The 3 Most Crucial Brain Nutrients

In order to function at its best, our brain requires many nutrients such as proteins, good fats, vitamins and minerals.  But in order to function at all, your brain requires three crucial nutrients:  oxygen, glucose (the simplest form of sugar) and environmental stimulation.
Environmental stimulation is as necessary as any other nutrient.  Our brain is constantly stimulated by sounds, sights, touch, movement and a myriad of other environmental stimulation's that either come from the outside world or from the internal environment (such as messages relayed from the organs to the brain).
Among the many types of st56imulation that our world provides, one is more important that all the others:  the stimulation from the postural muscles.  Our body, in order to stay upright, needs to constantly adjust to the pull of gravity.  These constant adjustments are made by our postural muscles and the provide a baseline stimulation to our brain.  No one can escape gravity (except for astronauts).  Gravity is constant.  Other stimulation's are not (for example, your eyes are not stimulated when you are asleep).
Some stimulation's are great for the brain, such as the stimulation's provided by our muscles and joints when we move.  Other types of inputs tax our brain for the worse.  Messages from pain, tight muscles or nerves under tension are examples of stimuli that stress our brain.  Faulty input from vertebral subluxation--dysfunctional areas of our spine that interfere with communication in our nervous systems--are also a source of strain to your brain.
For more than 100 years, chiropractors have recognized how our back muscles and our spine affect our brain.  When your spine is healthy and moves freely, it send nurturing messages to your brain.  When your spine is locked or under tension, it bombards your brain with poor stimulation.
Having an unhealthy spine is like eating junk food all day long.  Your might not feel that bad in a few days or weeks, but in the long run, it drains your health.  A poor spine leads to a poor brain.  Chiropractic adjustments bring balance back into your spine and bring your brain back into balance.  Getting regular chiropractic adjustments is one of the best things you can do for your brain. 
Adjustments are safe, make you feel good and are a great way to nurture your brain.  The bring balance to today's lifestyle that too often tax our brains for the worse and make them age too quickly.

New Study Links Asthma to ADHD

Results of a recent study published in the August 2013 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology link ADHD symptoms in boys to higher instances of asthma, allergies, and skin infections. A HealthDay article (1) detailing results of the study shared the following:

“Boys diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are more likely also to have asthma, allergies and skin infections than youngsters without ADHD, a new study finds, suggesting a possible link between these conditions. Of those in the study, boys newly diagnosed with ADHD were 40 percent more likely to have asthma, 50 percent more likely to have needed a prescription for allergy medicine and 50 percent more likely to have had a bacterial skin infection than other boys.
“Our study provides additional evidence to support the hypothesis that atopic disorders, such as asthma and food allergies increase the risk of developing ADHD,’ the authors wrote, adding that further research is necessary to determine just how these conditions might be connected…
The authors theorize that the links they found may be food-allergy related. However, this study didn’t attempt to prove cause and effect, so the exact reason behind the association remains unknown.
Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, said the connection between ADHD and allergic diseases has been seen in other studies.
‘The association seems to be real. The chicken-and-the-egg question remains unanswered. The challenge is in teasing out why they’re linked,’ he said.”

At Whole Child Wellness, we know that a child’s immune response and gut health play vital roles in his or her behavior. That’s why our program includes not only sensory motor and cognitive activities but also nutritional guidelines and support. Our goal is to remove stress on the immune and digestive systems while simultaneously strengthening the under-connectivity between the two hemispheres of the brain called Functional Disconnection Syndrome. After completing a comprehensive assessment, our team develops a customized program to address your child’s particular issues for optimal results. In fact, a recent control study showed that 12 weeks of brain balancing eliminated ADHD symptoms in 81% of participants!

Toxic chemicals and genetic predisposition lessen the body’s ability to absorb and utilize nutrients, causing imbalances in brain chemistry and in the nervous system’s ability to transmit information accurately. 
Metabolic testing gives us vital information about outside substances that have a clear and definite effect on the biochemistry of your child’s brain.

Supplementation and dietary recommendations are made specifically to your child's needs.

The Whole Child Wellness program addresses all the symptoms of ADHD.  Through a series of sensory-motor and sensory-academic exercises and dietary and nutritional changes, the brain is stimulated to synchronize and start working as a whole.

Graduations

As the school year draws to a close, and kids everywhere share the excitement of moving into a long summer break, our kids at Whole Child Wellness are excited about graduating to the next level of the program.

One STAR STUDENT has finished the initial program of dietary changes and at home brain balancing exercises, and is having lots of fun with the metronome portion of the program.
Another SWEETHEART is still surprising us with new words and phrases each time he comes in for his metronome session.
If we gave end of session report cards for these kids, they would get STRAIGHT A's for their achievement thus far!
Good work!
For more Whole Child Wellness success stories, friend us on facebook at
ADHD Whole Child Wellness .

