Fitzwilliam Health Clinic

Traditional Chinese Medicine: What is it?

2012-01-26T16:26:00.001Z

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture: what is it?
This involves the insertion of fine, sterilised needles into specific acupoints. It is used to stimulate certain organs, move Qi blockages, and encourage healing. The W.H.O. recognises it as a suitable and effective treatment for a wide range of conditions. The needles used at the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic are disposable, single use needles. For the majority of acupoints, the needle insertion is painless, although there can be a feeling of warmth, tingling or a dull ache. People vary in their experience of acupuncture, but most find it a very relaxing experience.

How does it work?

By using very fine needles to simulate specific acupuncture points, acupuncture can help release energy and re-balance your health. Acupuncture treats underlying conditions as well as symptoms, for example in treating arthritis the pain is treated as well as the cause.

How will I feel after the first acupuncture treatment?

Some people feel an immediate relief of their symptoms after an acupuncture treatment, which may or may not remain for few days. For others it may take a few treatments to feel any benefit. The majority of people find the treatment itself very relaxing and calming.

Some people may experience mood changes or changes in their bowel and bladder functions after an acupuncture treatment. This is quite normal and shows that your body is responding to the treatment. However if you are concerned about any aspects of your health, please ring Amanda at the clinic or contact your GP.

Electro-acupuncture
With this treatment, two small clips are placed onto the ends of inserted acupuncture needles, using an electrical current the needles are stimulated electronically. Patients usually feel only a slight pulsation at the two acupoints. Electro-acupuncture is used for pain management, musculoskeletal problems, sinusitis, gynaecological conditions and many other conditions that may require frequent needle stimulation during a treatment session

Cupping
This is a method of stimulating acupuncture points with suction using either glass, plastic or bamboo cups. This technique causes localised bruising as blood and energy (Qi) are pulled to the site, therapeutically stimulating the area. It is used for backache, sprains, soft tissue injuries, chronic bronchitis.

Amanda frequently uses cupping as a relaxation technique in patients who are suffering from stress and have very tight shoulder muscles.

Moxibustion

This is a very comforting and effective form of heat treatment which Amanda uses in certain cases of infertility, muscle strain or digestive ailments.

Herbal medicine
Decoctions / teas are the most effective form, as each prescription has specific herbs chosen for your individual needs.

The raw herbs are the strongest form that Chinese medicine comes in, from experience using all the other forms of Chinese herbs (concentrated powders, granules, patent herbal pills) Amanda only prescribes ‘raw’ herbs from her pharmacy because they get the best results although they do require cooking and can taste very different.

For skin disease and fertility issues, acupuncture is only used to address a co-existing problem which is making the skin condition worse or upsetting the menstrual cycles in fertility treatments. Examples might be anxiety, depression, insomnia, severe digestive difficulties or menstrual symptoms.

Dietary Advice

The way that we eat our food is as important as what we eat. Different food flavours (sour, sweet, salty, bitter, etc) have varying effects on our bodies. The different types of food also effect the efficiency of our metabolism. If your diet is poor or if you are eating in a way that is not benefiting your digestion, your absorption of vital nutrients will be affected leading to illness and fatigue.

As part of your treatment, Amanda will go over your dietary habits during the second consultation.

During a consultation, you may be told to avoid certain foods, as they may aggravate a condition and you may be advised to eat something else that will help the condition.

Amanda Hughes
Lic.Ac(adv)Beijing, I.C.T.C.M.,I.R.Ch.H.Med.
Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner

Chiropractic Maintenance/Check-Ups

2012-01-25T10:18:00.000Z

Chiropractic Maintenance/Check-Ups

Chiropractic check ups are sometimes phrased ‘maintenance’ visits these are generally scheduled between 4 to 8 weeks depending on the patient and the reason they are experiencing their problem.

We see a lot of acute and chronic pain patients at the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic and as we start addressing the underlying problem that is resulting in the pain and start gaining benefits to all aspects of their life with them gaining better insight an understanding of the body.

With a better insight to the body and understanding the mechanisms that allow us to work and the reason that we are deviating away from optimum function, position and movement; then it only makes sense that our daily lifestyles activities and jobs are exerting to much external pressure upon our musculoskeletal frame and causing repetition of problems.

The only way to stay healthy active and pain free is to keep the body in check and stop the underlying problems being allowed to start generating the negative feelings of stiffness aches and pain.

Dr Patrick Ryder (MChiro)
Full member of the CAI

A to Z of Chiropractic: B is for Bone Density

2012-01-23T12:25:00.000Z

B is for Bone Density

Our bones are constantly renewing themselves, for this to happen we rely on certain hormones, vitamins and minerals, the most important being Vitamin D and Calcium.

If we do not have adequate amounts of these in our diets then it is possible that the new bone we make will not be as dense or thick as it should be. Over time this can lead to a condition called Osteopenia. If left un-diagnosed this will lead to Osteoporosis – thin bones which can cause aches and pains in the bone, stooped posture and bone fractures.

Unfortunately females are more prone to this condition as the hormone oestrogen helps us to absorb calcium. As we approach Menopause and afterwards our oestrogen levels drops dramatically making it harder for us to absorb calcium and making us susceptible to this condition.

As with everything prevention is better than cure. If Osteopenia is diagnosed in its early stages it gives you the best chance to manage it correctly and hopefully prevents it from progressing. If you are approaching Menopause, are Post Menopause or there is a family history of Osteoporosis then ask your GP to refer you for a DEXA Bone Scan. This is a simple non invasive procedure that will measure your bone density.

Dr Gemma Bailey

BSc (Hons) Chiropractic

Full Member of the CAI

Iliotibial Band Syndrome - symptoms & treatment

2012-01-18T15:50:00.000Z

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (Runners Knee)

Symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome

· Pain on the outside of the knee (at or around the lateral epicondyle of the femur)

· Tightness in the iliotibial band

· Pain normally aggravated by running, particularly downhill

· Pain during flexion or extension of the knee, made worse by pressing in at the side of the knee over the sore part

· Weakness in hip abduction

· Tender trigger points in the gluteal area may also be present

What causes IT band syndrome

Certain factors may make you more susceptible to developing iliotibial band syndrome:

· A naturally tight or wide IT band

· Weak hip muscles such as gluteus medius

· Trigger points within the IT band and gluteal muscles

· Overpronation

· Overuse

· Excessive hill running

· Running on a cambered surface

· Leg length difference

· Most of these factors can be addressed through changes to your training programme, the use of insoles or heel pads and a thorough rehabilitation programme.

· Iliotibial band friction syndrome may require long-term rehabilitation and frequent Iliotibial band stretches should be maintained even after symptoms cease.

Treatment of Iliotibial Band Syndrome

What can the athlete do?

· Rest

· Avoid painful stimuli, for example downhill running

· Apply cold therapy or ice to reduce any inflammation

· Stretch the Iliotibial band after training

· Self massage techniques can also be very helpful in correcting excessive ITB tightness

· See a sports injury specialist

What can a Sports Injury Professional do?

· Perform soft tissue or deep friction massage

· Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as NSAID’s e.g. Ibuprofen

· Use Myofascial release techniques which have been shown

to be highly effective

· Perform dry-needling techniques

· Outline a rehabilitation strategy which may include

stretches and exercises to strengthen the hip abductors

· Use electrotherapeutic treatment techniques such as TENS or ultrasound to reduce pain and inflammation

· In acute or prolonged cases a corticosteroid injection into the site of irritation may provide pain relief

Kevin O’Toole

Physical Therapist & Sports Massage Therapist

Fitzwilliam Health Clinic, 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2

Tel: 01 66189489 Email: info@fitzwilliamhealth.ie

www.fitzwilliamhealth.ie

A-Z of Chiropractic: A is for Adjustment

2012-01-17T12:11:00.000Z

A is for Adjustment

An adjustment is a Chiropractic technique used to restore the function of joints in the body. This reduces inflammation and helps to increase flexibility. The first Chiropractic Adjustment was administered in 1895.

Daniel David Palmer of Iowa performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a partially deaf janitor, Harvey Lillard, who then mentioned a few days later to Palmer that his hearing seemed better.

There are many different types of adjustments designed to suit everyone from new born babies to the elderly. Most patients find having an adjustment a very relaxing experience.

Dr Gemma Bailey BSc (Hons) Chiro

Dr of Chiropractic

Welcome to 2012 - Time for a new Health start!?

2012-01-10T09:10:00.000Z

Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy Spine

1. Spend 10 minutes re assessing your set up at work...is
your chair OK, do you need to re arrange your desk?

2. Perform daily stretching exercises to reduce muscle
tension.

3. Drink at least 1 litre of water a day....if not more!

4. Exercise three times a week. The best types of exercise

for your back are Pilates and Swimming.

5. Do not slouch in front of the TV.

6. Do not sit down for prolonged periods of time. Take
regular brakes, even if it is only walking around your
desk at work

7. Ladies, don’t cross those legs, and guys take your
wallet out of your back pocket.

8. Don’t sleep on your front.

9. Carry as little as possible. Use a back pack and avoid
heavy bags on one shoulder.

10. BOOK IN FOR YOUR ANNUAL CHIROPRACTIC CHECK UP.
YOU SHOULD VISIT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR AT LEAST
ONCE A YEAR, JUST LIKE YOU DO THE DENTIST.

Dr Gemma Bailey
BSc Hons Chiro - Doctor of Chiropractic

NEW Pilates Classes - ABSolute Pilates

2012-01-04T10:16:00.000Z

NEW Pilates Classes starting week beginning 9th January 2012

Monday 9th Jan @ 1pm - Mixed Ability

Monday 9th Jan @ 6pm - Mixed Ability

Monday 9th Jan @ 7pm - Level 3

Tuesday 10th Jan @ 1pm - Mixed Ability - FULL

Tuesday 10th Jan @ 6pm - 2 week introduction to Pilates €35

Tuesday 10th Jan @ 7pm - Mixed Ability

Wednesday 11th Jan @ 1pm - Beginners

All classes run for 8 weeks and are €140 unless otherwise stated, places are limited so please contact the clinic today to reserve your place.

Unfortunately, no refunds/credits can be given for missed classes, however if 24hrs notice is given every effort will be made to offer an alternative class.

Christmas survival guide for your back!

2011-12-19T16:21:00.000Z

Christmas survival guide for your back!

One in five people get stressed over the Christmas period and suffer ill-health as a result. At the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic we see a significant rise in demand for Chiropractic treatment early in the New Year as a result of Christmas related stress.

Back and neck problems occur over the Christmas Holidays because people are under pressure to provide the perfect Christmas. We often spend the week leading up to Christmas rushing around doing last minute shopping and preparations. We are then so exhausted we spend much of the following week sitting around on the couch watching TV – something we are not that used to doing!

The result is often sore and uncomfortable backs, so here are some handy tips to keep your spine healthy this Christmas:

Keep it simple! Ensure that your expectations of Christmas are realistic. Keep the atmosphere relaxed and get people to help out as much as possible to share the load.

Keep Active – As much as we all deserve our well earned Christmas brake (especially this year!) make sure you get some activity each day – however a word of caution...don’t get too excited playing your kids latest Wii games, they can be dangerous; we see a lot of Wii related injuries in the clinic!

To avoid undue strain on your spine when shopping you should:
• Warm up before you start with stretches
• Balance the weight of shopping bags evenly in each hand or use a shopping trolley
• Have a break regularly and keep hydrated
• Use mail-order or home delivery services where possible
• Where sensible, flat, supportive shoes
• Do several small trips rather than one large over-loaded trip

Wishing you a Happy Christmas & Best Wishes for 2012 from Gemma & Patrick!

