by Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor

In today’s world of traffic, long work hours, crowds and increased life pressure it’s the simplest activities that can sometimes restore the balance we need in life.  It’s this reason why I find the Chiropractic profession so interesting and powerful. I’ve shared with you before that in practice Chiropractic care works to reduce nerve interference enabling the body’s innate healing capacity to restore nerve flow to a depleted area of the body.  In turn the increased nerve flow enables a flow of energy to allow for increased movement, flexibility and reduced tension. You may not be able to reach our Chirosports clinic in Coogee when you first notice some reduction in joint movement or discomfort so I wanted to share some simple strategies you could adopt as a first line of self-help if you feel some tightness or discomfort.

1. Gentle Movement

Joints are designed to move within a pain free threshold. If you notice tightening or stiffness in your joints gentle movement can be a great remedy. This is especially important for sedentary times such as being confined to a chair or car. Take a 15-20 minute walk or even a 5 minute walk if you are completely time poor. If you need to monitor your mobility try loading a step tracker App onto your iPhone if you use one.

2. Breathing Exercises

Deep steady breathing may also help to reduce tension and relieve discomfort.  If you are constantly busy and stressed you may not realise the depth or shallowness of your breathing until you stop to notice it. I recommend having a look at the My Calm Beat website and loading the My Calm Beat App onto your phone. This simple App can be deployed at virtually anytime to help you regulate your breathing into a steady and calm pace.

3. Water

Glazed eyes are sometimes a window to the dehydration within. Our bodies are 70% water and we need to replenish this daily.  My suggestion is to start drinking water early in the morning and then each time you feel like having a glass of water (or are compelled to because you know you should) have two glasses instead of one. There’s an App called Water Your Body that you may like, if looking at graphs and having reminders helps you to stay on track with your water intake.

4. Stretch

The Stretch Away app give some helpful tips to help increase gentle joint movement, but, the rule is you must stay within your pain free threshold.  Stretching is a completely portable remedy that can help alleviate the early signs of discomfort that may lead to pain.

An advantage of regular Chiropractic wellness care is that we work to maximise the movement of joints and maximise nerve flow before issues arise.  In clinic we often hear clients comment that they feel more energised after a treatment even though they did not know that their energy was lacking in the first place.

About the Author
Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is the Clinic Director of Chirosports Coogee and a co-founder of the Chirosports group. He graduated in 1990 from the Sydney College of Chiropractic (now known as Macquarie University) and the University of NSW and was awarded the prestigious “Clinician of the Year” award for excellence in clinical studies and application. Prior to establishing Chirosports, Michael had been Assistant Director at the Centre for Chiropractic where he worked as a Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Competency Examiner for seven years, while also building a practice near Sydney. He also became involved with sporting teams as an injury and peak performance specialist, traveling overseas and interstate in his roles. Michael studies extensively to ensure he is continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in new techniques. Michael practices Diversified, Activator Method, Thompson Technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Myofascial Release, and Cranial Therapy. One of his main career goals is to lead as many people as he can to achieve even better ‘health for life.’ Chirosports East Sydney, Coogee NSW Australia

by Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor

The other day I had some time and wanted to find some interesting stories on amazing outcomes from Chiropractic care. The benefits of the internet these days are that you can find some much amazing content it’s quite incredible.

This investigation started after a colleague of mine had reminded me about a man in the US who was blind in one eye and after Chiropractic care his vision was restored.  The account of his treatment included a visit to his Chiropractor where his case was discussed and no doubt tests were conducted.  Typically in my clinic, Chirosports Coogee this may include a case history, Xrays and diagnostic tests.

Apparently the Chiropractor found the client was subluxated in their neck region. This means the joints were particularly tight quite possibly reducing nerve flow in that area of his body. The Chiropractor adjusted these joints by gently adding movement to the tight area.

As the client himself reported, after the treatment his right eye, the one that had vision started to water. This went on for about 45 minutes and he thought nothing more of it. Then he realised after wiping his eye clean that he could in fact see out of the left eye, the eye in which he was legally blind in.

Chiropractic care is not a miracle cure, however, what’s interesting to note is that based on the simple premise that an interference in nerve flow can lead to blockages so to speak in messages or energies that need to get through to a specific region. When these blockages are released in the right circumstances and not always but for many people, the restoration of energy flow can provide function where before there was very little or none.

