Dr Kristin Moore

Does My Child Have Scoliosis?

May 10, 2018 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

At Align Healing Center, I see a wide range of developmental and pain conditions. Out of every condition that I treat, there is nothing more rewarding than helping a child to reduce their degree of their scoliotic curve. All ages can suffer from the negative effects of scoliosis; however, children who are diagnosed and treated between the ages of 8-14 years of age have the best capability to reduce their curve. Adults can certainly suffer from the effects of scoliosis as well, however, since their spines are mature, they are much less likely to have a structural improvement.

What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a diagnosis, which is used to describe a lateral curve of the spine in either a C-shape or an S-shape. At this moment, we do not know what causes it, yet signs have shown that genetics may be a factor. There are many different types of scoliosis but they can all be put in two major categories.

1. Structural: the bones are actually physically shaped in a manor that causes the spine to curve. Typically this is congenital, however, traumas to the spine, or degeneration of the spine can also cause this as well.
2. Functional: muscles and ligaments have shortened and weakened causing the spine to curve unnecessarily. Most often this develops over time and is not something that a child is born with but it can develop over the first 8 to 14 years. There are many theories as to what causes functional scoliosis, however, at this point it is still unknown.

Why is scoliosis an issue?
The spine houses the spinal cord. If there are abnormal curves in the spine, it may cause pinching or pulling on the spinal cord and affect spinal nerve roots. This can impair the function of the nerve and cause pain as well as dysfunction to whatever muscle or organ that nerve innervates.

How do I know if my child has scoliosis?
The determination of scoliosis can most often be done through a physical examination but in some cases, x-rays may be required in order to measure the degree of spinal curvature or to determine if there are any malformations in the vertebrae themselves that could be causing the scoliosis.

What are the signs and symptoms I should look out for in my child?
If you notice abnormal posture in your child or teen, there may be a possibility that they have scoliosis. Here are some things to look out for:

• One shoulder is higher than another
• One hip is higher than another
• One side of the ribcage protrudes more than the other
• Lower back hump when bending forward

What are the treatment options?
Treatment varies greatly depending on the type of scoliosis. Structural scoliosis will most likely need more invasive treatments whereas functional scoliosis can have a reduction of curvature with gentle chiropractic care and class IV laser therapy. The earlier that scoliosis is diagnosed, the better the overall outcome will be. As spines grow and mature, it becomes much harder to treat.

If you suspect that your child may have scoliosis, feel free to call my office and schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and a visual scoliosis check. This will help to determine if more investigation is necessary. For more information, visit us at www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Dr. Kristin Moore, DC is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor at Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation to the readers of ALIVE magazine. Call Dr. Kristin at (925) 362-8283 to schedule your appointment.

Is Your Child ElectroSensitive?

April 8, 2018 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

Over the last 20 years our homes and environment have seen a huge increase in electronic devices and our dependence on them has grown as well. When I was a child, Wi-Fi didn’t exist, a car phone was the coolest thing to have on our block, and we had one family computer (which was HUGE by the way) that was kept in a common room in our house. Now, everything is so different and some of us have started to notice that our bodies don’t function at their best when they are constantly bombarded with electrical energy from countless devices all day and all night.

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) is a term used to describe a set of symptoms caused by electrical impulses. Those impulses can come from any combination of the following:
• Electric radiation. Examples of this include ungrounded electronics, lamps and lighting, and power strips.
• Magnetic radiation. Includes chargers for electronics, high voltage power lines, and electrical panels,
• Dirty electricity. Includes fluorescent light bulbs, dimmer switches, and smart televisions.
• Radio frequencies. Includes microwave ovens, Wi-Fi, cellular devices, products with Bluetooth, and smart meters.

People of all ages can develop EHS, however, kids are more susceptible to the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation. Because their skulls are thinner and their bodies are made up of more water than an adult’s, the frequencies can have a greater effect upon them.

Some of the symptoms of EHS include (can range from mild to severe): Problems sleeping, headaches, fatigue, nausea, burning and itchy skin, muscle aches, and trouble concentrating or learning.

Many of these symptoms may have multiple causes. However, if these symptoms are worse after using or being surrounded by sources of electromagnetic frequencies, then this could be a sign of EHS.

