue here. These children are not related to each other, nor do they possess the family histories inclusive of anything to account for experiencing simultaneous symptoms – and the possibility of such a high occurrence(frequency) in such a small population would make this statistically impossible.

Infectious Disease: A possibility. But if so, should there be NO further action by authorities to limit where these girls were? Or how about other individuals? There would be more labeling and finger-pointing to expose some fear that everyone should guard against. And what other infectious disease is so selective that it affects GIRLS only? The flu? A cold? Meningitis? Mono?  …all equal-opportunity illnesses.  All the right age-group, but GIRLS only? So, kind of rules this out, too…

Drug exposure(prescription or recreational): Well, there are a lot more possibilities here. Recreational drug use is always a possibility, but medical tests would have probably revealed something and they were performed. We would need to find something that would have a predilection for girls (notably adolescent girls) but also, common enough that would be obscured amongst other things that are considered “routine” enough and accepted as ‘normally experienced or taken’ by adolescent girls. There are two possibilities… birth control pills and HPV vaccines(Gardasil and Cervarix).  Take into account the timing. This occurred within a short period of time.  Exposure to a bad batch of birth control pills would be easy to explain, and there would be some reason to keep it quiet, considering the close ties of the AMA to the CDC. But the timing would need to be coordinated in such a way that they were all on them, got the same brand, and started taking them all at the same time. Not impossible, but improbable. The other possibility here are HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. The timing becomes more easily explained – as most children “get their shots” (and boosters, such as DTaP and the flu shot) before enrolling in school in the fall. It also satisfies the girls-only attack (even though they’re trying to convince boys to get the Gardasil shot also), as well as the age group (9-27).

The latter seems the most probable. Vaccines have been known to cause neurological disorders. Gardasil especially – based on the high levels of aluminum which is used as an adjuvant in the vaccine. Even the possibility of a cocktail effect of BCP’s and the vaccine MUST come into play considering the BCP’s deplete the body of certain vitamins (B6) that work to eliminate aluminum. This would make a girl more susceptible to a vaccine injury – again making the vaccine-theory more possible.

As a physician, I find the whole government group handling this to be untrustworthy.  These officials are not unbiased by any means, and they have an interest in the outcome of this tragedy – with them being paid by Health Departments whose income depends widely on the promotion and sales of vaccines.  Maybe no one else questioned this, but I certainly don’t buy the “Conversion Disorder” diagnosis being offered.

So, the questions remain…and so does the frustration of the parents (and citizens) of Leroy, NY. They’ve been given NOTHING as to the cause OR as an explanation, and I personally grow tired of watching regular people being talked down to and treated without respect by a government authority or the medical establishment.  The reason this became a national story is because the shell-game, the omissions of facts, and the deceit of the public (and patients) with a grouped “garbage can” diagnosis.  So, now the “cleaners” are in town making sure nothing gets out. Because they didn’t go up to Leroy NY to ask what they’re  doing for breakfast, that’s for sure…

As a parent, I’m be insulted and frustrated too. And my guess is that you’ll hardly hear about the conclusion of this story since the FEAR is what’s making it survive…and that won’t help anyone, either. In either case, the truth is in Leroy…but will it be told? Or will the cleaners and media change it for us…you know…for OUR protection?

***THIS IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC POLL AND NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE ANY ILLNESS***

Dr. Russell D. Caram’s office is located on 182 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, on Route 53. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

To find out more about Dr. Caram and his practice, click here.

“Like” his Facebook page by clicking here.

Call 203-748-2499 for an appointment.


Alternative Medicine Vs. Mainstream Medicine

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Alternative Medicine Vs. Mainstream Medicine by Dr. Russell D. Caram

Photo contributed.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Russell D. Caram is one of our local sponsors who shares weekly articles on Bethel Buzz. Material in this article is meant to provide information about Chiropractic but is not a substitute for professional health care.   

Alternative Medicine Vs. Mainstream Medicine by Dr. Russell D. Caram

Over the past 20 years, I’ve noticed a trend people are forming with regard to the responsibility they hold for their own health: More and more people are opting for holistic, natural remedies rather than the latest medications (which not-so-surprisingly end up being recalled or halted), or invasive medical interventions.  While I’m thrilled about this – and the responsibility people are taking for their own health – I can’t help but ask the question: When did natural remedies become the “alternative,” and the medical profession’s idea of chemically altered human beings become “mainstream?” When did our natural chemistries become so bad that we need these ‘cures?’

What’s been making our lifestyles so chemically unbalanced and drug-dependent that those conditions became the norm, and their drug-remedies considered “mainstream?” Yet my form of restoring balance naturally became known as “alternative?”

