Clinic news
30 trees for 30 years - we will be planting the trees on Saturday 4th November 2023 @14:00 hrs - please put the date in your diaries - it will be great to see you there and help us mark this momentous occasion—more details to follow.
Now the children have finished school at last, we hope you are managing to get some fun family time whether it be away or days out from home. Sadly, the weather is not being kind but let's hope it will pick up in a few weeks.
As the team take some much-needed breaks over the next few months, please bear with us as we try and juggle appointment for you - please try and cancel in plenty of time if you can't make your appointment or find you will be away as you may be charged. We have a rolling waiting list ready to fill your appointment.
This month we will be looking at the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy, pelvic girdle pain and good nutrition for those joints - check out the articles below for more information.
We are still on the lookout for a painter and decorator so if you know anyone who could help us please get in touch.
Your Guide to a Vibrant and Healthy Summer
As the sun graces us with its radiant presence, it’s the perfect time to prioritise your well-being and make the most of this delightful season. To help you enjoy the sunshine while taking good care of your body and mind, we’ll go over some tips for summer health in this blog post.
Get Active
Get at least 150 minutes of aerobic physical activity every week. The sunny days and pleasant temperatures beckon us to step outside and get moving. Whether it’s swimming, cycling, hiking, or simply taking leisurely walks in the park, find activities that bring you joy and make you feel alive. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun’s rays with good-quality sunscreen and stay hydrated during your adventures.
Embrace Vitamin D
As the sun graces us with its warmth, it also provides us with a crucial nutrient—Vitamin D. Soak up those sun rays (safely, of course) and allow your body to naturally synthesise this essential vitamin. Spend time outdoors, bask in the sunlight, and let your skin absorb the goodness of Vitamin D. Just remember to be mindful of sun exposure and protect your skin when necessary. You can sit in the shade, wear wide-brimmed hats or clothing that covers your skin, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 for sun protection.
Prioritise Self-Care
Summer is a fantastic time to prioritise self-care and cultivate a sense of balance and well-being. Take moments to unwind, relax, and indulge in activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s lounging in a hammock with a captivating book, practising yoga in the park, or meditating by the beach, make sure that you have moments of tranquillity and rejuvenation. Nurture your mental health, nourish your soul, and let the summer vibes ignite your inner glow.
Stay Cool and Hydrated
As temperatures rise, it’s vital to stay cool and hydrated to avoid heat-related illnesses. Hydrate your body with plenty of water, Add slices of fruit to water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink. Opt for light, hydrating foods such as juicy watermelon, crisp salads and hydrating vegetables like cucumber and celery. Seek shade, wear lightweight and breathable clothing, and use fans or air conditioning units to keep cool during hot days, but don’t sit directly in their breeze as it cools your skin and can lead to chills. Remember, staying cool and hydrated is key to enjoying a fun and healthy summer.
Connect with Nature
Summer is the perfect time to connect with the natural world around us. Take moments to appreciate the beauty of blooming flowers, the mesmerising sound of waves crashing on the shore, and the vibrant colours of a sunset painting the sky. Immerse yourself in nature’s embrace, whether it’s through picnics in the park, hiking in scenic trails or simply sitting in your garden and observing the wonders of the natural world. Connecting with nature nourishes our souls, reduces stress and reminds us of the incredible beauty that surrounds us.
As you embark on this summer adventure, remember that your health and well-being are a priority. Listen to your body, honour its needs, and make choices that align with your values. Embrace the sunshine, indulge in nutritious and refreshing foods, stay active, protect your skin, and take moments for self-care and relaxation. Let this summer be a time of growth, joy, and vibrant health.
Chiropractic Care While Pregnant: Here are The Benefits
Pregnancy is a pivotal period in a woman’s life where both her mind and body transforms. During this time several physiological and endocrinological changes occur in preparation to create a healthy environment for the developing baby. As the baby grows, more weight is carried and the centre of gravity shifts forward, which impacts the spine, the pelvic alignment and the ligaments. The imbalance leads to nervous system stress affecting the body’s natural ability to function. Chiropractic care can help support both the mother and baby throughout those changes with patient-specific gentle chiropractic adjustments.
As the baby grows and the belly expands, the curve in the middle and lower back increases, the ribcage expands and the pelvis opens. Those changes are necessary at providing enough space for the baby to grow, but they can also cause pelvic misalignment, as well as other neurological responses like nausea.
Possible symptoms related to spinal misalignment during pregnancy:
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder tension
- Hip and pelvic pain
- Incorrect postural adaptation
When the pelvis is misaligned it reduces the space available for the baby to develop and move, making it difficult for the baby to assume the correct position for delivery. Regular adjustments of the spine and pelvis can relieve back and joint pains but most importantly it supports and aids the baby development and ultimately the delivery.
Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
- Natural relief of back pain
- Ease of pregnancy symptoms like nausea
- Reducing the time of labour and delivery
- Reinforcing the immune system
- Natural achievement of optimal foetal delivery position (through the Webster technique)
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is one natural and holistic approach to help mothers carry a healthy pregnancy. Specialised practitioners in prenatal care can offer help throughout the pregnancy and suggest effective stretches to relieve tension.
Notes:
One collaborative chiropractic and medical study revealed that 75% of pregnant chiropractic care patients reported pain relief.[1]
First time mom averaged a 24% shorter labour while mothers who have already given birth experienced 39% shorter labour times compared to the women who did not receive chiropractic care during their pregnancy.[2]
The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique.[3]
[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/http:/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/
[2] https://www.drlaurenlove.com/pre-postnatal-care/
[3] https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/chiropractic-care-during-pregnancy/
Pelvic dysfunction is not life threatening – but it can be life limiting!