Chinese Herbal Medicine is more effective that western medicine for female infertility

2011-12-12T14:59:00.000Z

Researchers find Chinese Herbal Medicine more effective than modern medicine for female infertility

In an Australian Government-funded study, Ried and Stuart of Adelaide University reviewed 8 RCT’s and 22 smaller studies involving a total of 1851 women with poor fertility. Meta-analysis of studies involving over 1000 women found roughly double the likelihood of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) than with western drug therapy. Over a 4 month period pregnancy rates were 60% for CHM verses 32% for drug treatment 9n=1005, odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.3-5-2, p < 0.0001).

Other studies, involving over 600 women, compared CHM with IVF and revealed a mean pregnancy rate for CHM of 50% compared with 30% for IVF. The Adelaide study also provided evidence indicating that herbal treatment tailored to the specific traditional diagnosis of what was wrong with each individual’s reproductive health was a key factor in successful treatment.

The authors write: “Our meta-analyses suggest Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine to be more effective in the treatment of female infertility achieving on average a 60% pregnancy rate over 4 months compared with 30% achieved with standard western drug treatment, or IVF over 12 months.”

It will be interesting to see if these findings provoke the usual backlash from the powerful medi-business lobby who, according to past form, will wheel out an “expert” to rubbish the findings and suggest that CHM treatment is unproven and dangerous.

Efficacy of Traditional CHM in the Management of Female Infertility: A Systematic Review.
K Ried, K Stuart
Complementary Therapies in Medicine Vol 19 issue 6 Dec. 2011

Amanda Hughes

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Lic.Ac (adv) Beijing, I.C.T.C.M., IRChHMed

Stretches at Work!

2011-12-12T11:45:00.000Z

Stretches at Work!

Over the past few weeks I have discussed the importance of correct posture, at work, at home and when you are sleeping.
Unfortunately no matter how good your posture is you could still be susceptible to tight muscles, due to stresses and strains we face on a daily basis at work.
The solution.....regular stretching!
Stretching helps to warm up your muscles and keeps them relaxed, preventing them from becoming chronically tight!

Before you start!
1. If you are in pain please consult with your Chiropractor before you perform these stretches
2. Stretching should be pain free. If you experience any pain while stretching stop immediately.
3. Never try and push a stretch too far – you can easily damage a muscle
4. If your muscle shakes while performing a stretch reduce the stretch down
5. Start with holding a stretch for 10 seconds and build up to 30 seconds
Pease click on the link below to get your FREE animated stretching workout for sedentary workers

http://www.ergoergo.info/exercise-sheet.html

Dr Gemma Bailey
BSc Hons Chiro

The Truth about Stress

2011-11-30T10:07:00.000Z

The Truth About Stress

Stress is a thought, plain and simple. You can't pluck stress out of the air on a windy day. Stress is not going bite you on the nose and infect you. Stress is all you. Or me.

It's all how we perceive things. Remember the old saying that life is "10% what happens to us and 90% how we handle it." We all experience ups and downs. The problem is that in our society, with all the talk of war, economic disparity, health insurance woes, and political unrest, the downs seem to outweigh the ups. Add in a stressful job, a relationship on the rocks, or car trouble (my personal nightmare), and that can add up to some serious stress.

Our bodies were designed to handle stress in small amounts, namely "fight or flight." If a hungry lion is stalking toward you, you either turn and run or you stay and defend yourself. The truly amazing thing is that the human body can mobilize itself in an instant to make fight or flight possible. Here's how:

Dilated pupils- gives us the ability to take in more of our surroundings.

Pounding heart- sends more blood than usual to muscles so that we can move faster.

Cold, sweaty skin and a pale face- because all the blood is getting sent to the muscles.

Rapid, deep breathing- sends more oxygen to the muscles, so that they can work longer.

Decreased digestion- blood is sent away from the GI system to the muscles in the arms and legs. Digesting that pizza can wait!

Increased release of epinephrine and norepinephrine- gives us that "surge of adrenaline" to sprint or strike!

But what happens when, instead of a lion, we have years of arguing and fighting in a marriage, or we work 70 hours a week for years at a high pressure job? Suddenly, you don't want your pupils dilated all the time, or adrenaline surging through your body.

Eventually, all these stress reactions will bring on high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, and/or a whole list of diseases too extensive to name here.

The Eight Secrets

The key is knowing that stress is a response, emotionally and physically, and not something that just happens to us because fate has deemed it so.

What if the situation you're in is simply too demanding for you to shrug your shoulders and say "Whatever happens, happens?" We all have different situations that can cause us concern from time to time. We also have the ability to do some things to minimize the stress we might be feeling.

1.) Get Specific Chiropractic Adjustments-Stress is one of the main initiating causes, if not the main cause, of a vertebral subluxation. Having a subluxation of the upper cervical spine can really make a person's life miserable if not corrected. Over time, a subluxation can really add to someones stress. If someone is experiencing dis-ease and it interferes with their daily function, the added stress will only worsen this vicious cycle. So first things first- get your upper cervical spine checked for a subluxation, and if you have one, get it corrected immediately.

2.) Exercise- For me, an intense workout is just the cure for a stressful day. Whether it's a 3-mile run, or numerous body weight exercises, or a session of weight-lifting, I always feel better. Exercising releases neurotransmitters throughout our body that help us feel great. Not to mention, if you workout regularly, the changes you'll see in the mirror will start to give you some confidence and raise your self esteem.

3.) Meditate- Some people meditate by chanting. Some meditate by sitting still and clearing their minds of all thoughts. Others meditate by praying. No matter what form of meditating you do, do it in a quiet place for about 20-30 minutes. You will have more sanity to effectively handle the stress you might face that day. In my experience, the best time to meditate is early in the morning around 4-5 am. But getting up early means you need more of #4.

4.) Sleep- Ah, sleep. Such a precious commodity. As the old adage goes "Early to bed, early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy, and wise." If you have the lights turned off by 10 pm each night, eventually you won't need an alarm. You'll get deep, restful sleep and you will automatically wake up around 4-5 am, 6 am at the latest. If you're well-rested, things don't get to you as much, and your brain is better equipped to logically deal with problems that might arise during the course of your day.

5.) Get Organized- Get your life in order and it will be one less thing to worry about. Get a daily planner, or if you're digitally-minded, a PDA, and organize your days and weeks. Get a file cabinet and file away all your important paperwork such as bills, receipts, and personal records. Backup all the work you do on a computer onto CDs in case your computer crashes. Doing all this will bring you peace of mind and keep you from worrying about finding time for everything.

6.) Be On Time- Leave early. Aim for getting to wherever you have to be 15 minutes early. This was a big one for me. I was always late for years. I always aimed for getting to work, school, or church right when I was supposed to be there. And chances are that I never got there when I was supposed to get there. Leaving early gives you time to drive without stress, even if there is a pile-up on the freeway. You won't have to lay on the horn as you inch along while cussing and screaming at the top of your lungs at the rubbernecker in front of you. It gives you the opportunity to stroll into work or school peacefully and organize your materials for the day without rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off..

7.) Quit Watching the News- News channels make their money preying on the fears of the public. You never see good news, mainly because it doesn't make money. You don't hear about the thousands of planes that landed safely around the world each and every day. You hear about the one that crashed. You hear about the pilots, the passengers, the crash site, etc. over and over again until the next catastrophe arises somewhere else. Sex sells, and so does bad news. If you want to reduce your stress, quit watching this garbage. I'm not saying to go hide in a cave, but just be selective and brief with what you decide to follow. You don't always need the details.

8.) Have Sex- You're probably reading this last one with a dirty-minded smirk, but the truth is I would not be saying this if more than 50% of marriages weren't failing these days. And of the marriages that don't fail, many of them are not happy unions. Talk about stressful! I'm not talking about going out to the club and taking home whoever comes along. I'm talking about being in a healthy, monogamous relationship where two people love each other. When you love your partner, it makes sex that much better, and chances are, you will have it more frequently. It's hard to be stressed out if you have a good sex life!

If you sit down and make it a goal to do each and every one of these things, I can promise you that your stress will dramatically decrease, maybe even disappear. But as I said before, it won't be easy. You have to take the action, not just once, but every day, over and over again.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1970319

Dont cross your legs!

2011-11-28T16:21:00.000Z

Don’t cross your legs!

As much as crossing our legs feel incredible comfortable, it is in fact a very unhealthy thing to do. It can contribute to poor posture, back pain and poor circulation.

Poor Posture

As soon as you sit with your legs crossed it causes a shift in your pelvis. If we look at someone when they are sitting with their legs crossed we will observe that one pelvic bone is higher than the other, in other words they are sitting on an uneven base!

When this happens it is not as if you look lopsided. This is because your body is very intelligent and sets about correcting this in balance.

How I hear you ask?!? Well muscles in your back contract to compensate, this can lead to unbearable upper back pain, shoulder fatigue, dropping shoulders, headaches and chronic lower back pain.

Back Pain

Sitting for many hours with your legs crossed placed undue stress on your pelvis and upper back. Many of our patients, primarily the ladies, will find that once they cut out this habit their back pain improves considerably. There is always a cause for back pain. The best way to resolve a problem is to find out what is causing it in the first place. For some it is as simple as uncrossing those legs!

Poor Circulation

When crossing your legs you cause compression of delicate blood vessels in your legs. It also makes it harder for blood to return to your heart. Over time this can lead to thread veins and unsightly varicose veins. Due to the poor circulation people can also suffer from cold feet, not pleasant especially during the winter months.

What Can I Do?

Simple – uncross those legs to start! Unfortunately for many of us we have been crossing our legs for many many years. Over time the muscles in our back become chronically tights and the pelvic in balance can be present even when not sitting. If you so suffer from pain when sitting for prolonged periods the best solution is to book in to see your Chiropractor for a Spine Health Check. As spinal specialists they will be able to asses the severity of your condition and an appropriate treatment plan to resolve the problem once and for all.

During the month of December you can book in for a full Spine Health Check at the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic for €30, that’s a 50% discount from our normal price...., Happy Christmas!

Catch up with Dr Gemma Bailey next week where she will be focusing on High Heels and how they damage you.

Dr Gemma Bailey (BSc Hons Chiro)

Dr of Chiropractic and Full member of the CAI

Shin Splints

2011-11-23T11:44:00.000Z

Splints at a Glance

Shin splints are a type of "overuse injury" to the legs.

The pain is characteristic and located on the outer edge of the mid region of the leg next to the shinbone (tibia). It can be extreme and halt workouts.

The diagnosis requires a careful focused examination.

A multifaceted approach of "relative rest" can restore a pain-free level of activity and a return to competition.

The "relative rest" approach includes a change in the workout, ice, rest, anti-inflammation medications, stretching exercises, possible change in footwear, and gradual increase in running activities.

Seated Shin stretch

Stretching the muscles on the front of the lower leg can be difficult to achieve. The following are the two easiest ways of doing so.

Kneel down and sit on your heels.
Gently push down on the heels to stretch the front of the leg.
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

This stretch can be increased by stretching one leg at a time and gently pulling the knee up

Standing Shin stretch

Stand with your toes of one foot on the floor on the outside of your other foot.
Bend the weight bearing leg to push your other ankle towards the ground.
Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

Kevin O'Toole (IPTI, RPTI)
Physical Therapist & Sports & Remedial Massage

How to sit correctly whilst driving

2011-11-21T12:42:00.001Z

How comfortable are you in your driving?

