“Play hard or go home.” It’s funny how one of my go-to catch-phrases has taken on a new life since my becoming a chiropractor, especially after working with so many athletes. So. Many. Avoidable. Injuries. Now “play hard AND go home” seems more appropriate! Paddington, it’s time we have a talk. Bottom Line: Millions of people engage in weekend sports to stay active and connected with friends. And while the likelihood of sustaining an injury increases as the years go on, you shouldn’t let that stop you from enjoying your favorite activities! As the leading sports injury prevention chiropractor in Paddington, we want to share some proactive health habits for weekend sports that can help you stay in the game. Why it Matters: To prevent injuries, it's essential to be proactive about your health, and your weekday habits directly impact your weekend performance. It's vital to stretch, strengthen and move through your entire range of motion daily. Proactive Health Habits for Weekend Sports 1) Regular exercise during the week can help reduce the risk of injury on the weekends. ● According to Harvard Health Publishing, weekend warriors have a 40% lower risk of experiencing an adverse health event related to cardiovascular disease. ● Engaging in at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. ● Regular exercise can also help improve your overall fitness level, making it easier to participate in weekend sports activities without getting tired or winded. 2) Strength training is another crucial factor in injury prevention. ● Building strength can help improve your body's support, stability, and balance. ● Focus on different muscle groups, including your core, upper body, and lower body. ● Resistance training exercises such as lunges, squats, push-ups, and planks can help improve your overall strength. 3) Regular movement is also essential for injury prevention. ● Extended periods of sitting can cause stiffness and reduce your body's flexibility, leading to an increased risk of injury. ● Therefore, move throughout the day, even if it's only for a few minutes. ● Using a smartwatch or a health app to remind you to get up and move your body can be an effective way to maintain a balance of strength and flexibility. Next Steps: Remember, being proactive is crucial for injury prevention and staying in the game. Start with the short list of proactive health habits for weekend sports we just shared. Incorporating stretching, strength training, and movement into your daily routine can help reduce the risk of injury and improve your overall fitness level. And as the leading sports injury prevention chiropractor in Paddington, we're here to help you stay healthy and injury-free. If you're looking for a chiropractor to help ensure you can play hard and recover well for years to come, don't hesitate to schedule a visit with us today! Science Sources: The Underappreciated Health Benefits of Being a Weekend Warrior. Harvard Health Publishing. 2017

We’ve made it to the big leagues! Nearly all professional sports teams - baseball, hockey, football, and soccer - now have chiropractors on staff. If you could only see the smile on my face - the secret is out! Even the local high-school teams understand the benefits of chiropractic care for athletes and are all-in. And knowing that you’re here looking to learn more about how the care we provide can benefit athletes makes it even better. So, let’s get into it. Bottom Line: As an athlete - whether you’re a weekend warrior, local minor league celebrity, or you play in the same league as Tom Brady - you know how important it is to maintain your physical health to perform at your best. Taking care of your body is key to unlocking your full potential in any sport. And while there are many ways to go about it, one of the most effective ways to ensure your body is feeling and functioning at its best is chiropractic care. Don’t just take our word for it, of course! In this post, we'll explore the benefits of chiropractic care for athletes of all levels and break down why you should consider scheduling a movement assessment with the best chiropractor for sports injuries in Paddington. Why it Matters: Chiropractic care as an all-natural and “hands-on” approach to sports care that emphasizes injury prevention and performance improvement. That unique focus on preventing injury and improving mobility and performance means that chiropractors themselves are a bridge between the player, coach, and medical team. Consider this. Traditionally, the coach focuses on finding ways to improve player performance and the medical team focuses on helping athletes recover from injuries. Notice the gap there? Chiropractic care fills this gap by offering a holistic approach that emphasizes injury prevention and performance improvement, bringing the athlete’s care full-circle. The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Athletes Let’s look at the science for a moment. Recent research has shown that spinal adjustments can positively influence the brain, spinal cord, and muscle strength. ● A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that spinal adjustments can help improve the communication between the brain and body, resulting in improved motor control and movement patterns. ● Another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care can help reduce pain perception, making it an effective treatment for athletes dealing with pain. ● A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that athletes who received chiropractic care had significant increases in functional muscle strength compared to those who did not receive care. Each of the above studies highlights key benefits of chiropractic care for athletes. Now let’s circle back to the athletes. Professional athletes are provided chiropractic care and even seek it out themselves outside of the training facility and off the field for many different reasons. For some, their focus is on improving their mobility to get that competitive edge. For others, it’s on injury prevention and speeding up recovery times. But no matter the how or why, one thing