Durham Family Chiropractic

#mobility

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What’s the Crack? by Dr Stuart Bennett

As chiropractors we are often asked this question. We are apparently infamous for cracking backs and necks.

Stuart Bennet chiropractor explains –  What is a crack or a pop? Because quite simply,

We don’t crack bones,

We do adjust joints

The joints we adjust are usually synovial (two bones or more with a joint capsule), which basically contain fluid. This fluid helps to protect your joints acting as a shock absorber.

This fluid absorbs gases from the body,(mostly CO2 and Nitrogen) and when we adjust a joint, we stretch that joint capsule and a small amount of the gas is released and makes a ‘popping’ sound (just like opening a bottle of pop).

Sometimes this popping sound is loud, sometimes quiet and sometimes no sound is made at all.

So here is the secret

  • The crack has nothing to do with what we as chiropractors do.
  • We adjust to increase mobility, stimulate the neurology and realign the spine.
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Health Benefits of Gardening

Protect your back whilst enjoying the health benefits of pottering in your garden.

 

It is that time of the year that the sun is starting to shine and the surrounding countryside is full of  golden daffodils, fragrant blossoms and bouncing lambs. Just the motivation needed to get ourselves outdoors and start think about our own gardening needs and jobs. [Read more…] about Health Benefits of Gardening

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Be Ski Fit and Ski Safe!

Be safe on the Slopes!

The ski season is almost here with promising looking snow falls in Europe!

Most people believe that ski injuries happen on the first day, but Stuart Bennett DC, who is also a keen skier himself, says, “After three days of skiing and using unaccustomed muscles, skiers become confident but are physically tired and their capability isn’t necessarily matched to their confidence, this is when an injury is most likely to occur”.

[Read more…] about Be Ski Fit and Ski Safe!

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Walking Fit

 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 familytime!

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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Are you suffering from hip-pocket syndrome? By Neil Thomas DC

As a chiropractor I am used to seeing people with back problems on a daily basis due to injury, repetitive spinal stress or poor core stability but did you know that a simple thing like wearing your wallet in your back pocket could be the cause of your pain.

80% of people will suffer from an episode of back pain at some point in their lives and a lot of these are easily preventable.

Many men carry a wallet in their back pocket, some for many decades without a thought as to how this may be affecting their spinal health. Wallets can be filled with essential items such as credit cards, driver’s license, cash, receipts and other useful or even useless bits and pieces which can result in quite a chunky piece of pocket-wear.

Imagine this chunky wedge nestled in your back pocket every day while you are sitting on a chair or in your car; one side of your pelvis is now higher than the other instead of being even. The wallet will not only affect your spine but also the tissues and structures underneath the wallet. If you are new to wearing a wallet in your back pocket then you may notice it is slightly uncomfortable at first but then after a while you stop noticing it.  Your body has an amazing ability to adapt and compensate for imbalances and believe me, it will have to do some compensating for that chunky wedge! Let’s talk about why. [Read more…] about Are you suffering from hip-pocket syndrome? By Neil Thomas DC