The second story is reminiscent of the history of Chiropractic right back to D D Palmer and the restoration of hearing through Chiropractic. The story is about a client at a Chiropractic clinic in Boulder, USA. The middle-aged woman had suffered from poor hearing since the age of six.  After Chiropractic treatment to align her spine, and a number of treatments at that one day her husband noticed that she had responded to sound. As it happens Chiropractic care had worked to restore 25% of her hearing. She did not go to a Chiropractor in the hope of hearing restoration, she went for help with her back.  But just as nerve flow connections happen part of her treatment in restoring the integrity of nerve flow in her spine ended up helping her hearing problem too.

The other stories I like are about children. The first comes from a colleague of mine in Sydney.  She was treating a toddler who since birth had suffered from constipation and irregular bowel movements.  By age one, the child was having bowel motions once a week and by age two, closer to once every ten days.  She assessed the child and found that she was subluxated in the lower back region and on gentle massage of the child’s abdomen seemed very tight.  On the second treatment she gently adjusted and added movement into the child’s lower back region and asked the parents to monitor the child’s progress. From that day the child started making daily bowel motions and this can continued to date, some months since the initial care.  Before the parents found Chiropractic care for their daughter they had been to a list of medical appointments including such tests as MRI’s and lengthy visits with child feeding specialists.  While all of the treatments and investigations undertaken were essential for the child, there’s something about the simplicity of the solution in this case that brings the happy outcome to light.  Sometimes the solution can be easy, sometimes not.

My second recollection about the recovery of a child is one from a Chiropractor who was looking after a little boy diagnosed with suspected ADHD. The child was apparently hyperactive, unreasonable, distressed and a concern for his parents who were determined not to medicate him despite the challenges. What the Chiropractor found was that the child’s cranial area was very tight and misaligned and may have even been so from birth. The mother recounted to the Chiropractor the distress of the child’s entry to the world including emergency procedures as her child was in distress and required forceps. Such issues are not a diagnosis for ADHD and the Chiropractor was looking for signs of interference in the child’s nervous system and not a diagnosis for ADHD as this is not something Chiropractic training provides for. The child was treated for about 3 weeks before progress was made. What was found was interference in the energy and nerve messages that may have been the result of birth trauma or other circumstances. Today the Chiropractor reports that the child is calm, cooperative, happy and communicative. A far cry from the stress that prompted his parents to seek care from Chiropractic that was in their words a last resort.

About the Author
Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is the Clinic Director of Chirosports Coogee and a co-founder of the Chirosports group. He graduated in 1990 from the Sydney College of Chiropractic (now known as Macquarie University) and the University of NSW and was awarded the prestigious “Clinician of the Year” award for excellence in clinical studies and application. Prior to establishing Chirosports, Michael had been Assistant Director at the Centre for Chiropractic where he worked as a Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Competency Examiner for seven years, while also building a practice near Sydney. He also became involved with sporting teams as an injury and peak performance specialist, traveling overseas and interstate in his roles. Michael studies extensively to ensure he is continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in new techniques. Michael practices Diversified, Activator Method, Thompson Technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Myofascial Release, and Cranial Therapy. One of his main career goals is to lead as many people as he can to achieve even better ‘health for life.’ Chirosports East Sydney, Coogee NSW Australia

by Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor

It is so refreshing to be working in health at a time when prevention care has become not only critical but miraculous in my thinking when it comes to shifting the healthcare mindset.  By my own admission the progress is slow, and it’s up to every individual who has seen prevention care at work to set a precedent. I read recently that in 2010 the cost of Health Care in the US reached $2.6 trillion. Apparently by 2030 about 16% -18% of the entire cost of health in the US will be attributed to obesity alone. I seem to hone in on obesity because of all factors to me this one seems to be the health care crisis that is most preventable.

As a Chiropractor what I see in clinic is the impact that excess weight causes joints, muscles and nerves.  A sedentary lifestyle is part of the cycle, although I do feel it’s an 80/20 circumstance and that nutrition is 80% of the problem and a lack of exercise is more like 20%. Away from this a GP is interested on the impact of cardiovascular health and diabetes.  I met a family in clinic recently with a child who had a BMI of about 45.  His parents had brought him in because his legs and feet were aching most likely due to the weight he is carrying.  When we discussed the child’s health history I recall the parents were happy because the child did not have diabetes yet. Yet? It’s as though this is inevitable.