is certain - chiropractic care in competitive athletics is here to stay. And even if you're not a professional athlete, chiropractic care can help improve your quality of life by helping you feel and function better. Take it from the best chiropractor for sports injuries in Paddington. We provide sports care for athletes from all walks of life each and every day, and whether you're dealing with chronic pain or simply looking to improve your athletic performance, chiropractic care can help unlock your full potential. What makes us the best chiropractor for sports injuries in Paddington is that we understand the unique needs of athletes. We have experience working with athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to professional athletes, and we can help you achieve your fitness goals by addressing your specific needs. Next Steps: Chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for athletes of all levels. And if one thing is clear, from injury prevention to performance enhancement, chiropractic care is an essential component of athlete care. Finding the best chiropractor for sports injuries in Paddington is essential to achieving your fitness goals and staying injury-free, and you’ve come to the right place! If you're looking for a way to improve your athletic performance or prevent injuries, don’t write off chiropractic care. Do something your future self will thank you for and give us a call today! Science Sources: The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Cortical Drive. Brain Sciences. 2017. The Effects of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation. Scientific Reports. 2019. Neurophysiological Effects of Spinal Manipulation. Spine Journal. 2002.

I’ve got one name for you: Michael Jordan. Let’s face it. I may not “be like Mike” when it comes to my athletic talents and my name may not be recognized outside of the wonderful community that is Paddington... But like me, he understood the power of chiropractic care for improved performance before the secret was out. Well, how about that - I guess I am “like Mike” after all. Or maybe I should say we are, right? If you’re a fellow athlete, there’s a reason you landed here, so let’s get to it! Bottom Line: Chiropractic care has been gaining popularity among modern-day athletes and retired greats alike who are looking for ways to improve their athletic performance. Whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior looking to improve your physical performance to reach new goals, you’re in the right place! Chiropractic care can help optimize your body's structure and function so you can perform at your highest level. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of chiropractic care for improved athletic performance and why you should consider specialized chiropractic treatment for athletes in Paddington to help you achieve your fitness goals. Why it Matters: There's no denying that pretty much every single sport is becoming more competitive as new innovations in sport science and technology are released at breakneck speed. And as the “secrets” of the human body continue to be analyzed and quantified, you can bet that athletes of all ages are always looking for a natural advantage that can help improve their performance. Allow us to help you cut through the noise. The key there is that athletes are looking for a natural advantage, and that’s where chiropractic care has shined for over a century. The best kept secret in healthcare is out. More and more studies are being done every day and more and more athletes are receiving and seeking chiropractic care. Chiropractic Care for Improved Performance At its core, hands-on, personalized, all-natural, non-invasive chiropractic care can help athletes move more freely and perform better by reducing pain, which can reduce your strength, balance, and endurance. By relieving pain and improving how well the joints and tissues of the body move, chiropractic adjustments can help athletes stay injury-free and perform at their best. On top of pain relief, studies have also shown that chiropractic care has been found to positively influence functional muscle strength and endurance. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that chiropractic patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in strength and endurance compared to those in the study who did not receive care. This suggests that chiropractic care can be an effective way to improve athletic performance. Additionally, chiropractic adjustments can help maximize an athlete’s balance, flexibility, and range of motion so they can perform better. Each of those are key factors for optimal athletic performance, and chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help athletes achieve these benefits. Assessing your movement patterns, making adjustments when necessary, and helping you craft an at-home exercise plan are just a few ways chiropractors help athletes improve their performance. Soft tissue therapy and exercise rehabilitation are often used as well. All that to say, regular chiropractic care can help athletes stay injury-free and perform at their highest level. And if you're an athlete in Paddington looking for chiropractic treatment, you’ve found the best chiropractor for sports injuries in Paddington who can help you achieve your fitness goals. We’ll address your specific needs and develop a personalized treatment plan that can help you perform at your best, no matter your level of experience or athletic ability. Next Steps: I’ll leave you with this. Chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for athletes of all levels, including improved muscle strength, balance, endurance, and reduced pain. We know athletes, and chiropractic treatment for athletes in Paddington is an excellent way to improve your athletic performance naturally. So, if you're interested in discovering how chiropractic care can help you perform at a higher level, schedule a visit with the best chiropractor for sports injuries in Paddington today! Science Source: Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2020.

