A recent survey by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) found that one in ten Australians claim their pain hindered their ability to play with their children; one in ten indicated impacts on intimate relationships; and one in 20 realised their persistent pain resulted in increased friction with their partner.

With statistics like these, it is important you are staying on top of your mobility and monitor any changes in your strength, balance and flexibility. This Mobility Month, try out these four simple exercises to discover how ‘mobile’ you are:

1. Neck Rotation: testing how far and evenly you can turn your neck on each side.
   1. Sitting down, keep your shoulders still and against a chair.
   1. Turn your head all the way to the left as if you were looking over your shoulder. How far around did you get?
   1. Repeat on the right. Was it even? Was it comfortable?
      
      
2. Trunk Side Bend: testing how far you can run your hand down each side of your body.
   1. Stand with your feet comfortably apart.
   1. Run a hand down the side of your leg so you side bend without leaning backwards or forwards.
   1. Repeat on the other side. Was it even and was it comfortable to do?
      
      
3. Sit-to-Stand: testing the ease at which you can rise from your chair with crossed arms.
   1. Sit in the middle of your chair. Cross your arms over your chest.
   1. Keeping your back straight and arms across your chest…
   1. Stand straight up and then sit back down. Did you do this easily or was it hard?
      
      
4. Single Leg Stance: testing how well you balance on each leg.
   1. In a safe environment free of trip hazards, stand upright with feet together and place hands on hips.
   1. Lift one foot off the ground. Do not allow your legs to touch. Time how long you can stand without moving.
   1. Repeat on opposite side. Are you able to stand on each leg for at least 40 seconds? (If under 60 years)

How was your flexibility, strength and balance? If you find that you are struggling with one of the exercises, not to worry. We at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre are here to help.

For more information on Mobility Month, and to watch the test in action, visit mobilitymonth.org.au

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Every thought and movement in your life occurs through your brain and spinal cord, which is collectively known as the central nervous system. Your spinal column acts as the armor and pathway for your spinal cord to travel down and split into the nerves that reach every cell of your body. Every moment, millions of messages and bits of information are moving along your spinal cord to maintain the delicate balance between your brain and body.

Let’s look at some research to back this up. A recent article published by Haavik et. al., looked at the effects of chiropractic care on changes in cortical intrinsic inhibitory interactions in patients with chronic neck and upper extremity pain by measuring dual somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in the median and ulnar nerves.

The number of participants in the study was limited, however, their results were significant. They found that there was a significant decrease in the ratio and amplitude for the SEP as well as a decrease in average pain levels for all of the participants following a chiropractic care plan that was specifically recommended to each participant based on their individual clinical findings. No changes occurred in measurements during the control period prior to beginning chiropractic care.

The authors concluded that “chiropractic care improved suppression of SEPs evoked by dual upper limb nerve stimulation at the level of the motor cortex, premotor areas, and /or subcortical areas such as basal ganglia and/or thalamus.” Of course, larger studies are needed to verify and confirm these results but is always the case with science and research.

So what does this mean to you and your chiro adjustment? Very simply put, chiropractic care improves neurological activity and function for patients with chronic pain, and not just on a local level at the site of the chronic pain – it improves the neurological activity and function deep inside the cortex of your brain and brainstem, and improves your body’s ability to effectively communicate information to your brain.

If chiropractic has this powerful effect on patients with chronic pain, it is not unreasonable to infer that it also has the same effect on acute pain and on people without any pain! So do not wait until you are in chronic pain before you start taking care of your spine and nervous system – be proactive in your health by making healthy lifestyle choices and having your spine checked and adjusted regularly.

Haavik H, Niazi IK, Holt K, Murphy B. Effects of 12 Weeks of Chiropractic Care on Central Integration of Dual Somatosensory Input in Chronic Pain Patients: A Preliminary Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2017 Mar – Apr;40(3):127-138. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.10.002. Epub 2017 Feb 10. PubMed PMID: 28196631.

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From the prestigious British Medical Journal (BMJ) comes a study entitled “Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials” BMJ 2019; 364:1689

Researchers conducted 47 randomized controlled trials involving 9,211 adults.

