Debunking Common Chiropractic Myths

Despite chiropractic being around since 1895 and undergoing significant developments, there are many misconceptions. This blog aims to debunk some of the most common myths surrounding this treatment technique.

Myth 1: Chiropractic is painful

Chiropractic care aims to alleviate the pain and discomfort you are experiencing in your daily life. Although you may experience some discomfort during the treatment, the aim is to relieve your pain, not further it. If a patient experiences particular discomfort during treatment, that modality is immediately stopped. Following treatment, you may also feel some mild soreness (similar to that after a good workout), but this should lessen in 24 hours and be less frequent with a few more visits. 

Myth 2: The sound is your bones cracking

When people think of chiropractic care, they often associate it with cracking and popping sounds, and instantly believe the bones produce those noises. However, these sounds are due to small pockets of air being released from the fluid surrounding your joints as they are stretched during the treatment (think of it as bubble wrap). Furthermore, these noises are not the be-all and end-all of the treatment. The chiropractor is more interested in achieving movement in the joints than creating a popping noise.

Myth 3: Chiropractic is just for your back

Chiropractors are known primarily for treating back issues, but are educated on many areas of the human body. Chiropractic is an efficient treatment option for many neurological and orthopaedic issues (i.e. tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis). The chiropractor may focus on the spine for aspects of treatment, but this is due to the nervous system stemming directly from it.

Myth 4: You can adjust yourself

This can be dangerous, as you will not only be ineffective, but can also increase the pain you are experiencing. Although you may recreate the pops and cracks yourself at home, you will not be targeting the joints most in need of further mobility, so you will not achieve the same results. Chiropractors are trained professionals educated in applying the right force in the right direction to ensure that the treatment is as effective and pain-free as possible. 

Myth 5: Once you start chiropractic treatment, you will need it for the rest of your life

Although chiropractic isn’t a one-hit wonder, it does not require you to dedicate your whole life to receiving treatment. When a chiropractor first sees you, they will decide on a care plan tailored to you, your condition and your goals. Following the completion of this original plan of care, it is recommended that you return for regular chiropractic care to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, similar to your routine visits to the dentist or GP. However, this decision is completely up to you.

Is water important? Of course...don't be a drip! 💧

It will come as no surprise, that up to 60% of the human body is comprised of water.  Therefore, why is it that drinking water is often neglected from our daily routines? 

On any given day the body can lose up to 1.8L of fluid, usually through perspiration (and this is not even from smashing it at the gym!)

Our body is constantly regulating its temperature through sweat in order to maintain a healthy core temperature to function well, this can be simply when you’re sat at your desk, typing on the computer, watching the tv and sleeping.  Therefore, majority of the time, perspiration goes unnoticed! 

Here are some benefits of drinking water and how it can help the body overall. 

The Brain: Your brain is made up of 73% water, and therefore dehydration can dramatically affect its ability to function optimally, which can sometimes be seen by the following; 

• Your mood and memory.

• Alertness

• Concentration

• Reduces motor skills.

• Heightens sensitivity to pain.
  

  Flush out Toxins:
  
  Water consumption helps to flush the toxins from your body via sweat and urination- this helps to prevent such issues such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections. 
  
  The body will naturally detoxify anyway, it is always working hard in the background, through the use of your lungs, liver and kidneys – however (and we are all guilty of this) we sometimes give it a little more than it can handle (unhealthy foods, lack of exercise), therefore, water will help to flush the excess!  

  Boosts immune system:
  
  This is because it helps to flush those aforementioned toxins, in addition, water helps the blood carry oxygen around the body.  How?  Blood is made up of many products, however, dehydration has shown to increase viscosity of blood therefore making it slower moving around the body. 

  Prevents headaches:
  
  Nobody likes a headache!  Nonetheless, it is always good practice to ask yourself….  Have I drunk enough water today?  If the answer is no, then the chance is that dehydration is playing its part in producing your headache. 

  Maintains regularity!  Drinking plenty of water helps to ward off constipation! Which ultimately is going to be advantageous in looking after your gut health in the long term. 

Ideally, we should be aiming to drink between 2.5-3Litres daily but more if you are exercising in order to help the body function the best it can!  

So, if you are feeling tired, hungry, headache… ask yourself that important question… 

“Have I drunk enough water?”

Desk work? How should you be sitting?

For many, changing work positions from office to home is highly likely at this uncertain time, therefore, getting up and moving is even more essential! 

