If searching for natural ways to manage migraines has you considering chiropractic migraine treatment in Paddington, you’re one step closer to lasting relief! Read on to learn how we can help you get and stay out of pain, naturally. The Bottom Line There's hardly anything as disruptive to your daily life as a headache, especially when it's a migraine. Migraines often seem to arrive uninvited, although they may signal their impending attack with visual disturbances and nausea. Regardless of the symptoms, a migraine is one guest you'd rather not have. As the go-to provider of chiropractic migraine treatment in Paddington, we’re here to help you understand how to identify the onset of a migraine and understand natural ways to manage migraines. This knowledge is crucial to enhancing your quality of life. Let's explore the four stages of a migraine headache. The Four Stages of Migraine Migraine sufferers typically experience four distinct phases: Premonitory Phase This phase serves as a warning sign that a migraine is imminent. Common symptoms include mood swings, neck stiffness, and constipation. Aura Phase Approximately one in four migraine sufferers will experience an aura. Migraine auras often involve visual or sensory disturbances that precede the headache. Visual auras may result in flashing lights or blurred vision, while sensory auras can affect speech and cognitive clarity. Vision disturbances usually begin 20 minutes to an hour prior to the headache. Even in the absence of an aura, the headache itself can lead to vision issues. Headache Phase The actual migraine headache can range from moderate to severe and often affects only one side of the head. Migraine sufferers will find that their headaches worsen with physical activity, making rest essential. Postdrome Phase The postdrome is the final phase in the migraine cycle, occurring after the headache has subsided and leaving the individual feeling drained. Why It Matters We know that many individuals suffering from migraines do not receive effective care. In fact, in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, it's estimated that only half of chronic migraine sufferers seek assistance from a healthcare professional, despite the substantial disruption caused by symptoms such as: ● Throbbing, moderate to severe headaches on one side of the head. ● The onset of nausea and vision changes. ● Recurring episodes that can last from a few hours to several days. The majority of migraine sufferers rely solely on over-the-counter medications, despite the lack of guaranteed relief from migraines. Likewise, about half of those experiencing chronic or occasional headaches attempt self-treatment with over-the-counter painkillers, despite the increased risk of rebound headaches due to overuse. When it comes to migraines, this risk is particularly associated with combinations of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine. We will say, given the symptoms and stages characteristic of migraines, it's no surprise that many people are unaware of non-pharmaceutical approaches to managing their attacks. This lack of awareness often leads many of our friends and neighbors to delay seeking chiropractic migraine treatment in Paddington. Natural Ways to Manage Migraines Rest assured, the recurrence of a headache is reason enough to consult a healthcare professional. As with cervicogenic and tension headaches, it's possible to reduce the frequency, intensity, and severity of your migraines through a blend of lifestyle modifications and chiropractic care. While the exact cause of migraines remains unclear, there are specific triggers often associated with their onset. Identifying these triggers and proactively modifying any daily habits linked to them is key to achieving long-term relief from migraines. Recent studies have shown a considerable reduction in the number of migraine days for participants who underwent chiropractic care. Next Steps You can start to alleviate your migraines effectively by being proactive with your daily habits. Opting for regular chiropractic care is one crucial step towards relieving migraine pain, so don't miss your next (or first!) adjustment. And if you're new to the idea of natural ways to manage migraines and are interested in exploring chiropractic migraine treatment in Paddington, our doors are always open, and we're eager to help you find relief! Now, what about those triggers we mentioned? Here are some of the most common: ● Consumption of alcohol, caffeinated beverages, or tobacco ● Periods of stress ● Exposure to intense lights or smells ● Periods of intense physical activity ● Changes in sleeping or eating patterns ● Certain medications ● Consumption of aged, salty, or processed foods and certain food additives As you can see, preventive measures such as dietary changes and stress reduction strategies make sense for migraine sufferers. And if you need help identifying which triggers contribute to your headaches, don't hesitate to ask us during your next visit. To ensure you're on the right path towards lasting relief from migraines, it's wise to consult with a healthcare professional. Remember, "Dr. Google" doesn't have a degree! Our empathetic team has personally experienced migraines, and we're here to support you. From advice to chiropractic adjustments and beyond, let us help you with some natural ways to manage migraines so you can leave those frequent migraines behind for good. Book today for a free consu lta tion here  or get in touch with us today at hello@livelovelifechiro.com  or (02) 8091 2021. LiveLoveLife is a short walk from Woollahra Village! Dr Xavier Mirouze, Network Chiropractor, LiveLoveLife Science Sources Chiropractic Therapy for Migraine. Eur J Neurol. 2017. Headache Disorders. WHO. 2016. What is a Migraine? Web MD. 2022.

