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Whether young or old we all need to take care of our joints. It doesn’t matter if we feel perfectly healthy right now or are suffering from joint pain and arthritis. There are certain foods we can all eat on a regular basis that will benefit our joints and help to ensure our joints are healthy, pain-free and working as they should be.

Fish

Fish – especially oily fish like tuna, sardines and salmon – are packed with omega 3s and DHA. Whether you choose to eat a lot of fish, or supplement your diet with capsules, fish oil is one of the very best things you can derive from food to help maintain healthy joints.

Berries

Many types of berries contain not only stacks of nutrients and natural sugars, but also anthocyanins and antioxidant compounds that can help to reduce inflammation in the joints organically. Fruits with dark, rich colours tend to perform best for this purpose and some good berries to try are blueberries, strawberries, cherries and blackberries.

Olive Oil

There is such a thing as healthy fats and oils and every body needs them. Extra virgin olive oil is one of those essential and healthy oils; both beneficial for the joints as well as the brain. Olive oil has even been said to contain properties similar to non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. Get some more extra virgin olive oil into your diet to ensure joint health.

Nuts

Most nuts are loaded with healthy oils that also prove beneficial for maintaining proper joint function and lubrication. Nuts also contain antioxidants that ward off joint inflammation. Nuts can be enjoyed on their own, or even added to the morning cereal or evening dinner.

Dairy

Some people shy away from eating too much dairy as they fear it’s bad for heart health. However, consuming the low fat varieties of milk, cheese and yogurt will fill your body with vital nutrients such as Vitamin D and A, calcium, as well as essential fats and oils that help to promote healthy joints and strong bones.

Green Vegetables

Green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, are rich in Vitamins K and C. These vitamins are natural anti-inflammatories and will help to reduce joint issues. Green vegetables have the nutrients to help prevent and slow down the onset of osteoarthritis.

Beans

Beans are rich in protein, folic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium. All of these nutrients are known to promote heart health, the immune system and arthritis.

For more advice on looking after your joints, talk to your local Gold Coast chiropractor at Helensvale Chiropractic Centre. We are specialists when it comes to neck and spinal adjustments, as well as offering practical advice on the prevention of joint pain and associated issues. For all your chiropractic treatment and professional chiropractic care, call today to speak to a specialist.

Are chiropractors real doctors?

This is a question that gets asked a lot, so in this article we will cover what it means to be a qualified chiropractor.

“Doctor” Is a Broad term

There are different definitions of the word “doctor”, and not all doctors are involved in the medical profession. So, depending on how strict a definition you want to place on this word when it comes to anything medical related, that will determine whether you consider a chiropractor to be a “real” doctor or not.

If the question is: Are chiropractors the same kind of doctor as a general practitioner, then the answer is no. A general practitioner goes through a very different training program to that of a chiropractor.

It’s like comparing a carpenter to a motor mechanic. They both fix things and build things, but in different fields.

What Training Does a Chiropractor Do?

Chiropractors are university-qualified health practitioners. Patient management is the main difference between a chiropractor and medical doctor, not the quality or depth of training and education. In Australia, a chiropractor achieves the title of “Doctor” or “DR” through the registration with professional associations and government agencies.

To learn to be a chiropractor one must undergo 5 years of intense study, with the final 2 years developing practical skills in an actual clinical environment. Chiropractors achieve a health science degree that qualifies them to be a professional chiropractor. All clinical training and the helping of patients is all done under the guidance of a professionally qualified chiropractor.

Chiropractic Care is Covered Under Medicare and Medical Insurance

As chiropractic care is covered by health insurance as well as Medicare, this should be enough evidence to state that chiropractors are real doctors in their field of health care and their specialised skill set. In fact, many professional chiropractic care facilities even bulk bill for Medicare.

Helensvale Chiropractic Centre

At the Helensvale Chiropractic Centre on the Gold Coast, we not only have professional and fully qualified chiropractors on staff, but also massage therapists and nutritionists. Our aim is to offer you a complete service when it comes to your spinal health and well being. Call today to chat with our friendly staff and to make an appointment.