Statistically, (research is consistently confirming this also), that occupational sitting or being a desk-based worker increases your susceptibility of neck ache, tense shoulders, mid- low back pain and a rise in posture related headaches.  Although, this may not be an issue in early stages, poor seating/ working posture over time causes muscles to fatigue and become less efficient.  Therefore, the more fatigued they become, the earlier pain and discomfort will arise during your working day.  Similar to, the less sleep you have the grumpier you become ;) 

Some points to consider when setting your desk up….

1. Sit with your back against the back of the chair 

2. If you are using an office chair, then the seat should have a slight recline to it.

3. Ensure that your weight is evenly distributed across your bottom (sorry people no crossing those legs)

4. No arm rest on the seat, this disables the ability to tuck yourself under the desk to be the correct distance. 

5. Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips

6. Feet flat on the floor….  Can’t reach the floor?  Obtain a foot rest. 

7. Screen at eye level – those with laptops will need to adapt this, consider a separate keyboard (Laptops are less than ideal, why?  because they cause forward head posture, which increases neck and low back tension)

8. Try to get up and move every 20mins 

Although, the above is helpful and guidelines for an ‘idyllic desk/sitting posture’, honestly, we are not designed to sit all day! This is why fidgeting and movement in paramount, anything to stop the load constantly accumulating in the same spots causing those muscles to become chronically fatigued. 

If you have the option or access to a vary-height desks are a great idea for this reason, so you can sit, stand or perch mid-height to spare your back and neck.  There has been a lot of research for these types of desks, and are proving to provide valuable research data in reducing back related sick days from work. 

Feel you’re experiencing this type of discomfort, based around your work life – get in touch, we are experienced in this type of postural change and can help relieve pain and give you the best toolkit to help combat it! 

Tune your Immune System...

The immune system…. Can we influence it?

Our body… what an amazing piece of machinery it is, it has lots of systems and mechanisms that need to work cohesively in order for us to survive!  Many of you will be aware (particularly since this is a really hot topic currently!) of an important system the body possesses, the immune system. 

So, what is it made up of?

The immune system comprises of organs, cells, tissues and proteins.  A combined effort of all these components help to ward off foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses that cause infection and disease. 

As we go through life, picking up germs, bacteria and certain pathogens along the way, the body has a way of remembering what it has seen, therefore, creating immunity, a bit like building a small army. 

What can you do to help ourselves and boost our immunity during periods of uncertainty and stress…?

Sleep: 

Getting a good night sleep will help the body recharge! Studies have shown that at least 7 hours of sleep per night will benefit the body, encouraging a restorative and recharge effect!  Struggling to relax….? Consider using breathing techniques such as “Diaphragmatic breathing” (big belly breath in for 5 through the nose and release for 10 seconds out the mouth, nice and steady) In addition to this, good sleep hygiene is essential regardless, putting down digital equipment at least an hour before bed for example. 

Stress
An overburden of stress to the system can decrease the body’s ability to be prepared to ward off illness.  Constant stress initiates the fight or flight mechanism the body possess to protect itself, which, over time will fatigue and lower resilience, therefore, increasing chances of becoming unwell. 

Some things to consider… where possible:

1. Practice self-care: whether that is 10mins in a comfortable quiet spot having some time out to pay attention to the small things, this could be focussing on one sound from a bird in the garden, looking at the steam drifting up from your coffee cup. 

2. Talk! speaking to those close to you of any worries you may be experiencing (problem shared is a problem halved).

3. Fighting those urges to rely on unhealthy options of dealing with stress such as smoking, alcohol and food in high sugar content! (although…small piece of dark chocolate doesn’t hurt in moderation!)

Vitamin C – Try to get plenty of this into your diet through fruit and veg (Oranges and Kiwis are high in Vit C).  Although, these won’t stop you from getting illness’, research shows that it can help boost the immune system!  If you did get a cold, having a balanced diet with vitamins C can help reduce the time in which it takes you to recover!

Did you know… Blueberries are classed as a superfood!  They contain a type of flavonoid called Anthocyanin.  Current research is finding that flavonoids help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and generally good for weight maintenance!  (Taken in moderation of course ;)) An additional bonus here…other helpful aspects of blueberries are the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions they also bring to the table! 

Exercise! 
Get that heart rate up, stretch out and keep moving!  The health benefits from exercise is 10-fold!  Ranging from mental to physical wellbeing!  Get those endorphins circulating and boosting that positivity – it will help to relax you, increase focus on tasks at hand and allow for a more upbeat you!  

Ultimately, make sure you get outside, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine (when she decides to visit, its full of Vitamin D. another essential vitamin the body loves!)

Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and tips and tricks on how to stay healthy! We are here to look after you! 

Keep smiling, keep positive, be awesome!