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Sore Neck? Consider a Chiro

This Spinal Health Week (23-29 May 2022) the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) is encouraging all Australians to address their neck health and seek professional help if needed.

Research shows that musculoskeletal conditions have the fourth greatest impact on the health of the world’s population, with neck pain being a leading cause of disability in adults (reported up to 20% of adults), often requiring a professional assessment.¹ Being a long-term condition, a sore or stiff neck isn’t only a serious physical issue impacting your quality of life, but it can also affect your ability to participate in self-care, work and social activities.²

From standing, to sitting, to lifting, to sleeping – every position your body takes can have an impact on your spinal health. It’s very common to go about your day and not pay attention to some of your activities that may be having a detrimental effect on your neck, and it doesn’t stop at neck pain. Neck problems are a common trigger for headaches. They can also cause jaw problems, shoulder pain, or weakness and tingling into the arms and hands.

Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in people seeking help for musculoskeletal pain, including the neck area, and we are conscious there may be many more people suffering in silence.

Chiropractors want Australians to safeguard their quality of life and overall wellbeing by taking the time to assess their spinal health and address any neck aches or pains they may be feeling and seek the appropriate care.

Implementing positive spinal health habits in the first place, including good posture, sleep hygiene, and partaking in regular stretching and exercise regimes are important factors in preventing neck pain.³ There are many things that can be incorporated into a day-to-day routine that can improve your neck health or help to assess if you need professional assistance.

For example, these are three easy steps you can add into your daily life to help safeguard and improve your neck health:

1. Sleep on your back or side keeping your neck in a neutral position. Sleeping on your tummy causes you to turn your head left or right and remain in that position while you sleep, putting stress and strain on your neck throughout the night.
2. Regularly move your neck by performing slow and gentle backwards shoulder rolls, neck rotations and neck side bends.
3. When using a computer or laptop, to ensure the centre of the screen or monitor is at your eye level while you sit on a chair or stand at your standing desk.

If you are concerned about your neck health following two years of lockdown and disrupted routine, consider visiting your local ACA chiropractor to help you live your healthiest, most fulfilling life.

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems/contents/what-are-back-problems. Accessed in March 2022.
2. The association between prevalent neck pain and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional analysis, Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2899412/. Accessed in March 2022.
3. Text Neck Treatment and Prevention. Available at: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/text-neck-treatment-and-prevention. Accessed in March 2022.

Are you as mobile as you think?

During March, we at Innate Chiropractic will be asking our patients to get more mobile this Mobility Month!

A recent survey by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) found that one in ten Australians claim their pain hindered their ability to play with their children; one in ten indicated this pain impacted their intimate relationships, and one in 20 affirmed their persistent pain resulted in increased friction with their partner.

With statistics like these, it is imperative we stay on top of our mobility and monitor any changes in our strength, balance and flexibility. This Mobility Month, try out these four simple tests to discover how ‘mobile’ you are:

1) Neck Rotation: testing how far and evenly you can turn your neck on each side.
a) Sitting down, keep your shoulders still and against a chair.
b) Turn your head all the way to the left, as if you were looking over your shoulder. How far around did you get?
c) Repeat on the right. Was it even? Was it comfortable?

2) Trunk Side Bend: testing how far you can run your hand down each side of your body.
a) Stand with your feet comfortably apart.
b) Run a hand down the side of your leg, so you side bend without leaning backwards or forwards.
c) Repeat on the other side. Was it even and was it comfortable to do?

3) Sit-to-Stand: testing the ease at which you can rise from your chair with crossed arms.
a) Sit in the middle of your chair. Cross your arms over your chest.
b) Keeping your back straight and arms across your chest.
c) Stand straight up and then sit back down. Did you do this easily or was it hard?

4) Single Leg Stance: testing how well you balance on each leg.
a) In a safe environment free of trip hazards, stand upright with feet together and place hands on hips.
b) Lift one foot off the ground. Do not allow your legs to touch. Time how long you can stand without moving.
c) Repeat on opposite side. Are you able to stand on each leg for at least 40 seconds?
(If under 60 years)

How was your flexibility, strength and balance? If you find that you are struggling with one of the tests, not to worry. We at Innate Chiropractic are here to help. Ask us about getting more mobile this March by contacting us via Innate Chiropractic.

For more information on Mobility Month, and to watch the test in action, visit mobilitymonth.org.au

Sore Back? Consider a Chiro

Is an exercise injury stopping you in your tracks? Maybe you’ve been practising some bad habits lately, or want to keep a healthy back? This Spinal Health Week (24-30 May) we are asking our patients and community to Consider a Chiro for their back pain.

Back pain is one of the most burdensome physical conditions facing Australians and the prevalence of back pain in society is astonishing. The Institute of Health & Welfare estimates around 4 million Australians (16% of the population) have back problems.¹

With pain being the main symptom of most back problems, it is also estimated that 70–90% of people will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives.¹ This can also take a toll on your mental health, impacting your social relationships, ability to work and quality of life.

With the average Australian sitting for more than half their day, this certainly doesn’t help.² Your back pain can be triggered by sedentary behaviour caused by inactivity. However, we don’t want your pain to stop you from being your most active self. As a nation of sports lovers and weekend warriors, it’s important that back pain from exercise injuries doesn’t stop you in your tracks.

Living with back pain does not have to be part of everyday life. We at Innate Chiropractic are well equipped to care for back pain whether it be a new episode of pain or a pre-existing condition. Chiropractors carefully assess each patient individually and tailor their care accordingly, by using a variety of non-surgical techniques, such as specific spinal adjustments, manual therapy and low-force intervention.

If you want to simply keep your spinal health in check, then we can also provide you with care, including exercise programs, lifestyle advice and assistance to help you maintain your spinal health as well as your wellbeing.

This Spinal Health Week is a great time to Consider a Chiro and to make an appointment with us to take control of your back pain!

Contact the clinic on 03 9466 8831 or book online for an appointment with us today.

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems/contents/what-are-back-problems
2. Heart Foundation, ‘Sit Less, Move More,’ 2020: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/sit-less-move-more
3. AIHW: Kreisfeld R & Harrison JE 2020. Hospitalised sports injury in Australia, 2016–17, Injury Research and Statistics Series no. 131. Canberra: AIHW.