A new medical condition has come to light called RDI - Repetitive Driving Injury. It is estimated that nearly 50% of drivers are suffering from this painful condition. (Results are based on an independent ICM Poll of 1,000 respondents on 8 May 2006)

Chiropractors are concerned that many drivers are risking serious long term muscle, joint and spinal injuries as many of their patients admit they don't know how to correctly adjust their car seats for comfort and safety.

A survey by ebaymotorists.co.uk showed the most common Repetitive Driving Injuries are:

- foot cramp (suffered by 81% of the survey sample),

- lumbar pain (74%),

- stiff neck (74%),

- side ache (74%), and

- headache/eye strain (73%).

Professor Mark Porter of Loughborough University, an ergonomics expert identified the four most common driving positions, 'Racers', 'Pimps', 'Multi-taskers' and 'Rollercoasters'. Each position causes different problems.

THE ROLLERCOASTER (37% of the respondents)

Most common RDI symptoms: Shoulder pain, neck strain, leg cramp and side ache.

THE MULTI-TASKER (26%)

Most common RDI symptoms: Headaches and eye strain, feet cramp, pain

THE RACER (19%)

Most common RDI symptoms: Side aches and lumbar pain.

THE PIMP (8%)

Most common RDI symptoms: arm and shoulder ache from resting on the window ledge.

The SOULTION

1. Adjust your seat so that it has a 90˚ angle between the back rest and the seat. This will insure a 90˚ angle and your hip, keeping your thigh bone parallel to the seat.

2. Adjust your lumbar support to give appropriate lower back support

3. Do not place your elbow on the window or on an arm rest. This can put excessive pressure on shoulder joints

4. Keep your shoulders relaxed

5. If you are on a long journey have a break every hour. Have a small walk to stretch out your muscles

6. Older car seats can be adjusted by using car seat wedges and lumbar rolls

7. Avoid deep bucket seats

8. Avoid excessive backward tilt to the drivers seat

9. Do not drive with your wallet in your back pocket – this causes your pelvis to rotate.

Catch up with Dr Gemma Bailey's blog next week where she will be talking about Why crossing your legs is bad for you?

Dr Gemma Bailey
BSc (Hons) Chiro
Dr of Chiropractic

Roseacea

2011-11-17T14:32:00.001Z

Roseacea

Although not another Christmas ailment like the seasonal hangover Roseacea can be triggered by the seasonal hot cups of tea & coffee, too much alcohol, rich foods, Christmas spices and sudden temperature changes from hot to cold wintery weather as you leave the house.

Some features of Roseacea;

• Common in people of Celtic origin

• Affects people in their 30's & 40's

• Thread veins - persistent blushing damages capillaries in cheeks and nose

• Rhinophyma or brandy nose more common in men

• Breakouts of spots (papules & pustules) can be confused with acne

• 60% roseacea sufferers also get gritty eyes, conjunctivitis, blephiritis

• Main stay of treatment is tetracycline (minocyline, doxycycline, erythromycine)

The approach to roseacea in Chinese medicine is to treat this chronic condition with herbal decoctions which not only address the blushing and the spots but also treat the underlying cause of the condition which is unique to the individual.

Treated with Chinese herbs such as the stems of white peony, crocus stamens, dandelion leaves and mulberry root, the aim of treatment is to increase the blood circulation to the face. Although this may seem to be an extraordinary approach to treating a condition associated with flushing and blushing, the increase in circulation with these specific herbs reduces the tendency to broken veins and purpling it also ‘cools’ the blood at the same time.

Amanda Hughes
Chinese Herbalist & Acupuncturist
Lic. Ac(adv) Beijing, I.C.T.C.M., I.R.C.H.

Correct Workstation Set Up

2011-11-15T11:16:00.000Z

Correct Workstation Set Up

In previous blogs I have discussed the importance of sitting correctly. Today I am going to give you some handy tips on how you should set up your workstation correctly to help prevent RSI, neck and lower back pain.

1. Your computer screen and keyboard should be placed directly in front of you – not of to the side.

2. Use your mouse close to your keyboard

3. Make sure there is a comfortable viewing distance between your eyes and your screen. When sat at your desk reach your arms out in front of you. Where your fingertips end is where your screen should be

4. Make sure under your desk is clear of clutter; this makes it easier for you to keep both feet flat on the floor.

5. Your elbows should be flexed at 90°, adjust the position of your keyboard to accommodate this.

6. Your wrist should always be in a neutral position; a wrist wrest can help to keep them at the correct angle.

Catch up with Dr. Gemma Bailey's blog next week where she will be talking about sitting correctly in the car.

Dr Gemma Bailey

BSc (Hons) Chiro

Kevin's Stretch of the week - Calf Stretch

2011-11-14T17:14:00.000Z

Calf Stretch

1. The calf stretch, stretches the lower leg muscles in two ways: with knee straight and knee bent.

2. While standing, place your hands on a wall in front of you, with arms outstretched, elbows straight.

3. Keeping your left knee slightly bent, the toes of right foot slightly turned inward, move your right foot back one or two feet, and place your right heel and foot flat on the floor. You should feel a stretch in your right calf muscle, but you shouldn't feel uncomfortable.

4. If you don't feel a stretch, move your right foot farther back until you do.

5. Keep your right knee straight and hold that position for 10 to 30 seconds.

6. Continuing to keep your right heel and foot on the floor, bend your right knee and hold for another 10 to 30 seconds.

7. Repeat with opposite leg.

8. Repeat 3 to 5 times on each side.

Summary:

Stand with hands against wall, arms straight.
Step back 1-2 feet with one leg, heel and foot flat on floor.
Hold position.
Bend knee of stepped-back leg, keeping heel and foot flat on floor.
Hold position.
Repeat with other leg.

Kevin O'Toole
Remedial & Sports Massage Therapist
Physical Therapist

Carrying Bags Correctly

2011-11-07T14:06:00.000Z

Carrying Bags Correctly

Most of us carry a bag every day, be it a school bag, sports bag or hand bag. Nowadays we seem to carry everything around with us, adding additional weight to our bodies and spine.

Knowing how much you should be carrying and the best possible way to carry your bags can help prevent severe back problems.

Your spine has four natural curves. You must aim to maintain these curves at all time to prevent damage to your spine.

Carrying your bags like the image above can lead to, muscle tightness, spinal dysfunction, pinched nerves, arm pain and headaches. Here are a few hand tips to help avoid these problems.

• Only carry what you need! This mainly applies to women...we tend to carry our purse, phone, keys, sunglasses, our whole make up bag, hairbrush, diary, bottle of water etc....do you actually use all these things every day?!

• If you need to carry more things then invest in a good back pack. Use both shoulder straps and make sure the bag is not resting on your bottom!

• When putting a back pack on place it on a table and put it on one strap at a time

• Carry the heaviest items closest to your body

• Do not carry more than 15% of your body weight

• Get backpacks with wider, padded shoulder straps as well as back padding

Your Weight Maximum you should carry

9 Stone - 1.4 Stone

10 ½ Stone - 1.5 Stone

12 Stone - 1.7 Stone

13 ½ Stone - 2 Stone

Source: www.bcchiro.com

Do not wear your back pack like this. It is far too low and increases the curvature in your lumbar spine. This places pressure on your delicate spinal joints and nerves potentially leading to back pain. The straps will also dig into your shoulders.

This is the correct way to wear your backpack. The load is transferred through the upper body and the spine had maintained the correct curves.

Catch up with Dr Gemma Baileys blog next week where she will be talking about how to set up your computer correctly.

Dr Gemma Bailey
BSc (Hons) Chiro

Common Low Back Pain Causes

2011-11-02T14:51:00.000Z

Common Low Back Pain Causes

Forget manual labour, office work has been named the top back breaking profession by the British Chiropractic Association.

Research conducted amongst BCA Chiropractors overwhelmingly found that sedentary PC posture is likely to be causing more back problems than excessive lifting and carrying. The poll was conducted to coincide with World Spine Day.

Those most at risk from back pain are:

1) Office Worker – Long periods of time sitting in awkward positions, often slouched over computer keyboards, or maybe sitting at chairs not properly adjusted for their needs.

2) Nurse – Long shifts, often on their feet all day as well as lifting and carrying.

3) Driver – Hours a day spent at the wheel, sitting in a poor position, along with limited movement.

4) Labourer – Repeated strain from lifting heavy weights and often twisting in awkward positions.

5) Teacher & Nursery Staff – Continuously bending down to a child’s height and lifting children can cause back problems

56% of BCA chiropractors involved in the survey highlighted that those who work in an office were more vulnerable to becoming victims of back pain.

Tim Hutchful from the BCA comments: “This survey has highlighted what we chiropractors have known for some time. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle is taking its toll. It is assumed that those most at risk from back pain are the ones who have very physical jobs however, as this research has unveiled, whilst lifting and carrying are still common triggers for back pain, it is those with less physically demanding jobs and who are often seated for the majority of the day that could be most prone to back problems.”

For many who work in an office environment, it is the day-to-day, mundane routines that are at the root of most back problems. Hunching over computer keyboards and cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder can all contribute to lower back and neck stiffness, not to mention the fact that many office workers sit for hours at a time with very little movement.

In fact, recent consumer research carried out by the BCA revealed that 59% of the working population sits down all day at work and nearly 50% of those who work refuse to leave their desks: even for lunch! It is not surprising that come the weekend, it is the office workers waiting in Chiropractors clinics.

Dr Patrick Ryder (MChiro)

Sleeping Posture

2011-11-01T16:57:00.000Z

Sleeping Posture

We have learnt a lot in recent years about the best way to sit to avoid back pain; however many of us spend an average of 8 hours a day in bed and I find that a lot of back and neck pain is caused by poor sleeping posture.

The average person moves about 20 to 40 times a night, so it can be challenging to adopt a good posture. Generally if you are in a comfortable position you will move less.

Your spine has four natural curves, when you are in bed you need to maintain these curves to reduce pressure on your muscles and spine.

1. Never sleep on your front

2. If you sleep on your side make sure your knees are together at all times. Your knees can be straight or bent.

3. If you sleep on your back, keep your legs straight; do not rotate your head.

4. If you are in pain, sleep on your back with one or two pillows under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your knees

5. Sleep with one pillow

Remember if you have spent your whole life sleeping on your front it will take time to improve your sleeping posture. Persevere it will help your back and neck in the long run.

Dr Gemma Bailey (BSc (Hons) Chiro)

The importance of Vitamin D to increase your Immune System

2011-10-26T10:58:00.000+01:00

Vitamin D levels increasing your immune system against bacterial and viral infection

Vitamin D is naturally produced when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light and occurs in very small amounts in a small amount of foods including fatty fish, eggs and meat.

Vitamin D naturally stimulates the immune system by producing an active hormone called Calcitrol. This is only produced when there are sufficiently high levels of active vitamin D within the body. This hormone increases the activity of Natural Killer Cells which destroys cell affected by viruses or tumours and also increases the activity macrophages (white blood cells). Calcitrol also increases the production of Cathelicidin by macrophages, which is a natural antibiotic that can kill bacteria and some viruses.

During times of decreased sunlight such as winter when colds and flus increase vitamin D levels can be addressed with the use of supplements in order to increase the efficiency of your immune system and keep you healthy.

Dr Patrick Ryder (MChiro)
Doctor of Chiropractic

8 years of your life seated…you better get it right!

2011-10-24T17:55:00.000+01:00

8 years of your life seated…you better get it right!

The average office worker will sit for 6 hours a day and work 252 days a year.

If we do the maths that means we spend on average 63 days a year sat down, over a life time that adds up to nearly 8 years!!!

