Physio Path

Before you take that Panadol or Paracetamol for that headache you have almost everyday, ask yourself these questions:

1. Where's this headache coming from?
a. Hunger
b. Stress
c. A particular posture triggers it
d. No idea. Just started all of a sudden

2. Where can I feel it?
a. Back of my head
b. Sides of my head
c. Front of my head
d. Everywhere

3. Why doesn't Panadol or Paracetamol make it go away completely?
a. If it is a migraine, it won't work

b. If it is caused by stress, removing the stressor in conjunction, will make the Panadol or Paracetamol work effectively

c. If it is posture triggered, Panadol or Paracetamol will have short-lived effect

d. If you feel it at the back of your head, Panadol or Paracetamol will not work for it

Any headache you have that you can feel starting from the back of your head will only respond to Physiotherapy for long lasting relief

Any headache that is stress related will work with stress management

Any headache triggered by posture will respond to Physiotherapy

Stop popping pills that either don't work or are short-lived in when you can choose Physiotherapy, a better treatment with no side side effects.

Take the Physio Path now.

5 Harmful Habits for Your Spine
Are You Increasing Your Risk of Back Pain?
Written by Eeric Truumees, MD

We all have bad habits some of the time. But now is a good time to fix the bad habits that can be harmful to your spine and cause back pain.
Here are the top 5 bad habits that can be harmful to your spine:

#1 Twisting when Lifting
So many people make this mistake! We forget to check our body mechanics while lifting, yet too much of this type of movement can be very damaging to your back. When lifting, follow these steps:

• Get close to the object
• Bend your knees and grasp the object firmly
• Lift straight up (don't twist!) in one fluid motion
• Hold the object close to your body
• Move close to where you want to place the object
• Bend your knees when lowering the object

#2 Bad Posture
How often to you think about your posture? If you're like most people, not often enough.

But bad posture—slouched shoulders, head down, knees locked—places an enormous amount of stress on the spine.

Good posture keeps your body in balance and helps avoid that stress. Here's what good posture looks like when standing:

• Feet slightly apart
• Knees straight
• Chin slightly tucked in
• Shoulders back

woman standing straight, with proper posture
Be sure to check and correct your posture during your everyday activities. Soon you will find that you are actually more comfortable when your spine is in balance!

#3 Too Little Exercise, Too Much Weight
A sedentary lifestyle has become all too common in our society today. Eventually our spines will pay the price. In fact, research shows that people who do not exercise regularly and are overweight are more likely to suffer from back injures and pain. To keep that from happening to you, get up and get moving! Find a way to put exercise into your daily activities. Not only will it help keep your spine healthy, it will help you to shed those unwanted pounds and feel great, too!

#4 Ignoring the Pain
None of us like going to the doctor or physiotherapist, but persistent back pain should not be ignored. If you suffer from persistent, chronic, or recurring back pain, see your doctor and/or physiotherapist. In most cases there is an easy, non-surgical treatment that can return you to a pain free life. However, if left untreated or allowed to progress, back pain can lead to serious and severe disability.

#5 Smoking
Among the many harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the body, early and more severe degeneration of the back is getting more and more attention. Nicotine—in any form—blocks the transport of oxygen and important nutrients to the spine's discs. Starved of oxygen, the discs are much less able to repair themselves and tend to collapse at a much earlier age than is seen in non-smokers. This painful collapse—degenerative disc disease—can lead to chronic back pain. Moreover, should any surgery be needed, smokers have been found to have much slower healing times and a high rate of failure to heal.

The many benefits of massage

There are many ways in which the benefits of massage can improve the quality of your life. Many people think the benefits of massage are restricted to relaxation (which in itself is hugely important!). But there are numerous other health and wellbeing benefits.

Peer-reviewed medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include: pain relief, reduced anxiety and depression, and reduced blood pressure, heart rate. The release of endorphins and serotonin can: prevent fibrosis or scar tissue, increase the flow of lymph, and improve sleep.

Relief from pain due to musculoskeletal injuries and other causes is one of the other major benefits of massage. It can also relieve tension headaches.

Growing knowledge about the benefits of massage therapy

The benefits of massage therapy are fully integrated into the Australian health care system (via alternative and complementary medicines and practitioners). Awareness of the many benefits of massage therapy is increasing all the time.

Acupressure or trigger point massage may be very beneficial in relieving back pain. After massage, EEG patterns indicate enhanced performance and alertness on mathematical computations, with the effects perhaps being mediated by decreased stress hormones.

Massage has been shown to reduce subclinical depression. Massage has been used in an effort to improve symptoms and disease progression in HIV and terminal cancer patients. The benefits of massage therapy for these patients are significant in improving and maintaining quality of life.

The benefits of massage for your body
Massage stimulates the immune system by increasing blood flow and lymph drainage. It improves circulation and relieves congestion in the tissues. It stimulates the production of blood cells and promotes lymph flow which hastens the elimination of cellular wastes. It helps clear muscles of lactic and uric acid that build up during exercise and relaxes muscle hypertonicity as well as relieves muscle tension.

Benefits of massage also include improving muscle tone and delaying muscle atrophy resulting from inactivity. Deep massage can separate fascial fibres, and prevent the formation of adhesions and helps reduction of inflammation and oedema in joints and soft tissue. Massage stimulates increased proprieties and kinesthetic awareness of the body

Massage assists the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It relaxes and tones the muscles preventing injuries, increases circulation and therefore improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all body cells.

"Extract"