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Dr. Teresa Smith

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Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. It’s hard to fathom that young children live with a disease commonly associated with elderly people. But, according to the Arthritis Foundation, roughly 300,000 children in the United States suffer from arthritis, making it one of the most common childhood diseases in this country.

Causes of Juvenile Arthritis

Typically, the term arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. Juvenile arthritis (JA), however, can also refer to inflammation of the eyes, skin, and gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. This childhood disease has a wide variety of forms and researchers are doing their best to better understand the causes and best treatment plans.

Most types of JA are autoimmune or auto-inflammatory diseases, which means the child’s immune system attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. The exact causes of JA are currently unknown. Researchers believe certain genes may play a role in the development of the disease when they are activated by a virus, bacteria, or other external triggers.

Diagnosis

JA will usually begin to present itself with pain and a limited range of motion. Some children may experience odd rashes, swelling of the joints, or new issues with their eyes. A doctor will first take a medical history, then they will want to run some blood tests to check for inflammatory markers that would suggest arthritis as a possible cause of these symptoms. Many pediatricians, upon suspecting JA, will refer the parents to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating arthritis.

Treatments

Currently, there are no cures for juvenile arthritis. The good news is, with early detection and the right treatment plan, remission of the disease is possible.

Some of the most common treatments for JA include:

  • Medication to combat inflammation. These may include corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
  • Surgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Healthy eating – an anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean diet is often used to decrease inflammation.
  • Hot and cold treatments

Chiropractic has also been shown to have tremendous benefits in treating people of all ages with arthritis. If your loved one is suffering from juvenile arthritis and you would like us to develop a personalized care plan, please give us a call or stop by our office. No child should have to suffer from pain, and we go above and beyond to ensure your child gets the best treatments available.

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Celebrating BIPOC Mental Health Month

July is BIPOC mental health month. The event was established in 2008 as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in an effort to create awareness of the unique struggles faced by underrepresented groups in the United States. Campbell was an author, teacher, and mental health advocate with a mission to shine a light on the mental health issues of minority communities.

BIPOC mental health month seeks to continue the visionary work of Campbell by developing public education campaigns that bring awareness to as many people as possible while also addressing the needs of BIPOC.

Traditional Roadblocks Keeping BIPOC from Receiving Treatment

According to the Mental Health America organization, over 15 million BIPOC have reported they struggle with mental health issues. Unfortunately, many of these people face roadblocks to seeking the treatment they so desperately need.

A Stigma

Far too often people in the BIPOC community refuse to seek help for their mental health issues because they belong to a culture that has a social stigma surrounding therapy. For instance, in some BIPOC communities, admitting you need help means you are “crazy” or “weak.”

Lack of Access

Often, people within the BIPOC community do not speak English. If these people live in smaller, rural communities in the United States, they may not have access to clinicians who speak a foreign language. In addition, according to the American Psychological Association, 86% of psychologists in the United States are White. With so few BIPOC people becoming therapists themselves, it can then be hard for others within their community to find a therapist who understands their culture and specific challenges.

Lack of Resources

Individuals within the BIPOC community often face a lack of resources to even begin learning about mental health and the specific issues they may be facing. One such resource is the National Alliance of Mental Illness. If you are a member of the BIPOC community, please share this resource with others.

If you or someone you know is a part of the BIPOC community and suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or any other mental health disorder and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.

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The 5 Best Therapies for Those on the Autism Spectrum

Autism is a mental health disorder that affects both children and adults. It causes people to behave in certain ways that are considered “abnormal” and make interaction with others very difficult.

While there is no cure for autism, there are treatments that have been shown to help people, including children, improve their social interactions.

The following are five of the best-known therapies for those on the autism spectrum.

 

Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) works very well in helping children and adults. The therapy uses a reward system to encourage positive behaviors.

ABA offers a handful of different treatment options, namely:

  • Discrete trial training
  • Early intensive behavioral intervention
  • Pivotal response training
  • Verbal behavior intervention
  • Positive behavior support

A trained therapist will be able to assess your loved one to determine which of these types of ABA may be the most suitable.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that has been effective in treating both kids and adults with autism. Often, certain thought patterns or emotions can trigger negative behavior in someone with autism. CBT helps individuals identify which thoughts and feelings may be the culprit.

 

Social Skills Training

Social skills training (SST) is very helpful in guiding individuals in developing their social skills. Social interaction can be extremely difficult for those on the autism spectrum. But SST can help them learn how to interact with others in a positive and comfortable way.

 

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is an effective tool for helping people with autism communicate better. Not only will it help children learn how to use words correctly, but it can also help adults improve HOW they communicate their thoughts and feelings.

 

Sensory Integration Therapy

People with autism are often affected by sensory input such as smells, sounds, or light. Sensory integration therapy (SIT) works by controlling an individual’s response to light, sounds, and smells.

If you would like to explore any of these treatment options for your loved one please get in touch with me.

 

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Things to Discuss Before Marriage

“I do.” Two simple enough words. And when you say them on your wedding day, you really mean them. But “I do” can quickly turn into, “I thought I could” when you don’t know exactly who or what you are committing to.

Let’s face it, relationships are tricky and it’s important that you and your partner are 100% open and honest with one another before tying the knot. And that’s exactly why premarital counseling is so beneficial.

Premarital counseling helps couples identify and address potential areas of conflict before those issues have a chance to turn into serious problems. Couples also learn effective communication skills and conflict resolution strategies.

Here are some specific benefits of premarital counseling:

Learn More About Each Other

We always think we know our partner until they do or say something that surprises (and irks) us. Premarital counseling is an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper, more intimate level. 

Confront Challenges Head-On

Couples don’t always discuss potential areas of friction at the beginning. And then real life comes at them and arguments happen. 

For instance, what do you do if you find out each one of you has a different opinion about how finances should be handled? If one of you wants to home school but the other wants your kid to go to public schools?

Premarital counseling offers couples a space to identify potential challenges head-on.

Make Plans for the Future

The brightest futures are the ones with the best-laid plans. Couples counseling can help you create a clear vision of what you want your future to be. A counselor can help you both discuss your individual goals and dreams and how you can combine these to create a future where both of you reach your potential as individuals, as a couple, and eventually as a family unit.

If you and your partner would be interested in exploring premarital counseling, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

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