There’s a reason you see so many commercials for “do-it-all” energy drinks like Red Bull and “have-it-all” energy shots like 5-Hour Energy… We are exhausted, people! The mid-afternoon energy crash is very real for just about every person you’ve ever met. And the mind-boggling thing is we’re often left wondering… why? If we got enough sleep, already had 2 coffees, didn’t skip lunch, and haven’t had a particularly stressful day, why is our energy still lacking? We think to ourselves that we must need something else like another coffee, caffeinated soda, energy drink, or energy shot to function because that’s just how life is with our teenage years behind us. Thankfully, as the leading combination chiropractor and wellness coach in Paddington NSW, we’re here to tell you those aren’t your only options. Bottom Line: Yes, the quickest and easiest way to boost your energy levels in a pinch often seems to be easy grabbing a second (or tenth?!) coffee, but boosting your energy level doesn't mean you need to rely on caffeine. When it comes to improving how well you’re able to maintain your mental and physical energy levels, it helps to switch your focus to optimizing rather than supplementing. Creating smart, healthy habits each day can be all it takes to help you increase your energy levels, mental focus, and overall endurance. Why it Matters: As we alluded to earlier, when you walk through a typical grocery store, you’ll often see dozens of products designed to help you “boost your energy” lining the shelves. Many of these synthetic stimulants aren't healthy, and some can even become addictive. What’s more, these can place unnecessary stress on your body. And doing the exact opposite and finding ways to destress your body and mind is actually the best way to naturally boost your energy levels. Let's take a closer look. 3 Ways to Naturally Increase Your Energy Levels Why are we really so exhausted? Because we’re stressed. Take it from the leading chiropractor and wellness coach in Paddington NSW. In our modern-day world, we’re subjecting ourselves to heightened levels of constant stress, to diets lacking in basic nutrition, and to increasingly sedentary lifestyles more often. So, instead of that daily quick fix, it's better to take a step back and consider the effect that your stress levels, exercise frequency, and diet can have on your energy levels. 1. Being stressed out consumes a ton of energy. Bringing down your mental stress levels with a relaxing activity like meditation and your physical tension with some quick physical therapy in the form of chiropractic care can help you reclaim that energy. 2. Daily exercise can help you sleep better, elevate your mood, and further improve your energy levels by boosting the amount of oxygen circulating in your body. 3. Eating foods with a low glycemic index (where sugar is absorbed slowly) can help you avoid a crash after meals and snacks, keeping you more energized throughout the day. Hopefully after reading the above list that idea of optimizing vs supplementing is becoming a bit clearer. Finding real ways to address those low-grade energy drains that often go unnoticed in our day to day lives and sticking to them is the best way to reclaim the energy we didn’t think we had. Next Steps: Energy zappers are all around you, and now you know where to look. Developing an awareness of your daily habits and making small changes can result in big changes in your daily energy levels. It looks like your days of using caffeine as a crutch are coming to an end, right? Right! And if you need help identifying and creating a plan to address your personal stressors and you’d like to get our recommendations regarding the exercises, stretches, and dietary and lifestyle adjustments that may be right for you, just ask us during your next visit. As chiropractor and wellness coach in Paddington NSW, we’re also standing by to provide the tension-relieving adjustments you need to keep moving and feeling your best. Book today for a free consu lta tion here  or get in touch with us today at hello@livelovelifechiro.com  or (02) 8091 2021. LiveLoveLife is a short walk from Woollahra Village! Dr Xavier Mirouze, Network Chiropractor, LiveLoveLife Science Sources: 9 Tips to Boost Your Energy Naturally. Harvard Health Publishing. 2020.

