Truly inspiring. Thanks Sophie @dailyhealthboost.com

An Inspirational Brand New Year!.

“Many people would suppose that medical devices are subject to the same stringent approval and inspection processes as medicines. But they would be wrong.

When it comes to devices such as hip joints and breast implants, a manufacturer is not required to win a licence based on evidence of safety and efficacy from clinical trials. Instead, they must get a CE mark which certifies the product reaches a certain European quality standard. It is the same mark that a Chinese toy company, for example, would have to obtain to sell yo-yos in Europe.

Medical devices are an enormous global industry, with 18,000 companies in Europe alone. As production has become cheaper elsewhere, so companies have moved…”

Full article available here.

Sugar, in its many forms, is an increasingly common ingredient in processed foods. Many of us eat the equivalent of 53 teaspoons of white sugar every day!

Here are ten reasons to avoid refined (white) sugar:

1. Sugar contributes to tooth decay because it decreases the effectiveness of a particular type of white blood cell that “eats”  harmful bacteria.

2. Sugar causes the body to release more adrenalin, which may explain hyperactivity in young children.

3. Calcium loss in urine occurs when a person consumes a soft drink containing sugar.

4. Ingesting sugar makes the pancreas work harder to produce insulin. Diabetes results when the overworked pancreas can no longer eliminate sugar from the blood stream.

5. Bleached with chlorine, when white refined sugar is exposed to certain organic compounds it converts to dioxin, which is a lethal compound.

6. Sugar can hinder weight loss because high insulin levels (see number 4 above) cause the body to retain any excess carbohydrates as fat.

7. Sugar increases the likelihood of chronic fatigue.

8. Sugar increases mood swings, irritability and anxiety.

9. Sugar compromises the immune system because it lowers the efficiency of white blood cells for a minimum of five hours after ingesting the sugar.

10. Eating sugar can decrease helpful high-density cholesterol (HDLs) and result in an increase in harmful cholesterol (LDLs).

Need to sweeten your food? Raisins, dates or honey are safe and simple alternatives. They’re easily available in many forms and can be the perfectly natural way to satisfy any sweet tooth!

This article and many more can be found in the current newsletter on our main website. In order to view current and past newsletters all you need to do is sign up on our homepage (above the blog link).

So… what should you do to make sure Christmas is filled with good cheer and smiles? The SCA recommends that you “Keep it simple and choose a retro Christmas experience.”

At Chiropractic First, we couldn’t agree more – so here are the key pieces of advice for you to take into the festive season.

Keep it Simple:

To avoid stress, headaches and neck or back pain, ensure that your expectations of Christmas are realistic. Resist the notion of perfection: there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas, despite what the “family around the fireside” adverts imply. Opt instead for a relaxed atmosphere in which everyone shares tasks and agrees that “good enough” is the yardstick.

Revisit Christmas Past:

As more and more people suffer from back problems, we need to proactively move away from our sedentary habits. Encourage the whole family to take Christmas walks (they might even enjoy it!). Give children and young people Christmas presents which will prompt everyone to be more active: skipping ropes, space hoppers, hula hoops, Frisbees, balls etc.

Shopping:

To avoid undue strain on your spine you should

• Balance the weight of shopping bags evenly in each hand or use a shopping trolley – these are fashionable for all ages now!
• Have a break regularly and keep hydrated
• Use mail-order or home delivery services where possible
• Where sensible, flat, supportive shoes
• Do several small trips rather than one large over-loaded trip

Everything in Moderation:

• Drink plenty of water, avoid excessive eating or drinking as both of these impact negatively on your health and well-being.
• Sitting glued to the television for prolonged periods may cause your spine to go into spasm. Move around and stretch regularly.
• Gaming and Electronic Gadgets – a range of persistent back and neck problems has emerged from these screen-based activities.

We hope that these tips help you have a great Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. If you would like to read the full article, please click here.

 Advice for Commuters from the British Chiropractic Association

Hundreds and thousands of us do it each week, whether by train, car, bus, motorbike, cycle or foot and the daily commute can not only be an unwelcome source of stress but can also take its toll on our backs.

According to consumer research by the British Chiropractic Association, almost a third of the working nation relies on public transport and the journey is not short of stress with 50% left fighting for seats and only occasionally or rarely sitting down. One in ten commuters never gets to sit down at all and one in three commuters (32%) are currently suffering from back pain

So add stress, lack of comfort and lack of seats together and it’s a potential posture nightmare …. but standing tall could be the best way to travel; our increasingly sedentary lifestyles mean we spend most of our working day sitting down, so actually standing (as long as it is comfortably) is a good way to start and end the day.

• If you mainly stand on your commute, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and hold onto a rail comfortably, don’t over stretch.
• If you do get a seat, relax when sitting into your chair, making sure you have your bottom against the seat back and your shoulder blades are touching the back rest of the chair. Avoid stiffness by doing shoulder shrugs, buttock clenches and foot circles.

In the BCA survey, driving came out top as the most common method of commuting, with over half of working Brits (55%) using a car to get to and from work.

Commuting by car may be seen, by some, like the easy route, but driving remains a key trigger of back pain, contributing significantly to the length of time spent sitting inactive each day at both work and home. Sitting down can put twice as much pressure on the spine as standing up.

• If driving (as we are all different shapes and sizes), make sure you adjust car seats, head rests and steering wheels to meet your individual requirements. This will not only improve your comfort in the car but also your safety.

It is not just the mode of transport used for the daily commute, other factors are contributing to poor transport posture, in particular the type of bag carried and its contents. Despite rucksacks being the most suitable form of bag, if worn correctly with both straps, fashion trends continue to dominate, with 58% of people in the survey choosing a bag with one handle which essentially loads the weight onto one side of the body.