Many patients who suffer from knee, back or shoulder pain for example can attribute these issues to a pelvic dysfunction. While pelvic dysfunction is not life threatening it can be life limiting so find out how you can make small changes that may make a large difference. If you’re suffering from regular pain and think you might have a misaligned pelvis, it’s important for patients to visit a chiropractor.
Pelvic dysfunction often happen as a result of everyday awkward movements over time such as lifting heavy loads without care and sitting at a desk with bad posture as well as during pregnancy and childbirth or from injury.
The pelvis acts as a transmitter of forces between the legs and the spine. Many important muscle groups attach to the pelvis, the thigh muscles from below and the muscles of the trunk from above. If the pelvic joints (sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis) are not moving correctly this can cause an imbalance resulting in pain in many different places. It could be looked at as a core stabilizer, supporting the spine, legs and wide range of muscles, so when the pelvis is not working properly (hip is tilted out of position) it can cause pain, weakness and tightness that can travel through the hip and pelvis up into the shoulders and neck, it also commonly can cause referred pain down into the legs.
There are three distinct areas that may be affected as a result of Pelvic Dysfunction these include the hips, which can become achy, painful and inflamed, the lower back which due to impairment of stability and function of (hyperextension) of the muscles in the abdomen and lower back which can cause spinal joint (facet joint) injuries and finally, the knee and ankle which can be put under a lot of strain if weight is shifted to one side to compensate for the pelvic dysfunction.
You can do a simple test at home to help you look for obvious signs of pelvic dysfunction: stand barefoot in front of a mirror with your back straight but relaxed. Imagine a vertical line going straight down the middle of your body and a second line near your shoulders that is perfectly perpendicular to the first line. If your hips are out of alignment, your pelvis will appear diagonal rather than parallel to the second line meaning you have a lateral pelvic tilt. This could be a sign of pelvic dysfunction.
Good nutrition for bones muscles and joints
Choosing a balanced diet containing the right vitamins and minerals decreases our chances of developing deficiencies later on in life. Try this healthy diet plan for optimum bone, muscle and joint health.
A Healthy Diet Plan
Calcium
For bone, muscle and joint health try and include calcium in your diet, which is essential for optimal nerve and muscle function and blood clotting.
Obtained from:
Dairy products are rich in calcium that is easy to absorb. Non-dairy sources with equally absorbable calcium are green leafy vegetables from the kale family. Spinach, rhubarb, sweet potatoes and dried beans are rich in calcium, but from these foods it’s not so easily absorbed.
Magnesium
Required for efficient muscle contraction and conduction of nerve impulses. Low magnesium levels in the body can affect the body’s calcium levels, putting bone health at risk.
Obtained from:
Green leafy vegetables, unrefined grains and nuts. Small amounts are present in meat and milk. Large quantities of fibre in the diet and low protein intake can reduce the amount of magnesium able to be absorbed by the body.
Vitamin D
Essential for regulating the formation of bone and the absorption of calcium from the intestine. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions to help control the movement of calcium between bone and blood.
Obtained from:
Primarily from the action of UVB light (sunshine) on the skin. Food sources such as cod liver oil, sardines, salmon, tuna, milk and milk products contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Vitamin C
The structure of bones, cartilage, muscles and blood vessels is provided in part and maintained by collagen. The formation of strong efficient collagen requires Vitamin C.
Obtained from:
Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, green leafy vegetable and peppers. Also important for producing strong collagen and therefore strong bone structure is Folic acid. Folic acid is found in cereals, beans, green leafy vegetables, orange and orange juice.
Antioxidants
Vitamin C is also a strong antioxidant and is capable of regenerating other antioxidants like vitamin E. The role of antioxidants is to mop up free radicals (the by-products of normal metabolism). Excessive amounts of free radicals cause damage to joint surfaces and muscle cell regeneration. Antioxidants reduce the potential of these free radicals to cause joint damage.
Obtained from:
Antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium and are present in fruits and vegetables, the highest quantities are found in the most deeply and brightly coloured. The cartilage that lines the articulating surfaces of all joints is critical to joint health. Cartilage is the shock absorber of joints and is continually rebuilt if a source of raw materials is available. Supplements such as glucosamine sulphate can be added to a healthy diet to assist joints that may be showing signs of wear and tear.
Essential fatty acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) also reduce the degenerative changes in tissues and cells and help guard against some cancers. EFAs are unsaturated fatty acids. They aid in decreasing the inflammatory response and help relieve pain and discomfort in joints and muscles.
Obtained from:
EFA’s, such as Omega 3, can be found in oily fish, (sardines, herrings, mackerel), and seeds.
Foods to avoid…
There are certain foods and substances that adversely affect the body’s use of minerals and vitamins. High saturated/animal fats, refined foods, white flour, white sugar, white rice, chocolate, carbonated drinks and fruit juices with high sugar concentration should be kept to a minimum if not weaned from the diet completely. Meat and dairy products should be kept within a recommended weekly amount. Dairy products such as calcium sources should be varied with other non-dairy sources.
We treat all conditions that affect any muscle or joint in your body, from your head to your little toe! One of the most common complaints that we treat is back pain and Chiropractic is recommended by the government authority, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for acute and chronic back pain. Some of the other conditions that we treat are neck and headache, shoulder pain, leg and hip pain, knee and foot pain, sciatica and arthritis. Our registered Chiropractors all have at least five years of training. Treatment costs can be covered through most health insurers. If you are in any doubt, we are always very happy to talk with you on the phone to see if your condition will respond well to Chiropractic treatment. Call the clinic now to arrange an appointment time that works for you. 0115 9225085 If you would like to opt-out of receiving these newsletters please follow the unsubscribe link below, email alex@beestonchiropractic.co.uk or let us know at your next appointment.
