Clinic News
It's been a busy month - a time for celebration and a time of frustration. Sue Lacey and Alex completed their 100-mile swim challenge - Alex joined Sue in her last 46 lengths at Bramcote leisure centre and Alex completed her 100th mile a few days later at Loughborough leisure centre. There are still a number of patients and their families continuing with this amazing challenge and we wish them lots of encouragement through the next few months. They have until the end of March to complete it and many are well on their way - well done all. A big thank you also to all our sponsors - we have reached the £1770 mark, so over halfway through our fundraising. Luke takes up the 100-mile challenge on his bike ( not all in one session he'd like to add) - we will keep you posted on his progress - there is still time to join him or sponsor him if you can.
If you fancy a swim but can't manage a trip to the leisure centre due to mobility issues why not get your chiropractor to refer you for hydrotherapy at the university? Sessions are run by physiotherapists and in groups no larger than 6. We already have a number of patients from the clinic attending and feeling the benefits of doing exercise in this warm and safe environment.
With the highs come the lows, and frustratingly not only for Alex but for poor Erin, due to a technicality her visa was refused so she has not started this week as anticipated. This has caused a lot of problems with appointments and we thank all the patients for their understanding and for being so kind in allowing us to reschedule them with Alex. Alex will maintain her extended hours and more until Erin arrives to ensure everyone gets the care that they need.
Migraines and headaches seem quite a fitting topic this month - check out the articles below, the infographics around reception and little posts on Facebook to keep you updated.
How Are Migraines Different From Headaches, And How Should You Treat Them?
Most people experience headaches sporadically through their lives and are not too adversely affected by them. However, there is a severe type of headache called a migraine that can keep returning and be incredibly debilitating. It is estimated by the NHS that around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men are affected by migraines, which usually begin in early adulthood.
The exact cause of migraines is still somewhat unknown; the current understanding is that there is a temporary change in the chemicals and blood vessels of the brain.
A migraine is typically experienced as a severe headache, often with a throbbing pain in the front or sides of the head. Some people have other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Migraines can last from a few hours to a few days.
There are different types of migraine. There are migraines with aura, which is where there are warning signs of the migraine in the form of visual disturbance such as seeing spots, lights or blurred lines. There are also migraines that occur without warning, and it is even possible to have a migraine aura without the accompanying headache.
There are also many different possible triggers for migraines. These can include, stress (and how stress is handled), food and drink triggers, sleep patterns, hormones and tension; especially in the neck.
In order to manage migraines in a regular sufferer, identification of a specific trigger is essential. Behavioural or lifestyle changes playing an important part in the treatment, such as avoidance of certain foods or maintenance of a regular sleep pattern. Chiropractic treatment also has the ability to alleviate some contributory factors or after-effects including relief of restriction in movement of the neck, muscle tension in the neck, upper back and shoulders and helping correct any postural issues that may influence the occurrence of both migraine and tension headaches.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Manage Migraines
If you’re one of the millions of people in the world who suffer from migraines, you have likely tried pain medication after pain medication in the hopes of alleviating the pain. If your prescription medications are not doing the trick, you may be glad to hear that chiropractic care can be a promising option to help relieve symptoms.
While there is no definite cure to migraines – and the healthcare industry has struggled to even pinpoint the exact causes – chiropractic treatment is an exceptional option to decrease the negative effects of migraine headaches.
Migraine headaches vary for everyone, but can be extremely painful and sometimes debilitating. Often these headaches can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise, light, and smell. Research has shown that cervical trauma can increase the chances of experiencing migraine pain, since there are many nerves that transmit through the cervical region to and from the brain. If these vertebrae become displaced, severe migraine headaches can occur.
Chiropractic treatment is gaining popularity as a way to treat symptoms since it involves correcting the position of these injured cervical vertebrae, which in turn can then reduce or eliminate migraine headaches.
Chiropractic treatment is unlike any other migraine medication and works in unique ways. Some of the many ways in which chiropractic care can treat migraine symptoms, include:
- Decreasing irritation in the nerves that send pain signals to the brain
- Reducing common triggers for migraine headaches such as muscle tension
- Strengthening muscles that support the spine
- Restoring proper nervous system communication by ensuring alignment
- Helping the body to heal itself by being properly aligned
Chiropractic treatments not only act as a reactive treatment option, but as a proactive way to prevent future migraine symptoms.
However, migraine symptoms are different for everyone. It is important to find an individualized treatment option that works for you. This may incorporate a combination of treatment options, rather than solely relying on chiropractic care, such as massages, medication, nutrition and physical therapy.
Chiropractic Care After Car Accident
Car accidents often cause whiplash which creates misalignments in the neck or back. Sometimes the pain is felt almost immediately, but it can also begin after adrenaline levels have stabilised. Even if there is no immediate or subsequent pain, it is a good idea to have the alignment of your neck and back checked by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
If you experience dizziness, headaches, soreness, nausea or discomfort in your neck or in your back, you may have had whiplash. These symptoms do not always show up immediately, so if you begin treatment promptly, you can help save yourself from pain and discomfort.
It is a natural response for your body to become inflamed after a car accident in response to muscle and ligament stretching and tears. If you are feeling sore and achy, inflammation may be to blame and chiropractic care could help realign the spinal column and release muscle tension, easing pain and discomfort.
It is not uncommon to avoid seeking medical care after a car accident when you are not experiencing intense pain, but you should know that minor injuries can lead to long-term chronic pain and other issues.
The Amazing Benefits of Massage
Massage has had positive results in surveys for many different conditions, from stress and aches and pains to pregnancy and headaches. However, it is still not entirely clear why these benefits occur. Most recent research suggests two of the greatest changes induced by massage therapy are an increase in blood flow and in lymphatic fluid circulation.
The lymphatic fluid is an important element of the immune system as it contains white cells; and the drainage system, which rids the body of unwanted by-products and toxins. Massage can increase the effectiveness of both systems by increasing the flow of lymphatic fluid.
Increased blood and lymph circulation will bring about reduction of swelling, faster healing, better delivery of nutrition to cells and the removal of cellular debris; it can also lower heart rate and blood pressure, increase volume of blood and enhance overall health.
Massage can not only be used as a form of treatment in acute and chronic sports injuries but may also be used by athletes to maximize recovery and to help identify any soft tissue abnormalities, which left untreated, could lead to injury.
Sports injury massage should not be during the acute inflammatory response stage (straight after an injury). Once this period is over. massage is often a very effective form of pain relief by reducing the amount of pain producing chemicals in the effected tissues. Regular, professional massage has also been shown to increase the healing time for athletic injuries.
Massage also calls up the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins, into the brain and nervous system and often provides deep relaxation as it relieves muscle tension, spasm, and stiffness, which can all contribute to pain. Experts suggest that tense muscles are usually deprived of oxygen, because the tightness reduces blood circulation to the area. Massage improves blood circulation, bringing with it the oxygen and other forms of nourishment that muscles need. Muscles then relax and pain often decreases.
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.