This only takes in to account hours at work, in reality we also spend a lot of time sat in the car and in front of the TV.

Hopefully now you can see why correct ergonomics at work is so important?

Your back just isn’t designed to sit for these long periods of time, so it is imperative that you have a good chair, exercise your back regularly and have regular Chiropractic check ups. If you do all these things then you are massively reducing your risk of getting back pain.

Here are a few handy tips to help you sit better. Please talk to Dr Bailey if you require any further information.

1. Your knees and hip joints need to be at 90°

2. Feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest

3. If using an arm wrest the elbows need to be bent to 90°, do not lean on the elbows, the wrests are only there for support.

4. Your back should be in contact with the back of the chair at all times, no leaning forward.

5. Your computer needs to be set up in front of you, not to the side. You should not be turning your head or body.

6. Take a brake every 30min, walk to get a glass of water, take a call walking or just stand up and walk around your desk.

7. Stretch regularly throughout the day. You Chiropractor will give you specific stretches to do.

If you enjoyed this blog then log on next monday where Dr Bailey will be talking about sleeping posture.

Dr Gemma Bailey Bsc (Hons) Chiro
Doctor of Chiropractic

Cold & Winter increasing joint aches and pains?

2011-10-19T12:05:00.000+01:00

Cold & Winter increasing joint aches and pains?

Is started getting cold again how are your joints feeling sore?

Doctors who specialize in the treatment of patients with arthritis) generally agree that many patients experience a worsening of joint symptoms with changes in the weather. Moreover, folklore holds that the weather can affect arthritis as emphasized by sayings like "feeling under the weather." We know, for example, that weather clearly influences many health conditions. Examples of this relationship include altitude and ears popping, pollens in the air and asthma or sinus infection, sun rays and skin burning or skin cancer, cold weather and heart attacks, and gloomy, dark weather and depression. We also know that heat packs or hot showers can relax the muscles around the joints and relieve stiffness and pain for some. Conversely, ice packs can ease the inflammation in the joints themselves.

First, there hasn't been much real research science. In 1961, a famous arthritis specialist, J. Hollander M.D., conducted a study in which he built a climate chamber and demonstrated that high humidity combined with low barometric pressure were associated with increased joint pain and stiffness. Neither weather factor by itself seemed to influence joint symptoms. The study has been criticized because of the limited number of patient’s evaluated (12 patients). The theory of the study is that inflamed joints swell as the barometric pressure drops. This swelling irritates the nerves around the joints that sense pain and causes more stiffness.

The answer is no. Relocating to a different climatic environment does not seem to make a difference in the long run. Scientific studies have shown that no matter where people live their bodies seem to establish a new equilibrium to the local climate. As a result, changes in the weather affect the arthritis symptoms in the same manner regardless of the actual overall average weather. Moving is not likely to be beneficial long term. (To emphasize a point, I can tell you that there are plenty of busy rheumatologists in Arizona!)

It appears that there is some evidence that the symptoms of certain persons with arthritis are influenced by CHANGES in the weather. This is not true for all people with arthritis, nor is it predictable what type of weather alterations will bother people. For example, in one room I may have a patient that complains that last week just before it rained, her joints began aching and now that it is warm, clear weather she feels better. Simultaneously, in the next room, a patient tells me that her joints are far worse today after it rained last week! What do I do with this information? Well, each patient must be evaluated (and evaluate themselves) uniquely. The bottom line is that while the exact cause(s) of the activation of arthritis symptoms may not yet be scientifically understood, each patient must make lifestyle and/or medication adjustments according to the particular weather conditions that they note influence their symptoms.

Dr Patrick Ryder (MChiro)

Doctor of Chiropractic

Straighten Up Ireland 2011

2011-10-18T12:15:00.000+01:00

Straighten Up Ireland 2011

It always amazes me that people do not get their spines checked at least once a year.

The spine is such an important part of the body. It is vital for movement, in fact most people only realise this once they have hurt it and they can’t use it!!

The spine also protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord and spinal nerves relay messages from the brain to every cell in the body, a healthy spine means a healthy nervous system.

I can guarantee that you take better care of your teeth then you do your spine? We brush our teeth twice a day, visit the dentist for check ups once a year and spend a fortune on dental treatment. Don’t get me wrong, this is very important to do and I only use it as an example of what people should be doing in relation to their spines. After all if your teeth fall out you can get dentures, what do you do if your spine wears out?

Having regular Chiropractic care has been proven to give you a healthier, stronger spine. We place stress through our spines each and every day. Chiropractic care is designed to resolve these issues BEFORE symptoms start.

So if you have never had your spine checked, book in with Dr Bailey today for a FREE check up. If you are an existing patient and it has been a few months since your last treatment, book in today! Remember prevention is better the cure!

Dr Gemma Bailey

Bsc (Hons) Chiro

Doctor of Chiropractic

Does running make you fat? - Diet & Fitness, Health - Independent.ie

2011-10-17T16:35:00.000+01:00

Kevin O'Toole, the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic's resident Physical and Sports Massage therapist thinks this is an interesting article, but contradictory in life, exercise, work and rest, its all a matter of balance. You do what you can when you can with what you have, so mix it up. Anaerobic, Aerobic when you can get the time and watch the calories and last but not least enjoy!!

Does running make you fat? - Diet & Fitness, Health - Independent.ie

Breast Cancer & Acupuncture

2011-10-13T10:26:00.000+01:00

Breast Cancer & Acupuncture

Persistent fatigue a common symptom for breast cancer survivors.

The American Association for Cancer Research have presented results at third AACR conference which identifies persistent fatigue as a common symptom in women who have successfully completed breast cancer treatment programs. These men and women may also experience pain, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, weight gain and treatment induced menopausal symptoms.

These findings would compare with my own clinical experience in treating breast cancer survivors, the transition from active treatment to cancer survivorship can be difficult. In my opinion Acupuncture can make a significant difference to patients suffering from any of these symptoms as it treats the individuals core energy levels .

As a result of controlled clinical trials, acupuncture is acknowledged by the WHO to be an effective treatment for adverse reactions to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, depression, neck and shoulder pain, nausea. It also acknowledges a therapeutic effect in the treatment of insomnia, obesity / weight gain although without any controlled clinical trial data

Refs: Source: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Article Date: 02 Oct 2010 - 1:00 PDT www.medicalnewstoday.com

Acupuncture Review and Analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials

www.who.int/topics.com

Amanda Hughes – Acupuncturist

Breast Awareness Month

2011-10-11T08:36:00.000+01:00

Breast Awareness Month 2011

Every year in Ireland nearly 2,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Over the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer

In 2007, there were 2,463 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Ireland making it the most common invasive cancer in Irish women.

Advances in diagnosis and in treatment have seen an increase in survival from breast cancer for Irish women in recent years. In spite of this, breast cancer remains the biggest cause of death from cancer in women in Ireland.

Some of the known risk factors for breast cancer include:

• Older age

• Menstruating at an early age

• Older age at first birth or never having given birth

• A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease

• Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest

• Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram

• Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone

• Drinking alcoholic beverages

• A mother or sister with breast cancer

Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast changes to a family doctor as soon as they are found.

These are the changes to look for and if you are in any doubt, visit your doctor:

• A lump or thickening which is different to the rest of the breast tissue

• Continuous pain in one part of the breast or armpit

• One breast becomes larger or lower

• A nipple becomes inverted or changes shape or position

• Skin changes including puckering or dimpling

• Swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone

• A rash on or around the nipple

• Discharge from one or both nipples

http://www.breastcancerireland.com/iopen24/the-facts-t-41.html

You should check your breasts once a month. Try and do this at the same time each month so you are aware of what is normal for you. If you notice any changes in the appearance of your breasts see your GP ASAP. Please see the link below to help you out.

http://vimeo.com/breakthroughbc/breastcheck

If you are aged 50-64 please partake in “Breast Check”. This is Government-funded programme providing free mammograms on an area-by-area basis every two years. Freephone 1800 45 45 55

Dr Gemma Bailey Bsc Hons Chiro

Spinal Manipulation

2011-10-05T08:51:00.000+01:00

Spinal Manipulation evidence

The first day of the WFC’s 2011 Congress saw the legendary chiropractor and neurologist, Scott Haldeman, speak of the physiological mechanisms and effects of spinal manipulation. Dr Haldeman, a professor of neurology at the University of California and head of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010, first qualified as a chiropractor in 1964 and has led the field in researching chiropractic and its effects since this time.

He said that there is now a large body of clinical research which demonstrates spinal manipulation to be effective in the management of back and neck pain and headaches.During his lecture, Dr Haldeman ran through a range of effects for which evidence now exists:

1. Relaxation of muscles and relief of muscular pain.

There have been a number of different research approaches to this question, but it’s been demonstrated that cortical evoked potentials are abnormal on the side of spinal pain when compared to the normal side and it’s been noted that these return to normal folowing spinal manipulation.

2. Changes in Pain Sensitivity

At least one study has shown that skin pain sensitivity to electrica

l stimulation was diminished after spinal manipulation. A more recent RCT showed a change in thermal pain sensitivity.

3. Impact on Dorsal Horn neurons in the spinal cord.

Mechanical movement of the spine has been shown to stimulate Group I and Group II neurons and that the responses in these neurons can be sensitised by maintained changes in muscle length. Group III and IV Neurons can also be stimulated by vertebral movement. This has been hypothesized as a possible mechanism that may impact on the pain-spasm-pain cycle in paraspinal muscles.

4. Impact on Tissue Inflammatory Responses

Recent studies have raised the possibility that spinal manipualtion may have an impact on the inflammatory response of certain tissues.

5. Impact on Somato-Autonomic Responses

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that stimulation of somatic structures including peripheral somatic nerves, skin and muscles and can result in responses in autonomic nerves and can result in measureable changes in the function of a number of internal organs. It’s unknown whether or not these responses have any clinical significance.

Reference:

WFC 11th Biennial Conference Proceedings pp46-49

Dr Patrick Ryder (MChiro)

Acupuncture gets green light - Latest News, Health - Independent.ie

2011-10-04T11:44:00.000+01:00

Acupuncture gets green light - Latest News, Health - Independent.ie

This is a very positive step for the recognition of Acupuncture as an alternative to pain relief.

Straighten Up Ireland - 10th - 14th October 2011

2011-10-04T09:38:00.000+01:00

STRAIGHTEN UP IRELAND:

SUI is a posture care programme that sets out to improve the nation’s posture, thus aiming to help prevent back pain & subsequently improve your overall health & well being by promoting balance, strength and flexibility within the spine.

The Chiropractic Association of Ireland is delighted to incorporate this fantastic programme and to be utilising it here in Ireland.

The message at the heart of this campaign is the importance of having good posture and its’ related health benefits, as well as educating the public on the potential short and long term implications of poor posture.

Approximately 80% of the population of Ireland will experience at least one episode of back pain in their life time. That means that a large number of people are suffering with back pain right now. Poor posture is one of the common causes of back pain. As a result, millions of Euro’s are wasted in Ireland every year due to a decreased ability to work efficiently and often subsequent absenteeism.

The CAI wants to encourage everyone who is old enough & able to start using this simple, three minute, daily exercise routine that is designed to improve posture and increase spinal strength & flexibility. This routine is most effective when it is incorporated daily.

Straighten up Ireland will be running from the 10-16th October 2011. During this week we are offering FREE Spinal Assessment at our clinic. This will give you an opportunity to talk to one of our CAI chiropractors to discuss any health issues concerning you back. You will also be given a free SUI exercises leaflet to help get you started!