Move better, play better. Move better, feel better. Move better, age better. Move better, train better. The list goes on! Is it any wonder there are entire professions like chiropractic dedicated to helping ensure your body moves its best so it can function its best and you can feel its best? That said… is it any wonder that every professional sports team now employs a chiropractor? Or that even high school athletes are receiving chiropractic care? Well, what about YOU? Bottom Line: As an athlete, you know that injuries can be a frustrating and even devastating part of the game. Recovering from an injury can be mentally and physically challenging. That’s why taking proactive steps to prevent injuries in the first place is key. That’s why chiropractic care is so important for athletes - and that’s ALL athletes. One essential aspect of chiropractic-based injury prevention is improving biomechanics. In this post, we'll explore the importance of improving biomechanics for athletes and why, as an athlete, you should consider a biomechanics assessment in Paddington Why it Matters: So, what do we mean when we talk about biomechanics? Biomechanics is the science of how your muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement. In short, think of biomechanics as the science of movement. As you may have guessed, ensuring optimal biomechanics is particularly critical for meaningfully reducing your risk of injury. Consider this. Changes to the biomechanics in one of your body’s joints can lead to compensations in others, which can cause pain, put you at an increased risk for injury, and even speed up the aging process in the affected joints. Yes, ensuring proper biomechanics is important! Improving Biomechanics for Athletes So, where do we start? Developing a fitness plan that includes dynamic stretching, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise can help you maintain proper biomechanics and decrease your chance of injury. Key aspects would involve making time to move through your body's full range of motion each day and perhaps alternating training different muscle groups every other day. Whatever the specifics, the focus is on movement. So, how do you know if your biomechanics are optimal? That's where a biomechanics assessment in Paddington comes in. A biomechanics assessment is an essential part of every chiropractic evaluation. Chiropractors are trained to carefully examine your biomechanics and movement patterns and to provide passive and active ways to improve them. It’s important to keep in mind that no two people move the same, so having a functional movement assessment is critical if you're looking for ways to improve your own unique movement patterns. That’s especially true when it comes to improving biomechanics for athletes. Movement (biomechanics) assessments can help identify altered biomechanics before you have pain and discomfort. By proactively addressing these issues, you may not only be able to reduce your risk of injury but also improve your athletic performance. Biomechanics assessments are especially important for athletes who rely on specific movement patterns, such as runners or tennis players. Improving biomechanics can also benefit athletes recovering from injuries. Research has shown that correcting biomechanical issues can improve rehabilitation outcomes and reduce the likelihood of reinjury. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that correcting faulty movement patterns in athletes reduced their risk of reinjury. Next Steps: Improving your biomechanics is critical to reducing your risk of injury and improving your athletic performance. And if you're a local athlete looking to optimize your movement patterns and reduce your risk of injury, consider a biomechanics assessment in Paddington. Our team can help you identify any issues and we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan designed to quickly and easily improve your specific biomechanics. Contact us today to schedule your assessment and take the first step towards moving better and playing better! Science Sources: Preventing Sports Injuries. University of Rochester Medical Center. 2023. Does Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy Result in Better Long-Term Outcome? Spine. 2011.