Recently I have been very impressed by two books, one on preventative health care written by an Australian General Practitioner, Dr Joe Kosterich and the second on Aging written by a US based scientist Dr Joseph Chang.

Dr Joe’s book, DIY Health makes the statement that disease is not random.  In his book he details simple effective ways to increase and maintain your energy levels, and take steps to improve your overall health. Dr Joe describes how people take more care of their cars than their bodies. The service light goes on in the car and even though the car is still running smoothly by all accounts you take it for it’s scheduled service before something expensive happens. The same goes for the human body. Regular maintenance wellness check-ups are designed to check levels, red and white blood cells, iron, cholesterol, heart rate, temperature, blood pressure. Anomalies are subject to further investigation before they become problematic. Dr Joe talks about the pillars of health and provides some anti-aging advice too.

Dr Joseph Chang PHD has written an interesting book on anti-aging. Chang was working for many years on the opposite side of health, helping people to treat disease. He decided there had to be a better way and so created a company producing high quality supplements and antioxidants to help prevent disease and promote wellbeing.  In his book he talks about a genetic study that over 26 years debunked theories that aging in inevitable and proved that the expression of genes can be influenced by lifestyle and nutrition.

One of the things I most like about Chiropractic care and being a Chiropractor is the model that looks at prevention. Put simply with Chiropractic it’s nerve interference that we look to alleviate and we don’t treat disease and dysfunction. The body is a mystery box and an incredible machine when it comes to maintaining a high level of function against the barriers that may be in place.  With Chiropractic care we look to improve nerve function and this enables brain messages and energies to flow where and when needed throughout the body. Constant healthy flow of energy allowing the body to self regulate is an important key to health.

About the Author

Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is the Clinic Director of Chirosports Coogee and a co-founder of the Chirosports group. He graduated in 1990 from the Sydney College of Chiropractic (now known as Macquarie University) and the University of NSW and was awarded the prestigious “Clinician of the Year” award for excellence in clinical studies and application. Prior to establishing Chirosports, Michael had been Assistant Director at the Centre for Chiropractic where he worked as a Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Competency Examiner for seven years, while also building a practice near Sydney. He also became involved with sporting teams as an injury and peak performance specialist, traveling overseas and interstate in his roles. Michael studies extensively to ensure he is continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in new techniques. Michael practices Diversified, Activator Method, Thompson Technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Myofascial Release, and Cranial Therapy. One of his main career goals is to lead as many people as he can to achieve even better ‘health for life.’ Chirosports East Sydney, Coogee NSW Australia

by Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor

Fashion aside, if I may for a moment, I have just been looking at the Spring / Summer fashion collections for 2012 in Europe and it seems there are two heel heights on offer for the season, completely flat and 12 centimetre high. As much as my wife assures me the shoes are stunning, my immediate concerns are with how to maintain the health of my clients who choose to wear these designs, especially the truly very high ones. From Versace to Prada, Bruno Magli and Stuart Weitzman it seems the heels are even higher this season. In Milan Italy, I noticed the pavements are dented from the summer months when due to heat the asphalt has softened and high heels have sunk into the pavements lining street after street creating small dents.  The truth is I know women are going to be wearing these shoes (and not only because it seems there’s little else on offer) so the only solution is some practical advice on how to maintain your health while you maintain your fashion identity.

Pressure

Firstly, scientific research shows that the increased pressure on the foot from a 3 inch heel is about 76%. This can lead to a multitude of issues with feet from stress fractures to ankle injuries, bunions to tendon damage.  At the next level, calf pain and muscle problems, hip problems, disc and sacrum pain, then rib, mid-back, neck and head pain.  Wearing high heels and symptoms of headache, back pain, foot pain, leg pain, disc pain can be correlated so it’s important to read the signs and look for help.

Time Out

Discomfort from high heels can start within minutes, and pain is a warning sign that something is not right. It’s the body’s natural mechanism for helping you regulate activities within comfort, and when the pain threshold is reached, then the body’s natural ability to cope has been exceeded. A 12 centimetre heel in the pages of Vogue Magazine was once a special occasion shoe option, but in this year’s collection it has appeared as an everyday shoe.  My suggestion is that if you are standing for more than 1-2 hours in a 12 cm stiletto, you will very likely be causing misalignment in your spine that may lead to issues that require treatment.