You may have more natural headache relief options in Paddington than you thought! Read on to learn more about the very real benefits of chiropractic care for headache relief. The Bottom Line Are you among the half of the world's adult population that experiences headaches year after year - maybe month after month or week after week? Then you know that while headaches may seem like a minor inconvenience, they can significantly impact your quality of life when they become chronic. In the time we’ve been providing natural headache relief options in Paddington, we've met numerous individuals who've been filling up their medicine cabinets and enduring headaches because their experience has taught them that constant headaches are an inevitable part of life. But, why accept daily headaches and pour money down the drain on countless headache medications when you can naturally alleviate them? That’s right. Let's look at how we can provide sustainable relief for your headaches and explore the benefits of chiropractic care for headache relief. Why it Matters Chiropractic care is increasingly recognized worldwide for its effectiveness in alleviating head, neck, or back pain. And among the main reasons individuals seek chiropractic help is to combat their recurrent headaches. We, as chiropractors, specialize in providing lasting relief from headaches in a myriad of ways. And if you live in or around Paddington and are seeking a chiropractor with an expertise in headaches, you're at the right place. Let's discuss what are perhaps the top 3 benefits of chiropractic care for headache relief. The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Headache Relief 1. Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Approach Our first step towards managing your headaches includes conducting a thorough history and physical examination. This helps us determine if spinal issues are contributing to your symptoms or if there are other possible causes for your headaches. Understanding your medical history and identifying your headache triggers allows us to guide you on lifestyle modifications that can help alleviate your headache frequency. For instance, your dietary habits can influence your susceptibility to frequent headaches. 2. Customized Chiropractic Adjustments and Care Research has shown that chiropractic care can significantly improve headache pain. For instance, cervicogenic headaches, which originate from neck-related issues, have shown to reduce in intensity, frequency, and duration with chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic care also has demonstrated effectiveness for managing chronic migraines. In our medication-dependent era, the efficacy of chiropractic care in treating daily headaches is indeed encouraging news. Over-reliance on medications often merely masks symptoms, neglecting the underlying cause of headaches. Moreover, excessive medication usage can lead to rebound headaches. Chiropractic care offers a variety of safe, non-invasive, and non-pharmacological treatment options for headaches. These include lifestyle education, manual or device-assisted spinal adjustments, spinal mobilization, heat/ice therapy, massage, advanced soft-tissue therapies, and even strengthening and conditioning exercises. 3. Therapeutic Exercise Guidance To ensure long-lasting relief, we often incorporate strengthening and conditioning exercises into our care plans. For example, certain neck exercises can effectively treat cervicogenic headaches. We also provide you with a set of exercises that you can comfortably perform at home to ease your headaches between appointments. Next Steps It's time to put an end to those nagging headaches, and we're here to help you do just that! You don't need to visit the medicine cabinet every morning. The benefits of chiropractic care for headache relief are tangible and long-lasting. Movement is an essential part of the healing process, which is why spinal adjustments are highly effective. So, if you're looking for natural headache relief options in Paddington, don't hesitate to reach out to us! Whether it's been a while since your last adjustment or you're considering your first, Book today for a free consu lta tion here  or get in touch with us today at hello@livelovelifechiro.com  or (02) 8091 2021. LiveLoveLife is a short walk from Woollahra Village! Dr Xavier Mirouze, Network Chiropractor, LiveLoveLife Our team will be with you every step of the way from questions to adjustments to get you started on your journey towards a headache-free life! Science Sources: Headache Disorders. WHO. 2016. Chiropractic Therapy for Headache. BMC Res Notes.2017. Chiropractic Treatment of Headaches. JMPT. 2011. Spinal Manipulation for Chronic Headache. Spine J. 2010.

