Blog Page – Page 4 – Precision Health Spine and Sports Clinic

09AugAugust 9, 2018

I love a Sunburnt Country*

the second driest continent on earth…

Sadly, the famous poem by Dorothea Mackellar extolling the harshness of Australia’s landscape is all too accurate. Australia is, in fact, the second driest continent on earth – following Antarctica. Droughts seem to be a common occurrence, but many farmers are saying this is the worst drought since 1902.

This week, 100% of NSW, nearly 60% of Queensland and large parts of northern Victoria have been declared to be in drought. The Autumn rainfall for 2018 was the second lowest since recording began in 1900, following a record breaking year of heat in 2016/17.

Farmers right down the eastern seaboard are having to hand feed their stock with hay and grain because there is no grass left. And that feed is having to come from South Australia. Some experts believe that by December, even that will be difficult as stocks of feed dwindle.

This may seem like a country problem, but when we consider that 93% of our food is grown by Australian farmers, not to mention wool and cotton for our clothing, it is an everybody problem. If it were a flood or fire - a natural disaster - the government would be stepping in with massive aid packages. But what could be a more natural disaster on the second driest continent on earth that drought? And whilst the government is starting to come up with packages, the problem is now so widespread that this just won't be enough.

One organization that has been helping farmers in drought since 2013 is Buy A Bale. Since its inception it has delivered over 160,000 bales of hay to farmers – and stock – in need. Since starting with hay bales, the organization has now joined with Rural Aid and expanded to include gift cards to help feed the farmers and their families, and two innovative programmes – Farm Army and Farm Rescue.

The Farm Army programme is for people who would like to volunteer their time helping farmers. This is particularly aimed at tradies. It can often be difficult for farmers to get tradies in remote and rural areas and this initiative helps farmers keep their farms operational.

Farm Rescue is a little like the reality tv shows you sometimes see. You can volunteer your time to join a team helping out a farmer with whatever needs doing – hand feeding stock, mending fences, repairing buildings or equipment.

At Precision Health Spine and Sports Clinic we would like to do our part to support the farmers. We invite all our patients to please consider making a gold coin donation when you next visit the clinic. We will match dollar for dollar every donation by a patient. We would love to raise enough for at least 5 large bales of hay, so please be generous.

And if, over the coming weeks, you have an appointment on a Monday or Thursday you may be lucky enough to stumble upon a Bake Sale to help the cause. And who can resist a cupcake or a home made toffee…

So next time you visit the Clinic, have some coins ready to give those who keep this country fed a helping hand until this ‘opal-hearted country, a wilful, lavish land*’ sees fit to rain on them again.

* I love A Sunburnt Country by Dorothea Mackellar

By adminwellbeing0 Comments

07AugAugust 7, 2018

A bit about Bursitis

Bursitis is a common and painful condition. It is caused by the inflammation or irritation of the bursa. Hmm. So what is a bursa?

What is a Bursa?

We all have around 160 bursa in our bodies. They are tiny sacs filled with fluid called synovial fluid, which is rich in collagen and proteins. These sacs of fluid provide cushioning in areas of friction – for instance in moving joints.

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of one or more of the Bursa in a particular joint. Generally, the joints most affected are the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and heel. Sometimes these sacks may also become infected, and this is known as Septic Bursitis, which is more common in bursa close to the skin, or in those with suppressed immune systems or diabetes.

Causes

There are essentially three types of causes for Bursitis:

Chronic – this is where a regular, repetitive movement causes damage over time. This could be throwing a ball, typing, or kneeling for long periods. This is known as a Repetitive Motion Disorder.

Acute – where an accident like a blow or a fall damage the bursa

Medical – where another medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or diabetes causes irritation to the bursa

Symptoms

If Bursitis is developing you will notice pain and tenderness around the affected area, which likely becomes worse with movement, and at night. There may be swelling, redness and heat. Often, the joint becomes difficult to move and range of motion is reduced. In the case of Septic Bursitis you may also experience a mild to moderate fever.

Treatment

Treatment of Bursitis will involve both management of the symptoms and addressing the cause. First and foremost, you must rest the affected joint in order to allow the bursa time to heal. If your Bursitis has been caused by repetitive movement – like golf, tennis, gardening or typing, it is important to stop the activity at least until you see some improvement.

