Newsletter - June 2009
How to garden without getting backache
We are now well into the gardening season. Gardening is a wonderful therapeutic exercise in many ways, however, it can cause many aches and pains. So many of us go out into the garden after a long lazy winter period and start digging, bending, mowing etc. without taking the necessary precautions to ensure that our bodies can cope.
When you first start it is very tempting to do a long day in the garden and if you are not careful this can result in weeks of pain. A poll taken some years ago stated that gardening was the most common cause of low back injury in the UK! 
Gardening is really good exercise. It can burn up calories and strengthen muscles etc. But think careful would you enter a long road race after spending months in front of the TV? No you wouldn’t – you would prepare for the race. In the same way you need to prepare for work in the garden.
Before you start to garden give your body a warm-up – it will help prevent pain later, spend ten minutes or so in stretching your legs, arms and back before you start. If there are any really heavy jobs like moving heavy items, pruning in high and hard to reach places or if you have a history of back problems – get some help.
Before lifting anything, check the weight and decide if you need assistance, avoid lifting over your head. Stand close to the items with your feet on either side of it, keep your back straight, bend and then lift from you knees.
Avoid bending from your waist for planting and weeding etc. Get down on your hands and knees – using knee pads or a mat.
Don’t hurry and don’t keep gardening for too long. Be realistic about the amount you can do and consider spreading the jobs over a few days. Take lots of breaks and drink plenty of fluids.
If you do start to feel pain – stop working and rest. Trying lying flat on your back with your feet on the ground and your knees bent. You can then do pelvic tilts by tightening your stomach muscles and pressing the curve of your back against the floor. Hold briefly then slowly relax. Do this two or three times. If the pain continues treat the area with ice packs (a bag of frozen peas will do). If you still have pain after two days or if you have shooting pains down your legs, see a doctor or visit your chiropractor.
Change and how to cope with it.
Change is sudden, it can be the loss of your job, a worrying diagnosis, a bereavement and many other things. Frequently it comes when we least expect it and when we are feeling safe and secure in our world.
Change is the obstacle course that we must navigate around in order to achieve wisdom. Change is when we learn more about ourselves and our environment. Change forces us out of our usual ‘box’ into an unknown ‘box’ where our senses are heightened and we can start to learn new skills etc. Through change you will find out what you are made of and it will allow you to prove to yourself that you are stronger than you ever imagined.
However, when we face change we don’t normally think ‘this is good I can now learn some new skills’ no, we normally think ‘I don’t want to change from the course that I know and feel safe with – I don’t want to step into the unknown – I want to stay right here’. But when we look back we reaslise that through change, we have grown and developed, we are stronger and more prepared for what life is going to throw at us.
When change hits us it’s OK to allow ourselves a few minutes to say ‘Why me?’ and to reflect on what we are losing, in fact it is a natural part of the process. However, once we have gone through this phase we must then pull ourselves up and move forward through the storm. Once through we can look back and say: ‘I understand that I was supposed to learn’ and/or ‘I didn’t realise I was strong enough to do that’. Sometimes we can also see why it happened in the way it did, and that good things have come as a result.
If you need support through change, please remember that we are here to help you. The therapists at our centres are there to assist. Please talk to your chiropractor or to one of our assistants who will be pleased to advise you as to who would be the best person to help.
Keep your Spine Free of Subluxations for a Healthier and Happier Life
Chiropractors spend thousands of hours learning how to locate and correct vertebral subluxations. These are areas of severe stress, in your body. Uncorrected vertebral subluxations weaken your spine and deform your ligaments, cartilage, spinal discs and vertebrae.
Because of life's stresses (birth trauma, accidents, chemical stress etc.) most people have uncorrected subluxations in their body, affecting their physical and mental health.
They can unbalance and weaken your body structure. This causes lack of energy and vitality, chronic fatigue and premature ageing.
Make sure you and your family are well adjusted. Visit your Chiropractor on a regular basis. Why not call to-day to make an appointment.
The Latest News from our Centres.
We are pleased to announce that Jan Brand will now be providing Counselling and Personal Coaching in our Axminster Centre.
Jan offers counselling for individuals and couples dealing with a variety of issues including relationship difficulties, stress, abuse, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. She also provides personal coaching and can help with management and presentation skills, career choices and future planning.
If you would like to know more, Jan’s leaflets are available in both Honiton and Axminster. Alternatively, call Jan direct on either 01297 553468 or 07811 196457.
Special Note:
Why not give a copy of this newsletter to your friends and family. Alternatively, give us their address and we would be happy to send them one every month.
Remember, your friends and family’s health is their most important asset. Why not suggest they make an appointment for a check-up.
Your nearest chiropractors can be found at Honiton on 01404 549270 or at Axminster on 01297 35844.
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.
“ . . For each pain, there is a reason in the depths of consciousness. . . ” - Reinhold Voll.
“ . .To be completely honest with oneself is the very best effort a human being can make. . . ” - Sigmund Freud.
June Humour: “Why God Made Mums”.
Answers given by primary school age children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the sticky tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mum just the same like he made me? He just used bigger parts
What kind of little girl was your Mum?
1. My Mum has always been my Mum and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.