Natural Health Options in Disability

1. Natural Health Options in Disability Dr WAYNE GARD CHIROPRACTOR ♦ ACUPUNCTURIST ♦ NATUROPATH 1 Secant St Liverpool (Near Westfields) 96009593 gardchiropractic@people.net.au www.gardchiropracticclinic.com.au

2. Who Am I and Why Should You Listen To Me? • Wayne Gard is a qualified Chiropractor, Naturopath, and Acupuncturist • He has been serving Liverpool residents for 23 years. • Served as a Sports Chiropractor at the 2009 World Masters Games. • Examiner and Tutor at Macquarie University • He is a keen amateur athlete, enjoys swimming, running and bike riding.

3. 1. Health is a Sliding Scale • Strength • Flexibility • Fitness • Positive Mental Attitude • Posture • Immunity • Digestion • Sleep • Pain Free • Good Skin and Hair • Fertility • Energetic • Ease of breathing • All tests normal • Loss of Strength • Loss of Flexibility • Loss of Fitness • Negative Mental Attitude • Poor Posture • Lowered Immunity • Decreased Digestion • Sleep Problems • Frequent pain • Skin & hair problems • Fertility problems • Fatigue • Poor breathing • Chiropractic/Naturopathic tests positive • Medical tests normal • Arthritis • Bulging Spinal Discs • Pinched Nerves • Depression & Anxiety • Cancer, Colds & Flu’s • Reflux. Ulcers, constipation • Insomnia • Pain • Heart Disease • Eczema, Psoriasis • Infertility • Asthma • Chiropractic/Naturopathic/ Medical tests all positive

4. What is required to live a healthy life? 3 THINGS: 1. A healthy nervous system – your nervous system controls every part of how your body works. • If you are out of alignment your nervous system does not work properly and so your health gradually worsens 2.Oxygen – it is crucial to breath correctly. • This ensures enough oxygen is absorbed. • To breath properly we need 2 things • Correct body alignment so that your rib cage is able to expand far enough • Regular exercise – to train our lungs to breath deeply 3.Correct Nutrition – Food and Supplements • Food = Diet = Carbohydrates 60% (fruit and veges), Protein 30% (meat, beans, nuts and seeds), Fat 10% (healthy fats), and Water (2 litres a day) • Supplements = Nutrients that are too low in our diet

5. What is Natural Healing? Concepts! Your body is self-healing and self-regulating. Self-Healing= Your body will try to heal itself from trauma and injury. Self-Regulating = Things like temperature, blood pressure, sweating and breathing are all regulated automatically. Given the right natural treatments and lifestyle modifications your body will be able to enjoy optimal health.

6. Chiropractic CareManagement of Spine Related Disorders

7. Your Spine Controls Your Body

8. Did you know that your Brain and Spine control every other part of the body? • Nerve signals – Brain > Spine > Organs > Spine > Brain. • It’s a never ending, constant process • SO if your spine is misaligned then your body can’t work properly! • This includes controlling your: Pain, Strength, Balance, Co-ordination, Flexibility, and Energy levels! • Your Spine is easily misaligned from birth trauma, falls, injuries, bumps, poor posture, incorrect sporting technique, car accidents etc. • 60% of spinal disorders are genetic – inherited from your family! • Most spinal problems do not cause pain - waiting for pain is waiting too long!!! • We only feel 10% of our misalignments.

9. The Brain

10. Brain Based Chiropractic • Chiropractic neurology combines the best of neurological science and traditional chiropractic. It is well accepted that chiropractic adjustments of the spine affect the function of the nervous system. • Since the 1990’s, research continues to explain the complexity of the nervous system and the effects of manipulation and other non-drug related therapies. • Throughout life the brain is constantly changing (Plasticity) as a consequence of our experiences, physical activity, and environment. • Most people develop one part of the brain more so than another. • This is why some people are more artistic (right brain) than analytical (left brain) and visa versa. • When the processing of neurological signals decreases to a critical level, brain asymmetry develops decreasing human potential leading to dysfunction and disease. • Sometimes this faulty processing can cause internal dysfunction that you were not aware was a neurological problem associated with the brain and nervous system. • Chiropractic neurology is brain-based chiropractic.

