backintobalance3

Christmas 2025

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:08:51 GMT

Research Shows Hiking Can Relieve Back Pain

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:41:47 GMT

Hiking involves walking on uneven ground, which engages more muscles in the back, including small stabilizers, glutes, and the core, to keep you upright.

A growing body of research suggests that going for a hike during your recovery period and beyond can help accelerate the healing process and even reduce the risk of future issues.

A 2024 study published in The Lancet followed more than 700 adults over a three-year period who experienced lower back pain. Half were assigned to a walking program while the other half received no intervention.

The researchers found that individuals in the walking group experienced fewer recurrences of back pain and had longer intervals between back pain episodes compared to those who received no intervention. The differences were striking: people in the walking group had approximately 208 days between back pain episodes, whereas those who made no change to their typical recovery regime typically experienced pain again after 112 days.

Of particular note is that the walking assigned was just 30 minutes per day with two days off each week, a very achievable goal.

In the middle of a Christchurch winter we are still blessed with beautiful though chilly days, and a quick trip to the Port Hills or Arthurs pass can teleport you to places that look and feel a world away. The above photo is Avalanche Peak last weekend.

If walking or hiking itself causes pain, discomfort, or issues with balance, see us for Chiropractic help. The good news is you can book online by clicking here now!

Groundbreaking Study Highlights Mental Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 23:50:47 GMT

Report from the NZCA

The New Zealand Chiropractors' Association (NZCA) says that a groundbreaking clinical trial demonstrates the significant benefits of chiropractic care on mental health and overall quality of life. This study, published in Brain Sciences , explores the profound neurophysiological changes that occur following chiropractic care and underscores its potential to improve mental well-being.

Dr. Jenna Duehr, chiropractor, spokesperson for the NZCA, emphasises the importance of the findings: ‘This is an important clinical trial looking at numerous outcomes following four weeks of chiropractic care. It particularly highlights the potential benefits to mental health, which is the first study to demonstrate these improvements following chiropractic care in a clinical trial.’

The study, titled Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: Broad Impacts on Pain, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life , involved 76 participants with chronic low back pain. The trial was carried out under the auspices of King’s College London and the New Zealand College Chiropractic Research Committee and compared chiropractic care to usual care and measured outcomes across various parameters, including brain activity, sleep quality, pain levels, and patient-reported mental health outcomes.

Key Findings of the Study

Enhanced Mental Health

Participants receiving chiropractic care experienced significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and fatigue. These benefits were not only statistically significant but also clinically meaningful, enhancing their overall quality of life.

Improved Sleep and Reduced Pain

The chiropractic group reported better sleep quality, particularly in the light sleep stage, which is essential for physical and mental recovery. Additionally, participants experienced reduced pain intensity and interference, further supporting their mental health and well-being.

Neuroplastic Changes in the Brain

Advanced neurophysiological assessments, including EEG (electroencephalogram), revealed notable changes in brain activity. Specifically, chiropractic care altered activity in the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), a key region associated with emotional regulation, self-perception, and chronic pain.

Holistic Improvements in Quality of Life

Using the PROMIS-29 health assessment tool, researchers found that participants receiving chiropractic care reported better mood, less fatigue, and improved mobility. These enhancements contributed to a more positive sense of self and an improved ability to manage daily challenges.

Chiropractic Care: A Natural Solution for Mental Health Challenges

The results of this study resonate strongly in today’s world, where mental health challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent. The NZCA highlights the unique ability of chiropractic care to alter brain function and help patients feel better emotionally and physically without reliance on medications or invasive procedures.

‘This study reinforces what many chiropractors have observed in practice,’ Dr. Duehr says. ‘Chiropractic care is not just about addressing pain or improving mobility; it has far-reaching impacts on brain function and overall well-being.’

Bridging the Gap Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health

The research also sheds light on the interconnectedness of chronic pain and mental health issues. With millions of people worldwide suffering from chronic pain, the study highlights how chiropractic care can break the cycle of pain, anxiety, and depression by improving the way the brain processes sensory information.

Encouraging Kiwis to Prioritise Their Health

The NZCA encourages New Zealanders to consider chiropractic care as part of a holistic approach to improving their health and well-being. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, mental health concerns, or simply want to improve your quality of life, chiropractic care could offer a natural and effective solution.

For more information about chiropractic care and to find a chiropractor near you, visit the New Zealand Chiropractors' Association website at www.chiropractic.org.nz .

Finding a Registered Chiropractor

The NZCA advises Kiwis to ensure they consult only registered and accredited chiropractors who are members of the NZCA. This guarantees high-quality care from professionals who meet rigorous standards of practice.

To find a certified chiropractor in your area, visit the NZCA website at https://nzchiropractors.org/find/

About the New Zealand Chiropractors Association

The New Zealand Chiropractors Association (NZCA) is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of chiropractic care throughout the country. With a focus on holistic, patient-centred care, the NZCA aims to raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic treatment and support the health and wellness of all New Zealanders.

Christmas Approaching Fast!

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:55:11 GMT

Limited Chiropractic Bookings Available

The clinic will be closing Friday the 20th of December this year, reopening January the 14th. We still have some Chiropractic bookings available here , new Applied Kinesiology patients are available in the new year. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Spinal Manipulation and Chiropractic

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:04:27 GMT

Effective Alternatives to Surgery and Opioid Painkillers for Back Pain

The New Zealand Chiropractors' Association (NZCA) is urging people suffering from back pain to consider chiropractic care as an effective alternative to surgery and opioid painkillers. Current research and expert recommendations highlight the potential risks and limited efficacy of these traditional treatments, while emphasising the benefits of non-invasive chiropractic interventions.

NZCA spokesperson, Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: ‘At a time when the New Zealand health service is struggling to cope, the country is wasting billions of dollars on surgical and pharmacological treatments for chronic primary low back pain (LBP) when evidence-informed recommendations on non-surgical interventions clearly supports the use of chiropractic techniques.’

According to ACC in New Zealand during 2009–2020, there were 3.3 million ACC claims for LBP with a total cost of NZ$4 billion.

Dr Jenna Duehr adds: ‘Back pain is one of the most common health issues, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. Traditionally, surgery and opioid painkillers have been prescribed to manage severe back pain, but recent evidence suggests these approaches may not be the best solutions.’

The Risks of Surgery and Opioid Painkillers

Surgery : Australian Orthopaedic surgeon Professor Ian Harris highlighted the over-reliance on surgery in a presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) conference in March 2024. He pointed out that surgery is often ineffective for treating chronic pain, particularly in the neck, back, knees, and hips. Harris emphasised that surgeries like spinal fusions are expensive, potentially harmful, and often no more effective than placebo procedures (NZPS Conference, 2024).
Opioid Painkillers : The opioid crisis has brought to light the dangers of relying on these medications for pain management. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that opioid painkillers carry a high risk of addiction and overdose. Long-term use can lead to dependency, tolerance, and a range of adverse health effects, making them a less desirable option for chronic back pain management (CDC, 2021).

The OPAL trial, published in The Lancet , late last year, found no significant difference in pain severity between opioid and placebo groups for acute low back and neck pain. This study underlines that opioids should not be recommended for these conditions due to their ineffectiveness and potential adverse effects (Lancet, 2023).

Chiropractic: Effective Alternative

Chiropractic care, particularly spinal adjustments, has gained recognition for its efficacy in treating back pain without the associated risks of surgery and opioids. Key benefits include:

Non-Invasive Treatment : Chiropractic care involves hands-on spinal adjustments and other techniques to address joint mobility and function and improve the communication between the brain and the body via the nervous system. This non-invasive approach avoids the risks associated with surgical procedures.
Pain Relief and Functional Improvement : A systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that spinal manipulation is associated with moderate improvements in pain and function in patients with acute lower back pain (JAMA, 2017). Chiropractic adjustments can change the brain’s awareness of the body, reduce inflammation, improve mobility and function and may reduce the risk of further injury..
Reduced Reliance on Medications : Chiropractic care focuses on addressing the root cause of pain rather than masking symptoms with medications. This holistic approach can reduce the need for opioid painkillers and minimize the risk of addiction and side effects.
Cost-Effective Care : According to a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics , patients receiving chiropractic care for back pain incurred lower overall healthcare costs compared to those receiving conventional medical treatment, including surgery and medication (JMPT, 2016).

