Finally it's December and the beginning of Summer!! This year has gone so quickly and I hope you are all going to take some time out and rejuvenate for the new year. 
In this newsletter; the best way to nap, some delicious recipes, Xmas ideas (and a wedding photo).

Articles
I liked this article about the best way to nap. Most people I see say that their energy takes a dip in the early afternoon. This might be your perfect time for a power nap!
This week I have read two very interesting articles on the difference in a baby's gut bacteria depending on if the are born vaginally or via c-section and furthermore the difference between the gut bacteria of breastfed vs formula fed babies. Regardless of the way bub is born or fed, there are ways of boosting the gut bacteria with specially formulated baby probiotics. Let me know if you would like to discuss further.

Recipes
I've saved my favourite recipes to share with you for this time of year.
My favourite is Ottolenghi's Honey- Roasted Carrots. It is not only a delicious recipe but carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, Biotin, Vitamin K, B6 & Potassium. 
I love the idea of having a meal with friends and friends with a number of dishes to share. Whole Roasted Snapper with Herbs is a dish that works perfectly for this along with a few different salads and of course the carrots.
Finally, it's not the holiday season without something a little naughty. Try these Tahini and Halva brownies. A bit different & a lot naughty (everything in moderation!)

Out & About
I went for lunch to West Village this week on Terminus St (the ex White Cockatoo). The food is a little on the pricey side but really good! They also have a great outdoor area and plenty of space for prams. A must try! 
Let me know if you have tried any new places around the Inner West or in the city!

Christmas Gifts
Struggling for Xmas gift ideas?
How about.... 

1. Dr Graeme General Purpose Massager (like I use at the clinic) 
2. Foam rollers 60cm or 90cm round or 30cm half
3. Heat packs 
4. Pillows - memory foam or latex
5. Gift voucher for an Initial Consultation

To order or enquire about a product please call the clinic, send an email or ask me at your next appointment.

Holiday Season Hours
Please refer to the website for holiday hours

Wedding Photo
Here is one photo from my wedding day earlier this year- I told many of you that I would send one through and forgot so here it is! Ps It is at the end of the gallery.

To make an appointment before Xmas please give the clinic a call on 8021-4636, book online or email.

Have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing most of you before Xmas or otherwise in 2016.

Amy

The most common cause of leg pain and cramps in young children is growing pains. Growing pains are a major cause of discomfort and can impact on a child’s concentration, physical and psychological wellbeing. Occurring in approximately 37% of children, the exact cause is still largely unknown.

 So what are the possible causes:

1.  Overuse of big muscles
   
2. Joint misalignment such as alignment of the knees or    feet
3. Psychological factors
4. We know that the first 5 years of a child’s life is when they have the greatest spinal growth.  During the 1st year, the spine increases by 12cm, between 1-5 years, the spine increases by 15cm, between 5-10 years, there is 10cm growth and between 10-18 years, 15-20cm growth.  This means if something was to interfere with this growth such as injury, birth trauma or sedentary lifestyle, problems may arise. 

So what do we know about growing pains?

1. The pain is usually in both legs 
2. It most often will come on in the afternoon or at night.
3. It is most common between ages 2-12 and is usually gone by puberty.
4. In order to be classified as growing pains there should be no signs of redness or swelling, no history of trauma and no decreased movement or limping.
5. There appears to be no difference in the amount of exercise or activity between those children with and those without growing pains.
6. There appears to be a family history of growing pains in the child’s sibling or parent.
7. The growing pains tend to occur at intervals of 1 to 3 months.

What can be done?

1. Look at your child’s knees and feet – Do their shoes fit?  Are they too worn? Do they require orthotics?
2. A little investigation of wellbeing  - What are their muscles doing? Are they dehydrated? Are they mineral or vitamin deficient? Magnesium deficiency is a common cause of leg cramps. Do they require more vegetables and fruit to give them nourishment  to alleviate cramps or help with neurological development?
3. Do they need to stretch? This includes hamstrings, quadriceps and lower back muscles.
4. What is happening in their spine and nerves. Have they fallen over and irritated joint or nerve function in their pelvis or lower back? Have they been sitting too much or with bad posture?  (This is where chiropractic comes in!)

Important note: there is a strong link between the legs, spine and pelvis. The muscles, nerves and joints in these regions can affect the other regions in the chain. Any interruption in the nerves running between the lumbar spine and the legs can impair function and cause pain. This is not to say that this is the whole cause of growing pains but studies are showing that treatment of these regions along with the legs themselves can help in resolving the problem.