11. Brain AnatomyThe brain can be simply divided up into the brain stem, the cerebellum, the limbic system, and the cerebrum.Brain StemThe brain stem is continuous with the top of the spinal cord. It contains the vital centres controlling reflexes for breathing, along those for cardiovascular, visceral and organ tone.These centres are described as vital because they control functions essential for life. Each and every chiropractic treatment of the spine fires off centres within the brain stem. This affects both visceral and organ function and background muscle tone, -improving response.CerebellumThe cerebellum is that part of the brain at the back of the brain stem and tucked under the cerebrum at the back. It was originally thought to simply control only co-ordination of movement. Recently however, it has been found to be responsible for one's ability to reflexly think and problem solve as well as one's ability to be emotionally stable.The cerebellum processes the information from the spine regarding its mechanics, function, alignment and ability to move. This is hugely important for chiropractic because input from chiropractic adjustments go through the cerebellum and so everything affected by the cerebellum is affected, in turn, by the spinal adjustment.

12. Limbic SystemThe limbic system is the portion of the nervous system responsible for a state of well being and emotion. In mediating well being and emotion, the limbic system effects autonomic, hormonal and behavioural functions.The limbic system includes the amygdala, the hypothalamus, and the dorsal roots of the spinal cord at each vertebral level (our spine is involved in our emotions!). In this regard a direct connection at every level of the spine to the limbic system has been established. Consequently, the ability of the limbic system to function and express itself without interference requires a correctly aligned spine.CerebrumThe cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is covered by a six-layer cortex, which is unique to humans and is what essentially makes us human. The cerebrum controls consciousness, intelligence, reasoning, memory, personality and awareness. Cerebral function depends upon the quality of the function and information from all other areas of the brain and spinal cord.Improved input leads to improved output. Chiropractic adjustments improve the function of the spinal neural system. The result is improved function of the brain stem, the cerebellum, the limbic system, the cerebrum and the cortex.

14. Brain Treatment – Key Concepts • The Brain is Plastic – able to change, modify and indeed grow/shrink • The Brain is essentially a sensory organ that relies upon sensory input to grow, or indeed to survive eg sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste, movement, and spinal alignment • The sensory organs are controlled by Cranial Nerves, which come from the upper neck. • Blood supply to the brain is controlled by spinal nerves. • If Spinal Alignment is poor then the brain will not function as it should • Eg recent studies have shown that a degenerated spine results in a 10% reduction in brain size!

16. Naturopathy Is the use of Natural Nutritional and Herbal Medicines As part of the overall Nutrition of the Body Nutrition is 3 primary things: • Choosing the right food or supplement • Eat fresh, eat quality, variety, cook minimally • Digesting the food or supplement • Small mouthfuls, chew slowly, eat smaller meals more regularly, food combining • Eliminating waste products of foods or supplements • Through Bowel, Bladder, and Skin • Bowel and bladder function must be regular – 1-2 bowel movements per day • Poor elimination > toxin accumulation > multi-system health problems

17. Natural Medicine Care Health Problem Solving For The Disabled Obesity • increase nerve flow to digestive organs – increases digestion of food • Altered neural pathways in brain associated with hunger – reduce appetite, reduce desire for sugar and fat • Improved muscle tone and joint function – increased ability and desire to exercise • Nutritional products to increase metabolism of sugar and fats Over Reliance on Medications Eg Anti-Seizure, Anti-Psychotic, Pain and Inflammation, Hormonal • medications can be essential to control various biochemical pathways in the body • But they have some problems : • – dose too strong eg drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, constipation > lower quality of life - interaction with others • - unwanted side effects – cause other health problems, dependence/addiction • - are not disease Modifying – if drug is stopped the patient’s underlying condition is unaltered or even worsened (drug was masking disease progression) • Natural therapies can be used to reduce pain and inflammation, improve mood and behaviour, relax CNS excitability, help regulate hormonal function – neurologically and biochemically Reduced Mobility • can be due to restricted joint/muscle movements, poor co-ordination and balance • Gait disorders – weak muscles, contracted muscles – more than physiotherapy • Natural therapies can improve range of motion, strength, and balance