Management of the pain will include ice, to reduce inflammation, compression and elevation where possible, and anti-inflammatory medications. Your chiropractor will recommend some gentle stretching exercises, and use dry needling to help with the pain an inflammation. Soft tissue work will assist with returning the joint to better range of motion, and also with decreasing inflammation. Once the condition has stabilized remedial massage may also be recommended.

Particularly in the case of Chronic Bursitis, it is recommended that you maintain a regular schedule of treatment with a chiropractor in order to keep the condition manageable.

If there is an infection in the bursa, you will likely need antibiotics, and the affected bursa may need to be drained with a needle.

If you think you may have Bursitis, call our Baulkham Hills Clinic on 9639 7337 to see our chiropractor for a diagnosis and to discuss treatment.

By adminchiro0 Comments

02AugAugust 2, 2018

Resilience

Sometimes there seems to be a synchronicity in what happens. That happened to us last week. On the day I was writing the blog Be Prepared, about how to get ready for your first appointment, I head a radio interview about the new app Get Prepared. Whilst we normally write about chiropractic, podiatry, massage and related subjects, we are also all about the general wellbeing and welfare of our patients. So this week we are going right off script and talking about a new initiative that we believe is really important.

A recent worldwide research study by The Rockefeller Foundation identified that by 2050, 75% of the world’s population will be living in a city. By their very size and nature, cities can be very vulnerable to a range of stresses. The study found that one of the most pressing social issues is resilience. The media often talks about resilience of the individual – particularly instilling it in children – but the resilience this study focused on was the resilience of cities, and the communities within them, to withstand the pressures of the future. And so, the 100 Resilient Cities initiative was formed – a group of 100 cities worldwide were chosen to join this network – and Sydney is amongst them.

The initiative aims to assist cities in planning for - and learning from – stressors on not only their own city, but others in the network. The objective is to increase the ability of cities to withstand both acute crises – like terror attacks, heatwave conditions or infrastructure failure; and chronic situations – like homelessness, crime and poverty.

Each city will appoint a Chief Resilience Officer – Sydney has already done so – who will help develop a Resilience Strategy in consultation with public, private and NGO partners.

As part of this strategy, the Chief Resilience Officer, in partnership with the Red Cross, has released an app called Get Prepared. This app aims at helping households and families to develop their own Resilience Strategy by giving you information and tools to develop a plan and checklist of actions, and a network of support in the case of emergency. If you are interested in downloading this app, you can find it here:

https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/emergencies/preparing-for-emergencies/get-prepared-app

In many ways, resilience is about being prepared and acting before a crisis, rather than responding to one. And this brings us to a new level of synchronicity. Often people wait until they are in pain or having trouble moving before making an appointment with the Chiropractor. But as we age, and pick up small injuries and niggling pains on our way, visiting your Chiropractor should be seen as preventative maintenance – regular check-ins that help ensure you are not surprised by an acute attack of pain, and that should the worst happen and you injure yourself, you are in the best possible condition to weather the storm.

Think of Precision Health Spine & Sports Clinic as a partner in your Resilience Strategy and consider making a regular visit to our clinic to ensure your physical resilience. Call our Baulkham Hills Clinic today on 9639 7337.

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31JulJuly 31, 2018

Be prepared

Your first visit to a Chiropractor or Podiatrist can be a little daunting. You don’t know what to expect, and that can make you anxious and unsure. Especially if you have heard horror stories from ‘well meaning’ friends or relatives. But there are some things you can do to prepare for your appointment that might help.

Chiropractor

Firstly, think about why it is you are seeing the Chiropractor. Have a list of questions and concerns to talk over with your practitioner so they have a good idea of the overall picture of your condition
Gather together any scans or x-rays that might be relevant, and a list of medications, as these might impact your treatment or the reasons for your condition
If you are the sporty type with an exercise related injury, our Sports and Exercise Chiropractor would like to see footage of you in action. This will give your practitioner an idea of where you might need help, and why you are experiencing discomfort.
Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to take off. Think about what area of your body you want your Chiropractor to treat and make sure they will be able to access the area easily in your clothing, particularly if you are concerned about undressing
Most Chiropractors will want you to fill out an initial consultation form that may include some medical history, so try and arrive a few minutes early. This will also allow you time to be relax and be comfortable in your surroundings before your appointment