When patients ask me for advice on how to know if you have a spinal disc problem, there’s a story that comes to mind every time. Not too long ago, a friend of mine was over to help me out with one of my weekend projects. He had been out with his family for some celebration - I don’t remember exactly what for - and the first thing he did was go into the bathroom to change. Not 30 seconds later as I was getting some things together in the next room, I heard what I can only describe as a “yelp” come from the bathroom. I rushed over, knocked on the door, and asked him if he was ok, to which he replied “I think I threw my back out! I felt a sharp pain in my low back while I was putting on my shirt, and I don’t think I can move!” As I walked him out of the bathroom and over to the couch to take a look, he told me he was sure he had a “slipped disc” or something serious - that he needed to go to the ER right away. As it turns out, he had only strained a muscle in his back, so while that project of mine had to be put on hold for a bit and he had to listen to a bite sized TED talk from me about how to know if you have a spinal disc problem, he was going to be fine. Not only do a great deal many people think this is how a herniated disc would present, but they also think that a disc herniation automatically means they’re going to need some sort of surgical intervention. And if you came across this post while looking up options for spinal disc treatment in Paddington, the good news is that, even when it comes to spinal disc injuries, that’s often not the case. Bottom Line: Now don’t get me wrong. If you have a spinal disc problem rather than a back sprain or strain, that does not mean you won’t experience some level of chronic pain or discomfort. Every movement can seem to hurt, and because of the chronic nature of that pain, it can feel like you'll never be back to your old self - and often times, you may not even know what happened! Pain is the body’s way of signaling you to "pay attention inside now" -- it's a warning sign from your body. Ultimately, it's your body's way of letting you know it’s been pushed past its limits. And when it comes to back muscle sprains and strains and disc injuries alike, with the proper care and a little time, you can help the body heal more often than not without invasive measures. So, the big question I want to cover here is how to know if you have a spinal disc problem. Let’s dive in. Why it Matters: All disc injuries are not the same, and while there are cases where you can experience a sudden onset of pain, the way you experience that pain might not be what you expect. As the go-to provider for non-surgical spinal disc treatment in paddington, the most common type of spinal disc problem we see is indeed disc herniations. These injuries most commonly occur in individuals between 45-65 years of age whose discs have naturally become more dehydrated and stiff. When someone is diagnosed with a herniated or slipped disc, it means that one of their disc's inner layers has pushed through its tough outer layer. On that same note, when someone is diagnosed with a bulging disc, it means that that inner layer is protruding and likely very near to penetrating that outer layer. If you’re wondering how to know if you have a spinal disc problem, it helps to know that the pain most commonly presents in two ways: ● If the disc bulges far enough to press on a spinal nerve, you may notice pain that travels down your arms or legs. ● If the inside of your disc pushes through the outer layer, it could also cause severe inflammation resulting in pain. How To Know if You Have a Spinal Disc Problem Do you have a muscle sprain or strain in your back? Or do you indeed have a disc issue? The best way to know for sure is to, of course, make an appointment with us for a timely evaluation. Our expert team specializes in non-invasive, natural spinal disc treatment in Paddington, and we do offer same day appointments for new and existing patients. If for some reason you can’t see us right away - perhaps it’s late at night, you're traveling, or there’s some other reason - here are some key indicators often associated with either sprains and strains or disc injuries. ● As is the case in the story I shared earlier, you’re most likely to experience a sprain or strain while or immediately after completing everyday tasks and movements. The pain can be intense and is often localized to the area of the back that was affected. ● Disc injuries on the other hand might not be attributable to a specific event, and the associated pain or discomfort (numbness, tingling, or weakness) often tends to be referred to and felt in the arms or legs on one side of the body (though some pain may be felt in the back). Now, we should note as we discuss how to know if you have a spinal disc problem here that there are occasions where disc herniations are asymptomatic, which is why we recommend keeping up on your adjustments even when you’re not in pain. Next Steps: Regardless of the type of back injury you experience, the good news is that your spine is incredibly resilient and very capable of healing without the need for invasive procedures, injections, and surgeries. Research has indicated time and again that movement-based care like the spinal adjustments and spinal rehab we provide in-house can be incredibly effective at helping you heal from disc injuries. And, well, we’ve all been there! You don’t need to spend any more time Googling for an answer to the question of how to know if you have a spinal disc