Your brain, spinal cord and all your nerves control how your body works.

Aches and pains are signs that your body isn’t working right.

Physical, chemical or emotional stresses produce a defensive posture.

Muscles contract, locking spinal joints that pinch or irritate nearby nerves.

Lack of nervous system integrity sets the stage for disease and ill health.

A thorough examination helps chiropractors find these vertebral subluxations.

Applying a precise force to stuck spinal joints helps the body right itself.

Health usually returns as repeated visits restore nervous system integrity.

That’s why chiropractic care has helped millions get well and stay well.

Thanks Dr. David Otto!

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

Dr. Maj adjusting little Morgan!

I have just become aware that David Eisenberg, MD is conducting research into the role of Chiropractic in the help of chronic ear infections. This work is in progress under a grant from the Consortial Center for Chiropractic Research and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

To me this is very exciting and much over-do. I have seen children with ear infections for years in my office and have had wonderful results. It’s a slam dunk! Antibiotics are the chosen treatment and they are doing grave harm to these children. Otitis media is the #1 prescribed diagnosis for antibiotics and ear tube surgery is the #2 surgery in this country. BEFORE things get to far out of hand, see a chiropractor.

This study is looking into: The innervation of the tensor veli palatini (tvp) muscle is through the motor fibers of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve. These fibers unite to form portions of the superior cervical ganglion located between the C-1 and C-4 nerve roots. Neurological compromise of this muscle by osseous or soft tissue structures may contribute to the malfunction of the tvp muscle causing inadequate patency of the tube resulting in the pathological response of otitis media.

Chiropractic therapy may improve the function of the TVP. Check out an article I wrote on the subject below!

The Ear Infections Epidemic – The Truth Every Parent Needs to Know!

Dr. Stephanie Maj answers the most pressing question in her pediatric practice: What is the cause of ear infections and what can we do to heal them without drugs or surgery?

PRLog (Press Release) – Dec 21, 2009

Chicago-Ask any parent about ear infections, and you will likely hear one horror story after another. Ear infection or Otitis Media, is the most common reason for visits to the pediatrician’s office. In fact, visits to the pediatrician’s office for ear infections have increased over 150% from 1975 to 1990. It is estimated that over 30 million visits are made every year in an attempt to deal with this problem.

In my practice, we have an effective, safe solution to the problems plaguing parents. What we find is most parents fail to understand what is happening with these infections.

Otitis Media is the general name for several conditions affecting the middle ear. The most common symptoms are earache, a feeling of pressure, and perhaps difficulty hearing due to increased amounts of fluid. Teething often produces similar symptoms, therefore, the child should be carefully observed before jumping to any conclusions.

Historically, the treatment for ear infections has been antibiotics. This method of treatment has come under severe attack over the past several years for many reasons. One of the reasons, the overuse and over prescription of these antibiotics, has led to what is termed “antibiotic resistant bacteria”. These bacteria have “evolved” and changed so that the antibiotics no longer affect them. Because of this phenomenon, stronger and stronger antibiotics are being used, which is leading to more and more resistance. (http://tinyurl.com/yep3y33).

Another reason use of antibiotics has come under fire is because study after study has demonstrated that they are not effective. In other words, they do not work! This is why so many children are on one antibiotic after another, stronger and stronger each time. Sure, many times the infection will go away, but it quickly returns with a vengeance, and so begins the antibiotic roller coaster.

The reasons they continually reoccur is two-fold: First, antibiotics kill off most bacteria in the body including the helpful “good” bacteria our bodies need. This depletes our children’s natural immune system, making them vulnerable to many more infections of varying types.

Secondly, antibiotics merely attempt to treat the symptoms of ear infections, they do not address the actual cause and therefore the infections return.

The real question then is what is the cause of ear infections? The reality is that ear infections themselves are merely a symptom of a greater problem. The vast majority of them are secondary to a cold or another infection, which may be due to a depressed immune system.

The other more physical reason children suffer from ear infections is because of the actual anatomy of the young ear.

In children, the Eustachian tube is nearly horizontal, gradually acquiring a near 45-degree angle. This often slows draining of these tubes and with stagnant fluid, infection may appear.

The obvious question from most parents now is: what can we do? The answer lies in a new level of thinking.

As a chiropractor, my primary objective is to address the root cause of health problems. Treating symptoms, as mentioned earlier, has been proven unsuccessful at best. When dealing with your children and ear infections, my goal is to correct the actual cause, and to allow the body to function at its optimal potential. (http://tinyurl.com/ybqlymw)

There is a direct link between the nerves in the neck (the superior cervical ganglion), the muscles of the Eustachian tubes (tensor veli palatini) and the middle ear.