Podiatrist

As with the Chiropractor, think about what has caused you to make the appointment, as well as any other concerns you might have in relation to your feet and ankles.
Scans, x-rays and medication list will help your Podiatrist see the whole picture, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions such as diabetes
Bring your work or walking shoes with you, particularly if your concern is orthotics related. The Podiatrist will want to have a look at what you are wearing and how you are walking.
If you are seeing the podiatrist for orthotics, try and wear or bring shorts that show the knee, so your practitioner can watch how your knees move while walking
Don’t paint your nails or get a pedicure before your appointment. Your podiatrist will want to look at your nails, and may end up ruining a good paint job, so wait until after your appointment. If your nails are already painted, try and remove it before your appointment – it will save time. Depending on why you are seeing them, they may also want to take a nail sample, so don’t cut your nails either.
Do wash your feet if at all possible. If your appointment is after a long day of work, try and remember to take something to spray on your feet to freshen them up – there are plenty of sprays containing peppermint or eucalyptus that you can use

Being prepared is not so difficult, and can help you get the most from your appointment with any health practitioner. If you would like to make an appointment with a Chiropractor or Podiatrist, call our Baulkham Hills Clinic on 9639 7337 today.

By adminchiro, podiatry0 Comments

26JulJuly 26, 2018

You are only as old as your feet!

Our feet take a bit of a pounding over the course of our lifetime. Carrying all our weight, walking, running, jumping, wrapped up in socks and shoes, hopping over hot sand. We really ask a lot of them. And as we get older, some of that wear and tear – not to mention general aging - starts to cause problems. But this doesn’t have to be the case. So we thought we should have a look at what aging does to your feet, and how you can avoid some of the more uncomfortable consequences.

Circulation

As we age, our circulation slows, particularly in our extremities, and this can be exacerbated by conditions like diabetes and arterial disease. This slowing of circulation makes healing slower. So cuts and blisters take longer to heal, and infection can set in, which in turn can lead to ulcers.

Solution – Massage is great for increasing blood flow and maintaining good circulation. As you age, it is a good idea to have a regular Neurovascular screening to ensure your circulation is not compromised. And it is important to have cuts, blisters and other problems treated quickly by a Podiatrist to avoid the risk of infection.

Tendons Tighten

As we age, the water content of our tendons – which attach muscles to bones – reduces and they dry out, causing them to stiffen. This leads to a greater risk of tear or rupture. This condition can also affect our ligaments.

Solution – Staying active and including stretching exercises in your daily routine can avoid stiffening of the tendons.

Ligaments Lengthen

Ligaments connect bones to other bones. Over the course of our life, these begin to stretch, flattening our feet and leaving us at risk of ankle sprains.

Solution – Again, staying active and exercising will help, as will shoes that provide good support.

Foot Size and Shape Change

Our feet can change size by half a size or more as we get older, and the shape of our feet can change to reflect the shape of our shoes.

Solution – it is important to always have your shoes properly fitted. Sorry – buying shoes on the internet is never a good idea.

Arthritis

Our feet have 30 joints! And all of them can be affected by arthritis, although most commonly it is the big toe or the midfoot joints that are affected. Arthritis will generally cause pain as well as stiffness in the morning and evening.

Solution – Supportive footwear and shoe inserts can help, as will losing weight if you are a bit on the heavier side.

Fat Disappears!

In what seems to be a cruel twist of fate, as we begin to struggle to keep the fat off our bodies, the fat begins to disappear from our feet. The bottom of the foot is lined with adipose tissue, the role of which is to provide cushioning and insulation. As we age, this tissue, which is relate to collagen production, thins, causing our feet to feel sore by the end of the day.

Solution – Well cushioned shoes, insoles or gel inserts will help with this condition.

Toes Deform

Years of being squashed into shoes can cause toes to develop curls, lumps and bends they didn’t originally have. Hammer toes, corns and calluses can change the shape of toes and are largely caused by footwear.

Solution – be careful with your choice of shoe. Avoid pointy toes, and limit high heels to special occasions. As long as you spend the bulk of your day in shoes that provide sufficient room and support, you should limit the problem. It is also important to have any corns or calluses that do develop treated by a Podiatrist as soon as possible – before they get out of hand. Or should I say foot?

Dry Skin

As with the disappearance of the fat pads on the bottom of the feet, the reduction in collagen production, as well as reduced sebum production can cause dryness in the skin of the feet and cracking in the heels.

Solution – Stay hydrated! Both internally, by drinking plenty of water, and externally by using a quality moisturizer on the feet twice a day.

Thick Toenails

Toenails tend to grow more slowly as we age, and this can lead to them thickening and becoming more brittle.