These questions have many facets; so let’s deal with them one by one.

The definition of “healthcare”

There was a time when the definition of “healthcare” meant, “free from disease”, and ways to keep you from needing reliance on the medical fields. Remember hearing “eat right and exercise?” How about “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” You seldom hear those phrases anymore simply because healthcare doesn’t mean, “care for your health” as much anymore. The definition of healthcare itself changed into drug-based “disease-care”  (Similarly,  “health insurance” is more like “prescription-cost-insurance” or “disease insurance” – if you think about it).

When did the principle of supporting healthy lifestyles and doing things to avoid physician reliance turn into the medical application of introducing drugs into the body that try to block, imitate or replace normal nerve, chemical or organ function? As the definition of healthcare morphed to the medical and drug-based one above, chiropractic would have to naturally be removed from that new drug-based definition.  Over the years, chiropractic care has maintained it’s purpose, it’s drug-free discipline and it’s principle of keeping people healthy and functioning as best as possible by removing nerve interference. THAT is the true definition of “health care”. But the accepted definition of “healthcare” now has drugs as it’s basis, and that leaves chiropractic care and other drug-free disciplines out of the drug-based definition.  Most people associate the terms “health care” with going to their MD and being given medicines, but since medicines are drugs, they now associate  “healthcare” with taking drugs.

The phrase “alternative medicine”

The phrase “alternative medicine” got introduced simultaneously as the definition of healthcare got hijacked in an attempt to further isolate time-honored, conservative forms of true “healthcare” with the growing acceptance of drugs and “disease-care.” The change didn’t occur quickly, but it became introduced in conversations without explanation – leaving the listener to default it into whatever health remedies were left over. And where does the “medicine” part come in, even if it’s natural? Does everything have to be termed a “medicine” of some sort…? Herbal medicine? Physical medicine? CHIROPRACTIC medicine?? There are no such things, but don’t tell that to an insurance company that naively lists THOSE exact benefits in your health plan. So again “alternative,” but compared to the drug-based definition.

“A feat of linguistic legerdemain” 

The terms “traditional” and “mainstream” make it seem as if they are universally accepted, time-honored forms of healthcare, and anything other than that is risky and worthy of hesitation.  The AMA has only been around 30 years longer than chiropractic, but how does such a radical change from time-honored natural means to a drug-based and chemical one automatically allow for the terms “mainstream” and “traditional” to automatically be applied to it?  People have been walking on backs and treating with herbs since the ancient Egyptians and Chinese were doing it and achieving therapeutic benefits, so why don’t they qualify for the terms “traditional” or “mainstream” based on chronology alone? Do other societies that don’t rely on medicines and vaccines only use “alternative” healthcare methods? Their means may still be considered mainstream to THEM, right?  Were they informed that the definition of their only means of healthcare was altered? So, remember that change in the definition of ‘healthcare’ I mentioned? Well, the association deception had begun.

My definition of ‘mainstream’ is totally different

Mainstream forms of healthcare are composed of natural things that you can do to keep you healthy, not to introduce chemicals, medicines and toxic substances once a disease has started.  By contrast, “alternative” healthcare would be implemented when something different from a natural or holistic state existed, or comes from an outside source. Interestingly in my field – chiropractors discuss HEALTH; medical doctors discuss sickness and disease.  Which would you prefer?  I know if I were in a desolate area of the world with 100 people around me, I could still enhance the health of each of them by introducing a healthier diet and spinal adjustments delivered by hand. The medical profession can’t say the same.  So to me, that is a true definition of HEALTH care.

As I mentioned, the trend I’m seeing in my office is one of realization and a more health-conscious individual. Patients are seeking resolutions to CAUSES of their problems, and not a means to mask their problem with a medication that has a dozen side effects. And while this boom in natural, conservative treatments is real, I strongly feel that the medical professions’ bombardment of drug ads has finally turned the public off.  They’re realizing that is NOT ‘mainstream’ healthcare.  Certainly not in MY book, that’s for sure…!

Since I deal most often with structural injuries and maintaining a healthy immune system, I can tell you that the medical treatments toward these physical/structural ailments (short of emergency care) are archaic.  If the medical profession didn’t have painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, they would be completely useless and even THOSE only mask the symptoms. They don’t address the cause of pain. Yet somehow, mysteriously, that medical way of only treating the physical symptoms (spasms, pain and inflammation) got to be considered ‘mainstream’, while treating the cause is ‘alternative?’