• Ideally use a rucksack, carry it on both shoulders and adjust the straps so that the bag is held close to your back.
• If using a single strap bag, buy one with a longer strap, so you can wear it close to you with the strap over one shoulder and the brief case under the other arm but keep your shoulders relaxed.
• If you use a ‘wheeled’ mini case, push it instead of pulling as this puts less strain on your back and make sure the handle extends long enough to prevent you from stooping.
• Check the contents of your bag each day and only carry those items you need for the day ahead – it is surprising how many people carry unnecessary weight in their bags.

Other good advice for the daily commute:

• If using a laptop, don’t sit in the same position for long periods, as you are looking down onto the screen with your head unsupported. Rest the laptop on a table, not on your lap, arms should be flat and your elbows level with the desk or table you are using.
• Muscles and joints are designed for movement so, where possible, walk as it will help improve muscle tone, improve circulation and posture.

August 9, 2011 — In a new survey, chiropractic outperformed all other back-pain treatments including prescription and over-the-counter medications, deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates.

According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), this news reinforces the use of conservative care options as a first line of defense against pain.

The survey, released by a leading consumer product rating and survey publisher in late July, found that 65 percent of those surveyed using chiropractic care for back pain said it helped a lot. Only 53 percent of respondents using prescription medications found them as helpful.

Additionally, about half of those surveyed who are using deep-tissue massage, yoga, or Pilates said those treatments helped a lot, and only 28 percent of respondents using over-the-counter medications reported that they helped a lot.

Current evidence-based guidelines support the use of conservative care such as chiropractic for conditions such as chronic lower-back pain. In 2007, the Annals of Internal Medicine published low-back pain guidelines developed by the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians. Those guidelines recommended that, for patients who do not improve with self-care, doctors should consider non-pharmacologic therapies such as chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

The issue of pain relief has gained visibility recently with the release of a government report that found that while the use of some illegal drugs has diminished, the abuse of prescription medications has sharply increased — particularly prescription opioid pain relievers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin. The report points out that unintentional opioid overdoses (once almost exclusively the fate of heroin abusers) are today increasingly caused by prescription painkiller abuse.

“As this latest survey helps to demonstrate, chiropractic care is an evidence-based and effective treatment that can prevent patients from resorting to powerful drugs with potentially harmful consequences,” said ACA President Dr. Rick McMichael. “I urge health care providers, whenever possible, to recommend drug-free, conservative care interventions for their patients before prescribing medications that may be associated with negative side effects. Patients deserve to know their options.”
Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org

There will be opportunities to chat with our three chiropractors as well as Effie, our wonderful massage therapist and acupuncturist. In addition to the nibbles and chat, there will be a number of talks and workshops throughout the afternoon, each lasting approximately half an hour. Finally, watch out for our special offers – these could make lovely Christmas presents for those of you who are particularly forward thinking!

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!

The running order for the talks and workshops is as follows:

12.30pm Introductory chat and nibbles

1pm Spinal Health – the three main stressors of the nervous system -  Dr Ali Elphick

1.30pm Sick and tired of being sick and tired? – How to supercharge your health with the innate diet  -  Dr Mark Yacoub

2pm – 3pm

• Posture Checks – take advantage of a free spinal screening with any of our three chiropractors
• I’ll stretch yours if you stretch mine – massage workshop with Effie Love

3.00pm Dry needling workshop and demonstration with Dr Lewis Kingsnorth

3.30pm  Prepare yourself for winter – using a Chinese medicine, eastern health approach with Effie Love

4pm Stress workshop – change the way you think, change the way you feel with Dr Mark Yacoub

Offers on the day

Friends and Family offer – book your loved one in for an exam and one treatment for just £20 (usual price £78).

Save half price on an acupuncture exam and treatment for just £30 (normally £60)

Save £10 off a massage (30 min or 1 hour)

“After suffering with periodic back spasms over a number of years and an inflamed and sore Achilles tendon that I thought was mine for life Lewis and Chiropractic First were recommended to me in July 2011.

I was immediately impressed by the professionalism of the practice which enabled an immediate diagnosis of my problems. Lewis used a combination of manipulation and acupuncture over an intensive six week period. This, in conjunction with an exercise programme, had a swift and positive effect on my back and Achilles tendon.

Since the summer I have continued to attend sessions with Lewis to maintain my recovery and to hopefully prevent any re-occurrence. I am now able to run and play football again with minimal discomfort after thinking that I may have been forced into a (slightly) premature retirement.

 Many, many thanks.

 Simon Webster

To read more patient testimonials, please visit our main website.

To book an appointment with Lewis, please email us at info@chiropracticfirst.co.uk or call the clinic on (01273) 32 44 66

In school you learned that the human body was divided into different parts. The mouth, oesophagus, stomach and intestines made up the digestive system. The bones made up the skeletal system. And so on. This has contributed to the widely-held belief that you and I are merely a collection of parts, a belief that stands in the way of better health. It’s responsible for:

Isolation: Incorrectly thinking that organs and tissues operate independently of each other rather than together as part of an integrated whole.

Mechanism: The belief that we’re simply a collection of parts in which identical inputs (drugs) should produce identical results in all subjects.

We chiropractors go beyond mechanism to embrace what’s called vitalism:

Wholism: Each “part” has a purpose that contributes to the whole.

Intelligence: You and I can learn, create and adapt to our environment.

Self-healing: Cut your finger and your body can heal it. Mechanisms can’t.

Since the nervous system regulates these vital processes, chiropractic care is the centerpiece of the growing interest in vitalism.