Osteopathic Works

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A drop in the Ocean.

For a lot of people, swimming was a childhood activity. Whether it was something your parents made you do or something you enjoyed and competed in, it may not be something you continue to do now.

But we believe it’s an activity you should continue you do your whole life and certainly can. If not only used for general fitness, swimming can be used therapeutically to alleviate stress in a calming, quiet environment or rehabilitation after an injury or surgery.

Better Health has outlined a number of benefits of swimming

  • The resistance of the water keeps your heart rate up without causing an excessive impact stress on your joints
  • Builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
  • Provides an all over workout using nearly all the muscles in your body to perform the swimming action
  • Improve coordination, balance and posture
  • Increase joint and muscle flexibility

If you’re suffering from an injury or recently had surgery and looking to do some aquatic rehabilitation we recommend doing some hydrotherapy in warm water pool. Aquanation in Ringwood and Aquahub in Croydon both have facilities available. You can speak to your Osteopath during your next consultation and they will be able to provide you with some safe exercises to perform in the pool.

http://www.maroondahleisure.com.au/venues/aquanation/

http://www.maroondahleisure.com.au/venues/aquahub/

Swimming is also a great way to meet people and work towards something more challenging. Perhaps motivate you to compete in an open water swim such as Pier to Pub or a triathlon. Keep your health in check and just keep swimming.

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Smart Phone vs Smart Posture

xray skulls

One of the most common reasons our patients need treatment is due to poor posture. While some things are unavoidable, we believe that awareness is a key way to improve your posture and decrease related symptoms.

We are in a new age of technology and everyone from small children through to the elderly are now using a wide variety of technological devices including iPhones, iPads, laptops, Kindles etc. Unfortunately as a result of this we usually fall into poor postural positions that can put our bodies at risk of acute and chronic injury.

Signs that your posture on these devices may not be ideal include

  • Headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Upper back pain between shoulder blades

We found an article that details the impact in further detail!

http://www.livestrong.com/blog/heres-texting-neck-spine-fix/?utm_source=NAME-OF-THE-OUTLET&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=heres-texting-neck-spine-fix&utm_campaign=Rodale-Partnership&cid=soc_Men%27s%20Health%20-%20MensHealth_FBPAGE_Men%27s%20Health_ThirdPartyonly:Livestrong_

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Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction

pelvis

If you have been to see anyone for lower back pain in the past you may have discussed the possibility of having sacro-iliac joint dysfunction.

The sacroiliac joint is made up of your sacrum and iliac bones. Your sacrum is a triangle shaped bone at the base of your spine, which connects to your left and right ilia bones of your pelvis. This joint has limited range of movement but can often become unstable through trauma or biomechanical change causing excessive movement leading to pain and dysfunction.

Sacroiliac (SI) dysfunction is common in both men and women, however it tends to be predominant in women. This is most likely due to alternations in hormone levels during pregnancy.  A hormone called relaxin is released and this can cause ligament laxity, which reduces closure at the joint and causes excess movement.

Pain in the Sacro-iliac joint may be caused for several different reasons:

  • Pain referral secondary to a lumbar spine, pelvis, hip or pubic symphysis dysfunction
  • Asymmetric stress and biomechanical abnormalities
  • Trauma to the lumbar spine, hip or lower extremity e.g. poor lifting technique
  • Can be iatrogenic – following spine or hip surgery
  • Muscle, ligament and fascia imbalance
  • Capsular ligaments become lax, and can cause inflammation
  • Degenerative joint changes can begin to occur in chronic SI dysfunction leading to reduced movement and stiffness

 

Some of the signs and symptoms that you may experience if you do have a sacroiliac dysfunction are:

  • Pain/tenderness in the PSIS or sacral sulcus region at the bottom of your spine
  • Gluteal or groin pain
  • Symptoms that are aggravated by walking, transitional motion, pivoting and impact activities
  • Pain that is worse in the morning and resolves with exercise
  • Pelvic asymmetry
  • Leg length discrepancies

 

Treatment for sacroiliac pain can be managed through the following:

  • Education about correct posture and lifting techniques
  • Muscle strengthening
  • Physical therapy – Osteopathy
  • Heat
  • NSAIDS
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Surgical intervention

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The Importance of a good mattress

Bare feet of parents and baby

Sleep is an enormous contributor to good health and well being so along with fitness and nutrition is is important to do it the right way. It’s never easy shopping for a new mattress, so here’s a few tips to help you choose one that will be comfortable, supportive and ensure a better nights sleep.

  • Do some research before going shopping. Discussing options with health professionals and doing some online reading can be helpful in gathering information for not only the right mattress or brand you may be after but also which shop will be most beneficial to go to
  • When shopping for a mattress, try to lie on the mattress in the store for at least 10 to 15 minutes
  • Bring your own pillow. The more you can replicate the way you’ll be sleeping on the mattress once you get it home, the better your chances of picking the right one
  • Ask to try a firm, a plush, and a pillow top in the same brand quality
  • Don’t test the mattresses at the end of a day’s shopping – everything will feel comfortable!

To help you further below is a link outlining pros and cons of different types of mattresses.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/how-to-pick-your-perfect-mattress

And other things to consider when buying a mattress

http://www.startsatsixty.com.au/health/the-importance-of-a-good-mattress-for-overall-health

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Treatment for Babies!

baby-1200x600

Of course. The birthing process is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life- subjecting little babies to various strains and forces.

Both Kara and Rebecca have extensive training in obstetrics and paediatrics and may help these bubbas vastly by maximising their comfort levels. The aim of Osteopathic Treatment is to address any strains or imbalances that may lead to symptoms such as unsettledness, irritability, feeding difficulties, bowel disturbances, colic and reflux.

Treatment is very holistic, extremely gentle and safe.  Our aim is to achieve optimal health and development, assisting the prevention of future illness.

For further information please call the clinic and one of our friendly receptionists will answer your questions.  We would love to help!

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