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Should I Stretch Or Exercise When In Pain?

Stretching and exercising is a great way to get the body moving again although when in pain it can cause some unwanted aches and pains!

There is no right or wrong when it comes to mobilising joints when they are stiff but when an acute condition arises rest is usually best!

Stretching when in pain can actually hinder recovery and strain the muscles associated with the issue at hand! The goal when stretching is to help prevent things from getting tight to begin with although when there is a muscle strain pulling it into lengthened positions can damage the muscle.

Exercise on the otherhand can be great when done for mobility only during acute pain. Usually walking or swimming can help mobilise areas of concern given muscles the ability to function without them getting weak and tight throughout the recovery process. Exercise in strenuous matters should be limited as compressive forces or jolting exercises can cause damage to the area of concern.

If you are currently struggling to move and and unable to walk it is probably best to see a professional before engaging in any physical types of activity especially if you are immobile.

The goal with both exercise and stretching when in pain is to comfortably move areas that are in pain without causing more discomfort. There are many variations and exercises to do depending on the condition and this can be tailored into a rehab plan when you see one of our healthcare professionals.

If you are currently suffering from any aches or pains our team of chiropractors and Remedial Massage Therapists are experienced in musculoskeletal injuries and have the ability to point you in the right direction with exercise and stretching activities!

For more on what to expect on your first chiropractic visit or to find out more about our team of chiropractors at our BroadmeadowsWestmeadows or Fawkner Chiropractic locations you can click on the links provided. You can always contact us or book onlinehttps://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now

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All About Torticollis Syndrome

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis also known as a “Wry Neck” is a debilitating neck injury that can last up to several months depending on its severity.

How Does Torticollis Occur?

– Incorrect Posture

Bad Pillow

Bad Sleeping Position

Strenuous Activity

– Incorrect Lifting

Symptoms Of Torticollis!

Neck Pain

Headaches

– Jaw Pain

Cramping

– Loss Of Neck Motion

Things To Avoid When You Have Torticollis!

– Exercise

– Strenuous Activity 

Desk Work

Seated Activity

How To Fix Torticollis?

See A Chiropractor

Mobility/Stretching (if possible)

How Can A Chiropractor Help?

Chiropractors use techniques to adjust the spinal joint that is stuck and inflamed. This is the usual cause of Torticollis and in turn muscles tense up to protect the joint that is in strife.

If you are someone that is suffering from Torticollis our team of chiropractors at The Melbourne Chiropractor are able to help with your debilitating neck pain! We use various methods to help free up the muscles and reduce the tension of the joint!

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 Tennis Elbow Rehab


🎨 Pains and weakness on the outside of your elbow? You may be suffering from Tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is found commonly in individuals who use repeated arm and wrist movements such as baristas, painters, bar tenders, office workers and racquet sports players.


🏌🏻‍♂️ Tennis elbow is an overuse injury caused by repetitive strain of the muscles controlling backward wrist and finger movements. This repeated strain causes degeneration of the tendon and subsequent pain.


🔥 Tennis elbow has long been known as ‘Lateral Epicondylitis’. However this indicates inflammation of the tendon. Studies now indicate that it is not an inflammatory condition but a degenerative one.


🤒 Symptoms Include!

❌ Pain localised to the outside of the Elbow (especially on the bone).
❌ Weakness and pain that is worse with gripping and grasping.
❌ Pain that is worse with repetitive wrist movements.
❌ Morning stiffness and persistent ache

🧔🏻 Tennis elbow affects approximately 1-3 % of people every year. Although it can affect anyone, people over 40 are most at risk. Funnily enough tennis players only make up only 5-10% of the patient population despite the name

👨‍⚕️ If left untreated, it can take between 6 months and 2 years to get better. In some cases it may not get better without the need of physical therapy or surgery

✅ Here are some exercises that may help speed up your recovery of tennis elbow

1️⃣ Eccentric Wrist Extension
2️⃣ Eccentric Supination
3️⃣ Soft tissue Muscle Mobilisation
4️⃣ Forearm Extensor Stretch

⚠️ Remember to consult a health care professional before commencing these exercises

Our Locations

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Can You Prevent Headaches?

Headaches… Are they preventable?

In short, YES! In this blog we will explain what can cause a headache and ways in which you can help stop these ongoing headaches from occurring!

What Causes Headaches?

Headaches can be caused by emotional and physical work or just the standard response which we get allot from patients which is dehydration

Some of the most common causes include:

Poor Posture

Bad Sleeping Arrangement (Pillow)

– Long Periods Of Looking Up

Working In Enclosed Spaces

Strenuous Activities

– Dehydration

What Can Improve Headaches When They Occur?