Check One – Visual

The first check to see if the shoe you are wearing is going to impact your spine and nervous system is a visual check.  Is your foot at a contorted angle?  Is your back swaying and arched mid-back? Is your buttock pushed out behind you instead of aligned with your back?  Is your head forward with the full length of the back of your neck forming a pronounced reverse “c” shape?  All of these visual signs are indicating that you are misaligned in the shoe.  As a test, take off the shoes stand at ease and relook at the posture of your body.

Check Two – Balance

Can you balance on one foot while wearing the high heeled shoes?  And with both feet on the ground are you able to lift your big toe upwards?  If you are unable to do both of these tasks, your centre of balance is significantly out of its normal range and this could render you more likely to suffer an significant injury in a fall or moment of lost balance.

Check Three – Pain

Secondly, check for discomfort. Starting with your feet. Do they feel squashed or under pressure?  Is the ball or underneath part of your foot sore?  Do your ankles feel locked? Are your calf muscles tight or shins strained?  Is your lower back feeling sore or do you feel the need to put your hands on your hips or lower back for stability?  Are your shoulders tight?  Do you have any dull or significant aches in your neck or head?

Prevention Care

Spinal misalignment can cause nerves to function suboptimally and pinch or become stuck in joint areas that are not moving properly.  In Chiropractic care we call this a subluxation.  The best way to assess whether your shoes are impacting your health is to have an assessment by a qualified healthcare practitioner trained to look at nerve function.

About the Author

Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is the Clinic Director of Chirosports Coogee and a co-founder of the Chirosports group. He graduated in 1990 from the Sydney College of Chiropractic (now known as Macquarie University) and the University of NSW and was awarded the prestigious “Clinician of the Year” award for excellence in clinical studies and application. Prior to establishing Chirosports, Michael had been Assistant Director at the Centre for Chiropractic where he worked as a Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Competency Examiner for seven years, while also building a practice near Sydney. He also became involved with sporting teams as an injury and peak performance specialist, traveling overseas and interstate in his roles. Michael studies extensively to ensure he is continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in new techniques. Michael practices Diversified, Activator Method, Thompson Technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Myofascial Release, and Cranial Therapy. One of his main career goals is to lead as many people as he can to achieve even better ‘health for life.’

Sometimes life can be an endless stream of parties and festivities, Coogee Chiropractor Dr Michael Cohen, has a list of tips to help minimise some of the health risks commonly associated with party people.

1. Hydrate with Water

It is important to keep hydrated with water in order to combat the dehydrating affects of alcohol. “It’s a good idea to have a few glasses of water before going out and then a glass of water every couple of hours throughout the night. You will feel a lot better the next day.” says Cohen of Chirosports, Coogee.

2. Watch the High Heels

High heels are another “health hazard” because of the unnatural angle they force the lower back into. The sacral base angle is basically the angle between a line drawn along the top of the sacrum and a line drawn parallel to the ground. A normal measurement is between 36 and 42 degrees. According to Tim Maggs in his article published 2003, “If the angle is outside this range, the efficiency of the supportive joints and tissues goes down proportionately, and increases the vulnerability of the individual with regard to injury and degenerative potentials in their life.  When an abnormal sacral base angle is found on x-ray, it usually accompanies some low back symptoms.”

“As a general rule, I recommend that patients avoid high heels altogether.” Says Cohen “however obviously fashion prevails at times and I explain the importance of ensuring the integrity of muscles and nerve flow in the lower back region so that it may cope with the extra load high heels place in this region of the spine and pelvis”. “This can be achieved by core strengthening exercises and stretches specifically to counter those abnormal forces placed on the local soft tissues.”

3. Beware of new found confidence

“It’s amazing how many injuries I see each year caused by people thinking they are more invincible than normal when they are in party mode,” say Cohen.  “Not to mention the number of parents I see with back pain after they have spent hours contorting themselves beyond their normal range of motion on the dance floor.”  It’s important that we realise the limitations sitting at a desk all year can cause and take care when attempting activities that are not part of a normal day.  I recommend gentle stretching to ease muscles and care when attempting manual tasks that are not part of your normal range of motion.  If you have a subluxation or locked joint that you cannot feel is locked as so many people do, it can take a simple move to irritate the joint and cause significant pain.  Another way to avoid this is to have a regular check up before a simple move in the wrong direction can lead irritation, inflamation and the dreaded joint pain.  And if you do have a fall, collision or accident; make sure you are checked, it is incredible how many adults have problems that were caused by falls that were untreated at the time they occurred.

