Clinic news
As we all continue to work through the heat and humidity with bursts of rain just to keep us from going into a drought, we think about the children returning to a new school year with excitement and apprehension - did you check out the infographics displayed in the clinic about backpacks and kids posture? Matt has done an excellent job in sourcing these for us. Don't hesitate to ask reception for copies of any of these for reference - we can always send them electronically. Many will have received their GCSE and A-level results allowing them the right of passage to the next stage in their lives - we wish them all the best in the next level of study be it 6th form, college, university or starting their first job.
As a new graduate, Luke is finding his feet after these first few weeks and is already pretty busy. As part of his Post Registration Training, Alex will be doing a few observations with him over the next year - as the patient, you will be informed about this before your treatment.
Alex eagerly awaits notification from the Home Office that she has become a successful sponsor for Erin Wong (pictured) to apply for her visa - we are working on the end of October for her start date - fingers crossed.
We have started collecting the fabulous recipes for our lovely book - please keep them coming in and send them to reception@beestonchiropractic.co.uk preferably with a photo. We are going to try them all out and do a taste test which the team seem eager to participate in. If there is a little story behind your special recipe share it with us.
This month we focus on shoulder problems - most of us have had issues with these at some point - they could be posture related, from an injury such as a fall, occur during a sporting activity or sometimes they can come on spontaneously. The key is not to ignore them - ask your chiropractor if you are worried and they will examine the area, provide you with a diagnosis and advise appropriate treatment and exercises or even recommend further investigations.
We are hearing mixed reports on pain levels during the hot weather - some patients are finding their joint pain is less and others feel it has aggravated joint pain - we think the humidity can irritate already swollen joints as well as high pressure when a colder front comes across. To help stabilize levels of inflammation in your body check out the dietary advice below.
Next month we will focus on knee problems - another area most of us have had issues at some point.
Sore Shoulder
Over the counter medication may work as short-term relief for shoulder pain. However, for long term improvement, consulting a chiropractor is a very effective solution. Chiropractors identify the cause of pain by addressing all the joints, cartilages, connective tissues and nervous system in the area of the pain.
Shoulders are directly connected to the neck and spine, so experiencing pain here can be due to a misalignment in the spine or an injury. Serious injuries to the shoulder could lead to dislocations or stress on the spine and nerves.
One of the treatments for a sore shoulder is to rehabilitate the functions of the body that are restricted. Since the central nervous system is responsible for co-ordinating everything within the body, shoulder pains can often be treated using chiropractic adjustments.
Much modern day shoulder pain has been shown to be the result of bad seated posture.
If you experience long term chronic pain in your shoulder, it is advised to have your posture assessed. Chiropractors can give you advice on how to live comfortably without putting unnecessary pressure on your spine. It can often take just minor adjustments to your posture to make a big difference to your shoulder pain.
Fashion Faux Pas
Could your wardrobe be causing you back pain?
From pencil skirts to skinny jeans, there are a range of everyday outfits that can be the cause for bad necks, painful backs and aching knees.
High heels
Wearing high heels more regularly than not can be bad for your feet and back. Hammer toes, bunions, shortened calf muscles; the list of ailments caused by wearing shoes with too high heels goes on, including circulation problems, knee damage and back pain. Eliminate damage by reducing the amount you wear high heels. Opting to wear trainers while walking long distances, such as to and from work, will help matters, as well as sticking to a small heel as much as possible.
Oversized bags
You may already be aware of the danger of lugging a heavy bag over one shoulder but did you know that carrying it in the crook of your forearm could be even worse? This one-sided lift can increase the risk of muscle strain and pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back and even trigger tension headaches. Top tips? Don’t overfill your bag, hold it by the handle or, if you must wear it over one shoulder, change sides regularly.
Skinny jeans
Wearing jeans that grip around the waist, hips, thighs and calves can reduce your mobility, even if it’s just walking that you’re doing. Restrictive clothing can lead to a loss of ‘bounce’ in your stride and the natural shock-absorbing qualities in your walk, causing pressure in your joints.
Pencil skirts
Tight trousers and pencil skirts can damage muscles and joints as much as high heels and heavy bags, leaving you in pain. Their straight-sided, slim fit clamps your knees together, making it harder to balance and bend. Wearing a tight skirt regularly could lead to a pulled muscle or even disc problems because of the limitations they put on your ability to move.
Heavy necklaces
Our necks have to struggle to cope with the strain of the weight of an average head (around 10lb to 12lb – roughly equivalent to five bags of sugar) day in day out, so adding a heavy necklace can really heighten the pressure. Not only this, wearing a heavy necklace also pulls the neck forward or backwards, away from its point of neutral balance. This can lead to neck tension and pain, and long-term could encourage a slouched posture and damage to the back.
Supportive Underwear
While wearing supportive underwear can have beneficial effects on your posture, as it acts like the compression clothing top athletes wear to improve performance by increasing blood and lymphatic flow, choosing the wrong variety will cause trouble. Wedging yourself into something too tight, which contains low amounts of flexible lycra will not only restrict breathing but, if it’s tight enough, also limit the movement in the middle of your body, placing abnormal loads on parts of your spine. Restricting movement to sections of your spine means that other parts have to compensate. This usually leads to pain and, ultimately, damage in your upper or lower back.
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.
Foods to fight aches and pains
It can be uncomfortable living with continuous aches and pains caused from inflammation. However, there are foods that you can introduce into your diet that will help to heal and soothe your symptoms. Whether you’re struggling with joint pain or experiencing other types of physical aches, here are some examples of foods that you can easily introduce into your diet to help naturally.
Ginger:
Often used as a natural ingredient in medicine, this pungent root is probably best known for its anti-nausea, stomach soothing properties. However it can be utilised as an excellent arthritis and menstrual cramp remedy. Ginger can be found in a capsule as a replacement to over-the counter drugs like ibuprofen and help to relieve pain.
Salmon:
Rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is considered heart healthy, and can relieve joint tenderness, especially if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. This is a nutritious source of protein that you can easily introduce into your diet. Alternatively, other excellent cold-water fish that can be eaten that contain health benefits are tuna, sardines and mackerel.
Blueberries:
Fighting inflammation to help lessen pain, blueberries are extremely nutritious and easily introduced into your diet as a breakfast or fresh snacking staple. Not only do they help relieve symptoms of pain, they also help reduce stress, manage cholesterol and potentially reduce blood pressure. Fruit alternatives to blueberries that reap the same health benefits would be strawberries and oranges that also share anti-inflammatory properties that offer a soothing effect.
Mint:
Used as an alternative prescription painkiller, the natural effects of peppermint oil can help relieve painful cramps, gas and bloating. As well as being a comforting morning or evening drink, peppermint tea can be used as a remedy for upset stomachs.
Chilli peppers:
Known for their painkilling properties, studies have shown that eating raw chillies may aid in reducing inflammation. Interestingly, eating them tricks your brain into releasing endorphins which block pain signals. These can be easily incorporated into your diet in moderation as a tasty garnish on your meals.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
As well as being an excellent provider of fats, extra virgin olive oil can also help with joint pain. Extra virgin olive oil has a compound in it called oleocanthal which helps to keep your joints moving smoothly and helps protect cartilage from breaking down. When cooking with olive oil, it is advised to cook at a lower temperature, less than 400 degrees, to ensure that you do not lose the health benefits.
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.