Five insights from the study:

1. They found spinal manipulation alleviated lower back pain as effectively as exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers.

2. Spinal manipulation appeared to be more effective at improving short-term function than exercise, NSAIDs and painkillers.

3. Spinal manipulation was a better option for pain relief than non-recommended interventions, such as light tissue massage, and sham manipulation treatments.

4. The most common side effects associated with spinal manipulation — joint and muscle pain or stiffness — typically go away within a matter of days.

5. Spinal manipulation may decrease pain caused by muscle strain, spasms and inflammation, study authors concluded.

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There are still some uncertainties ahead but at least for Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre it will continue to serve the local Cranbourne North, Berwick, Narre Warren and Clyde North communities.

Cranbourne Chiropractor, Dr Beovich, is committed to looking after your spinal health including back pain, neck pain and headaches, with specific chiropractic adjustments to help restore proper spinal movement and reduce nerve irritation.

To book a chiropractic appointment at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre phone 9581 2624 or click on the link:

https://www.halaxy.com/book/chiropractor/dr-shaun-beovich/379701/372151

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As part of the Australian Chiropractors Association’s Back to School campaign, Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre here in Cranbourne North is encouraging Aussie kids to adopt positive spinal health habits.

These habits include:

• Carrying a backpack correctly with both straps, adjusting it to the correct height and ensuring only the essentials are packed, with heavier items to the back of the bag to reduce weight.
• Maintaining good posture when sitting in a classroom by keeping their shoulders back and relaxed with both feet firmly on the floor.
• Trying to reduce recreation screen time to two-hours every day.
• Eating a balanced, healthy diet and staying hydrated, helping kits to keep kids active in the playground and alert in the classroom.
• Getting enough physical activity is key for a child’s wellbeing, so as a guide, kids should try and get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

Let’s help kids practise these positive spinal health habits this back to school season and all year round.

I welcome you to make an appointment for more advice and assistance on implementing these positive health habits into your child’s daily activity.

We are even able to assist with fitting your child’s backpack to suit their current level of development. Contact us at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre to book your appointment.

For more information on these tips and the Back to School campaign, visit backtoschool.org.au  

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Make a determination, a resolution this year to improve at least one aspect of your health. As your spine protects your spinal nerves which send and receive info between your brain and the rest of your body, can we at Cranbourne Chiropractic suggest you make your spinal health a priority this year of 2020.

To help with this Cranbourne Chiropractor Dr Shaun Beovich is offering $10 off your 1st visit at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre. Let’s break down any barriers you may have to making that initial step to better health.

You can book easily online at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre. You can even fill out all initial paperwork online in the comfort of your home. It’s all paperless! Simple!

So if you are in the Cranbourne, Berwick, Narre Warren South, Clyde or surrounding areas and suffering from back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, sciatica, disc bulges, shoulder pain, hip pain etc, now is the time at the start of this new year to stop being in pain.

Or you may just want to add to your wellness routine and have a chiropractor optimise your spinal/nerve health. Or maybe you need a posture analysis and advise on how to counteract that forward hunched posture you see in the mirror?

Book online or phone Cranbourne chiropractor, Dr Shaun Beovich now on 9581 2624.

A New Year, a new you!

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Back pain, neck pain, shoulder aches and headaches can be debilitating and an unwanted discomfort through this Christmas period. So to help people move better and feel better Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre is offering new patients 20% off their 1st visit for the month of December.

Instead of $85, your 1st visit will be only $68. This includes a thorough history, examination, explanation of what’s wrong, a recommended treatment plan and we’ll get started with actual treatment. Be wary of other offers that state a low 1st visit cost but don’t include treatment!

Each year Cranbourne Chiropractor does something special through December in the lead up to Christmas. Previously Cranbourne Chiropractic has collected toys and food in exchange for treatment that then is donated to the Salvation Army to distribute to locals in need.

So if you don’t want pain to hold you back this Christmas and you are searching for a chiropractor in the Cranbourne, Berwick, Narre Warren or Clyde area then try Cranbourne Chiropractor, and take up the special $68 1st visit offer.