Solution – Regular visits to a Podiatrist will help keep your nails looking smooth and healthy and not like bear claws!

Swelling

Feet and ankles can develop swelling. This can be due to a range of conditions including poor circulation, cardiovascular disease or even be a result of a medication.

Solution – Massage is always a great solution for swelling, but it is also wise to check with your GP about what might be the underlying reason for the swelling. Compression stockings might also be useful.

If you want your feet to feel as young as you do, please give our Baulkham Hills Clinic a call on 9639 7337 to make an appointment with our expert Podiatrist.

By adminpodiatry0 Comments

24JulJuly 24, 2018

Chiropractic and Massage go together like movies and popcorn

People often call us and say “I don’t know if I need chiropractic treatment or a massage”. The answer is – you probably need both. Because Chiropractic treatment and massage go together like movies and popcorn. So why is that? And should you have the massage first, or the chiro?

Why Massage and Chiro go together

Our bodies are made up of a complex system of soft tissue, muscles, tendons and bones, all working together to provide strength and mobility. This is known as the muscular-skeletal system. In broad, basic terms, Chiropractic treatment generally addresses the function of joints, while massage works the soft tissue and muscle that holds those joints in place. If either is not working properly, it will have a negative impact on the ability of the other to operate optimally. Having both treatments maximizes the effectiveness of both – so the sum of the parts ends up being greater than the whole.

Massage Before or After Chiro?

This is a tricky one. On the one hand, having Chiro first allows the massage therapist to manipulate your muscles around the newly adjusted joints, ensuring they do not pull the bones out of alignment. On the other hand, having a massage before Chiro relaxes all the muscles, which allows for a more effective adjustment of the joints. In the end, the best course of action is to talk to your Chiropractor and ask what would be most beneficial for your own specific circumstances.

When to have one and not the other

Whilst Chiro and massage treatments complement one another perfectly sometimes, it is not appropriate to do both at the same time:

If you have an acute injury with a great deal of instability, pain and/or swelling it may not appropriate to have a massage in the early stages of treatment
Sometimes your practitioner will suggest alternating Chiropractic and massage appointments in order to avoid extended gaps between appointments, especially when you are pressed for time
Certain conditions – such as the early stages of pregnancy – can be contraindicated for some treatments

As with most things, the best course of action is to find a practitioner you trust, and follow their advice. Sometimes life will get in the way and you won’t be able to follow the optimum treatment plan to the letter. But if you and your practitioner communicate honestly, you will find a balance that works for you.

If you think you might need chiropractic and/or massage treatment, call our Baulkham Hills Clinic on 9639 7337 to make an appointment.

By adminchiro, massage0 Comments

12JulJuly 12, 2018

Put lower back pain behind

Lower back pain is one of the most common causes of visits to a Chiropractor. But the term ‘lower back pain’ covers a multitude of causes, conditions and types of pain. So let’s have a look at what they might be.

What is the Lower Back?

The Lumbar spine is what is commonly known as the lower back. It comprises of five vertebrae – L1-L5 – which start around the waist and finish at the sacrum. These are the largest vertebrae in the body. The lower back takes most of the weight of the upper half of the body, which considering the head alone weighs about 5kg, is quite a load!

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

There are essentially two types of LBP – acute and chronic.

Acute pain is generally caused by some sort of sudden trauma – a car or sporting accident, a fall, or something similar. The pain generally relates to a sprain of the ligaments, or strain of the muscles or tendons. This accounts for up to 70% of LBP.

Chronic lower back pain can relate to a wide range of conditions, including:

Ruptured or herniated lumbar disc
Degenerative Disc Disease
Spinal Stenosis
Sciatica
Arthritis
Spondylolisthesis
Compression fracture

Signs & Symptoms

Signs of problems with your lower back can include redness, swelling, tenderness to the touch, and ‘listing’ to one side.

Lower back pain can come in many forms:

dull, aching pain
pain that is sharp and travels through the buttocks and legs
Pain that worsens after sitting for a long time, or is worse in the mornings and improves with movement
Pain that is relieved in different positions
Pain that comes and goes

Treatment

Chiropractors can treat a wide range of lower back pain. Depending on the source of the pain your Chiropractor will use soft tissue work, manipulation & adjustment, dry needling, TENS machine, and massage. Low impact exercises like yoga, walking and swimming might be recommended, as well as specific prescribed exercises and stretches.

