Question… Which is the largest organ in the human body? A lot of people think the answer is the brain, lungs or liver when asked this question. When in fact, the answer is the skin. All of the skin combined in a big heap would weigh more than any other organ. The skin equates to approximately 7% of total body weight in an average adult. It’s an incredibly intricate structure that forms the outer layers of our bodies. But why do we have skin? Read on to find out all the cool things our skin does for us…
Functions of the skin
The skin has six main jobs to do on a day-to-day basis. These include:
Controlling body temperature
This organ does a fantastic job of keeping our body temperature stable. It does this in two ways: through sweating, and changes in blood flow, depending on the temperature of the air around us. If we are in a hot climate, our body releases sweat from glands in the skin. The blood vessels that run through our skin also get wider allowing increased blood flow, therefore further releasing heat from the body. This process reverses in cold climates. We sweat less and the blood vessels get narrower, reducing the amount of blood flow which helps the body retain heat. Magic!
The skin also acts as a reservoir for our blood. Within the thin layers there are lots of blood vessels which, at rest (i.e. sitting or lying down), hold somewhere between 8-10% of the total blood in the body. That’s a LOT of blood
Our bodies are covered in one big protective coating. The skin protects us from the outside world and much of what it throws at us. Our skin is made up of very tightly packed, minuscule cells that produce a hardy protein known as Keratin. This protects the tissues inside us from heat, scratches, chemicals and any nasties that are floating around. Special glands in the skin produce an oily substance which covers our skin and hairs to stop them from drying out. Our sweat is also acidic and protects against nasty germs. Pigment in our skin protects us from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Finally, there are other special types of cells that recognise any nasties that have made their way through the layers and alerts our immune system to send in the soldiers to kill the unwanted guests. It really works hard to keep you safe!
Within its layers, there are thousands of tiny structures known as receptors, which help us to detect certain sensations. Nerve endings do a similar job. These sensations include touch, vibration, pressure, tickling, heat, cold, and pain.
Absorption and excretion
I.e. taking in and getting rid! Absorption refers to the movement of substances from the outside world, through the skin and into our bodies. We can absorb certain vitamins, drugs (think about a hydrocortisone cream), gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), as well as many other substances through our skin. Many of these are good substances that we need to live. Others can be harmful to our bodies. Excretion refers to the removal of waste substances from the body. Our sweat is one way we can get rid of these waste substances. We also lose water from the surface through the process of evaporation.
Vitamin D production
We need Vitamin D for many processes in the body. It is produced when the sun’s UV rays hit our exposed skin. Vitamin D helps us absorb calcium from the food that we eat. Both of these substances are important for good bone and muscle health. This essential vitamin also plays a major role in our immune system function when we need to fight off an invasion of microbes. It is also needed by the body to reduce levels of inflammation.
Impressed? We are. How cool is that?! Or is it hot…? Oh, whatever ‘tickles’ your fancy! 😉
Tortora, G. and Derrickson, B. 2011. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed. Asia: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
It’s morning, and the alarm clock has just told you it’s time to get out of bed. Another few minutes won’t hurt. You check your emails, social media sites, and you even ring your mum to see how the dog slept last night… basically anything to delay putting your feet on the ground and taking those first steps to get the day started. And it’s because of this pain you’ve been getting on the bottom of your heel every morning for the last few weeks. And it’s getting worse… Time to see your osteopath!
There are a few things that can cause pain on the bottom of the heel, but the most common cause is a condition named plantar fasciopathy (pronounced ‘fash-ee-op-a-thee’. Previously known as plantar fasciitis (pronounced ‘fash-ee-i-tis’)).
What is plantar fasciopathy?
Plantar fasciopathy is an overuse condition affecting the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a layer of soft tissue that stretches along the bottom of the foot, from the heel bone to the metatarsal bones in the front of the foot. It helps to provide stability to the arch of the foot. It is similar in make-up to a tendon (the things that attach muscle to bone). If too much stress is placed on it over time the tissue can degenerate, weaken, and give you pain. The pain is commonly felt where the plantar fascia attaches into the heel bone.
Scientific research suggests there are a few groups of people who are more prone to developing plantar fasciopathy. These include:
People who are over-weight and lead a sedentary lifestyle and/or spend long periods standing for work (e.g. a factory worker)
Important things to consider with these at-risk groups include:
Foot alignment and arch height: Having a very low or high arch or having excessive or not enough movement in the foot joints can lead to the development of this problem.
Amount of training: Increased levels of training can place greater stress on the plantar fascia more regularly.
