tions. In many cases, there is a link to food intolerance or allergy, and when the ag- gravating foods are identifi ed and removed, in conjunction with supportive immune system therapy, the body goes back to its natural default – being healthy! The same advice goes for other recurrent immune issues of childhood, from strep throat to bronchitis.
Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy is a gentle yet powerful treatment that harnesses the power of hot and cold water to increase circulation and promote health. The warming sock treat- ment is a perfect at-home hydrotherapy treatment to use as soon as your child begins to come down with any viral illness. To do this treatment, take a warm bath or soak the feet in a hot footbath for a few minutes to warm them up. Soak one pair of cotton socks thoroughly with cold water, wring them out well and put them on the feet. Immediately cover them with a pair of dry wool socks, and immediately go to bed. If a child is reluctant to do this, assure them the wet socks will only be uncomfort- able for a minute and that by morning the socks will be dry. Perform this treatment for three consecutive nights at fi rst onset of symptoms. Increasing circulation to the feet stimulates the immune activity of the lym- phatic system and has a refl exive drainage effect on the head and upper respiratory system.
Focus & Attention
Using a naturopathic lens, we can consider focus and attention diffi culties (as well as behavioral issues) as symptoms of an irritated or disrupted nervous system. As adults, we have been trained and instructed regarding the appropriate cultural norms and interpersonal fi lters to use when engag- ing in various social situations. We might feel like disengaging or even acting out in a given circumstance, but in most cases we subdue that innate emotion in deference to the more appropriate social response. Children have not yet been ingrained in this way, so the rawer, more innate emotion often shines through. When this becomes a chronic pattern, it is a clue toward some deeper imbalance. Naturopathic doctors seek to identify the underlying cause of that imbalance, with the end goal of reduc- ing nervous system irritation, resulting in a more emotionally balanced, cognitively clear child. We seek out potential dietary triggers, test neurotransmitter levels, and rule out nutritional defi ciencies in order to assess the individual case of each unique child.
Don’t Underestimate the Basics The fundamentals of a healthy life are the same for children as they are for adults. The four essentials of health are what you eat, how you move, how you sleep, and how you deal with stress. As with any foundation, any signifi cant or prolonged misalignment in any of these areas will cause disruption to the overall system. It is so very important that parents are strong role models in setting an ex- ample of life balance for their children.
1. Food: Keep your child healthy by mak- ing sure the whole family is eating lots of whole and unprocessed foods. The vitamins and minerals in whole foods build a strong immune system to fi ght infections. Aim for a plate full of foods with every color of the rainbow. Sneak in greens and other veggies wherever you can, whether it’s in soup, casse- role or meatloaf. Remember that sugar does more than just make kids hyper. It directly inhibits the immune system, and should be avoided - especially during illness.
2. Play: Outdoor play and signifi cant physical activity was once synonymous with childhood. With the ubiquitous presence of cellphones and tablets, and the increasing popularity of more sophisticated video games, this is something we can no longer take as a given. Habits and routines are easier to develop than they are to break, so start early in ensuring that your child gets adequate exercise and outdoor play. This helps build social interaction skills in addition to ensuring a healthy body.
3. Sleep: Lack of sleep is a common complaint among many people, and children are increasingly susceptible. Adequate sleep is vitally important to everyone, but especially children, who need that time to focus on their energy of growth of body and mind. Recom- mended sleep amounts vary by age as follows: Age 3-5: 11-13 hrs (including naps), Age 6-12: 10-12 hrs, Age 13-18: 9-10 hrs. Beginning as early as grade school, and too often by high school, many children are falling far short of these requirements. The demands and obligations of homework, sports, and other after school activities often run into the evening, and cellphones and tablets are too frequently present into the night. It is important to set rules and parameters around all these things to ensure that our children are getting the
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necessary amount of rejuvenating health- ful rest.
4. Stress: Our children are increasingly sus- ceptible to the effects of mounting soci- etal pressures, with the added factor of having fewer learned mechanisms with which to deal with them compared to adults. Bullying at school as well as on- line has become a major issue, and the innate desire of every child to “fi t in” has been exploited and manipulated within the world of social media. The typical stressors of school, relationships, fam- ily matters and thoughts about the future are all valid stressors, but they are now amplifi ed multifold and worldwide. This is mostly unchartered territory, but it’s clear that children are not able to create regulations and boundaries themselves, and they need the support and attention of parents and adults to help navigate this world. If your child seems overly stressed, it’s important to get involved, as emotions can all to quickly spiral out of control.
By setting a good example, in addition to maintaining that delicate balance be- tween keeping a watchful eye and allowing for individual experience and growth, we can ensure our children have the best possi- ble opportunities available toward a healthy and joyful life.
Dr. Fasullo has a family practice in Man- chester, CT at Collaborative Natural Health Partners. All the physicians at the clinic are in-network providers for most insurance companies and are accepting new patients. For more information or questions, please call (860) 533-0179 or visit ctnaturalhealth. com. See ad on page 30.
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