It's estimated that over 200 million opioid prescriptions are written each year. This use and abuse has led to an epidemic that's been fueled by chronic pain. Opioids temporarily hide pain by attaching to receptors in the brain and boosting feelings of pleasure. Unfortunately, they do nothing to stimulate healing, leading to a pattern of pain, medications, and more pain. The good news is that there is a better way to find relief. Opioids are in the same family of drugs as heroin, and some opioid medications are thought to be even more addictive. The temporary relief that they offer comes at a steep price. In lower doses, opioids can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Higher doses can cause your breathing and heart rate to slow down to dangerous levels. But the most dangerous aspect of opioids is the addiction rate of up to 30%. - Opioids bind to the receptions in your nervous system that block pain and produce intense euphoria - Tolerance to opioids can build in just a few short days - Withdrawal symptoms are severe and can lead to addiction There is no question that opioids are powerful painkillers. The problem is they are also highly addictive and don't actually fix the cause of your pain. But, if you're struggling with chronic pain, you may be curious about your best care options. How can you fix the cause of your pain, find lasting relief, and avoid these harmful medications? You may be surprised to discover that people who saw a chiropractor for spine pain had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription than those who didn't. It's not just that chiropractors don't prescribe these dangerous medications. As time passed, most people were not likely to fill an opioid prescription at all. That indicates the care provided by chiropractors helped people find enough relief that they no longer sought medications to find relief! ● Choosing chiropractic for spinal pain can reduce your risk of filling an opioid prescription by over 50% ● Masking spine pain with medications can possibly increase your risk of further injury ● Movement-based care helps your body heal and can improve your likelihood of finding long-term relief The truth will set you free. While much of the information about the opioid epidemic is shocking, it's important to understand how we got here. For example, when we first learned that 35 billion opioids (half of all the distributed pills) were handled by about 15% of pharmacies, it became clear that there was a network of "pill mills" that weren't concerned about helping people actually find relief from their chronic pain. Chronic pain is a real issue for tens of millions of people each day. In many cases, the answer isn't found in a pill but rather with a combination of movement-based treatments. Your body heals through motion. Taking medications may provide temporary relief, but they don't address the cause of your pain. Nearly everyone who takes opioids for an extended time becomes dependent. We think it's a smart idea to avoid the risks. - In 2016, over 91 million people used prescription opioids - The rates of emergency department visits involving opioids more than tripled from 1999 to 2013 - Over 16 million people currently suffer from an opioid use disorder. About 30 years ago, medicine had a shift in how they thought pain should be addressed. "Pain is a 5th vital sign" became a rallying cry, and new medications were created to block pain…at all costs. They now know that these medications created a never-before-seen healthcare epidemic. To begin with, the drugs weren't very good at addressing chronic pain, and they require larger and larger doses to achieve an effect over time. Taking a stand against opioids starts with our ability to help people find relief from chronic pain. Nearly all of our primary healthcare organizations have now advocated for a non-drug approach to care. And the data is clear- people are looking for solutions for chronic pain that extend beyond a prescription. - The Centers for Disease Control (FDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and others have recommended a non-pharmacological approach to chronic pain should be the first line of treatment - Over 40% of blogs relating to opioids are focused on people trying to find solutions “beyond the pill” - Together, we can end the opioid crisis by breaking the cycle of chronic pain with natural and effective healthcare choices Chronic pain is described as biopsychosocial, which means that it's complex and has many dimensions. Creating personalized care, goal-oriented, and coordinated care plans are critical and exactly why our practice begins each patient with a complete and thorough evaluation. Our evaluation helps us understand your history, goals, and challenges. From there, we can create a comprehensive plan of care that enables you to find long-term relief from chronic pain. Do you know the benefits of chiropractic care? Many people know that chiropractors adjust the body's joints, but things can get confusing after that. The truth is that chiropractors help your body heal itself through movement-based techniques that influence your body's nervous system, muscles, and joints. The benefits of chiropractic can extend beyond just your spine. Chiropractors have been trained to work with nearly all the joints in your body. But there is something unique about spinal adjustments. Spinal adjustments have been shown to directly and indirectly, influence your nervous system. Since your nervous system is the master control system of your body, you may experience improvements in function and pain relief that extend beyond the area of your body that is being adjusted. - Spinal adjustments can help relieve pain and improve your body’s function - Chiropractors are trained to treat a variety of conditions that extend beyond your neck and back - Adjustments can influence your neuromusculoskeletal system and provide unexpected benefits beyond pain relief alone Next Steps: Whether you are looking to find relief from pain, correct the cause of your health issues, or you’re seeking improvements in function and performance, chiropractic care may be able to help. It's very common for people with low back pain, headaches, or neck pain to seek chiropractic care. But don't forget about all of the other joints of your body- we can help there too. And finally, if you're seeking human performance improvements, you may want to try chiropractic care. There's a reason chiropractors are a part of every major sports team! Science Source: What are opioids and why are they dangerous? Mayo Clinic. 2018 Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain. 2020 Opioid Addiction. Stat Pearls. 2021 Healing the Unmet Needs of Patients Suffering from Chronic Pain. 2019 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. April 2019

