Question
Hi there!
I am a 30 year-old mother of a 17 month old. I was fairly active before my
pregnancy and I also jogged most of my pregnancy until put on bed rest at 33
weeks (preterm labor after slamming on brakes/near accident). After the birth
of my son I started exercising (especially running) again, but I became
frustrated with not being able to shake the last 7/8 lbs and so I switched to
various exercise programs including attending a fitness bootcamp when
nothing seemed to work, I became frustrated and gave up on everything and
ending up gaining 10 lbs (let me mention my son still doesn't sleep through
the night and I firmly believe a lot of the reason I was unable to lose the
weight was because of lack of sleep/higher cortisone levels).

This past Oct, I finally got serious after finding I had high cholesterol/
triglycerides. So I started exercising again and eating better. I bought an
elliptical machine and used it regularly. I noticed however soon after using it
that my mid back was hurting quite a bit and that I had tingling in my left
foot (pretty much constantly) although it drove me crazy while lying in bed,
occasionally the pain was also in my left leg or my mid-spine area would feel
like it was having a "firing" almost "electric" type feeling/tingling as well. I
called my GP who said she thought I pinched a nerve. So I just lived with it
because every one told me it could be weeks until it was better, many months
later, I switched from the elliptical to jogging again (5days a week an hour a
day) and it seemed to subside, so much so that 2 weeks ago I went back to
my GP to have my cholesterol/tris checked again (both are down and I've lost
10 lbs since I saw her in Sept) that I didn't even mention the problem. But my
husband and I went to Cabo last week and upon returning I got quite a cold -
I've been sick since Sat/Sun. Since I haven't been able to jog and have
primarily laying around and napping, my foot is tingling again. I also feel
tingling in the left side of my body. I called and made an appt with a
chiropractor for this monday. I also thought since my son has had such
problems sleeping and can't seem to find a comfortable position when
sleeping (he moves constantly and tends to sleep face down on his knees
(almost "child pose" in yoga), and the chiropractor does have training with
babies/kids I would also have her examine him. Sorry for the length of this
but I just wondered if:
a) you have any idea of what this injury/issue could be
b) have any advice on what I should ask her/ or what to look for
c) any advice with my 17 month old
Also if you have any chiropractors you could recommend in the napa (or if
there are some in northbay/ bay area) that may be worth a visit if it doesn't
work out with her.
I so appreciate your time and input!
Much gratitude,
Tiffany

Answer
Tiffany,
First of all thanks for writing.  All of your questions and concerns are very valid regarding you and your son.  Your GP was correct when she said it was nervous system related, but what did she do about it?  She should have referred you to a chiropractor immediately so that you could have it corrected.  The Nervous System does not just correct itself when there is an obstruction pinching on a nerve.  In 8 out of 10 deliveries there is an upper cervical injury that puts pressure on the brainstem and interferes with proper function.  This can result in literally hundreds of various health conditions because the brainstem is involved in all cellular function of the body.  In you, the effect is in your mid-spine area and leg, and you probably have other abnormal functions that you either are or are not attributing to the spine.  Your son's effect of brainstem pressure is being most observed by his sleeping problems.  So you see, although you both have different symptoms or effects, you actually both have the same problem:  The pressure on the brainstem, and once you both have that properly corrected, you will have the best opportunity to get well.  The beauty of all this is that it is not a treatment for any specific symptom or condition, all effects of this interference (whether you know about them or not, whether you attribute them to brainstem pressure or not)have the opportunity to heal up once the pressure is corrected.
The best advice that I can give to you from this point on is for you and your son and your husband to go to see my colleague and friend, Dr Shawn Dill.  Dr Dill is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor just like I am and I assure you that you will be more than happy with his explanation, thoroughness, and results.  He is a great Doctor and he is located in Dublin, which is not too far from you.  People who understand the difference travel for hours to come to our clinic and pass a hundred other chiropractors on the way, the same goes for Dr Shawn Dill's Clinic.  Here is the address and phone number, I highly suggest that you set up an appointment right away because he is now on the local news stations and more people are learning about this and his wonderful work.

The Specific Chiropractic Center
7950 Dublin Blvd.
Suite 103B
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 560-0700

Tiffany, this is the single greatest thing that you can do for your family's health.  I guarantee you that your lives will all improve, especially if you follow his recommendations.  I wish you the best, and would love to hear from you by phone or email when you feel the time is right.

Nothing is bigger than LIFE,

Dr Robert Arnone, DC
Upper Cervical Chiropractor
St Louis, MO
314.995.5719