Dr Jenna Duehr adds: ‘The evidence is clear that chiropractors can play an important role in evidence-informed, people-centred, interprofessional and collaborative care for spinal and nervous system health. As New Zealand grapples with developing a health service fit for the 21st century we need to focus on the vital role of allied health professionals in keeping people out of the hospitals and enjoying a healthy and active life.’

References:

● Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). "Opioid Overdose Crisis." [CDC Website]

● Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). (2017). "Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Acute Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." [Journal Reference]

● Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). (2016). "Cost of Care for Patients with Back Pain from Chiropractic vs. Medical Treatment." [Journal Reference]

● New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) Conference. (2024). "Presentation by Professor Ian Harris." [Conference Reference]

● The Lancet. (2023). "Opioid Analgesia for Acute Low Back Pain and Neck Pain (the OPAL Trial): A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial." [Journal Reference]

● American College of Physicians (ACP). (2017). "Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline." [ACP Website]

● World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). "WHO guideline for non-surgical management of chronic primary low back pain in adults in primary and community care settings " [WHO Website]

Back in the Clinic

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 10:15:31 GMT

Sunshine Coast Half Marathon

We're back in the clinic, available for bookings online here having enjoyed a week off in Australia with the kids. I managed 69th of 4239 in the Sunshine Coast half which was also a personal best time of 1 hour 18 minutes.

We also caught up with an old collegue and had a chance to discuss exciting neurological research done by NZ Chiropractor and Neurophysiologist Dr. Heidi Haavik who is making a splash around the world.

Welcome Back!

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:48:51 GMT

We're open again

We hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Year holidays, we're back in the clinic and available for Chiropractic bookings. Brooke remains full with Applied Kinesiology appointments till March but we are always happy to add to her wait list in case of cancellations. We've opened up a few extra Saturday spots over the summer as well. Otherwise we're back to normal and look forward to seeing you soon!

Therapeutic Products Bill

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 01:58:55 GMT

Sign the petition opposing the Therapeutic Products Bill

Is the continued availability and affordability of a wide range of natural health products important to you?

Sign our petition to urge the New Zealand Government to make important changes to new natural health laws, to ensure your favourite products and brands remain accessible and affordable.

What’s the Therapeutic Products Bill?

The Therapeutic Products Bill is a new law that will change the way natural health products are regulated in New Zealand.

Our view is that it will significantly reduce access to natural health and increase costs by requiring the individual assessment and approval of all widely available products and innovative ingredients, including those that have been used safely here for decades.

Over 16,000 Kiwis have already voiced their concerns, with 97% of the public submissions on the Bill opposed to it. We share your concerns, so we’re calling on the Government to make changes.

Sign and share our petition today , to help ensure that natural health remains accessible and affordable under New Zealand’s new laws.

Sauna Time

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 03:02:14 GMT

Sauna use has a long history in many cultures but isn't so common here in NZ. Our recent introduction was at the excellant He Puna Taimoana New Brighton Hot Pools where our interest was piqued enough to build our own, coupled with increasing evidence of health benefits that can sync well with Chiropractic care and philosophy.

As described in a 2018 research review, regular infrared and/or Finnish sauna bathing has the potential to provide many beneficial health effects, especially for those with cardiovascular-related and rheumatological disease, as well as athletes seeking improved exercise performance. The mechanisms for these effects may include increased bioavailability of NO (nitric oxide) to vascular endothelium, heat shock protein-mediated metabolic activation, immune and hormonal pathway alterations, enhanced excretions of toxicants through increased sweating, and other hormetic stress responses.

In addition to the above physiological gains, the electronics/screen-free time either alone or with family or friends is precious enough. We highly recommend having some sauna time and treating yourself!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941775/#:~:text=Facilities%20offering%20sauna%20bathin... .

Therapeutic Products Bill

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:11:40 GMT

Make a submission at parliament.nz

NZ Chiropractors Launch Education Website

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:43:48 GMT

Easy searching for Chiropractic evidence

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) has developed a new public website (chiropracticnz.org) to provide up to date information on the research supporting the role of one of the world’s fastest growing healthcare sectors [1] .

In 2019 the NZCA, the country’s peak body for chiropractors commissioned research amongst the general population and health professionals to better understand how chiropractic care is perceived.

NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: `The survey found that overall chiropractors are seen by the general public as being professional and knowledgeable. Chiropractors are regarded as being effective for back pain and there is awareness that chiropractic is partly funded by ACC. But over two thirds of New Zealanders surveyed said they were unfamiliar with chiropractic care citing perceptions of high cost, lack of scientific evidence, and safety barriers to visiting a chiropractor. Since then we’ve worked very hard to present the growing body of evidence supporting the role of chiropractic in a way that is entertaining and easily accessible to New Zealanders.’

The growing body of evidence includes the 2021 Nobel prize in Medicine or Physiology given to researchers for work which sheds new light on how hands on therapy, such as chiropractic, improves pain and other conditions by converting physical sensations into electrical messages in the nervous system [2] .

Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: `US researchers Professor David Julius and Professor Ardem Patapoutian have shown how our bodies convert physical sensations into electrical messages in the nervous system. They have identified the different type of receptors that are activated in response to mechanical force or touch. These touch and temperature sensors have since been shown to have a wide role in the body and in some diseases, such as chronic pain, how our body regulates its core temperature and multiple roles from urinating to blood pressure.’

According to the NZCA, a plethora of new research findings are reinforcing the importance of exercise and spinal function in protecting health longer term. A paper in the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA) warns that a growing worldwide epidemic of physical inactivity is accelerating the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases among aging populations [3] and finds that `extended human health spans and lifespans are both a cause and an effect of habitual physical activity, helping explain why the lack of lifelong physical activity in humans can increase disease risk and reduce longevity’.

The NZCA survey found that seven in ten New Zealand health professionals who had recommended chiropractic care in the previous year would consider referring in the future.

The survey showed that key factors in the appreciation of chiropractic include

• Good previous results

• Knowledgeable, highly trained practitioners

• Holistic approach

• Understands the whole body

• Back is responsible for other issues

• Pain management

• An alternative approach

• For complementary care

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Chiropractic Care estimated at US$36.9 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$52 Billion by 2027. Led by countries such as Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$6.8 Billion by the year 2027.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders working in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise.

New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform and inspire people to improve their health and prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system and how this affects their function and overall well-being.

[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-chiropractic-care-market-reach-122000923.html

[2] https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2021/press-release/

[3] https://www.pnas.org/content/118/50/e2107621118

Young Kiwi Spines Compromised By Working From Home

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 05:12:08 GMT

Report from NZCA

Working from home during the pandemic has generated an upsurge in compromised spines, warns the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA), the country’s peak body for chiropractors. The NZCA says the increasing problems were made worse by restricted access to chiropractic care caused by the unnecessary extension of Covid-19 mandates for private health professionals.

Marking World Spine Day, held on 16th October each year, the NZCA says it is vital to raise awareness of the permeative and diverse nature of spinal pain and disability as part of the global burden of disease and address the need for access to evidence-based spinal healthcare and rehabilitation. The theme of this year’s World Spine Day is ‘Every Spine Counts.’

NZCA members are reporting a particular rise in spinal problems, especially among young New Zealanders, which is borne out by British research [1] which shows that two-thirds of people aged 18 to 29 suffered new episodes of back pain during the pandemic brought on by enforced remote working.

According to NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor: `We are seeing similar problems to the UK post pandemic. Around a third of people have problems with the lower back, which is often caused by poor posture.’

Dr Duehr points out that office furniture is often designed to help people with their posture and reduce pressure on the lower part of the spine. But she notes: `This survey reports that one in five young adults work from bed when at home, one in six sit on the sofa and around one in 100 do so from the floor. We know that many people don’t have access to a table at the right height and a properly supportive chair at home. They are compromising their spines by forcing them to endure really bad posture and this is storing up trouble for their future spinal health.’

The scrapping of Covid-19 restrictions has meant that many people now work partly from home in a hybrid, which was unusual before the pandemic, but is now part of the work-life balance.

Dr Duehr adds: `The prolonged enforcement of mandates for chiropractors also means that we have a backlog of cases and our members are still working their way through those. Every spine does count and good spinal health has been shown to reduce stress and boost energy so we can live our lives to the full, without pains and aches holding us back.'

The Straighten Up NZ site https://www.straightenup.org.nz/ has a range of exercises, which can be done at home. Dr Duehr also recommends boosting vitamin D levels by getting outside, supporting the immune system with quality vitamin C and zinc supplements, maintaining good hydration, staying positive and by exercising so that the heart rate is raised and endorphins are generated.