I don’t get it. To me, what they do is called experimental and risky. No one knows what the introduction of those drugs really does on any organ system. It’s based on that principle alone that defines what we should really consider ‘mainstream’ and what we should really call ‘healthcare!”

Dr. Russell D. Caram’s office is located on 182 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, on Route 53. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

To find out more about Dr. Caram and his practice, click here.

“Like” his Facebook page by clicking here.

Call 203-748-2499 for an appointment.

Holiday Lumbar Strain/Sprain

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Holiday Lumbar Strain/Sprain ~ By Dr. Russell D. Caram

Lumbar sprain. Photo contributed.

Editor’s note: Dr. Russell D. Caram is one of our local sponsors who will be sharing weekly tips and articles on Bethel Buzz. This week’s topic is holiday lumbar strain. During this busy holiday season with family and friends visiting from far and near, Dr. Caram sees many patients who experience “holiday injuries” such as lumbar sprains and strains from moving furniture and lifting heavy items otherwise not normally lifted. Below is an informative article from Dr. Caram about how these injuries can be treated with chiropractic care.

Holiday Lumbar Strain/Sprain ~ By Dr. Russell D. Caram

Symptoms:  
Stiffness or decrease in range of motion, pain in the back that worsens with movement, pain that often peaks immediately, most often from stretched ligaments and muscle spasms. Patients quite often express an inability to get out of bed or out of the position they’re in due to the pain. However the restrictions usually let up a bit, but not without pain.

A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligament resulting from a sudden movement that causes the back to extend to an extreme position. For example, in the rapid deceleration of a car crash, and the translational shift of the vertebrae on each other.

The lumbar sprain seems to feel as if the pain is also at times difficult to localize. It seems to be present in the back, but at other times seems to pierce thru the body.  Sprains of this type also make the patient aware of their posture as well as how poor their lifting/bending techniques were prior to the sprain.

The diagnosis of lumbar sprain is not difficult, but is most often derived from the mechanism of injury as described above. At times it’s difficult to examine a patient with a severe lumbar sprain simply because the positions required for testing cannot be assumed by the patient. When there is a typical C-shaped curve of the back when viewed from the side, that curve can become reduced, straightened or reversed. The subsequent subluxations of the vertebrae, stretching of the ligaments and protective contraction of the muscles generate a tremendous amount of pain.

One of the most common reasons for seeing a chiropractor is for this exact kind of injury. Usually a set of x-rays will help confirm a diagnosis of lumbar spine sprain/strain. Lumbar spine adjustments are the best remedy for removing these subluxations of the spine while restoring nerve function and range-of-motion. Physical therapy modalities are often utilized in conjunction with care in order to help facilitate the healing process, either by reducing inflammation or calming muscle spasms.  Depending on the condition, treatment and recovery times vary, ranging from 6 weeks to 6 months. Considering the involvement of the spine and nervous system, if the sprain is significant enough to cause a permanent problem, follow-up treatments may be recommended in order to help stabilize the affected area.

Dr. Russell D. Caram’s office is located on 182 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, on Route 53. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

To find out more about Dr. Caram and his practice, click here.

“Like” his Facebook page by clicking here.

Call 203-748-2499 for an appointment.

Chiropractic and Ear Infections

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Chiropractic and Ear Infections ~ By Dr. Russell D. Caram

For years I’ve been asked by patients and friends about chronic ear infections in children. There have been several studies on the subject and all of it shows amazing promise.

I’ve had the privilege of hearing Dr. Joan Fallon speak at many seminars.  She’s an outstanding pediatric chiropractor from Yonkers, NY and an extremely intelligent, research-oriented physician. I recommend you read about a study regarding chiropractic treatment in children with ear infections here. I’ve also had her evaluate and treat my own son when he was a year old when he was suffering from an ear infection. Her approach was quite simple: treat and remove the subluxations.

Children have the same anatomy as you and I, however there are a few striking differences.  One of which is the fact that a baby’s head accounts for about 30% of their total weight up to the age of about 1-year-old. That would be the equivalent of a 180-pound person with a 50-pound head!  This is what accounts for a baby/child’s inability to fully control their heads.  Secondly, and more importantly, the eustacean (YOO-sta-shin) tubes in children are short and have no descending angle toward the throat until the child is roughly 10 years old.

The eustacean tubes are the pressure-equalizers between your ears and your throat. If you’ve ever gone up in a plane and had your ears “pop” when ascending or descending in flight, or if you’ve ever felt the need to yawn or chew gum to equalize ear pressure – what you’re trying to do is to manually open the tube and allow your middle ear’s pressure to equalize to your surrounding atmospheric pressure through your throat.