Footwear: Wearing certain types of footwear when training can lead to an increased risk of plantar fasciopathy. For example: wearing athletics spikes, or the wrong footwear for your foot type).
Muscle strength and flexibility: Decreased strength in the muscles that control toe movement, as well as weakened and tight calf, hamstring and gluteal muscles.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of plantar fasciopathy include:
Pain at the bottom of the heel
Pain that appears as a gradual onset
Pain felt first thing in the morning (i.e. taking those first steps out of bed in the morning is classic!)
Pain that decreases with activity, but increases again afterwards (early stages)
Pain that increases with activity and pain felt at night (latter stages)
Pain felt after periods of prolonged rest during the day (i.e. being sat at your desk for 2-3 hours and then getting up again)
Tight calf, hamstring and gluteal muscles
Weak muscles that help to support the arch of the foot
Stiff or over-flexible foot and ankle joints
Diagnosis and treatment
First things first, if you have heel pain that sounds similar to the picture we have painted above, make an appointment with us now (you know what to do… call us on 02 4655 5588. Once we have asked the relevant questions, performed the necessary tests, and are convinced that the issue stems from the plantar fascia, we will formulate a plan with you with short and long-term goals to reach within a set time.
Initial hands-on treatment will include a combination of massage, joint mobilisation and manipulation, and dry needling of the lower limb muscles with the aim of correcting any mechanical issues that are playing a role in this issue. Depending on the presentation, we may also use tape around the foot and ankle to provide support and reduce the stress being placed on the tissues. Other treatment will include advice on weight loss (if required), training regimen, footwear, and exercise prescription that helps to lengthen and strengthen tight and weak muscles. Some cases of plantar fasciopathy may require a foot orthotic or in-sole to provide extra support to the foot whilst wearing shoes. We can advise on footwear too, and may even get you back into our favourite type of thongs!
Plantar fasciopathy is a tricky condition to treat which may require ongoing treatment for several months. We will endeavour to get you pain-free in the shortest time possible, so we recommend following all advice to a T, which may include a reduction in the amount of training you are doing at present. When you start to hit goals and we see improvements being made, we’ll have you back up to your full training program before you can say “plantar fasciopathy”.
People regularly ask if they need imaging for such an issue, but the majority of cases of plantar fasciopathy can be diagnosed with a thorough case history and physical assessment. This is where we excel! Imaging is there for cases that do not respond to treatment and for those instances where we need to rule out a more serious problem.
If you need help with heel pain, please call us today on 02 4655 5588 to book your appointment. Let’s have you putting your best foot forward, ASAP! 👌
Both Acupuncture and Dry Needling involve the insertion of a filiform stainless-steel needle through the skin to alleviate pain, but are they different and if so, how?
Let’s begin by having a brief look at the two modalities:
Originated in China about 6000 BCE. Based on the theory of meridians, Qi, Yin/Yang and 5 elements (fire, water, wind, earth, metal) and aims in restoring balance. The knowledge of health and disease in China developed purely from observation of living subjects because dissection was forbidden and the subject of anatomy did not exist
Origins are from western medicine based in scientific principles. It aims at improving function by releasing myofascial trigger points (tender points) Came about by using hypodermic needle (used to draw blood) to decrease pain, and came about by experiment of injecting saline into muscles
Needle placement follows the meridians of the body and will not necessarily be placed in the area of pain. There are 12 meridians with a connection to internal organs
Needle placement is in the region of pain, trigger points in muscle, tendon and fascia
Used in the management of a broad range of conditions, including pain, menstrual issues, infertility, gastric complaints and more.
Used to treat musculoskeletal conditions and dysfunction
Used in daily practice by TCM practitioners as a primary modality, commonly the only technique
Used as a supplementary tool in some treatments
Minimum 4-year bachelor’s degree with 100s hour supervised clinical experience
Usually a 48-72-hour course with minimal supervised clinical experience
Must be registered through a Chinese Medical Board and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
No regulatory body needed – although usually completed as an adjunction therapy
Must complete mandatory continued professional development for registration
No required continued professional development
Professional indemnity insurance is compulsory
May not be covered by professional indemnity insurance
Now that you have a brief overview, let’s do a deep-dive into the history and philosophy of each approach to gain a better understanding of the difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling.
Dry Needling (DN) is described as “the insertion of needles into tender point in the body without the injection of any substance to treat painful musculoskeletal disorders”(1) and was tied to the discovery of myofascial tender points and pain referral patterns.
