I don't believe in the Germ theory.

"I don't believe in the Germ theory."

I remember laughing at the absurdity of this statement when I was in chiropractic school.  After all, this is something we learn about from birth!  We get exposed to a germ, it infects us, and we get sick.  Done deal. Simple. There were actually people who claimed they "didn't believe" in this simple concept.  REALLY?  How could they be so ignorant? 

But one day, I decided to put my pre-programmed dogma aside and really think about this idea. 

Microscopic organisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, etc) cover every surface we come in contact with (with the exception of perhaps the operating theater where surgery is preformed, and even then, germs get in).  They even cover our skin and line the walls of our digestive tract.  They reside in every orifice of our body.  Many of them are even beneficial and necessary to our survival!  This means that more than likely, we are actually exposed to the critters that cause colds and flus almost every day of our life!  Staph and strep are regular residents on and in our body.  If you want to know what else might be living on you and are immune to the heebie jeebies, click here. (Otherwise, just keep reading.)

So why don't we all have staph and strep infections all the time???

Because most of us have an extremely effective immune system!!  Our body is constantly working to keep our little ecosystem in balance. This is why a group of people can all be exposed to the same infected individual, but they don't all get sick.  So it really isn't as simple as just getting infected, is it?  Because if our body is properly cared for, we can defend ourselves!  The same concept applies when it comes to the diseases we are vaccinated against.  We can defend ourselves from those, too!  Aren't we amazing creations?!

There are many things we can do to strengthen our immune system to help fend off these invaders.  Stay tuned for that upcoming post. 

Looking forward to helping you have a happy and healthy Holiday season!!

Dr. Redmond

Ear infections are causing Asthma and Allergies?!?

Or could it be the parents or the Pediatricians? Let me fill you in. I read a number of studies, all released around the same time last year, stating that the incidence of asthma and allergies increased with the number of antibiotics taken within the first year of life. It has also been discovered that parents and pediatricians who take a wait-and-see approach with ear infections (one of the most common things treated with antibiotics with infants) 80% of the time see a resolution of said ear infections, as well as the accompanying symptoms, in the same amount of time it would take for the antibiotics to do the trick. Meaning there's no really no need for those antibiotics in the first place. Makes me wonder if the antibiotics were working in the first place or if it simply distracted the parents until the ear infection healed as a result of a fully functioning immune system... Now there's a thought... the body might actually be fully equipped to deal with these things on it's own? Colds and flus and ear infections aren't caused by an aspirin deficiency?? Hmmm... now THAT would be a revolutionary concept, wouldn't it?

Now I'm sure we've all heard of children who have had tubes in their ears and stopped having ear infections. Of course, what parent would put their child through that process if they knew there was a safe, non-invasive alternative and that those ear infections may just be a warning that something isn't right. Yes, now we're getting to the juicey information every parent needs that pediatricians often aren't even aware of. Often, when babies are getting ear infections, they have a subluxation (aka joint that is not moving properly) in their upper neck. Often, you can even just gently touch these spots at the base of baby's skull and get a reaction. They don't like it! Because it's sore! And it needs to be adjusted! Make sure you go to a chiropractor who is comfortable working with babies and get your child checked! Subluxation is easily treatable at this age and will make a world of difference for your growing child.

Imagine the difference: Child 1, (we'll call him Sammy since I hate referring to people as numbers), Sammy, experienced his first ear infection at the tender age of 6 months. He was prescribed antibiotics, destroying the natural, healthy flora that had been developing in his intestine to allow him to digest the solid foods he was starting to eat, making it difficult for him to absorb many nutrients. Being nutrient deficient, Sammy grows up with a compromised immune system, frequently experiencing colds and flus and being fed a sporadic diet of flora killing antibiotics. He develops asthma, as well as a wheat allergy, which goes undiagnosed. Sammy lives his childhood with an inhaler, finding it difficult to run and play without suffering. This is only the beginning, yet you can see the path Sammy is heading down. It seems sadly so common in this day and age... obesity, increased breathing difficulties, and decreased immune function will follow him indefinitely, leading to heart disease, cancer, and possibly a stroke. All hope is lost...

But, ah! Child 2, Tammy! Tammy was evaluated at the hospital just days after her birth by her family's chiropractor. The one subluxation found was addressed gently and effectively. Tammy's parents continued to bring her to the chiropractor every month or so to keep her spine subluxation-free. Tammy has never had any major infections, never been vaccinated, and plays soccer on a local rec league. She is a bright, vibrant child with an equally vibrant future. Her Pediatrician is amazed that Tammy has never had an ear infection, but her parents suspect chiropractic is to thank.

Which future will you choose for the children of this world?