problem because you have us. Just like our team is here for each other when we suffer a back injury, we’re here for you. If you’ve been living with back pain or some pains and discomfort in an arm or leg that you just can’t seem to remedy, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and let us know. We specialize in providing non-invasive spinal disc treatment in Padington, and we’ll work with you to figure out what is at the root of that pain and to put together a plan to help you get out of pain and back to doing what you love, naturally. Book today for a free consu lta tion here  or get in touch with us today at hello@livelovelifechiro.com  or (02) 8091 2021. LiveLoveLife is a short walk from Woollahra Village! Dr Xavier Mirouze, Network Chiropractor, LiveLoveLife Science Sources: Bulging Disk vs. Herniated Disk: What's the Difference? Mayo Clinic. 2022. Exercise for Sciatica from a Herniated Disc. Spine-Health. 2021.

Stress... You know it, you feel it and unfortunately it's not going away any time soon. Here’s how you can understand the effects of stress on your health and what you can do to increase your resilience in these difficult times! What is stress? Can it be good?  Stress is vital for survival as it defends us from the challenges of daily life, otherwise known as “stressors”. The importance lies in the type and duration of stress and how we deal with it.  Good stress (Eu-stress) lasts only a very short period of time, you can overcome it and recover with a sense of exhilaration or accomplishment. Historically that stress would have allowed you to run away from a dangerous predator and reach a tree to climb to safety.  Bad stress (distress) can last days, weeks or even years and typically leaves you feeling a lack of control, irritable, emotionally drained and physically exhausted. Common stressors fall into three categories: Physical (sitting, lack of sleep, injuries); emotional (conflict, relationship issues, responsibilities) and chemical (pollution, diet, medications).  It is probably quite easy for you to pinpoint some of your everyday stressors and how long they have been affecting you. Stress is experienced through your nervous system which controls everything that happens in your body including organ function, hormonal secretion, digestion, immune response, healing and regeneration.  Your nervous system has two gears, ‘fight or flight’ and ‘rest and digest’. You can only be in one gear at a time, like a car with drive or reverse, you can either be in fight or flight OR rest & digest. When you are experiencing stress your nervous system is in fight or flight. What happens to your body when you are stressed?  This survival mode means your body is laser focused to get you to safety. Heart racing, blood pumping, muscles flexing, fuel burning, everything it takes to get you up that tree and away from that lion. But there is no lion… When your body thinks you are desperately trying to escape danger your vital centres (heart and lungs) become overworked, your creative thinking, concentration, ability to learn, problem solve, remember details or be considerate and empathetic to others goes out the window. When your nervous system is stuck in fight or flight, your body can’t properly digest food for healing, repair and regeneration,  your immune system also reduces in its capacity. These effects of long term stress  often leading to aches, pains and injuries that will hang around and a body that is more susceptible to coughs, colds, flus and other viruses. Definitely not what we want this winter!  Signs your stress levels may be too high These common signs of chronic stress can indicate you are living life primarily in fight or flight: Sleeping less than 6 hours per night and experiencing restless, broken sleep. You NEED your coffee and/or use alcohol or other drugs to switch off. You are anxious, aggressive, not happy or suffer poor mood regulation. You constantly feel overwhelmed and are increasingly forgetful. You suffer headaches, neck pain & upper back pain.  Building resilience with simple strategies We know reducing stress is not always easy but why not try some of the following: Sleep - 7+ hours per night Breathe - using your abdomen rather than your chest Exercise - walking and yoga are an excellent to start Nourish yourself - keep it real, fresh and nutrient dense Limit exposure to technology and screens - these send your nervous system into 'fight or flight'  Cultivate Gratitude - Begin each day by saying out loud 3 things you are grateful for Look after your spine - optimal spinal function will power up your nervous system to shift gears into rest & digest and may help boost your immune system  Stress & spinal function  Your spine is the protective casing for your nervous system and the motor for your brain.  The function of the spine can therefore affect every aspect of your health including how you experience and deal with stress and how well your brain is able to do its job. At LiveLoveLife we are passionate about helping people live their best.  We offer world-class Chiropractic care along with proactive education, positive support and early intervention, which is key in reducing the long term impact of spinal health issues and stress to ensure you are building a strong, healthy and resilient body for the future.   Want your health to be different? Want your life to be different? Then you have to DO something different. Book today for a free consu lta tion here or get in touch with us today at hello@livelovelifechiro.com or (02) 8091 2021. LiveLoveLife is a short walk from Woollahra Village! Dr Xavier Mirouze, Network Chiropractor, LiveLoveLife