4. Take measures to eat at least some healthy foods

Sugar, artificial colours and flavours and an over indulgence in party fare can do more than alter your waistline.  Firstly, fluctuations in blood sugar affect your nervous system and can lead to headaches and irritability.  Eating such foods and combining with consumption of alcohol can lead to a woeful recovery.

If you are a serial party person, you need to be aware of what you are consuming and take measures to balance sugar, artificial colours and nutrient poor / high calorie options with fresh living foods and good sources of protein.

5. Always have your power switched on

It is really quite easy to minimize health risks associated with adverse party activities on a seemingly non-stop basis. It’s just a matter of respecting your body. “I have been in practice for nearly twenty years and in my experience, so many of the new patients we see over the time come in as a result of trauma which may have been avoided with a little more preventative or maintenance care.” “Those clients who have check ups regularly (just as most of us do with our teeth and our cars) rarely need what we call acute care associated with inflammation and pain.” says Michael.

Chiropractic care addresses interference with your nervous system and when a subluxation or immobile joint is gently mobilised the effect is similar to switching on the power in your body.  Ease of movement, clarity of mind and energy can all be improved even more through regular chiropractic care.

About the Author

Michael Cohen is the Clinic Director of Chirosports Coogee and a co-founder of the Chirosports group. He graduated in 1990 from the Sydney College of Chiropractic (now known as Macquarie University) and the University of NSW and was awarded the prestigious “Clinician of the Year” award for excellence in clinical studies and application. Prior to establishing Chirosports, Michael had been Assistant Director at the Centre for Chiropractic where he worked as a Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Competency Examiner for seven years, while also building a practice near Sydney. He also became involved with sporting teams as an injury and peak performance specialist, traveling overseas and interstate in his roles. Michael studies extensively to ensure he is continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in new techniques. Michael practices Diversified, Activator Method, Thompson Technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Myofascial Release, and Cranial Therapy. One of his main career goals is to lead as many people as he can to achieve even better ‘health for life.’

by Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor

Anyone who takes long haul flights especially to destinations like Australia from places like the US, Africa and Europe will understand the debilitating symptoms that may occur as a result of jet lag.  The symptoms of jet lag can often include sleep interruption, dehydration, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue, thirst and constipation.

One of the challenges with jet lag is that one’s natural body clock is disrupted leading to interrupted messages throughout the nervous system.  As your body resets night and day, there are some easy strategies that can help to make modifications faster and the symptoms of jet lag fewer.

1. Hydration

Typically the cabin pressure environment in an aircraft is about 4%.  If you have ever accidentally spilled a glass of water in flight, you will probably recall that the spill dried up incredibly fast.  While drinking water in flight is essential, as soon as you arrive at your destination it’s important to super hydrate and drink lots of fresh filtered water.  For adults many experts suggest at least 2 litres per day.

2. Move joints

Checking the flexibility and joint movement in your neck, arms, legs and spine can be critical in your recovery from a long haul flight.  Often, during long periods cramped in your airline seat, joints may lose their mobility and become stuck.  By gently increasing joint movement after a flight you will start to increase the flow of energy throughout your body.  Simple stretches are a good start.

3. Eat fresh foods

The nutrient content in fresh foods such as salads and fruit is often a great remedy for combating the effects of jet lag.  It’s important though to have a healthy, clean source of fresh foods.  If you are in a destination where fresh food quality could be an issue then opt for the most nutrient dense packaged foods you can find.  Instead of potato chips and sugar snacks, perhaps opt for canned vegetables or canned fruits in natural juice.

4. Align Sleep Patterns

As soon as you are able align your sleep patterns to the time zone you are in.  Even if you will only be in the time zone for a few days, it is helpful for your body clock to recognise night and day.  Aids such as lavender filled eye pillows, camomile tea, meditation tracks on an iPod, relaxation exercises that involve resting and feeling one limb at a time become as heavy as possible may help.  On the other hand during the day a brisk walk, resuming normal exercise activities, eating meals on schedule, putting some lime essential oil on a tissue and having gentle inhalation of the scent, breathing deeply and spending time in natural light may also help.

5. Check your Nervous System

Nerve interference caused by a subluxation may inhibit recovery from jet lag.  A subluxation may occur during travel and the incidence may also increase due to a change in regular activities such as sitting for long periods, sitting in cramped places, sleeping in a different bed while you are away, using a different pillow and the like.  Chiropractic care can help to gently remove nerve interference by restoring movement to joints that may be locked.  Other activities including massage and acupuncture may also be beneficial.