If your child has EHS or is exhibiting signs of it, there are many things you can do to begin to remedy it including:

1. Reduce the exposure. By reducing or eliminating the sources that are causing your child’s symptoms you will help them to begin to heal and recover. To learn tips and tricks on how to do this in the easiest way possible, go to www.emf-detox.com. I have many free videos on this very topic for you to explore.
2. Clean up your child’s diet. Eating vitamin rich, organic fruits and vegetables along with probiotic foods can help give them the nutrients that they need in order to begin to heal.
3. Add supplements to their daily routine. On a case-by-case basis, there are different supplements that your child may be able to take to help their body combat the oxidative stress from electromagnetic radiation.

If you suspect that your child may have a sensitivity to electronics then give my office a call and schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation with me. This will give you, your child, and I, a chance to sit down and discuss the concerns that you have. This will help me to determine if there is a possibility between your child’s symptoms and electric frequencies and I will let you know if there is anything that I can do to help.

For additional information on working together, go to: www.alignhealingcenter.com

For more information about how to reduce the sources of electromagnetic frequencies in your home, go to: www.emf-detox.com

Get Your Child Sleeping Better Tonight!

March 8, 2018 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

Does your baby or child have trouble sleeping? Are you running on empty because you are only getting a few hours of sleep at night? A rested child is a happy child and a rested parent is a patient parent. Trust me, I know! My son had the hardest time sleeping until we started implementing these six quick, simple changes around the house. It will be life changing for not only your child, but for YOU as well!!

1. Stop their screen time at least 2 hours before bedtime. Blue light emitted from electronic screens can delay the release of melatonin (which helps to induce sleep) and can throw off your child’s internal clock to a later schedule. Create a new bedtime routine that doesn’t include TV, tablets, or cell phones. Instead try a warm bubble bath and family story time.

2. Hang blackout curtains for their room. Light entering a child’s room can also decrease melatonin production. The darker the child’s room, the deeper they will sleep.

3. Turn off your computers, routers, and Wi-Fi at night. The radiofrequencies from these devices will also impair melatonin production and could possibly cause other sleep related issues. My 13-month-old son finally started sleeping through the night as soon as we started turning our Wi-Fi off at night. Go to my website www.emf-detox.com to see my video on this topic and learn the EASIEST way to do this!

4. Make sure your child’s bed is as far away from gas and electric meters, power lines and breaker boxes. Kids absorb and are affected by electromagnetic radiation at a much greater rate than adults. Check the surroundings of their bedroom to be sure that there isn’t a smart meter or any other electronic wiring that could be impacting your child’s brain and therefore their sleep.

5. Move all of the electronics in your child’s room to at least 3 to 4 feet from their bed. This includes baby monitors, sound machines, humidifiers, plug in alarm clocks, lamps, night lights, or any other electronic devices. The electromagnetic frequencies from these items become much less concentrated at a distance of around 3 to 4 feet. Therefore, helping your child to sleep with less electrical disruption.

6. Get your child checked by a gentle chiropractor. If there is tension in your baby or child’s spine or neck, they will often toss, turn, and be restless throughout the night. Just as us adults can when we are uncomfortable. A well-adjusted spine will promote relaxation and therefore better sleep.

Sleep deprived kids have trouble with memory, attention, and ability to learn new things. Give your child the best leg up possible and give these six quick tips a shot! Trust me, you’ll start sleeping like a baby too.

If you are curious to see if I can help your family to sleep better, I offer complimentary 15-minute consultations. Give my office a call and schedule a time to chat.

To work together, go to: www.alignhealingcenter.com

For more information about how to minimize the harmful effects of electromagnetic frequencies, go to: www.emf-detox.com

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Dr. Kristin Moore, DC is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor at Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation to the readers of ALIVE magazine. Call Dr. Kristin at (925) 362-8283 to schedule your appointment.

A Natural Approach To Treating Sports Injuries in Kids

February 8, 2018 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

You have no idea how often I hear from my adult patients, how the sport that they played while they were kids has contributed to their long-term chronic pain. Of course, they have learned to minimize their pain through chiropractic care, laser pain relief, stretching, and postural exercises. However, every single one of these patients wishes they could go back to the time that their pain originated. They wish they could have fixed it back then. Instead, they let it fester for 20, 30, or even 40 years until one day they decide to do something about it. But at that point, the arthritis had already set in and permanent and irreversible changes have taken place.