It began in the late 1930’s with John Kellgren who was the first to publish that pain from muscles if often referred in a specific pattern to the individual muscle, and that pain could be relieved by injecting procaine into an acutely tender point which were often some distance from the site of pain outlasting the effects of anaesthetic(2).
Over the next few years, an interest in pain relief from needling grew with many people experimenting with tender points, but it wasn’t until 1942 that Janet Travell and David Simmons’s research that Myofascial Trigger Points became a common term. Myofascial Trigger Points are defined as an “hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a palpable nodule in a taut band. The spot is tender when pressed and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, motor dysfunction and autonomic phenomena”(1).
Needling without injection of a substance was first mentioned by Ernest Brav and Henry Sigmond in 1941 who proclaimed that pain could be relieved by simple needling without injecting anything, however the first sentence of their paper references a James Churchill’s publication on acupuncture from 1821(3, 4). The term ‘Dry Needling’ was coined in 1947 by J D Paulett who also established the relationship of effective treatment, deep needling, tender points and a reflex spasm (fasciculation/muscle twitch) (5). This was built upon by Karel Lewit in 1979 who stated that acupuncture needles had the same therapeutic results with less pain, bleeding and bruising then hypodermic needles(1).
This is how DN that is known today came about, with the use of acupuncture needles and the insertion and manipulation of the needle that creates a fasciculation to help reduce pain in musculoskeletal complaints.
Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help balance the flow of energy known as qi (chi) which flows through medians in your body. By inserting filiform needles through a person’s skin at specific points along these meridians, to various depths, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance(6). Other methods may be used to stimulate the acupuncture points, including acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to rebalance the flow of qi(7).
Acupuncture is generally held to have originated in China, with instruments dating back to 6000 BCE being interpreted as acupuncture treatment(8), however this is widely debated.
1600-1046 BCE the Shang Dynasty linked Chinese medicine to the beliefs of ancestors, who were capable of endangering or even destroying human life, therefore healing practices attempted to restore not only the living but also the dead. This belief gave way to magical, demonological or supernatural beliefs, that demons caused disease such as swellings, and the insertion of needles or stone lancets etc., could be to kill or expel them(9). Meridians were first mentioned in 198 BCE in writings found in Ma-Wang-Dui tomb(8), however they differ from the ones commonly seen in TCM today.
The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) is an antediluvian text on health and disease with an organised system of diagnosis and treatment. It is thought to be written in approximately 2600 BC by Emperor Huangdi. It is presented in the form of questions by the Emperor and learned replies from his ministers and is likely to be an accumulation of traditions handed down over centuries presented in terms of the prevailing Taoist philosophy. By this time the concept of meridians in which the Qi (energy/lifeforce) was established the precise anatomical locations of acupuncture point developed later(8, 10).
During the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE) Chinese medical traditions flourished as Chinese health care started to follow theories to categorise phenomena into a limited number of causes and effects. Natural laws, conceptualised in doctrines such as ‘Yin‐yang’ and ‘Five elements (fire, water, wind, earth, metal),’ were used to explain health and disease, and to devise preventive and therapeutic strategies(9). However, these theories were not commonly accepted or consistent.
The development of acupuncture and the accumulation in texts over the next centuries gradually made acupuncture one of the standard therapies used in China, alongside herbs, massage, diet and moxibustion (heat)(8). Bronze statues from the 15th century show the acupuncture points, and were used for teaching and examination purposes(8). During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE), The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion was published, which forms the basis of modern acupuncture, in which clear descriptions of the full set (365 points) that represent meridian apertures in which Qi could be accessed via a needle. These points are still points used in modern acupuncture.
Several of our team practice Dry Needling for musculoskeletal complaints, including Teille, Amy, and Yahana. If you are interested in learning more about the various needling approaches, and which style might be best for you see Dr. Teille Wickstein. She is our go-to practitioner for all things needling related! You can read more about her below.
Dr Teille Wickstein is a dual-qualified Osteopath and Acupuncturist. She first obtained a degree in Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture, before undertaking a further 5 years of University training to become an Osteopath. Teille (pronounced “Teal”) is passionate about improving health and wellbeing, and truly believes in the holistic approach of treating the body as one unit.
Teille has an interest in treating both acute and chronic conditions through osteopathic treatment .
Teille uses a variety of different treatment techniques, from myofascial release to manipulation.
She aims to provide her patients with the knowledge required to not only treat their pain, but to understand it and subsequently prevent it using postural advice, ergonomic advice and strengthening techniques.
Teille is available for consultations from Tuesday – Saturday. She offers late afternoon and evening appointments.
