Dr Orly Zuker... Chiropractor, Mother, Writer

A personal piece...

When should I have a baby?… When should I return to work?… How many days should I work?… What do I do about an exclusively breastfed baby who refuses a bottle of expressed breastmilk??

I am a Chiropractor, I am a business owner, I am a writer (for 3 magazines), I am a mother, I am a wife, I am a daughter, I am a sister and I am a friend. I am busy! Before having a baby and then choosing to return to work I had the same questions that every other female chiropractor has… 

How do I balance work and mother-hood? The fact is that you can’t plan this because each baby is different and you will only ‘know-when-you-know’ how you will feel and think about being a working mother. Jackson was 5.5mth old when I returned to work for a 2hr shift. My husband would bring him to the clinic for that time and I would feed him in between patients. When it was almost feed time I would have a ‘let down’ and start leaking (ohh the fun of being a breastfeeding chiropractor!). 

He would sleep in the pram and cuddle patients when he was awake. I loved this time at work, but it wasn’t so easy. By the time Jackson was 13mth or 14mth he dropped his day feeds and no longer ‘needed’ me during the day. The child loves coconut water (the most expensive brand of course!), so my husband gives him a drink before he puts him to sleep. My mother anxiety dropped, I got my life back a little and everything with work became a whole lot easier (thankfully because I needed a day to myself as a chiropractor by this stage). I now choose to work every Monday and every second Saturday. I also have a home practice and see people here and there. I write for 3 different magazines (one national) and that all keeps me very, very busy.

As for when is the right time to start a family… Well the simple answer is that there is never a right time, you just have to bite the bullet. I purchased a clinic in December 2011, was married in March 2012 and I fell pregnant in July 2013 (this was planned). Our clients are very loyal and they were comfortable with me (no one likes change!)… 

My practice certainly suffered with about 30 patients not even trying my associate. This loss you just have to swallow when you are a female chiropractor, and just trust and know that it doesn’t matter because before you know it your patients will love your fill-in, you will generate new business and you will be back at work before they know it. As for baby number 2… I have no idea!! We are going to wait till Jackson is in kindergarten!

It is so important to not put pressure on yourself. You are doing a great job and need to listen to your inner instinct. As a working mother, if you can’t call a patient, text them... Be clear with your reception staff about what you need; for instance I run out of the door the moment the last patient leaves to get home to feed Jackson at night… Be grateful for the help you receive with your baby/ children (my husband and the two grandmas are amazing!)

… Let it go; if you have a patient who doesn’t quite understand your goal of a healthier lifestyle for them, then move on to the next person who is happy to embrace your advice… Try not to bring your stress home… Laugh a little… Love a lot and communicate all the time with those people close to you…

I, J, K IS FOR….

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor
(B.Appl Sci:Comp Med, Masters:Clin Chiro, B. Nursing)


INCA BERRIES

Inca berries, also known as goldenberries or gooseberries are a tart, sweet, tangy and chewy South American superfood. They are packed full of antioxidant goodness, bioflavonoids, vitamin A and vitamin C. In traditional South American folk medicine, Inca berries are believed to help maintain healthy weight and promote good health.
Inca berries are a great addition to a trail mix and go perfectly with a mouthful of almonds and raisins. Yum!

 

 

JUNIPER BERRY

Juniper berries are frequently used in herbal medicine preparations (especially in regards to chronic urinary tract infections and lung congestion). The essential oil of juniper berry has diuretic properties, gastrointestinal irritant and antiseptic properties and is in fact used to flavour gin!

Traditionally, Juniper berries also are recommended for joint pain, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as nerve, musculoskeletal and skin conditions such as psoriasis. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of juniper berry essential oil are well documented in the research that exists.

KALE

Kale is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially when added to juice! (what a terrific detox though!). However, kale is a very healthy dark green leafy vegetable (that has 45 different flavonoids). It is packed full of chlorophyll and healthy minerals and vitamins.

Research suggests that this green superfood has cholesterol-lowering benefits (if cooked by steaming) as well as anti-cancer benefits (including bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate cancer). Kale also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits which may assist in chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. In a nut shell, Kale is incredible for you!

KIWI

Kiwi fruits are tangy and tart when they are not ripe and then super sweet when they have sat in your fruit bowl for a week or so. They are the perfect addition to a colourful fruit platter and are bursting with goodness. Did you know that the furry kiwi fruit is a great source of vitamin A and C? And interestingly, when cut in half, the kiwi fruit resemble the human eye and vitamin A is beneficial to macular and eye health.

The kiwi fruit are in fact native to China and were introduced to New Zealand by missionaries in the early 20th century, for which its name came from, resembling the kiwi bird!

Their fuzzy skin may deter some, however research suggests that the phytonutrients (antioxidants/ vitamin C/ flavonoids and carotenoids etc) contained in the kiwi fruit have the ability to protect DNA from oxidative stress (in the nucleus/ power house of human cells). So in the winter months, eat your kiwi fruit!

References:

Miller, HE etal. (2000). Antioxidant Content of Whole Grain Breakfast Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables. J Am Coll Nutr . Vol. 19 (3). Pg.  312-319.

Pantelidis, GE etal. (2007). Antioxidant capacity, phenol, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid contents in raspberries, blackberries, red currants, gooseberries and cornelian cherries.  Food Chem, Vol 102 (3). Pg. 777- 783.

Collins BH et al. (2001). Kiwifruit protects against oxidative DNA damage in human cells and in vitro. Nutr Cancer. Vol 39(). Pg. 148-53.

Duttaroy A & Jorgensen A. (2004). Effects of kiwi fruit consumption on platelet aggregation and plasma lipids in healthy human volunteers. Platelets . Vol 15(5). Pg. 287-292.

Pepeljnjak, S etal (2005) . Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae). Acta Pharm. Vol. 55. Pg. 417–422.