This is one of the reason’s why I love working with kids so much. We have the chance to fix the problems now, before they become life-long chronic issues. It doesn’t matter what sport your child plays, they all have the capacity to inflict injuries upon our children. From soccer, gymnastics, golf, and even swimming, no athlete is spared from the risk of injury. Don’t get me wrong, sports are amazing and they teach our kids discipline, sportsmanship, and healthy habits. But it is very important to keep their bodies in tip-top shape.

What types of sports injuries do you treat?

I treat all types of sports injuries. They include but are not limited to:
• Sprain/strain type injuries in the ankles, knees, and wrists.
• Repetitive motion injuries, especially in the shoulder or spine.
• Misaligned joints due to impact or strain.

What methods do you use in treatments?

Depending on how your child presents at the time that he or she needs care, I will use a combination of the following therapies:
1. Gentle chiropractic care: If any of your son or daughter’s joints have become misaligned they will need a gentle realignment of their spine or joints in their extremities.
2. Laser therapy: Your child may be a candidate for laser therapy if they have inflammation that is contributing to their injury. Laser therapy is a form of light therapy that helps to pull away inflammation from the site of pain and help to increase the rate of healing, thus helping your child get back to playing as quick as possible.
3. Kinesiotape: Weakened muscles can get an extra boost of support with the use of kinesiotape. Unlike restrictive bracing, kinesiotape allows for full range of motion while also providing stability for injured joints. This helps prevent muscle atrophy from sprain/strain type injuries.
4. Therapeutic stretches and exercises: Once your athlete is on the mend, therapeutic stretches and exercises can help keep your child’s body functioning at their best.

How do I learn more?

The best way to find out if I can help your child with their sports injury, is to call my office and schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation. This will give you, your son or daughter, and I, a chance to sit down and discuss the injury. I will then be able to let you know if there is anything that I can do to help.

I look forward to helping you and your family prevent chronic, longstanding pain!

Developmental Walking Difficulties: A Case Study

January 11, 2018 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

The day after I received my license to practice chiropractic, a frantic mother came to see me. Her 1 ½ year old son was unable to stand, balance, or walk on his own. He could crawl and he could pull himself up, but he could not walk.

This mom had spent the past month or two taking him to every medical doctor, physical therapist, and specialist that she could imagine—no one seemed to have the answers. Finally, one of the specialists requested to have a Needle EMG test done to test the nerve conductivity to his legs. The doctors had concluded that most likely this boy was not getting strong enough nerve flow to his legs and they may have a much more serious condition to work with.

Panicked, this mother knew in her heart that nothing was wrong with her son and that there had to be a better option than shoving needles in her son’s legs in order to test his nerve functionality. That’s when this mom ended up on my doorstep. Desperate for help, she was willing to try anything in order to help her son walk for the first time.

I did an orthopedic, neurologic, and chiropractic physical exam on the young boy. I found that there was one part of his sacrum (tailbone) that was rotated out of alignment and choking off the motor portion of the nerves that ran down his legs. This was most likely the cause of the decreased strength and stability in his lower extremities.

After the exam, I explained my findings to his mom. I told her that I could re-align his sacrum and take pressure off his nerves, however, I couldn’t promise her that he would walk as a result of my treatment. But I certainly was hopeful!

The mom willingly gave me consent to adjust her son. I used very gentle pressure using only my fingertips and very precisely re-aligned his spine. I sent them home and told his mom to let him rest for the remainder of the day and I gave them instructions to come back and see me in three days.

Two days after that first visit, I opened an email from that mom. She had attached a video of him walking for the first time! Fast forward seven and a half years and that little boy is happy and healthy and has not had one issue with walking or the nerves in his legs ever since.

I often get asked why babies and kids need to see a chiropractor. Kids don’t necessarily have pain when their spine or joints are misaligned. Quite often they manifest as “developmental issues” instead. This mom saved so much time, money, and pain for her son by having me check him to see if there were any other options.

If your child is struggling with developmental issues including (but not limited to) difficulties with rolling over, cross crawling, walking, standing, balancing, and talking, your child might be a candidate for chiropractic care. The best way to know if your baby is a candidate for my care is to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation. This way we can sit down, discuss your child’s specific symptoms and I can help determine which treatment option will be most beneficial. If you feel like you’ve tried everything, please do not give up hope. I welcome you to contact me to explore a gentle, natural alternative treatment option with proven results.

