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Chiropractic Solutions News – January 2019
Happy New Year!! Welcome to our first newsletter for the year. We trust you have all reflected on a great 2018, and welcome in what 2019 may hold for us all. January is full of plenty of events and activities with the Australian Open, cricket, various night markets, outdoor cinemas; it is such a fabulous time to get out and about. What is something new you may try? As usual, we have some great articles of interest and clinic news. Please read on, and have a great month!
Clinic news
- Dr. Luke will be enjoying an extended break with his family from December 24; returning to work week beginning January 14.
- Chiropractor hours have changed for 2019. Please review in the table below.
Straighten Up, this School Year
It’s that time of the year again and as back to school preparations start to take place Australian chiropractors are encouraging parents to be mindful of their child’s spinal heath this new school year.
The back to school period is a great time for parents to check the fitting of their child’s backpack and by making a few simple changes may help prevent poor posture and long-term spinal health issues.
Spinal health problems can often go unnoticed. However, poor posture, back pain or “growing pains” need not become an accepted part of everyday life for your child. School can be a challenging time for any child, so ensuring they are as comfortable as possible is important for their physical and mental development.
Despite the increased use of technology in schools, schoolchildren still overload their backpacks with textbooks, sports and other gear or simply do not wear them correctly.
Some of the signs of poor posture to look out for from an incorrectly worn backpack may include: forward head posture, slouching and uneven hips. Identifying and stopping these signs early on is important as the spine is still developing during the adolescent years.
Avoiding back to school backache is easy with these simple tips on how to wear a backpack correctly:
- Size: make sure the backpack is appropriately sized and no wider than the child’s chest.
- Weight: backpacks should ideally be no heavier than 10 per cent of a student’s weight when packed. Some of the ways to keep the weight of the load down is by packing only essential items and storing unrequired items in a school locker.
- Straps: both shoulder straps (preferably padded) should always be worn. Make sure to secure the sternum, waist and compression straps.
- Position: the backpack shouldn’t be worn any lower than the hollow of the lower back with all heavy items positioned at the base of the pack, closest to the spine.
Five simple tips for wearing a backpack:
1. Pack the heaviest items closest to the spine
2. Make sure to do all the zips up
3. Secure the sternum, waist and compression straps
4. Always use both shoulder straps
5. Don’t wear the backpack below the hollow of the lower back
The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia worked with Spartan School Supplies and Macquarie University to research and develop the ‘Chiropak’. This durable, functional and comfortable backpack is proven to reduce the incidence and severity of neck and back pain associated with the carriage of heavy loads. Find out more about the Spartan Chiropak at www.bit.ly/CAAChiropak
For more information on maintaining a healthy spine, please call 9557 0251.
From the Spinal Health Blog of the Australian Chiropractic Association
Roasted Mushrooms with Spinach and Ricotta
Well worth a try, this tasty meal is perfect for an enjoyable lunch. Mushrooms are packed with nutritional value. They’re low in calories, are great sources of fiber and protein (good for plant-based diets). They also provide many important nutrients, including B vitamins, selenium, potassium, copper, and (particularly when exposed to the sun) vitamin D.
Let us know how you go with the recipes! Either post your pic to our Facebook page or use the hashtag #chirosolutions on twitter & instagram.
Why consuming a ‘rainbow plate’ is vital for your health
Want to get through the Christmas season without ending up with a belly to rival Santa’s? While it’s near impossible to avoid naughty food at this time of year, there is a simple trick to help you eat healthier now and beyond: eat the rainbow. No, this doesn’t mean finding a leprechaun as a dinner companion, it’s about consuming a more “colourful” diet.
10 Things We Learned About the Brain in 2018
Here are some fascinating things we learned about the brain in 2018.
Screen time: Why parents might need limits too
An emerging body of evidence and clinical observations raises concerns about the impact of increased parental screen time on children’s wellbeing and development.
Nutrition research this year shows many paths to wellbeing
If you look back at the more significant nutrition research findings of the year, you might feel you have some tough decisions to make.
Like, choices between a better brain or a better body, a longer life or a diabetes-free life?
Children less able to long jump than their parents as study highlights hazards of inactivity
Australian children cannot jump as far as their parents, according to new research, and their sporting abilities and participation rates are on the downward slide.
Tennis tops list of sports for increasing life expectancy
Key points:
- Tennis players lived more than nine years longer than people who were sedentary, topping the list of sports
- Researchers think social connection is the key to longevity benefits
- The effect persisted after accounting for wealth and education status