For more information or to make an appointment call (02) 4655 5588 or click here to book an appointment now.
1. Legge D. A History of Dry Needling. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. 2014;22.
2. Kellgren JH. Referred Pains from Muscle. Br Med J. 1938;1(4023):325-7.
3. Lu DP, Lu GP. An Historical Review and Perspective on the Impact of Acupuncture on U.S. Medicine and Society. Med Acupunct. 2013;25(5):311-6.
4. Brav EA, Sigmond H. Low Back Pain and the Needle. The Military Surgeon. 1942;90(5):545-9.
5. Paulett JD. Low Back Pain. The Lancet. 1947;250(6469):272-6.
6. Clinic M. Acupuncture: Mayo Clinic; 2017 [updated March 2020. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/about/pac-20392763.
Have you ever been told you are flat-footed? Or have you noticed that the arches in your feet are not quite the same as others? Although we are all a part of the same species, many of us have variations in our anatomy that make us unique. Look at a crowd of people and you’ll notice many different shapes and sizes. Our feet are the same. Some people have very developed arches in their feet, others have under-developed arches and have an almost ‘flat’ look to their feet. This phenomenon is known as ‘pes planus’.
Why does it occur?
There are two main reasons a person may develop flat feet. They are:
Congenital: A person is born with it and the feet fail to develop an arch through childhood into adulthood. A small percentage of the population have a connective tissue disorder which can leave the joints in the body less stable and more mobile. These conditions (namely Ehlers-Danlos and Marfans Syndromes) are also associated with having flat feet.
Acquired: A person develops flat feet as a result of trauma, tendon degeneration, or through muscular or joint disease.
Most babies will look flat-footed at birth, but usually by the age of 10, a strong and supportive arch has developed. For some people, the arch simply does not develop, and this may or may not lead to problems down the line.
Signs and symptoms
The obvious sign to look for is a flattened arch of the foot. If you look at someone from the front or slightly to the side, you may notice that the majority or whole of the inside border of the foot is touching the ground, as opposed to there being a clear space between the heel and ball of the foot.
What effect can this have on the body? It is quite possible and very common, for someone to have flat feet and have no symptoms at all. This is known as being ‘asymptomatic’. It may surprise you to know that only 10% of people with flat feet experience symptoms. These people are known as ‘symptomatic’.
People who do experience pain as a result of this condition do so because the lack of arch supporting the inside region of the foot has a knock-on effect to the mechanics of the rest of the limb. This then affects how the pelvis and spine function too. Pain in the middle part of the foot, heel, knee, hip and lower back are all common complaints. It is also not uncommon for someone with flat feet to experience recurrent ankle sprains, where they regularly ‘roll the ankle.
“Do I need treatment if I am flat-footed?” If you have no symptoms and having flat feet does not affect your life in any way, the answer is simply ‘no’.
If you have pain caused by this problem, then this is where we (and other professionals) come in. Pes planus is a great example of how a problem in one part of the body may lead to pain and dysfunction in a completely different part of the body. It’s an osteo’s dream! Not your pain, of course… However, we are experts at recognising the root cause of a problem and putting a plan in place to get it resolved fast.
Techniques we use may include soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation of the foot, ankle, knee, hip or spine and strengthening exercises. Exercises will aim to strengthen the arch itself, but may focus up the chain to the thigh, glutes and trunk as well. A large part of our job here is to also educate a patient on which footwear to use and whether or not they require the help of orthotics (these are special insoles for your footwear). Some children and adults may need some extra support inside their shoes to help reduce the effect of mechanical change up the limb. We may decide that you will benefit from seeing a podiatrist or other foot specialist who is able to design and supply you with insoles that are unique to you and the shape of your foot. Being obese can also increase the load on the lower limbs, therefore increasing the effects of pes planus in the process. In these cases, we can help to advise on how you go about losing weight through changes to your diet and exercise regimes.
For the majority of cases, a combination of these treatments above will result in improved mechanics and reduced pain, allowing the patient to continue doing the things they love. For the very few people who do not respond to treatment, an orthopaedic specialist’s opinion may be required for long term management. This is always a last resort.
Check out your feet. Do you look flat-footed when you stand up and weight bear? Is there any associated pain? If so, call us today on 02 4655 5588 or book now and we’ll tell you what needs to be done to beat the pain! Arch you glad you read this now?! 😉
It has been and continues to be, uncertain times for many of us as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the globe. Lockdown has meant many of us have had to batten down the hatches and re-discover what it means to be ‘at home’. We ask you the question “how is your body being affected?” Are you suffering from Pandemic Posture?