World Spine Day is the largest interprofessional global public health event dedicated to promoting spinal health and well-being and occurs during Global Chiropractic Health Month. It also celebrates the work of chiropractors, who adopt evidence-based, people-centered, interprofessional and collaborative approaches to healthcare that optimise health and well-being globally.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders working in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise.

[1] https://www.mindyourbackuk.com

Vivobarefoot Shoes

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 08:29:51 GMT

We now provide sizing and 10% discount for the Vivobarefoot shoe range. Choose your preferred style at https://www.soledistribution.co.nz/ and we can do the rest.

NZCA Call To End Mandates

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 22:59:15 GMT

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) is again calling for the government to end COVID-19 mandates for private primary healthcare practices, as the continuing restrictions are unjust and unsubstantiated now that the Omicron variant is at large in the community.

The NZCA executive has repeatedly written to the Ministry of Health, the Chief of Allied Health, as well as issued multiple press releases this year as further data has emerged regarding the transmission and the ability to contract new variants across all populations.

The peak body for chiropractic in New Zealand says that private primary health providers, such as chiropractors, rely on face-to-face consultations and fee-based income to survive. Prolonged restrictions on the delivery of healthcare are critically affecting the viability of many small businesses and leaving thousands of New Zealanders without an option for healthcare in their communities.

NZCA spokesperson Dr Cassandra Fairest, chiropractor, says ‘We have a significant number of chiropractors affected by the mandate. This is putting unnecessary stress on the health system and disrupting the provision of healthcare in our communities. The hospitals are overrun and have enormous wait times. We need all available allied healthcare professionals caring for people and keeping them out of the hospital system’.
The ongoing healthcare COVID-19 vaccination mandate is affecting numerous healthcare professions, leading to significant shortages to a healthcare workforce that was already stretched.

This issue was highlighted in the NZIER-commissioned (New Zealand Institute of Economic Research) Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand 2019 “Hidden in Plain Sight'' report ( https://www.nzchiropractors.org/chiropractic-links/hidden-in-plain-sight/ ) about the over-reliance on GP’s, nurses and the secondary health system and the under-utilisation of services such as chiropractors and allied health professions who could alleviate pressure at the bottom of the cliff by providing the fence at the top.

Allied health practitioners represent a ready-workforce able to support a shift to more effective and more proactive prevention, person-centred care, and collaborative, interdisciplinary team-based approaches that are most appropriate for people with complex health issues including long-term conditions.

With experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and across the secondary and primary care sectors, many allied health practitioners are also uniquely experienced in supporting patient transitions between settings of care, a critical strength that can support greater coordination and continuity in patient journeys.

Dr Cassandra Fairest says: ‘Chiropractors are highly trained healthcare professionals and are able to undertake infection prevention and control strategies. We have relatively short appointment times, easy contact traceability and the ability to screen our patients for infection risk. Certainly, we pose no greater risk of infection transmission than teachers or hairdressers who have had their mandates lifted. We see that the ACT and National parties, nurses and midwives are also all calling for an end to these mandates, and we fully support this.’

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practising certificate holders practising in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise. They provide care for the public in a wide range of health concerns, including spinal problems, posture, certain neurological issues and chronic pain. Importantly, particularly with the heightened levels of mental health concerns being seen this year, chiropractors help many people with anxiety, sleeping difficulties and stress related disorders through their ability to assist the nervous system.
New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform and inspire people to improve their health and prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system and how this affects their function and overall well-being.

Staying Active for Covid

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:07:51 GMT

Research Shows Exercise This Winter Will Help You Fight Covid

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) says the latest research shows that staying active helps reduce the effects of Covid-19 infection and calls on Kiwis to look after their physical wellbeing and mental health during the winter months.

A new study of almost 50,000 patients with COVID-19 published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: ‘The researchers say that consistently meeting physical activity guidelines was strongly associated with a reduced risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes among infected adults.’

According to the NZCA this study is the latest in a growing number of research findings reinforcing the importance of exercise and spinal function in protecting health longer term. A meta-analysis of 22 international longitudinal studies published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed a decrease of 17 minutes per day in children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from pre-pandemic to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further research confirms that increased exercise improves the outcomes of other
healthcare interventions by improving the body’s ability to repair itself. A paper in the
British Journal of Sports Medicine looking at cancer patients who underwent a structured "prehabilitation" exercise programme while they were undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed tumour shrinkage compared to a control group of patients who did not exercise.

Another piece of research published in the British Medical Journal shows that just an extra 20 minutes of physical activity a day among older people halves their risk of heart disease.

Dr Duehr explains: `We don’t even have to do that much exercise to make a difference. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that If most people added just 10 extra minutes of walking, or some other kind of moderate physical activity every day we could help prevent thousands of deaths each year..

The Straighten Up NZ website https://www.straightenup.org.nz/ has a range of exercises to promote movement and spinal health, which can be done at home. In addition, the ‘Just Start Walking’ initiative by the World Federation of Chiropractic is an easy-to-use program to help encourage regular physical activity, developed to raise awareness about the importance of keeping active and the benefits this can offer to your overall well-being. Dr Duehr also recommends boosting vitamin D levels by getting outside (or supplement, if required, during winter), supporting the immune system with quality vitamin C and zinc supplements, maintaining good hydration, staying positive and by exercising so that the heart rate is raised and endorphins are generated.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders working in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise.
New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform and inspire people to improve their health and prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system and how this affects their function and overall well-being.

Statement on cervical artery dissection, stroke and cervical spine manipulation.

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 03:03:41 GMT

PRESS RELEASE

July 18, 2022

Statement in response to recent media focus on cervical artery dissection, stroke and cervical spine manipulation.

The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) is sorry to learn from recent media reports in United States of a young woman having suffered a vascular incident after visiting a chiropractor. Cervical artery dissection (CAD) and related strokes can have devastating consequences for patients and their loved ones and our thoughts go to everyone associated with this distressing and traumatic incident.

While it would be inappropriate for the WFC to comment on an individual case when many of the facts are unknown, such distressing news reminds us of how important it is for clinicians and patients to review what we currently know about CAD. Briefly, CAD accounts for less than 2% of all stroke cases, an extremely uncommon condition with an annual incidence rate of between 1 and 3 per 100,000 people.

On rare occasions, CAD has been reported to have occurred after a patient visited a chiropractor or other provider of manual therapy. However, the best evidence available to date indicates that spinal manipulation does not stress the arteries enough to cause tearing of the arteries leading to dissection-related strokes. Additional studies have concluded that patients are as likely to have consulted a primary care physician as receive spinal manipulation from a chiropractor prior to experiencing a CAD-related stroke.

The symptoms of a CAD in progress – including neck pain and headaches – often mimic those of mechanical neck pain, conditions for which patients routinely seek assistance from a healthcare provider. Patients with neck pain are more likely to have CAD than those who do not, and patients with neck pain are more likely to visit chiropractors than those who do not. Up to 12% of adults in the United States visit chiropractors each year for successful treatment of neck pain and headache symptoms

The provision of safe, high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care for these and other conditions is a priority for the chiropractic profession. Rigorous research is core to the pursuit of that objective. We urge caution in making claims that are in conflict with the current state of the evidence.

About the WFC
The World Federation of Chiropractic is an international, non-governmental organization whose members are the national associations of over 90 countries in seven world regions. It is a non-state actor in official relations with the World Health Organization and is the global authority for matters related to the chiropractic profession.

About chiropractic
Chiropractic is a primary, portal-of-entry healthcare profession that is principally concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of spine and musculoskeletal disorders and the impact of these disorders on the nervous system and on general health. Chiropractors are highly trained and undergo a minimum of four years of university-level education. The profession is regulated in over 40 countries around the world, where chiropractors are required to undertake continuing professional education in order to keep up to date and stay abreast of current evidence. Although best known as providers of manual therapy, including spinal and joint manipulation, chiropractors are trained in rehabilitation and use a range of techniques, including lifestyle advice and patient education, as part of their management strategies. They frequently work with other health and care providers in interprofessional settings and provide community- and institution-based treatment to patients across the life course.

References
Cassidy JD, Boyle E, Côté P, He Y, Hogg-Johnson S, Silver FL, Bondy SJ. Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care: Results of a Population-Based Case-Control and Case-Crossover Study. Eur Spine J. 2008 Apr;17(Suppl 1):176–83. Open access here .