Be Smart With Your Smartphone and Look Up! As education steps into the digital age, many students will be e-learning in some capacity for hours each day on their digital devices. While our devices can be fantastic tools for entertain- ment and education, the postural effects are something all parents should be aware of. For many students, e-learning may increase neck, mid-back, and low back pain. Spending six or more hours each day looking down at your digital devices can profoundly affect your mental, social, and physical health. It can also lead to the development of "Tech Neck Syndrome." This forward head posture often places tremendous stress on the neck (cervical spine) and can lead to an uptick in headaches, back and neck pain, and more. Did you know... Low back pain is the 3rd most common form of pain interfering with schoolwork. It's estimated that 50.3% of school-aged children present with posture disorders. Approximately 41.6% of children experience back pain from prolonged sitting. Why Chiropractic Care is Critical for Kids Who Play Sports Youth sports are a big deal. It's estimated that over 45 million kids are actively engaged in sports! While sports give kids a fantastic opportunity to grow socially and physically, they also increase risks for injuries, pain from overuse, and muscular imbalances. Finding proactive ways to reduce the risk of injury and balance the effects of training are essential for your child's developing musculoskeletal system. Your child's skeletal system is actively developing until they are approximately 25 years old. Their postural habits, history of injuries, and genetics play a role in their body's final form (and function). Sports have the potential to add a significant amount of stress and increase the chances of injuries for your developing child. Even small injuries to their spine can create bigger challenges down the road as they get older. To recap: -Addressing minor injuries and challenges while your child is young can help ensure proper musculoskeletal development. -Youth sports can increase your child's likelihood of developing overuse, growth plate injuries, and chronic pain. - Chiropractic care is a safe and natural way to help your child stay active and perform their best. Power Your Child’s Brain with Movement. Years ago, many believed that the health benefits of exercise were limited to the body. However, research has demonstrated that regular physical activity and movement can benefit the body and the brain. Recent studies have highlighted that movement can improve the supply of oxygen to the brain and promote the production of new cells. It appears movement also aids in creating new connections in the brain! Many schools have reduced physical education classes. Many more students have moved towards e-learning. For those reasons, it's important to be mindful of our children's physical activity and encourage them to exercise more daily. And not just to benefit their physical health. In many ways, exercising each day is likely to make your child a better student! Movement triggers the release of chemical substances in the brain that enhance brain function. Here's a quick snapshot of the benefits of movement: - Better Brain Function - Movement may protect your brain against degenerative changes. - Better Stress Reduction - Exercise and movement have been shown to have an antidepressant effect that can help reduce overall stress. - Better Memory - Regular exercise can help directly and indirectly improve recall and reasoning skills. E-Learning: How to Avoid Tech Neck Is your child connected to a phone, computer, or tablet during and after school? Think about it. Many of us aren't more than an arm's length from our phone at any time (even when sleeping). Spending time every day looking down at our devices can place a lot of stress on the support- ing muscles of our neck and lead to an uptick in headaches. It's a condition called "Tech Neck," one of the most common causes of headaches and neck pain. The countless daily hours kids spend on phones and computers can significantly contribute to tension headaches. It’s estimated that kids spend up to 1,400 hours per year in the exact positions attributed to the development of "Tech Neck." That's not surprising. Recent research has also shown that even 15 degrees of forward head tilt can triple the weight of the head on the spine. Here are some key things to remember when it comes to "Tech Neck": - "Tech Neck" is the term used to describe the symptoms of headaches, neck pain, and poor posture attributed to the forward head posture often associated with using your phone, tablet, and computer. - Taking a break from our mobile devices every 15 minutes can help reduce the likelihood of developing recurring neck pain and headaches. -Chiropractic care, including adjustments and postural exercises, can help decrease the pain and reverse the effects of "Tech Neck.” Next Steps: Keep it simple. Encourage your children to take breaks and stretch often. These are some of the best (and easiest) ways to help them break the bad habits leading to "Tech Neck." If your child spends a lot of time online and begins experiencing neck pain or headaches, don't hesitate to give us a call on 02 8091 2021 or email us : hello@livelovelifechiro.com Our team is experienced in evaluating children and creating kid-friendly care plans. Our doors are open, and we're ready to help you and your family live the highest quality of life possible! Science Sources: Text Neck Syndrome. Intl Journal of Env Research and Public Health. 2021. Back Pain in School Children. Dynamic Chiropractic. 1995. School Children's Backpacks, Back Pain and Back Pathologies. Arch Dis Child. 2012. Specialization & Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes. UCONN Health. 2017. The Anti-Depressant Effect of Running. Intl Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2005. Regular Exercise Changes the Brain. Harvard Health Publishing. 2014. How Exercise Affects Your Brain. Scientific American. 2018. Assessment of Stresses in the Cervical Spine Caused by Posture. Surg Tech Intl. 2014. Text Neck Syndrome. Intl Journal of Env Research and Public Health. 2021.

