Category: Melanie Young

When can a soother/pacifier/dummy be a good thing for a new baby?

4/19/2020

Parents are often scared away from using a soother with their baby, due to images of seeing a toddler with the plug stoppering their mouth when they are out and about each day. They have concerns it is silencing the child, plus damaging their dentition (how their teeth are aligned) along with getting disapproving looks from well meaning adults around them. Using a soother from a young age may reduce the amount of milk a baby takes in each day and affect the amount of nutrition they receive right at the time they are growing the fastest.

These are all valid concerns.

However, if you have a baby who is feeding well and gaining impressive weight each week, but is quite upset and spilling milk after each feed, they may benefit from a soother in the first few months. New mums are often concerned about milk supply and a baby latching well and sucking sure brings on more milk. Some mum’s have an excess of supply and a strong flow, so that when the baby suckles they receive a large amount of milk in a relatively short time.

Combine an excess milk supply with a baby who really needs to suck to provide themselves comfort and you may have a problem which can be overlooked.

Why do some babies need to suck to provide comfort?

Sucking helps allow the milk to move down through the digestion process, by stimulating the flow of saliva and downward contractions of the tube to the stomach. It also increases the rate of stomach emptying. This is helpful if your baby might have symptoms of acid reflux.

Some babies have a sore head and/or neck from birth - maybe caused by a long labour, especially if they get stuck for a while, the cervix is slow to open and the baby’s head can get affected/compressed in the birth canal. Then forceps or ventouse (suction) may be required to help the baby reposition and assist them out of the birth canal. This situation is much more common in first time mums and their babies.

Osteopathically what we may see is a baby with a headache. Of course the new baby is unable to tell us they have a headache, except by crying and being less settled than expected. This can be hard work for parents and they can feel upset that they are unable to provide comfort to their baby.

How do we know the baby has a headache?

Experienced paediatric osteopaths palpate thousands of heads each year, in all ages. We see the child who is four years old and able to point to an area of their head and say it hurts, the two year old who may be able to put a hand on their forehead and give a tired look. This gives us clues to what a headache feels like under our trained hands, in a non-verbal baby or child. Using our hands very gently we are able to palpate the strains in the membranes that surround the bones of the head in all ages and diagnose and very gently treat those strains, utilising the body’s self healing mechanism.

Without gentle osteopathic care, what is the baby with a headache going to do? They will want to suck more often as pressure on the hard palate, the roof of their mouth, can help (via the vertical vomer bone), to relieve the tightness in the membranes around the sphenoid bone, which sits across the front of the head, right behind the eyes.

If this situation of a sore head and excess sucking is combined with a mum with lots of milk, the baby may get so much milk that they will start vomiting up the excess. They want to suck to get pain relief, but don’t actually need extra milk. Then the use of a finger, turned upwards so the soft pad is available for the roof of the baby's mouth, will certainly help. Of course, parents do need a rest or to be hands free from the baby at times, so they can eat or have a shower. This is when the soother can be a helpful tool.

Research shows that babies under the age of 4-6 months are not able to be sleep trained, their nervous system is not able to form the memories required, so in the early months, I recommend parents do whatever they can to help their new baby’s nervous system be calm and happy. Babies need cuddles, milk and sleep, lots of it. You may have heard of the ‘fourth trimester’ - the stage where your baby would still be in your uterus if they could be, however they would be getting too big for the mum to move around or to birth. So instead, as parents you need to provide the snuggles, jiggles, warmth and a variety of white noises just like they would have had in your uterus, so your baby can be really relaxed and get enough sleep.

Newborns generally need to sleep 16-20 hours in a 24 hour period.

This fourth trimester is also where the soother can come in for some babies. If they seem happier and it helps them stop spilling milk, you can use the soother without any feelings of guilt. It won't affect their dentition at this age, they won't be a toddler with a soother in their mouth all day long, as you can get rid of the soother around the 4-6 months period. Each baby is individual in this regard and you will hopefully get an indication that they don’t need the soother as much - they may start to refuse it, they may spit it out at night and then want you to find it and put it back in. That would be a good time to remove it altogether. As your baby grows bigger and their digestive system develops, they will manage any excess milk better and will be able to learn to soothe themselves for their sleep.

I will just mention that sometimes paediatric osteopaths see toddlers or preschoolers who really want and need the soother due to tightness or pain in their head. I have heard mothers say they feel very guilty about letting the child have the soother at this older age, so they take the soother away, or only allow it in the cot or bed. However, if that young child actually needs the soother to help their head feel better, then it’s kind and necessary to let them have it as a temporary measure. Once a paediatric osteopath gently treats the toddler a few times and the strains in their head ease, they will no longer get the headaches nor need the soother. The child is able to grow without head pain, their dentition can be helped back to normal, there is no more stigma of having a soother as an older child and everyone is happier.

Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
New Zealand

Phone 04 4991439

http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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Why do my joints click? Can I Be Click Free and Pain Free?

7/16/2019

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Is it good to click my own back and/or neck?

If I click often, will the tightness in my back get worse over time?

Do you like to click your own neck or back with a twist or side bend, as it gives you temporary relief of a tight or sore back or neck? Do you find find that ‘relief window’ is reducing and you are clicking more and more often to get out of pain or tightness? Have you wondered why this is? Is your pain and tightness increasing?

First, to be completely upfront, as a full-time ballet dancer in my late teens and early twenties, I used to crack my back multiple times per day. I would rotate, using a chair back to get more leverage and the cracking would help my painful and tight back feel better - but only temporarily. The problem was, that by rotating my whole spine I was unable to locate or focus the click to the tight/stubborn joints, instead the loosest joints which were already the most unstable in my whole spine/neck, would click and this would stretch the ligaments that were meant to be supportive, and make those joints even more unstable.

This would then result in the muscles either side of the spine tightening up further to try to stabilise the spine and I would be clicking my back again even sooner. I found out from personal experience that clicking ones own spine/neck is a dead end of discomfort and won’t lead you back to comfort and health.

Research has now shown that clicking joints in your fingers will not cause arthritis, however if you click your spine repeatedly and end up with very tight muscles in your back, these strong muscles are likely to compress your spine over time. This can contribute to earlier onset of ‘wear and tear’ or osteoarthritis in the small joints and may also cause damage over time to your intervertebral discs which form the large weight bearing joints of your spine. You really don’t want this to happen as it can lead to chronic pain and even back surgery.

Fortunately I stopped clicking my back many years ago now, with help from a Registered Osteopath who would help balance up the ligaments (which form the structural support of the spine) so that each vertebra was facing the forwards (not side bent nor rotated) and doing its fair share of the workload. They also gave me the right kids of exercises and treated my back gently to calm down the irritable input from the nerves in the area so my muscles were able to return to a normal tone/length. I then felt comfortable again in my back. This meant my need to click my back reduced and over time I was able to drop this painful habit.

As an osteopath for over twenty years now, I have been able to help multiple people get out of clicking their own back/neck.

The problem was highlighted for me as an important issue to address with my patients when many years ago I saw a woman in her thirties with a very acutely painful low back, about a 9/10 in pain severity - when I asked her to count how often she clicked her back, she was surprised to discover she was clicking her low back six times every hour by sticking her tailbone momentarily backwards. The problem had started with falling off a horse a few years before. Initially she was only clicking once a day, but over time her lowest back joint - her lumbo-sacral joint, had become more loose/hyper mobile. With excessive clicking and the destabilising effect this has, the muscles around the joint were continually tightening up due to the strain of trying to give her back the support it needed and this contributed to her pain. Fortunately we were able to help her get out of the habit of clicking and stabilise her back so she no longer needed to click and became pain free.

Often an injury can set you on the road to frequent clicking and increasing pain. Then it is advisable to seek help from a qualified practitioner such as a qualified physical therapist or registered osteopath who can treat the strains in the body still present from the injury, then help guide you to a full recovery.

Helping you out of the habit of clicking your own back/neck usually includes gentle hands on treatment to balance up the structures involved, free up the tight muscles and fascia and teach you simple alignment or stabilisation exercises as indicated. Over time the previously unstable parts of your spine will become more stable and resilient again with every part of your spine doing its fair share of the work and movement and no longer needing to be clicked. Then your back or neck pain will ease up and become a thing of the past!

Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
New Zealand

Phone 04 4991439
http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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How to keep mobile and supple as you get older

10/1/2018

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People around fifty years of age or earlier will usually notice their joints getting stiffer and muscles tighter.

As a Registered Osteopath, I hear this a lot in practice, “Oh it's just getting older” is usually the phrase. However have you stopped to think if that is really the case? It is true that our tissues lose some elasticity with the reduction in collagen as we head beyond fifty, however research has shown it is a case of “use it or lose it” rather than the passing years that determines how mobile we are as we get older.

Movement is crucial for ‘oiling’ our joints with synovial fluid and improving the blood supply carrying nutrients and oxygen to every one of our nine trillion cells in our body.

