Dr. Emily McCabe is a board certified pediatric chiropractor who graduated cum laude with a doctorate of chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. She continued her education to become certified in the Webster Technique, which is used to adjust women throughout their pregnancy, specifically in the latter stages to make sure the baby is in the best possible position for birth. McCabe — a former University of Illinois cheerleader who met her husband Nick on the squad — is a mom of two little girls, Maggie and Jada. You can find her Champaign practice in the Windsor at the Crossing complex. And she has a special introductory offer for new patients (adults or children): book an appointment and mention you saw this post on chambanamoms.com and the patient will receive a free exam and X-rays; offer ends January 17, 2011.
Q: Why did you choose chiropractic medicine?
I had been to a chiropractor while in high school and had a good experience but wanted to learn more about the science of chiropractic, so I decided to intern with a local chiropractor. While interning I witnessed so many wonderful improvements in health without any use of drugs or surgery that I was intrigued. The most memorable story for me was of this very chiropractor whose son was having trouble breathing and making it through the night as an infant. The pediatricians and medical doctors where at a loss for what to do next when the chiropractor realized he had never checked his own son for subluxation (misalignment of spinal vertebrae resulting in nerve irritation.) He put his hands on his sons upper cervical spine (top of the neck) and found a major subluxation. He adjusted his son who was beginning to turn blue. Immediately after adjusting him his color came back, he took a big deep breath, and he has been healthy ever since. This particular story really illustrated the power of chiropractic. And how wonderful that chiropractic can help so many people with such non-invasive, safe, drug-free adjustments.
Q: Why chiropractic care for kids?
The nerves control everything in the body, including the immune system. Children who are adjusted regularly are sick less often, have less ear infections, and suffer from less colds. It’s such a great way to keep your children healthy without using harmful chemicals. Chiropractic has been said to help with a long list of conditions. However, chiropractic doesn’t treat anything. Chiropractic allows the body to function better so it can heal itself. Some conditions that have benefited from better nerve function include colic;
ear infections; asthma/congestion; torticollis; ADD/ADHD; headaches/migraines; acid reflux; behavioral disorders; colds; constipation; breastfeeding difficulties; sleep; respiratory function; epilepsy/seizures and more. This is because with chiropractic the nervous system functions without interference so all the parts of the body function better.
Q: Is chiropractic care for kids safe?
Chiropractic involves no drugs and no side effects; it is very safe and non-invasive. The adjustments are light and different than an adult adjustment. An infant or young child’s body is not fully developed so the amount of force it takes to correct a misalignment is very minimal. The amount of force used to adjust the spine is much like the force used to test the ripeness of a peach. Typically, children do not need to be adjusted as often as adults. When a child comes to the clinic we will do an exam and X-rays only if we deem them necessary as when we suspect scoliosis. When starting care I encourage the parents to have their child adjusted three times a week for the first week to familiarize the child to the clinic, our staff, and their body to chiropractic. For specific concerns I will recommend personalized plans of care. Every child is different, some respond faster to adjustments, some slower. Following the initial round of chiropractic care children can be adjusted on a maintenance schedule to keep their immune system and nervous system functioning at 100%. Maintenance for children can be one time every two weeks to one time a month.
Q: Why chiropractic care for pregnant moms?
Chiropractic care is a wellness lifestyle. Being adjusted regularly means the body is free of any nerve irritation so the body and all its systems function properly, patients get sick less often, feel more energized after adjustments, and just feel better on a daily basis. Pregnancy is no different. Pregnancy is an especially important time to see your chiropractor. Your nervous system is developing your baby’s nervous system! Not to mention there are more aches and pains during pregnancy due to weight gain and change in weight distribution. Another reason it is important to get adjusted during pregnancy is for baby’s position. A misaligned pelvis can cause the uterus to become tight and may inhibit the baby from getting into the best position for birth. This may mean that the baby’s head is tilted to one side or the other or even that the baby is breech or transverse as delivery approaches. As a Webster Technique Certified chiropractor I adjust the pelvis and work with other key structures such as the round ligaments and psoas muscles to make sure the uterus is able to relax so the baby can get into the best possible position for birth, typically leading to shortened labor times and easier labors. I also educate pregnant women on stretches and exercises they can do in the comfort of their own homes as well as any nutritional information that may be needed.
Q: Why is chiropractic care safe for pregnant moms?
The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid. This coupled with low force adjustments means the baby is perfectly safe as well. At the beginning of the pregnancy adjustments are not too much different from typical chiropractic care. As the pregnancy continues and the baby grows I use pregnancy pillows which are made of memory foam and have a hole cut out of the middle for mom’s belly. Most moms are thrilled to lay on their stomach again! As always, how often a person should come in for care is different for everyone. Current patients continue their maintenance schedule of care until about the third trimester. Then we increase their visits and for the last month of the pregnancy I usually recommend that moms are adjusted weekly due to the increased stress on the body and to make sure they will be ready for labor whenever it begins! Pregnancy women who are experiencing pain due to the increased stress will likely need to be adjusted more than one who is being adjusted for wellness. Also, when pregnant women come in with baby in a breech or transverse position I strongly recommend that they begin adjustments at least three times a week until either baby turns or I feel we have corrected any structural alignments, or baby arrives.
Have a question for Dr. McCabe? Leave it here in the comments, or contact her office (217) 355-1798 to set up a free 15-minute consultation to speak with Dr. McCabe personally.
Disclosure: Dr. McCabe is a sponsor of chambanamoms.com.