Chaibi A, Russell MB. A risk-benefit assessment strategy to exclude cervical artery dissection in spinal manual-therapy: a comprehensive review. Ann Med. 2019 Mar;51(2):118-127. Open access here .

Church EW, Sieg EP, Zalatimo O, Hussain NS, Glantz M, Harbaugh RE. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chiropractic Care and Cervical Artery Dissection: No Evidence for Causation. Cureus. 2016 Feb 16;8(2):e498. Open access here .

Kosloff TM, Elton D, Tao J, Bannister WM. Chiropractic care and the risk of vertebrobasilar stroke: results of a case-control study in U.S. commercial and Medicare Advantage populations. Chiropr Man Therap. 2015 Jun 16;23:19. Open access here .

Rubinstein SM, Peerdeman SM, van Tulder MW, Riphagen I, Haldeman S. A systematic review of the risk factors for cervical artery dissection. Stroke. 2005 Jul;36(7):1575-80. Open access here .

Whedon JM, Mackenzie TA, Phillips RB, Lurie JD. Risk of traumatic injury associated with chiropractic spinal manipulation in Medicare Part B beneficiaries aged 66 to 99 years. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 Feb 15;40(4):264-70. Open access here .

NZCA Calls for End to Mandates

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 05:03:59 GMT

New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association

13th June 2022

NZCA Council Renews Call for End to Continued Mandates for Chiropractors

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) has renewed their call for the government to end COVID-19 mandates for private primary healthcare practices, as the continuing restrictions are unjust and unsubstantiated now that the Omicron variant is at large in the community.

The peak body for chiropractic in New Zealand says that private primary health providers, such as chiropractors, rely on face-to-face consultations and fee-based income to survive. Prolonged restrictions on the delivery of healthcare are critically affecting the viability of many small businesses and leaving thousands of New Zealanders without an option for healthcare in their communities.

The newly elected NZCA President Dr Cassandra Fairest, chiropractor says: `Our members and their patients have suffered unduly from extended restrictions over the past two years with lockdowns significantly preventing access to care. This ongoing situation has become untenable for many. I believe it is wrong to continue to discriminate against private businesses in this way, especially when practitioners are equipped to manage their clients' safety through infection protection and control procedures.’

Dr Fairest explains: `I have contacted Martin Chadwick (Chief of Allied Health) requesting a review of the Public Health Order mandate for private healthcare providers. Very disappointingly, I received a standard response. I was subsequently heartened to see the Act Party come out in support in the media regarding mandates being removed for chiropractors. I then wrote to Chris Luxon of the National Party to request he also put his party’s weight behind this. I will continue to lobby these public officials, and request that our members also write to their local representatives until the mandates are removed.

‘To continue to restrict these private community health enterprises from operating and to prevent them from caring for their communities, or from contributing to the productivity of the economy is irrational when hairdressers, beauty therapists, and even sex workers are not under any mandate and they spend longer with their clients, are arguably more intimate, and do not have infection protection controls as stringent as ours as health professionals.’

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practising certificate holders practising in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise. They provide care for the public in a wide range of health concerns, including spinal problems, posture, certain neurological issues and chronic pain. Importantly, particularly with the heightened levels of mental health concerns being seen this year, chiropractors help many people with anxiety, sleeping difficulties and stress related disorders through their ability to assist the nervous system.

Further Information:

Cassandra Fairest, 021 242 3073

Peter Boyes 027 554 0500 or peter@boyespr.co.nz

Time to Get Moving

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:07:55 GMT

Research Highlights Benefits of Activity

New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association

NZ Chiropractors Urge Kiwis to Battle the Epidemic of Inactivity

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) is calling on kiwis to get active and look after their mental health and physical wellbeing as the world suffers an epidemic of inactivity made worse by Covid-19 restrictions.

According to the NZCA a plethora of new research findings are reinforcing the importance of exercise and spinal function in protecting health longer term. A paper recently published in the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA) warns that a growing worldwide epidemic of physical inactivity is accelerating the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases among aging populations [1] and finds that `extended human health spans and lifespans are both a cause and an effect of habitual physical activity, helping explain why the lack of lifelong physical activity in humans can increase disease risk and reduce longevity’.

NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: `We don’t even have to do that much exercise to make a difference. A new study in the Journal of the American Medicine Association Internal Medicine [2] shows that If most people added just 10 extra minutes of walking, or some other kind of moderate physical activity every day we could help prevent thousands of deaths each year’.

Dr Duehr pointed out new research just published in the British Medical Journal shows that just an extra 20 minutes of physical activity a day among older people halves their risk of heart disease [3] .

Further research confirms that increased exercise improves the outcomes of other healthcare interventions by improving the body’s ability to repair itself. A paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looking at cancer patients who underwent a structured "prehabilitation" exercise program while they were undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed tumor shrinkage [4] compared to a control group of patients who did not exercise.

Dr Duehr noted that exercise is enhancing appropriate immunological responses and down-regulating inflammatory pathways. She adds: `When we have these Covid-19 lockdowns we know they will trigger upsurges across a wide range of health concerns, particularly heightened levels of mental health concerns such as anxiety, sleeping difficulties, depression and stress related disorders as well as spinal complaints, posture, certain neurological issues and chronic pain. While we cannot help with hands on assistance [5] , there are steps that people can take to help themselves.’

Dr Duehr adds: ‘The pandemic has upended life, changing how we live and how we work, indefinitely. We have developed hybrid work patterns with some employees working exclusively from home and others mixing remote work with on-site shifts. We might win with a reduction in the stress of commuting and more time spent with family, but these do not come without a cost to other aspects of our mental health and physical wellbeing.’

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders working in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise.

[1] https://www.pnas.org/content/118/50/e2107621118

[2] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2788473

[3] https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2022/01/16/heartjnl-2021-320013

[4] https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2022/01/25/bjsports-2021-104243

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7293486/

Dr Brooke for Telehealth

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 04:19:27 GMT

Dr Brooke is now exclusively available for telehealth consultations, while Dr Jonathan will continue face to face Chiropractic appointments. Please give us a call on 03 352 0097 to discuss further or make an appointment as necessary.

We will continue to provide updates here and be in touch directly to change bookings as required.

Ministry of Health Level 3 Criteria

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 04:17:48 GMT

The criteria for seeing patients face-to-face under Alert Level 3 as per the latest communication from Ministry of Health are:

a condition which is life or limb threatening; or
treatment required to maintain the basic necessities of life; or
treatment that cannot be delayed or carried out remotely without risk of significant harm or permanent and/or significant disability, or
where failure to access services will lead to an acute deterioration of a known condition; or
where delay in access to services will impact the consumer’s ability to maintain functional independence and significantly negatively impact quality of life

AND

which cannot be delivered by a service which is currently operating or by clinicians that are already in contact with the patient for ongoing care.

We remain closed during level 3 however if you think you meet one of the above criteria give us a call or email to discuss.

When do we open again?

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 03:15:51 GMT

Plus supplement orders still available

We remain closed until level 2 but are still able to courier supplements or make them available for pick-up. Please email any orders.

If you would like to discuss your situation either for advice or exercises you can also email or call.

Stay active, be kind, and we will see you soon.

Autumn Adventures

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Fri, 28 May 2021 02:31:50 GMT

Stretching comfort zones

We snuck in one last overnight hike before winter hits with an old favourite, Bealey Spur, but this time continuing off trail for a challenging loop that included some hair-raising drop offs and very steep descents.

Samuel got to try some barefoot style boots for the first time which he loved, another reminder that feet prefer mobility especially if strengthened appropriately.

We will soon be able to order Vivobarefoot brand footwear directly, so let us know if you are interested and we can help introduce you to a different approach to how we interact with the world via our feet.

Covid Restrictions Forcing Permanent Closure of Primary Health Care Providers

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 09:02:09 GMT

Repeated COVID-19 lockdowns, with no exemptions or funding support for significant numbers of private primary healthcare practices is putting the viability of thousands of businesses and the wellbeing of the public at risk, warns the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA).

Acting NZCA President Dr Cassandra Fairest, chiropractor says: `We warned last year that a crisis in health care provision may be on the horizon and now it is well and truly here. Media regularly reports on the incredible impact on communities and various industries but our Auckland colleagues and their patients are forgotten victims of the latest lockdown’. `We have had reports of two chiropractic practices closing their doors forever due to this latest lockdown. After 12 weeks of no hands-on patient care in the past year they just can’t afford to continue. Most other countries are allowing highly skilled allied health workers such as chiropractors to continue, even under elevated levels with appropriate PPE and infection controls. Are primary healthcare providers less trusted than real estate agents, supermarkets and takeaway restaurants to manage Covid19 precautions?’