It's fun to see the excitment...

We really enjoy getting to know the kids in our program.  Whole Child Wellness has been working with children for over two years and we have had the pleasure of meeting all types of kids.  Shy kids, happy kids, grumpy kids, angry kids.  Sometimes one kid will display all of these personalities in just one session.

It is a lot of fun to see the excitement grow as our kids progress through the program and become aware of the changes that are being made.  Sometimes they do not even notice change in themselves.  They notice change in how they are perceived by others... new friendships are made, parents are pleased, teachers praise them. They get excited about this new feedback from important people in their life. 
And we get excited knowing that we have given them the keys to a new future!

Excellent Program on Nutrition and ADHD

There is remarkable evidence that certian foods can create neurotoxins in a childs brain that make it difficult for them to think and behave. 
We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 10th at 6pm at "The Meeting Place" for important information on what foods children with neurobehavioral disorders should avoid and why. 
For more information please call 252-638-6062.  No reservation required.

Protecting your childs brain from electromagnetic pollution

#1  Limit your child's total combined exposure to video games, television, and computer to no more than 90 minutes per day during the week and no more that 2 hours per day on the weekend.  Make sure your child sits at least 6 feet from the television at all times.

#2  Limit the use of cell phones to necessity only.  Use an earplug extension if possible.

#3  Ensure that your child's brain and body are not directly exposed to electronic devices during the night.  If any devices are present within 15 feet (even through walls) of your child's bed, we recommend you disconnect them during the night. 

#4  Take ample opportunities to reconnect with the Earth by walking barefoot in the grass or in the sand at the beach.  Direct contact with the Earth helps reset our internal electromagnetic fields.

Log on to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com and learn why electromagnetic pollution can affect your child's brain. 

New, restructured program lessens cost and starts treatment at home.

In the first phase of the Whole Child Wellness program our focus is to determine outside substances  creating dysfunction in the brain.  Are there food sensitivities or food allergies?  Is the gut functioning properly to completely break down and digest the food consumed?  Are there any nutritional deficiencies?  Is there a build up of toxic substances such as aluminum, lead or arsenic in the tissues? 

Any of the above conditions can be the root cause of hemisphericity, and can be determined with three simple lab tests during Phase One of our program.  It takes just minutes to perform the labs, approximately 2-4 weeks to receive the results of these labs and only a day or so for Dr. Flemming to write her report.  During a private consultation, Dr. Flemming explains the results of the labs and makes very specific recommendations designed to correct any positive findings, and remove offending substances creating brain dysfunction.

Treatment is done at home by following the Dr's recommendations.  You may be required to make some dietary changes or avoid certain substances.  Reports sometimes indicate that a particular nutritional supplement would be beneficial.  With most patients, all treatment is done at home, lessening cost to the patient.
If you are interested in starting Phase One of the Whole Child Wellness program or would like more information, please contact us at staff.drflemming@embarqmail.com, call us at 252-638-2215, or log on to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com .

Not all stimulation is created equal.

Some stimulation's are great for us and nurture our brain, such as the stimulation provided by our muscles and joints when we move.  Other types of stimulation tax our brains for the worse.  Faulty input from vertebral subluxation's--dysfunctional areas of our spine that interfere with communication in our nervous system--are a source of strain to the brain.  For more than 100 years, chiropractors have recognized how the spine affects our brain.  When the spine is healthy and moves freely, nurturing messages are sent to the brain.  When the spine is locked or under tension, it bombards the brain with poor stimulation.
Getting chiropractic adjustments is one of the best things you can do for your brain.  Adjustments are safe, they make you feel good, and are a great way to nurture your brain!  Check our our Facebook page to watch a short video on kids getting adjusted, or for more information, log on to www.drflemming.com .

For those of you who missed our Open House...

...there is still time to come check us out! 

We worked hard to arrange and present the information, and have decided to leave most of the displays and posters in place.  Anyone who was unable to come on Saturday can still learn about hemispheric balancing.  Wednesday and Friday afternoons are a great time to stop by!

Hemispheric balancing was originally researched approximately 15 years ago by a team of chiropractors and medical neurologists at the Carrick Institute.  A brain balancing protocol was eventually developed and has been utilized by Brain Balancing Centers, The Unritalin Solution, and many pediatricians, neurologists and chiropractors.  Most recently it has been endorsed by S.H.I.N.E., Dr. Ned Hollowell's program.

Because opening nerve pathways through chiropractic manipulation is an integral part of treatment, most programs are coordinated by chiropractors.

