Healthy Families = Happy Families

This June, I headed out to Staunton, VA to meet Dr. Andrew Dodge and his lovely wife, Nicole Dodge – together, they own and operate Valley Family Wellness and Chiropractic.  When I approached VFWC to sponsor the Little Planets baby & children’s area at the Red Wing Roots Music Festival (coming up July 8-10, 2016), Nicole and I quickly figured out that Little Planets and VFWC have a lot in common.  We value sensory-based play, experiential learning, and nurturing children’s natural creativity and imaginations, just to start. It turned out we had even more in common: Andrew, Nicole, and I are all William and Mary alums. Small world!

When I walked into VFWC there was no administrator at the desk, but rather Dr. Andrew himself and Nicole with their youngest (and very adorable) baby daughter.  They are two of the nicest and most welcoming people I’ve met.  The office is set up to make everyone feel comfortable and at home.  There is even a nursing areas for mamas that want some privacy. I realized I had never assumed that chiropractic care included prenatal, birthing, and postpartum treatments.

Dr. Andrew treats women and infants in all stages of pregnancy. I was amazed to listen to him describe how prenatal chiropractic care can provide a more comfortable position for baby (as well as mom!), and additionally ensure more effective nutrition and oxygen reaching the baby. Chiropractic care can help ease labor and delivery.  And it can even help with proper latching and nursing.  Of course, at VFWC Dr. Andrew also sees older kids, dads, and all members of the family.  He also works with patients with neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries. (Here is a complete list of services offered at VFWC).
Another service offered at VFWC (which, I have to be honest, I hadn’t know about!) is genetic paneling. Dr. Andrew described how a genetic panel can reveal what conditions and diseases a person is predisposed to, thereby focusing the treatment on prevention instead of cure.  His holistic practice integrates the use of chiropractic adjustment, nutrition analysis, detoxification, and supplements, among other complimentary therapies, to successfully prevent or treat many conditions without drugs or invasive procedures.  (Check out Dr. Andrew’s blog).

Nicole is Dr. Andrew’s partner in every way. Aside from being a busy mom of three under 4, she is the point of contact, marketing director, scheduler, and organizer extraordinaire at VFWC.  Nicole is amazing at providing the friendly and practical support families, especially new moms and dads, often need so much. Among the parenting resources you’ll find at VFWC, there is the Valley Babywearing Library – the goal of which is “to help parents find the best carriers to benefit baby and their lifestyle.” You can make an appointment to check out and try out dozen of carriers and slings before you commit to buying one. (I wish I had done this before buying mine – my back hurt a lot of the time when I was carrying my boys… if only I had known the Dodges then!).

Essential oils are another part of the treatment and philosophy at VFWC. Though I am new to them myself, I know many people who have benefited enormously from using them in many different ways. Nicole works with Young Living, an essential oils company, to provide natural, plant-based alternatives to promote wellness – everything from children, to pets, to cleaning products! And essential oils naturally complement and support Dr. Andrew’s treatments. These two really are an amazing team! (Check out Nicole’s blog, The Chiropractic Wife).

We’re so lucky at Little Planets to work with a sponsor that does so many awesome things to support the health and happiness of local families. We are also very grateful for their generosity. Be sure to stop by the Little Planets baby & kids’ area at Red Wing Roots. We’ll have an eco-friendly baby-changing area, nursing nook, sensory & playtables for toddlers, and so much more. We’ll also have more info about upcoming events at VFWC, essential oils, and an awesome giveaway that includes a free intro session at VFWV (a $75 value!) and eco-friendly ceramic travel mug!

Healthy families = happy families























#Kids #Festivals #MusicFestivals #Family #Playspaces

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