Let me explain: The middle ear drains any fluid through the Eustachian tubes. These tubes open and close through the action of a muscle and that muscle is controlled by a nerve. This nerve originates in the neck. When this nerve is not functioning normally, the tensor veli palatini muscle may go into spasm, which constricts the Eustachian tube, restricting drainage and causing fluid buildup in the middle ear. This fluid, combined with a stressed immune system, may result in an ear infection.

Ultimately then, this “nerve interference” can cause your children to suffer as they do. My job as a chiropractor is to detect this nerve interference called subluxation, and correct it. A subluxation is a misalignment of a bone in the spine that pinches, stretches or twists a nerve resulting in interference.

By correcting this interference, the child’s body is given the potential to heal and be well. With proper chiropractic care, your child will be able to live a life free from nerve interference, and free from unnecessary medications and antibiotics.

Chiropractic adjustments for children are very gentle and differ tremendously from the adult version. Imagine you are putting a contact in your eye or testing a tomato to see if it is ripe, that is the extent of the pressure used in these treatments. There is no twisting, popping or pulling involved.

Through advances in technology such as Surface EMG and Thermal Scans, a chiropractor can easily detect these subluxations and monitor their correction as well. This enables chiropractors to be accurate and objective, allowing you the best care possible.

A promising study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics now indicates that there is a strong correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections. 332 children with chronic ear infections participated in the study. Each child, ranging in age from 27 days to 5 years, was given a series of chiropractic adjustments. The results show that close to 80% of the children in this study experienced NO ear infections within the six-month period following their initial visits. The six-month period included maintenance treatments every four to six weeks.

Correcting the cause through chiropractic has been shown to help over 80% of all children with ear infections.

Treating the symptoms of ear infections with antibiotics has proven to be ineffective. Give your children a fighting chance with chiropractic; it could change your lives!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Stephanie A. Maj has been helping children and adults experience life at their maximum potential through Chiropractic since 1994. She is the author of the book, “You Can Be Well” and lectures throughout Chicago on a variety of health issues, and may be contacted at 773.528.8485.

Community Chiropractic is located at 1442 W. Belmont, 1E Chicago, IL 60657. Her website is www.communitychiropractic.net.

 Enjoy this Guest Posting by Gina M. Casillo is a staff writer for Serenity Living Stores.  So many of us sit for a living and I am asked all the time about proper ergonomic chairs.  Sitting adds the most stress, pounds per square inch, than any other activity affecting the lower back. What you sit in and how you sit in it is of vital importance.  Dr. Steph

Proper back support will encourage healthy spinal alignment and blood circulation

Are you a desk monkey like me—stuck at a desk all day typing away on your computer? If that’s the case, you probably suffer from back pain. You see sitting in an office chair for long periods of time causes most bodies to slouch in the necks and shoulders and overstretch their spinal ligaments, straining the discs in the spine and causing damage over time. Repetitive stress from sitting incorrectly can eventually erode the back and impede mobility in everyday life.

However, one way to drastically improve back pain, poor posture, and slouching habits at work is to invest in an ergonomic office chair, or a chair that seeks to properly align the spine, neck, and shoulders supporting healthy posture and relieving problems with mid back, lower back fatigue, neck and shoulder posture and circulation.

An ergonomic office chair is designed with the human body’s spinal alignment in mind. They cushion the body, providing added reinforcement to the mid and lower back as well as other areas along the spine that are susceptible to fatigue. The comfort provided by an ergonomic chair will relieve the repetitive stress on muscles and joints, especially in the hands and forearms where carpel tunnel can develop due to using a computer mouse improperly or gripping too tightly.

The benefits of ergonomic office chairs

The idea behind the creation of the ergonomic office chair is to improve the body’s posture and lessen the damage that can be caused by slouching and bad circulation along the spine—leading to mid back pain, sore lower back, or and stiff neck and shoulders (due to poor circulation). When we sit for extended hours at our desks doing the same repetitive tasks (i.e., reading, typing, etc.) blood circulation suffers and can cut off fuel (in the form of blood) to the rest of the spine and tailbone, neck and shoulders. The longer we sit in this decreased posture, the more the body loses vital fuel. Eventually damage occurs due to strain and mobility suffers.

Ergonomic office chairs improve back posture because they support our body’s frame (aka: the spine and tailbone) when we sit. The ergonomics of a chair actually lessen the likelihood of fatigue on the body and the mind because they are positioned to support the areas of the body that are likely to fatigue—the mid and lower back, and the tailbone. Ergonomic support offered from an office chair leads to better posture, which allows blood to circulate freely and adequately to every part of the spine and reduces repetitive stress fatigue on weaker muscles.