Whiplash: The Symptoms You Need to Know Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward. It's the most common injury during an automobile accident and is one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain. While a little fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research has shown that even small accidents can result in significant injuries. The violent forces that occur during an auto accident can cause damage to your spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones-even at "low" speeds. Most of these injuries happen because your head is quickly whipped backward and forward. This rapid back-and-forth motion frequently results in ligament tearing and spinal disc injuries. Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression indicate that you've suffered a whiplash injury. You may not immediately notice any pain because of a spike in adrenaline during the accident. For many people, these symptoms may take hours or even a few days to develop after the initial shock of the car accident wears off. Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and facet joints. There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms become worse. Symptoms of whiplash include neck or back pain, headache, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping. It's smart to get a complete evaluation after an auto accident to minimize your risk of long-term pain. Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly and avoid long-term chronic pain. Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you've been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the relief road. How Long Does Whiplash Last? Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, or confusion—none of these sound like a good time. So, if you've been involved in a car accident, you may wonder how long these symptoms will last. The good news is that with a proper evaluation and early treatment, you have a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks. One of the most common injuries associated with whiplash is ligament tearing. Ligaments are short, tough bands of connective tissue that hold together the bones in your neck and the joints of your body. If these ligaments are torn, it can cause neck pain. The average time it takes a ligament to heal is about six weeks with the proper care and treatment. If you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or memory issues, you may have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A majority of people with a mild TBI recover within three months. Whiplash injuries frequently cause tearing of the ligaments that support proper spinal motion and stability. The acute inflammatory phase of injury lasts up to 72 hours, the repair phase takes up to 6 weeks, and the remodeling phase of healing can last up to a year.A non-healed ligament injury can result in osteoarthritis After an accident, the most important step you can take is to receive a full evaluation. Only after a complete evaluation will you know what type of injuries you've sustained and, most importantly- how to get well. You would be surprised how many people shrug off a "small" accident and push their symptoms aside. While that may save you a little time today, it's likely to result in much more pain down the road. Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident: What Does it Mean? You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries and whiplash are some of the most common challenges after a car accident. If you are the driver and have your hands on the wheels at the time of the crash, the sudden force created by the accident can lead to a torn rotator cuff. Your shoulder is one of the most complex parts of your body and comprises a collection of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The rotator cuff is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones: your arm bone (the humerus), your shoulder blade (the scapula), and your collarbone (the clavicle). The supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons are designed to help you lift and rotate your arm. Your shoulder is one of your body’s most dynamic and unstable joints. It's hard to ignore a torn rotator cuff because...it hurts! Signs of a tear include shoulder pain when lifting your arm, weakness, pain when lying down, or a limited range of motion. Shoulder impingement has been estimated to occur in up to 10% of people involved in car accidents. The shoulder is one of the most complex, dynamic, and unstable joints in the body, with a complex network of bones, ligaments, and muscles.The risk of neck or shoulder pain seven years after a collision was three times higher for patients with initial whiplash injuries than those without. Ignoring a shoulder injury after a car accident is not a good idea. Your shoulder is designed to move, and if you try to "let it heal" by not moving it, you're putting yourself at risk for a frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is when your shoulder develops adhesion due to lack of movement. This can result in severe pain that takes months to heal. If you have shoulder pain after an accident, time is of the essence! Our team is here and can provide a complete evaluation and treatment plan for you to get moving safely and heal quickly. Finding Relief After a Car Accident without Drugs or Surgery Screech. Bam. Uh-oh. You've been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing. If you don't feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem. But waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances that you'll need more aggressive interventions. Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can greatly improve your overall health and healing. With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc., it's not uncommon for people to put their health and well-being last on the to-do list. The problem is that the longer you wait to get evaluated and receive care, the higher your likelihood of needing more aggressive medical care. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to "heal" with more scar tissue than necessary. You may also try to live "around" your injuries, which can cause additional stress and compensation on other parts of your body and lead to additional injuries. Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobilizing exercises, and strengthening can effectively reduce pain. We recommend three simple steps to give yourself the best chance to find relief without needing drugs or surgery. The three steps to finding relief after a car accident: Get an evaluation: A complete evaluation can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Begin receiving care: After reducing inflammation, movement-based techniques are often recommended to help you regain your quality of life . Stay consistent: Getting well is a process. Stay consistent with your care to heal as quickly as possible Next Steps: There's no way around it- auto accidents aren't fun. But with the right healthcare team, most people can return to their full lives and activities without needing drugs or surgery. The key is to follow the three steps of evaluation, care, and consistency. While it seems simple, following the three steps will give you the best chance to get well quickly and stay well for years to come. And if you’ve been in an auto accident, book with us today by email hello@livelovelifechiropractic.com.au Science Source: The Effectiveness of Conservative Management for Acute Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) II: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.PLoS One. 2015 Biomechanics of whiplash injury. Chinese Journal of Traumatology. 2009 Ligament Injury and Healing: A Review of Current Clinical Diagnostics and Therapeutics. The Open Rehabilitation Journal. 2013 The association between exposure to a rear-end collision and future neck or shoulder pain: a cohort study. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2000 Subacromial impingement in patients with whiplash injury to the cervical spine. Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research. 2008

Dr Roger Sperry, (Nobel prize winner, 1981) stated that 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by movement of the spine. Decades later, new science confirms that healthy movement patterns in our joints, specifically our spine, supercharges brain activity, reduces the amount of stress hormones in our body and increases learning and development in children. Most of us realise the importance of a healthy brain. Your brain is the boss of your entire body and with help from the rest of your nervous system, controls everything you do. It has been said that brain health equals heart health. so one of the best things you can do to optimise your brain health is move your body, simple! When we exercise, we move our spine. Our brain uses mechanoreceptors to senses movement, joint motion and location in our vertebrae and other joints. This brain body communication (via mechanoreceptors) stimulates brain activity through healthy joint motion and because the majority of our mechanoreceptos are located in our spine, proper spinal alignment and movement is essential for optimal brain health. Spinal alignment reduces sympathetic stress to our body. Movement of our body switches our nervous system from 'fight or flight' into the rest and repair state that our bodies require to regenerate on a daily basis. Recent research proves exercise "turns on" our brains and conditions them for learning. Some schools have conducted experiments and the results were undeniable. One school turned their cafeteria into a fitness studio and had students spend the first hour of the day exercising before heading into a classroom setting to learn and their test scores in math and science improved exponentially. Another school used exercise as a means to switch on their students brains and in turn experienced an eighty three percent drop in discipline problems. Basically the more fit a child is, the better they are able to learn, the more motivated and emotionally stable they are. Improving your physical health is one of the best things you can do to look after your brain. As a guide, children should do at least one hour of physical activity daily and muscle strengthening exercise at least 3 days per week. Adults should limit sitting, any exercise is better than none, be active every day and aim for three to five hours of moderate exercise weekly with muscle strengthening activities on at least 2 days each week. As Chiropractors we check every segment of your spine to ensure it is moving and functioning as it should. If your spine is locked, restricted or out of alignment not only can it cause you physical pain but it can affect how your brain is able to communicate with the rest of your body and what messages are relayed back to your brain. Get in touch at hello@livelovelifechiro.com if you would like us to help you power up your brain and have a wonderful connection mind and body!

