What are Primitive Reflexes?
Babies in the womb and newborns do not have a fully developed ability to make decisions. Several reflexes develop to help a baby to grow properly and safely. Reflexes help in the birthing process, with breastfeeding and gripping onto things. Examples of these reflexes include Moro, Juvenile Suck, Rooting, Palmar, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck, Spinal Galant and few more….
 
What is Retained Neonatal Reflexes (RNR)?
As a baby matures and grows, these reflexes are no longer needed. They should take a “back seat” as higher order brain control takes control. Those reflexes should “go away” as the baby grows at certain age. However, issues such as birth trauma and various factors that lead to developmental restrictions can cause those reflexes to remain dominant. Consequently, the nervous system will automatically react inappropriately and undesirably in certain situations.
Signs of RNR?
There are many signs of RNR. Some are “soft”, some are “hard”, many are often overlooked because perhaps it’s just “part of life” or “part of growing up” or “that’s just how he/she is”. Below are some of the signs of RNR:

• Poor Coordination
• Low Gross and Fine Motor Skill
• Chronic neck/shoulder pain
• Poor balance
• Temper Tantrums
• Anxiousness / Separation anxiety
• Hyperactive / Easily distracted
• Impulsive
• Speech/Articulation problems
• Poor concentration / Lack of retention
• Chewing on objects
• Poor bladder control
• Inability to sit still
• Just to name a few….

 
What can be done about it?
Chiropractic care helps in regulating the nervous system by promoting balance, ensuring the system to not be “overactive” or “underactive”. It removes signal interference for the brain and body to communicate appropriately which can affect coordination and motor functions. Specific RNR techniques and exercises can also be applied to integrate RNR. If you are curious about RNR on whether or not it is affecting your kids and perhaps even you! Book in a consult with us!

​
Reference:

• Walker, S – Retained Neonatal Reflexes: A revolutionary approach to treating children with learning difficulties and behavioural problems. Booklet. 

Headache disorders in 2019 ranked 14th among global causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) counting all ages and all genders.(1) The World Health Organization reported headache disorders are among the most common disorders of the nervous system and many of these don’t get diagnosed appropriately.(2) Clinically, people who have acute headache often get a better outcome versus people who have chronic headache. The better outcome is believed to be a result of early intervention.
 
More known causes of headache include stress, infection, trauma and injuries. Headache is common after concussion; especially headaches experienced post car accident or injuries in contact sport. Furthermore, abnormal muscle tension around the head and neck region could be to blame. Headache can often be a result from bad posture, prolonged period of inactivity or an inappropriate fit of your pillow. Spinal manipulation including chiropractic care is recommended in migraine sufferers’ and in cases where headaches are originated from the cervical (neck) region.(3)
 
There are some lesser known causes of chronic headaches we often see in practice. We know identifying the cause of a headache is the foundation to a resolution! These are 3 tips that not many people think that can contribute to headaches.
 
1. Dehydration
With less water intake, the concentration of toxins (metabolic waste) within our body goes up, think about alcohol consumption! This can create general hypertonicity (high tone) in human body and sometimes leads to headaches.
 
2. Lack of sleep
A study in 2011 suggested lack of sleep is linked to more painful headaches due to the decrease in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.(4) REM sleep is believed to be helpful in long term memories, learning and mood regulation. This study found lack of sleep increase the chronic inflammation, reducing pain threshold; especially for headache.
 
3. Vitamin B2
​Vitamin B group plays an important role in supporting a healthy nervous system. Gut bacteria can produce a small amount of Vitamin B2 but far from enough for a suggested daily intake. As the human body doesn’t store vitamins, dietary intake becomes the main source for our body. In a recent systematic review, supplementation of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is found to significantly reduce migraine days, duration and pain intensity.(5)
 
These are great tips to stay away from headaches, there are many more reasons that can cause a headache, some can be life threatening. Newly developed headache should be taken seriously and it is recommended to consult your health professional/s. If you or your loved ones experience chronic headache, give us a call and see how we can help manage your concerns!

Reference

1.         Steiner T, Stovner L, Jensen R, Uluduz D, Katsarava Z. Migraine remains second among the world’s causes of disability, and first among young women: findings from GBD2019. BioMed Central; 2020. p. 1-4.
2.         Organisation WH. Headache Disorder 2016 [updated 8 April 2016. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders.
3.         Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, Marcoux H, Potter B, Ruegg R, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2011;34(5):274-89.
4.         Durham P, Garrrett F, Hawkins J, Hayden J, Campos J. REM sleep deprivation promotes sustained levels of proteins implicated in peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal nerves: role in pain chronification. The Journal of Pain. 2011;12(4):P31.
5.         Chen Y-S, Lee H-F, Tsai C-H, Hsu Y-Y, Fang C-J, Chen C-J, et al. Effect of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2021:1-12.

​There is mounting evidence for the positive effect of chiropractic adjustments to shift your autonomic system which may help you manage stress and boost your mood.
 