Perfect Posture is Dynamic Is there such a thing as perfect posture? The answer may surprise you. The latest research shows that it’s actually more beneficial to think about your posture as dynamic, not static. In other words, your ideal posture is constantly changing and evolving. Think of your posture as a dynamic pattern of responses, reflexes, and habits, not just a fixed position. Gravity, your work environment, and your body's anatomy all play essential roles. For instance, sitting for hours at a time staring at a computer screen is a perfect example of a damaging static posture that, over time, can lead to the development of chronic forward head posture. Forward head posture affects millions of people who spend their days using computers and can potentially cause pain and degenerative changes in your spinal joints. It places stress on the neck and shoulders and weakens the supporting muscles. Here’s what you need to know... - Forward head posture affects millions and results in neck pain for up to 75% of those affected. - Neck pain, tension, stiffness, and tenderness are all signs of chronic forward head posture. - Trapezius strengthening has been shown to provide clinically significant relief for those struggling with neck pain due to forward head posture. If you spend long hours each day in a single position - like sitting at a computer - it's important to take the time to take periodic breaks to stretch and move your body. Remember, posture is dynamic, and stretching can help "reset" your posture but also help keep your spine healthy and your energy levels up! Scheduling a posture and movement assessment with us is also a smart idea to help ensure you remain as pain-free as possible no matter how you spend your days. Just give us a call! How to Improve Your Posture When discussing posture, we often refer to your body’s overall position as you stand, sit, or lie down. Most experts would agree that a "good" overall posture involves physical positions that reduce stress on the body by balancing the load placed on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. If you've looked in the mirror and noticed that your posture doesn't look as balanced as you'd like - not to mention it doesn’t feel as balanced as you’d like - you may be wondering what you can do to improve it. One of the best ways to improve your posture is through motion. Changing positions frequently during the day, stretching, and specific postural exercises are all ways to improve your posture. Good posture helps you keep your bones and joints in proper alignment, which helps reduce the wear and tear on your joints and decrease the strain on the ligaments that support your spine. Here are some key takeaways: - Good posture means keeping your spinal curves aligned and weight evenly distributed. - Stretches and exercises can help improve your posture and reduce your risk of neck and back pain. - Standing desks have been shown to reduce back pain by over 30% compared to sitting at a desk. Remember that stretching and exercising are essential when creating a plan to improve your posture. Equally important is knowing where to start. Our postural and movement assessments can help you determine the best strategy to help balance and improve your posture, especially if you’ve been living with pain. It all starts with a phone call. We’re standing by and ready to help! How Your Smartphone Impacts Your Posture Believe it or not, many of us spend 3 hours or more per day on our smartphones. That adds up to over 1,000 hours each year! And the positions we tend to hold our heads in while using our devices can be, well... damaging. You are damaging to your posture and damaging to your spine. It’s not surprising that over the past few years, an uptick in these awkward positions has led to an uptick in head and neck pain. It's estimated that tilting your head forward, even just 15 degrees, can triple the weight of your head on your neck. Tilting your head forward 60 degrees can increase the stress and strain on your neck ten times over. Repeating this forward head posture repeatedly can result in pain, stiffness, dysfunction, headaches, and more - a group of symptoms often referred to as “Tech Neck.” The good news about postural stress and “Tech Neck” is that simple routine changes can help reduce your risk of experiencing pain. Here’s what you need to know: - “Tech Neck” is the term used to describe the flexed head and neck position that occurs when looking down at your smartphone. - Just 15 degrees of forward bending can increase the stress of your head on your neck three times over. - Taking breaks every 15 minutes and looking up from your phone or tablet can help your body reset and give your muscles a chance to relax. Reducing your “Tech Neck” symptoms involves more than just changing the angle you look at your phone. Proper ergonomics and regular stretching and exercise all play significant roles in helping you continue to enjoy your favorite devices without those nagging pains. If you’ve been living with “Tech Neck” and are ready to take action, you’ve come to the right place! Our expert team is prepared to help evaluate your ergonomics and provide a plan of action complete with personalized recommendations that will help make it easy for you to maintain a more balanced posture for years to come. Posture: Balancing Strength and Flexibility Both strength and flexibility play a significant role in how your posture develops. For instance, a strong and flexible core helps the body dynamically adapt to every environment. The spine is supported and moves well, reducing the possibility of injury or pain. While it’s true that "perfect" postures may not exist, improving our