Call the Clinic today to book your appointment. This opportunity is open to everyone, so please tell your friends and family all about it. Children are welcome to attend too.

Whole Ginger Extract Has Promising Anti-Prostate Cancer Potential

2011-10-04T08:39:00.000+01:00

Whole Ginger Extract Has Promising Anti-Prostate Cancer Potential

Chiropractic Kids

2011-08-23T08:38:00.000+01:00

Chiropractic Kids!

http://www.chirotips.com/children_chirorpactic.htm

How early should children be adjusted?, Is it safe?, Aren’t their bones still soft?, Why do they need adjustments?, What if they cry?, How can we afford it?

All of these questions and more go through the minds of parents who are considering chiropractic care for their kids. Some parents are hesitant about getting their children adjusted even though they are under care themselves.

Our kids are so special to us that sometimes, in an effort to protect them, we become overprotective and deprive them of necessary and valuable experiences.

If chiropractic care is necessary to your good health, then it logically follows that it is even more necessary for a child!

After all, they have nerve systems that control and coordinate all of their body functions just as you do. And, just like you, they can get spinal dysfunction.

The only difference is that they still have an entire lifetime ahead of them in which to manifest the results of what they do today.

It’s Never Too Soon

Spinal Dysfunction can occur at any time. The first one may very well have occurred at your baby’s birth. That is why parents who understand the importance of having a healthy spine have their newborns examined by their chiropractor as soon after birth as possible

Many people who come into a chiropractor’s office for the first time as adults would have had far greater potential for regaining their health if they had received regular chiropractic care as children.

Kids Make Great Patients!

Adjusting a child is not a difficult procedure. In fact, in most cases, a child’s spine is much easier to adjust than an adult’s. They have not had the long-standing areas of dysfunction, their muscles are usually not as tense and they are usually more relaxed in general than adults.

Not only are kids easier to adjust, but also in most cases, they hold their adjustments for longer periods of time and their corrective adjustment plans are almost always significantly shorter than the average adult. However, with the falls, accidents and the generally active lives most kids experience, regular check-ups are vital.

It’s Worth The Effort

Chiropractic adjustments are generally painless. Children may, on the first visit or two, be somewhat reluctant. However, they rarely hesitate to get on the table to be adjusted, especially when they see that visiting the chiropractor is a family affair. When they see Mum, Dad and their brothers and sisters getting adjusted, they are usually more than willing to be checked too.

We will work with you so that your children will become accustomed to their adjustments. In fact, in a very short period of time, most kids really look forward to their regular chiropractic visits.

Obviously, children who are adjusted regularly from infancy think of their visits to the chiropractor as a regular part of their lives and are not the least bit hesitant to climb onto the adjusting table.

We have a Family Plan that makes it affordable for most families to receive the care they need. The money saved on treatments for illness is often enough to convince most parents of the benefits of family care. But, the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have provided your children with the best possible chance to perform at their best is the greatest benefit of all!

Free Child Chiropractic Assessment at the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic – Till October 2011

Dr Gemma Bailey

Doctor of Chiropractic

Bsc (Hons) Chiro

Essential Fatty Acid's

2011-08-15T15:49:00.000+01:00

There are about 44 nutrients we must have to fuel our bodies to live; 20 minerals, 13 vitamins, 8 amino acids, and 2 Essential Fatty Acids, EFA’s.

These fats are called “Essential” because we absolutely need them for life and the body cannot produce them – we have to take EFA’s in through our food.

Every cell in the body must have the correct balance of EFA’s daily to function properly.

The two EFA’s our body needs are called:

1. Alpha-Linolenic Acid, ALA, popularly known as Omega 3.

2. Linoleic Acid, LA, popularly known as Omega 6.

http://www.udoschoice.ie/what-udos-oil

Omega-3. ALA is found in vegetable sources such as…

• flax seed oil

• soybean oil

• canola oil

• walnuts

• dairy products

• beans

• broccoli

Omega-3 is also found in two marine forms. They are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). They are found primarily in cold-water fatty fish such as...

• salmon

• mackerel

• lake trout

• herring

• sardines

• albacore tuna

Omega- LA is found in…

• corn oil

• safflower oil

• soybean oil

• sunflower oil

• cottonseed oil

http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/newsletter.html Two other forms of omega-6 are GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid). GLA is also found in plant based oils. ARA is found in many animal based foods.

http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/omega_3.html

So why do we need to have these fats in our diet?

EFA are classed as good fats. More often than not we see fat as a bad thing that we shouldn’t have in our diet – the fact is that we need fat in our diet.

Good fats are essential for making cell walls. The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Cells are the basic functional unit of the body. Having good fats in our diet means that we can build very healthy new cells – this is essential for a healthy you.

Also, good fats raise your HDL or "good cholesterol". One of the jobs of this High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or "good cholesterol" is to grab your bad cholesterol, LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), and escort it to the liver where it is broken down and excreted. In other words, these good fats attack some of the damage already done by the bad fats.

Dr Gemma Bailey - Bsc (Hons) Chiro

What is Pilates?

2011-07-21T13:05:00.000+01:00

WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates is a form of exercise, developed by Joseph Pilates, which emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement.

Core strength is the foundation of Pilates exercise. The core muscles are the deep, internal muscles of the abdomen and back. When the core muscles are strong and doing their job, as they are trained to do in Pilates, they work in tandem with the more superficial muscles of the trunk to support the spine and movement.

As you develop your core strength you develop stability throughout your entire torso. This is one of the ways Pilates helps people overcome back pain. As the trunk is properly stabilized, pressure on the back is relieved and the body is able to move freely and efficiently.

The top benefits of Pilates exercise that people report are that they become stronger, longer, leaner, and able to do anything with more grace and ease.

Modification is the key to Pilates exercise success with a variety of populations. All exercises are developed with modifications that can make a workout safe and challenging for a person at any level.

We have new pilates courses commencing in August for all levels, lunchtime and evenings.
Call or email for more info and to book your place today - 01 6618949 or info@fitzwilliamhealth.ie

Chiropractic News

2011-07-21T13:00:00.000+01:00

News From Around the World

In New Zealand the September 1997 issue of Consumer magazine reported a survey on use of alternative therapies by 8007 Consumer members. Half (51%) had tried at least one. With Chiropractic being most popular, having the highest satisfaction rating (74%), and being the most regulated

In Canada an August 1997 nationwide poll of 1200 adults, by CTV/Angus Reid, reported that almost half (42%) of Canadian adults use alternative care, and that amongst them chiropractic is by far the most commonly used (59%). There has been a 146% growth rate in the use of alternative care by young adults (age 18 -34) in the past 5 years. 70% of Canadians feel that government plans should cover the cost of alternative care.

In Europe an August 1997 issue of the British Medical Journal reported, "The demarcation lines between medicine and its partners in alternative medicine are rapidly changing with the public's increasing attachment to alternative medicine.

In Israel strong public demand for alternative care has led to the rapid integration of chiropractic services into the primary health care system during the past few years. The health maintenance organizations (HMOs) pay approximately 70% of the cost of chiropractic services.

The traditional health care system is truly a crisis or emergency care system where a person must be sick before gaining its benefits. The chiropractic health care philosophy promotes wellness and disease prevention, making it beneficial and accessible to everyone.

Patrick Ryder

Masters of Chiro

How to Prevent BACK PAIN from GARDENING

2011-07-14T14:30:00.000+01:00

How to Prevent BACK PAIN from GARDENING

Gardening for many people is just a chore that has to be done, and for others their main leisure activity. In both cases it is important to prepare your joints and muscles prior to descending on your garden in the spring.
The reason people get backaches, when they undertake what appears to be a relatively restful activity such as gardening, is that the actions required are quite different from those carried out in the rest of the year.

Dr Gemma Bailey advises that the main cause of back pain when gardening is prolonged stretching and overuse of the ligaments and joints in the spine. Digging, prolonged stooping and bending over whilst planting, place considerable stress on the ligaments and joints in the lower lumbar spine and cause them to become inflamed and tender. This in turn triggers a protective muscle spasm which gives rise to the deeper, duller, achy type of pain that occurs over the following few days.

Injury Prevention
There are many ways to help prevent injuries. Dr Bailey believes that the way you bend and move determines how much strain is put on the spine and by using certain muscles to protect your back you can reduce the likelihood of developing pain.

She believes it to be very important to warm up before any strenuous activity is started. The simplest form of warming up is walking. This should be followed by some flexibility exercises. Muscle exercises should be geared not so much to increasing the muscle strength but rather to improving the muscle’s ability to keep going longer i.e. stamina.

Flexibility
Fitzwilliam Health Clinic advises that the flexibility exercises should be done regularly once a day preferably in the morning and also before and after gardening.
1. Lie down on your back, bend your right leg and pull the knee up to the chest keeping the other leg straight. Repeat on the left leg, and then pull both knees up together. Repeat this exercise 2 or 3 times.
2. Kneel on the floor on all fours, relax the back and let the spine go hollow, then reverse the curve in the spine by arching the back. Repeat this 2 or 3 times.
3. Stretching the front of the thigh: Standing up, support yourself with one hand against the wall and take hold of the right ankle with your right hand, bend your knee up pulling the heel towards your buttock until you feel a stretching sensation on the front of the thigh. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat this three times on each leg. If you feel any discomfort in your back stop the exercise.
4. Stretching of the inside of the thigh: sitting cross legged, gently push down on your knees until you can feel the stretch. Repeat as above.

Dr Bailey advises these exercises will gently stretch and improve the flexibility in the muscles that affect the spine. By doing them regularly you will keep supple so that during the bending and crouching activities you’ll be less likely to injure yourself.

Muscle Exercises
1. Tensing the deep stomach muscles is the most effective way of supporting your back. Just try to hollow our stomach without taking a breath in. The aim is to tense the stomach muscles when you initiate a movement or when you have to stand in any prolonged awkward position, and to make it second nature. Practise this exercise regularly throughout the day in bouts of 5 repetitions holding the tension for 5-10 seconds, and then gradually increase the length of time you hold the tension.
2. To strengthen your back: Lie down with arms outstretched, raise one leg a few inches off the floor keeping the knee straight, whilst raising the opposite arm straight a few inches off the floor. Hold in this position for 5 seconds. Repeat this 5 times in succession 3 times (3 sets) to begin with and then increase the number of repetitions to your ability as you improve.
3. To exercise your buttock muscles: Stand up with your feet a few inches apart. Tense the buttocks together tightly and hold the muscles tensed for 5 seconds. Repeat this 5 times in succession, 5 times a day.
4. To strengthen your thighs: Rest your back against the wall and move your feet out 12” away from the wall. Squat down slowly to the level that your knees are bent to 45 degrees and hold this position for the count of 10. Repeat this until you feel the muscles tire.

These four muscle exercises can be done easily by most people, and will increase your stamina in the muscles of the abdomen, back, buttock and thigh.

NOTE: It takes between 2 and 3 months to build up muscle stamina, so be prepared.

Chiropractic Gardening Tips
1. Kneel on one leg rather than bending down repeatedly from the hips.
2. Try and keep your back hollow when digging, with the legs well spaced apart. Use your legs rather than the back.
3. Try and vary the tasks of the day into short bursts of different activities rather than slogging away all day at one thing.
3. When mowing lawns with the hover mower try to resist the temptation to swing the mower from side to side in an arc. Instead mow forwards and backwards as you would with a conventional cylinder mower.
5. If you suffer from knee problems and tend to stoop rather than kneel, then use a cushion to kneel on or a gardening stool to sit on, try keeping the back as hollow as possible.
6. Keep yourself warm and covered, i.e. keep shirts tucked in; this prevents the muscles from becoming chilled.
7. If you ache the next day, rest, and seek the advice of a Chiropractor who will advise you whether you should apply heat, or ice packs to the area, or if you require further treatment.

