Mattress Health

In last week’s post we talked about the key considerations when shopping for a new mattress. But what happens when we get the mattress home and start using it?

A mattress protector not only to keeps visible stains off your mattress, it also protects it from bacteria, perspiration, dust mite faeces, viruses and dirt and dust.

Here are some not-so-nice facts about mattress health that you may not know.

·         The average person perspires up to 250mLs every night. Perspiration can lead to the growth of mould and bacteria.

·         Each person sheds and regrows skin every 27 days. Skin cells are the primary food source of dust mites.

·         After 5 years, your unprotected mattress could weight 50% more just from a build-up of bodily secretions, skin cells, bacteria and mould!

Yuck!

Now we know what an unprotected mattress can be like, what can we do about it?

A mattress protector is the way to go. As with most products, not all protectors are made equal. We recommend Protectabed mattress, quilt and pillow protectors because they give ultimate protection from the nasties listed above.

You can visit their website www.protectabed.com.au for more details on their products and stockists, including online stores.

Goldilocks and the Three Beds

Goldilocks had the right idea when she chose the bed that wasn’t “Too Soft” or “Too Hard” but was “Just Right”.

The right bed for you isn’t the stuff of fairy tales. By following these guidelines, you too can get a great night’s sleep whilst caring for your spine.

• ·         Your mattress should be firm but comfortable to lie on for 8 hours. It still needs to be soft enough for the heavier or wider parts of your body to sink into the mattress, maintaining the spine’s 3 natural curves.

• ·         Ensure you and your partner are not rolling towards the middle of the mattress when you’re lying down.

• ·         A mattress that can be rotated rather than turned over allows even distribution of wear on the mattress and also reduces the risk of you hurting your back whilst turning the mattress over.

• ·         The bed height is important too. Make sure it is at a comfortable height to minimise strain on your back when changing the bedding.

• ·         Whilst in the bedding store, take your time and spend 10 minutes laying on the bed with your partner to get a good idea of how suitable the bed is for you.

When was the last time you shopped for a new bed? Is it time for you to make like Goldilocks and try to find one that’s “Just Right?”

We recommend Back To Sleep Mattress and Pillow Specialists http://www.backtosleep.com.au. Because they have chiropractors conducting bed assessments (rather than a salesperson) you can get sure of getting the best advice for your mattress and ensuring a better night’s sleep.

Spinal Health Week 19- 25th May - Keeping Your Spine Healthy!

Keeping Your Spine Healthy

 

In our last post we talked about the importance of keeping your spine healthy and what it means to the overall health of your body. Now, let’s explore the simple measures you can put in place to help keep your spine in top shape.

• Take regular breaks from sitting to walk around and stretch to reduce pressure on the spine.
• Maintain a healthy posture whilst sitting and standing.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the load on your spine.
• Sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent and preferably with a pillow between your knees.
• Avoid twisting when lifting heavy items and always bend from your knees, not your waist.

 

Check out the Chiropractors' Association of Australia's Website to find out more about the simple things you can do to look after your spine. 

Talk to Alisa to see how she can help you get on your way to optimal health!

 

Common Ailments - Headaches

Stress, fatigue and dehydration can make us an easy target for the odd headache. At best it is annoying and can make us feel irritable, and at worst, a debilitating pain that can stop us functioning at work or at home.

While we may be tempted to reach straight for pain medication every time a headache comes on, it’s worth knowing that treating the cause of the pain is the key to long term relief from headaches and migraine.

In a study conducted at Macquarie University, specific chiropractic adjustments to the spine significantly reduced migraines in 71% of the people surveyed. The frequency, duration, severity and amount of medication all decreased markedly*.

The Australian Chiropractors Association has a great fact sheet detailing the benefits of chiropractic care for headaches and migraine. You can download it here: http://www.chiropractors.asn.au/images/stories/Files/Chiropractic%20Fact%20Sheets/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Headache.pdf

If you are experiencing ongoing headaches, speak to Alisa at your next appointment.

* Tuchin, P. et al. (2000). A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 23(2), 91-95.

School Bags and Spinal Health

Fashion can often get in the way of health when it comes to choosing the right backpack for our children to carry to school. Here are a few tips on choosing not only the right bag, but also the right way to carry that backpack to reduce the chance of spinal damage.

• Choose a backpack with 
• Broad should straps that are padded and adjustable
• A padded and stiff surface that will be in contact with the child’s back
• A waist strap to keep the bag firmly on the spine and to distribute weight evenly on the hips (this will actually make the load feel lighter)
• Width of the bag to not exceed chest width
• Lowest point of the bag to sit no lower than the hollow of the lower back

•  When packing the backpack, ensure  
• The child never carries more than 10% of their body weight
• They wear their bag over both shoulders
• Pack heaviest items closest to their back
• Pack only what they need for that day

You can learn more about backpacks and spinal health from the Chiropractor’s Association of Australia at http://www.chiropractors.asn.au.

Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oo342IhzH8 to see what Dr Joe Ierano had to say to Channel 7 on the subject of backpacks and spinal health.

 

*Image courtesy of www.chiropractors.asn.au

Common Ailments and Chiropractic Care

Today we start our series of posts looking at common ailments and how Chiropractic care can help with management of pain and ultimately healing of your body. Once each month we will look at a different health concern and discuss what you can do naturally to help your body.

Firstly, we are starting at the top of the body with Chronic Jaw Pain or TMJD.

 

What is TMJD?

TMJD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. It is characterised by chronic pain and restricted movement of the muscles surrounding the jaw’s chewing joint and the joint that connects the lower jaw to the head. Pain and discomfort can also radiate through the face, head and neck. TMJD makes chewing and sometimes even talking uncomfortable and/or painful.

 

What is the cause?

It is thought that TMJD is caused by many factors, but primarily tension through the jaw from clenching, grinding teeth whilst awake or asleep and excess chewing of gum seem to be the main culprits.

 

What can you do?

The first step is to get to the source of your TMJD pain. Are you particularly stressed or anxious? Do you habitually clench or grind your teeth? Finding and dealing with the root cause will put you on the road to recovery. Also, regular Chiropractic adjustments will help release tension, and realign the structure of your palate and jaw to ensure correct biting and chewing motions are being used.

 

To help reduce stress and tension that may be present as you sleep, ensure you are properly winding down before bedtime.30 minutes of quiet time preparing the body and mind for sleep instead of transitioning straight from the computer, phone or TV to bed will help ease tension in the jaw and face and ready you for sleep.

In the meantime, pain relief is best achieved by regular stretching and relaxing of the jaw muscles, hot and cold packs and keeping a close check on your stress levels to keep your pain under control as you heal.