strength, flexibility, and ergonomics goes a long way toward improvement. Your body is dynamic and designed to move, but over time, it may feel less dynamic than it used to! Getting into a wellness routine with exercises focusing on strength and flexibility is a smart way to keep your body feeling young while promoting good posture - a true win-win. Here’s why. Strengthening exercises can help develop proper support for your joints and decrease overall postural stress. Incorporating stretches and exercises focusing on flexibility will help your body maintain its ability to move through its full range of motion. Did you know... - Your posture will likely improve when you focus on increasing muscular flexibility. - Lifting weights strengthens your back, shoulder, and core muscles, which are essential to standing properly and preventing lower back pain. - Stretching your muscles and joints also leads to a greater range of motion, improved balance, and increased flexibility. Next Steps: Remember, postural stress can add up over time. Just because you're not currently in pain doesn't mean that everything is functioning at its highest level or that your daily wellness routine is as optimized as possible. Our team specializes in posture and provides comprehensive individualized care plans - adjustments, stretches, exercises, and all! Schedule an appointment today if you'd like to learn more about how we’re helping the people in your community achieve an ideal balance of strength, posture, and flexibility. Our doors are open, and we’re here for you. Science Sources: Effects of Trapezius Strengthening on Posture. Med Sci Monit. 2020. Back Health and Posture. Cleveland Clinic. 2020. "Tech Neck" Taking a Toll on Posture. Columbia Spine. 2018. Breaking up Workplace Sitting Time. Occup Environ Med. 2014. Why Being Flexible is Great for Your Health. Healthline. 2020. Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain. Curr Rev Musculoskel Med. 2019. Guide to Good Posture. Medline Plus. 2020. Upright Posture Improves Effect and Fatigue. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2017. Prevalence of Forward Head Posture. IJERHS. 2019.

As a parent, the extra stress of home schooling is probably having an impact on you but what is it doing to your child’s health?  One really important consideration is their posture. Is your child learning from the couch or even bed?! Spending even more time hunched over a laptop or iPad? Given your child’s spine is the protective casing for their nervous system (the master control system of their entire body & pathway for brain-body communication essential for development) this makes spinal structure & function paramount to your child’s brain health & overall health. Poor posture from sitting in detrimental positions, inactivity and even stress in your child today could lead to: abnormal bone growth & developmental delays difficulty learning reduced lung function, digestion & metabolism weakened immune system decreased healing & cell regeneration mood changes, fear, hostility, anxiety, low self esteem, decreased energy, motivation & resilience to stress Why not use this extra time with your child as an opportunity to monitor posture and set up good habits before it becomes a source for dysfunction. You could: remind your child to sit up straight when slouching have them take regular stretch breaks during lessons to break up prolonged sitting schedule regular exercise (at least 60 minutes per day) have them lay on their tummy when using devices remind them to hold devices at eye level when sitting ensure their desk setup is supportive of good posture If you are concerned about your child’s posture or any of the potential effects of poor posture we recommend a formal spinal assessment with a Chiropractor.  At LiveLoveLife we aim to support healthy growth & development in children & healthy spinal & brain function in everyone! If you have any concerns, or are looking for more information about the health of your child or yourself please contact us at hello@livelovelifechiro.com.

As a parent there may be times when you wonder or worry about your child’s development.  Here are 5 simple things you can consider to determine if your child is developing ‘normally’ or if further investigation may be necessary. 1. Are they reaching or did they reach milestones? Rolling-sitting-crawling-cruising-walking is a developmental pathway where each movement contributes to the next.  Failure to complete these steps in order or at all may indicate something is not quite right. 2. Are they keeping up with peers? Every child is different however if your child is not keeping up with others of a comparable age can indicate a delay in physical development. 3. Clumsiness ~ kids trip and fall and as they grow however if your child noticeably lacks coordination, investigation may be required to avoid any short or long term consequences. 4. Toe Walking or walking on tip toes is normal to begin with however extended periods of toe walking may be a sign of delayed musculoskeletal and/or sensory development and is a cause for prompt further assessment. 5. Complaining about walking/being active Not wanting to participate in activities or becoming fatigued quickly may be a sign your child is experiencing discomfort or other symptoms. If you are concerned about your child we recommend a formal assessment with a Chiropractor. Early intervention and management is key to improving future outcomes and minimising impact on long-term development.  At LiveLoveLife we aim to support healthy growth & development in children and healthy spinal & brain function in everyone! If you have any questions please contact us at hello@livelovelifechiro.com.

