FREE YOUR CHIROPRACTOR ! JULY/AUGUST 2021 This month we discuss...

THREE CHIROPRACTIC LOCATIONS TAKING CARE OF BACK ACHE FROM MANAGE STRESS - GETTING YOUR DOSE YOUR WALKING & STANDING BOOST YOUR HEALTH OF VITAMIN D 19 Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie 42 Cameron St, Wauchope 89 Bold Street, Laurieton Frozen can thaw P: 02 6583 9393 F: 02 6583 9389 Is your painful, and are you develop after a fall or injury, or if you’re experiencing stiffness and disability which unable to move your , such as being in E: [email protected] has worsened over time? Have you been a sling or following stroke or mastectomy. W: www.coastlinechiropractic.com.au diagnosed with a frozen shoulder? Not using it may be a greater problem than overuse. This makes healthy use — and NEW SERVICE AND EXTENDED TIMES Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive a healthy life — important for possible capsulitis, is common. It tends to strike OPEN NOW − 89 Bold Street Laurieton prevention and recovery. between the ages of 40–60 years, more so We welcome Dr Brett Clacher to our team in women and people with certain underlying WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT IT? illness. And it can hurt! While sharp pain is If you have been diagnosed with frozen OUR CHIROPRACTORS experienced with extremes of motion, the shoulder, it's important to understand Dr Darren J Gray usual pain is described as dull and aching. its natural progression; how long it will Chiropractor, Certified Rehab Therapist WHAT IS FROZEN SHOULDER AND take to recuperate. Recovery can take BSc, MChiro, MClinRehabNeuro (MCAA, ClinFellAAFN) HOW DOES IT PROGRESS? several years, so a tailored treatment plan is essential. With this in mind, what Darren’s special interests include Our shoulder is the most mobile joint approaches will work? neurology, rehabilitation health, family in our body. Thanks to its ball and socket chiropractic and sports medicine. design, it can move forward and backward, Adjustments may reduce pain and improve in and out, and rotate in either direction. function, and exercises and stretches that Port Macquarie Monday–Saturday This provides incredible mobility. A flexible encourage motion of this joint may help. (Except Tuesday) capsule surrounds the joint and holds in a However, your chiropractor will assess and Wauchope Tuesday and Wednesday lubricant called the synovial fluid. As with determine the most effective form of care Camden Haven Tuesday the engine of a car, the lubricant allows for you. This will depend on your stage, your frictionless motion, reduces wear and tear, pain level, and the assessment findings. Dr Brett Clacher and is key to optimal function. With the right approach, dedication and Chiropractor BSc (Mac), MChiro (Mac) Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule appropriate care, Brett has been the principal director of around the thickens and it’s possible Camden Haven Chiropractic for many tightens, restricting its movement and to find relief years, and has a particular interest in lubrication. Your shoulder starts to "stick", and help family chiropractic and sports medicine. and pain increases while mobility decreases. recovery. Camden Haven Monday–Friday This happens in stages: Wauchope Thursday • Freezing stage: any movement becomes difficult and causes pain, lasts between Port Macquarie Tuesday, Wednesday six weeks to nine months. Friday and Saturday • Frozen stage: discomfort might ease but, We attempt to cater for same day like a rusted hinge, it just won't budge. appointments, however forward booking your appointments is always recommended Dressing, undoing a bra, scratching to avoid disappointment. your back, and reaching are difficult. BRAINSTORM REHABILITATION • Thawing stage: full or partial Brainstorm can help balance disorders resolution occurs after one in patients who may be suffering from to three years. frequent falls or dizziness caused by neurological issues, children with learning WHY DOES IT HAPPEN? difficulties, brain injury patients, and While there are accepted those undergoing stroke recovery. The stages, a cause often remains practitioner at Brainstorm has attained elusive. Diabetes, heart extensive postgraduate training in the field disease, thyroid conditions, of clinical neuroscience, so you can be and Parkinson's disease Approximately 3-5% of Australians develop frozen shoulder confident you are in good hands. increase the risk. It may during their lives, and up to 1 in 5 diabetics are affected. w: www.brainstormrehab.com.au p: 1300 667 443 Appointments are limited. Our newsletter is free! You can take a copy with you. Does simply standing and walking make your back ache? Walking is usually great for wellbeing. But canal occurs. This can result in too little what if it makes your back ache? If even space for the spinal cord and its nerves. the act of standing triggers increased Then there is our posture. The gentle natural discomfort, what could be wrong? curves of our spine support stress from When these two simple actions hurt, it’s movement and gravity, and help us stand more challenging to keep mobile. Over time, upright. If these curves are too pronounced this may result in loss of muscle strength, your posture is affected, which can increase spinal motion, function and flexibility. You pressure on your spine, particularly when guess correctly, this can then make your standing for long periods. In turn this can pain worse. affect your muscles, discs, , and nerves; causing pain. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING YOUR PAIN, AND WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? If you’re overweight or obese, walking can There are many structures in your back increase the risk of back pain from on that can cause pain which is made worse the muscles − especially those that support by walking and prolonged standing; these the lower back. include muscles, , , With all of this in mind, how can you nerves, bones, and joints. find relief? To open a lock, you need the When we stand, the discs and vertebrae right key. So it is with treatment. To fix a become compressed. If you have a problem, you need to first identify the cause. herniated disc, the pressure of weight Your chiropractor may use a variety of bearing can push the damaged disc onto a evaluation tools. Your history, including any nearby nerve and cause back pain. This can trauma, physical examination, chiropractic also happen with a condition called lumbar assessments, and scans might be needed. spinal stenosis. Stenosis means narrowing. Once the cause of your pain is determined, In this condition a narrowing of the spinal the right treatment can be recommended.