Your Chiropractor may also recommend anti-inflammatories or over the counter pain medication in the early stages, depending on the cause and level of pain. Rest and heat/ice treatment can also be useful.

If you are suffering from lower back pain, call our Baulkham Hills Clinic on 9639 7337 so you can put that pain behind you.

By adminchiro0 Comments

10JulJuly 10, 2018

Hallux Abducto Valgus

No, it’s not a spell from Harry Potter, but a very painful curse!

Hallux Abducto Valgus – more commonly known as Bunions - not only look painful, they are painful. Why is it that some people get them, and others don’t? And what causes them anyway? Today we look at all things bunion related.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a deformity that develops in the joint at the base of your big toe – the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP). This deformity is actually a progressive partial dislocation of the joint which pushes the big toe towards the second toe, pulling the metatarsal bone outwards. There is also a lesser known condition – the Bunionette. This is essentially the same condition, but occurs on the joint of the little toe.

Who gets Bunions?

Whilst bunions may seem like an older person condition, they can actually occur at any age, particularly if there is a genetic predisposition. Generally, women are more prone to bunions than men. Somewhere between 10-25% of the population is likely to suffer from bunions.

Symptoms

The most obvious symptom is the appearance of the foot and toe. However, bunions are often also painful and can cause joint stiffness. The increased pressure in the joint can cause the skin around the joint to become thickened, red and sore. As the condition progresses, it often changes how the foot works. The pressure the big toe puts on the other toes increases, sometimes leading to problems like hammer toe and claw toe. You might experience pain and difficulty in walking, which increases as the bunion worsens.

Bursitis and Metatarsalgia may also occur as complications, but they are topics for another day.

What Causes Bunions?

There are a number of causes of bunions:

Hereditary – if your mum or dad suffered from bunions, you might get them too.
Congenital – some people are born with conditions that can increase the likelihood of bunions. These include low arches or flat feet, cerebal palsy, or hypermobile joints
Biomechanical – sometimes the way the muscles and joints work together when walking can place excessive pressure on this joint, and speed up progression of the condition
Arthritis
Shoes – high heels, or shoes that are too tight in the toe, pushing the toes together, can cause bunions

How do you Treat Bunions?

Ideally, if you notice a bunion forming – get treatment early. This may slow the progress and delay the most painful symptoms.

In the first instance – check your shoes. It seems we say this all the time when talking about feet-related issues, but it is essential. If your shoes are too narrow or pointy – particularly through the toe box, your big toe will be pushed sideways, and a bunion is sure to follow. High heels can also be a culprit, so limit the heels where possible.

Symptoms can be relieved with ice – for no more than 20 minutes at a time – or sitting with a rubber band stretched and secured around the bit toes to ‘pull’ them out will provide some relief.

Your podiatrist may recommend padding, to cushion the area. It is important to seek professional advice here, as the padding needs to fit properly or it may exacerbate the problem. If biomechanics are the cause of your bunion, orthotics will help correct the way the foot functions. Orthotics should be properly fitted by a qualified Podiatrist.

In extreme cases, you may consider surgery. This will generally not be done until the patient is an adult, as it may return of the foot is still growing. Surgery may involve shaving the bone, removing the end of the bone, or breaking and realigning the bones. Recover can take up to 12 months.

So, if you notice a bunion beginning to form make an appointment to see a Podiatrist right away. You won’t necessarily stop it forming, but you can certainly slow down its progress!

To make an appointment with our expert Podiatrist call our Baulkham Hills Clinic on 9639 7337.

By adminpodiatry0 Comments

05JulJuly 5, 2018

Mind over matter – why mindfulness matters

‘bringing ones complete attention to the present experience on a moment to moment basis’

– Jon Kabat Zinn

The term mindfulness is often linked with the idea of meditation. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but mindfulness is actually a worthwhile activity in and of itself. You don’t have to meditate to be mindful.

We live in a very stressful world. Work pressures, money worries, family problems, not to mention being time poor, can often get the better of us. We end up living on autopilot. And thinking about adding another thing to our ‘to do’ list is just not what we are looking for. The great thing about mindfulness is that, whilst it’s wonderful if you can set aside some time, it’s not essential. You can practice mindfulness while you are going about your daily activities – cleaning your teeth, waiting for the bus, chopping vegetables for dinner.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness can help manage and reduce a whole host of negative reactions and thought processes:

you will become less ‘reactive’ to situations, bringing a sense of calm and stillness to your everyday life
your stress and anxiety levels will be reduced as you learn to better direct and manage your thought processes
clear thinking will be become easier, allowing you to address problems more effectively
improved memory and attention
increased creativity
your sense of wellbeing will increase, as you are better able to manage the negative emotions that sometimes get the better of all of us
studies have shown that mindfulness can assist in managing addictions and eating disorders

How to practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness isn’t about emptying your head. It is about anchoring yourself in the present by turning your attention to your breathing, body and senses.

