Is your Kiddo a poor plumber?
Parents, you might be wondering what in the world a “poor plumber” is, so let’s talk! In our office, we use this term to talk about kiddos that are having problems with colds, congestion, sinus infections, allergies, etc. There are two different categories that these kiddos who are “poor plumbers” normally fall into.
The first category is those that have too much fluid in their pipes. Now what can happen in this case as this fluid builds up, it can get backed up. When this back up happens and this fluid lingers in one place for too long, that’s when there is high susceptibility for an infection. We tend to see more fluid in times where kiddos have colds, runny noses and teething going on. As pediatric chiropractors, our goal is to keep that fluid moving throughout the pipes and the way we do that is through adjustments.
Another malfunction that can happen when kiddos are “poor plumbers” is pipes not being able to drain properly. When those pathways are not allowing fluid to drain properly, we can see sinus infections, colds and ear infections. Fluid from our sinuses should flow freely and be able to drain out of our system. When there is poor drainage happening and that fluid is not moving, it can get lodged in those sinuses as well as in the chest leading to sinus and respiratory infections.
What contributes to issues with plumbing?
In our field, we are so fortunate to get to work with so many kiddos! What we have noticed in working with these kiddos is that those with more tension and stress in their systems tend to have more issues with plumbing. So little ones that have had torticollis or plagiocephaly early on, or maybe they had a rough entrance into the world and were very colicky, fussy babies. This population of kiddos seems to be more prone to things like colds, congestion, respiratory issues and ear infections.
Stress and the immune system
In order for your kiddo to be healthy and have a healthy immune system, it is so important to maintain a balance between stress and the immune system. Stress in all forms can overwhelm the immune system, making kiddos more susceptible to the yucky stuff that causes plumbing issues. What we want is to keep that immune system strong, not allowing the stress to overwhelm it, so that your child’s body can kick sickness to the curb like it was designed to do!
How can chiropractic help?
Chiropractic adjustments along with boosting the immune system, help to keep that fluid tends to stall and get backed up, moving. Adjustments also stimulate the parasympathetic side of the nervous system, which helps with rest, digestion relaxation and most importantly IMMUNE FUNCTION. When the immune system is able to react and fight like it should, our kiddos are able to stay healthy and fight off illnesses. If any of these “poor plumbing” issues are affecting your kiddo, please feel free to reach out to us and let us help you keep your families healthy!
This time of year can be extremely challenging for little ones and their immune systems. With the holiday chaos just now ending, trying to get back into a normal routine, along with recent weather changes, hearing about kiddos getting sick is not uncommon. While many times people look at the outside factors that make them sick, the real issue is the body’s inability adapt and fight back.
Factors that put stress on our system (physical, chemical and emotional) build up, and when the bodies have had enough, our stress response is kicked on. Physical stressors in little ones: physical stressors could be anything from baby’s positioning in mom’s belly, to stress from sitting in the car seat or baby carrier. Chemical stressors are toxins from the environment, from clothing, pesticides or chemicals in food, different products that we use daily and much more. Emotional stressors could be changes in routine, relationships at school, family dynamics at home or any other situations that can add extra stress to a situation.
Instead of letting stress build up and and make us sick, it is important to be proactive! The body was made to be able to adapt and fight from the inside out! Below are some tips for boosting your kiddo’s immune system!
1. Get enough vitamin D
– vitamin D is important for boosting the immune system, boosting mood and so much more! A couple of sources of vitamin D are sunlight and fish, like tuna and salmon.
2. Exercise: Get those kids moving! Exercising helps with energy levels and also boosts mood and the immune system!
3. Get enough sleep
Studies have shown time and time again that sleep is so important for a healthy immune system. People who do not get enough sleep are more likely to get sick when exposed to a virus. They also take longer to get better after becoming sick.
4. Get Adjusted!
Don’t wait until you are sick, be proactive! Studies have shown that people who get adjusted regularly are 60.2 % less likely to be admitted to the hospital, they spend 59% less days in the hospital if admitted, the have 62% less the amount of outpatient surgeries and they spend 83% less on pharmaceuticals.
So many of our families comment on how they have been able to avoid cold & flu season this year or are recovering much faster than previous times! If you have any additional questions about how chiropractic care can help the immune system feel free to give us a call! We love being another resource for our families!
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