Here are the top seven points for keeping mobile as we age:

Develop a daily routine of gentle stretches - this can be a short as five minutes but needs to be done daily. Once you start, be determined to continue each day for the whole week, then add another week till you get to 3 or 4 weeks and then decide if it is helpful to you. Not missing a day means you can never go through being stiff and sore again!
Time your stretches for the same time each day, at a time that works for you. People often find either first thing before breakfast, or when first home from work or just before bed are the best times in their busy schedule. I could say that “you wouldn't miss brushing your teeth for a day so think of your mobility exercise like that and don't miss a day!”
Start gently and slowly build up. Some days you may only manage a couple of minutes and do your favourites, but at least you have not missed a day. Over time you might start to enjoy them so much you go to ten minutes or even twenty minutes on the weekend and really feel the benefits. Adding in a weekly class in Pilates or yoga with a qualified and experienced teacher is also very beneficial to support the daily practice and correct any technique issues you may have.
If you are not sure what exercises to start with, ask one of our Reg. Osteopaths, we are experts in anatomy, physiology and suitable exercises. Also if we have treated you, we are pretty clued up about what will be best for your body too!
Walking is usually a good way to get moving and within most people's ability. Try to walk on natural ground, that is surfaces that have some 'interest' to them rather then just flat pavements. Using minimalist footwear can really help improve the amount of proprioceptive feedback your central nervous system gets from your feet and legs which can be very helpful in reducing some forms of back pain.
Ideally get your partner, friends or whole family joining in! If you can encourage each other, this will help you keep going. Also the whole family and your friends benefit, with better posture and mood (think blood to brain and more exercise induced endorphins).
Add some balance exercises in there, this can be as simple as standing on one foot as you brush your teeth. Right foot for the top teeth, left foot for the bottom teeth. Falls are what can really set a person back when they are getting older, its the fall and break a hip which may be the injury never quite recovered from.
(PS: If you have already fallen then you don't need a doctors referral to come see one of our osteopaths. We can help you fill out the ACC forms in our clinic. We are able get you back on your feet in the nicest possible way then give you some suitable exercises to help prevent recurrence and to improve your overall wellness and mobility).

Finally, I can report this works, not just from research but from my experience, having just completed nearly five years of daily mobility and strengthening exercises without missing a day. I feel SO good with this daily routine. I found by committing to it and waking a bit earlier I have been able to fit it into each day, while working full-time as an Registered Osteopath and small business owner and being mum to two primary school age children.

"If you can allocate the small amount of time and make a commitment to yourself to do it daily, I promise you that keeping mobile as you age, IS possible!"

Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
New Zealand

Phone 04 4991439

http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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Better Health and Energy with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

4/29/2018

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Myeloma Progression Stalls in the Face of Dietary Changes and Increased Oxygen to the Body’s Cells.

John is feeling healthy and energetic with his hyperbaric sessions

John, now 68 years of age, was first suspected of having a blood abnormality in June 2015 after a pre-op blood test, for a hip replacement. John says “The only symptoms, which had been appearing for approximately 18 months were small subcutaneous haemorrhages, randomly appearing around my neck and eyes. I only noticed these when looking in the mirror or when my wife pointed them out. I thought it might be my blood pressure tablets and/or Statins, as the symptom occurred in the same time frame as commencing these medications”.

“Smouldering Multiple Myeloma was first mentioned at my December 2015 appointment at Wellington Blood Cancer Centre, after further blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy” says John. Myeloma, also known as Multiple Myeloma or Plasma Cell Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells (mature B-lymphocytes) that usually arises in the bone marrow; it can cause tumours, which may occur in the bone marrow and/or on the surface of bones throughout the body. Under normal conditions, plasma cells produce antibodies that help protect the body from infection and disease. As myeloma cells multiply, they crowd the bone marrow and prevent it from making normal numbers of red cells, white cells and platelets. Myeloma cells can also interfere with the production of normal antibodies making the person more susceptible to disease and infection.

At his appointment, John’s specialist stated “His serum free light chain ratio is just greater than 100, which does categorise him at an increased risk of progression. At this stage he has a diagnosis of smouldering Myeloma, but I will arrange an MRI scan of his spine and pelvis to exclude lytic lesions which would be an indication of treatment”.

The hard chamber is cosy but comfortable. A technician is there to help you.

John’s MRI was normal, but the specialist could not explain the lesions on his neck and face.

“After my diagnosis and being told to do nothing by my Cancer Specialist” says John. “I thought that I should look at what would be sensible to do. I had already cut back food volume and alcohol intake with some success”. John started taking supplements thought to be beneficial to cancer patients, he started weekly Pilates classes and took a 30-minute walk before breakfast 3-4 times a week.

