Osteoarthritis ~ New Insights from the Latest Science
Recent developments in science are telling us we need to re-think osteoarthritis.
Forearm and Hand Pain
I started this blog trying to pull apart the many elements of “desk-job-itis” that contribute to a person having painful forearms. It is a complicated web with many moving parts.
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?
Chiropractic Maintenance Care
So, once the chiropractor has helped to resolve the presenting pain or problem, is ongoing chiropractic maintenance care a good idea, or is it a waste of time and money? The latest research gives some insights.
Just Breathe
We all know that without breath there is no life. Did you know the quality of your breathing affects the quality of your life too? Breathing, headspace and physical health are closely linked. Your breath can be used as a tool to manage, or a trigger to compromise, both your mental and physical wellbeing.
Why Exercise?
“If exercise could be packaged in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.” - Robert Butler, National Institute on Aging
Fantastic Feet…and NOT so Fantastic Plantar Fasciitis
Feet are pretty wonderful. They’re made up of some amazing structures and enable us to traverse a whole array of different surfaces by being so adaptable. Painful feet, in contrast, are not fun. Being unable to get around and just do our usual thing at our regular pace really takes the shine off the day. Today I wanted to talk about a common cause of foot pain, Plantar Fasciitis.
Forward Head Posture
Carrying your head in front of your body, or forward head posture, definitely disrupts the biomechanics in your neck ~ to a greater degree than you'd probably imagine. The problems don't stop there though. New research indicates forward head posture also creates distorted feedback to the brain and, subsequently, less than ideal instructions from the brain back to the body.
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).
The Anti Inflammatory Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet is a good choice for those who want to live a long and healthy life.
Loving Your Curves (Scoliosis)
It’s true bodies come in all shapes and sizes. We also come with a myriad of different combinations of curves. Some are perfect and just as they should be. Some challenge us and our health. Some upset the apple cart entirely. It would be easy to assume I’m referring to body shape here, but I’m not. I’m talking about the curves in our spine.
The Predictive Brain
The brain pre-empts what is going to happen next based on history. It collates data from current findings inside and outside the body, blends this with what it has experienced before and sends out instructions so we can react appropriately. All in a split second! But what happens when the brain gets this wrong?
OMG Bones! (Osteoporosis, Menopause/Men and Great Bones!)
A broken bone is often the first sign that someone has osteoporosis. This is because we just don’t check the quality of our bones routinely until we know there’s a problem. 50% of women and 25% of men over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. We need to take care of our bones.
Inflammation ~ Friend or Foe
Inflammation has a bad reputation. In our heads it is associated with swollen, angry, painful tissues. We are almost conditioned now to reach for medication to stop these symptoms, but are we doing ourselves any favours in doing so? Yes, the pain is eased, but what’s the cost?
OTC Pain Medications (a tool)
Though chiropractors do study pharmacology as a part of their five year university degree, I am not a pharmacist and am not qualified to give advice on any medications. Unsurprisingly, I am often asked about over the counter (OTC) medications to manage pain, so I’ve done some research for you.
Falling (Gravity and Other Myths)
Veteran acrobat Jascha Boyce stares fear in the face every time she trains and performs. If a routine goes wrong, Boyce knows she has to immediately get up and do it again.
Increase Your Knowledge and Heal Better
“Knowledge and movement are the greatest pain and stress liberators”Lorimer Moseley and David Butler.