Prairie Health & Wellness Newsletter — July 2025, Edition 19
Pillar of the Month: Movement
Regular activity can reduce many risks for cardiovascular disease, including obesity, high blood pressure, blood sugar dysregulation, and more.
A Word from Dr. Kaileigh
The Many Benefits of Chiropractic Care
When I ask patients why they came into Movement by PHW for chiropractic care, most of the time, it is due to pain. While pain relief is one of the benefits of chiropractic adjustments, it is oftentimes just the first of many that patients experience. The human body was created in such a magnificent way that everything is connected from head to toe. While soft tissue and bones hold our structure together, the entire body is controlled and functions because of the nervous system.
The nervous system includes our brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body. The spinal cord is protected by the spinal column, and the brain is protected by the cranial bones. Our brain sends messages down our spinal cord and through our nerves to communicate with every cell and organ in our body. This communication pathway is a two-way street, so that the body can communicate its needs back to the brain. When our brains and bodies can communicate without disruption, the body is best able to function in a balanced state. However, when there is interference in that communication, it can cause pain, nervous system dysregulation, stress, inflammation, and so many other issues. One might ask what kind of interference there can be in the communication system of our body, and that is where the chiropractic evaluation of the spine comes into play.
As a chiropractor, we identify areas in the spine where there is restriction, or a lack of proper range of motion due to misalignment of the vertebrae. These areas are identified by motion palpation (touch), orthopedic tests, and subjective information. When there is a decrease in the range of motion of the spinal vertebrae, it can create pressure on the spinal cord, nerve roots, and nerves within the spinal column. This pressure can alter the tone of the nervous system, disrupting efficient and thorough communication between the brain and the body. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper range of motion to the spinal column, reducing pressure on the nervous system. This foundational effect is why chiropractic care offers a wide range of benefits—not just pain relief. When communication is restored through gentle adjustments that realign the joints of the spine, the nervous system can better regulate, and the body can be in balance.
Nervous System Regulation
There are two parts of our nervous system: sympathetic (fight or flight), and parasympathetic (rest and digest). When there is less pressure on the nervous system structures, the body can ebb and flow between these two states as needed. When pressure is present, the body tends to peak and valley between the two. It's quite common for patients to report improvements, such as better sleep, easier digestion and elimination, deeper and more comfortable breathing, and an overall calmer mental state after their adjustments. One of our patients hit the description of this feeling right on the head: "I feel like a chocolate bar sitting in the sun." A feeling of having our brain and body connected again, and in a state of ease.
Lymphatic Circulation
Our lymphatic system is located throughout our entire body. When there is restriction in the body, whether that is due to misalignment or because of nervous system tone, the flow of this system is extremely restricted. When the lymphatic system flow is restricted, there can be swelling and puffiness that leads to pain, congestion, and a buildup of toxicity in the body. When a chiropractic adjustment is given, the muscles relax, and the joints have restored range of motion. This enables muscles to more efficiently pump lymphatic fluid, supporting the body's waste removal process. Many patients have an easier time with elimination after adjustments. Ear and sinus congestion can also clear out when the cervical spine and cranium are moving well.
Pregnancy and Postpartum
Studies have shown that pregnant women who see a chiropractor trained in the Webster Technique tend to experience more comfortable pregnancies, fewer interventions during labor and delivery, and smoother postpartum recoveries. When we keep mom's body in alignment and balance, it aids in baby being in optimal fetal positioning. This allows mom to be more comfortable throughout pregnancy and allows labor and delivery to be shorter and more comfortable as well. As a mother is recovering postpartum, chiropractic adjustments can help her body heal and restore range of motion from the journey she has been on.
Pediatric
What many people don't realize is that babies can be adjusted shortly after they are born! Oftentimes, the birth process and even pregnancy can put a lot of strain on a baby's body, which leads to pressure on their nervous system. This can present in a number of different ways: breastfeeding issues, colic symptoms, head turning preference, constipation, and sleep issues. As babies grow, they go through different milestones and eventually take off running, jumping, and spinning into being children! Childhood activities can cause a number of injuries, both big and small, and chiropractic adjustments help children thrive and stay healthy. Children will often report adjustments making them feel more relaxed and more connected to their bodies.
Cranial Adjustments
Cranial adjusting is an effective and gentle way of restoring the craniosacral flow of cerebrospinal fluid and releasing tension in the head. The benefits of cranial adjusting include: TMJ pain relief, headache relief, ear and sinus congestion relief, relaxation of the nervous system, and decreased neck pain. Nine times out of ten, cranial adjusting is reported to be our patients' favorite part of their adjustments.
While chiropractic adjustments are gentle and simple, they have a big impact on our bodies. Although many patients initially come in due to pain, they quickly realize how the adjustments benefit their bodies and nervous systems in various ways. If the nervous system controls it, chiropractic adjustments can improve it.
Assisted Stretch
Assisted stretch sessions are individualized, one-on-one sessions designed to release tight muscle tissues and facilitate blood flow to restricted areas of the body. Assisted stretching can be helpful for stiff muscles due to misuse, underuse, overuse, strength training, chronic pain, and more. Stretch sessions can be scheduled for a quick 30-minute localized stretch approach or a 60-minute full-body stretch-a-thon!
Supplement Highlight: Curcumin MD
Curcumin MD is a highly bioavailable form of curcumin, which is derived from the well-known spice, turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to support a healthy response to inflammation in many tissues in the body, including the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Curcumin MD uses quillaja extract, along with delta- and gamma-tocotrienols and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) to support the absorption of curcumin.
FMS: Functional Movement Screen
This is an annual assessment used to evaluate basic movement patterns that you need to form more complex movement. We use this test to identify areas of weakness so you can have specific areas of improvement to work on in your movement routine. It is also helpful as a baseline measurement to watch for patterns of improvement or decline over time. Give us a call and schedule your assessment today!
PHW Podcast: Episode 005
Dr. Marvin chats with Dr. Kaileigh McLaughlin about the evolution of chiropractic care and PHW's root-cause approach to mobility, covering integrated services, pediatric care, the Webster Technique, fascia, and common misconceptions.
EPISODE 005 - CHIROPRACTIC CARE WITH DR. KAILEIGH MCLAUGHLIN
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