Let us take you on a scan of the body, focus on some potentially problematic areas, and give you some advice to avoid any long-term issues.
Head and neck
The first stop is the very top! For all of you that normally head out to the office every day, the pandemic might mean you’ve had to start working from home. Not having your usual desk set up can place a great deal of stress on the neck region. Are you now working on a laptop instead of a desktop computer? Are you sitting on the sofa instead of an adjustable chair? Close your eyes for 30 seconds and hone your thoughts into your neck. Move it around… How does it feel? Is it tight, restricted or does your head feel heavier than usual? It could be that your new ‘desk’ set up’ is causing some strain in places it doesn’t usually. Think about the effect of having your head looking down at a laptop for 8 hours a day compared to straight up at a monitor set to the ideal height… Your poor muscles must be feeling the strain too.
We recommend trying to recreate your office space as close as possible to the real thing. If you don’t have a desk at home, a dining table may be more suitable than sitting on a sofa or armchair. You also need to ensure you are moving your neck and shoulders more regularly to avoid them being in a strained position for too long. Take a break every 30 minutes and move into a different position.
For more information to help combat pandemic posture, click here for a copy of our latest E-book “Working from Home: How to set up Ergonomically Set Up your workstation”.
Our spine sits at the core of the body, and we need good function throughout to ensure our limbs can also function with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. Are you used to an active job and now you find yourself homeschooling the children, or trying to break the day up with a bit of reading, gaming, TV or doing a crossword? Life is suddenly much more sedentary for most of us, so it’s important to avoid getting stiff. Sitting with poor spinal posture for extended periods, day after day can wreak havoc. Our spines curve ‘out in the mid-back and ‘in ’ in the lower back. If we don’t look after those curves carefully by protecting our posture from excessive strains, then we leave ourselves open to sore backs and poor functioning limbs as a result.
We recommend avoiding long periods of sitting or lying down. Save it for bedtime! Try some standing spinal twists or bends (gently, of course), go for a walk around the garden, or do a session of yoga, Pilates or simple stretching through the day to mobilise your spine. If you have kids, get them to do it with you. They will enjoy a break from their school work, no doubt.
Anyone who works in a seated position knows what effect this can have on the hips. Having your hips in a ‘flexed’ or in a seated position for long periods of time can leave your hip flexor muscles tight and short. This decreases your ability to open the body out into a fully straight position, reducing flow of fluids through the central part of your body and leaving the back chain of muscles in a lengthened state, which can eventually result in the weakening of the chain.
We recommend lots of upright exercises for this one. Counteract the time spent seated working or binge-watching a TV series with some standing-based exercise. Jumps, skipping, walking, running or bridging is a nice way to open those hips and get the blood flowing.
Our underlying message through all of this is to move, move, move! You are a movement machine, so regularly start the ignition and go for a spin. Look after yourselves and please get in touch today on 02 4655 5588 or book now if you need help keeping your pandemic posture in check!
A very common question we get asked at Completely Aligned is “Do I need to wear a brace to help with my injury?” Well this is very much a ‘depends’ sort of answer. It depends on the injury, where along the injury process you are and your personal circumstances.
Let’s first outline the advantages of wearing a brace and give some examples of when you might need to wear one.
Braces are items we place on a body part, usually over and around a joint, to provide extra stability to that area. They come in different forms but are generally quite flexible and elastic to ensure they move with the body, whilst being strong enough to protect the joint simultaneously. Some braces are quite movable whilst others can lock a joint in a particular position.
When is it helpful?
The advantages of bracing include:
Providing stability to an injured body part to aid with treatment, rehabilitation and return to sport or work scenarios
Allowing faster healing by limiting movement at an injured body part
Reducing pain by de-loading injured structures
Can be easily put on and removed for any given situation
Are widely available and affordable
A common injury where you may need to use a brace is in the early stages of a moderate to severe medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain of the knee. Imagine your knee has been forced inward whilst your foot is planted on the ground. If the force is great enough, the ligament stretches, tears and the stability of the knee is compromised. In this case, a brace is helpful to stop the knee from falling inwards again, which would interrupt the healing of the ligament. As healing progresses, the brace can be used less frequently or removed altogether to allow for more movement and activity. Other examples where a brace may be required include:
Wrist and ankle sprains
Tennis or golfer’s elbow (see recent blog for more info)
Knee cruciate ligament sprains
Pelvic instability (these are particularly helpful during pregnancy)
For stabilisation and re-training of scoliosis cases (i.e. abnormal spinal curves)
When isn’t it helpful?