You can easily book online or phone 9581 2624. Located at Eve Central Shopping Centre within HealthMint Medical Centre (above Chemist Warehouse and across the road from IGA) in Cranbourne North. Check on Google Maps.

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Currently thousands see the treatment of chiropractors however many don’t realise the wide variety of treatments a chiropractor can use to help relieve back and neck pain.  The article states “while the mainstay of chiropractic is spinal manipulation, chiropractic care now includes a wide variety of other treatments including soft tissue techniques, manual or manipulative therapies, postural and exercise education and ergonomic training – including nutritional consultations.  In addition, chiropractors often work in conjunction with G. P’s, pain experts, and other health professionals to treat patients with pain.

While this is nothing new to chiropractors, it may serve to further educate the public as to the many tools a chiropractor possesses to help patients.  While most of the research on chiropractic has focused on spinal manipulation, or adjustment of the spine, for pain relief, there have been studies done on the effectiveness of chiropractic for treating musculoskeletal pain, headaches, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia (Harvard Health Publications).  The author goes on to state “a recent review concluded that chiropractic spinal manipulation may be helpful for back pain, migraine, neck pain and whiplash.”

Spinal manipulation, or adjustment of the spine, is a term used to describe providing a specific high velocity, low amplitude thrust to the vertebra to restore joint function.  Chiropractors use this technique to correct the body’s spinal alignment to relieve pain allowing the body to heal.  Treatment usually takes a short-focused period.  Most patients are scheduled 2-3 times a week initially.  Patients generally see improvement of their symptoms in the first 2 to 3 weeks (Harvard Health Publications).

References:

1. Harvard Health Publications (2015). Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/chiropractic-care-for-pain-relief

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A few simple tips to get you through:

1. Stay active. Break up your study with a bit of exercise. Go for a walk, a quick run or dance around the house (not recommended if studying in the library)

2. Good posture. Maintain good posture to help relieve tension that builds up. A firm seat with good lumbar support or a small cushion. Feet slightly raised off the ground on a small box/platform and your desk slightly angled up towards you.

3. Keep your spine aligned. Keeping your spine and nervous system functioning well is key. A chiropractic adjustment may help sort out some tension you are feeling. A good functioning nervous system may keep you sharp during study and exams.

4. Regular breaks. 40-45 minutes of study is ideal with a 10-15 minute break. It will keep you focused and more efficient with your study.

5. Enjoy!

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Celebrated each year on 16 October, people from around the world come together to raise awareness about spinal disorders and empower others to take charge of their spinal health.

An annual initiative of the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, World Spine Day is accompanied by the 2019 theme ‘Get Spine Active’ and local chiropractor Dr Shaun Beovich from Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre believes there is no better time to spread this important message.

“Being physically active can greatly help your spinal health by strengthening your muscles and easing the pressure on your spine,” Dr Beovich said.

While the ‘Get Spine Active’ theme aims to focus on the benefits of exercise and daily movement for maintaining health, Dr Beovich says it’s important to think about how all daily habits can affect your spine.

“World Spine Day is a perfect opportunity to ask yourself, ‘am I making the right choices for my spinal health?’ If not, then it’s time to make those changes and if needed seek professional help to get you started.”

‘Get Spine Active’ will focus on common physical activities including running, swimming, weightlifting and cycling, with the aim of encouraging all Australians to incorporate one of these activities or other healthy habits into their everyday lives.

Other forms of physical activity can include stretching, walking and taking small breaks during your workday. To help Australians get started on improving their spinal health, the Australian Chiropractors Association has developed the Straighten Up app designed to help improve posture, with a 3-minute stretching exercise program. They have also created the Just Start Walking app to help encourage Australians to experience the benefits of walking and also allows you to track and map your walks so you can monitor your progress and improvement.

Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre is encouraging their community of Cranbourne to Get Spine Active this World Spine Day and take the correct steps to improve their spinal health.

Chiropractors are well placed to assess and manage disorders of the musculoskeletal system and offer solutions and advice regarding your existing spinal health issues or how to improve your overall spinal health.

To book an appointment with your local ACA chiropractor, book online at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre or call (03) 9581 2624.

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