In our final installment, I want to show how the CranioBalance vision of health extends into the family setting and also into the medicine cabinet.

In our final installment, I want to show how the CranioBalance vision of health extends into the family setting and also into the medicine cabinet .

10) Create a Loving Home Environment

The home should be a child’s safe refuge. A safe refuge is a place where the child feels protected, nourished, supported and loved unconditionally. In a world of confusion, conflict, uncertainty, and criticism, a child must have a place where he can return to where he can replenish himself and have the framework and stability of a loving family.

However, it must be stressed that in today’s modern world, a loving family home comes in many forms, as single parenting homes are becoming the norm in western society. Whatever the parental arrangement may be, there are several basic principles to follow in order to provide the optimal  home environment whereby the child can thrive.

1) Children need structure, familiarity, and consistency.

 Rituals , schedules, and routines help the child focus,  set his/her biological clock properly , and calm the child in knowing that in a world of uncertainty, there is a sense of  order and  familiar surrounding him/her. The 4000 year Jewish family model can provide us with a tried and successful template for parents to adapt and use into their home life. For example, the Shabbat is a weekly event for the family to sit together at a dinner table, sing songs, learn and tell stories about the forefathers,  and have the quality time  for the parents to listen and to be with their children. A nightly ritual in which the parent tucks the child into bed and says the Shema Yisrael prayer (and/or read a bedtime story) with him/her helps the child sleep better at night and removes all fears and nightmares.

2) Praise and never insult  your child.

3) Develop healthy communication skills with your spouse, partner , and children.

 In every close relationship there are bound to be differences of opinions and misunderstandings. Children are extremely sensitive and can pick up conflict ,unresolved anger and tension and they frequently can somaticize the tensions and strife that they feel in the home. In an extreme situation, I treated a young girl who completely lost her hearing without a clear trauma or illness. While working on her cranial system,especially at the temporal bones, I had her draw pictures of her home and family. The picture showed her mother without arms and her father as a monster in a small house with no windows. It became clear that the father was abusing the mother  verbally, and the girl simply didn’t want to hear the yells and screams in the house. When the mother had the courage and strength the leave the home and separate from the father, the child’s hearing returned and the pictures completely transformed from dark and menacing to colorful and cheerful.

4) In cases of divorce or separation, assure the children that even though Mom and Dad have chosen not to be together, they are loved unconditionally by both and that no one is at fault. If communication is difficult, a family counselor or therapist may be needed to mediate.

I highly recommend the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey for a complete program for parents to create the optimal family life.

11) For All the Aches and Pains – A Holistic Medicine Cabinet

Every home should have readily available a complete medicine cabinet to treat safely , gently and effectively childhood injuries and illnesses. Prior to this list , I need to mention that all patents should also take a First Aid course.

1) The Basics: Bandages, antibiotic ointment, iodine, cold packs , Benadryl, acamol, children’s ibuprofen

2) Natural remedies: 

Lavender:  To receive the full effect of lavender, you must use true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It can be used as an oil or spray, this plant is very versatile and treats headaches, burns, insomnia, and reduce anxiety.Placing some lavender on a pillow , makes for a calming sleep as-well-as deterring insects. Throughout history, lavender was used to treat war-wounds and burns because of its analgesic, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties.

Peppermint: When used as an oil, it can treat tension headaches. A  few drops of peppermint oil rubbed on the temples can help ease the pain and cure  headaches. This oil and plant can also be used to treat indigestion, clear nasal passages, and relieve spasmodic pain.

Tea Tree: widely known for its antiseptic qualities,  it helps treat many infections, like athlete’s foot and acne. Cold sores, warts, and shingles have also been treated with tea tree oil.

Garlic: This little seasoning is not only good for cooking, but is perfect for the winter and spring months when colds and flu are popular. The notable smell of garlic is due to the group of sulfur-containing compounds; most notable allicin, a natural antibiotic. Since these chemicals can only be excreted via sweating or through the lungs, it is helpful for lung infections and skin problems. Anyone suffering from colds, flu, bronchitis, lung infections, or a sore throat should include plenty of garlic in their diet. Garlic is also a good insect repellent.

Witch Hazel: This plant is perfect for sore muscles, back aches, bruises, and sprains; perfect for the athletes of the family. Witch Hazel used to be used a rub or a cold compress, but now you can find it in stores as lotion for burns and bug bites.

Rescue Remedy: This classic Bach Flower remedy is a must for any stressful or traumatic situation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Calendula:Used externally, Calendula is one of the best herbs for treating burns, scalds, cuts, abrasions, and infections because of its antiseptic qualities, improving blood flow to the affected area. It can heal wounds very quickly. It can reduce the fluid inside blisters.