Focus – on your senses – be aware of what you can see, hear, smell and feel.
Concentrate - on what you are doing. Be aware of where your body is and how it is moving. For instance, if you are making dinner, concentrate on the placement of the knife when you are chopping, the swirl of the spoon when you are stirring.
Judgement – don’t pass judgement on anything. Be aware things are there, but don’t let them impact you
Breathe – be aware of your breathing. How does it feel and sound? Is it fast or slow, deep or shallow? But don’t try and change it. Just be aware

How to get started

If you can identify part of the day where your mind tends to wander to anxiety causing or negative thoughts you have found the perfect time to start
Start small. It takes time and practice to get the hang of mindfulness, so take baby steps
Practice daily – little and often. Just like when you first start a new exercise routine. After all, the mind is a muscle too
Don’t worry or get frustrated if your thoughts wander. Take a deep breath and gently direct your mind back to where you want it to be
As you get used to the practice, try including it in other parts of your day. You will quickly begin to get a feel for the right time and quantity of mindfulness for you

If you would like to talk about mindfulness, give our Baulkham Hills clinic a call on 9639 7337.

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03JulJuly 3, 2018

Rock, paper, scissors

Sometimes choosing between a chiropractor, physiotherapist and osteopath for treatment of your pain or injury can seem like a game of rock, paper, scissors. Who is best? What treatment is most appropriate? How do I choose?

The truth is that there are more similarities between the three professions than there are differences. So, firstly, let’s look at how each profession describes themselves, how the are the same and how they differ, and how to go about choosing the right treatment for you.

Chiropractic

According to the Chiropractic Association of Australia, a chiropractor offers ‘drug free modality of treatment concerned with the diagnosis, management and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system’.

Problems treated by Chiropractors include neck and back pain, headaches, sciatica, disc injuries, whiplash, sports injuries, pregnancy related problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, scoliosis and the symptoms of a wide range of diseases of the nervous and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use a range of modalities, including spinal adjustment, dry needling (acupuncture), heat treatment, soft tissue work, TENS treatment, ultrasound therapy, SmartTools and the prescription of exercises.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists ‘assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders’ according to the Physiotherapy Association of Australia.

Physiotherapists treat sports injuries, pregnancy related problems, and symptoms relating to strokes, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. Physiotherapists employ the use of stretching, massage, hydrotherapy, ultrasound, TENS treatment, splints, braces, crutches and exercise prescription.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy Australia describes Osteopathic treatment as ‘focus(ing) on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function as a holistic unit’.

Conditions treated include back & neck pain, sciatica, shin splints, repetitive strain injuries, headaches and migraines and foot & heel problems. Techniques used include myofascial release, craniosacral release, lymphatic drainage, massage and exercise prescription.

Same, Same but different…

Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths all undertake a minimum of four to five years at university, where they study evidence-based treatment. All are regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency, and are overseen by a professional association. So regardless of which profession you choose to go with, you can be assured that the practitioner is highly trained, and supervised.

How to Choose

As you can see there is, in a broad sense, very little difference between the three professions. So how do you choose who to see? The best way to determine who will work for you is to evaluate the practitioner themselves. A few ideas:

ask friends and family if they have seen anyone they can recommend. Not much beats first had experience.
Look at the website for the practitioner/clinic. Does it seem professional and knowledgeable.
Does the practice offer a range of modalities. If so, they are more likely to be able to tailor a treatment plan that is ideal for you.
Evidence based. Make sure the practitioner uses evidence-based treatments. Talk to the practitioner about why they are recommending certain things so you have an understanding not just of what, but why.
You need to feel a rapport or level of trust with your practitioner. Sometimes it will be a long road to recovery, sometimes you might feel worse before you feel better. So you need to have faith in the person you are working with.

If you are suffering from any of the conditions mentioned, give our Baulkham Hills clinic a call on 9639 7337 to see if our experienced practitioners can help you.

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