The peak body for chiropractic in New Zealand says that many primary health providers, such as chiropractors, dental health practitioners, acupuncturists, physiotherapists and other allied health professions rely on face to face consultations 2 and fee-based income to survive. Prolonged or repeated restrictions on the delivery of healthcare will lead to widespread insolvency of some businesses and leave thousands of New Zealanders without an option for healthcare in their communities.

Cassandra Fairest says: `The NZCA Council has written to COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins to again plead our case. Late last year the Ministry asked for submissions on balancing the risk of spread with keeping allied health services going for community well being. We have been told that ‘independent advisors’ decided the risks outweigh the benefits but have not been given any detail about how they came to this conclusion’.

` Ironically, our members have seen a sharp rise in people seeking care during the pandemic yet during Level 3, chiropractic practices remained closed to anything but an incredibly restrictive criteria for urgent care. While telehealth options over a video consultation can suit certain cases, it is of very limited benefit for hands-on providers. Even Level 2 restrictions impact on the flow and viability of some practices with Auckland facing prolonged difficulties’.

`The Ministry of Health restrictions are particularly hard on chiropractors that depend on hands-on interactions and are paid out of pocket fees by the public. They are highly trained health professionals who have excellent knowledge and ability to screen for COVID symptoms, practice infection control and appropriate PPE use, and have exceptional contact tracing information built into their patient management systems already. These practitioners and their clients that depend on their services are being severely affected by the pandemic response. Of course, many industries are struggling but at least some can still operate with physical distancing or click and collect and still have some income. Our members face a gruelling scenario if rolling lockdowns continue and it is going to end up costing the country in deteriorating public health and elevated longer term healthcare costs’.

Hospitality, tourism, the creative arts, and some other industries are receiving targeted assistance, however those healthcare businesses with no public funding streams, which make up a large portion of essential healthcare services, seem to be a forgotten sector. Chiropractors work in the field of health promotion and wellbeing, something which should be of high importance given the pandemic that we are facing. Having access to healthcare services and the benefits it provides to both the public and the economy should ideally be placed ahead of the ‘nice to haves’ such as dining out or an adventure holiday. Even before COVID-19, there was a need for Government support of a broader range of healthcare options which currently completely miss out on any funding, such as that given to GP practices and the DHBs and hospital system.

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders practising in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise. They provide care for the public in a wide range of health concerns, including spinal problems, posture, certain neurological issues and chronic pain. Importantly, particularly with the heightened levels of mental health concerns being seen this year, chiropractors help many people with anxiety, sleeping difficulties and stress related disorders through their ability to assist the nervous system. There has also been an increase in the number of people seeking chiropractic care for postural related strain and stress from working at home. These health concerns highlight how important it is that the public can have access to chiropractors during increasing alert levels.

New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform, and inspire people to improve their health and prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system and how this affects their function and overall wellbeing.

At a time when people are dealing with significant stress and different health concerns, now more than ever we need to ensure the public has access to all health care services when they need it.

Further Information: Cassandra Fairest, 021 242 3073 Peter Boyes 027 554 0500 or peter@boyespr.co.nz

Health Benefits of a Positive Outlook

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 02:14:36 GMT

Positive thinking, Covid-19, Chiropractic Care and the "Waking Up" App

Having lived through several big events here in Christchurch there is a case for feeling that we can survive anything, are numb to it all, or are doomed to suffer future calamities -all depending on your personal outlook.

Lately in clinic I've noticed a polarizing of attitudes due to Covid-19; some are very grateful to live here in NZ free from restrictions experienced overseas, some have strong thoughts about pending vaccination, and of course some of us are worried about future outbreaks or even lack of future travel.

But we clearly have a lot to be grateful of and I'm personally optimistic about the world's ability to achieve immunity and move on, having learnt an awful lot about the need to act decisively in the face of a potential pandemic. And although my optimism may be misplaced there are actually good reasons to hold this view even when the future is uncertain.

Studies show that optimism and positive thinking is a key part of effective stress management and can provide many health benefits, including:

Increased life span

Lower rates of distress

Greater immunity

Better psychological and physical wellbeing

Better cardiovascular health

Improved resilience

These are all factors that combine amazingly well with regular Chiropractic care in improving a multitude of good life outcomes.

My personal aid for mental well-being is the use of an app "Waking Up". It is a fantastic introduction to meditation and training awareness of your own consciousness that if nothing else will help calm your mind before sleep, but encourages you to use in moments throughout your day.

NZ Chiropractors Seeing Increased Issues due to Covid-Related Stress

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 02:06:46 GMT

There is a marked increase in health problems triggered by rising stress levels and people working from home under unhealthy and poor ergonomic conditions in response to the Covid-19 crisis, according to the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA).

NZCA spokesperson Dr Jenna Duehr, chiropractor explains: ‘We are seeing an upsurge in demand for care across a wide range of health concerns, including spinal complaints, posture, certain neurological issues and chronic pain. But particularly with the heightened levels of mental health concerns being seen this year, chiropractors are taking care of more people with anxiety, sleeping difficulties and stress related disorders through their ability to assist the nervous system.’

A small Facebook survey of NZCA members found them reporting an increase in stress related disorders, as well as symptoms linked to poor posture caused by working from home and sitting at desks, or even the dining table, with poor ergonomics and less than ideal conditions. This mirrors overseas research. Health insurer Bupa found that nearly twothirds (63%) of UK workers experience musculoskeletal problems, including back pain, neck pain, and knee injuries, as a result of working from home .

US Chiropractors reported that more than half of their patients (57%) were suffering from musculoskeletal conditions because of lack of movement during the pandemic, followed by psychological stress (20%) and poor posture (12%).

Dr Duehr adds: ‘The pandemic has upended life, changing how we live and how we work, indefinitely. We have developed hybrid work patterns with some employees working exclusively from home and others mixing remote work with on-site shifts. We might win with a reduction in the stress of commuting and more time spent with family, but these do not come without a cost to other aspects of our mental health and physical wellbeing.’

Dr Katie Putt, chiropractor, who has started a new practice in Mairangi Bay on Auckland’s North Shore says: `There are so many people with symptoms related to the stress of Covid-19 and from working from home. In a way it’s been a great time to set up as a chiropractor as there is such a need for our services. At a time when people are dealing with significant stress and different health concerns, now more than ever we need to ensure the public has access to all health care services when they need it.’

Chiropractors are regulated primary health care professionals registered under the HPCA Act with close to 700 annual practicing certificate holders working in solo, group, and multidisciplinary clinics around New Zealand. New Zealand chiropractors have significant training (a minimum 5-year tertiary degree) and a broad yet highly skilled scope of practice and clinical expertise.

New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform and inspire people to improve their health and prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system and how this affects their function and overall wellbeing.

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7293486/
2 https://www.bupa.com/newsroom/news/hurting-from-home
3 https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/Publications/ACABlogs/ArtMID/6925/ArticleID/1595/Trending...

Christmas 2020

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 22:52:10 GMT

Keeping you all in the loop...

We will be closed for the Christmas break from:
Thursday the 24th of December and opening again on: Tuesday the 19th of January

For anyone who may need supplements over the break, please check your stocks and if possible let us know by:
Monday the 7th of December

We hope you all have a safe and restful holiday period and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Many Thanks, Brooke and Jonathan

Men's Active Wellbeing Sessions at The Adventure Park

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:21:06 GMT

Nice oppurtunity to get active at our local bike park and connect with new friends. Link below.

https://christchurchadventurepark.com/experiences/mountain-bike-coaching/mens-active-well-being-sess...

Y'all aren't alone

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 01:52:55 GMT

Click the photo below for a short clip from 'Clay Tall Stories'

A reminder to let someone know if you need a hand. From 'Clay Tall Stories' a top kiwi bloke who can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/troubadourhunter/videos

Open in Level 2

Fri, 01 May 2020 10:35:16 GMT

Coming out of lockdown

Welcome back everyone! we anticipate opening again on Thursday the 14th of May, all going well. If you would like a Chiropractic appointment you can call on 03 3520097 or email via the form on our contact page. We do have a backlog of appointments but will provide openings for acute cases. See you soon!