Neck pain is a very common complaint whether you are young or old. Even children can suffer from it. There are reasons why most of us, at some stage in our lives, will experience neck pain, stiffness of the neck or even chronic neck pain. This post will look at 5 common causes and what you can do to help prevent debilitating neck pain and a visit to the chiropractor.

#1 – Bad Sleeping Positions

How many times have people got out of bed in the morning only to find they are suffering from a stiff neck or pain in the neck. Poor sleeping positions are probably the most common cause of problems with the neck.

It’s not just how we sleep that can cause neck stiffness and misalignment either, but also the kind of bed or surface we sleep on and the quality and style of pillows we use.

First you need to determine what position you most regularly sleep in:

• Stomach sleeper
• Back sleeper
• Side sleeper

Once you know this, then set about buying a pillow designed for your particular sleeping style. The right pillow will go a long way towards making sure you wake up the next day with a neck free of stiffness and pain.

#2 – Bad Posture

Poor posture will cause both neck problems and back pain, so developing good posture when both sitting or standing is vital to help ensure a pain-free neck. Long periods spent slouched in front of the computer can lead to chronic neck pain. Be aware of your posture at all times and correct it if you find yourself slouching, standing with your head down, or walking with a stooped stance.

#3 – Sports Injuries

Contact sports are especially renowned for causing neck injuries. Some neck injuries can be serious and lead to paralysis. While not all sports injuries to the neck are as serious as that, without care and proper treatment from a doctor or professional chiropractic care facility, the injury can keep on occurring and lead to chronic neck problems in the future.

#4 – Pain Through Repetition

Constant repetitive movements in any part of the body can lead to RSI or arthritis conditions, as well as injuries. When it comes to the neck area, activities such as swimming and ballroom dancing or ballet – activities where there is constant turning and twisting of the neck – can lead to chronic stiffness and pain.

If you are suffering neck problems due to repetitive movements, then seek the help and advice of your local chiropractic centre.

#5 – Whiplash

Whiplash occurs from a sudden jolt or jarring of the neck, something that is very common in car accidents. Soft tissues along the cervical spine can rupture as a result and vertebrae can be dislodged.

If you suffer from any kind of neck stiffness or pain, book an appointment with the professionals at Helensvale Chiropractic Centre on the Gold Coast.

Synthetic fructose and sucrose used in most processed/packaged foods are poisons and are the single worst substance or chemical in the modern diet and responsible for the majority of health issues affecting mankind. The liver struggles to process synthetic fructose and sucrose effectively; therefore sugar is continually dumped into the blood, which raises the blood sugar levels. The pancreas continually secretes insulin in an effort to balance the sugar levels, however, it struggles to keep up with the demand for insulin, and therefore insulin resistance may develop. This may lead to type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Metabolic disorders are basically caused by the body’s inability to process sugar, which leads to all sorts of health issues:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Inflammation

Sugar provides calories with no nutritional benefit, in fact sugar can rob the essential nutrients and may damage your metabolism in the long term. Most processed foods contain synthetic sucrose and fructose, such as in cakes, pastries, lollies, condiments, breads and low fat dairy products. Every year our sugar consumption rises and we are fast becoming one of the fattest and unhealthiest nations in the world!

Limit Sugar Intake

Aspirebody recommends that we limit our intake as much as possible and learn to read the labels for hidden sugar. Our daily intake of sugar should come from sources such as fruit and vegetables where the sugar occurs naturally and has the added benefit of water, fibre and various micronutrients. So as a basic rule of thumb, if it grows on a tree or in the ground we can and should eat it. If it’s in a packet then leave it. The Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013) have however altered their stand on sugar intake from eat moderately to ‘limit’. If our purpose for doing this program is to become healthier with the added benefit of losing some of those unwanted kilos then we recommend cutting out all refined sugar, synthetic fructose and sucrose. This will be easier than you think when we teach you the healthy alternatives that you can have and you regain balanced blood glucose levels as the cravings will no longer be there.

To find out more information about the damaging effects of sugar please watch That Sugar Film. This can be found on youtube.

