Author Archives: Demeri Mullikin

Parenting Tips

Parenting is tough. To help overcome parenting challenges, we started a series that offers effective advice, strategies, and approaches that support your child’s growth and development.

The new series, which leans on the expert advice from one of our pediatric occupational therapists, Jordan Chingo, is aptly called “Parenting Tips: Kid Tested, Pediatric Therapist Approved.” In the series, Jordan shares ideas and demonstrates fun and easy at-home activities that benefit all children. If you think that your child could benefit from other ways that improve their abilities and strengthen their independence, schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric therapists at our clinics in Ashland, Hayward, or Iron River.

Dry Needling Benefits

Many people are familiar with the term acupuncture, however, many are not familiar with the term dry needling and what it entails. Acupuncture and dry needling have a lot of overlap but differ in the theory behind each treatment. Acupuncture stems from Chinese medicine and involves meridians and opening up the flow of Qi (energy). Dry needling comes from Western medicine and was first used to treat myofascial pain. It has since expanded to treat a wide range of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal pains and dysfunctions.

Lactation Support

The first year of life is quite a busy time for parents. During the first year of life, your child is growing and learning skills at a faster pace than they ever will again. With appropriate support, most babies follow typical milestone achievements and development. It is amazing to watch, and amazing to think that…

Check Your Bumps for Lumps

This month marks everyone’s favorite month, especially if you like pink! October is breast cancer awareness month. It is our chance to talk and bring awareness to breast cancer for both women and men. Yes, men are also at risk. So let’s jump right into it.

Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines

“Have you had your colonoscopy yet?”  This is the phrase that most middle aged humans hear during their yearly wellness visit.  Have you ever wondered why this is always asked?  When looking at deaths related to cancer, colon cancer is the third leading cause in this group. In 2018 alone the rate of colon cancer went up 31 percent.  If colon cancer is caught early enough, the patient’s prognosis improves.  That has led the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or USPSTF, the group that sets colon cancer screening guidelines, to lower the screening age from 50 years of age to now 45 years of age.

Back to School Vaccination Tips

Say the word “August” and certain things immediately come to mind, like fresh sweet corn and tomatoes at their very best. Many of us are determined to fit in those last few beach days or camping trips during August. And for the parents of school-aged kids, August means a mad rush to get them ready to go back to school. If you have a child going back to school, or about to start kindergarten or 4K, make sure that you include updating their vaccines on your to-do list.

Eat This, Not That. The Benefits of Whole Foods.

Whole foods are foods that are as little processed or refined as possible and have no additives such as preservatives or artificial ingredients, such as food coloring, added to the food. For example a baked potato would be a whole food but instant mashed or boxed scalloped potatoes are not.  Broiled white fish or perch would be considered whole foods versus a fish stick.