Give Yourself an Hour

So when was the last time you gave yourself an hour? You know that time you take for yourself that helps you relax, regenerate and put your mind at ease? Whatever that hour is for you that helps change your mindset - sitting at an outdoor cafe enjoying your favourite coffee and watching the world go by, reading a favourite book, enjoying a favourite garden for an hour, going for a massage, a relaxing walk or bike ride. Find what works for you and make it happen. If you have to schedule it on your calendar or in your blackberry...so be it. Whatever works. Our time is always being pulled in many directions and we need time just for us to keep us grounded. Aim for an hour a week and soon you will be working on adding more time - just for you~

5K Run-Walk & Roll

Saturday May 14th, 9 am check in, 5 k Timed Race start 9:30

But not to worry, you don't have to run, we will have plenty of walkers as well.

If you've signed up to participate in the 5K Run Walk and Roll, don't forget to get your pledges in Before April 3oth is you want the reduced rate.

If you haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for??

You can register on line at www.walkitoffrecovery.org and use paypal or register with Foster Family Chiropractic and pay by cash or cheque.

Raising Vital Children

My perspective of parenting children has shifted as I've bumbled along my journey of raising two healthy and vital boys. It has never been simple, nor easy, but parenting them has always been rewarding. Just when you think a 'phase' is getting the best of you, you're onto the next phase. No need to fixate on the moment.

I'm often convinced my perspective on health and healing is fairly mainstream until I'm engaged in a conversation with a parent about a child's health and/or overhear something that makes me want to cringe in the grocery aisle. Right, wrong or otherwise I become constantly amazed at how my thoughts and theories are so wildly different from a significant portion of society.

Here are some of my most basic premises on children's health:

1. My children's bodies are vital. They are in constant flux, shifting and adjusting to whatever comes their way. They aren't suppressed, numbed or manipulated. Their bodies are adaptive.

2. I never seek to suppress their body's innate responses. Ultimately I believe that our body has an inborn/innate intelligence that 'knows' how to heal itself in every situation. My job is to support it in doing so.

3. Supporting my children's innate intelligence means that I try never to override their body's basic mechanisms. Fevers exist for a reason. Fatigue exists for a reason. Vomiting exists for a reason. These healing mechanisms aren't always 'comfortable', but they are useful in serving a purpose.

4. Supporting my children's inborn healing mechanisms also means that I pay close attention to their lifestyle. When their body's resources are strained I am even more vigilant about the quality of food they take in, the amount of clean water they drink and the amount of sleep, stimulation and exercise they receive.

5. Having a child raised in this way also means that I explore and regularly engage the resources of natural health care practices including chiropractic care, naturopathic support, homeopathic care, registered massage therapy and cranial sacral therapy.

Healthy is much more than the absence of disease. It is the vital expression of human potential on every level. If you'd like to explore more of these ideas feel free to email me and/or speak with me at your next chiropractic adjustment. DR. F

The Pelvic Conundrum

Do you commute, sit in a desk, engage in sports like soccer, running or cycling? Do you have problems (pain, tightness or dysfunction) with your knees, feet or low back region? If so, you may be experiencing the conundrum of the pelvis. Quite often people who engage in any of the above activities that involve sitting, leaning forward and/or generating force from the front of the hip/leg will develop tightness in the hip flexors (front of the hip). This will reciprocally inhibit the activity of your glute muscles (your behind muscles!) and cause several other muscles to work overtime - namely your piriformis muscle. Among other things this can cause pain deep in the buttocks possibly with pain/numbness or tingling that resonates within the butt or down the leg. Not fun. There are many contributing factors to this issue - one being unresolved spinal subluxations in the spinal column. Your chiropractor will be able to properly diagnose this condition as well as guide you back to balance with a combination of adjustments, home exercises and lifestyle modifications. Some of my favorites: 1. Take your adjustments seriously. Listen to your chiropractor when they discuss frequency and duration of care. It takes time to correct these negative patterns in the spine and nervous system. 2. Get stretching - daily!! Use a foam roller to release tightened musculature in the hip flexors, glutes, hamstrings and iliotibial band along the outer hip and leg. 3. Engage in a regular yoga practice. Yoga does wonders to address chronic tightening and inhibitions of spinal movement. 4. Stand up! Consider a standing work station. If not, ensure your workstation is as 'ergonomic' as possible and take breaks hourly. 5. Work on body balance: remove your wallet from your back pocket, sit forward in your car seat (no leaning!), wear practical spine loving footwear (minimize heels and no unstructured flip flops), avoid sleeping on your stomach, get a headset for your desk phone, and sit up straight! 6. Enlist the assistance of other professionals. In addition to your chiropractic care you can also engage in ongoing and periodic massage therapy and cranial sacral work. 7. Use functional and dynamic strengthening to engage all your muscle groups. Core work, stability balls, medicine balls, pilates, yoga, bosu balls, proprioceptive work, and even cross training with activities such as swimming will help your body rebalance itself.

8. Change your lifestyle: move more, sit less. The possibilities are endless.

Bottom line: you need to do something different to get different results. Your professional care is instrumental in your recovery, but you need to make changes too! It's a perfect partnership. Dr. F

CPR Certification

Learning how to manage an emergency situation can save a life! KNOW WHAT TO DO. GET CERTIFIED! Foster Family Chiropractic & Associates is offering CPR Certification on Tuesday May 10, 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Investment: $50 Call and/or come in to sign up with our lovely front desk staff! 905-898-8098

Premature Baby and Parents Both Breathe Easier After Treatment

Premature Baby and Parents Both Breathe Easier After Treatment

AAC Family Wellness Centers :: Article - Chiropractic Improves Quality of Life for Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Case History

AAC Family Wellness Centers :: Article - Chiropractic Improves Quality of Life for Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Case History

Freedom from Allergies and Asthma

Do you dread the spring-time? Do you suffer from allergies and asthma? Come out to Simplicity, 514 Queensway South, Keswick on Wednesday April 20th from 7:00-8:00 pm and become an active participant in your health and well-being by knowing the latest research and exercising your right to make an informed choice. Dr. Danielle Warner will help you end your needless suffering!! Sign up at FFC today!