One of the neat things we prepared for the Open House is a video of kids getting their chiropractic adjustments.  Check out our Facebook page for a quick view or ask to see it when you stop by the office!

Everyone is invited...

...to the Whole Child Wellness Open House this Saturday, February 4th from 10am-1pm.

-Find out how it is possible to make permanent improvements in your child's grades, behavior and social abilities without medication.
-Learn why medication is not a solution to ADHD symptoms, but a temporary cover-up that creates new unwanted symptoms.
-Come to a greater understanding of the dysfunction in the ADHD brain.
-Uncover the many different keys that contribute to your child's symptoms.

Please make plans to join us.  You will discover that you do have options in the treatment of ADHD.  Your child can have a better tomorrow!

Your child can...

make dramatic improvements in his or her grades, get along and fit in better with his or her peers, end the behavior battle, and have improved focus and organizational skills.  Whole Child Wellness holds the key to a better future for your child.

Get the scoop on how brain building programs work by attending our Open House, February 4th starting at 10am.  You can look around, pick up some tips, or listen to a free lecture on ADHD. 

Your child does not....have to spend a lifetime on medication to mask the symptoms of ADHD or struggle with ADHD any longer.

Whole Child Wellness Open House scheduled for Saturday, February 4th, from 10am - 1pm

Everyone is invited to attend the Whole Child Wellness Open House on February 4th.  This is an excellent opportunity for those who have been interested in the program to tour the facility, meet the doctor and brain coaches, and learn more about hemispheric balancing and the treatment of ADHD.  Dr. Flemming will host 2 one hour lectures on nutrition and ADHD at 10am and 12pm.
Take a little time out of your Saturday morning to stop by.  You are guaranteed to learn something new and take home tips you can implement with your children today!

P.S. Watch the media for news about Dr. Ned Hallowell's new program S.H.I.N.E. which promotes chiropractic care for helping ADHD.

Questions?  Please contact us at staff.drflemming@embarqmail.com or 252-636-2215

Nutritional Evaluations

Food sensitivities and intolerance's are common among children suffering with neurobehavioral disorders.  Unlike food allergies, sensitivities come on quite slowly and produce symptoms that you would never think to blame on food.  One clue that can be considered a red alert for possible food sensitivity is erratic behavior.  The kind of behavior where a child is as good as an angel one day and the exact opposite the next.  Or perhaps, the child is acting quite normally and then an hour or so after a meal, all heck breaks loose.

Taking just a moment each day to note foods eaten and the behaviors demonstrated later, may show a pattern correlating diet and behavior.  Reactions can take anywhere form 2 hours to 3 days after a particular food is eaten.  It may take several weeks of notation before a pattern is demonstrated.

Key foods to watch out for:
anything containing wheat (gluten or gliandin)
apples
all dairy and milk products (casein), including goat milk
chocolate
tomato
corn
citrus fruits and juices
eggs
legumes (peas, peanuts, beans, soy)
refined sugar
bakers and brewers yeast
soy

Note:  The protein components in milk (casein) and wheat (gluten/gliandin) are more often a concern than sugar.  These proteins can form  morphine-like chemicals in susceptible children. 

For information on common symptoms your child may exhibit after removing the offending food products, please log on to http://www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com/ .

Breathing for better brain function.

Holding one's breath is a common response to stress and/or focused mental activity.  Practicing "Belly Breathing" helps labored respiration become natural and spontaneous, allowing more oxygen (and thus, energy) available for thinking, speaking and moving.  The next time you or your child are entering a stressful situation, or one that will require significant mental activity, try beginning with one of the following Belly Breathing Activities:
**To begin, rest your hand on your abdomen.  With your chin tucked and ribs relaxed, blow out all the air in your lungs in short, soft little puffs (as though you are keeping a feather airborne).  On each short exhalation, press your navel inward, toward your spine.  Now take a slow, deep inhalation, gently refilling your lungs.  Continue slowly inhaling and exhaling from your belly.  Arch your back slightly at the waist so the air can go even deeper.  Repeat three or more times.  Variation: Lie on your back with a book on your abdomen.  As you breathe, notice how the book will rise with each inhalation and descend with each exhalation.

**Squat with your hands flat on the floor between your knees.  Imagine an 8 between the left and right sides of your rib cage, feeling both spheres of the 8 expand as you inhale and deflate as you exhale.  Now imagine turning the 8 so that it expands between the stomach and the spine and then turn it top to bottom, expanding the chest and lower abdomen.  Can you expand all three 8's at once?

Possible side effects of natural treatment for ADHD.