If any of these exercises cause you pain, contact a Chiropractor for further advice and treatment. Do not leave it to go away on its own, the earlier the treatment is carried out the better.

You should exercise and keep fit so that you can enjoy your gardening and other leisure activities, rather than using your gardening as an exercise to keep fit. Good luck!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Dr Gemma Bailey D.C, Bsc (Hons) Chiro,

19 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2

Phone: 01 6618949
info@fitzwilliamhealth.ie http://www.fitzwilliamhealth.ie/

Health Apps

2011-07-06T12:30:00.000+01:00

Apps for a Healthy You!

Pollen Alert Ireland:

The irishhealth.com provides daily pollen and airborn allergen alert and forecasting from April to November each year.

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/pollen-alert-ireland/id430597425?mt=8

iMapMyRUN

A great app that tracks your pace, distance and route using GPS. Ideal for runners and walkers!

You can log each work out to see monitor your progress. I personal favourite, I can highly recommend it!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imapmyrun-running-run-jogging/id291890420?mt=8

Sleep Pillow Ambiance: a white noise machine lite

White noise is a type of noise that is produced by combining sounds of all different frequencies together. Because white noise contains all frequencies, it is frequently used to mask other sounds. It is excellent for helping children sleep, studying and trying to drown out annoying noises such as tinnitus

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/sleep-pillow-ambiance-white/id410606661?mt=8

Fitness Free

Fitness Free includes 300 exercise routines you can choose from and add to your fitness log as you complete them. Clear diagrams show you how to perform the exercises and what muscle groups you are working.

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/fitness-free-hd/id390410487?mt=8

Pink Pad Free

This menstrual period and health tracking app is receiving high ratings in the App Store. The app helps women keep track of health-related issues such as weight, menstrual cycle, and emotional/physical well-being.

http://itun es.apple.com/us/app/pink-pad-free-period-health/id389724080?mt=8

iRelax Melodies

Relax Melodies is fantastic for relaxation and sleep assistance. No more insomnia for you! Just custom mix your favorite sounds from a selection of 41, then slip naturally into a relaxed state or a deep, rejuvenating sleep. This is the ultimate relaxation experience and it's very easy to use.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/irelax-melodies-sleep-meditation/id314498713?mt=8

Childbirth

2011-06-29T11:05:00.000+01:00

Childbirth & the One Person that Matters the Most

I came across this article; and thought it would be nice to share with you all.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/25/obstetrician-frederick-leboyer-childbirth

The writer who previously was a obstetrician who left this field due to the dismay that the most important thing about pregnancy and childbirth was being completely overlooked. The most important thing being the child. He released a book that at its time was at the forefront of groundbreaking thinking for the time; which at first was met with resistance from the medical community, He placed more on the health and wellbeing of the child during the whole process and highlighted the importance of less medical intervention when not needed.

Patrick Ryder – Masters in Chiro

Headaches

2011-06-20T11:56:00.000+01:00

Headaches

Headaches are a very common occurrence that will at some point affect us all too some degree. New research has found that especially migraines are on the rise. It is a very common condition that patients present with.

There has been extensive research into the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment of headaches. A new review is just about to be released in the next Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). It supports in its research the chiropractic adjustment being used in the management of migraine and cervicogenic headaches with another chiropractic technique called Mobilization being effective in the treatment of tension-type and cervicogenic headaches.

A new study into long term tension type headaches compared conventional medical treatment to chiropractic treatment and concluded that;

“Manual therapy is more effective than usual GP care in the short- and longer term in reducing symptoms of CTTH.”

Patrick Ryder
Masters in Chiropractic

2009-12-08T11:40:00.000Z

Healthy Hangover Cures
- Vit C and Milk thistle good combo, before and after a night out. Milk thistle protects the liver, and lessens the hangover. Can buy in droplet form or tablets from a health food shop.

- Lemon in warm water next day. Alcohol is quite acidic, whereas the lemon/water combo makes the body more alkaline, it's natural state.

- nettle tea or dandelion tea the next morning, again help flush out toxins, and clear out the liver.

- banana supposed to be good, as is full of potassium, which may have been lost by the body as alcohol is a diuretic, and makes you go to the toilet.

- loads of good quality filtered water the next day.

- loads of veg, and good quality food. Green juice if you have a juicer is excellent to get nourishment back into cells.

- walk in the fresh air, or by the sea!

2009-12-07T10:05:00.000Z

How do Children Benefit from Chiropractic?

Life is a miracle. Two cells become four and four become eight and so on until nine months later a perfect human being enters the world. His little heart started beating at 24 days. Her eyes formed at 36 days. This miracle unfolds perfectly – unless there is interference. Which is why children can benefit from chiropractic before they are born by having a mother with a nervous system free from the interference of spinal subluxations.

With pregnancy come hormonal changes, a shift in body weight and a laxity of connective tissues. New stresses are experienced by the lower back and pelvis. Many women report that their pregnancies were easier and their delivery times shorter when they received chiropractic care. Even today’s birthing procedures can put tremendous pressures on a child’s spine. And while the injury from forceps deliveries may be less common today, vacuum extraction and eager hands can do even more damage by pulling, forcing and twisting the baby’s young spine.

Without the language to explain, many newborns experience colic, unexplained crying, lack of appetite, frequent ear infections or other signs of poor health. A chiropractic examination is essential to determine if birth trauma to the spine is involved.

If indicated, a gentle, life-affirming adjustment is given. With no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato, nerve-compromising subluxations can be reduced. Almost miraculously, many parents see instant improvements in the well-being of their child.

Later, regular chiropractic checkups are helpful to monitor spinal development as infants sit upright, support their heads, learn to crawl and take their first brave steps. Many experts believe that uncorrected spinal problems during this early stage of development cause the chronic, hard-to-correct subluxations seen in adults.

Sadly, bedwetting and many childhood aches and pains are passed off as “growing pains” or “just a phase they’re going through.” Careful! Aches and pains at any age are a sign that something isn’t right. Subluxations may be involved.

As you make decisions about your baby’s health care and are confronted with the issues of antibiotics, vaccinations and the growing use of behaviour altering drugs, consult with your chiropractor. Seek accurate information and make an informed choice. First, make sure you child has the best change to be all that he or she can be by having a nervous system free of subluxations.

How can something as natural as being born cause subluxations?Being born is a natural phenomenon. It’s what we’ve done to the birth process that has become increasingly suspect. In hospitals, birth is often treated like a disease. A newborn’s introduction to the world is often accompanied by a severe drop in temperature, loud noises and other insensitivities. The administration of drugs and anaesthesia can have a profound effect on a newborn/

Will my paediatrician approve of chiropractic care for my child?

First, you don’t need anyone’s approval to seek a chiropractic opinion about health issues affecting your child! Medical practitioners keeping up with the latest paediatric chiropractic research are starting to understand the value of this natural, drug-free approach to better health.

Will adjustments hurt my baby?This is a common concern among parents who mistakenly think that their child will receive adjustments like they ones they receive. Adjusting techniques are modified for each person’s size and unique spinal problem, and an infant’s spine rarely has the long-standing muscle tightness seen in adults. This makes a child’s chiropractic adjustments gentle, comfortable and effective.

2009-12-02T10:52:00.001Z

Chiropractic for a more comfortable pregnancy and labor

Pregnant women benefit greatly from Chiropractic care with benefits that can include the baby as well.

Pregnancy can be a time of joy and exciting anticipation, yet for some the experience is coloured by pain, discomfort and illness. This is often because pregnant women undergo many structural and hormonal changes that affect the spine, nerves, joints, ligaments, connective tissues, centre of gravity and stability. Your Chiropractor can ensure that the spine, pelvis and related structures are balanced, moving easily and free from dysfunction.

When free of vertebral dysfunction, the mother-to-be experiences pregnancy at a greater level of comfort, health and vitality and can better handle the rigor of childbirth.

Drugless Approach to Health

During pregnancy there are many medications that are unsafe to use. Chiropractic’s approach to pain is another reason why it is valued during pregnancy.

Pregnant Women Have Special Concerns

There are so many things pregnant women worry about: staying pregnant, carrying the baby to full term, morning sickness, the baby developing normally, backaches, leg pain and if their labor will be safe and (hopefully) easy.

Can Chiropractic care help ease their minds? Chiropractic care has been observed to help pregnant and birthing women for many years. Chiropractors have been performing spinal adjustments on pregnant women for over a hundred years and have noted that chiropractic spinal corrective care can help reduce pain associated with pregnancy.

Chiropractic Improves Baby’s Birth Position

Pre-natal Chiropractic techniques release stress on the pelvis and uterus, helping the unborn child to turn and position itself properly for a healthy birth presentation.

2009-11-25T08:46:00.000Z

Accidents & Trauma

If you have ever been in an accident or suffered a trauma you need to have your spine checked by a Chiropractor.
Any dysfunction created in your spine during the accident often remains in your body and prevents you from healing properly. That may be the reason why over half of accident victims never completely recover from their injuries and may live on painkillers, physical therapy or even repeated surgery for years. Sometimes they’re told that they’ll have to live in pain for the rest of their lives!

It must be emphasized that Chiropractic never opposes necessary medical care. In emergencies the first order of business is always controlling life-threatening situations such as haemorrhage, cessation or breath, broken bones, serious contusions or abrasions, shock and the like. That is the specialty of emergency medicine.

Unfortunately today, millions of accident victims leave the hospital with as many vertebral dysfunctions as they had when they entered. That’s a big reason why so many people say “I haven’t felt right since the accident,” and why they may continue to suffer for months, years or even decades afterwards.

Anyone who has been in an accident even if there are no obvious symptoms should get a Chiropractic check up. The damage from spinal dysfunction may take months or years to surface and a simple spinal check up today could save an accident victim from much pain and illness later.

2009-11-23T08:24:00.000Z

Sports and Athletics

Does your neighbourhood team need a chiropractor?
Chiropractic can give your athletic endeavours an edge. That’s why you’ll find chiropractors as “team doctors” for professional, college, secondary and primary school, football, hurling, basketball, rugby, hockey and camogie teams.

Chiropractic is used by top players in sports as diverse as tennis, ballet, boxing, biking, racing, golf, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, handball, rugby, running, weightlifting and other sports. Chiropractors help keep the athlete on the field and help stop minor injuries from becoming major ones without the use of drugs or surgery.

A survey among US National Football League (NFL) trainers found that 77% refer players to chiropractors and 31% of NFL teams have a chiropractor officially on staff.

Many amateur and professional athletes wouldn’t dream of competing without first getting a chiropractic spinal check-up.How about you? Want that winning edge? A little more balance? A little more lightness to your step? Try a chiropractic “shaping up” adjustment of the spine.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries nearly always jar and misalign the spine: a blow to the ribs, legs, feet, head, shoulder or torso always radiates to the centre of the body – that’s why a chiropractic check-up is needed when you are injured regardless of the nature of the injury.

Chiropractic is needed, in fact, even when medical procedures may also be necessary.

Why? If an injury is serious enough to need medical care, the spine and body alignment is almost always damaged. Furthermore, medical doctors are simply not trained to locate and correct spinal dysfunction – that is the realm of the chiropractor.

