Chiropractic Blog
Chiropractic isn’t actually about pain… it’s about function! How do you know if you’re functioning as best as you can? Do you ever think about what your kidneys or liver are doing on a daily basis? Or maybe how strong your immune system currently is? More often than not you won’t know there’s an issue until after a symptom develops, often once the problem has been there for some time. Chiropractors look for areas in your spine that aren’t functioning correctly and are putting pressure on your nerve system – this is called a vertebral subluxation. As this interferes with the communication between your brain and all the different parts of your body it is vitally important to remove vertebral subluxation before it affects your health.
Water consumption is vital for our bodies. Many people do not drink enough water, but did you know the importance of drinking water after a Chiropractic adjustment?
Many people aren’t aware of how spinal pain shows in their bodies. Spinal pain doesn’t just show itself for no reason, unless its from a trauma. It’s a process that happens over time and could be triggered by the simplest thing. Like coughing or sneezing. It’s important that we keep an eye on how we do everyday tasks and to get regularly checked by your chiropractor.
Sacro Occipital Technic (SOT) is a comprehensive, gentle and innovative technique of Chiropractic.[1] Its name stems from the relationship between the Sacrum (base of the spine) and the Occiput (base of the skull). In 1925, Dr DeJarnette founded SOT and to this day it is continued to be studied and researched worldwide.
Poor posture can often be the cause of back problems. When we don’t hold ourselves correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to unnecessary wear and tear of spinal structures, reduced function and poor health.
Because of the high level of stress in modern society, relaxation is very important. We know that stress not only affects our moods but also major and potentially dangerous disorders. It can also slow recovery from major traumas to the body.
Being connected is very important in our modern world. Could you imagine how you’d feel if you left your smart phone at home? Many of us begin to experience withdrawal symptoms if we’re separated from our Internet connection for more than an hour!
The human body is designed for motion. Its frame is engineered to move effectively and efficiently. It is not designed for prolonged sitting on the couch, lengthy drives in a car and long hours at a computer work station.
We do it all the time, but just because we are breathing, it doesn’t mean we are doing it correctly.
Proper breathing involves using your diaphragm – a muscle located at the base of the lungs separating the chest and abdominal cavities. When you breathe with your diaphragm the muscle works like a pump drawing air into the lower lung spaces. During inhalation you should notice your belly move forward and the lower ribs expand out the side.
In Western society Sciatica is a common aliment, particularly in the 30-50 year age group. It describes a set of symptoms that include hip, buttock and leg pain radiating from the low back along the apth of the Sciatic Nerve. This nerve is formed from the L4-S3 spinal nerves which join up as they exit the low back. It runs through the buttock, down the back of the thigh and leg, into the foot.
Chiropractic patients often experience unexpected improvements in many aspects of their health after commencing treatment. Patients who have received chiropractc adjustments over a period of time will often claim they feel more relaxed, have more energy or a greater sense of wellbeing.
Nowadays pillows are made from of a range of materials – foam, feather, cotton, latex; and come in different shapes and forms – standard, pre-contoured, adjustable and even water pillows. Consequently choosing the pillow that’s best for neck and shoulder pain can be a bit confusing.
Arthritis is a condition that effects the musculoskeletal system, and in particular the joints where two or more bones meet. Over 100 different forms of arthritis have been identified and classified.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is considered a degenerative condition related to wear and tear, as opposed to most other forms of arthritis that are considered inflammatory conditions.
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become thin, weak and fragile. It is becoming more common in Australia with around 3.8% of the population having osteoprososis. But as a nation, we still do not fully understand the risk factors and how we can reduce our chances of developing osteoporosis.
Why not take our quiz and test your knowledge on osteoporosis (bone thinning)?
People often describe a range of complaints, including low back pain, neck pain and sciatica as being due to a slipped disc. This is often not the case.
A true slip (or prolapse) of the intervertebral disc is not as common as muscle and joint problems of the spine. Disc injuries are also more serious and recovery takes longer.
It’s that time of year again when we start defrosting from winter and come out of hibernation. However, unlike the bears, we have been eating quite well during the cold months but doing about the same amount of exercise as our sleeping friends. As a result our weight might be tipping the scales on the heavy side.