18. Poor Diet • poor neurological development associated with increased desire for salt, fat, sugar • Linked to fatigue/lethargy/low energy > craving stimulants = caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks) > short term hit – long term addiction and health problems. • Treatment aimed at increasing brain function > choosing higher nutritional value foods – • ie complex carbohydrates, high quality protein, EFA’s • – fish oil – DHA? – strong link to brain function Behavioural Issues Eg Aggression, Violence, Self Harm, Oppositional Defiance Disorder • treatment aimed at behavioural control areas of the brain • Next slide Lack Of Exercise Motivation – just don’t want to exercise. Can be brain based. Consequences – neurological deficits, circulation deficits (skin ulcers, pressure sores), reduced strength and balance, constipation, increased urinary tract infection, haemorrhoids etc Learning Disorders • treatment aimed at improving learning areas of the brain • Next slide

19. Ageing Population • Chronic Diseases and Consequent Disabilities: • - Arthritis – goals - improve mobility, increase strength, better balance (reduced falls – are a major source of injury) • - Cancer – improve immunity NKC enhancement • - Heart Disease – Hypertension – neurological – upper cervical – vagus Nerve, Baroreceptors – neck alignment, Elevated Cholesterol – there are nutritional and dietary management strategies • - Diabetes – mostly type 2 – 25% of ageing population • Nutritional options, insulin resistance • - Dementia – type 3 diabetes? • Obvious link to spine/brain connection • There are natural health care options for all of these chronic disease processes. • Mostly as Complimentary treatments – as opposed to Alternative treatments • These treatments aim to Modify the disease process and the effects of the disease process • Concept = Epigenetics – science emerging that genes can be changed thru treatment. • E.g. Telomeres – DNA – short = reduced health, longer = improved disease resistance • Nutrional remedies shown to be able to increase Telomere length !!!

20. Patient Examples • Our clinic has helped many people with disabilities – sometimes being able to reduce or stop medications, and prevent surgery. Mostly aimed at improving the quality of life. • Chiropractic Treatment is suitable for all ages and disabilities – modern care is gentle and safe • Treatment is aimed at each individuals neurological need, not their condition (Sliding Health Concept) • However specific conditions often have similar neurological needs Autism • Often have an oversensitivity to sensory input – light, touch, smell etc • Treatment aimed at dampening down the brains reactions to stimuli • Patient – stopped Ritalin Cerebral Palsy • Often have hypertonic muscle contraction and therefore stiff joints • Treatment aimed at relaxing agonists and toning antagonist muscles • Patient – avoided surgery to lengthen leg length imbalance Downs Syndrome • Often have hypermobile peripheral joints • Treatment aimed at spinal joint mobility – especially upper cervicals, cranials • Weak neck muscles – directly linked to flexor/extensor muscle motor output = brain • Higher incidence of Alzheimer's – heavy metal toxins from food, medications, environment? • Patient – chronic bowel obstructions – often related to pelvic alignment – previous multiple surgeries Profound Disability • Often have multiple systems failure • Treatment aimed at balancing brain based imbalances • Eg patient – self harming (head banging)– has been significantly reduced

21. Specific Conditions We Treat • Learning Disorders • Auditory Processing Delay - a disorder in the way auditory information is processed in the brain. It is not a sensory (inner ear) hearing impairment; individuals with APD usually have normal peripheral hearing ability. • Dyscalculia - a specific learning disability due to a defect in the brain's processing of graphic symbols. Dyscalculia is a learning disability that alters the way the brain processes numbers and mathematic skills. • Dyslexia - a specific reading disability due to a defect in the brain's processing of graphic symbols. Dyslexia is a learning disability that alters the way the brain processes written material. • Behavioural Disorders • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) / Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - refers to a pattern of ongoing, chronic behaviour disorders that have three core symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention • Autism - characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, and unusual and repetitive behaviour