• Calendula can help small blood vessels to seal, stemming bleeding and preventing bruising. Used for healing common sores and bedsores, Calendula is very effective for the same reasons on varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
• As an anti-fungal agent, it can be used to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, and candida.
• Internally it acts as a valuable herb for digestive inflammation and may be used in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers as well as colitis..
• Calendula cream is good for acne and nappy (diaper) rash, and can help relieve sore nipples in nursing mothers.

Other Uses

• Calendula tea has long been used as a remedy for gastritis, and is also recommended for women with painful menstruation or menopausal problems. Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water on to 2-3 teaspoonfuls of the florets and leave to infuse for l0 minutes. Take three times a day.
• A sterile tea has also been applied in cases of conjunctivitis, though it is recommended that you don’t try this at home but see a practitioner.
• Calendula gargle may help soothe toothache.
• Pot marigold can be grown in the garden to help with insect control. (Information about calendula and other natural remedies can be found in http://www.alternative-healthzine.com/html/Calendula.html)

 

12) Homeopathy – The safe and  cost-effective approach for babies and children (and adults)

In order to elucidate the advantages and power of homeopathy over allopathic medicine, I would like to share my personal experience with both in the treatment of my son , Aaron over 21 years ago.

 After arriving in Florida in August 1990, we were looking for a pediatrician for our two children.  The former head of the Florida Pediatric Association was recommended to us and we brought Aaron to him for his scheduled vaccinations of DPT.

Shortly after his vaccination, he ran a high fever, and developed an awful barking croup. Although we suspected that the croup attack was a direct result of the DPT vaccine, the doctor reassured us that there was no connection. After examining him, he insisted that we admit him to hospital and start an intensive treatment of intravenous steroids and respiratory therapy with an inhaler and bronchodilator. After 5 days, and a hospital bill of over $10,000, Aaron was discharged and we brought home with us the inhaler machine.

After many a fitful nights of  coughing and shortness of breath , we decided to bring Aaron to a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Homeopath, Chaim Grossbard, who gave us a small container of sugar pills and told us to give it to Aaron if he has another attack. Indeed , the next attack came, and under the orders of our pediatrician, we brought Aaron to the emergency room. However, we took these sugar pills (spongia 30x)  with us and started to place them in his mouth at 15 minute intervals. By the time we arrived at the hospital, his demeanor changed, his coughing stopped and his fever went down to normal.

By the time the emergency room doctor came to examine him several hours later , we were exhausted and ready to head back home. Unfortunately, the doctor demanded a complete blood work up and chest x-rays which we refused and argued that Aaron was just fine and there was no reason to subject him to needles and radiation. After some time, the doctor finally relented but forced us to sign a medical disclaimer and we left with a new-found appreciation of homeopathy and a desire to learn more about this approach.

Since that time , Dr Grossbard has become our family pediatrician, and has guided us in homeopathy, herbal and Chinese medicine throughout the years. As I see it, Homeopathy complements and enhances the gentle, energetic touch of CranioBalance and the two working together creates a powerful one-two punch to strengthen the immune system and to optimize  the natural healing that is within each and every one of us.

Recommendations:

1) Find a good Homeopathic Physician and develop a working personal and professional relationship him.

2) Read up on homeopathy and learn when to use the basic remedies for your children

3) Purchase a Homeopathic home remedy kit. Here are several links for a few of the reputable companies that sell these kits.

http://www.helios.co.uk/kits.php

http://www.hylands.com/products/householdkit.php

4) Traumeel is a great homeopathic product to always have in your medicine cabinet

To summarize ,

12 Basic Rules to Optimize Your Baby’s Health

1) Healthy Parents Make Healthier Babies

2) Make the Womb an Optimal Environment for the Embryo’s Development

3) Prepare Yourself for the Birth Physically, Emotionally , and Spiritually

4) Mother’s Milk- The Perfect Food for your Baby

5) Immediately Following Birth –A CranioBalance Session

6) The Healing Power of Compassionate Touch

7) Safety First

8) Allow your Child to Express Freely

9) Diet- Limit white, processed, sweetened foods (but don’t make your kids crazy)

10) Create a Loving Home Environment

11) For All the Aches and Pains – A Holistic Medicine Cabinet

12) Homeopathy – The safe and  cost-effective approach for babies and children (and adults)

Written by Stuart (Shmuel) Berger, PT

Developer of CranioBalance 

In our final installment, I want to show how the CranioBalance vision of health extends into the family setting and also into the medicine cabinet.