If you would like more information regarding the above content please call Helensvale Chiropractic Centre on 55737033

Approximately 80% of having a healthy body is determined by the food choices we make. The other 20% is being active.
One of the worse things we do these days is prolonged sitting. Whether it is sitting in the car, at work, watching TV, on the computer, eating dinner or on the phone.

This leads to:

• Poor cardiovascular health
• Poor metabolism
• Tightness of muscles, joints and the spine
• Poor posture
• Arthritis
• Poor circulation.

If sitting for long periods of time it is highly recommended that you get up every 20 minutes and stretch or go for a walk. This will improve your productivity, concentration, circulation and help prevent future health problems.
Many people make the mistake or believe that by going to the gym frequently is an excuse to eat poorly. I see so many people that regularly go to the gym, but are still over weight. So by eating well you maximise the benefits of exercise. Our Aspirebody lifestyle program has a very simple way of exercising that maximises your muscle tone, burns fat and increases your cardiovascular health.

Remember our bodies are designed to be hunters and gatherers. This means plenty of walking with short bursts of high intensity activity, bending, crouching and climbing.

EXERCISE

We all know by now the benefits of regular exercise but do we really need to spend a fortune on gym memberships and expensive equipment? No. All you need is a pair of sandshoes and somewhere to walk. If you are lucky enough to live by the beach then sandshoes will not be required. We all live busy lifestyles which lead to stress, fatigue and sometimes weight gain but there really is no excuse for not allowing ourselves 20mins to walk around the block. If you have children, lead by example and encourage them to ride their bikes next to you. The key is to be active. Add as much movement into your day as possible:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Park a little further from work and walk
• Ride a bike to the shops
• Join in with your kids in the pool or at the beach
• Limit your time sitting on a computer or on your phone
• Grab a mate to motivate you both
• Do a variety of activities that you enjoy and be consistent

Do you really want to see all the fun everyone else is having on Facebook or would you like it to be you?
It really doesn’t matter what time of the day to exercise, just that you commit to it each and every day. In time you will find that you feel so good that come rain or shine nothing will stop you taking your walk. It’s recommended that you start with a 20 minute walk if you have not been exercising regularly and then gradually build your distance and time to suit. Some days you may have a bit more time spare so extend your walk to 30-40 minutes, other days you may not be so lucky but we all should be able to take 20 minutes out of our daily routine for our health.
Once you are comfortable with walking 20-30 minutes regularly, then we can add a gentle resistance workout that you can do at home, which helps maintain muscle mass and burn fat. Plus introduce short bursts of light intensity workout which will maximize your cardiovascular health and fitness.

NOTE:

Before undergoing any form of exercise I recommend you get your spine and posture checked to prevent any potential injury problems.

For any further information regarding exercises please contact Dr. John Warnock at Helensvale Chiropractic Centre on 55737033

Life’s journey is either a blessing or a lesson

The Right Mindset

This can be a big issue for a lot of people but let’s keep it simple. Most of us lead busy hectic lives and you end up forgetting about the most important person. You!!!
We are so busy in the head, worrying about, work, family, friends, finance that sometimes we just need to take a step back take a few deep breaths, relax and ask ourselves the following questions:

1. What are my hopes and dreams?(Not anybody else’s)
2. Am I being true to myself?
3. What do I need to do to change?
4. Do I want to change?

As mentioned before we are all busy thinking, analysing, planning and worrying. Our mind is rarely at peace. It is so important to find balance by taking the time to be quiet and calm the inner chatter.

Learning to Meditate, practice Yoga or simply walking in nature can assist with creating this balance. Making time to be quiet and still enables you to access something deeper inside, the Heart, the real source of Love. At the end of the day we all know Love is all we really desire or have in the world, everything else is an accumulation of stuff. There are times when we feel out of control or at a loss to why things are happening, but by accessing the Heart, a deeper knowing, it is possible to follow instincts and feel better equipped to create more love and peace in life.

This may feel confronting and new, but for those willing to make a change to find this balance the results really are more peace and love for Self and others.