Shutdown Update

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 05:52:38 GMT

COVID-19 Shudown Update

As I am sure you are aware, from 11.59pm on Wednesday we are at Level 4 of a National Lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In compliance with the recommendations of the Chiropractic Board we will be closing our clinic for the duration of the lockdown and will only be able to provide care for those with intractable pain or who would otherwise seriously deteriorate or be compelled to seek alternative urgent care. All appointments on or before Wednesday the 22nd of April have been cancelled. We understand that this is a difficult time and we will be in touch with everyone that has missed an appointment to reschedule once the lockdown has been lifted.

If you in need of urgent Chiropractic care during this time, please contact us by email to discuss options.

Phone consultations are available for Applied Kinesiology.

If you require supplements during this time we can either courier these to you or they can be picked up from a drop box we have set up at our residence in Redwood. While things may take a little longer than usual we fully expect to still be receiving stock throughout the next four weeks.

We still have supplies available of immune support such as zinc, vitamin C, super mushroom complex, Andro NK and immunocare.

We hope you all stay safe and well during this difficult time.

Brooke and Jonathan

Christchurch Summer

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 03:46:40 GMT

Keeping fit on the Monument Track

Enjoying outdoor activities is a great way to keep your nervous system alive and your musculoskeletal system in good shape, two key facets of Chiropractic philosophy. Here is a great alternative track that will provide amazing views of Lyttleton and Christchurch on the way to Mount Herbert.

Monument Track North

Track starts at Purau Saddle on Purau-Port Levy Road. Climb to Little Mt Herbert Summit using shortcut track or fork left to stay on Monument track to head to Port Levy Saddle or Kaituna Valley. Crosses private farmland. Closed for lambing 8 Aug-15 Oct.

Obtain "Te Ara Pātaka (Summit Walkway)" brochure before departing for detailed directions on how to find and follow this walk.

Christmas 2019

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 08:00:54 GMT

Keeping you all in the loop...

For those of you who are not aware we will be closing from midday on Saturday the 21st of December and we will be back from 9am on Tuesday the 14th of January. We still have some Chiropractic appointments available in December should you need one.

For anyone who may need supplements over the holidays, please check your stocks and if possible let us know by early December what you will need for the Christmas break. We would appreciate orders by Friday the 6th of December as this will mean we have sufficient time to order additional stock before Christmas. Please be specific about product names and container sizes as it saves time and emails clarifying orders.

For those who have appointments in our last couple of weeks and plan to pick up supplements at your consult, we would still appreciate knowing what you will need and to have it organised for you as it will help with anticipating what stock is needed for our last orders of the year.

We hope you all have a safe and restful holiday period and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Many Thanks,
Brooke and Jonathan

Australian Chiropractic Care for Children Review

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 04:28:58 GMT

Due to lobbying from the Australian Medical Association and the media portrayal of Chiropractic treatment of children, the state government of Victoria Australia created an independant review. Their findings are that no significant child injuries or associated complaints have ever been made and that of 21,750 submissions from the public, 99.7% reported a positive experience with the Chiropractic care of their children, an amazing finding.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS (source below)
Review of evidence of harm

An extensive search was undertaken to identify evidence of harm sustained by children who had received spinal manipulation. This included a literature review by Cochrane Australia, capture of patient complaints and practitioner notification data from Australian complaints and regulatory agencies, capture of Australian insurance claim data from the primary insurers for registered chiropractors, and stakeholder feedback from both online consultations.

This extensive search identified very little evidence of patient harm occurring in Australia. In particular, there were no patient complaints or practitioner notifications that arose from significant harm to a child following spinal manipulation. Three individual case reports were the only evidence of serious harm identified. Each of these reports related to spinal manipulative techniques performed outside of Australia and not limited to chiropractors . The practices described in these reports are not reflective of Australian chiropractic techniques. This does not mean spinal manipulation in children is not associated with any risk of any adverse effects. An extensive literature review did identify transient or minor adverse events but the prevalence was very low, albeit possibly more common in very young children.

There are two principle reasons why the search did not find strong evidence of harm in Australia. First, it is unlikely that spinal manipulation, as defined within the scope of the review, is a technique that is being routinely applied in Australia to young children or those with an immature spine. Second, skilled chiropractic care requires the practitioner to modify the force applied based on the age and developmental stage of the child. This means that children, particularly very young children, under the care of an Australian chiropractor are not likely to be receiving high impact manipulations. Nonetheless, it is clear that spinal manipulation in children is not wholly without risk. Any risk associated with care, no matter how uncommon or minor, must be considered in light of any potential or likely benefits. This is particularly important in younger children, especially those under the age of 2 years in whom minor adverse events may be more common.

Public consultation

The public responses indicated very strong consumer satisfaction. Of all respondents, 99.7% (21,750) reported a positive experience with the chiropractic care of their children. The overwhelming majority of parents/guardians reported that chiropractic spinal care helped their child, with 98% (21,474) indicating that their child improved after treatment. It was clear that parents/guardians appreciated the time that their child’s chiropractor took to listen to their child’s symptoms and to engage with them and their child. A sentiment that was strongly expressed was the right of a parent/guardian to choose their child’s care .

https://www.bettersafercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/20191024-Final%20Chiropractic%20Spinal%20Manipulation.pdf

Chiropractic alters the way brains control muscle function -research

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 23:00:48 GMT

The team from the Centre for Chiropractic Research at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic have just had another study published in the journal Brain Sciences.’ This exciting new study showed that a single session of chiropractic care resulted in an immediate increase in voluntary activation of the elbow flexors by the brain in the participants in the study (1).

This study investigated the effects of chiropractic care on upper limb motor control in 18 participants in Auckland. The participants in the study had subclinical pain. This means they did not have constant symptoms and were not in pain at the time of the investigation; instead, they had a previous history of neck ache or tension. This presentation status provides researchers a unique opportunity to explore the effects of chiropractic without the added variables of changes in pain levels.

In this randomised crossover trial, we wanted to see if chiropractic care resulted in an increase in the way the brain could drive the muscles (voluntary activation) in the participants’ arms. To do this, we measured the participants’ elbow flexor muscle strength, and a measure of central inhibition, before and after a single session of chiropractic care or a passive movement control intervention.

The ‘central inhibition’ measure is a bit like the brain’s handbrake to the muscle. Two ways the brain can increase voluntary activation to a muscle is either to press on the ‘central gas pedal’ or release the ‘central hand brake’ to that muscle. It’s a little more complicated than this of course, because the brain has several ‘gas pedals’ and ‘hand brakes’ to every muscle of the body.

We also used standard surface electromyographic (EMG) techniques to record electrical muscle activity from the biceps brachii and triceps and we used electrical stimulation of the brachial plexus and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to measure the degree of central inhibition to the arm flexors. The technical term for the method we used to record this central inhibition was ‘TMS twitch interpolation technique’ and it allows us to explore the way the participants’ brains were driving their arm muscles (by measuring the degree to which their brain was pulling on the RESEARCH © 2019 – New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association 2019 – NZCA News – Issue 35 – August 2019 handbrake). The chiropractic care in this study comprised of full spine adjusting wherever subluxations were found through clinical assessment.

What we found was that there was a difference in the degree of central inhibition to the elbow flexor muscle, without any change in actual strength in the patients, and only after they were adjusted, compared to no changes when the participants received the control intervention. But what does this mean you may say?

Well, this study suggests – again – that the changes that occur with chiropractic adjustments might occur in the brain, in this case enabling the brain to drive that muscle at a greater level than before the patients were adjusted. This supports the growing body of research that suggests that chiropractic care impacts human performance by changing brain function (2-5) and suggests that the reason we have found that adjusting subluxations can make your brain more efficiently produce force (6-8) may be by reducing central inhibition (releasing the brake) to that muscle. If you want to read the full study just follow this link https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/9/6/136/pdf

This study was a joint effort between researchers from the CCR, University of Technology Sydney and Aalborg University in Denmark. We’re particularly grateful to the Hamblin Trust for funding this study.

For more information on the New Zealand College of Chiropractic Centre for Chiropractic Research, and ways that you can support future research like this, please visit http://chiropracticresearch.ac.nz/

References:

1. Kingett, M., Holt, K., Niazi, I. K., Nedergaard, R. W., Lee, M., Haavik, H. (2019). Increased voluntary activation of the elbow flexors following a single session of spinal manipulation in a subclinical neck pain population. Brain Sciences, 9:136. doi:10.3390/brainsci9060136

2. Haavik, H., Niazi, I.K., Jochumsen, M., Sherwin, D., Flavel, S., Turker, K.S. (2017). Impact of spinal manipulation on cortical drive to upper and lower limb muscles. Brain Sciences, 7.