As soon as term starts we hear parents begin to complain about the busyness of their childs’ schedules.  With afternoon activities like music, French & karate the freedom of the holidays is soon forgotten but it is important to ensure your child continues to spend time engaged in unstructured outdoor play. Obvious reasons include physical fitness (strength, flexibility & coordination) & Vitamin D (increases bone density & decreases risk of heart disease) but have you thought about the following benefits: Being in nature reduces stress levels & improves behaviour, attention, self-esteem, mental health &  sleep. Forces frequent changes in focus which benefits vision. Improves relationships & feelings of competence due to supportive peer interactions & socialisation. Creates positive environmental behaviours, values, attitudes & creates resilience to be able to respond to changing conditions in the environment. Enhances a sense of space, time, fun, creativity  & connection to who we really are! While organised sports are great, activities like riding bikes & climbing trees are all forms of exercise that are self-directed, outdoors & highly beneficial for development, much better than being stuck inside on a device. Considering 90% of stimulation & nutrition to your brain is generated by movement of your spine it is important for brain health also! At LiveLoveLife we aim to support healthy development & connection in children & healthy spinal & brain function in everyone! If you have any concerns or are looking for more information about the health of your child or yourself please contact us at hello@livelovelifechiro.com.

As a parent it is obvious to you if your child has poor posture, complains of neck or back stiffness, headaches or other aches & pains but there are many ‘silent’ signs of spinal dysfunction that can occur during your child’s developmental years that are often missed. A few very important signs and often missed signs to watch for with your child  include: They find it difficult to take a deep breath. Their shoes wear out unevenly or one leg appears shorter than the other. Uneven shoulder height, waistline, hips, eyes or ears. Rotated rib cage. A ‘winging’ shoulder blade or they appear to be leaning to the side when standing straight. Clicking jaw. Joints that crack - either on their own or elicited by child. Fatigue or sleep issues. Stress/anxiety. Poor concentration. Asymmetrical movement patterns with arms & legs. Recurring colds, fever or ear infections. If one, or a number of these signs are present we recommend a formal spinal assessment with a Chiropractor. These signs can be indicative of a number of issues but as always, early detection & intervention can be key to improving future outcomes & minimising any impact on long-term development. At LiveLoveLife we aim to support healthy growth & development in children & healthy spinal & brain function in everyone! If you have any concerns about, or are looking for more information about the health of your child or yourself please contact us at hello@livelovelifechiro.com.

As a parent you have probably experienced a child having a meltdown... or not wanting to go to bed... or be constantly coming down with whatever bug is going around, it's all part of being a kid, right?!  Maybe not! It is the job of the nervous system to manage communication between the brain and body to ensure our internal  ecosystem is able to maintain its delicate balance, so let's have a closer look at that... Our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls all the involuntary actions that keep us alive like breathing, heart rate & digestion and is split into two branches known as the Sympathetic Nervous System ‘fight or flight’ and the Parasympathetic Nervous System ‘rest & digest’.  The fight or flight response prepares the body to react to stresses such as danger, threat or acute injury. The rest & digest response controls functions of the body necessary to maintain homeostasis, digestion, growth, repair and regeneration and returns our body to a state of calm. These two branches of the ANS  are like gears in a car, we cannot be in 'drive' and 'reverse' at the same time and the more time we spend in rest & digest the healthier we are. In this modern age with constant stimulation, technology use, poor posture and change in lifestyle we are seeing that a growing percentage of children (and adults) are spending the majority of their lives in fight or flight or ‘sympathetic dominance’.  This can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing and can result in poor mood regulation, difficulty falling and staying asleep, restlessness and fidgety behaviour, digestive issues and reduced efficiency of the immune system. Our Central Nervous System is housed by our spine and skull, so not only does the function of your spine affect how your nervous system is able to control your body, your spine is the gateway through which your nervous system receives information about your body and external environment. Our spinal function is one of the very important factors that can impact which gear our body chooses to drive in: fight or flight or rest & digest; how at ease and in balance our internal ecosystem is and the way we respond to the world around us. If you are concerned your child might be living in a fight or flight, sympathetic dominant state we recommend a formal assessment with a Chiropractor. To book a consultation or for more information about the health of your child or yourself please contact us at hello@livelovelifechiro.com.