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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Every January millions of children, including some of our very own patients, go back to school. While schools are great places for children to learn and develop both mentally and socially, it is important for kids to remember their health and wellbeing in the classroom all year round.

While most parents and children have a checklist of stationery and supplies for starting the school year, we are providing our patients with a ‘Back to School Health Checklist.’ The checklist, developed as part of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) Back to School Campaign, is a great way to remind kids of the importance of building healthy habits in school.

They are simple to incorporate and easily fit into a child’s everyday routine. For instance, packing a healthy lunch filled with lots of fruit and veggies, getting 60 minutes of daily physical activity and wearing the backpack correctly by carrying it with both straps.

The Health Checklist also reminds kids to reduce their recreational screen time, sit correctly in the classroom and consider chiropractic care.

Kids don’t often think about the impact that common activities like sitting in a classroom, carrying a heavy bag and excessive screen time can have on their overall health and wellbeing.

Pick up your complimentary Back to School Health Checklist from us today, or if you are concerned about your child’s spine or any other back to school related activities, book an appointment with us via Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre online booking site.

For more information on the ACA’s Back to School, visit backtoschool.org.au

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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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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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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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Unfortunately they then proceeded to spend the next 20 minutes on their phones or devices looking down playing games etc! We had to leave so I’m not sure how long they were out in this wonderful park playing on their electronic devices. How sad!

Neck pain and poor posture often go hand in hand. With the increased use of electronic devices and screen time people of all ages are getting into static, hunched, forward head positions for long periods of time, resulting in increased muscle tension and tightness in the joints of the neck and upper back. What’s called ‘Tech Neck’ these days.

Part of the problem is that we aren’t getting outside as much as we used to. Kids are stuck inside on their devices and unfortunately looking for adults for inspiration is no good as they are also head down on their devices.

As a chiropractor this is what we are up against. Hours of screen time leading to poor posture, neck pain, headaches, upper back pain etc. Tech neck and even worse ‘Digital Dementia’ where the brain doesn’t think for itself anymore due to sensory overload from too much screen time.

And so even when we get people outside to enjoy the local parks, they stay chained to their phones. For your neck and your kids, go and enjoy our local parks but keep off your phones.

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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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Why it Matters:

Each day we work with people, young and old, who are experiencing the symptoms associated with tech neck. By creating a plan of care that may include stretching, adjustments, and postural exercises; we have been able to help our patients overcome these aches and pains without giving up their mobile phones and tablets. 

• Looking down at your phone, tablet, or computer for long periods of time can cause muscle strains and neck pain which is now known as tech neck.
• Researchers have discovered the angle of your head when text messaging places tremendous amount of stress on your neck and spine.
• Taking short breaks to stretch at least every 30 minutes helps your body feel better by improving your posture and resetting your balance.

Next Steps:

Next time you are on the phone, stop for a moment and see if your head is creeping forward. If your chin is tucked down and your ears are in front of your shoulders, then you are in the forward head posture we call tech neck. It’s a good time to take a break, stretch, and reset. If you are experiencing any pain or headaches, then please reach out so we can work with you to create a plan to help you stay connected without suffering from tech neck.

Science Source(s):

Head flexion angle while using a smartphone. Ergonomics. 2015

Effects of a Resistance and Stretching Training Program on Forward Head and Protracted Shoulder Posture in Adolescents. JMPT 2017

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Why it Matters:

The facets are little joints on the back side of your spine. Similar to your knuckles, they have a small capsule around them for lubrication and support. When a facet joint is stretched open, gas within the joint is released, making a crunch or cracking sound. The release of gas is perfectly normal and happens because of the negative pressure in the joint. Just like taking the top off a champagne bottle. Sometimes adhesions can occur in the joint making it painful to move. That is why after a chiropractic adjustment many people feel better and have an improved range of motion. Adjustments help the facet joints move more naturally with fewer restrictions.  

– Cracks and pops in your back and neck are typically caused by the release of gas within the joint (like a knuckle)

– Adhesions in the joints of your spine can restrict your range of motion and contribute to degenerative changes

– Adjustments reduce the adhesions in the fact joints resulting in pain relief and an improved range of motion

Next Steps:

While many chiropractic techniques create a “cracking” or “crunching” type sound- not all do. Low-speed techniques also improve the motion of the facet joints, sometimes without any sound at all. Dr Shaun at Cranbourne Chiropractic Centre is proficient in a number of different techniques and will choose one that suits your needs.

And here’s a tip to share with your friends- stubborn headaches are frequently caused by irritated facet joints. If you know someone who suffers from headaches and works on a computer most of the day- their facet joints may be to blame. Share this blog with them and let them know a chiropractic adjustment may be just what they need!

Science Source:

Effects of side-posture positioning and side-posture adjusting on the lumbar zygapophysial joints as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: a before and after study with randomization. JMPT 2000. Neurophysiological effects of spinal manipulation. The Spine Journal 2002.

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