– Rehydrate

Neck Stretches

Sleep

Massage 

Chiropractic Care

How Can I Stop Headaches From Occurring?

Easiest way to stop headaches is to find out how and when they will begin. Sometimes there is a common trigger. Maybe you woke up with a headache? Maybe you didn’t drink anything today or maybe you twisted suddenly and strained your neck! All reasons that should be looked into and can cause headaches!

If you are currently suffering from headaches and it has become to far gone to diminish its symptoms our team of chiropractors can help! Not all headaches are preventable from the above due to other types of headaches caused by other factors such as sinusitis, vestibular headaches or even aura like migraines. To book an appointment call us on 9302 1023 or book online today to get yourself assessed and find the correct plan to suit your needs!

Our Locations

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How Important Is Stretching?

Stretching is a great way to get the body moving although there are many different methods to either warm up your body, increase your flexibility or just help stretch an uncomfortable tight muscle!

The most popular methods of stretching include static, dynamic and PNF stretching. Each of these involve different techniques to get a muscle moving for the better.

Static Stretching

Static stretching is great for tight muscles to improve discomfort or pain you are feeling. The great thing about static stretching is that it is simple and effective and can be done even in front of your desk at work! A simple stretch at the desk is our go to which is the common neck stretch which is done by pulling your head towards one side of the body and holding it!

Dynamic Stretching

Dynamic stretching is a fantastic way to get limbered up for a run, a workout or even for a game of soccer. Unlike static stretching which can hinder performance in sporting events, dynamic stretching allows for an increase in blood flow and heart rate and usually involves moving muscles needed for the activity at hand. A simple dynamic stretch before a run can be leg swings which involves 10 or more repetitions each side yo get the benefits!

PNF Stretching

PNF stretching also known as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, involves a muscle to be stretched and then forced into a push before further stretching the muscle. PNF stretching has great benefits when it comes to improving flexibility. The goal of this stretch is to enhance mobility but also decrease chances of muscles seizing up and becoming weak!

How Does Stretching Help?

Apart from the above variations of stretching the benefits out way the risks. Unlike heavy exercises and strenuous activities, stretching requires minimal energy expenditure and can give immense relief when put into a daily routine.

Will Stretching Improve Hip & Back Pain?

This is all dependant on whether you have hip instability. Other factors of back pain stem further than just muscle pain. Our body also has issues both with joints, ligaments and tendons and this can be true not just for low back pain but for neck, Shoulder and other joint pains!

If you are someone that is currently suffering from back pain and are looking for a solution, our team at The Melbourne Chiropractor may be able to help you out! We offer chiropractic care, pregnancy care, Paediatric care, Dry Needling, Cupping Therapy and Remedial Massage Therapy. Online bookings are available 24/7 or call our clinic on 9302 1023 to schedule an appointment!

Our Locations

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Can Chiropractors Help With Ankle Pain?

Ankle pain can be caused by many different things including pressure and stress of the joint itself or from secondary sources such as hip or foot instability.

To determine exactly what is the underlying cause to your ankle pain it is beneficial to get an assessment from a registered practitioner that has the ability to work on extremities. Luckily our chiropractors at The Melbourne Chiropractor have the knowledge as sports chiropractors to work on such concerns including footwear and how that can affect you longterm!

By examining the ankle and figuring out the limitations of the joint and surrounding musculature our chiropractors are able to use various techniques to help alleviate tension and pressure in the area.

Treatments can include

– Ankle/Foot Joint Mobilisation

Soft Tissue Therapy

Dry Needling

– Shockwave/Ultrasound

Hip Alignment

– Pelvic Blocks

If you are someone that is suffering from ankle pain, you can book online with one of our chiropractors and take the first step to getting your ankle back pain free!

Our Locations

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Can Chiropractors Help With Muscle Pain?

Our team at The Melbourne Chiropractor use various methods to help treat a plethora of conditions that include muscular pain and tightness. One of our goals as a chiropractor is to assess your function and trace back the underlying cause of your immobility or in most cases, your underlying symptom. 

The reasoning behind working with a chiropractor isnt just because you might have a “stuck joint” in your neck or back but because you are dealing with symptoms of tightness and muscle pain that is affecting you with day to day activity.

There are many different therapies our chiropractors can help manage your muscle pain such as soft tissue therapy, stretching and mobilisations to the area and prescription of both stretches and exercises to help build up any weak muscles in the area and lengthen them out to improve overall mobility and symptomatic pain.

