Newsletter - July 2009

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) advised GPs to offer chiropractic for treating back pain

Management of Chronic Low Back Pain With Spinal Manipulation.

Chiropractic has been under a lot of scrutiny over the years. One of the largest accusations was that there is a lack of evidence regarding its effectiveness. This article refutes that accusation and The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has now advised GP’s to offer chiropractic for treating back pain.

The following article was published in The Spine Journal in 2008 and was based on summaries of 42 different randomised control trials regarding spinal manipulative therapy and mobilization for chronic lower back pain. Comparison therapies included acupuncture, bed rest, exercise, massage and trigger point therapy, physical therapy and no treatment.

The literature reviewed in this article provides evidence for the following in regards to chronic lower back pain:

Spinal manipulation therapy and mobilisation is superior to usual medical care or placebo for patient improvement. In other words, while medication is sometimes needed, chiropractic care is generally better than masking the pain with medications.
High doses of spinal manipulative therapy is superior to low dose spinal manipulative therapy for pain in the short term (short term treatment of less than three months). This validates the importance of seeing your chiropractor multiple times in the early stages of treatment.
Spinal manipulative therapy is better than physical therapy and home exercise in both short and long term.

Home exercise and stretches are always good for overall health and are an important ancillary treatment to chiropractic care. Ask you Chiropractor what exercises are best for you.

Why do we get a bad back?

Unavoidable traumas: These are events/accidents which we cannot control Our bodies can only withstand a certain amount, then we will suffer damage, possible pain and injury. The fitter, healthier and more active we are the better, however, we must not overdo it. Chiropractic fitness is achieved when your joints, muscles and nerves are functioning at their best. Regular check-ups will help protect you from unanticipated problems and help avoid your body becoming susceptible to injury.

Avoidable trauma: If you understand your body and how it works you are much more likely to avoid problems arising. The most common mistakes we tend to make are of bad bending and lifting.

Small ongoing traumas: These are one of the most common causes of spinal problems. If we subject our bodies to frequently repeated small amounts of stress, the spine may deteriorate to the point where the last straw “breaks the camel’s back”. Chiropractors are frequently told, “But I only did....” Even strong metal structures suffer from fatigue or stress failures and our bodies are just the same. Whilst our bodies are remarkable in their ability to regenerate and heal, some parts, notably our spinal discs do not have that ability and in time may well wear out. Poor habits, such as bad bending add to the risk of developing or aggravating problems, however, you are also at risk from poor seating or even an old saggy mattress that doesn’t provide the right support

Disease: Keeping your body fit aids the body’s immune system and helps to reduce the risk of illnesses. Fortunately back pains arising from serious disease are relatively rare. However, it is important not to ignore long-term pains as they need proper assessment regardless of their cause.

Advancing age: You cannot avoid ageing but you can reduce its effects by avoiding unnecessary strains; by keeping fit and active and by keeping whatever abilities and fitness you still have. In turn, by doing this you can minimise any unwelcome problems and/or suffering.

Should a person who has had back or disc surgery see a Chiropractor?

Yes. Many people who have had various kinds of spinal surgery often discover a return of their pain or problem months or years later. Sometimes they are told they need more surgery. These people can usually receive chiropractic care without undue worry. The chiropractic care may save them from future operations. However, it’s best to check with your chiropractor explaining your case history as this will enable him to make an assessment before treatment.

Can Chiropractic Prevent Back Surgery?

In a majority of cases the answer is a resounding “yes”!

“Sunflower Therapy for Children”

Sunflower Therapy helps children perform better in all sorts of different ways. It can help the ‘bright but under-achieving child’ access his/her abilities, shy children be more confident, improve self-esteem and improve sociability. It can also help clumsy children be more coordinated, help with reading and writing, help concentration and help hyperactive children be more amenable, etc.

So what is it? Using the muscle-testing system of Applied Kinesiology, Sunflower Therapy is a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of health, learning and behavioral difficulties. It is a unique way of relieving stress and promoting well-being using an array of safe and natural remedies matched to individual needs. By tackling many of the underlying causes of problems they face, children are better able to achieve more of their own potential.

Sunflower Therapy is based on the concept that physically and neurologically balanced children who are healthy and well-integrated naturally perform better, achieve more, have greater self-esteem, get on better with others and make the most of their opportunities.

Message from a ‘Sunflower’ parent: “Tim has just finished class 5. He has improved with all subjects of his school work, and had a glowing report for which my husband and I praised him greatly. I have noticed a marked improvement in his spelling. His teacher reported that he is a popular member of the class and enjoyed doing experiments. Over all I think there has been a great improvement for Tim. Learning had always been hard for him but his confidence has grown and he now finds it a lot easier to tackle tasks.”

Call us for more information and to make an appointment with Richard Stenning.

The Chiropractic Health Centres’ team:

Chiropractors: Richard Stenning, Louisa Snell, Michael Norris.
Chiropractic Assistants: Jacky, Carol, Kay, Sarah, Margo, Sue & Sally PR: Jan Brand,

Thoughts for the month.

Did you know:

The electric chair was invented by a dentist.
You share your birthday with at least 9 other million people in the world?
The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue!
It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

July Humour

In a Launderette: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.

In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.

Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS.

Spotted in a safari park: ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR.

Seen during a conference: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE CENTRE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.