To set up your ergonomic chair properly:

• Adjust the office chair according to your height and comfort—you should feel no stress on your spine.
• Elbows should sit comfortably on your desk or at the armrests so that your upper arms are parallel to your spine.
• The seat height should leave your thighs at a comfortable 90-degree angle—if you need extra height use an adjustable footrest.
• Your lower back should press comfortably against the back of your chair, but not so you slump forward.
• Your eye level should meet the center of your computer screen without straining your neck.

About The Author

Gina M. Casillo is a staff writer for Serenity Living Stores, your choice place to buy a Barcelona chair. She enjoys decorating the bedrooms for her active twin boys and writing about home décor – especially when it comes to the spaces she’s most intimate with.

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

My patients are continually amazed at the amount of pregnant women that get adjusting in my practice. At any given time, I am not just helping these women have ideal births, Chiropractic is helping the babies start off on the healthiest foot possible.  In this post, I wanted to address the topic of pregnancy and Chiropractic.

Anyone who is pregnant is wise to ask if a treatment is safe during pregnancy. The health and wellbeing of mother and child are, understandably, of the greatest importance. All chiropractors are trained to treat patients through pregnancy, though some have received additional training specific to prenatal treatment.

Chiropractic care can help keep the body in healthy alignment during pregnancy.  Ideal alignment insures the regular flow of the nerves to all areas of the mother as well as the babies body.  Nerve flow is essential in healthy development.  Reducing the interference in the nerves with Chiropractic adjustments can also decrease pain and discomfort, while also helping to keep the body in the best possible condition for natural childbirth. Other benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include promoting overall health, controlling nausea, and reducing labor and delivery pain—and possibly preventing the need for a cesarean delivery.

A number of routine aspects of pregnancy can increase the need for chiropractic care. Carrying a child affects the distribution of weight on the body, balance and posture. There are also changes in the pelvic area to facilitate childbirth. Sleeping position may be affected, as may sitting posture. Regular exercise may cease or be modified. Routine actions like picking things up may require a different position or cause struggle. All of these may result in strain and misalignment.

A primary focus for many chiropractors treating pregnant clients is to maintain balance of the pelvis. This is often done using the Webster Technique. A balanced pelvis allows the unborn child the maximum room for movement and growth. A chiropractor can tell if the triangular base of the spine (the sacrum) is tilted, causing a ligament to be pulled in one direction and limiting that side of the uterus. When this goes uncorrected, the baby may stay in a breech position or facing the wrong way, could cause excruciating “back labor.” Reducing the likelihood of these problems also reduces the risk of a Cesarean or the need for painkillers.

A skilled chiropractor can be an indispensable aid during pregnancy. Prenatal chiropractic care can improve the comfort and well-being of both mother and child—during pregnancy and through childbirth.  To find a chiropractor in you area, go to icpa4kids.org.

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

The Bulls won yesterday due to the energetic return of Derrick Rose. He has returned 100% due to in his words ”The whole week I was seeing a great chiropractor,” Rose told ESPN.”  Check out the Chicago Tribune article below! Dr. Steph

 Derrick Rose had never before sat for five straight games in his NBA career, so the deafening roar that drowned out his name after public-address announcer Tommy Edwards began “From Chicago …” didn’t surprise.

But when close to the same roar accompanied Rose merely dribbling on the Bulls’ first possession Monday, the impact of his absence became more fully felt.

His teammates didn’t cheer, at least publicly. They merely benefited from Rose’s aggressive presence that featured 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers in the Bulls’ 90-79 matinee victory over Atlanta.

“It was awesome to watch,” Carlos Boozer said.

Rose, who had been sidelined by back spasms, logged close to 35 minutes and, in an atypical move, didn’t appear in the postgame locker room to address reporters. He spoke to ESPN’s Doris Burke on the court afterward.

“The whole week I was seeing a great chiropractor,” Rose told Burke. “Teammates and fans were waiting for me to come back. I was feeling good and just trying to play the way I normally play — aggressive.

“My teammates followed me. Coach did a great job with the game plan. (My back) feels good. I have to put a little ice on there. I should be all right.”

Boozer added 16 points for the Bulls, who have won 13 straight regular-season games following a loss. Joakim Noah rebounded from his rough outing on Saturday to grab 16 rebounds, helping the Bulls to a 51-41 advantage on the boards and 18-4 edge in second-chance points.

But Rose dominated attention. He survived a hard tumble after drawing a foul on Josh Smith for a three-point play midway through the third quarter.

“You don’t want him to change who he is,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You’re always concerned about health. But a guy could get hurt in practice or shootaround. That’s part of the game.

“He’s done a good job with his rehab. Our trainers have done a great job with him. As long as he’s pain-free and feels 100 percent, we felt comfortable. He met all the criteria that we were looking for him to meet before he played again. So we’re good.”