One of the most common negative effects of bracing that we see is over-reliance. When someone has injured their ankle playing netball, part of the rehab process to get them back on the court quickly may be to wear a brace to provide them with the confidence to play to their full potential without fear of re-injury. This is all well and good as long as they wean off using the brace as rehab progresses. Many people end up wearing the brace as a safety net for 6 months, a year, or even longer because they are scared of re-injury. If you rely on a brace for support, it means the body part that was injured won’t have the necessary forces placed through it to ensure a full recovery to a pre-injury state. This could affect many factors including muscle strength, ligament stability and the body’s ability to know where the joint is in space (a.k.a ‘proprioception’). In order to return to that state, it’s necessary to move and exercise completely unaided.
Other disadvantages include:
Failure to achieve full joint range of motion post-injury
Possible muscle wasting
Increased loads placed on other body parts, which can risk another injury elsewhere
Our best advice to you is to never see a brace as a replacement for good movement and rehab. Always follow the advice of your practitioner as to when you should and shouldn’t wear a brace. If you have any doubts or questions, please call us on 02 4655 5588 to discuss, or book an appointment with one of our Osteo’s here.
Hello readers! This month’s blog topic is one that millions of Australians (and billions around the world) can relate to. Have you ever had a headache? We’d be surprised if you said no, because a headache is one of the most common symptoms experienced by our species. Nearly everyone at some point in their life experiences a headache. If you or someone you know is part of the minority that has never had one, then come forth… Medical researchers will want to get their hands on you!
The list of headache types is as long as the distance between your shoulder and the tips of your fingers! Some types of headache are very common, others very rare. Some of the different types of headache include:
Cervicogenic (i.e. something in the neck leading to pain felt at the head)
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (i.e. a problem with the jaw joint causing head pain)
Many others of non-serious and serious causes
The burning question
If you have been a headache sufferer for a long time, there is a good chance you have tried every remedy out there. Finding the solution is hard, but fear not, help is at hand! We regularly get asked “can you help me with my headaches?” The answer is always “maybe”, but there is a good chance we can. So why see an osteo over another medical professional? The short answer is we’re awesome! The long answer is we are experts of anatomy of the human body (4-5 years of study!), we sit and listen to you tell your story, we have excellent problem-solving and clinical skills, we have magically soft, caring hands, and we are highly trained to help people get to the bottom of their ailments, headaches included. Other medical professionals are also awesome, we just love the osteopathic philosophy of treating the person and the body as a whole.
What to expect from your osteo
The reason a person is in pain is usually down to many factors. It is therefore very important to get a full story from each patient that presents with a problem. This is where we shine. Your initial consultation will entail a very thorough questioning session where we ask you lots of questions about your current issue, the history surrounding it, and other questions relating to your medical, lifestyle and work history. From the word go, we will be painting a picture of what is going on with you. From the information you give us and the questions we ask, we will be ruling in or out which type of headache you could be experiencing.
Some types of headache have very specific features, and we may be able to come to a conclusion quite quickly. Other types may be less easy to recognise, but by the end of the questioning we will have a list of conditions in our mind that we need to test for. This is where we perform our clinical tests. Some of the more common types of headache are due to problems relating to the muscles and joints around the neck and head region, so we’ll ask if we can have a good feel of these areas. We’ll watch you move, then we’ll move you around, feel and compare between the two. We may need to test the nerves that give your head and neck their function, or we may need to take your blood pressure… Either way, we can do it all.
For headaches, we will be particularly interested in what your head, neck, mid-back, shoulders and general posture look and feel like and how everything moves together. We will always be looking at the bigger picture though, so if you’re wondering why we’re checking the levels of your pelvis or the length of your legs, it’s because we’re searching for every possible reason as to why your headache is occurring. After careful consideration and once we are happy with our diagnosis, we will sit and have a chat about what is going on and what the plan is to get you feeling good again. At this point we’ll get to work on your body using the many techniques we have at our disposal. We will also offer advice on any lifestyle changes you may need to make to ensure the headache is being attacked from all angles. A headache diary is often a suggestion so we can keep track of your headaches from week to week. However, this will be discussed in your initial consultation.
Sometimes a headache can be the sign of a more serious problem that we may not be able to help you with. If this is the case, we will ensure you are directed towards the right people for the job. This may entail us writing a letter to your GP with our findings and recommendations. Whether we treat or not, you will receive the highest level of care from us. We pride ourselves on it!