So, instead of jumping back into exercise that you haven’t done for 4 to 6 months (or even longer), think about how you will set up your program and gradually ease back into the levels of exercise you knew.
Chiropractic recognises the inherent ability of the human body to regulate its internal mechanisms and adjust to the many physical, chemical and emotional stresses that confront us in everyday life.
The body’s stress response is designed to accommodate temporary circumstances that require a “fight or flight” reaction. A good example is to imagine being chased by a wild animal. In this situation the body has to prioritise the functions that are needed most. Blood pressure and heart rate become elevated to enable quick muscle response. Non-essential functions such as digestion and the immune system, both of which can be quite taxing of the body’s energy reserves, are given less priority. These rapid changes result from the release of large amounts of hormones, known as catecholamines (eg. adrenalin) and cortisol (stress hormones).
Conservative estimates suggest that 4 out of every 5 Australians will experience acute back pain in some way shape or form during their life. Several factors predispose or increase the risk of this. These include age, fitness, lifestyle, previous injuries and perhaps most importantly, occupational stresses.
If you suffer from chronic pain, you may think no one understands how you feel. But, did you know one in five Australians are suffering from it too, and even more in the over-65 age bracket?
Another year has flown by and once again it is time for the obligatory New Year resolutions. Here are some tips to keep you in great health:
Backpacks are used by many people every day as the most efficient way to transport heavy materials over moderate distances whilst looking after their spine. Current research supports this concept and is the reason why students should be encouraged to use a backpack, but it must be used correctly.
The later summer months are traditionally our hottest time of the year. Not surprisingly this is when most heat related injuries are seen. Such injuries are completely preventable and occur when our body temperature rises above normal and the body is no longer able to regulate heat loss.
Most people know that drinking too much Alcohol can damage the liver, but they may not know that it also damages the brain. Excess alcohol over a long period actually poisons brain cells, damaging them permanently. In addition, many heavy drinkers neglect their diet and may be deficient in vitamin B1 (thiamine). Lack of this vitamin may lead to memory loss.
An integral part of normal human function is the brain's ability to communicate with the body through the nervous system. This is a well-known scientific fact that all medical and allied health practitioners around the world agree on. We also know that during our lifetime the body is exposed to stressful situations that have the potential to compromise the nervous system (when your spine is misaligned or 'out'). This may result in nerve interference that compromises our health and prevents the body from functioning at its best.
You may often hear your chiropractor speak about spinal disc problems. To understand the nature of such disc problems it is necessary to understand the functions of the disc.
Inter-vertebral discs are structures located between the spinal bones (vertebrae). They act as shock absorbers for the spine, preventing contact between the vertebrae and providing adequate space for the spinal nerves to exit.
In scientific terms there is no such thing as a slipped disc. Discs are well secured to a cartilage pad and then attached to the vertebral bones above and below. A slipped disc is simply a popular term for either a protruding disc or bulging disc, or a ruptured (prolapsed) disc.
Disc problems can cause debilating pain but with some basic understanding of the causes of disc problems, a lot can be avoided.
The neck is one of the most important, and probably most neglected, parts of our body
Within its structure it carries vital nerves, arteries and veins whilst performing the essential task of supporting the head on two very small vertebrae. The head weighs approximately four to six kilograms. This means good balance in the neck muscles is important, and the posture of the neck is critical to body function resulting in little or no neck pain.
Everyone considers the cause of their headaches is something out of their control. Almost everyone suffers from headaches and relates it with issues regarding work, children, spouse, bills, etc.
Back pain!!!!!
It is the most common reason people miss work and go to the doctor. A sore back is mostly the result of muscle sprain or strain, poor body mechanics or sudden movement during lifting heavy obects. Other kind of back injuries can also result in such a pain.
Have you been facing problems in your back lately? Are you seriously looking for some chiropractor? You’ll find a number of institutes providing this treatment for your spinal cord, but you can’t just randomly choose any of them. After all, it is a matter of your health. This is why we are providing you with the eight most important factors that you must consider before making your final decision.
Following eight factors are important when choosing chiropractor:
You don't need to suffer from back pain in Springfield. Our clinic, although located in Camira, is on the border of Springfield and we service clients across Greater Springfield and Ipswich.