Actually, not everything was. For the second straight game, the Bulls started slow, forcing Thibodeau to burn a 20-second timeout early in which he blistered the starters. They responded with an 11-0 run as Rose scored nine first-quarter points.

But an eventual 21-point lead with just over 4 minutes to play in the third quarter got quickly whittled to nine by that quarter’s close. Former Bull Jannero Pargo heated up with three 3-pointers.

Then the Hawks, who played without Marvin Williams and with an ineffective Joe Johnson trying to battle through knee soreness, pulled within five in the fourth. Rose almost lost the ball before shoveling it to Luol Deng, whose 3-pointer with 2:59 left marked his first points since the first quarter and provided breathing room.

“Derrick’s explosion was there,” Thibodeau said. “His drives were there. Conditioning-wise, he’s not where he normally is. But that’s to be expected. Overall, I’m very pleased. He said he felt real good out there.”

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Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

The Foundation For Chiropractic Progress released a press release highlighting the the role that chiropractic has played for the two teams that will be involved in Super Bowl XLVI:

CARMICHAEL, Calif. – Feb. 1, 2012 – As the New England Patriots and New York Giants prepare to play on the biggest stage of all for football fans – the XLVI Super Bowl, February 5, 2012, Indianapolis, Ind. — the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, points to the role of the team Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) in optimizing functionality, endurance and overall conditioning. Dr. Michael Miller of the Patriots and Dr. Robert DeStefano of the Giants explain that chiropractic is fundamental to the consequences of jarring impacts, enhancing body mechanics and joint motion while improving structural balance vital to preventing and addressing many common injuries.

“Professional athletes rely greatly on the coordinated efforts of the entire healthcare team, comprised of athletic trainers, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, orthopedists and chiropractors,” says Dr. DeStefano. “With the exception of 24/7 availability, preparing for Super Bowl is no different than the regular season. As injuries present themselves, we work systematically to provide the athlete with the care needed. In the end, we hope for quick recovery and high-level performance.”

Dr. Miller, who notes that the Patriots have dedicated their season and championship wins to Myra Kraft, the late wife of the team’s owner Robert Kraft, adds, “Most of our players will get adjusted prior to games to adequately prepare their bodies for battle. Several times during the playoffs, incidents occurred that required chiropractic care and, subsequent to sideline treatment, players were able to return to action the following play. We expect to have the same efficiency going into and during the Super Bowl.”

Watch Video!  Meet-the-Giants-Chiropractor

Viewed by both teams as a valuable healthcare component, chiropractic care is commonly used to address neuromusculoskeletal strain injuries, including neck pain, low back pain, strains to the hamstring and quadriceps, and certain whiplash injuries. Additionally, it provides treatment for other extremity problems, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), carpal and tarsal tunnel misalignments, and shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle tribulations.

Being involved with the Patriots for over 30 years, Dr. Miller knows first-hand that the players appreciate the service he provides, and he is excited to enter another Super Bowl together, sharing, “As we get closer, I’m reminded of a mantra from head coach Bill Belichick who says, „Do your job. If done well, it will reap rewards.‟ I wish both teams health through this next game and may the best team WIN!”

To learn more about professional football and chiropractic, visit the Professional Football Chiropractic Society, an organization that encompasses chiropractors from all 32 NFL teams, including Dr. Miller and Dr. DeStefano, which provide the highest quality chiropractic to the elite athletes.

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Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

I guess my issue with this wallet is my issue with America in general and how disconnected we are with our bodies and what we do to them.  I would not be surprised if this person blamed genetics on their problems! (oh, my father had sciatica, too!) WAKE UP AMERICA!  Sitting on a 4 inch thick wallet will cause problems. BIG PROBLEMS!! Funny thing is that there was less than $20 in that sucker. I can’t believe what people do to their bodies!  There is a victim mentality when it comes to the state of people’s health:

• “It runs in my family” is the biggest excuse I hear
• My husband “gave me” his cold – your immune system strength is your responsibility
• “Oh, it’s just Stress” – like there is nothing that can be done about it.  FYI: Stress KILLS!

I am writing about this because I am on the front lines when it comes to helping people get well and the insanity by which people live boggles my mind. There are so many excuses that I hear on a daily basis and the truth is that when the time comes where health slips away, no amount of time, money or energy will be enough to bring it back.

Please let me help you help yourself.  I am here to assist and yet cannot do it for you.  I can’t make you eat veggies, drink water, get adjusted, exercise, relax and be good to yourself.  Lets work together so that You Can Be Well, too!!

P.S.  Check out this link to give you more info on why NOT to put a wallet in your back pocket.

The Wallet-in-Back-Pocket Back/Pain Connection

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net