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No amount of research, experience, patience, or knowledge can prepare you for when your baby won’t stop crying inconsolably in the middle of the night. I hope the information below can be useful for someone who is sleep deprived, exhausted and caring for a crying baby who isn’t responding to the regular comfort measures. The information in this article is derived from an article explaining Dunstan Baby Language , and the original article can be found on alternativehealthuniverse.com and entitled “These Signs Will Help You Understand Your Baby Before It Speaks.” Using Dunstan Baby Language, the author explains how to decode your baby’s cries, movements, and sounds to guess what they are needing. While science is skeptical about the theory of using cues and signs to decode what your baby is needing, trying to figure out what your baby needs can be complicated and overwhelming at times and any helpful tool, tips, and tricks can be a Godsend. So, what does all the crying mean and how do you differentiate what the different cries mean? Six distinct baby cries are addressed with Dunstan Baby Language: Calling Cry: When your baby cries for a few seconds, stops for about 20 seconds, and then starts crying again, she needs attention and probably just wants to be held. If you aren’t able to hold her right away, the crying will most likely continue. Hungry Cry: If your baby is hungry, he won’t stop crying. Your baby might make smacking sounds with his lips, turn red in the face and eventually the crying could turn hysterical which can be as stressful for the caregiver as it is for the baby. Discomfort Cry: The tell-tale signs of a discomfort cry are that your baby will arch her back and squirm non-stop. She may need her diaper changed, be too hot or cold, or is not feeling well. Pain Cry: This cry will be louder and sound different than any other crying you’ve heard from your baby before. The loudness, distinctness and duration of the pain cry will definitely get your attention. Sleep Cry: A sleep cry is more of a whiny cry. Your baby will start rubbing his eyes also. When you hear your baby sound persistently whiny and he’s rubbing his eyes, then it's time for a nap. Environmental Cry: When your baby keeps crying to get your attention and just seems fussy, she isn’t comfortable where she’s at. She may want to go home, want a different crib/rocker to play in, or be bored and she’ll keep crying to let you know. Babies also communicate using body language. Here are six types of baby body language: Arched Back: Babies under two months old arch their back when they have discomfort such as gas pains, colic, or need a diaper change. Babies over two months old may arch their back when they are sleepy. Clenched Fist: A baby with a clenched fist is usually a hungry baby. If you notice your baby’s clenched fist and are able to feed right away, you may avoid the hunger cries that would come later. Ear Grabbing: Babies love to explore and a baby who is grabbing his ear from time to time may have found his favorite new toy attached to the side of his head. If he is grabbing his ear frequently, you may want to talk to your doctor. Head Rotation: When a baby is tired, and just about to fall asleep, you’ll notice they may turn their head from one side to the other over and over again. It almost looks like they can’t quite get comfortable. This is actually a calming technique that helps babies fall asleep. Leg Lifting: Stomach pains and colic are the most common reasons that make a baby lift its leg because it stops the ache for a moment. Consult with a doctor if this becomes a habit or concern. Arm Jerking: A baby will jerk her arm suddenly and wake up if she’s asleep when startled by a loud noise or bright light. Being aware of different types of cries and body language your baby makes can help you feel even more connected to your child. Janet Lansbury explained this well In “Elevating Child Care” when she explained “hearing and acknowledging our children’s emotions can be intensely challenging, but it is essential for raising healthy children who feel connected to us.”
Chronic Pain: Theodore Roosevelt inspired many when he said, “courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” People who experience chronic pain are undoubtedly courageous because of the physical pain they battle everyday. There are options for dealing with chronic pain, but it can be overwhelming to analyze the different treatments available. In many cases, it is best to start with noninvasive methods of pain control, but checking in with your primary care doctor is always important. Noninvasive strategies for decreasing pain include specialized breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and being mindful of how stress is contributing to your pain levels. Decreasing stress and incorporating systematic relaxation methods such as massaging the problem area with topical pain relief cream can go a long way in your efforts to overcome pain. In addition, although rest is recommended after a new onset of an injury causing pain, continued nonuse of a part of the body can increase pain levels. Research has shown that light exercise can decrease pain by increasing endorphins, loosening stiff muscles, and preventing deconditioning which will worsen pain levels over time. Exercising in water is an effective way for people with chronic pain to tolerate physical exertion. Because you are buoyant and almost weightless in water, there is no pressure on joints and it decreases the load bearing demands on your body. Even walking back and forth across the shallow end of a pool can reduce pain by strengthening muscles and improving overall range of motion. There are many indoor and outdoor public pools in this area that are free or low cost and some also host water aerobics and exercise classes. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people suffer from chronic pain worldwide. For many of these people, medical intervention is required to help alleviate physical distress and improve quality of life. Prescription medications can be administered to help control pain levels. However, often times people are hesitant to try prescription medicine and so they keep this option as a last resort. This is sometimes because of the controversy surrounding certain pain medications (namely opioids) becoming addictive and causing severe withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, people often consult with their physician about what else they can do to ease chronic pain. It is very common for a physician to refer a patient who is experiencing chronic pain for physical therapy services. Physical therapists are required to attend about seven years of college and obtain a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree, among other requirements, in order to practice in the U.S. During those years of training, PT’s become experts regarding the anatomy and physiology of the human body and how to make sure it performs at the highest level possible. They have experience pairing specialized pain relief modalities with targeted movements to coerce muscles and joints to perform better, become stronger, and make progress while decreasing pain levels naturally. PT’s also usually prescribe home exercise programs, teach patients what techniques will be the most effective based on case history and proficient assessment, and offer patient/family/caregiver education to improve carryover of pain relief methods and results. Typically if a patient who has chronic pain has utilized these methods and is compliant with physical therapy, but is still complaining of severe physical suffering that interferes with daily life, then more invasive strategies may be discussed. Injections are a common way to mitigate severe pain. Shots to the problem area containing steroids and/or an anesthetic medicine can provide almost instant respite from severe pain, but the relief of a steroid injection is only temporary and will eventually wear off. A more invasive way to assuage intense physical discomfort is for an intrathecal pump (pain pump) to be surgically implanted into the abdomen. The pump will be programmed by the physican to slowly release pain medication over a period of time. The procedure can be expensive, and comes with heightened risks and restrictions. However, for those with daily debilitating pain, the benefits a pain pump can offer make this a viable choice. Because there is such a high prevalence of chronic pain in society, many treatment options have been developed to offer help and hope for those afflicted. The choices described in this article are just some of the options available, but are definitely not an exhaustive list. After working with your primary care physician to evaluate and implement appropriate pain relief strategies, your doctor might refer you to a pain relief specialist who can suggest more targeted alternatives. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”-Christopher Reeve
A cerebral vascular accident (CVA, or stroke) occurs when blood supply to an area of the brain is interrupted or reduced. Side effects from a stroke are related to the area of the brain that is obstructed from blood flow and how much tissue is affected. Because of how a CVA affects the body and muscles, it is very important to receive physical therapy services after a stroke. A physical therapist should see a stroke survivor immediately after the CVA and periodically after the stroke due to the progressive changes that can occur with muscle ability, weakness, and range of motion. In order to receive physical therapy services, a physician must write an order for PT. Next, the patient can choose a physical therapy clinic. It is a good idea to call and check on schedule availability, insurance being in network and necessary co-pays when deciding on where to receive physical therapy. On the first visit, an evaluation is completed by a licensed physical therapist to assess the patient’s current level of strength and muscle weakness, overall endurance, gait abnormalities, range of motion, and sensory deficits, as well as specific concerns and goals the patient would like to achieve. The PT will recommend an individualized plan of care with a frequency that is manageable for the patient. Hemiparesis is weakness on one side of the body (either the left or right side) and is usually addressed in PT. According to the National Stroke Association, hemiparesis affects 8 out of 10 stroke survivors. This one-sided weakness can affect any or all muscles on the affected side including musculature of the legs, arms, hands, face, and mouth. It can be impossible to stand, walk, get into a chair, bed or shower, put on clothing, or care for oneself independently with hemiparesis. Hemiplegia is paralysis on one side of the body, and is also commonly seen after a stroke. Hemiplegia is more severe than hemiparesis and will require more intensive physical therapy. It is very important to continue to try using the weak or paralyzed side of the body. Learned nonuse can occur when a person becomes dependent using the non-affected/stronger arm or leg, neglects to move or try to use the weaker arm or leg, and eventually causes movement of the limb to be much more difficult. Passive range of motion exercises can be instrumental in preventing the phenomenon of learned nonuse. Many times after a stroke, hemiparesis and hemiplegia can affect a person so much that an adaptive or assistive device becomes necessary to maintain adequate safety or is needed for overall well being. A cane, walker, orthotic device or splint are often used after a stroke as a compensatory or coping method for affected limbs. Physical therapists can help a person learn how to use these types of devices properly and safely, and can also teach the patient how to properly exercise with and without these kinds of devices. A PT can also educate a patient about which type of device is the least restrictive and most appropriate for current deficits, and how to make progress independently, so as not to become dependent on assistive devices. When a person has hemiplegia or hemiparesis, building back strength and confidence in standing, walking, or gait (manner of walking) is detrimental to making continuous progress. In physical therapy, a series of short term goals are organized to ensure measurable and achievable progress. These short term goals work towards building on small victories to eventually achieve an important long term goal such as standing alone or assisted for a certain amount of time, walking assisted or independently for a designated distance, or compensating for a problematic gait disturbance for a specific distance. As progress in physical therapy is made, the patient will feel more confident participating in a variety of tasks and hopefully achieve a level of independence with different tasks. Some people only experience mild hemiparesis after a stroke, and make progress quickly. However, balance and range of motion may not be the same as it was before the stroke. This can also be a safety hazard. Most research shows that falls are the number one medical complication after a stroke. Physical therapy is a vital way to improve balance, leg mobility, core strength, and learn to manage deficits in safe way. After a stroke, physical therapy can be the main method of recovery for achieving independence for functional tasks such as bathing, dressing, transferring into a bed or wheelchair, or even returning to work. Physical therapists help stroke survivors maintain strength, confidence, and safety!