CORRECTION TO ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN YOUR CHIROPRACTOR MAY/JUNE 2021 EDITION The article “Walnuts – health in a nutshell” on page two incorrectly stated that 100g of shelled walnuts contains the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of 171% for Manganese and 79% for copper. The correct figures are: 100g of shelled walnuts contains 61% of the adequate intake (AI) for manganese and 96% of the AI of copper. All percentages stated are averages only. We apologise for any confusion and problems this error may have caused readers.

12 CROSSWORD CORNER Answers can be found in this edition of Your Chiropractor

3 ACROSS 4 1. Our body's ability to resist a disease 4. Another name for adhesive capsulitis (2) 5. Part of the spine 56 7 9. A dark pigment that is naturally present to varying degrees in our skin, hair, and eyes 8 10. Extreme tiredness

9 11. Being able to move 12. A trio of muscles that help us walk, run and jump

DOWN 2. A nutrient we need for our health but only in small amounts, e.g. a vitamin or mineral 3. One of the muscles that form 10 the hamstrings 5. A muscle between our abdomen and lungs 11 6. Vertebrae 7. Hard to find 8. Our main source of vitamin D 12 Solution is on the back page Are you getting enough vitamin D? Taking care of your Now that we’re in the middle of winter it • Age – your skin's ability to produce hamstrings might be time to think about your vitamin vitamin D drops as you age. D intake. Vitamin D is an essential It’s likely you’ve heard of a pulled . micronutrient – one of its most important SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY Maybe you’ve watched as your favourite functions is to help grow and maintain Vitamin D deficiency causes thinning of the sports player suddenly stopped, grasping strong bones and teeth. Some research bone structure – increasing the risk of falls the back of their . You might have has shown that vitamin D can also help our and fractures in adults. People with vitamin experienced it yourself or know someone immunity and reduce depression. D deficiency often suffer from bone, joint who’s been struck by this troublesome and muscle pain or weakness. Other injury. You may not realise the importance WHAT AFFECTS VITAMIN D LEVELS? symptoms can include: fatigue, depression, of hamstrings until you injure them. Some foods contain vitamin D, particularly thinning hair, lowered immunity to colds oily fish and dairy products, but we’re and flu. WHAT ARE THE HAMSTRINGS AND generally unable to meet our recommended WHAT DO THEY DO? intake through diet alone. CAN WE HAVE TOO MUCH VITAMIN D? Your hamstrings are formed by a mighty We produce vitamin D in our skin when It’s nearly impossible to have too much trio of muscles: the biceps femoris, we’re exposed to sunlight and can usually naturally-occurring vitamin D; however, it is semimembranosus, and semitendinosus. get enough from a small amount – however possible if you take vitamin D supplements Together, they create a powerful muscular this is dependent on a number of factors. in excess. Very high vitamin D levels can unit. Each one starts at what we often call cause kidney damage and dangerous our “sit bones” and runs down the back of • Sunlight – lower levels of vitamin D are heart issues. Only take the