Five Ways to Have a Happier, Healthier Pregnancy

December 10, 2017 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

Being pregnant is a truly magical time. Feeling your baby move and kick as they grow steadily inside of you is absolutely the most amazing feeling ever! While growing a baby is truly a miracle, the effects on the mom’s body can sometimes be less than desirable. From nausea, sleeplessness, headaches, and back pain, all of which can come and go throughout the entirety of the nine months. Having recently been pregnant myself, I am all too familiar with these oh so unpleasant symptoms.

It’s easy to fall into the convenience of doing what is easy in the moment like eating unhealthy foods or taking painkillers for back pain. In the long run, however, if you take the time to eat well, connect with your baby, relieve stress, and keep your spine healthy you will have a much happier pregnancy.

Here are my five tips to a happier and healthier pregnancy:

Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables. Eat the rainbow as they say (not skittles… those don’t count.) Eating lots of fruits and vegetables of all colors helps to ensure that you and your baby get all of the nutrients that you need. Yes, I am including YOU in this too! When people talk about nutrition during pregnancy they always talk about the baby. But it is incredibly important that you eat well in order to keep your energy high and reduce the chance of having diet related complications such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
Talk or sing to your baby. Deepening your bond with your baby by talking or singing to them will help you to have that pregnancy glow that everyone talks about. The bond between a mother and her unborn child is incredibly special and the joy that you feel will radiate out of you.
Make walking a priority. I know it can sometimes be hard to feel the motivation to get moving, especially when you feel HUGE! But it can really help battle some of the most frustrating pregnancy symptoms. Believe it or not, it will give you a boost of energy from the endorphins, the vitamin D will help boost your immune system (because the last thing you want to do when you are pregnant is get sick), and it will help to minimize the swelling in your feet and ankles.
Take time to yourself every day. Trust me when I say that as soon as your baby gets here, time to yourself will become nonexistent. Take 5-10 minutes, at a minimum, per day to be alone and do a guided meditation. YouTube has amazing meditations that can help you with whatever is overwhelming you in the moment. There’s a seemingly infinite amount of guided meditations for having a healthy pregnancy, easy labor, and for general relaxation. A relaxed mama is a happy mama!
Get your spine checked by a chiropractor. All of the above tips are wonderful, but if you are battling back pain or headaches due to your constantly changing body, all of your daily tasks become so much harder. I know I am biased because I am a chiropractor – but I really don’t know how I would have made it through my pregnancy without getting adjusted every few weeks. Relieving the pain helped me to feel ready to take on whatever my body or my baby could throw at me.

If you are pregnant and are struggling with back pain, please don’t hesitate to call me and schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation. I would be happy to tell you if there is anything I can do to help alleviate your pain and help your body function at a better level. It is never too early or too late in your pregnancy to get checked!

Colic: A Holistic Approach

November 11, 2017 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

As a parent, there is almost nothing worse then watching your brand new baby scream for hours at a time and not be able to do anything about it. The worst part about it is how helpless you can often feel. It’s your job to nurture and protect this perfect little being, but for some reason nothing that you do seems to help.

Believe it or not this is actually way more common than you think. Up to 20% of babies experience infantile colic between the ages of three weeks and three months old and most cases of untreated colic don’t resolve until about four to five months of age. It can be hard to differentiate normal baby cries from colic cries. Here are some common signs to look for to help you determine if your baby may be suffering from colic:

Predictable crying episodes, usually in the afternoon or evening
Intense and often high pitched crying that is inconsolable, typically lasting upwards of three hours
Crying for no reason, you have ruled out hunger, new diaper, tired, etc.
Curled up legs, clenched fists, and tight abdominal muscles while crying

At this point, the cause is of colic is still unknown. That being said, gas in the intestines, dietary sensitivities, and birth traumas are all thought to be contributing factors. While there are no lasting long-term developmental effects for the babies, parents are often left traumatized and family life can greatly suffer during the months that your baby struggles with colic.

While the exact cause is unknown, there are treatment options that have proven to be effective. A clinical trial was published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, which tested the effectiveness of anti-gas medication versus chiropractic treatments for babies suffering with colic. The study found that babies who took the anti-gas medication had a 38% decrease in the amount of crying whereas the babies who received chiropractic treatments had a 67% decrease. (Chiropractic care significantly reduced the colic crying much better than simply taking anti-gas medication.