If you are someone that is suffering from muscular pain our chiropractors are more than happy to help get you back on track! We also have our remedial massage therapists and myotherapists that can help assist with your muscular pain depending on the severity of the injury!

All our practitioners are bookable online or call 9302 1023 for any assistance!

Our Locations

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All About Plantar Fasciitis!


🏃🏻‍♂️ Plantar fasciitis is a common foot complaint that affects a persons heel. Symptoms involve a stabbing pain/stiffness at the heel or sole of the foot. Pain is generally worse first thing in the morning and after exercise but not during it. Pain can also be triggered by long periods of standing or getting up from long periods of sitting

👟 Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia is affected. The plantar fascia is a connective tissue that runs under the foot and serves the purpose of supporting the arch and acting as a shock absorber to weight bearing activities

🥵 Plantar fasciitis occurs due to overload on the tissue, leading to degeneration and subsequent pain. 

🙋🏼‍♂️ Those at greatest risk are individuals over the age of 40, athletic individuals [particularly runners], obese/overweight individuals and those with structural foot issues [flat feet/high arches’]

🦵🏻 Treatment involves rest, ice, load management, medications and physical therapy. Physical therapy will primarily look at strengthening up the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the feet and lower leg. Insoles may also help however surgery is rarely required and often a last resort

✔️ Here are some exercises that may help speed up your recovery process
1️⃣ Heel raise [Toes dorsiflexed]
2️⃣ Towel toe curls
3️⃣ Plantar Fascia stretch


⚠️ Remember to consult a health care professional before commencing these exercises ⚠️

If you feel like you are suffering with plantar fasciitis our team of chiropractors and remedial therapist can help you out today! We can use different treatment techniques to help reduce your symptoms, increase your mobility and implement a rehab plan to get your foot back on track!

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Back To School In 2023!

It’s 2023 and children all over the world are suffering from inadequate posture due to daily activities. These activities carry a burden on your child’s shoulders and decrease their ability to function optimally. Some of the easiest ways to encourage proper posture and limit these stressors will be identified in this blog post!

Back Packs

Back packs cause allot of strain on a child’s posture when it is worn incorrectly. Loose straps and heavy bags increase the amount of load on the spine and in turn create unwanted change to posture long-term. The easiest way to limit this from occurring is to wear a bag with both straps, positioned in the middle of your child’s back with no more than 10% of your child’s total body weight in books inside the bag!

Screen Time

Screen time is a big one when it comes to your child’s posture! Long periods of sitting in awkward positions that cause both neck stiffness and pain should be limited. Having designated times for screen time and even an area that is setup for your children to sit comfortably is a great way to keep them not only entertained but also pain free!

Physical Activity

Physical Activity and exercise are both great ways to get your child moving! Movement is key when it comes to mobilising joints within the body. When kids stop moving and become sedentary not only can it lead to health issues but it can cause unwanted stress on joints of the body! Whether it is a ground sport such as tennis or something as simple as walking it can go a long way when it is put in to a routine.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is great for kids as they are continually jumping and jolting around especially when out on the playground. The amount of pressure some of their joints can sustain may cause injury as time goes on. Our chiropractors are not only able to big up issues with your child’s spinal health but they are able to help improve their postural wellbeing for the better!

If you feel like your child needs help with their posture or is struggling with aches, pains or even headaches our team of experienced chiropractors are here to help get them back on track!

Our clinic also offers pregnancy care and paediatric care for children under the age of 3 and have practitioners who have specialised in this field to give the most optimal care!

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Babies & Tummy Time!

Is your baby lying face up most of the time?

Have you found that their head control is lacking?

Are they struggling to roll?

All of these are common concerns of parents with babies that are finding it hard to do the above!

Tummy Time!

Yes, tummy time is a fantastic way to help increase your babies head control and neck musculature. It is pretty much a non negotiable and is needed to be done to ensure your baby is hitting their development milestones!

How To Get Started?

Tummy time is all dependant on babies needs. Some babies can’t handle anything more than a minute when they first start. The goal with tummy time is to increase the amount of time with each session and remember to monitor your baby to ensure they are safe.

Other Benefits Of Tummy Time!

– Stops Flat Spots In Cranium From Occuring 

– Improves Motor Skills

– Improves Sensory Skills

– Allows For Better Mobility

If you are noticing that your baby is finding it hard to engage in tummy time or is suffering from other symptoms such as colic or reflux our team of chiropractors may be able to help! 

We have specific paediatric chiropractors who have experience in treating common conditions in babies and children.

Call us on 9302 1023 or book online today to schedule in your child’s first appointment with our paediatric chiropractor!