While visiting his osteopath for a sore shoulder in April 2016 John found out about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). “I then read about the decades of research summarising the benefits of HBOT. This led me to think that it was worth trying” says John.

You can read, sleep or listen to music in the chamber, its relaxing

HBOT treatment is received while lying in a mild HBOT chamber. It provides up to 1.5ATA in pressure, which is like being 5m under the sea. A powerful 10 litre oxygen concentrator is used to provide 93% oxygen through a mask/cannula for oxygen delivery in the chamber. Under normal circumstances, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells and a very small amount in plasma.

With HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all the body's fluids, the plasma, the central nervous system fluids, the lymph, and the bone. It can be carried to areas where circulation is diminished or blocked. In this way, extra oxygen can reach all the damaged tissues and the body can support its own healing process. The increased oxygen greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria [4]. Recent studies have shown that HBOT can induce cell apoptosis (cell death) of B-Myeloma cancer cells [1]. HBOT has also been shown to reduce swelling and stimulate neovascularisation and angiogenesis [2].

Oxygenated red blood cells and the surrounding fluid

John began mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) at City Hyperbaric in Central Wellington in May 2016, beginning with 40 x 60-minute sessions, which he completed in mid-August 2016 (with a 2-week holiday after 30 sessions). “I was a little concerned about lying enclosed in a cylinder” says John, “but found that any discomfort soon disappeared. I felt an immediate positive effect after starting mHBOT treatment. After about 10 sessions I had noticeably more energy, a spring in my step and less joint pain. The mHBOT technicians commented on how well I was walking and getting in and out of the chamber.

After about 20 sessions I noticed that, even though it was taking 1.5 hrs out of my working day, being self-employed, I was very productive and was invoicing at least as much as before starting treatment and I was also feeling less stressed. After a few weeks without treatment (despite still feeling well) I decided that it would be beneficial to continue treatment 2 times per week to maintain the positive effects. My current energy levels, joint pain, skin condition and general feeling of wellbeing are all very good despite working solidly in a very active construction industry”.

John continued with follow up visits to the specialist every three months with six monthly formal reviews. His doctors said that his Multiple Myeloma is still slumbering and stable, they told him it may never change but, if it does there is no current cure and it is very painful and fatal.

John’s blood test results appear to have remained stable or even improved since starting mHBOT treatment in May 2016.
In May 2017 Wellington Hospital Consultant haematologist stated that “John is well, he is asymptomatic. His blood tests are stable and in fact his paraprotein is slightly less. He has no evidence of progression”.
Recently, John said, “my ‘bloods’ have improved slightly, and I received a favourable report on Monday this week from my specialist that as time goes by, the chances of my Myeloma changing from ‘slumbering’ to full blown is increasingly less likely.
So, I think it is fair to say that there has been some improvement, which the cancer specialist said was not usual”.
John states “I believe if I continue to receive mHBOT treatment and look after my general health with diet and exercise, I have a great chance of maintaining my current healthy state with plenty of energy for my business and private life".

John says "I recommend mHBOT treatment to everyone but especially to people who have been diagnosed with untreatable cancer, aching joints, low energy levels, stress, panic attacks and who have had major joint replacement surgery. Anyone over 60 years old would benefit. I find the treatment to be a very tranquil and peaceful experience during which I can meditate or read. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has certainly given me a greater feeling of wellbeing and inner calm”.

City Hyperbaric would like you to please note, patient results may differ. We can guarantee we will give you our full attention and provide individual professional advice and a quality service, but cannot guarantee that you will have the same outcome as this case study.

All patients wanting to have mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy must have an initial HBOT medical with one of our trained practitioners to determine the best course of treatment for them.

For more information on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, visit cityhyperbaric.co.nz or phone the clinic 04 4491439.

Clinics are central city and eastern suburb based.

References:
[1] Chena S.Y, Chena P.S, Hob C. H, Lin Y. Y, Chengb J.K, Wang H.K, Sytwu H.K. Apoptosis of T-leukemia and B-myeloma cancer cells induced by hyperbaric oxygen increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Leukemia Research 31 (2007) 805–815.
[2] Stepien K, Ostrowski K.P, Matyja E. Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive therapy in treatment of malignancies, including brain tumours. Med Oncol (2016) 33:101.
[3] Moen I, Stuhr L.E.B. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cancer—a review. Targ Oncol (2012) 7:233–242
[4] Sahni T, Hukku S, Jain M, Prasad A, Prasad R, Singh K. Recent Advances in Hyperbaric OxygenTherapy. The Association of Physicians of India. Medicine Update, Volume 14, 2004.