Ear infections in children are more frequent because of the anatomical factors mentioned above. Bacteria from the throat have an easier path traveling up the horizontal eustacean tubes than it does in adult counterparts who have angled ones. Couple that with the anatomically shorter path travel path and, viola!!…ear infections.

Eustacean tubes also help keep the middle ear drained in the same fashion. It’s the function of these tubes that’s seen as the fault in cases of chronic ear infections, and also where chiropractic care seems to fill a niche and address this need.

Chiropractic treatment for children requires time and patience.  The benefits will be seen in time, and it has been noted in the research above that there was a definite reduction in the frequency of infections in children who underwent treatment. This also leads to a reduction in time spent on antibiotics, given the alarming side effects they have. For a list of other articles regarding chiropractic treatment for ear infections (otitis media), click here.

There is another phenomenon to be aware of: Fluid build-up. There is the possibility of fluid remaining in the middle ear, yet the ear doesn’t become infected. I’ve had one such case of this – where the fluid was moved but didn’t fully infect or drain. It’s important to have the child’s hearing checked periodically in conjunction with treatment. Should prolonged fluid persist behind the eardrum, the child may experience a reduction in hearing as well as delayed speech. In bad cases, surgically implanted tubes may be place in the eardrums to assist in the draining process, but it’s always best to exhaust all other means first. Surgery is – and always should be – a last resort, and I have yet to meet a parent who didn’t express serious concerns about surgery…especially for their child.

Dr. Russell D. Caram’s office is located on 182 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, on Route 53. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

To find out more about Dr. Caram and his practice, click here.

“Like” his Facebook page by clicking here.

Call 203-748-2499 for an appointment.

How Chiropractic Care Benefits Kids

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How Chiropractic Care Benefits Kids ~ By Dr. Russell Caram

Dr. Russ adjusts a 3-year-old at his office. Photo credit: Dr. Caram

Kids and Chiropractic Care

How often chiropractors have encountered parents who appreciate the importance of regular checkups for their child’s teeth, hearing, eyes, ears nose, and throat, but draw a blank when it comes to a spinal checkup.  Spinal checkups should be one of the most important checkups your child should have!

When do subluxations start?

It’s tough to say for sure, but one has to look at the birthing process initially. Usually, obstetricians will twist the infant’s head and neck so far to the side to get the shoulders to lineup in the birth canal. A baby’s head is very large and very heavy when compared to the rest of its body, so a great deal of care must be used when handling it.  But babies were meant to be pushed out of the birth canal, not pulled and twisted!  In situations like this, neck subluxations can occur easily and turn out to be the exact start of a baby’s ‘first subluxation.’

I’m often asked about chiropractic care for children and most often it’s by a parent who had an injury that they just watched their child have – whether it be ice-skating, playing sports, or even a mis-step off the curb that jams the back. I’ve been checking my children – and treating them for – subluxations since the days they were born. Children LOVE getting adjusted, and the videos below prove it. They have no preconceived bias, notions or fear. They only know what they feel…if they’re hurt, they’ll cry. If they’re feeling good and having fun, they’ll laugh and smile. Although the first adjustment is always a bit ‘unexpected.’

Children lead very busy physical lives…they run, play, jump, and fall all day long. Any of those activities could be responsible for subluxating the spine, and with children being as flexible as they are, they typically won’t complain much. But knowing that any kind of accident can cause spinal misalignments, wouldn’t it be wise for all parents to have their children’s spines checked periodically throughout the year by specialists? Chiropractors are the most proficient physicians at determining spinal abnormality, scoliosis and posture.  But there’s more to it than that.  As mentioned in the “Why Everyone Needs A Chiropractor” section, the nervous system has an extremely close relationship with the immune system. A healthy nervous system gives the immune system it’s best chance to combat infections that could otherwise become advantageous and cause sickness. In children, this is even more paramount as their immune systems are still developing.  Subluxations in the spine that hinder nerve function will also retard the enhancement and development of the immune system. The result is chronic sicknesses or increased susceptibility to colds, flu, or infections.

Research

A 1989 study in the Journal of Chiropractic compared 200 children of chiropractors to 200 children of pediatricians. The result – the health of the chiropractic group was notably superior to that of the children brought up under standard medical care. (Journal of Chiropractic, Summer 1989, p 101-103).  The chiropractic group had fewer ear infections, fewer allergies, fewer cases of tonsillitis, and less medical treatment (antibiotics, immunization/vaccinations).  Most parents have brought their children to chiropractors for the treatment of persistent ear infections. The cause for concern of putting a child on continued antibiotics is real, as is the correlation with the ingredients of vaccines and antibiotics and the development of diseases like autism and asthma.  In the late 70′s, children got 12 vaccination exposures. Today’s child is supposed to get 84 or more exposures, according to the AMA.  That’s a 7-fold increase in the number of vaccinations, running in conjunction with a 6-fold increase (1:1,000 then, and 1:150 now) in the number of autism, learning- and processing dysfunction cases within the same time period (1977 to 2007).

The methodology of treating children for ear infections is quite simple…get the inner ear to drain its fluid.  The eustacean tubes of children are pretty much horizontal, up until the age of 10 and it’s at that point that they start to angle inferiorly (downward) toward the throat. At that point gravity usually does all the work, but when the tubes are horizontal, there’s too much chance for bacteria from the throat to travel the tube and not be drained out.  This is where chiropractic care is helpful; because by treating the neck and physically helping the fluid drain toward the throat you lessen the chance of ‘backflow’.  Treatment is usually continued – even on a supportive basis – until a decent weaning process can be achieved.

Children accept chiropractic treatment openly.  They only know what makes them feel better and what hurts. Also, their response times for injuries and/or conditions is often much less than adults because they’re still growing and are more flexible.  But don’t forget: As the twig is bent, so grows the tree!!

Get you children’s spines checked!

Dr. Russell D. Caram’s office is located on 182 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel, on Route 53. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

To find out more about Dr. Caram and his practice, click here.

“Like” his Facebook page by clicking here.

Call 203-748-2499 for an appointment.

Don't Let Holiday Stress Get You Down

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Don’t Let Holiday Stress Get You Down ~ By Dr. Russell  D. Caram

Holiday stress got you down? Guess what can help? A chiropractic adjustment can. One of the most common problems patients complain about in my office is headaches; migraines, cluster and tension (stress) headaches are caused by a variety of different things, and at times it’s the elimination of those things that brings relief. Often they have had headaches for YEARS but just assumed they were ‘normal’.  They’re not.  While headaches are common, they’re not normal. Headaches are a sign that something’s wrong, and taking a painkiller or aspirin doesn’t eliminate the problem…it merely covers it up.

Symptoms

Since there are many different kinds of headaches, it’s really a matter of the characteristic of the headache that will classify it: Migraines, cluster, tension, hormonal, withdrawal, rebound, etc.  For the sake of argument, we’ll cover just a few here.

Migraines – are usually of a piercing quality and usually are located throughout the head without respect to side. They are typically preceded by what’s called a “prodrome” – which is some kind of precipitating factor usually 20-30 minutes prior – in the form of nausea, photophobia, sensitivity to sound or even vomiting.

Cluster – these headaches are typically short bursts of headaches over the course of days or weeks and can be quite severe.  There is usually a quick onset, and at times they will subside anywhere from an hour to 6 hours without medication, but then will repeat.

Tension (Stress) – These are headaches typically felt as a result of poor posture and are felt in the back of the head. They are also often experienced in the latter aspect of the day and can also subside once the causative agent is corrected (poor posture, ergonomic correction, etc.).  Quite often, these headaches are also experienced after auto accidents, considering the muscles in the back of the neck become strained. 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of headaches is mostly thru characterization as described above combined with a detailed history. Social, environmental, dietary, work and postural habits need to be evaluated as other possible triggers for headaches. I’ve been around patients who have been suffering for years and never knew they could get relief simply by having their posture corrected or back and neck adjusted. They simply called their headaches “normal” and popped pills for them.  Keep in mind: Pain is COMMON, it’s not ”normal”…it’s telling you something is wrong.

Again, keep in mind that there are MANY different causes for headaches (too many to list here), and none should be taken lightly. They all need to be fully evaluated and followed-up on, but for the simplicity of this page, we’ll limit it to kinds that have been found to respond favorably to chiropractic care. Over the nearly 20 years I’ve been in practice, I’ve taken pride in my ability to evaluate and treat different kinds of headaches – especially chronic ones. The relief one can gain is life changing – for the BETTER!

Chiropractic Treatment

Treatment of the cervical spine is usually the approach to headaches, although referred pain from muscles in the upper back can be another site of care. With most types of treatment rendered, a patient will most likely report a positive change in the frequency, intensity, location or duration of their headaches after a few weeks, depending on how long the patient has been suffering. But the elimination of such a controlling and frequent pain can only enhance one’s quality of life!

Dr. Russell Caram is a local chiropractor with over  22 years of experience. His office is located at 182 Grassy Plain Road (Route 53), Bethel. Just look for the big spine! 203-748-2449.Click here to check out his website. Click here to “like” Dr. Caram on Facebook.