2009-11-19T12:13:00.000Z

Neck problems & Whiplash

Your neck is jam-packed with nerves, glands, tubes, blood and lymph vessels, and 48 different joints, plus your brain stem, spinal cord, spinal column, muscles, ligaments, tendons, fluids, meninges and more! It also balances your heavy head!!

If the head and neck are thrown or “snapped” back and forth very quickly you can end up with Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD). WAD is seen in car accidents, falls and in “collision” sports such as football and boxing. In addition to the disc and soft tissue damage WAD can cause spinal dysfunction, irritation and stretching and impingement to spinal nerves. Millions of people suffer WAD each year.

Other neck problems can be caused by poor posture, work habits and even birth trauma.

Neck problems and WAD can cause headache, numbness, coldness or “pins-and –needles” in the face, chest, arms, wrists or hands. They can also result in anxiety, insomnia, low back and neck pain, ear ringing, dizziness, eye pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and other symptoms.
Of course, in an accident, the first order of business is to attend to any life-threatening problem – for example, fracture, hemorrhage, shock and severe concussion. After that, the spine must be attended to.

Chiropractic has been a blessing to millions of people suffering from neck and WAD, saving many sufferers from unnecessary drugs and surgery.

2009-11-18T08:38:00.000Z

HOW TO AVOID INJURIES

The majority of running injuries occur from overtraining. Avoid doing too much too soon. Your progress in mileage and speed should be a gradual one. An unrelenting increase in mileage from one week to the next will ultimately result in a breakdown. It is important to keep in mind the principle of hard days and easy days being interspersed and also hard and easy weeks. Mileage should usually only be increased approximately 10% per week. Every third week, you should drop back a small amount. For most runners one or two days a week, at least, should be devoted to rest or non-running activities. This gives your body a chance to recover and strengthen itself. Remember, pain is a warning, stop running and consult your chiropractor immediately.

Regular stretching may also help reduce injuries. Runners frequently develop tightness in the posterior muscle groups, such as the hamstrings and the calf muscles. The quadriceps and anterior shin muscles may become relatively weak, due to muscular imbalance.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT RUNNING SHOE

Joggers should wear a shoe with good cushioning impact. Running shoes are designed to provide maximum overall shock absorption for the foot. Such a shoe should also have good heel control. Although not a cure-all, these qualities in a running / sports shoe help to prevent shin splints, tendonitis, heel pain, stress fractures and other overuse syndromes.
A good running shoe should have a wide, cushioned heel and sole. The heel should be “rockered” at the back so that the heel strike is under the heel, not behind it. The shoe should be deep enough so that the toes do not press against the front and long enough to allow free motion and gripping during running. There should be about a thumb-nail length between the longest toe and the toe of the shoe. Unless there is enough space for the toes, the toe nails will be injured.

Running shoes should have “spring” in the forefoot; that is, the forefoot of the shoe should tilt up off the ground when the shoe is resting flat on the ground. The shoe should be flexible but not limp and the heel counter firm and padded to support the heel. The sole of the heel should be soft enough to absorb much of the shock of running. A soft neoprene sole is a great help in absorbing shock. Most running shoes have a cushion to support the arch. This is desirable to avoid the foot ‘going over’ or ‘pronating’.

Follow these simple guidelines when choosing your shoes:

• Don’t just go by size. Have your feet measured.
• Visit the shoe store at the end of a workout when your feet are largest.
• Wear the sock you normally wear when working out.
• Fit the shoe to the largest foot.

Running shoes should be regularly replaced as the shock absorbing capability will diminish gradually and may be inadequate after 350 – 550 miles. The upper part of the shoe may not show much wear, but the shock absorption may still be gone. If you are running 20 miles per week, you should be replacing your shoes between 4 and 8 months depending upon your shock absorption needs.

2009-11-16T09:11:00.000Z

Headaches

10-15% of the population suffer with headaches. Headaches cause the sufferer debilitating symptoms that often results in them having time off work or not being able to carry out daily activities.

There are many different types of headache, but the most severe and most commonly treated are migraines and tension headaches.

Migraines
It is still not clear exactly what occurs in the body to cause a migraine. The main thought is that blood vessel in the head change diameter leading to a reduction in blood flow or that there is restriction to the upper neck vertebra resulting in nerve irritation and migraine symptoms.

Most migraine suffers experience their first attack in their early 20’s and women suffer three times more then men.
Common symptoms of migraine include unilateral, moderate to severe pain with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, change in vision, sensory changes and light and sound sensitivity.
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms for the first time it is important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Tension headaches
These are a result of stress causing tense muscles in the back of the neck. This can be due to emotional stress, work stress, anxiety and environmental factors.

Tension headaches create a dull pain on both sides of the head that can last for a long time. Tension headaches are often tolerated by the patient and they may suffer each day with pain.

Treatment
Chiropractic treatment is not like taking an aspirin, a temporary measure to mask the pain. If headaches are a persistent problem, a chiropractor will take a full case history and perform an appropriate examination to determine the source of pain. Once the information has been obtained they can then give a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Gentle Chiropractic mobilisation and manipulation of the neck, deep tissue work, muscle strengthening and stretching exercises are performed and self-help advice given to sufferers. Posture correction and nutritional advice can often help prevent the frequent return of headaches.

Unfortunately a lot of over the counter medication is only effective in reducing the pain of attacks and rarely reduces their frequency.

Self Help
• Make sure that you do not sleep on your front – this causes your neck and spine to twist
• Cut out ‘trigger’ foods one at a time until you find which ones are aggravating the problem. E.g. Chocolate, red wine, cheese, tomatoes, processed food, MSG
• Relax in a quiet environment

In the event of an attack
• Drink lots of water ( 2-3 glasses should suffice)
• Lie down and try to rest

2009-11-12T08:40:00.000Z

Gardening and Back Pain
Gardening for some of us is just a chore but for others it is our primary leisure activity and a source of much enjoyment. Whichever category you fall into it is essential to prepare your joints and muscles prior to descending on your garden.

The main reason people get back pain is because they underestimate the amount of muscle involvement required to perform gardening activities. With many of us, these muscles have not been used through the winter months and therefore are prone to injury and overuse. Digging, prolonged stretching and bending over while planting puts undue stress on the ligaments and joints in the lumbar spine, neck and extremities. When a joint is overused it will become inflamed and tender, triggering a protective muscle spasm leaving you with that horrible dull ache for several days after gardening.

If left untreated or exposed to repeated overuse, dysfunction within the joint may occur over time. This can potentially lead to irritation on spinal nerves resulting in referred pain into the extremities, with one example being Sciatica.

There are many ways to treat musculoskeletal pain. Chiropractic provides a non-surgical and drug-free treatment. It is a 100% natural approach to health care, as it is based on restoring function to our bodies on a skeletal, muscular and nervous system level.

Chiropractic Gardening Tips
1. Kneel on one knee rather then repeatedly bending from the hips
2. Try and vary the tasks into short bursts of different activity
3. If you suffer from knee problems use a cushion to kneel on or a gardening stool to sit on, this should avoid slouching
4. When digging, keep your back hollow and legs well apart. Use your legs rather then your back
5. Keep warm and covered up – this prevents muscles from becoming chilled
6. If you ache the next day, speak with your Chiropractor for further advice and treatment. They will advise you if you should use ice, heat or if further treatment is required

Pregnancy & Chiropractic

2009-11-10T09:40:00.000Z

2009-11-09T10:11:00.000Z

Spot the Early Signs of Postural Problems

• The head tilting to one side

• Forward Head Carriage

• Rounded Shoulders

• Stiffness and pain in the neck and between the Shoulder Blades

• Discomfort or fatigue sitting up straight for any length of time

• One Shoulder higher than the other or one hip higher than the other

• Uneven wear on your shoes

Can Chiropractic Help With Stress?

2009-11-06T09:56:00.000Z

2009-11-05T08:23:00.000Z

Sleep , Insomnia and Chiropractic

It’s really a pretty bizarre phenomenon: for about seven or eight hours a day all thinking and almost all motions stops, and you become oblivious to external reality, experiencing another reality of fleeting symbols and images- an existence mysterious , unknown, and (at times) frightening. Is it any wonder that in Greek Mythology Hypnus, the god of sleep is the brother of Thanatos, the god of death?

Sleep constitutes such a large part of our lives that it simply must be very important. And it is! The effects of its absence tells us so. Without satisfying sleep, proper physical and mental function is virtually impossible. Sleep regenerates us, heals us, balances us.

Insomnia

Are you having trouble sleeping nights? Waking up tired? Waking up in the middle of the night? You’ve got lots of company. A 1991 Gallup poll found that one person in four has insomnia occasionally and nine percent chronically and that problems with sleeping at night cause problems during the day(and vice-versa).

Dealing with Insomnia

Somnology, the study of sleep reveals that there are three types of insomnia: transient insomnia, which is caused by a temporarily stressful situation, or even a large meal; before bedtime and last a few nights; short-term insomnia, which may last for a few days to several week s as a result of a more severe and extended form of emotional stress; and chronic insomnia which usually arise from a more deep-seated physical or emotional problem. Chronic insomnia may be caused by alcohol or drug use; anxiety, fear, mania or depression; obsessions, compulsion; chronic pain.

Health Practices Known to Hasten Sleep

Go to be at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning no matter what time you fall asleep – this trains your body-mind to accord to a regular rhythm.
Don’t lie in bed if you can’t sleep-you’ll only get frustrated and feel even more tense. Get up and watch TV or otherwise try to relax until you feel sleepy.
Avoid coffee, tea cola, and cocoa, all of which contain caffeine, six hours before bedtime.
Do not eat large meals or engage in heavy exercise before bedtime.
Don’t take naps.
Don’t try to catch up on sleep on weekends.
Use your bed only for sleep and sex – don’t bring your work to bed.
Get regular exercise to reduce body tension.
Try as best you can to avoid boredom. If you’re not really awake during the day, you can’t really be asleep during the night.

Sleep Medications

Frequently, of course, insomniacs resort to sleep medications. Because it is easy to develop tolerance to these drugs, it’s common for users to gradually increase the suggested dosage and continue taking the pills for longer and longer periods of time.

Presecription sleep medications include Dalmane, Doral, ProSom, Restoril, Valium, Xanax and Halcion. All of these drugs tend to leave people with a medication hangover and memory loss the following day. Halcion, the number one sleep medication (over seven million prescriptions in 1990), gas stirred controversy because of its side effects: it can make a person anxious, confused and excitable the next day and has been accused of bringing about violent behaviour. Halcion has been banned in Great Britain.

In over-the-counter (non-prescription) sleep medications, the sleep-inducing ingredient is usually antihistamine. The main side effect is dry mouth, although other side effects are common. It’s best to consult the Physicians Desk Reference(PDR) when taking any drug, whether prescribed or not! Finally, it is important to remember that sleeping pills do not correct the cause of sleeping problems. Rather than continuing merely to treat the symptom, an insomniac must explore the question why it is that he/she cannot sleep/

Herbal Remedies

Tehre are also effective herbal remedies, such as passion flower, wild oats, valerian, and skullcap. Nonmedical remedies include vitamins such as tryptophan (found in milk); warm (not hot) baths or bathing your feet in hot water to draw the blood from the head; relaxation therapy.

Relaxation Study

In a University of Alabama study, one group of insomniacs learned to use relation techniques to help them to got to sleep; a second group used sleeping pills. Although the group taking sleep pills fell asleep immediately, they continued to awaken during the night just as often as they did without the pills. After about two weeks of practicing relaxation techniques, the relaxation group learned to fall asleep immediately and stay asleep for longer periods.