In my office, I treat colic with a multi-faceted chiropractic approach. I first check the baby’s diet. If the baby is breastfed, we also discuss the mom’s diet. If the baby is formula fed, we look for any sensitivities the baby could have to the formula. Secondly, I check the abdomen for gas buildup. If there is a need, I will perform abdominal massage or recommend natural supplements to help decrease gas buildup within the digestive tract.

Lastly, I check for any birth traumas by evaluating the baby’s spine. If any misalignments are found I will gently correct them and bring more ease and relaxation to their body. Please note that a chiropractic adjustment for a baby requires the same amount of pressure you would use to check if a tomato is ripe. It is very soft yet incredibly effective at relieving the symptoms of colic.

Typically, within a handful of visits, I expect to see a decrease in the severity and longevity of the colic symptoms. That being said, every baby is different and they will heal and recover at their own pace. The best way to know if your baby is a candidate for my care is to call my office and request a complimentary 15-minute consultation with me. This way we can sit down and discuss your baby’s specific symptoms and I can help to determine if this treatment option will be helpful. Please don’t wait to call, there is HOPE for relief from your baby’s colic!!

Solutions for Breastfeeding Complications

October 12, 2017 by Dr Kristin Moore Leave a Comment

The World Health Organization recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their life. They state that breast milk is the ideal food to provide the right vitamins and nutrients to ensure proper growth and development of infants. There is really no true replacement for the nutrition a baby receives through his or her mother’s milk.

While many mothers plan to nurse for that amount of time, quite a few end up giving up for reasons that seem to have no solution. On top of that, many practitioners have difficulty pinpointing the exact cause of the problem. Leaving both mom and baby confused and very frustrated. Quite often these unidentified issues actually reside in your baby’s spine as a result of a birthing trauma to the cranium and neck. Weather it be poor latch, improper weight gain, low milk supply, or pain and discomfort for the mother; these can all be explained by improper alignment.

Key Indicators of Breastfeeding Problems:

Babies that can only nurse in one position
Babies who cannot latch firmly
Babies who can latch but have trouble sucking, swallowing, or breathing
Babies who have trouble feeding from bottles as well
Babies who constantly seem hungry and never satisfied even just after nursing
Babies that seem to have pain, cry, or pull at their ear while trying to feed

Steps to help resolve your breastfeeding problems:

Check for tongue and lip ties: This could physically prevent your baby from being able to properly latch. After your child was born, the hospital will check to make sure your infant does not have a tongue or lip tie. However, quite often can be missed by practitioners until your baby is a little bit bigger. Even if it was checked once, get a second, or third opinion.
Have your baby checked by a pediatric chiropractor: As previously mentioned, there may be very small misalignments in your baby’s neck or cranium that can make feeding a challenge.
Monitor your milk supply: If your baby doesn’t seem to be getting enough food, it is imperative that you do all that you can to keep your milk supply up. It is vital that you get enough calories throughout the day from healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, HEALTHY carbohydrates, and plenty of water. This way, once your feeding issues have resolved, your milk supply will not have depleted.
Help your baby to stretch and strengthen their jaw muscles on a daily basis: Just like adults, babies need learn the proper biomechanics of their body in order to thrive. Regular and VERY GENTLE stretching and exercising of the jaw and cervical muscles can help set you and your baby on the right path for long term success.

If a misalignment is the source of your breastfeeding issue, an adjustment or series of adjustments may be indicated to correct the problem. As a mother of a seven-month old baby boy myself, I am fully aware of how terrifying that could sound! But believe it or not, an adjustment for an infant is incredibly gentle. The amount of pressure needed in order to make a correction, is about the same pressure you would use to check if a tomato is ripe.

If you are one of those mom’s who truly desires to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months but are contemplating giving up due to complications, please don’t give up until you have a conversation with me. Your persistence can have positive lasting health benefits that will continue with them well into adulthood. They will thank you one day.

Dr. Kristin Moore, DC is a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor at Align Healing Center in Danville, California. She offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation to the readers of ALIVE Magazine. Call Dr. Kristin at (925) 362-8283 to schedule your appointment.