Warning!  There ARE possible side effects associated to the natural treatment for ADHD. 
 They may include, but are not limited to:
-improved focus and concentration.
-improved relationships with family and peers.
-better quality of sleep.
-high risk of improved grades and reading scores.
-higher levels of self-esteem and socialization.
-decreased incidence of parents having to repeat themselves.
-increased likelihood of scoring a goal in gym class.
-questions from family and friends wondering what you are doing different.
-a positive 2011-2012 school year!

If are concerned about the negative side effects associated with medications prescribed for ADHD, why not try the natural approach?  The Whole Child Wellness program can naturally correct the underlying problems causing your child's ADHD, and the only side effects are positive ones!

For more information, please long on to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com .

The 14 keys.

Hemisphericity is the state in which one of the brain's hemispheres is weaker than the other.  This creates "interference" in communication between the two hemispheres of the brain and can lead to symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and oppositional disorders.  Imagine trying to talk to someone on a short wave radio with constant static and interference. It makes communication very difficult and can create a lot of confusion of information between you and the other person.  The same is true with the brain. 

There are fourteen key factors that can result in hemisphericity.  The Whole Child Wellness program evaluates these factors on each child as they enter the program.  Finding the key factor responsible for  hemisphereicity is an important part of correcting the problem.  To learn what these 14 keys are, please log on to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com .

Kids LOVE getting adjusted!

Kids entering the Whole Child Wellness program love getting their spinal adjustments.  Not only do they think it is nice to see a doctor and not have to worry about getting shots, and it's cool to ride the adjusting table, but it makes them feel great too!

Dr. Flemming is trained and licensed to use the Activator Method of adjusting.  The Activator Method uses a small, hand held tool, to reposition the spinal joints to their proper alignment.  The Activator tool enables Dr. Flemming to control the exact amount of thrust and the direction of the adjustment, and minimizes any soreness or soft-tissue stretching typically associated with chiropractic treatments.  There is no "twist and pop" with the Activator Method.

Children getting adjusted step onto a small platform that lowers them down on the adjusting table, allowing Dr. Flemming to see their standing posture.  She asks them to move different areas of the body.  A spinal joint that is functioning properly will accept this movement without any consequence.  A spinal joint that is functioning improperly will respond negatively, tightening the surrounding muscles and altering the child's resting posture.  This is a clear indication that objectively diagnoses an area that needs to be realigned.  Dr. Flemming then uses her Activator tool to gently and effectively move the joint into a better functioning position. 

Most kids respond very quickly to chiropractic adjustments and require only a few treatments before obtaining noticeable results.  For information about why adjusting children with neurobehavioral disorders is so important, please log on to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com .  

What are we putting into our Kids?

Manufacturers in the USA use approximately 15 million pounds of 8 synthetic food dyes in foods.  A significant proportion of these dyes are used in brightly colored cereals, drinks and candies - products aimed mainly at children.  These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children, and possibly cancer in anybody.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, food dyes are in everything, from M&Ms to Kraft salad dressings, and they pose risks of childhood cancer, hyperactivity and allergies.  The three most commonly and widely used dyes contaminated with known carcinogens are- Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.  Red 3 has been acknowledged by the US FDA as a carcinogen, but it is still in the food supply.  The CSPI's scientifically detailed report on possible health effects of food dyes raises many questions about their safety.  Their continued use presents unnecessary risks to humans, especially young children.  It is disappointing that the FDA has not addressed the toxic threat posed by food dyes.  Am example of where the government's help can protect children is with McDonald's strawberry sundaes, which in Britain is colored with strawberries, while in the United States the same product has Red dye 40.
For more information on how what we put into our kid affects their behavior, go to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com .

Try this simple exercise before starting homework.

Do you battle with your child each night over homework?  Kids are worn out and tired from school.  Parents are worn out and tired from work.  Dinner needs to be fixed.  After school sports attended.  The last thing a parent wants is an uncooperative child thrown into the mix, unwilling to focus on his or her homework . 

Can doing something as simple as "sipping water" and "hook-ups" help?  The answer is yes! 

Sipping water promotes efficient electrical and chemical action between the brain and nervous system, which helps with the storage and retrieval of information.  Water makes up 80% of our body weight and is essential for the electrical transmissions within our nervous systems.  There is an observable correlation between sipping water, good cognitive function, and emotional calm.

Hook-ups draws attention to the body's mid line and core postural muscles, supporting higher-order thinking and choice making.  Doing the activity invites calm while focusing and organizing scattered attention.
This activity improves self control and sense of boundaries and increases comfort in the environment (less hypersensitivity).

For information on how to do "sipping water" and "hook-ups", or on other "Brain Gym" activities, please go to www.wholechildwellness.blogspot.com .