Hands on Health Family Chiropractor

www.camberleychiropractor.co.uk

THE BIG PICTURE• Some experts say as many as 80% of us will experience a back

problem at some time in our lives

• Unfortunately, we tend to think of back pain as something to be treated when it happens, instead of something that can be cared for and prevented through healthy lifestyle decisions and maintaining our spinal health.

• A majority of Australians do not seek care for their back pain

• Back pain in Australian adults represents a massive health problem with a significant burden – poor spinal health can affect all areas of life

The extra stressors of weight-gain during pregnancy, breastfeeding posture, choice of footwear, and posture whilst multi-tasking can all negatively affect the spine.

WHO SUFFERS FROM BACK PAIN?• Of the total Australian population in 2004-2005, 15% reported

having back problems approximately 3 million people.

• In Australia, adult males have a higher prevalence of back problems than females, however, women seek care for lower back pain more often than men.

• The majority of low back pain sufferers do not have contact with health care

• Only 39% of affected individuals seek medical attention for lower back pain, and self-treatment with over-the counter analgesics, rest and heat are common

These quick-fix approaches ignore the “big picture” – how your lifestyle decisions affect your long term spinal health

SOCIAL MISCONCEPTIONS• Research has indicated that the general public still holds many

misconceptions about back pain

• Most individuals believed that back pain is often the result of a “slipped disc” or “trapped nerve”

• While this may rarely be the case, back pain can also be an indicator of how poor lifestyle decisions are affecting your health

In any case, as the spinal health experts, chiropractorsare uniquely positioned to provide their expertisein the diagnosis and management of spinal health

related problems.

Uncorrected postural issues, heavy school bags and poor dietary choices can all lead to spinal health problems as a child becomes an adult.

RECOVERY TIMES• A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological

Therapeutics demonstrated that in more than 33% of the people who experience low back pain, the pain lasts for more than 30 days

• A study undertaken in the European Spine Journal consisting of a systematic review of a number of research papers20 showed that the reported proportion of patients who still experienced back pain after 12 months following onset was 62% on average

• Many people believe back pain is a condition that will heal on its own, however, this is not accurate. When back pain is not cared for or managed appropriately, it may go away for a short period of time, but will most likely return.

Spinal health problems related to childhood often go unnoticed as initial “dull aches” or “growing pains” can develop into an accepted part of everyday life.

MAINTENANCE IS KEY!• Back pain can be a sign of something greater, and should not

be viewed as an inevitable part of life that should be “put up” with

• Back pain can be an indicator of how an individual’s poor lifestyle choices are affecting their health

• While back pain can affect us in all stages of life, thankfully there is plenty that can be done to get to the cause of the problem, learn ways to prevent it, and maintain the health of the spine and the body as a whole on an ongoing basis

CHIROPRACTICA Whole Body, “Big Picture” Approach to Health

• A safe, proven, and effective drug free choice in spinal healthcare

• Not only can chiropractic assist with pain relief, it corrects dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system and nerve system, enabling individuals to unlock their full potential to be healthy

• Chiropractic is the science of locating problems in the spine, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and a philosophy of natural health care based on your inborn potential to be healthy

• More and more Australians are turning to chiropractic care and choosing a path to overall wellness that forgoes the use of drugs or surgery

HOW CAN MY LOCAL CHIROPRACTOR HELP ME ACHIEVE A HEALTHY LIFE?

• Chiropractors, through their extensive five-year university training and expert care, can help identify the links between back pain and an individual’s potential to be well

• A healthy spine leads to a healthy life

• Chiropractors offer something much more - expertise in the diagnosis and management of spinal health related problems

• Chiropractors are experts in patient management – helping patients not only get to the cause of the pain, but maintain their spinal health – whether that means providing chiropractic adjustments, exercises, lifestyle advice, and education regarding the “big picture”.

Work stressors, poor diet and incorrect sleeping positions can greatly affect the spine.

DIY POSTURE CHECKYou can do this simple point check in front of a full-sized mirror, or alternately get your partner or friend to do it for you.

Imbalance of body posture can be a sign of imbalance in the spine.

If you see any imbalance, it is important to see your local chiropractor and get it checked out

CAUSES OF BACK PAIN: THE “BIGGER PICTURE”

• Poor posture & ergonomics

• Lack of exercise

• Smoking

• Poor nutrition

• Muscular injury

• Ligament injury

• Low self-esteem

LIFESTYLE DECISIONS• A greater awareness of the lifestyle decisions we make as

individuals is an important step towards achieving overall wellness

• By changing the way we think about back pain (beyond “slipped discs”), into a more lifestyle-oriented framework (the “big picture”), you can aim to foster positive outcomes in other areas of your health

• Diet Obesity Excessive weight bearing on spine• Lack of exercise Increased chance of obesity & heart

problems• Low self-esteem Shallow breathing Poor postureThe lifestyle decisions you make affect your spinal health

CHIROPRACTIC EFFECTIVENESS

• A national survey on back pain released in Canada, is one of many studies that has reported that patients increasingly choose and prefer chiropractic care for the common and disabling complaint of back pain. Chiropractic was the most popular choice for those who consulted a healthcare practitioner for their back pain, and also received a much higher patient satisfaction level than other treatment approaches

• Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment.

• Meade contrasted spinal manipulation and hospital care, finding greater benefit for the manipulation group over both short and long term periods.

• Bronfort et al found no treatment superior to manipulation and concluded that manipulation is a viable treatment option for acute and chronic lower back pain

FAQIs Chiropractic Care Safe?In relation to the treatment of neck and back pain, studies have shown that a course of chiropractic care was 250 times safer than a course of anti-inflammatory drugs. Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength to conduct safe, effective adjustments.

What type of educational qualifications do chiropractors receive?Today’s chiropractor is a highly educated professional. Chiropractic training in Australia involves five year courses at Sydney’s Macquarie University, Melbourne’s RMIT University and Perth’s Murdoch University.

These courses are of similar length and depth as medical courses, but focus on promoting healthier lifestyles via better body function, rather than on drugs and surgery. Accordingly, chiropractic education involves a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques and related subjects.

FAQ continued…Is Chiropractic Care Appropriate for Children?Yes, chiropractic care is remarkably safe for children. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as “growing pains” can often be traced to the spine. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine, particularly babies’.

Is Chiropractic Care Appropriate for Over 55’s?More and more people are consulting chiropractors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.

Do I Need a Referral from a GP to see a Chiropractor?Chiropractors are primary contact, primary healthcare practitioners – as such, no form of referral is required as a prerequisite to visit a chiropractor.