In situations where a baby is breech, chiropractic care has been shown to be 85 percent effective in restoring balance to the pelvis and supporting ligaments and allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth. The technique utilized in a breech presentation is known as the Webster Technique. I became certified in this technique 6 years ago and have had many success stories in my practice. When a patient informs me that her baby is breech the first thing I discuss with her are her goals for the delivery. For some women it is very important to try to have a natural birth and for others they are okay with either birth scenario as long as the baby is healthy in the end. My job is to support her and her choice and to give her the appropriate recommendations to help her reach her goal.

Even when a woman has the best intentions and does everything right, sometimes nature has other plans. The Webster Technique is very effective in allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth. However, there are some instances where this goal is not achievable. When this occurs I do my best to stress the importance of trusting the process and the baby because at the end of it all a healthy baby and a healthy mama are the ultimate goals.

Stacey Cantrell, DC, FICPA

The good news is that now we know what causes cervical cancer (HPV!!!) and we have a very reliable test for HPV viral activity that can be easily obtained at the time of the routine pap smear. It is not recommended however to test young women for HPV activity as >90% of young women exposed to HPV will NOT have any significant abnormalities EVER on their pap smears and will NEVER develop cervical cancer; however the high number of initial positives that would be obtained by screening everyone would cause significant anxiety to many young women who will never have cervical problems; not to mention potentially leading to addition testing, procedures, etc that are NOT necessary! The HPV vaccine is designed to protect women from the most aggressive HPV sub-types; as you can see, with HPV exposure being so common and difficult to prevent, the vaccine is definitely recommended before sexual activity has occurred.

What is recommended, however, is the testing of all women over the age of 30, who have had normal pap smears for 10 years, for the presence of HPV activity. This represents HPV that has become “re-activated” or “active” without the women being aware. The HPV that is tested for is “high risk HPV”; the types that cause abnormal pap smears and cervical cancer. The intent of screening for HPV activity is to identify women who may have had “false negative” pap smears so they may be followed more closely; also this testing is so strong in identifying women who are at minimal risk for cervical abnormalities that it only needs to done every three years! (as well as the pap smear). It is important to also understand that the overwhelming majority of women who test positive for HPV will never develop cervical cancer; it is just a marker to identify women who need close follow up (this actually for most women just means another pap smear in one year).

Dr. Anne Rainville, MD

It is fair to say we have a sugar crisis on our hands. And it’s revealing itself in a variety of unfortunate ways: obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, infertility, cancer, depression, and the list of common modern-day ailments goes on. Certainly sugar is not the only factor contributing to our declining health, but it is definitely a major player.

In excess, sugar compromises our digestion and immune function, depletes vital nutrients from our bodies, cues our bodies to store fat, and interrupts important hormonal messages. It is also highly addictive, as most of us know from experience. When it comes to sugar, less is best. Many people turn to artificial sweeteners to avoid sugar, but most artificial sweeteners are just that: artificial. They are chemicals that the body perceives as toxins and they can hinder weight loss, exacerbate low blood sugar, and cause unhealthy food cravings (yes, even cravings for sugar!). The healthiest approach is to turn down the volume on your sweet tooth by reaching for whole, unprocessed foods and beverages.

Here are 5 tips to reduce sugar in your diet and feel a whole lot better:

1. Drink more water. When we are dehydrated we often feel tired, cranky and hungry so we reach for a candy bar or soda to boost us instead of a tall glass of what we really need – water! Take a water bottle wherever you go and sip throughout the day. Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to your water will make it tasty and easier to drink. The general rule of thumb is: drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day (but do not exceed 100 ounces per day).
2. Plan and Prepare. Sugar and white flour is everywhere around us so if you don’t plan and prepare your own meals and snacks, you will likely fall into the sugar trap by grabbing convenience foods when you are hungry. Some examples of easy, healthy snacks to keep on hand are whole fruits, raw nuts and seeds, cheese slices, hard boiled eggs, whole grain crackers with peanut or almond butter, and raw vegetables with hummus.
3. Eat more fiber and high quality proteins and fats. One of the best ways to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day and avoid cravings for sugar and starches is to center your meals and snacks around quality fiber, proteins and fats. They make you feel satisfied and provide excellent nutrition for the body. Examples include eggs, poultry, fish, cheese, yogurt, avocados, nuts, vegetables and whole fruits.
4. Limit refined grains. This includes white bread, white rice, white pasta, etc. Refined grains lack the fiber, minerals and vitamins that whole grains offer. They also raise blood sugar more quickly, which can lead to sharp drops in blood sugar (known as hypoglycemia, or “the sugar crash”) and subsequent cravings for sugars and refined starches. It’s a roller coaster ride that nobody wants to be on!
5. Remember: sweets should be treats. Desserts and sweets should be an occasional treat. (“What’s occasional?” you ask?) Try not to indulge your sweet tooth more than a few times a week. The less sugar you eat, the less you will crave it and the more room you’ll have in your diet for nourishing, health-promoting foods.

Most of us enjoy a sweet treat from time to time and that is normal and healthy. What works for many people is keeping the sweet stuff out of the house for the most part, and enjoying treats when they go out to restaurants or parties. Most people find that once they keep sugar and refined grains to a minimum, their unhealthy food cravings diminish rapidly. Some of the health benefits associated with reducing sugar (there are many!) include weight loss, increased energy and vitality, better sleep, fewer illnesses, and easier stress-coping. Replacing sugar and white flour with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods is one of the best things you can do for your health. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it!

In good health,

Isabel Aley, NTP, Nutritional Therapist