November Patient Newsletter 2014

Scoliosis and your child

Many adult spinal disorders arise from undetected adolescent problems. One of the most debilitating and also most common spinal disorders is scoliosis. Scoliosis is the unnatural lateral curvature of the spine. A mild scoliosis is said it occur in 50% of the population and usually does not require any specific treatment, however about 3% of the population have a severe scoliosis which will require treatment.

Scoliosis & your child
Scoliosis & your child

Usually a curve of the spine develops without being noticed. However, as the scoliosis progresses, some signs do appear. Symptoms may include:

  • Uneven shoulders
  • Lower back pain
  • Prominent shoulder blade or shoulder blades
  • Uneven waist
  • One hip elevated compared to the opposite side
  • Leaning to one side
  • Feeling tired when standing or sitting

The best form of treatment involves early detection of the condition. By being put on a suitable management program we can prevent the scoliosis from worsening. The best time to detect scoliosis is between ages 12-15. If this condition is left untreated it can lead to a variety of problems later in life.

We can’t stress enough the importance of having your child checked for signs of scoliosis. For more information feel free to contact our friendly reception staff.

How often should you see your chiropractor?

It has been brought to our attention that many people feel the only reason to visit the chiropractor is when they are feeling pain, this is not the case. Chiropractic care is great way to maintain your spinal and musculoskeletal health.

Chiropractor
How often should you visit your Chiropractor?

As a guide we believe in the 3 stages of chiropractic care:

  1. Initial intensive care phase

The most common phase, characterised by pain and other symptoms . During this phase, your visits are more frequent and aimed at stabilising and improving the movement of your spine, as we eliminate your symptoms. The frequency of your visits will depending on the severity of your condition, and can be up to several times a week.

  1. Rehabilitation Phase

After your symptoms have improved we concentrate on restoring the joints, muscles and ligaments to the best possible state so that you can gain maximum function and health. Rehabilitative care aims to achieve complete healing, not just pain relief. Your visits will be less frequent and we will introduce exercise and other self care to aid your recovery. Generally visits in this phase are between 1-6 weeks apart.

  1. Maintenance Care

The less known about phase. The treatment in this stage is aimed at preventing recurrence of the same problem, or the arousal of new symptoms.  When you have obtained the best correction possible, these regular “check-ups” will keep you healthy in the future.  The frequency in this stage is very low. As little as once every 6 months can be beneficial to your health.

Metagenics

I’m sure most of you have seen the television ads for Metagenics. We strongly believe in the Metagenics range which is why we choose to stock their supplements in all of our clinics. Their supplements are of a far higher quality than the standard supplements you can purchase in chemists or grocery stores. They are a leading research company and committed to optimizing all of their formulas to bring you the best possible products for all of your health needs. Whether you are feeling tired, bloated, cramping, looking for a protein supplement, even wanting to detox, Metagenics has the natural solution for you! Speak to your practitioner in the clinic to find out what product would best suit you.

Does your back need supporting?

It’s a proven fact that Australian’s are working longer hours than ever before. For many of us this means sitting in an office chair for hours at a time. You are not alone in suffering from a tired and achy lower back! Here in the clinic we see many patients who have conditions that have arisen or have been enhanced due to sitting with improper posture for long periods of time. When looking for the right back support it is important to find a cushion that is comfortable to use for long periods of time while still providing the support you need. We have  we have found the best back supports to keep you sitting comfortably at work or in the car. Check out our entire back support range and shop them online or in the clinic.

We sell a great range of chiropractic products too! Shop Now