3. Haavik Taylor, H., Murphy, B. (2007). Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: A somatosensory evoked potential study. Clinical Neurophysiology 118, 391-402.

4. Lelic, D., Niazi, I.K., Holt, K., Jochumsen, M., Dremstrup, K., Yielder, P., Murphy, B., Drewes, A.M., Haavik, H. (2016). Manipulation of dysfunctional spinal joints affects sensorimotor integration in the prefrontal cortex: A brain source localization study. Neural plasticity, 3704964.

5. Haavik, H., Murphy, B. (2012). The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology, 22, 768-776.

October 16, 2019 - World Spine Day (#getspineactive).

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 22:14:35 GMT

The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) is urging Kiwis to get spine active and stay healthy as part of the NZCA’s contribution to World Spine Day.

Back pain is the biggest single cause of disability on the planet, with one in four adults estimated to suffer from it during their lives. With more than one billion people worldwide suffering from spinal ailments, all age groups are affected, from children to the elderly. On this year’s World Spine Day participating organisations are encouraging people to take steps to be kind to their spines.

New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association spokesperson and chiropractor Dr Cassandra Fairest says: `Movement is life. Keeping your spine mobile while staying active helps to maintain flexibility and stability. With over 60 joints in your spine, it’s important that it functions well. Keeping mobile also helps to protect your spinal cord and nerves, as well as promoting good posture and nervous system health.’

‘As we get older an accumulation of injuries and improper motion can cause wear and tear and associated aches and pains. But this doesn’t mean you need to stop moving – it means quite the opposite. Doing daily exercises to keep your spine functioning well may help to prevent your joints from becoming creaky and stiff. Just ask your family chiropractor what is right for you.’

Clinical guidelines in many countries now recommend spine and posture correction as front-line treatment ahead of any medication. [1] The New Zealand website https://www.straightenup.org.nz/ site has a range of simple exercises to help New Zealanders #getspineactive.

World Spine Day is focused upon raising global awareness of the importance of spinal health. With health professionals, exercise and rehabilitation experts, public health advocates, schoolchildren and patients all taking part.

Organised by the World Federation of Chiropractic on behalf of the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, World Spine Day has over 500 official supporters worldwide. More information about how to get involved is available at www.worldspineday.org on Twitter (@world_spine_day), Instagram (@worldspineday), and Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/WorldSpineDay2019/) .

Here in Christchurch we are especially fortunate to have such a range of outdoor activities available and incredible walks within an hours drive.

Christchurch chiropractors are taking the lead to inform and inspire people to prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system, improving their posture, addressing and preventing spinal problems, and engaging in physical activity. Chiropractors are uniquely placed to provide care that specifically focuses on the health of the spine and the relationship between the spine and the nervous system.

[1] Low back pain: a call for action Lancet Volume 391, No. 10137, p2384–2388, 9 June 2018 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30488-4/fulltext

Fish Oil: The Good Oil

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Wed, 29 May 2019 07:57:32 GMT

A perfect companion to Chiropractic against chronic disease

Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis are common in our society. If you are managing a chronic health condition, you may be interested to learn that fish oil can help manage and reduce the risk of some of these potentially life-threatening conditions. Fish oil is a plentiful source of omega-3 fats, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which have many therapeutic benefits. Omega-3 is required for the healthy functioning of almost every cell in your body, and is especially important for your brain, heart, and nervous system. Make sure you are getting enough omega-3 – it’s vital to your health!

Magnesium & Chiropractic

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 09:34:41 GMT

Chronic Stress Depletes Magnesium

There is no escaping the pressures of modern life! You may be familiar with common stressors experienced by the majority of people, such as financial strain, relationships, pressures at work or school, toxins, diets high in processed foods, and constant Wi-Fi and screen exposure. The main problem is that these assaults to your system are constant. Extended periods of stress can result in a loss of the important mineral, magnesium, at the time your body needs it most. Ensuring you have good magnesium levels helps make you a warrior during stressful times.

Are You Low in Magnesium?

Fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches and difficulty sleeping are common signs of magnesium deficiency in both adults and children. Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and mood disorders including anxiety, depression, and constant stress are all associated with poor body stores of magnesium.

Running on Empty – What Causes Low Magnesium?

There are many different factors that contribute to magnesium deficiency. These include:

Inadequate intake from foods.
Continual stress. As increased levels of stress hormones diminish precious magnesium stores, this can lead to a vicious cycle of magnesium depletion, making it even harder to cope.
Caffeine, alcohol and certain medications. These increase the loss of magnesium through urination.

Solutions?

Increase your consumption of magnesium rich foods e.g. spinach, dark chocolate, avocado, almonds, pumpkin seeds and black beans.
Minimise your intake of sugar.
Magnesium Oil sprays -excellent for targeting high demand areas such as lower legs or upper shoulders.
Magnesium supplementation -there are many types of magnesium compounds available with different absorption rates and uptake from the bowel. Talk to us for what will suit you best.

Christmas 2018

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 23:35:18 GMT

Just keeping you in the loop.

For those of you who are not aware we will be closing from midday on Saturday the 22nd of December and we will be back from 9am on Tuesday the 16th of January. We still have some Chiropractic appointments available in December should you need one.

For anyone who may need supplements over the break, please check your stocks and if possible let us know by early December what you will need for the Christmas break. We would appreciate orders by Friday the 7th of December. As this will mean we have sufficient time to order additional stock if needed before Christmas.

For those who have appointments in our last couple of weeks and plan to pick up supplements at your consult, we would still appreciate knowing what you will need and to have it organised for you as it will help with knowing what stock is needed for our last orders of the year.

We hope you all have a safe and restful holiday period and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Many Thanks,
Brooke and Jonathan

Untreated back pain in teens may herald lifetime of ill health

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 01:57:29 GMT

According to new research [1] adolescent back pain may predict poor overall health, and risk of chronic disease throughout life. The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) is concerned that chiropractic care is an underused option in the management of back pain and spinal health among New Zealand teenagers, and believe it could minimise the use of unnecessary pharmaceutical usage [2] and help establish a better foundation for adult wellbeing.

Chiropractor and NZCA spokesperson Dr Cassandra Fairest explains: `This new study in the Journal of Public Health indicates that adolescents who experience back pain more frequently are also more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and report mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. But too few of them are seeking chiropractic care, which was recently cited in a major call to action by the Lancet as a drug free approach to the management of back pain’.

`The authors of this study point out that during adolescence, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in general, particularly back pain rises steeply. Although often dismissed as trivial and fleeting, adolescent back pain is responsible for substantial health care usage, school absence, and interferes with day-to-day activities in some children.’

Researchers used data collected from approximately 6500 teenagers. The proportion of participants reporting smoking, drinking, and missing school rose incrementally with increasing frequency of pain. For example, 14-15 year olds that experienced pain more than once a week were 2-3 times more likely to have drunk alcohol or smoked tobacco in the past month than those who rarely or never had pain.

Similarly, students that experienced back pain more than once a week were around twice as likely to have missed school during the previous school term. The trend with anxiety and depression was less clear, although there was a marked difference between the children who reported no pain, and those who reported frequent pain.

Dr Fairest says: `The researchers found that back pain and unhealthy behaviours not only occur together, but also persist into adulthood. In addition, the developing brain is susceptible to the negative influences of toxic substances, and use in early adolescence may increase the risk of substance abuse and mental health problems in later life.’

The Lancet, one of the world’s most prestigious medical publications, has said in a series of articles that healthcare system changes are crucial to changing behaviour and improving delivery of effective care for back pain. It recommends integrating and supporting health professionals from diverse disciplines to provide patients with consistent messages about mechanisms, causes, prognosis and natural history of low back pain, as well as the benefits of improved spinal health, physical activity and exercise. Chiropractic is ideally placed to play a pivotal role in this development.

Dr Fairest says: `We do have to ask ourselves why some New Zealanders are still being prescribed pain medication which may cause side effects when chiropractic care may be just as, or even more effective, and offer better long term outcomes? Chiropractors are uniquely placed to provide care that specifically focuses on the health of the spine and the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, both of which are clearly relevant to this populations presentations. It seems that there’s a disconnect between patient choices and evidence-based guidelines for low back pain based upon what is actually happening within our healthcare system. Too many GP’s are encouraging people to rely on medication and are only considering chiropractic care after pharmaceutical treatments have failed instead of making a referral to a chiropractor a first-line treatment option, as per the research.’