About the Author

Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is the Clinic Director of Chirosports Coogee and a co-founder of the Chirosports group. He graduated in 1990 from the Sydney College of Chiropractic (now known as Macquarie University) and the University of NSW and was awarded the prestigious “Clinician of the Year” award for excellence in clinical studies and application. Prior to establishing Chirosports, Michael had been Assistant Director at the Centre for Chiropractic where he worked as a Lecturer, Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Competency Examiner for seven years, while also building a practice near Sydney. He also became involved with sporting teams as an injury and peak performance specialist, traveling overseas and interstate in his roles. Michael studies extensively to ensure he is continually increasing his expertise and knowledge in new techniques. Michael practices Diversified, Activator Method, Thompson Technique, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), Myofascial Release, and Cranial Therapy. One of his main career goals is to lead as many people as he can to achieve even better ‘health for life.’

By Felicity Young

In the 1970’s when chocolate packet cake mix was on the shelf in the local supermarket it contained 4 ingredients: flour, baking soda, sugar and cocoa. Today it’s a list of numbers, fillers, flavour enhancers and complicated names. Similarly in the 1970’s and even the 1980’s a fussy child could be dismissed and sent out for some fresh air with a usually positive result. The question today is can fussy children be dismissed to some fresh air with a positive result?

This is a concerning topic and one that in clinic shows a sign of the times. Sensitivities in children are on the rise. Today, we are commonly seeing children whose nervous systems cannot easily cope with simple stimulation such as sound, touch, taste / assimilation of food and sight stimulus.

Reasons for sensitivities vary and without analysing the specific science behind what is causing children such stress, what counts more is helping a sensitive child to cope with life and become a well rounded teenager and adult.

Overwhelmingly stresses such as chemical, electromagnetic frequency, air pollution are on the increase. Nutrition deficiency with a reduction in minerals gained from a healthy diet due to over production of grown foods and significant increases in processed of chemically based foods are a feature. Unknowingly a mother’s health becomes a child’s inherited health and even though best intentions are usually a top priority, health deficient adults abound.

Chiropractic care can help with sensitivities by reducing nerve interference, enabling the body’s natural ability to create health stability the chance to work optimally. The problem is identifying what could be a behaviour or sensitivity worth looking at and visiting your Chiropractor for assessment.

Quirky behaviour is often a good first sign:

• Smell Sensitivity - Child will not walk into a butcher store or fish shop. Child becomes distressed by smells an adult would consider fairly acceptable.
• Touch Sensitivity – Child objects to the feeling of wearing clothes and certain fibres. Child needs to constantly hold specific items or feel items obsessively.
• Digestive Sensitivity – Bloating is common after meals. Certain foods trigger a reduction in compliant behaviour, over activity, upset or lethargy.
• Sight Sensitivity – Child objects to bright light and tries to shield him/herself or becomes irritated.
• Audio Sensitivity – Loud noises distress child.

Chiropractic care for children with sensitivities is gentle and interactive. Even from a young age it can be soothing to the nervous system leading to an increase in calm for children.

There are growing concerns around clarity of labelling in food ingredients and additives, Foodditive is a community site providing comprehensive information on food additives. They also have a handy iPhone app that offers comprehensive information on all the food additives you’ll find at the supermarket!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Felicity Young was inspired by chiropractic from an early age after her experience as a child suffering headaches. After her mother intuitively took her to a chiropractor who was able to treat and manage her symptoms, she recognized the power of chiropractic.

Felicity has been an integral part of the Chirosports team for over four years in various capacities. In addition to six years of study at Macquarie University, she has completed extra studies in paediatric and pregnancy care, acupuncture, neurology, extremities and sports injuries, and is a Registered Trigenics Practitioner (Trigenics is a neurological treatment system which resets the way the brain communicates with the body to relieve pain, increase movement and strengthen muscles).

This year’s annual Chirosports Christmas Party saw 60 people from our clinics in Sydney get together for a night where we celebrated another fun year of being committed to caring for our clients as the Chirosports Team do with heart and soul.  The theme was, “Good v Evil.”  And we’ll let the pictures speak for themselves! On the good side though, we are pleased to announce that the Chirosports team raised enough funds on the night to provide FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY meals to malnourished children in Fiji.

