Pain 2026
I’ve written a lot about this topic, as I work with people experiencing pain every day. It’s important for me to be on the cutting edge of understanding this science so I can help as many people as possible be the best they can be. Earlier this year Quadling et.al. published a review of recent pain research in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. There were some interesting insights...
Marvellous Multifidii
The multifidii are the unsung heroes of the spine. The small but mighty muscles that play a vital role in keeping us strong, stable, and moving well through everyday life.
Scar Tissue, Spider Webs & Sweet Spots (a.k.a. why you should do your rehab exercises)
Work is required to achieve a well functioning tissue at the end of the healing process. The process can be underdone, overdone, or hit the magical sweet spot which can lead to optimal recovery. Here are some insights to the process John wanted me to share, spider webs and all!
Headache
Headache is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. The WHO states that half to three quarters of the world's population between 18 and 65 years of age have had a headache in the last year and of those, 30% or more have reported having a migraine. So why is headache so prevalent?
Achy Bones and Vitamin D Deficiency
Chiropractors are very familiar with multiple reasons why someone might come in complaining that their "bones ache", but did you know that vitamin D deficiency was on that list?
Which comes first ~ the tissue damage or the pain?
It's clear that pain is a warning signal that something is wrong, but have you ever wondered how it works?Traditional wisdom suggested that elements of a damaged tissue would trigger pain sensors (nociceptors) in our body and then send the signal back to the brain to let it know what was going on. Many pain medications have been designed based on this premise...which might be why their effectiveness is now being questioned more and more. These days we know that pain works differently...
Osteoarthritis
“Osteoarthritis is the single most common cause of disability in older adults”World Health Organisation (WHO)
The Intervertebral Disc
Many people come into our practice with back pain fearing that they have a problem with a disc, and in their heads this means they are suddenly on a very scary slippery slope towards spinal surgery and lifelong back issues. These days spinal surgery is less likely to be the solution, as research shows that outcomes are not great, but it is still a useful strategy in those few cases where conservative care has not borne fruit. As we’ve spoken about in previous blogs, knowledge and understanding about what is really happening in these people’s bodies is a vital step in the path back to good health and quality of life – so let’s talk about intervertebral discs (IVD).
Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects the function of the brain. Knowing whether it's just a bump or if you need to ring 000 is life saving knowledge. The goal posts have shifted on best practice for recovery from concussion too. Read on and share this knowledge ~ the more who know the better.
A Conversation About Pain
I promised you a conversation about pain. I think the most important thing we need to know about Pain is that it is a tool. Pain is a tool that your brain uses to keep you safe.