What is Hypermobility and What Should I Do About It?
What is Hypermobility and What Should I Do About It? It sounds a bit scary, but hypermobility (aka being ‘double-jointed’) is actually pretty common and not normally something to worry about. In fact, it’s estimated that one in ten people have some degree of hypermobility in their joints; that is, they have more than the usual range of motion in one, some, or many of their joints. And for most, their...
What Is “Tech Neck” Anyway?
You’ve probably heard this phrase bandied about a bit lately. But what does it mean? It’s a new name for an old phenomenon. But, as chiropractors, we can confirm that it’s more prevalent now than ever. When the head is pushed forward, straining beyond the shoulders and past the balance point where it should naturally rest, it creates tension through the neck, shoulders and back. Headaches, muscle pain, tenderness and...
All About TMJ Dysfunction
Headaches? Grinding your teeth with stress? A weird clicking noise when you open your mouth? A locked jaw? Or ringing ears, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, or swollen, painful cheeks? It’s possible that TMJ dysfunction is the cause. What is the TMJ? The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are hinge-like joints connecting your skull and your jaw. These joints allow for the extraordinary range of motion necessary for eating and talking. The jaw moves up...
INJURY BLOG: DISC BULGE
Bulging discs, disc prolapse, slipped disc, herniated disc…do any of these terms sound familiar? Your spine contains spongy, cushion-like discs between each vertebra. These spinal discs (also known as intervertebral discs) provide shock absorption, while also keeping the spine stable and allowing the vertebrae to move. They are a common cause of back pain when they become strained and irritated. This is known as a bulging or prolapsed disc. Read...
INJURY BLOG: SACROILIAC JOINT DYSFUNCTION
Are you experiencing pain in the lower back that radiates down your leg and gets worse when you run or exercise? You may have Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. SI joint pain contributes to around 15-30% of back pain. It is more prevalent in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. What is the SI joint? The SI joints are located either side of the lower spine. They connect the sacrum,...
Cervical spine facet joint lock
Have you ever woken up with a stiff neck? There may be more to it than just a dodgy pillow or mattress. You could have experienced a cervical spine facet joint lock. Now, its formal name is a ‘zygapophyseal joint’ — but who on earth thought that was a good idea?! Luckily we are sticking to the simpler term in this blog! Keep reading to find out what it is...
The chiropractic adjustment
Are you experiencing frequent headaches, neck or back pain? You may need an adjustment! Adjustments have amazing benefits for not only your spine but your whole well-being. It may seem a bit daunting at first but don’t worry, we’ve got your back — pun intended! What is a chiropractic adjustment? Chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation is the process of applying a controlled and specific amount of force in a precise direction to...
Lumbar disc prolapse
A lumbar disc prolapse (often referred to as a slipped disc… although the disk does not actually slip anywhere) is the most common cause of lower back pain there is. And when you consider that up to 80% of people will experience lower back pain at some point in their life, that’s a lot of potential lumbar disc issues out there. Let’s take a look at what might cause a disc...
The art of breathing
Breathing probably sounds like something you’ve got well and truly covered, but you’d be surprised how many people are doing it wrong! Most of the time, we are breathing too fast and too shallow. The most efficient way to breathe is through diaphragmatic breathing, or “belly breathing”. This brings more air into your lungs and also strengthens your diaphragm to improve your breathing long term. What is diaphragmatic breathing? Diaphragmatic breathing brings air...
Why is posture so important?
You know when your mother and your teachers drove you crazy by always telling you to sit up straight? Well, sorry to be the one to tell you, but they were right. Having good posture has a whole host of benefits, and there are plenty of issues that can occur if your posture goes wrong! So here is the lowdown on why it matters, and what you can do to...