Make The Decision

Making the decision and choosing to change can be challenging. But knowing what you really want is the first step to change. Nothing will happen until you make the decision to want the change, then the how reveals itself. Be it to lose weight, get healthy, be a better partner etc. Once you make the decision, feel committed and consistent, the end result will be totally worth it. Better to have a small amount of discomfort than a lifetime of misery. Be patient and trust that you are heading in the right direction.

Take Action

Communicate with like-minded people what your hopes and dreams are. Be accountable to someone who is willing to help you. Make a plan of action. It will take time but all good things come to those who persist.

The Journey

Remember. This is so important: “Life Is A Journey” Live in the moment, enjoy life in the moment, don’t wait for things to happen, enjoy the experience now. I will be happy. Don’t say when I lose weight then I will be happy. When I go on holiday then I will be happy. Understand you can have that now by feeling what it would be like to be on a holiday or feel slimmer, sexier, funnier and enjoy that feeling now! Think thoughts that affirm that is how you feel right now. For example: “I feel so happy to be creating a loving relationship/healthier body/happier life”. The mind is powerful and needs to be used to create what is desired, not continually in a state of tension about what is not happening in life. It is no good going through life resenting things/experiences that you didn’t do. Do them now!

Responsibility

You are responsible for you first and foremost. Your own thoughts, feelings and emotions. If you are feeling down or upset, remember it is just an emotion, look at what this emotion is showing you. Is there something you need to express, change or request. There is no need to use the emotion to carry the message, let it go and communicate the facts directly, knowing you deserve to be heard. Emotions are powerful energy to motivate and encourage, when used negatively with anger, abuse, criticism, judgement and so on. They create destruction and burn bridges. Listen carefully, use open questions and be aware of “How” you are responding to others. This can create non confrontational communication. Gradually there will no longer be a need to control or feel controlled. If you are in a constant state of reacting and taking things personally, take the time to ask yourself:

1. What is the real issue of this situation?
2. Am I reacting to past experiences?
3. Could I change “How” I am saying it?
4. Am I really listening and hearing what the other person is saying?
5. Are we solution oriented or is it just about someone being right or wrong?

It really is none of your business what other people are thinking about you, but it is your responsibility to ensure you are becoming the best you can be in any given situation.

Letting Go

Some people struggle to move forward in life, suffering with self-esteem and self- worth issues because of what has happened to them in the past and or what is currently going on in their lives. Such things as being teased, bullied, any type of physical and/or emotional abuse, all of which can have an ever lasting impact on your mental health. Regardless of what has happened, you must realise that you cannot change the past, but you can make a choice to move forward and take responsibility for your life and be you today. Live in the now.

Let go of all the blockages, obstacles, self-sabotaging thoughts and stresses both physical and emotional in your life. Improve you and the rest will follow. Your confidence, self- worth and self- image.
Ask yourself what has stopped you achieving your goals in the past? Why am I repeating the same old patterns? What aren’t I learning from this? Do I really want to continue on this journey which isn’t really my journey. Don’t buy into somebody else’s dream unless you really want to. You have a choice. Remember choices can be changed anytime.
Meditation is a great way of learning to let go and getting out of your thinking head and into your heart and be at peace with yourself.

Judgement

Stop judging yourself and others. Don’t worry about what other people think about you. A lion never loses sleep over the opinions of sheep.
Just be the person you want to be. And be the journey. Enjoy the journey.

Reward Yourself

Reward yourself for every little success you have along the journey of living.

Be Grateful

Be happy and grateful with what you have and who you are and the rest will follow. Every day think of 5 things that you are grateful for.

Balance

Find balance in your life. It is not all about work and making money. Do things that make you happy. Everyday do something to spoil yourself.

Manage Stress

We all have the same stresses throughout our lives at different times. It’s how we react to the stress that makes the difference. Remember it is no use stressing about things you have no control over.

Meditate

To meditate is to focus on your breathing. This is great for getting out of your busy head stuff and coming into your heart.
There are different forms of meditation, so find one that’s right for you. Google introduction to meditation.

Be Willing To Receive

Most people are not willing to receive the greatness of who they are and what they can be or have. To change this start giving to yourself every day. Massage, a (healthy) treat, a manicure, a present etc.
Also learn to give more whether it is a smile, a hug, a donation, some advice etc.
Ask yourself what can I do to nurture myself today and what can I do to make someone else feel good today?

