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Sore Neck? Consider a Chiro

May 18, 2022 by chmadmin

Is your neck aching from endless browsing, swiping and texting? Do you wake up with a stiff neck from poor sleep? Maybe you’ve been practising some bad habits lately? This Spinal Health Week (23-29 May) we are asking our patients and community to Consider a Chiro for neck pain.

Research shows that neck pain is a leading cause of disability in adults (reported up to 20% of adults), with many presenting for assessment.¹ In the Global Burden of Disease study in 2010, neck pain ranked fourth highest in terms of disability and twenty-first in overall burden.² Not surprisingly, neck pain (cervicalgia) constituted in the top five back problem hospitalisations in 2017-18.³

With the average Australian spending more than 5.5 hours on their phone each day⁴ and a third of us checking our phone within five minutes of waking up each morning⁵ – means we are glued to our phones from the moment we wake up, to the moment we go to sleep!

Neck pain places a huge burden on mental health, relationships, ability to work and quality of life, and it doesn’t stop at neck pain. Neck problems are a common trigger for headaches. They can also cause jaw problems, shoulder pain, or weakness and tingling into the arms and hands.

Implementing positive spinal health habits, including good posture, sleep hygiene and partaking in regular stretching and exercise regimes are important factors in preventing neck pain. Remember, you don’t have to live with neck pain.

At Suncoast Chiropractic we are well equipped to care for neck pain whether it be a new episode of pain or a pre-existing condition.

If you want to keep your spinal health in check, we can provide you with care, including exercise programs, lifestyle advice, and assistance to help you maintain your spinal health and overall wellbeing.

This Spinal Health Week is a great time to Consider a Chiro and make an appointment with us to take control of your neck pain!

References

Bertram, K, Williams, D, Vijiaratnam, N 2018, Neck pain: What if it is not musculoskeletal?, Australian Journal of General Practice, Volume 47, Issue 5, https://www1.racgp.org.au/ ajgp/2018/may/neck-pain
Hoy, D, March, l, Woolf, A, Blyth, B, Brooks, P, Smith, E, Vos, T, Barendregt, J, Blore, J, Murray, C, Burstein, R, Buchbinder, R 2014, The Global Burden of Neck Pain: Estimates From The Global Burden of Disease 2010 study, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, BMJ Journals, Volume 73, issue 7, Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
ACCD (Australian Consortium for Classification Development) 2016, The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) – Tenth Edition – Tabular list of diseases and Alphabetic index of diseases. Adelaide: Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, Lane Publishing.
Dixon, G 2021, Aussies Spend Almost 17 Years in a Lifetime Staring At Their Phones, Reviews.org, accessed 07 March 2022, https://www.reviews.org/au/mobile/aussie-screentime-in-a-lifetime/
Deloitte, 2017, Mobile Consumer Survey 2017: The Australian Cut, accessed 07 March 2022, https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/deloitte-au-tmt-mobile-consumer-survey-2017-211117.pdf

It’s Still MOBILITY Month!

March 17, 2021 by fu8AgJDK66

It’s still MOBILITY month!

Check out this short video to hear how a moving spine is also great for the brain!

Consider your Child’s Spine this Back-to-School Season

January 14, 2021 by Julian

In late January, millions of Australian children get ready to go back to school. With kids spending nearly 200 days at school each year, it is important they are mindful of their health when in school, especially their spine.

The Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) have developed a ‘Back to School Health Checklist’ to remind both children and their parents of the healthy habits that they should be practising all year round. Local ACA chiropractors Julian Jenkyns, Kathryn Rock and Mark McEwan are encouraging people to collect the checklist so they can not only tick off their school supplies list but their health one as well.

“This checklist is a great way to remind kids of the importance of building healthy habits at school. They are simple to incorporate and easily fit into a child’s everyday routine. For instance, packing a healthy lunch, getting 60 minutes of daily physical activity and wearing the backpack correctly.”

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

“We are asking parents if they are concerned about their child’s spine or would like advice on any other back to school related issues, like sizing the backpack or how to sit at desks to consider our chiropractic services.”

