Chiropractor

This was a question a patient asked me the other day.

Well, basically it will depend from which paradigm you operate from. If you are like the majority of the world that have been indoctrinated  into the medical paradigm you’ll see a chiropractor only when the symptom(s) get bad enough and virtually force you to do something to get rid of the pain.

The medical model is really a ‘symptom driven’ model; it’s reactive. Imagine going to your medical doctor and saying, ‘You know what, Doc, I feel absolutely fantastic. I’ve got boundless energy, feel totally motivated, don’t feel the slightest bit of stress. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, tummy works great, I have a really healthy diet, my relationship is 100% and financially I’m totally sorted. All I really want is for you to make sure I stay that way!’

Well, in all probability, the doctor will be lost for words. That’s because medical doctors deal with sickness, not health.  In their entire medical training they spend about 5 minutes on preventative health care! continue reading…

A new disease, actually an old disease, but one that has just recently received more attention, is the potentially fatal condition called EXCUSE-itis!

This is not so much a medically fatal disease as it is an emotionally fatal disease. Actually, it’s not so much the making of the excuse that is so potentially dangerous, its what opportunities you might miss out on, or what crisis may befall you, as a result of making the often ‘lame’ excuse that is so dangerous. continue reading…

Acute Phase (Phase I):

The first phase of care is designed to improve the motion and flexibility of the involved segments of your spine. During this phase, with improved joint mobility, there will be decreased swelling, inflammation and muscle spasm, leading to decreased pain. The frequency of care during this period is high, typically 2-3 visits a week. Regular and repetitive treatments are absolutely necessary to facilitate the healing process. continue reading…

Gents, if you are half way interested in your health, and thus your ultimate survival – listen up!!

An article in todays (26th January 2011) Business Day really caught my interest and made me realize just how lazy ‘us men’ are about our health. It also made me think about how selfish (sorry guys) it is to just ‘bumble on regardless’, with out a thought about the family that gets left behind, devastated by us ’snuffing it’. Even worse, that are then burdened with a stroke victim or an amputee with kidney failure (secondary to the diabetes that been out of control for years). continue reading…

Our bodies don’t distinguish between the real stress of a physical danger like a near motor car accident or the self-inflicted stress of becoming anxious because of our thoughts, such as getting tense and upset about being late.  Unchecked emotions and thoughts cause actual physiological change in our bodies taxing the endocrine system, and particularly the adrenal glands.  Real dangers and threats are not a usual part of our day to day lives .   Most of the ubiquitous modern day stress is made up in our minds.  While there are natural nutritional ways of supporting the adrenal system, the most obvious natural approach to stress management should start with changing our minds. continue reading…

There are common misperceptions that whiplash only occurs immediately after a big, obvious trauma such as a car accident.  Not true.  While whiplash is a common result of car accidents, it can also happen as a consequence of any fall or a quick jarring motion of the neck in a relatively minor incident.  Moreover, whiplash does not necessarily manifest immediately – it often presents itself three to six months after the event.  Traditional diagnostic equipment very often fails to clearly and adequately reveal the severity of a whiplash injury.  For this reason it is important to be examined by a specialist in neuro-muscloskeletal function. continue reading…

So here’s the final tip.

Keen to receive a FREE copy of my ‘Simply Stretching’  DVD  and ‘Staying Healthy Simply’ CD?? – just email me with the headings of all 10 tips, together with your postal address and I send you your copy at NO CHARGE.. continue reading…

9. The mattress

A mattress that is too hard or too soft can precipitate or exacerbate mechanical back problems. If it’s too soft it doesn’t offer sufficient support, and if it’s too hard it doesn’t allow for the spinal contours resulting in stiffness and very achy joints. Ideal mattresses tend to be the ‘pocket spring’ type that have the ‘pillow top’ sewn on. continue reading…

Here’s a double bonus for this week.. 2 tips !! We’re getting there; only 2 to go after this..

7. Undertake regular maintenance therapy

Mechanical back problems are unfortunately not curable as they are related to lifestyle situations, e.g. stress, posture, lifting, carrying and driving, which are all things that are a part of life. Having a chiropractic adjustment every 4 to 8 weeks maintains proper spinal mobility and prevents tightening and ‘locking’ of the joints between the vertebrae. Like servicing a car, servicing your spine helps to prevent wear and tear. continue reading…

Exercise

The spinal joints rely on the muscles to support them, therefore regular back strengthening exercises provide great support for the vertebral joints and definitely help to prevent both the chronic, on going lower back pain, as well as the potential to strain the joints when lifting, carrying etc. continue reading…