Thank you for your interest in participating in this research project into vitamin supplements that may help with your symptoms and may restore your youthful vitality.

This is a 3-month research project being conducted by Madelaine Cohen of Chirosports Coogee. Madelaine has a special interest in anti-ageing strategies and is currently documenting her research and writing a book on effective strategies to help people with symptoms commonly associated with accelerated ageing – fatigue, brain fog, diminished libido and lack of vitality being some of the most common symptoms. We are looking for approximately 50 participants over the age of 18 years old, both male and female. We are interested in participants from Australia, USA, UK, Asia and Europe. A good command of English is preferred but not essential.

Suitable participants will be asked to take a recently released Vitamin Supplement developed by Stamford University specifically to address the symptoms of fatigue, brain fog and vitality. Our outcome is to ascertain whether the supplement helps you to feel better. This supplement has been approved by the TGA in Australia and Health Authorities in 52 countries worldwide.

Participants will take the supplement for a 3-month period. Each will be asked to consume the manufacturers recommended daily dose. You will be asked to answer some short questions about your feelings of fatigue, mental acuity, general happiness and vitality before and during the 3-month period. This will involve simply marking a “tracker” with a score to measure how you feel each day and should take less than a minute to do.

At the end of the 3-month period you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire that will be used by Madelaine Cohen in collating information on whether you believe the supplement has assisted you or not. This will take about 10 minutes to complete. Your anonymity will be respected unless you give express permission for us to quote your feedback in Madelaine’s book.

For this project and in order to ensure you have a level of commitment we will supply the supplement to you at the wholesale price. It is our belief that by paying the wholesale price that we will have participants who are truly committed to feeling better and we will have a high level of full compliance to ensure the success of the research project. We will arrange for delivery to your home or office by courier direct from the distributor each month. The distributor is a leading company in the anti-ageing industry and is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Delivery can be made in 52 countries and by delivering it to your home or office we hope this will be convenient and will minimise disruption to your routine. Payment will be direct to the distributor by Mastercard or Visa.

If at the end of the study, you have fully completed the tracker and fully completed the course of 3-months at the recommended dose but believe it has made absolutely no difference to how you are feeling, we will, in this circumstance offer you a manufacturers refund for the 3-month supply. Alternatively, if you decide you want to continue to take the supplement, we will continue to offer it to you at the wholesale price – our way of thanking you for helping us.

Interested? Have friends who may also be interested? We realise this is not for everyone but your participation will help us make the best recommendations in our book to help many people including you to feel younger and more energised, so we look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Please emailMadelaine Cohen.

FAQ

What is the wholesale price?

Because this is a special offer for participants we don’t want to publish it here. Estimate less than one coffee a day. The price varies slightly depending on your country, so please contact Madelaine Cohen for information.

What if I am taking other vitamin supplements?

You can still take these as normal, however, if they are prescribed speak to your health care provider first. Since you have the symptoms of fatigue with what you are already taking, we anticipate that you will probably be able to gauge a difference when you add something else into your routine.

What if I forget to take it one day?

That’s fine – you’re human and normal which is good! You’ll just take it again the next day and mark “missed” on your tracker but will still record how you are feeling so we will know.

What if I start but then decide I want to stop before 3 months?

That’s fine and we will be understanding. What we’d like you to know is that it takes 3 months for all the red blood cells in your body to renew so the reason why we are undertaking a 3 month project is because it may take the full 3 months to realise the benefit. But if you decide to pull out we will honour your decision and cancel any future deliveries. You won’t need to give us a reason unless you choose to. Please be aware that the manufacturers refund guarantee is only available to participants who complete the 3-month course.

I’m vegan, can I participate?

The supplement is in a gelatin capsule, but the contents may be emptied into water. Otherwise suitable for vegans.

Is it suitable for children?

No. All participants must be aged 18 years and over.

What if I can’t swallow capsules?

That’s fine you can empty them into water.

What if I am taking prescribed medication?

This supplement does have some contra-indications especially with prescribed medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. People taking prescribed medication for these conditions cannot participate in this study or take this supplement, however, other prescribed medications may not preclude you. You should always consult with your health care provider before taking any vitamin supplements if you are taking prescribed medication. Please contact us for more information on the ingredients if you would like to consult with your health care provider before applying.

When can I start?

Today would be great! We are commencing on 1 November 2011 and intend to have the project completed by 1 June 2012 but hopefully sooner.