In our final installment, I want to show how the CranioBalance vision of health extends into the family setting and also into the medicine cabinet .

10) Create a Loving Home Environment

The home should be a child’s safe refuge. A safe refuge is a place where the child feels protected, nourished, supported and loved unconditionally. In a world of confusion, conflict, uncertainty, and criticism, a child must have a place where he can return to where he can replenish himself and have the framework and stability of a loving family.

However, it must be stressed that in today’s modern world, a loving family home comes in many forms, as single parenting homes are becoming the norm in western society. Whatever the parental arrangement may be, there are several basic principles to follow in order to provide the optimal  home environment whereby the child can thrive.

1) Children need structure, familiarity, and consistency.

 Rituals , schedules, and routines help the child focus,  set his/her biological clock properly , and calm the child in knowing that in a world of uncertainty, there is a sense of  order and  familiar surrounding him/her. The 4000 year Jewish family model can provide us with a tried and successful template for parents to adapt and use into their home life. For example, the Shabbat is a weekly event for the family to sit together at a dinner table, sing songs, learn and tell stories about the forefathers,  and have the quality time  for the parents to listen and to be with their children. A nightly ritual in which the parent tucks the child into bed and says the Shema Yisrael prayer (and/or read a bedtime story) with him/her helps the child sleep better at night and removes all fears and nightmares.

2) Praise and never insult  your child.

3) Develop healthy communication skills with your spouse, partner , and children.

 In every close relationship there are bound to be differences of opinions and misunderstandings. Children are extremely sensitive and can pick up conflict ,unresolved anger and tension and they frequently can somaticize the tensions and strife that they feel in the home. In an extreme situation, I treated a young girl who completely lost her hearing without a clear trauma or illness. While working on her cranial system,especially at the temporal bones, I had her draw pictures of her home and family. The picture showed her mother without arms and her father as a monster in a small house with no windows. It became clear that the father was abusing the mother  verbally, and the girl simply didn’t want to hear the yells and screams in the house. When the mother had the courage and strength the leave the home and separate from the father, the child’s hearing returned and the pictures completely transformed from dark and menacing to colorful and cheerful.

4) In cases of divorce or separation, assure the children that even though Mom and Dad have chosen not to be together, they are loved unconditionally by both and that no one is at fault. If communication is difficult, a family counselor or therapist may be needed to mediate.

I highly recommend the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey for a complete program for parents to create the optimal family life.

11) For All the Aches and Pains – A Holistic Medicine Cabinet

Every home should have readily available a complete medicine cabinet to treat safely , gently and effectively childhood injuries and illnesses. Prior to this list , I need to mention that all patents should also take a First Aid course.

1) The Basics: Bandages, antibiotic ointment, iodine, cold packs , Benadryl, acamol, children’s ibuprofen

2) Natural remedies: 

Lavender:  To receive the full effect of lavender, you must use true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It can be used as an oil or spray, this plant is very versatile and treats headaches, burns, insomnia, and reduce anxiety.Placing some lavender on a pillow , makes for a calming sleep as-well-as deterring insects. Throughout history, lavender was used to treat war-wounds and burns because of its analgesic, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties.

Peppermint: When used as an oil, it can treat tension headaches. A  few drops of peppermint oil rubbed on the temples can help ease the pain and cure  headaches. This oil and plant can also be used to treat indigestion, clear nasal passages, and relieve spasmodic pain.

Tea Tree: widely known for its antiseptic qualities,  it helps treat many infections, like athlete’s foot and acne. Cold sores, warts, and shingles have also been treated with tea tree oil.

Garlic: This little seasoning is not only good for cooking, but is perfect for the winter and spring months when colds and flu are popular. The notable smell of garlic is due to the group of sulfur-containing compounds; most notable allicin, a natural antibiotic. Since these chemicals can only be excreted via sweating or through the lungs, it is helpful for lung infections and skin problems. Anyone suffering from colds, flu, bronchitis, lung infections, or a sore throat should include plenty of garlic in their diet. Garlic is also a good insect repellent.

Witch Hazel: This plant is perfect for sore muscles, back aches, bruises, and sprains; perfect for the athletes of the family. Witch Hazel used to be used a rub or a cold compress, but now you can find it in stores as lotion for burns and bug bites.

Rescue Remedy: This classic Bach Flower remedy is a must for any stressful or traumatic situation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Calendula:Used externally, Calendula is one of the best herbs for treating burns, scalds, cuts, abrasions, and infections because of its antiseptic qualities, improving blood flow to the affected area. It can heal wounds very quickly. It can reduce the fluid inside blisters.