At this point let us ask: What did Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Rudyard Kipling, Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Allan Poe, and Cary Grant have in common? The answer is heavy snoring.

Heavy Snoring

Nine out of ten snorers are men, most of them over age 40. They tend to be overweight (which make for extra fat tissue in the airway) and/or to be smokers. Alcohol and sedatives are known to contribute to snoring (by slackening the throat and tongue muscles). High blood pressure too, is known to be a cause. Because some people snore only when sleeping on their backs, sleeping on the side sometimes helps reduce and even eliminate snoring, as can elevating the head.

Although there have been anecdotal instances of snoring ceasing after chiropractic care, no studies have as yet been performed. Where, in fact, snoring is being caused by lazy tongue or throat muscles, a healthy nerve supply to that area might well make a difference.

Sleep walking, Night Terror, and Bed Wetting

Characterized as parasomnia is a group of unusual sleep behaviours that are believed to be related. The most common are sleep walking(somnambulism); night terror (awakening frightened, screaming, and excited with no memory of the cause); and enuresis (urination during sleep). These disorders usually begin in early childhood and normally stop by adolescence. Clinical experience has shown chiropractic to be especially helpful in cases of parasomnia. Any of them may be associated with underlying emotional stress, and here psychological counselling can be helpful also.

The Chiropractic Approach

Nearly a hundred years of clinical case histories have shown chiropractic to be of great benefit for sleeping problems. In fact, “better sleep” is a report that new patients commonly give their chiropractor.

The brain and nervous system regulate the sleep-wake cycle, and by relieving the spine of nerve blockages, chiropractic helps insure a healthy nerve supply from the brain to the rest of the body. This natural, drugless approach to health care should be explored by anyone suffering from sleep problems of any kind.

2009-11-04T08:11:00.001Z

The H1N1 Issue: Flu Pandemic, Fear Pandemic, or Both?

Let's start with the H1N1 flu virus itself.

The FACT is that the type of illness associated with this virus in over 99.9% of CASES is mild to moderate flu symptoms which include fever, nausea which can include vomiting, and of course general malaise. Not very pleasant to be sure but is this any different than the symptoms associated with the flu viruses that have been the source of the seasonal flu for the past 50 years? No. Although not every seasonal flu virus is associated with vomiting the truth is that vomiting is not considered serious. Seriously uncomfortable - yes, seriously risky in terms of death or severe complications - no.

In other words we need to know how many of the deaths ASSOCIATED with H1N1 are actually CAUSED by H1N1.
In Canada as of Oct 17, 2009 there had been a total of 1,604 hospitalizations, and 83 deaths associated with H1N1. So, out of a population of approximately 35 MILLION there were 83 deaths. This means the chance of death from H1N1 was 0.0002%.
To date these risks are similar in the United States and throughout the rest of the world.

It is not easy to get exact numbers on the number of deaths that are caused by underlying conditions or secondary bacterial infections but estimates are that these would represent at least 99% of all deaths associated with H1N1. So, if you do not have an underlying illness your chance of dying from H1N1 is 1% of 0.0002%. Not exactly worthy of widespread panic.
The chances of dying in a car accident, airplane accident, a fall, from complications of air pollution, from complications from industrial toxins or from medical treatment are EXPONENTIALLY GREATER. What is the difference? The media and the health authorities are not focusing your attention on these risks. You have more chance of dying in a car accident on your way to get an H1N1 vaccine than dying from H1N1.

So what should you do?

Be rational, put things in proper perspective and ask the right questions.
Be scientific and logical. Get the facts and apply them to your strategy.
Don't panic if you or a loved one gets the flu. Keep hydrated, stay home, eat intelligently and REST. If severe complications arise go to your medical doctor or a walk-in clinic.
Be preventative. Eating well, exercising, and staying relaxed are evidence-based ways to optimize your immune defenses, to minimize risk of both becoming ill and of complications, and to maximize your recovery should you become ill.

Take Vitamin D - this is absolutely one of the most evidence-based interventions available for reducing incidence and severity of seasonal cold and flu. The data is very very strong.

One thing to do to keep your immune system strong is get adjusted regularly by a Chiropractor

2009-11-03T08:18:00.000Z

What is Good Posture?

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or laying down. Good posture involves training the body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments.
The benefits of Proper Posture:
Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly.
Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces.
Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together.
Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy.
Prevents backache and muscular pain.
Contributes to a good appearance.

How Does Poor Posture Develop?

Common causes are uncorrected physical stresses from the Birth Process, Sports Injuries, Car accidents and far too much time spent slouching in front of a TV, playing on video games or working at a PC.

Will Poor Posture Lead To Arthritis?

Yes it will. Arthritis (spinal decay) can result from abnormal, chronic adaptation to incorrect body posture. It has been said that sitting down is to your spine what sugar is to your teeth i.e. its no good for your spine at all! The body deposits calcium on malfunctioning spinal joint surfaces in a bid to stabilize the joints which leads to bone spurs and eventually fusion of the joints.

If you or any of your family members show any of these signs then you need to have a Spinal Health Check to assess what may be causing the problem. These assessments maybe carried out by qualified Physiotherapists or Chiropractic.

Spot the Early Signs Postural Problems

· The head tilting to one side

· Forward Head Carriage

· Rounded Shoulders

· Stiffness and pain in the neck and between the Shoulder Blades

· Discomfort or fatigue sitting up straight for any length of time

· One Shoulder higher than the other or one hip higher than the other

· Uneven wear on your shoes

10 Tips for A Healthy Back

2009-11-02T08:51:00.000Z

10 Tips for A Healthy Back

Follow these simple guidelines to keep your back in good shape:
1. Standing… keeping one foot forward of the other, with knees slightly bent, takes the pressure off your low back.
2. Sitting… sitting with your knees slightly higher than your hips provides good low back support.
3. Reaching… stand on a stool to reach things that are above your shoulder level.
4. Moving Heavy Items… pushing is easier on your back than pulling. Use your arms and legs to start the push. If you must lift a heavy item, get someone to help you.
5. Lifting… kneel down on one knee with the other foot flat on the floor as near as possible to the item you are lifting. Lift with your legs, not your back, keeping the object close to your body at all times.
6. Carrying… two small objects (one in either hand) may be easier to handle than one large one. If you must carry one large object, keep it close to your body.
7. Sleeping… sleeping on your back puts 55 lbs. of pressure on your back. Putting a couple of pillows under your knees cuts the pressure in half. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees also reduces the pressure.
8. Weight Control… additional weight puts a strain on your back. Keep within 10 lbs. of your ideal weight for a healthier back.
9. Quit Smoking… smokers are more prone to back pain than nonsmokers because nicotine restricts the flow of blood to the discs that cushion your vertebrae.
10. Minor Back Pain… treat minor back pain with anti-inflammatory and gentle stretching, followed by an ice pack.

Ring us now for a Chiropractic Assessment

2009-10-30T08:58:00.000Z

How Does Poor Posture Effect Your Health?

The body is designed in such a way so that it works most efficiently when we are stood up straight and also sat up straight when we are seated. It is all centred around the nervous system and the scientific fact that your nerves control every aspect of your body. These nerve messages start off in your brain and run down the spinal cord to every organ and tissue via the spinal nerves. Any misalignments in the spinal bones causes nerve interference leading to ill health.

We have curves in our spine (in the neck, thoracic spine and lumbar spine) that need to be maintained in order for the vital messages to get from our brain to our bodies effectively. Poor posture is detrimental to your health because it causes misalignments of spinal bones (vertebrae) which cause nerve interference. This nerve pressure often manifests itself in the form of pain, numbness, weakness, inability to cope with stress and malfunctioning organs to name but a few.

Unfortunately stress is a problem we all have to deal with in modern life, although some of us handle it much better than others. There are 3 main types of stress: physical stress, chemical stress and emotional stress. Poor posture is definitely a physical stress along with things like previous car accidents, sports injuries and falls. Chemical stressors include poor nutrition, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco and pollution. Emotional stress could be stress at work or home which could manifest itself as fear, grief, anger or depression. We are better able to handle these stresses in life when the nerve interference is reduced which improves our posture and general well being.

Who should have a Spinal Health Check and when? Well, anyone who wants to improve nerve communication between the brain and the body. The earlier in life you have your spine checked, the more likely you are to avoid health problems in the future http://www.icpa4kids.org. We believe prevention is better than cure. Do you? Remember that nobody is too old and nobody is too young to benefit from having a nervous system that functions at its best.

Running Injuries

2009-10-28T14:55:00.000Z

Two types of injuries are commonly sustained by runners: Acute trauma and Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI’s). There are a few simple things you can do to prevent either of these happening to you: Regular stretching, good quality trainers with good shock absorption, avoid over training and also to regularly utilise Chiropractic care.

The minute a person starts to experience symptoms of an injury i.e. pain, is usually when they believe the problem began, but in actual fact the problem was developing way before the symptoms ever showed up because symptoms are the last phase of dysfunction as oppose to the first. So if you want to train consistently well for many years to come it is very wise to get checked now while you are asymptomatic (have no symptoms) so you can remain fit and healthy.

Strains and sprains can be caused by running on uneven ground and can initially be treated by remembering ‘R.I.C.E’: Rest, Ice, Compression and elevation. To significantly reduce the recovery time and get back to training as soon as possible it’s important to get checked out and treated by a Chiropractor straight away.

Overview of Common Injuries

Plantar Fasciitis
This is caused by stretching or tearing of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot where the tissue attaches to the heel and causes pain in a specific area on the bottom of the foot near the heel and sometimes radiates towards the ball of the foot.

Bursitis or Tendonitis

Irritation to the bursa (a fluid filled sac that sit under a tendon) or tendons from injury or repetitive strain type dysfunction. This results in pain, stiffness and eventually swelling when the condition worsens. This often affects the ankles, knee’s and hips.

Achilles Tendonitis

This tendon connects the ankle to the calf muscle group and is a common injury when occurs because many people ignore and run through pain they experience in the Achilles Tendon. Don’t run through the pain, these symptoms are your bodies way of telling you something is wrong, so seek help!

Shin Splints

This is very often a result of poor posture, poor quality shoes, fallen arches, fatigue, and insufficient warm up technique. Shin splints cause pain or discomfort on the front, the inside and / or the outside surface of the shin. Good shoes with shock absorbing features and regular calf stretches will help to prevent this injury occurring.

Ankle Sprains

This is common when running on uneven ground e.g cross country or trail running. This should be treated immediately with R.I.C.E. with the ice pack being applied for 10-15 minutes per hour until the swelling reduces after which it is advised to seek help from a professional.

Illiotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome is due to inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs down the outside of the leg. The iliotibial band begins at the hip and extends to the outer side of the shin bone (tibia) just below the knee joint. People who suddenly increase their level of activity, such as runners who increase their mileage, often develop iliotibial band syndrome. Others who are prone to ITBS include individuals with mechanical problems of their gait such as people who overpronate or have leg length discrepancies and these people should consult a Chiropractor for an assessment.

Chiropractic is all about preventing injuries occurring in the first place. So if you feel absolutely fine that’s great, Chiropractic care will help you stay that way and continue to train injury free for many years to come.

For more info go to Fitzwilliam Health Clinic

Chiropractic Patient Testimonials

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Chiropractic Patient Testimonials

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Chiropractic Patient Testimonials

2009-10-24T13:52:00.001+01:00

Introduction To Chiropractic

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Welcome To Our Blog!

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Welcome to Fitzwilliam Health Clinic's Blog. If you are a patient here then please feel free to post your comments about your experience with us. Thanks.