If you or anyone you know is experiencing headaches, please pick up the phone and call us on 02 4655 5588 or book online to see one of our Osteo’s today. Now you know what we can do to help, we hope the next time you are asked the question “Should I see an osteo if I have headaches?”, your answer will be a solid YES!
P.s. We can even help with ice cream headaches (a.k.a ‘brain freeze’)… Our advice is simple—slow down and enjoy it! (we get how hard that is)
There is no escaping the pressures of modern life! You may be familiar with common stressors experienced by the majority of people, such as financial strain, relationships, pressures at work or school, toxins, diets high in processed foods, and constant Wi-Fi and screen exposure. The main problem is that these assaults to your system are constant. Extended periods of stress can result in a loss of the important mineral, magnesium, at the time your body needs it most. Ensuring you have good magnesium levels helps make you a warrior during stressful times.
Are You Low in Magnesium?
Fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches and difficulty sleeping are common signs of magnesium deficiency in both adults and children. Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and mood disorders including anxiety, depression, and constant stress are all associated with poor body stores of magnesium. Talk to your Practitioner today about whether you have an increased need for magnesium.
Running on Empty – What Causes Low Magnesium?
There are many different factors that contribute to magnesium deficiency. These include:
Inadequate intake from foods.
Continual stress. As increased levels of stress hormones diminish precious magnesium stores, this can lead to a vicious cycle of magnesium depletion, making it even harder to cope.
Caffeine, alcohol and certain medications. These increase the loss of magnesium through urination
The Many Benefits of Magnesium
Being the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, magnesium plays many roles in supporting your health. It helps dampen the effects of stress hormones to promote calming sleep, as well as relaxing muscles and reducing cramping. Magnesium protects your brain from memory loss, improves mood, concentration and learning, and lowers anxiety helping keep you stay calm during stressful times. However, that’s not all this mighty mineral helps with! Magnesium also improves blood sugar control, which can positively impact weight, reduce sugar cravings and support energy levels.
Magnesium Fuels Your Energy
When you become stressed, it affects you right down to your core, even causing damage at the cellular level by allowing energy molecules to leak from the cell. These energy molecules are needed for every function in the body; without energy your body’s ability to cope with stress is hindered, resulting in fatigue and other symptoms. But thanks to your cells’ instinctive ability to adapt to perceived stressors, the body uses magnesium to boost energy production, supporting good health and increasing your energy levels.
Daily Protection Against Stress
Utilise the following tips to shield your mind and body from stress and conserve your magnesium: Reduce caffeine to a maximum of 1 cup per day. Increase your consumption of magnesium rich foods e.g. spinach, dark chocolate, avocado, almonds, pumpkin seeds and black beans. Minimise your intake of high sugar and processed foods low in nutrients. Get a good night’s sleep. This will assist your body in repairing tissues and reducing inflammation caused by stress. To improve sleep quality, ensure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet; and unplug from electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones, tablets, computer, and TV) 1-2 hours prior to bedtime. Exercise regularly to reduce the negative effects of emotional and physical stressors on health.
Choosing the Right Type of Ammunition
We can help recommend an appropriate magnesium for you if stress is weighing you down. Look out for magnesium bisglycinate in particular. This type of magnesium is superior to many other forms as it is well absorbed, gentle on the digestive tract and provides a calming effect. A necessity for 21st century living, magnesium will improve your resilience to the stressors of modern life. So talk to us today on how you can reduce stress using Magnesium!
Content reproduced with permission from Metagenics, 2019.
Pain has been an ongoing topic for research and discussion for a long time. Nearly everyone feels it (I say ‘nearly’ because there is actually a very small minority of people with a special condition that does not allow them to feel pain), and it varies in character and severity depending on what part of the body is implicated. And for the most part, none of us like being in pain. When we feel pain, normally the first thing we do is to look for a way out of it (or as some of you like to, ignore it – tut tut!). It’s a bit of a minefield knowing where to go for good pain relief. Some of us like a quick fix, others are more interested in fixing the problem long term by putting the hours in to do the rehab. Luckily for you, we are here to help with both stages!
When it comes to the body, we
usually feel pain because our body is sending us a signal letting us know
something is not quite right. That might be down to a simple muscle imbalance
or joint restriction, which is leading us to walk or run differently. Or it
might be down to something more serious like a tear of a muscle or tendon, changes
in the nervous system or a problem with an organ deep inside the body – the
list of causes is long and complex.