Change Your Relationship With Food

Some people eat the wrong food for the wrong reason. This will happen when they are depressed, anxious, stressed, lonely or upset. You will not be able to change your current situation over night, but you can change your response or reaction to this. It is important to recognise what your relationship to food is, and the difference between good nutrition and bad nutrition in response to that situation. Ask yourself, “If I eat this biscuit, is it going to fix my problem or assist me to achieve my goal or will it cause a set-back? Is the set-back worth it? What else can I do to avoid having this set-back?

Tip: Make it a habit to only eat at the table. Do not snack when driving, on the run, reading, using a computer or when watching T.V. These are just bad habits that need to be eliminated

Preparation for weight-loss

You must prepare yourself for weight-loss and getting healthy if you want long lasting results. To make things simple for you and avoid set-backs, as with anything that is worth gaining, you need to prepare in advance.

• Clear the cupboards of unhealthy food
• Shop for the week in advance
• Take time to learn how to read labels
• Don’t go shopping on an empty stomach
• Start at the fruit, vegetable, deli and meat section when shopping, the new you will find ¾ of your trolley full here
• Take a photo of yourself to look back on later
• Share your goals with family and friends
• Remember you are NOT going on a diet, you are changing your lifestyle permanently to become healthier and happier

Plan For Setbacks

Know that nobody is perfect and life is full of ups and downs, so just be aware that it is normal to have set backs and the best thing to do is be prepared for setbacks, acknowledge them and get back on track. Have an action plan to counter any foreseeable problems.

Some examples:

Have pre-prepared healthy snacks on hand
• Call a friend
• Read a book
• Listen to some music
• Go for a walk
• Find out what ever works for you.

Genetics & Hormonal Imbalances

The other important fact to remember is that, your cravings, poor lifestyle choices and weight gain may not be your fault. Despite all your good intentions to get healthy and lose weight, you may have a struggle due to inherited genes, and also the effect that synthetic fructose and sucrose (Processed food) has on the hormonal system. Particularly leptin, which is the hormone of satiety, which controls our level of satisfaction. If Leptin is out of balance due to inherited genes, the effects of sucrose and fructose and in some cases pharmaceutical drugs which all may dampen the effect leptin, then we are continually craving the wrong foods. These then push our blood sugars up, which puts more pressure on the pancreas to secrete insulin and so on, leading to obesity and other metabolic disorders. The Aspirebody Program balances out your hormonal system, thus preventing cravings and allowing your body to be a normal fat burning system.

How Do I Stay Motivated

Staying motivated is important especially at the beginning, as you are making life changing choices to get healthy and breaking old habits. However, once you start feeling better, looking great and losing weight you will find it easier to stick to the healthy lifestyle. Follow the program and use all the support tools offered by Aspirebody for long term results. Remember this is a journey to better health. Just start!!!
:
• Set achievable goals and reward yourself as each goal is achieved
• List the reasons why you want to achieve your goals
• Chart your progress
• Get out a dress you haven’t been able to wear and look at it weekly
• Have a good look in the mirror, see your skin improving
• Read and watch motivational media that you aspire to.
• Make it fun and enjoyable
• Mix with likeminded people
• Plug into the Aspirebody support system
• Learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them

Monitoring

Scales will not indicate whether you are losing fat, muscle or fluids. A more accurate indication is the use of Cellular Health Analysis which monitors the exact fat to muscle ratios.. Cellular Health Analysis is a scientifically validated test that measures the biological markers of the ageing process. It will calculate your fat mass, lean muscle mass, % of ideal body weight, water composition of cells, biological age and circulating toxicity factor.

Cellular health analysis also incorporates waist measurement which is very important for monitoring fat loss around the organs. Another great tool you can use to monitor your progress is a tape measure. Measuring your waist circumference is a great indicator of fat lose.

If anyone would like more information about the above content please call Helensvale Chiropractic Centre on 55737033

Life’s journey is either a blessing or a lesson