Chiropractic care has been shown to have an impact on our autonomic nervous system comprising of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  These systems are vital for regulating normal function of our bodies including our stress response to external stimuli. Interestingly, parasympathetic stimulation is also considered an effective therapy for major depression as it releases various chemicals and hormones such as neurotrophins which are essential for anti-depressive therapies, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor.(1)
 
Many studies have explored chiropractic cranial and vertebral adjustments, and spinal manipulative therapy in relation to autonomic functions. The parasympathetic nervous system arises from the cell bodies of cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X, and XI in the brainstem and from the second, third, and fourth sacral segments of the spinal cord. The cell bodies of the sympathetic fibers are in the lateral horns of the spinal cord of segments T1 through L2.(2)
The parasympathetic nervous system is related to the upper cervical region, so a cervical manipulation or adjustment results in a parasympathetic response (lowering of heart beat, reduction of blood pressure, pupil constriction), whereas manual adjustment of spinal regions with significant sympathetic innervation, i.e. the upper thoracic and lumbar regions, produces a sympathetic response (heart beat stimulation, blood pressure increase, pupil dilation).(1)
Several studies have been done observing the change in the autonomic nervous system after an adjustment by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) before and after manipulation showing a clear shift to parasympathetic predominance due to the change in HRV values post adjustment.(3)
In a different study, Diastolic pressure was observed (indicating a sympathetic response) which dropped significantly post-adjustment among those receiving cervical adjustments, accompanied by a moderate clinical effect (0.50). Pulse pressure increased significantly among those receiving cervical adjustments, accompanied by a large effect size (0.82), suggesting that cervical adjustments may result in parasympathetic responses, whereas thoracic adjustments result in sympathetic responses.(2)
More research is needed in this area- however these early findings are exciting! If you or you know anyone who is interested in this give us a call for a consult!
 
References
1.         Kiani AK, Maltese PE, Dautaj A, Paolacci S, Kurti D, Picotti PM, et al. Neurobiological basis of chiropractic manipulative treatment of the spine in the care of major depression. Acta Biomed. 2020;91(13-s):e2020006.
2.         Welch A, Boone R. Sympathetic and parasympathetic responses to specific diversified adjustments to chiropractic vertebral subluxations of the cervical and thoracic spine. Journal of chiropractic medicine. 2008;7(3):86-93.
3.         Roy RA, Boucher JP, Comtois AS. Heart rate variability modulation after manipulation in pain-free patients vs patients in pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009;32(4):277-86.
 

​Ankle pain can be commonly related to back issues due to our body’s compensatory mechanisms, it also of course may be a result of injury. A common diagnosis of ankle pain is Achilles’ tendinopathy which is located at the back of your foot. The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, and serves as the conjoined tendon for the calve muscles consisting of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.(1)
 
Causes are multi-factorial, with both extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors likely contributing. Extrinsic risk factors include training errors, increased training volume or physical activity, environmental variables or improper footwear. Intrinsic risk factors to consider include abnormal ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, abnormal subtalar joint range of motion, decreased ankle plantar flexion strength, increased foot pronation, increasing age, and genetic factors. Co-morbidities of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesteremia, and diabetes can also contribute, and the presence of systemic inflammatory disease.(2)
 
In a recent study completed this year, the application of lumbar spine manipulation may help manage improvements in Achilles’ tendinopathy. Improvement in all outcome measures was noted 6-months post intervention. Outcome measures indicated substantial improvements in both the patient's pain and disability. The patient was able to perform activities of daily living without difficulties, suggesting higher level of function and quality of life at 6-months post initial evaluation.(3)
 
Beyond strictly manipulating a location of dysfunction, it was believed that improving lumbar mobility would improve gait mechanics by decreasing compensation. The patient was able to perform more heel raises with less pain reported, and with improved pain values noted at the Achilles tendon.
 
Joint mobilization and manipulation were utilized in addition to eccentric exercise, with immediate improvements in symptoms and function noted, which were maintained at discharge (12 weeks) and follow-up (nine months). Healing may take several months in chronic conditions and may partially be due to the lack of vascularity to the tendon. Initial conservative treatment measures should begin with relative rest and activity modification to provide pain relief and time for the tendon to heal.(2)
 
According to recent literature Chiropractic mamangement appears to be a safe and effective intervention in the rehabilitation of chronic tendinopathic dysfunction.(1)
 
If you would also like to talk about in shoe foot support have a chat to one of our Doctors of Chiropractic.
 
 
REFERENCES
1.         Jayaseelan DJ, Kecman M, Alcorn D, Sault JD. Manual therapy and eccentric exercise in the management of Achilles tendinopathy. J Man Manip Ther. 2017;25(2):106-14.
2.         Papa JA. Conservative management of Achilles Tendinopathy: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(3):216-24.
3.         Savva C, Kleitou M, Efstathiou M, Korakakis V, Stasinopoulos D, Karayiannis C. The effect of lumbar spine manipulation on pain and disability in Achilles tendinopathy. A case report. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. 2021;26:214-9.