Regardless of the cause, when in
pain it’s human nature to want to know how to get rid of it. Some of you turn
to the experts (i.e. like your local Osteo/Myo/TCM practitioners, and other professionals like
doctors), and some prefer to self-diagnose using www.DrInternet.com
(how’s that been working out for you?!).
Some of the most common and
well-known forms of pain relief include manual therapy, use of temperature, medications,
supplementation and diet – you’ll find a brief overview of each below:
We as humans have been using our
hands to treat the body for a very, very, very long time! If you walk into a
clinic in pain, be it you have a swollen ankle or the inability to lift your
arm above your head, your practitioner will get to work on you using a whole
host of techniques (after they have carefully and correctly diagnosed you of
course!). Soft tissue massage and myofascial release techniques are widely used
in the management of musculoskeletal pain and evidence suggests you aren’t
wasting your time by getting the help of your local therapist. Your practitioner
may also utilise other techniques, including joint mobilisation and
manipulation, to correct your problem and to help get your pain lowered and
under control. Usually you will also be given some form of flexibility or
strengthening exercises to perform between treatment sessions to back up what
happens in the treatment room.
Heat and cold therapy
you’ve hurt yourself in the past, there is a good chance you’ve tried some form
of treatment relating to temperature to help relieve the pain. Cold therapy can
help to reduce pain, blood flow, swelling, muscle spasm, and inflammation. Heat
therapy can help to relieve pain, increase blood flow, and tissue elasticity.
It’s worth getting advice for the best approach for your problem.
There are countless different
medications out there that can help with pain relief – these are called
analgesics. Without getting too complicated, they can generally be split into
Non-opioid and Opioid analgesics. Non-opioid analgesics include your well known
and easily accessible medications such as aspirin, paracetamol, and
anti-inflammatories (such as Ibuprofen) – these are generally good for the
control of musculoskeletal pain. Opioid analgesics are there for cases of more
severe pain, and include codeine, tramadol and morphine (you won’t be able to
get these ones over-the-counter though!). Remember it’s always safest to
consult a medical professional before using any form of medication.
Supplementation & Diet
There is no shortage of nutritional
supplements available to assist you in the non-pharmacological management of pain
also. From anti-inflammatory herbs like Curcumin (derived from Turmeric), Boswellia
and Ginger to Fish Oil and Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Similarly, diets high
in Berries, Fatty fish like Salmon or Sardines, Green Tea, Avocadoes and Broccoli
can assist with reducing inflammation. In conjunction with the avoidance of
sugar and highly processed/refined foods, alcohol and trans fats.
If you are injured or in pain or would just like to know more about pain and the many ways to manage it we recommend you to book a consultation with one of our practitioners today so they can talk through your problem, assess you thoroughly, and then advise the best course of action for you.
Our aim is to help get you out of
pain and moving better again! Say ‘au revoir’ to pain! 🙂
An apple a day keeps the doctor away… we’ve all heard this phrase. Well how good would it be if getting a regular massage was also good for your health? Look no further and read on! We have some insight into how massage can have a positive effect on your mood, and overall well-being.
When we are treated by our massage therapist, their simple touch
starts off a whole chain of activity in our nervous system, changing the levels
of lots of different types of chemicals in the body, which ultimately results
in you feeling good, relaxed, and ready to take on the world again. The
chemicals we refer to are your stress hormones and happy hormones.
Stress hormones include Adrenaline, Noradrenaline, and Cortisol.
Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of them – these chemicals are basically
responsible for activating your fight-or-flight response. They’re your body’s
natural mechanism for dealing with danger and stressful situations (you know,
like when you come face to face with a lion down a dark alley… Not happened to
you? Erm, just us then?).
So having these chemicals is good, but if they flow around the
body for too long, it can be detrimental to your health, leading to anxiety,
increased blood pressure, a lowered immune system and much more. If you’re the
kind of person who is regularly stressed in life, the good news is that massage
has been shown to lower the amount of circulating stress hormones (think about
the fight-or-flight response being reversed or switched off), reducing the risk
of long-term complications from having your body in a constantly heightened
Happy hormones include Serotonin, Dopamine, Endorphins and
Oxytocin. These chemicals have many roles to play, but important roles include
regulating mood, appetite, focus and the body’s ability to make you feel
generally positive and happy. So, it makes sense that we want plenty of these
hormones regularly being pumped around the body. Good news again… massage, or
even just the touch of another person has been shown to increase levels of
these hormones, making you feel good, focused and productive, and generally a
lovely, happy person to be around.
So, you can see it’s a win-win situation. Massage anyone? Oh go on then… book one now