• Calendula can help small blood vessels to seal, stemming bleeding and preventing bruising. Used for healing common sores and bedsores, Calendula is very effective for the same reasons on varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
• As an anti-fungal agent, it can be used to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, and candida.
• Internally it acts as a valuable herb for digestive inflammation and may be used in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers as well as colitis..
• Calendula cream is good for acne and nappy (diaper) rash, and can help relieve sore nipples in nursing mothers.

Other Uses

• Calendula tea has long been used as a remedy for gastritis, and is also recommended for women with painful menstruation or menopausal problems. Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water on to 2-3 teaspoonfuls of the florets and leave to infuse for l0 minutes. Take three times a day.
• A sterile tea has also been applied in cases of conjunctivitis, though it is recommended that you don’t try this at home but see a practitioner.
• Calendula gargle may help soothe toothache.
• Pot marigold can be grown in the garden to help with insect control. (Information about calendula and other natural remedies can be found in http://www.alternative-healthzine.com/html/Calendula.html)

 

12) Homeopathy – The safe and  cost-effective approach for babies and children (and adults)

In order to elucidate the advantages and power of homeopathy over allopathic medicine, I would like to share my personal experience with both in the treatment of my son , Aaron over 21 years ago.

 After arriving in Florida in August 1990, we were looking for a pediatrician for our two children.  The former head of the Florida Pediatric Association was recommended to us and we brought Aaron to him for his scheduled vaccinations of DPT.

Shortly after his vaccination, he ran a high fever, and developed an awful barking croup. Although we suspected that the croup attack was a direct result of the DPT vaccine, the doctor reassured us that there was no connection. After examining him, he insisted that we admit him to hospital and start an intensive treatment of intravenous steroids and respiratory therapy with an inhaler and bronchodilator. After 5 days, and a hospital bill of over $10,000, Aaron was discharged and we brought home with us the inhaler machine.

After many a fitful nights of  coughing and shortness of breath , we decided to bring Aaron to a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Homeopath, Chaim Grossbard, who gave us a small container of sugar pills and told us to give it to Aaron if he has another attack. Indeed , the next attack came, and under the orders of our pediatrician, we brought Aaron to the emergency room. However, we took these sugar pills (spongia 30x)  with us and started to place them in his mouth at 15 minute intervals. By the time we arrived at the hospital, his demeanor changed, his coughing stopped and his fever went down to normal.

By the time the emergency room doctor came to examine him several hours later , we were exhausted and ready to head back home. Unfortunately, the doctor demanded a complete blood work up and chest x-rays which we refused and argued that Aaron was just fine and there was no reason to subject him to needles and radiation. After some time, the doctor finally relented but forced us to sign a medical disclaimer and we left with a new-found appreciation of homeopathy and a desire to learn more about this approach.

Since that time , Dr Grossbard has become our family pediatrician, and has guided us in homeopathy, herbal and Chinese medicine throughout the years. As I see it, Homeopathy complements and enhances the gentle, energetic touch of CranioBalance and the two working together creates a powerful one-two punch to strengthen the immune system and to optimize  the natural healing that is within each and every one of us.

Recommendations:

1) Find a good Homeopathic Physician and develop a working personal and professional relationship him.

2) Read up on homeopathy and learn when to use the basic remedies for your children

3) Purchase a Homeopathic home remedy kit. Here are several links for a few of the reputable companies that sell these kits.

http://www.helios.co.uk/kits.php

http://www.hylands.com/products/householdkit.php

4) Traumeel is a great homeopathic product to always have in your medicine cabinet

To summarize ,

12 Basic Rules to Optimize Your Baby’s Health

1) Healthy Parents Make Healthier Babies

2) Make the Womb an Optimal Environment for the Embryo’s Development

3) Prepare Yourself for the Birth Physically, Emotionally , and Spiritually

4) Mother’s Milk- The Perfect Food for your Baby

5) Immediately Following Birth –A CranioBalance Session

6) The Healing Power of Compassionate Touch

7) Safety First

8) Allow your Child to Express Freely

9) Diet- Limit white, processed, sweetened foods (but don’t make your kids crazy)

10) Create a Loving Home Environment

11) For All the Aches and Pains – A Holistic Medicine Cabinet

12) Homeopathy – The safe and  cost-effective approach for babies and children (and adults)

Written by Stuart (Shmuel) Berger, PT

Developer of CranioBalance