How can I find out more and apply?

Please email Madelaine Cohen

See our Summer Specials Footpoint Shoe Clinic offer here!

by Lance Penn

For some athletes, the most important equipment is protective gear, but runners have to put their feet first. Replacing worn-out shoes is essential to maintaining a healthy body. Without sufficient cushioning, support, or tread, the runner’s body—feet, ankles, knees, legs, and back—are subjected to unnecessary wear and tear, often leading to stress fractures, heel pain, shin splints, blisters, and black toenails. The most common cause of running injuries is wearing shoes that are either worn-out or don’t properly fit the runner’s feet and running style.A basic rule of thumb is to replace your running shoes every 500 to 800 kilometers, or at least every six months if you are training four to six times per week. Lighter weight runners can usually get more miles out of their shoes. Humidity can also shorten the shoe’s life span because the moisture stretches the upper part and compresses the sole. Running on tougher terrain will causes faster wear on running shoes. Poor biomechanics—pronation, supination, flat feet—also affect the life of your running shoes. And if you have any of these problems, it’s even more important that you get the shoes that correct the problem so that you are not stressing your musculoskeletal system or your wallet because you have to keep replacing the pain-inducing shoe!

Signs that your shoes should be laid to rest

The worse thing you can do for your body is to keep running in worn-out shoes. While your shoes might look fine on the outside, it’s the interior construction that wears down. So pay attention to the telltale signs that your shoes have run their course:

• Pain. When your shoes can no longer offer the cushioning they should, your muscles and joints will start to ache. You might develop shin splints or muscle fatigue.
• Sole is worn. The cushioning usually fades before the soles of the shoes, so if you can see that the treads have seen better days, then you can be certain it’s time to replace your shoes.
• Twists like a pretzel. Grasp the toe of your empty shoe with one hand and the heel with the other. Twist it in opposite directions. If it twists easily, the stability of the shoe is no longer functional.

Remember the mileage guidelines. To keep track of the distance you’re putting on a pair of shoes, write the date that you started wearing them on the inside of the shoe’s tongue in permanent marker. If you keep a running log, make the note there. Schedule a reminder on your smartphone to alert you to check your shoes at certain intervals.

Smart shopping tips

Buying the right running shoe is gauged by more than comfort. Every individual has a different build, biomechanics, running style, intensity, and terrain preference. In order to factor all this information together and come up with the best shoe for you, talk to a professional at a running store. A good running store will do a gait analysis to identify your running style and determine any problems, like pronation. Bring your current shoes and any orthotics with you so the shoe fitter can evaluate the wear pattern.

Running shoes run the gamut of engineering, so it’s important to understand your specific needs in order to get the best fit.

• Motion control shoes are the most rigid and durable. They’re ideal for restricting overpronation (foot rolls inward), and for people with wide or flat feet, orthotics, or who just prefer the added control.
• Stability shoes combine cushioning, support, and durability for an average runner who doesn’t need an excess amount of any of these factors.
• Cushioned shoes provide shock absorption but little support so they are appropriate for runners with a high arch or supinated (rolling outward) feet

Consider purchasing two pairs of running shoes at the same time and rotate them in your workouts. This allows one pair to decompress and dry fully between runs. Or just stash the second pair until you need them. Compare them weekly to the shoes you’re running in, to check the wear on them as you pack on the kilometers.

Good shoes are the best protection from common running injuries. Keep things running smoothly—and comfortably—by paying attention to the quality, condition, and fit of your running shoes.

About the Author

Lance Penn is a Sports Podiatrist with over 15 years experience in private practice. He grew up and qualified in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he maintained a busy private practice before moving to Australia. Lance runs a Sports Podiatry practice in both Sydney CBD within the Chirosports Clinic on Hunter Street at Penn Podiatry and in Mosman at the Footpoint Sports Clinic, specialising in biomechanics and sports-related injuries. He is passionate about helping people with pain affecting their knees, shins, ankles and feet. The Footpoint Sports Clinic is also a successful sports shoe and running store in Mosman. The store specialises in fitting the correct shoe with the foot.

Footpoint Shoe Clinic
563 Military Road Mosman NSW Australia
Telephone + 61 2 9960 7986
www.footpointshoeclinic.com.au

Penn Podiatry
Suite 506, 66 Hunter Street Sydney
Telephone + 61 2 9231 2707

© Chirosports Coogee Pty Ltd