New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform, and inspire people to prevent pain and disability by educating the public to have a greater understanding of the relationship between their spine and nervous system, improving their posture, addressing and preventing spinal problems, and engaging in physical activity.

1. [1] S J Kamper, Z A Michaleff, P Campbell, K M Dunn, T P Yamato, R K Hodder, J Wiggers, C M Williams. Back pain, mental health and substance use are associated in adolescents . Journal of Public Health , 2018; DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdy129

[2] Low back pain: a call for action Lancet Volume 391, No. 10137, p2384–2388, 9 June 2018 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30488-4/fulltext

Spring Exercise

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 10:30:45 GMT

Exploring Christchurch and Surrounds

Chiropractic has always aimed to improve joint mobility, especially the spine, thereby improving nerve flow around the body. And while we have many stretches and exercises to help you move, walking outdoors is often the best exercise and even more so with varied terrain. Here are a few of our favourite walks in and around Christchurch perfect for clear spring weather.

Harry Ell Walkway

Start: Sign of the Takahe.

Finish: Sign of the Kiwi.

Distance: 2km.

Time: 45 minutes.

https://ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/explore-parks/port-hills/victoria-park-walks-and-tracks/harry-...

Taylors Mistake - Godley Head Walk

Start: Taylors Mistake beach.

Finish: Godley Head.

Time: 3hr return.

https://www.christchurchnz.com/walk-canterbury/christchurch-short-walks/coastal-and-waterway-walks/t...

Halswell Quarry Rim Walk

Start: Main car park, Halswell Quarry.

Finish: Loops to start.

Distance: 1km.

Time: 40 minutes return.

https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/explore-parks/port-hills/halswell-quarry/halswell-quarry-w...

Be sure to keep to your limits, start small and build up as needed. If you have any questions about walk suitability, warm-ups or stretches feel free to ask at your next visit, email, or call us on 352 0097. Enjoy!

Clean Water

backbalance@live.com (Jonathan Roughan) — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 09:26:24 GMT

Making a difference for communities in Myanmar

Here in Christchurch we have our own special relationship with our drinking water, but in most developing countries drinking water is a very limited and often dangerous resource. This has a profound impact on health, especially that of children, where health resources are also limited. Dr Brooke Roughan and her oldest boy Joshua had the privilege of making the trip to Myanmar in March to learn the processes developed and set up in multiple locations by Community H20, a charity established and run by her parents Steve and Bronwyn Veale in Australia.

To follow or learn more their facebook page is Community H2O

Donations can be made via World Relief Australia at https://www.wra.org.au/1437communityh2o

Integrated Healthcare is a Solution to Reducing Painkiller Consumption

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 03:20:13 GMT

Chiropractic care could be a cost-effective solution to the overuse of painkillers and better management of chronic pain if there was better integration of primary healthcare services

Chiropractor and NZCA spokesperson Dr Cassandra Fairest explains: "Primary health care professionals need to improve communication with each other. A recently published study of the use of chiropractic in the USA found a substantial
proportion of US adults used chiropractic services along with their regular medical care over the past 12 months, and subsequently reported associated positive outcomes for overall well-being and/or specific health problems. New Zealand’s chiropractors are taking the lead to inform, educate and inspire people to prevent pain and disability by engaging in physical activity. However, research shows that in too many instances patient care is not optimised because of inadequate communications between the health care practitioners."

A study published last year concluded communication barriers may be viewed as a major contributing factor to the ongoing chronic pain management/chronic painkiller and opioid overuse problem.

Dr Fairest adds: "Chiropractic care can play a major role in the management of chronic pain for many patients. However, often patients may be receiving care from more than one primary health care professional. For example, the family chiropractor may not know what the GP is advising, or vice versa. Because of this lack of understanding between professions and their communication, the quality of care may be deficient which could contribute to poorer health outcomes for New Zealanders."

She points out: "We were really pleased to see our medical colleagues are now
recommending people become more active to reduce inflammation and associated diseases. This is something chiropractors have been strongly advocating for many years." Further to this, a major international study published in the Lancet demonstrated that simply increasing physical activity is a widely applicable, low cost global strategy
that could reduce deaths and cardiovascular disease in middle age.

The NZCA has developed a Just Start Walking programme to put a spring in your step. The NZCA also recommends getting a spinal check-up with your family chiropractor prior to starting any new exercise regime. An NZCA chiropractor will evaluate your spine and nervous system for dysfunction and analyse your posture for imbalances, which may be negatively impacting upon your movement and overall health.

Tips on How to Get Started

Visit your local NZCA chiropractor for a spinal health check up
Commit to daily 30 minute walking programme
Start slowly - set achievable walking programme
Find a friend or work colleague to walk with
Wear appropriate footwear which is designed for walking
Warm up with a few gentle stretching exercises at the start and end of your walk
Drink plenty of water and have regular breaks and healthy snacks
Mix it up - walking and have regular breaks and healthy snacks
Enjoy your walking and the benefits it can bring!

For more information or advice please get in contact with Dr Jonathan and Brooke Roughan at info@backintobalance.co.nz or on 03-352 0097 to make an appointment their Christchurch Chiropractic clinic

Spinal Health is Brain Health

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

The spinal cord is literally an extension of the brain, and therefore spinal health is brain health says the New Zealand Chiropractors' Association.

Chiropractor and NZCA spokesman Dr Hayden Thomas explains : "The focus of chiropractic care is on the health and integrity of the nervous system. The health and function of the spine affects the entire nervous system. We already know that the spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and processes information just like parts of the brain do and the latest NZ research into the effects of chiropractic care suggests that it may have an important role to play in maximising sporting performance and aiding recovery from a range of conditions where muscle function has been compromised."

The New Zealand College of Chiropractic Centre for Chiropractic Research published a study in the journal Experimental Brain Research which suggests that full spine chiropractic adjustments can significantly improve brain-body communication and coordination.

According to Dr Thomas: "Earlier New Zealand research indicated that chiropractic care improves the communication between the brain and body and results in better control of the core muscles during body movements, so that your spine is at less risk of injury. The researchers tell us that just a single session of chiropractic care may improve muscle activation and increase muscle contractions to the same extent as three weeks of gym-based strength training."

New Zealand research indicates that chiropractic care may have a role to play in assisting those who display poor proprioceptive function; the ability of the brain to sense the relative position of the body parts in space, and the ability to move accurately and precisely without having to look at what you are doing. Without accurate proprioception you would not be able to drive a car safely as you would need to constantly look at what your arms and legs were doing.

As Dr Thomas explains: "We know that chiropractic care assists brain function in many ways, one of which is proprioceptive function and this improves the accuracy of the internal brain map so your brain accurately knows what is going on all the time."

If you would like further information or assistance with any spinal issues please get in touh with our friendly team of Chiropractors located in Merivale, Christchurch - 03-352 0097

Chiropractic Care May Reduce Gym & Fitness Related Injuries

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 09:26:11 GMT

Chiropractic care essentially results in better control of the core muscles during body movements, minimising risk of injury

The inability of some people to properly activate and control their core muscles when engaging in exercise predisposes them to lower back injury, and may be reversible with regular chiropractic care according to researchers at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic.

According to Dr Heidi Haavik, Director of Research at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic: "We know that delayed trunk muscle reflex responses increase the risk of low back injuries. Research suggests that this is partly due to a failure of the brain to predict what is going to happen during some movements, affecting what is known as feed-forward activation times of the deep abdominal musculature. There is now accumulating evidence that chiropractic care may play a part in improving the ability of the brain to engage the core muscles appropriately and stabilise the spine."

Dr Haavik goes on to say: "Chiropractic care improves the communication between the brain and body and results in better control of the core muscles during body movements, so that your spine is at less risk of injury. We are also starting to see research developing which suggests that a single session of chiropractic care may improve muscle activation and increase muscle contractions equivalent to findings following three weeks of strength training. This line of research also suggests chiropractic care may possibly reduce muscle fatigue developing during strong contractions."

If you have never visited a Chiropractor or are interested to find out how we can help you please get in contact with Dr Jonathan and Brooke Roughan - info@backintobalance.co.nz or call to make an appointment at their Christchurch clinic located in Merivale - 03-352 0097