22. Aspergers Syndrome - similar to autism, however patients with Aspergers have average or above average intelligence, and develop normally in the areas of language and cognition • Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) - a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills, most notably the ability to socialize with others, to communicate and to use imagination • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, such as cleaning, checking, counting, touching or hoarding. OCD is a potentially disabling condition that can persist throughout a person's life • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) - as many as one-third to one-half of all disabled people have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). These people are often disobedient and have outbursts of temper. • Tourette's Syndrome - a tic disorder characterized by the presence of chronic vocal and motor tics, and is somewhat more common in people with ADHD, OCD, or an autistic spectrum disorder than in the general population

23. Symptoms, Behaviours and Historical Markers of Developmental Disorders • These are some of signs to look for if there is a concern about a behavioural or learning disorder: • Poor attention or difficulty focusing • Difficulty understanding auditory instructions • Sitting still • Upright posture • Motor coordination (gross or fine) • Processing information (decision making ability) • Left/right handedness • Things to look for when concerned about delays in any of the classic development milestones: - Delayed crawling or walking, or skipping crawling • Extremely fussy infants • Isolated play – don’t tend to show a lot of emotion or make eye contact • Don’t seem to be bonding as well as other siblings may • Lack of non-verbal communication (social isolation)

24. Five common historical markers to look for include: • Difficult labour • Early ear infections • Colic • Delayed milestones in motor development of some sort (non-specific) • Delayed language

25. Non-Drug Treatments for Neurologic-Based Behavioural Disorders • Studies have shown that these disorders are less behavioural and more neurologic in nature and are related to the structural development of the pre-frontal cortex of the brain; main stimulus for increased growth are through the the motor system. • Our treatments target on increasing stimulation through the motor system to increase the development and function of the brain.

26. Chiropractic Neurology Treatments • Chiropractic Adjustments – Activator, Table Assisted, Manual • Mobilisation • Upper Cervical Adjustments • Organ Adjusting • Cranial Adjustments – Craniosacral Rhythm (Heart Beat, Respiration) - the bones of the skull can become fixated/jammed and can be gently released • Exercise Prescription • Nutritional and Herbal Prescribing • Acupuncture

41. Chiropractic Assessment It is a great idea to have your spine checked by a chiropractor. • Chiropractors use • Posture • X-rays • Computer scanning, • Physical examination to find nerve pressure

42. Posture Check

43. Spinal X-Ray Analysis

44. Computerised Spinal Scans • At Gard Chiropractic we use the latest technology for the objective assessment of nerve function in the paraspinal tissues. • Computerized Paraspinal Surface EMG and Thermography Scanning enables a better analysis of spinal function and more accurate monitoring of the changes and progress occurring as a result of your chiropractic care. • These are completely non invasive examinations performed within our office.

45. The EMG scan measures the amount of electrical activity generated from nerve stimulation of your paraspinal muscles. It also assesses the symmetry or balance of paraspinal postural muscle tone.

46. Thermography is used as an indicator of the balance of your Autonomic Nervous System, which controls and co-ordinates the glands, organs and blood vessels of the body. An essential component of good health.

47. Summary • Natural Therapy treatments are safe, gentle and effective • They can be used with significant benefit in the disabled patient • Current usage is very low – which is a shame • Chiropractic care is part of the Allied Health Care Professions • Covered by (and regulated by)the same government assistance as say physiotherapy – Medicare EPC, WorkCover, Motor Accident Authority, Veteran Affairs, and private health funds. • Dr Wayne Gard is currently caring for many patients with a wide range of disabilities

48. What’s the Next Step Goal is to create awareness of Chiropractic and Natural Therapies in the management of disabled people Goal is to encourage disabled persons (their decision makers) to attend our centre for an assessment Dr Wayne Gard can be contacted by phone or email to discuss any specific cases.