recommended our thigh, crossing near our and more common in winter and places with dose for your needs. and ending in our lower leg. Where they little sunlight; if you’re indoors all day, or Also, remember to attach determine what actions they trigger, cover your body up when outdoors. Despite take a balanced but in general they play a crucial role in • Skin colour – darker skin has higher approach to our sunny walking, running and jumping. levels of melanin, which absorbs less sun exposure climate, vitamin D vitamin D. – take care deficiency affects HOW CAN YOU PROTECT • Disease – conditions that affect our to avoid the around 30% of AGAINST INJURY? gut and digestion, like celiac disease risk of any Tight hamstrings can affect all of these and chronic pancreatitis, can reduce sun damage to Australians to movements and limit mobility. Having absorption. your skin. some degree flexible, lengthened hamstrings supports the knee, hip, and spine. The stretch that’s best for you depends on your body and its Kale, broccoli & cheese quiche ability; but here’s a stretch you can do from with sweet potato ‘crust’ a chair which is often recommended. SEATED HAMSTRING STRETCH The crispy ‘crust’ of roasted sweet potato adds a healthy twist to a delicious, 1. Sit on a chair. Position your bottom calcium and protein-filled dish. toward the front of the seat. INGREDIENTS 2. Place one leg out straight, Base rest your heel on the 2 large orange sweet potatoes, peeled and ground and raise your thinly sliced toes towards your body. 4 tsp olive oil 3. Keeping your spine upright Filling and straight, bend forward 1 medium onion, finely chopped from your hip. When you 1 clove garlic, finely chopped feel a stretch in the back 2 tsp olive oil of your thigh, 1 cup finely chopped broccoli hold this position 2 cups chopped fresh kale for 30 seconds. 3 eggs 1 cup (250ml) almond or soy milk 4. Rest and 125g grated hard cheese repeat. ½ tsp ground nutmeg Swap Sea salt and pepper to taste sides. DIRECTIONS Spend time stretching and warming up Preheat oven to 200°C. before you exercise, and take care not 1. Coat a 23cm deep pie dish with 2 tsp of olive oil. to overwork them. Remember: Stretches 2. Cover the base and sides of the dish with the potato; overlap the slices enough to allow should feel like a stretch. They should not for shrinkage when baked. Brush with 2tsp olive oil and bake for 15 minutes. cause pain. 3. While base is cooking heat 2 tsp oil in a large frying pan and sauté onions and garlic for a If you experience consistent tightness in few minutes, add broccoli and stir-fry for 3 mins, lastly, add kale and cook until just wilted. the back of the legs, there may be other 4. Spread vegetable mixture on the baked sweet potato base. Sprinkle on the cheese. underlying problems that are causing it, and 5. Whisk together the eggs, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Pour over the vegetable/ stretching may not be appropriate for you. cheese mixture. Make an appointment with your chiropractor 6. Lower heat to 190°C and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until puffed and golden. to get help identifying the true issue and Sit in dish for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. finding the right treatment for your body. APPOINTMENT REMINDER

