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Spinal Awareness Week 2018: Why a healthy spine means a healthy body

This May, we are taking part in a national campaign to make people more aware about the importance of a having a healthy spine.

The Alliance of UK Chiropractors’ (AUKC) 2018 Spinal Awareness Week takes place on 14-20 May. The AUKC brings together the United Chiropractic Association (UCA), McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) and the Scottish Chiropractic Association (SCA).

We are one of the practices delighted to be supporting the campaign. Here’s why …

The spine is key to our overall health, not just the back and neck, because it houses and protects the central nervous system that connects the body to the brain. As our colleague Donald Francis, a member of the UCA and an executive board member of the SCA, explains: “Chiropractors look predominantly at the spine because that’s our chassis onto which we bolt everything else.

“We find the bits in it that aren’t working as well as they can, and with our hands or specific tools, safely and gently mobilise them, in what we call an adjustment. So, by adjusting the spine, we enable the basic chassis to function better.

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Walking Fit

Did you know that May is National Walking Month! Whether it is a walk in the park, or hike in the hills, enjoy the health benefits of walking and make every step count!

So, whatever the weather, get yourself and your family outdoors to enjoy our beautiful countryside. Not only is walking simple and free, it is also one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight (if needed) and become healthier. Walking is ideal for all age groups and all levels of fitness, what a great way to spend some healthy family time!

According to the NHS, “Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers.”

 It is recommended by the NHS that you start slowly and try to build your walking regime gradually. To get the best health benefits from walking, it needs to be of moderate-intensity activity. In other words, it needs to be faster than a stroll.

Set yourself a goal and try to walk 10,000 steps a day, if you would like to track this and don’t have a smart watch, there are some fun apps available as a free download.  [Read more…] about Walking Fit

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Exams becoming a pain in the neck?

The exam period can be a stressful time for many students: Long periods of revision hunched over a book, computer or notes and then the exams themselves, with hours of focused concentration.

Consumer research (2017) by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) found that 37% of 16-24 year olds have struggled with back or neck pain in the past.

Our Chiropractor, Stuart Bennett says:

“The pressures of assignments and studies mean that a lot of time can be spent behind a desk and whilst stress doesn’t cause back and neck pain it can exacerbate the symptoms, so it’s important that students take steps to ensure this doesn’t affect their work. Simple actions such as taking regular breaks, drinking water and doing exercise can help prevent these symptoms and keep you focused. “

We at Durham Family Chiropractic have helped many of our students and this is what  Megan has to to say:

Exams and writing my dissertation, totally stressed me out and I was constantly suffering with tightness in the shoulders and headaches. Thanks to regular adjustments from my chiropractor and a healthy lifestyle,  I kept my head clear and survived my studies in one piece!”

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Top Tips to Combat Hayfever Naturally

Nature can be cruel! Just when we are over the worst that Winter has to offer looking forward to the Spring sunshine, those suffering with seasonal “hayfever” allergies, are probably sighing and stocking up on their tissue supplies. Thankfully nature also provides us with, natural remedies, and natural ingredients that can provide some relief from hay-fever symptoms and help to prevent their return.

Sneezing, running nose, and itchy eyes, nose and throat can be a miserable problem for those suffering from hay-fever (allergic rhinitis) and the figures are rising, as 20% of the population are now affected by allergic rhinitis (Allergy The Unmet Need)

The chief reasons for seasonal change allergies are airborne dander, dust-mites, feathers, moulds, and pollen. The immune system of sufferers overreacts to the normally harmless particles in the air. The airborne pollens cause the body to produce antibodies, and it releases a natural substance called histamine. Histamine irritates the upper respiratory passages (nose, throat, eyes and sinus), resulting in swelling and other hay-fever symptoms.

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Wellbeing at work

Having worked as a chiropractic assistant for some time, I realised that there were many people suffering with pain right here in County Durham and the surrounding areas.

What surprised me the most, was the amount of time people had been suffering with pain or ill health, but continued to ignore the symptoms sometimes for up to as long as 10 years. I began to question that fact. Why do we British just shut up and put up with, and ignore the symptoms until we are at breaking point either physically or mentally and the end result could be absenteeism from work? We all know how important it is for our sense of worth and wellbeing to have work in our lives, so why do we reach breaking point before seeking help? Is it because we British are programmed to crack on regardless and hope the problem disappears, or is it that we are just so busy working 5 or 6 days a week that we rarely have time to think about our own bodies, and listen to the warning signals? Is it because we are afraid to ask for help, or we don’t know where to go for help, or is it simply that we always put ourselves last? There could be a million answers to the reason, but it became very clear to me that as musculoskeletal specialists we needed to help in some way. Instead of rehabilitating people back in to the workplace following absenteeism, it would make good sense to try to educate people on the prevention of illness rather than rehabilitation. [Read more…] about Wellbeing at work

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Are there benefits to eating chocolate?

With Easter just around the corner, many of us have one thing on our minds… CHOCOLATE and whilst we hear about the negative effect chocolate can have on our bodies, we don’t often hear about the health benefits that chocolate has. Of course, chocolate can be bad for you if you eat it in large amounts, but chocolate in moderation can have its benefits.

 

 

Chocolate can:

  • Lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure: ‘’Chocolate may support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure.” This is because it reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is also known as bad cholesterol.
  • Improve blood flow to the brain: ‘’Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people.’’ This is because chocolate can reduce or prevent damage to the nerve pathways in the brain and studies are being done to see the effects of this in reducing diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke: Studies have shown that eating chocolate can reduce the risks of developing heart disease and stroke

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