This comes as the ACA launch their annual Back to School Campaign, which seeks to educate Aussie kids of the importance of maintaining their spinal health and wellbeing throughout the year, but especially in school.

“Kids aren’t often aware of the impact that common activities like sitting in a classroom, carrying a heavy bag and excessive screen time, can have on their overall health and wellbeing.”

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

If you’re concerned about your child’s spine or any other back to school related activities, book an appointment with Suncoast Chiropractic by calling our friendly staff on (07) 5492 5588, or for more information on Back to School, visit backtoschool.org.au

Restoring to Normal Function After a Sports Injury

September 17, 2020 by fu8AgJDK66

Anyone who has ever suffered from a sports injury is well aware that recovery can often be a daunting prospect. If you have found it difficult to cope with such a situation, you are certainly not alone. Bouncing back from this scenario can be challenging on both a physical and a mental level. However, there are many options at your disposal and adopting the correct approach from the beginning will help to ensure that you can get back on your feet in no time at all.

The Physical Aspects of a Speedy Recovery

There are numerous types of injuries which can occur when practising sports. From relatively simple issues such as a strained hamstring to more profound problems including chronic lower back pain or a broken bone, the recovery or restoration process can be broken down into three stages:

• Protecting the affected area from further damage (sometimes known as the “unloading” phase).
• Slowly exercising in order to restore normal function.
• Further physical training that is specific to the activity or sport in question.

It should also be obvious that the types of treatments will vary depending upon the type of injury that you have experienced. For instance, some types of functional rehabilitation will involve strengthening a certain muscle while others may require the use of a chiropractor (such as if your back was severely affected).

Mental Hurdles to Overcome

Your mental approach will also play an important role. For instance, some research has found that developing a positive outlook can shorten the time needed for your body to properly heal. There are several suggestions which can help to ensure that you remain motivated during your convalescence.

For example, you should be provided with ongoing support in relation to the type of treatment and what you can ultimately expect from the outcome. You should also be open to talk about your feelings, as this is a great way to further reduce stress as well as to keep others informed about how you are feeling. If you happen to have any questions or concerns about the treatment that you are receiving, it is always wise to make these known. Clear communication can help you restore to normal function quicker and with fewer complications.

A Return to Normality

“If you listen to your body when it whispers, then you won’t have to hear it scream”. This is another way of saying that you should contact a professional at the first sign of trouble in order to avoid a more serious injury. Even minor pains and strains should be not be taken lightly, as these could hint at underlying issues which need to be assessed sooner as opposed to later.

Have you recently sustained an injury and do you have additional questions about how we can help you restore to normal function again? If so, please contact our clinic today and book in for your initial consultation.

How to Manage Neck Pain

August 26, 2020 by fu8AgJDK66

If you get recurrent pain at the base of your head, above your eyes or temples, the chances are that you have a cervicogenic headache. This type of headache occurs when ligaments, muscles and joints around the neck area have problems. There are pain points around the neck that send signals to the brain. The brain, in turn, interprets the signals as if coming from the head. That is why you get a headache. This may be accompanied by pain on the neck if there are injuries or bruising in the area. If you suffer from migraine, neck pain can cause a migraine headache.

What is the Cause of Neck Pain?

Neck pain, along with cervicogenic headaches, may be caused by trauma at the base of your head, such as a whiplash accident. They can also be caused by prolonged load on your neck. For example, if you spend lots of time slouching on your seat or bending in front of your computer, you may experience neck pain. Poor posture and sleeping habits may also put a load on the trapezius muscle, which may trigger neck pain. In some cases, shoulder pain has been known to cause neck pain and headaches because of the interconnection of muscles and skeletal structure.

Preventing Neck Pain

A large number of neck issues are of a mechanical origin. Here are a few guidelines on how to prevent them.

Adopt an upright posture
Avoid slouching on your seat when watching your TV or in front of a PC. Sit upright and support the lower back. Ideally, after every 20 minutes or so, leave your seat, stretch or take a walk.