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Managing your stress can boost your health PRACTICE UPDATE

Are you feeling stressed, lonely or sad? disorders of the digestive system, and mental Don't be surprised if you become ill. illness. It can affect our immune system, ON ARRIVAL AT THE PRACTICE Research has shown that our state of mind making us susceptible to all kinds of bacteria Please see the receptionist upon arrival. affects our health. and viruses. It’s a nasty cycle; stress makes This eliminates the possibility of you being us ill, and illness makes us stressed. Our lives today can be filled with stressors overlooked and enables us to have your such as financial worries, relationship information ready. HOW CAN WE HELP OURSELVES? problems, work issues, loneliness and health concerns. Even positive events Years of research now indicates that we such as moving house or a new baby can can change the way stress affects us. One APPOINTMENTS contribute to stress. study, which monitored students doing days Your appointment schedule is designed of important exams, found that their immune specifically to obtain the best possible HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT response became weaker each day. However, results. Should you wish to change an OUR BODIES? when they began to practise stress relieving appointment, we would appreciate as Our minds and bodies are closely linked, techniques consistently, their immune system much notice as possible so that other meaning that mental stress leads to physical function significantly improved. symptoms. For example, when we feel patients can be offered your time. overwhelmed or threatened; our heart rate There are many ways to relieve stress increases, muscles tense up and breathing and practise mindfulness – from practical becomes fast and shallow. This is part of activities such as listening to music, reading, ONLINE BOOKINGS what’s known as our ‘stress response’ – exercise, and hobbies – to learning strategies We have online booking available. Make our body’s natural survival mechanism such as mindfulness and meditation. Even your appointment with your favourite changing the way you breathe can improve which allows us to remain alert and fight chiropractor by booking through an imminent threat. The trouble is that this your mood and counteract stress. reaction is only meant to be temporary; coastlinechiropractic.com.au when it’s prolonged (chronic), it can have a We can’t avoid external stressors, but we can negative effect on our health. manage how we react and cope with these. Simple stress-management techniques can WAITING TIMES Chronic stress can actually contribute to have a positive effect on our immune system Nobody likes waiting. We are well aware serious conditions like heart disease, and health in general. of this and try very hard to adhere to our appointment schedules. However due to the unpredictable nature of some TRY THIS EASY EXERCISE emergencies we may run behind time. 1. Using your diaphragm (the muscle below your ribs) to breathe, rather than your We sincerely regret any inconvenience upper chest, inhale slowly through your nose until you can’t breathe in anymore caused to our patients when we are and your belly has expanded. running behind with our appointments. 2. Hold for a count of three, exhale slowly until you’ve emptied your lungs and We make every effort to see patients at your belly has deflated. their appointed time. You can assist by 3. Repeat up to three times, and then resume breathing normally. telling reception staff if you have several You can repeat this sequence as often as you need, but stop if you start to feel problems or a complex issue. faint or dizzy. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES Prompt payment of your account will help

us keep the fees down. However if you

8. 8. 7. 6. 5. SUNLIGHT ELUSIVE SPINE

DIAPHRAGM DIAPHRAGM are experiencing difficulties with payment DOWN: 3. 2. SEMITENDINOSUS

CROSSWORD MICRONUTRIENT at any time please arrange a confidential 11. 11. 11. 10. HAMSTRINGS MOBILITY FATIGUE

ACROSS: 9. 9. 5. 4. 1. MELANIN DISC SHOULDER FROZEN SOLUTION IMMUNITY meeting with our accounts person.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational purposes only, and is not intended OUR COMMITMENT as a substitute for sound health care advice. We are not liable for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any information, suggestions, or procedures presented. Always consult a qualified This practice is committed to providing health care professional in all matters pertaining to your physical, emotional and mental health. the best possible care to all patients. Our staff regularly attend short continuing professional education courses to update Our newsletter is free! Take a copy with you. their knowledge and techniques.