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Sore back? Help is available at City Osteopaths in Wellington

4/17/2018

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Did you know that 60-80% of the general population will suffer back pain at some time in their lives? The incidence is highest in the 45-54 years old age group.

Would you like to know more about the causes of back pain?

Things that contribute to the likelihood of back pain are:
Poor health and nutrition
Increasing Age
Marked scoliosis
Reduced fitness
Loss of hamstring flexibility
Smoking
Psychological problems including Tension, Stress, Anxiety, Fear, Resentment and Depression
Drug abuse
Headaches
Neck pain
Leg discomfort
Stomach pains
Obesity
Poor quality of sleep
Excessive sitting
Pregnancy and caring for small children

For LBP in children (incidence 20-50%)
Too much TV
Competitive sports
Loss of hamstring flexibility
Birth strains and congenital anomalies which are problems a baby may be born with
Failure to receive appropriate treatment in growing years.

There are often many causes for the pain in your back and Osteopaths are even better trained than most medical doctors to figure out what has gone wrong, give you advice and treat appropriately so that most of the time your pain goes away quickly and you can avoid long term back pain, injections or surgery.

Osteopaths study for five years full-time at university to become very much a doctor of the musculoskeletal system. We study anatomy in great detail, along with physiology which is about how the body functions. We are trained to take a medical history, perform physical and osteopathic examination, appropriate orthopaedic and neurological tests and refer for x-rays to help us come up with a list of possible causes for your problem. Its always preferable when the cause of your pain is something we can treat and that is the case most of the time. When the cause is something else, we refer appropriately.

All our practitioners are trained to look for the CAUSE of the problem and fix that rather than recommend long term use of pain killers or antinflammatories to mask the pain which left untreated, has a tendency to get worse.

Why is it called Osteopathy? Well Dr AT Still who discovered osteopathy in the late 1800's in America said "You start with the bones". But its only a start and osteopaths look not only at your bones but muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, nerves, arteries, lymphatics and viscera. We look at your posture, your body type and your illness and accident history. We basically check you out from top to toe!

Example of a short lever manipulation of the lumbar spine

How do we fix things? Well, osteopaths have a wide range of technique approaches from the very gentle such as cranial which can be used on a new born baby, through functional, fascial, balanced ligamentous tension, muscle energy technique, GOT, and short lever manipulation. Osteopaths are known for their gentle approach, using only as much force as necessary to achieve a result. In a hip, knee or foot problem the cause may be coming from the muscles, ligaments, bones or discs of the back and once the nerve and blood supply are improved, the hip, knee or foot are healthy and pain free again. So often I hear "Oh it's just me getting old" (they are 45!) our treatment works wonders by getting the body functioning as its designed to.

Cranial osteopathy is very useful in trauma, for example where a fall has sprained the ligaments of the back and normal movement and exercise have been limited for many years due to pain, a skilled osteopath is able to gently remove the strain and help restore normal function. Its not uncommon to treat an injury that has been there many years and back and hip discomfort ease away.

If you have had an accident within the last year, there is no need to see your doctor, our Reg. Osteopaths can put you on ACC to cover treatment for osteopathy and also for acupuncture. ACC data from 2001-2017 covering around a half a million claims, shows that Osteopathy gets people better in half the number of treatments compared to Physiotherapists or Chiropractors. The average number of treatments required is 3 for Osteopaths vs 5-6 for Physios and Chiropractors.

Everyone's back problem is unique and will require a unique solution. That is why we have many skilled practitioners, with over 100 years combined clinical experience, all working together at City Osteopaths. We work with you to educate you about the CAUSE of your back pain and what you can do to help get yourself pain free and stay that way. We want to help you quickly back to health so you can get back to enjoying life, with long lasting results.

Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
New Zealand

Phone 04 4991439
http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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When can a soother/pacifier/dummy be a good thing for a new baby?

Why do my joints click? Can I Be Click Free and Pain Free?

How to keep mobile and supple as you get older

Better Health and Energy with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Sore back? Help is available at City Osteopaths in Wellington

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For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic,
Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment

When can a soother/pacifier/dummy be a good thing for a new baby?

Why do my joints click? Can I Be Click Free and Pain Free?

How to keep mobile and supple as you get older

Better Health and Energy with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Sore back? Help is available at City Osteopaths in Wellington

Categories

Archives

﻿For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic, Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment﻿

For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic,
Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment