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Headaches

Headaches

Headaches Do you suffer from headaches or migraines? For those of you who have visited us here at The Chiropractic Centre: Bristol, you would recognise this question, regardless of the reason you came in to see us. It has been estimated that 10 million people in the UK suffer from headaches on a regular basis (nhs.uk). So unsurprisingly here at the clinic we see a lot of patients suffering headaches, whether it being their main complaint or something that we have uncovered during the case history. Quite often they can describe these as ‘normal’ headaches. There is no such thing as a ‘normal’ headache. Some of you may ask, ‘What do headaches have to do with your spine?’ Well there are hundreds of types of headaches but some of the most common are tension headaches, migraines and cervicogenic headaches, all of which can be influenced by spinal health and posture. Tension Headaches Those who suffer with tension headaches, often describe a feeling of band like pressure across the forehead and temples. They can also describe tightness within the muscles of the neck. The exact causes aren’t clear but can range from stress and poor posture to dehydration. Migraines Migraines are typically less common but are felt as a severe, throbbing type pain that can affect the front or side of the head. Some will also suffer with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Cervicogenic Headaches These are headaches that originate from the neck and refer pain up into the head. Typically it is felt as a dull, aching pain that can really affect any area of the head but most commonly...
The BIG Idea – BJ Palmer 1944

The BIG Idea – BJ Palmer 1944

The BIG Idea Written in 1944 as part of the Chiropractic Green Books, here is BJ Palmer’s Big Idea.  The Green Books have acted at the foundations for Chiropractic Philosophy and are still relevant today.  Here is BJ’s Big Idea:   The BIG Idea A slip on the snowy sidewalk in winter is a SMALL thing.  It happens to millions. A fall from a ladder in the summer is a SMALL thing.  It also happens to millions. The slip or fall produces a subluxation.  The subluxation is a SMALL thing. The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve.  That pressure is a SMALL thing. That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain.  That is a BIG thing to that man. Multiply that sick man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply that man by one hundred thirty million, and you forecast and can prophesy the physcial and mental status of a nation. So the slip or fall, the subluxation, pressure, flow of mental images and dis-ease are big enough to control the thoughts and actions of a nation. The pressure on a nerve is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restoring health is a BIG thing. Now comes a man.  And one man is a SMALL thing. This man gives an adjustment.  The adjustment is a SMALL thing. The adjustment replaces the subluxation.  That is a SMALL thing. The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves.  That is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restores health to a man.  This is a BIG thing to that man. Multiply that well man by a thousand, and...
Why are we making our team stand with a new standing desk?

Why are we making our team stand with a new standing desk?

Why are we making our team stand with our new standing desk? Hopefully you’ve noticed, if you’ve been in recently, that we have a new desk in our centre.  Apart from looking much better, the biggest difference between the new one and what we had before if that our CAs (Chiropractic Assistants) stand behind it rather than sit.  So, why have we chosen to have a desk to stand behind rather than one to sit at? Why a standing desk and not a sitting desk? As a clinic, we hire CAs and not receptionists.  This means that they’re not your “computer says no” receptionist that you occasionally meet (disclaimer: I’m playing on the Little Britain stereotype and in no way insinuating that all receptions act this way), they’re an active part of the centre and essential in part of our patients’ healing process.  We want them to freely move from behind the desk and greet and help patients.  A standing desk aides this process.  If you’re already standing, you’ll be far more inclined to hold the door open for a mother with a pram than you would be if you were tucked under a desk on a chair.  It requires a lot of effort to get out of a chair to do any task, so during a long day if the task is not essential then you’ll naturally be less inclined to do it straight away.  We want your CAs to be proactive and stay one step ahead at all times – and they’re amazing at doing it.  On another note, I think they look great- more professional and add...
What is Sports Massage?

What is Sports Massage?

What is Sports Massage? Broken down into its acronym let’s explore what ‘sports massage’ is: Sports It is a common misconception that sports massage deals predominantly with athletes.  In my eyes we are all sports people as life is one ever increasingly competitive, intense physical activity.  To live life to its fullest we all must have ‘fit’, well functioning muscles that are prepared for fight or flight, whether that be performing to your best ability in a weekly tennis match, chasing after your kids or gardening with ease. Posture In today’s society postural misalignment is often the origin of chronic aches and pains within the body.  Bad posture, from sitting at a desk all day, playing sports and also general life, can lead to under/over developed muscular tissues as imbalanced forces are exerted upon the body.  My role as a sports massage therapist is to work closely with you to regain the healthiest posture for you in whatever you do.  By relaxing over-used muscles and re-engaging under-used muscles, your postural awareness increases and your neuromuscular (nervous and muscular)  system functions better.  More on posture another week! Organic All the cells in our muscles are living and responsive to the physical and emotional state of our body.  They are essential to our complete, holistic functioning and sometimes these cells need encouragement.  Muscle therapy creates an involuntary relaxation response carried out by our peripheral nervous system.  There is also a mechanical response, issued by our sympathetic nervous system, which cleanses and improves cellular health.  *If you have had the pleasure of attending our Health Class you will understand the connection between the spine and our neuromuscular system. Recovery and prevention In day-to-day...
Before you give your kids your iPad, read this!

Before you give your kids your iPad, read this!

With the children off school over the summer holidays, it was great to meet some of our existing patient’s kids. For many of them it was the first time they’d seen a chiropractor work their magic, and the popping and clicking captivated the majority. However, those children that were ‘old hat’ with what we do played on an iPhone or iPad. You didn’t have to be a chiropractor to notice the childrens posture when they were hunched over the phone playing Angry Birds or watching Peppa Pig! You can’t help but wonder the influence prolonged periods slouching over these devices will do to young malleable spines. We all say that we were much more active as kids compared to the current generation but I needed to have a look at some of the statistics. A recent study from this year took a sample of 461 parents with children between the ages of 11-16. 40% of these children had suffered from neck or back pain and, worryingly, 15% of parents said their child’s pain was directly resulting from using technology. Parents suggested a staggering 68% of children spent more than four hours on a laptop, tablet or phone. The NHS suggests a child should spend at least an hour a day doing rigorous activity. 48% of parents in this study suggested their children didn’t meet this. You can only hypothesise about the long-term affect of children leading more sedentary lives. I have seen the affect this has had on hundreds if not thousands of adults, many of which come in when their posture has changed, the shoulders have rounded, the mid back is hunched and the...

All our Bristol Chiropractors are fully registered and insured with the General Chiropractic Council and the United Chiropractic Association.

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