Pick an Ergonomic Seat
Pick a seat and desk that allows you to work while seated upright. Both feet should be stepping on the floor and the PC screen at an appropriate level. If you spend hours driving, ensure that the car seat supports your head and the lower back. On the other hand, if you lift a lot, always lift with a straight back and with your knees bent.

Good Sleeping Habits
In addition to choosing the right mattress, you should also choose the right pillow that allows the neck to be aligned to the rest of the spine. Ideally, avoid sleeping on your stomach to avoid putting pressure on your spine and upper back.

Dealing with Neck Pain

There are various ways you can relieve neck pain based on the cause of your pain. Here are some of them.

• Soft tissue massage of the neck to relieve muscle tension around the pain points.
• Taping to limit muscle activity on the area of pain.
• Correct your posture to lift the load off the base of your head. It may involve taping and the use of special vests.
• Dry needling of neck muscles to reduce the pain signals sent to the brain and promote natural healing.
• Manual mobilisation of neck joints and pain trigger points to enable normal joint movement.
• Assessment of your workstation and pillow ergonomics to prevent the re-occurrence of the condition.

A good number of these remedies may require a chiropractor for lasting relief. If you are suffering with neck pain or headaches, call us today on (07) 5492 5588 to book your initial consultation.

Understanding Low Back and Sciatica

August 4, 2020 by fu8AgJDK66

Most people experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Often the pain starts just below the ribcage on the lumbar region of the body. It may grow from light to intense pain and often causes you problems when working. Thankfully, light back pain can get better without the need for intervention or with a few home remedies. However, for intense pain, you may need to seek help.

There are two types of low back pain; acute and chronic back pain. Acute back pain may last a few days to a few weeks. However, chronic back pain may take months or keep coming back when a cause is triggered. This pain may range from a dull ache to a more intense shooting or stabbing sensation.

Causes of Low Back Pain

A good number of low back pain causes result from joint or muscle sprains. This may result from sudden jerking movements or poor posture when lifting heavy items. However, low back pain may also be a symptom of other more serious conditions, such as the following:

• Sciatica
• Spinal cancer
• Herniated or ruptured disc
• Arthritis
• Kidney infections
• Other spine problems

That’s why in the case of persistent spinal pain, evaluation by a practitioner like a chiropractor is essential.

Adults aged between 30 and 50 years are the group more likely to experience back pain. This is when early degenerative change can start to be seen in the spine. People in this range also often lose muscle tone as they age, making them prone to back injury. As for young individuals, many lower back issues result from injury in sports, road accidents and weightlifting.

On the other hand, the effects of the diseases on back pain can be experienced by anyone of any age. To deal with the pain, the patient must treat the underlying condition first. Here is a look at one of the more common causes of lower back pain; Sciatica

Sciatica

Sciatica is a back and leg pain caused by issues with the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down to the back of your knee and into your foot. Any compression or injury that puts pressure on the nerve causes you to experience pain from the lower back, hip and bottoms up to your calves.

The pain is usually on one side and may get worse when sitting, sneezing, or coughing. The affected leg may also feel tingly, weak, or numb. These symptoms appear suddenly without an apparent trigger and may last for several weeks. Over 90% of people do not require surgical intervention to deal with the pain. People with other conditions such as pregnancy, herniated disc, narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) or any form of degenerative arthritis of the spine (including bone spurs) may also experience sciatica.

The condition is diagnosed using X-rays, MRI and CT scans. Treatment can include non-invasive methods such as chiropractic care to trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound treatments and neurological stimulations.

When to Seek Chiropractic Care

Light or mild lower back pain can often resolve with pain relievers, appropriate exercises and rest. However, if the pain causes you numbness in the groin, leg weakness, fever and rashes along with pain when you urinate or cough, seek urgent assistance from your chiropractor or GP. People who also have unexplained weight loss, a weak immunity, or have a history of cancer and experience back pain should see their GP.

Otherwise call us at Suncoast Chiropractic on 07 5492 5588 and we can help you get back on track.