Digital devices guide our modern life, they can enhance learning & build community but they can also interfere with everything from sleep to creativity. In addition to physical changes to posture, repetitive strain issues and inactivity resulting from constantly staring at a smartphone, screen time can also change your child’s behaviour & brain development. Your child’s brain is constantly building neural connections & discarding diminished ones. Much of what happens on screen provides lower quality stimulation & studies show the quality of media can lead to structural changes in the brain. Thoughtful use increases capacity whereas mindless exposure leads to atrophy or loss of tissue.  Not having a chance to be bored also means less space for imagination & creative thinking to develop. Sleep is another key component to brain development. Screen time before bed can disrupt sleep patterns by leading to less deep REM sleep which is essential for processing & storing information into memory. Most games & social media work on a reward system similar to gambling. The effects of screen addiction on the brain are very similar to other addictions & your child's brain lacks the self-control system to help stop obsessive behavior. So as a parent what can you do? Being aware of digital distraction is a good start. A large number of parents & children sense distraction when talking to each other. You could try the following: Have regular sit-downs & screen-free meals. Be present with your child & teach them to be present also. Avoid blue light-emitting screen use before bedtime. Change screen display to warm settings in the evening. Come up with a healthy media diet plan as a family. Limit recreational screen time, let your child know what they watch can have a positive or negative effect on them. Help your child plan how to spend their time, focusing on important and favorite activities. 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 we are approaching the depths of winter, you are probably finding yourself wanting to sleep more, staying home and relaxing by the warmth of the heater rather than going out and facing the elements. Our bodies remember the days when the weather dictated our behaviour as hunters and gatherers and typically winter would mean increased time resting by a fire and more sleep overall. Even though our busy lifestyles mean we often behave as if seasonal changes are irrelevant, our bodies require cycles of activity and rest, daily and annually. In winter, we produce hormones that make us sleepy and encourage us to take time to restore body, mind and soul. Sleep just makes everything right again!  We need sleep to survive just like we need food and water. Good quality sleep allows cells to repair and increase in their turnover which is how your body regenerates, so it’s no wonder sleep is a vital building block of optimal health. Chiropractors are concerned with sleep because our nervous system needs rest to function optimally.  While you are sleeping the sympathetic nervous system calms and your body moves from ‘fight or flight’ into ‘rest & digest'. Nerve cells communicate and reorganize during sleep, which supports healthy brain function. Studies have shown that not getting enough sleep can alter or even halt the formation of different pathways in the brain that help us retain, process and even learn new information. With consistently good sleep you are more likely to have the physical, mental and emotional resilience to deal with the daily stress of modern life. Other benefits of getting enough good quality sleep include hormone balance, blood glucose regulation and increased likelihood of overcoming many diseases. A strong immune system depends on sleep as that is when your body makes cytokines (the proteins that fight infection and inflammation), certain antibodies and immune cells. So what does enough good quality sleep look like? Basically it means getting at least 7 hours sleep per night, falling asleep in 30 minutes or less, waking up no more than once per night, being awake for less than 20 minutes after initially falling asleep and breathing well while you are asleep.  If this is not how your sleep looks or feels, if you wake up not feeling refreshed or wake up with a headache, neck, back or joint pain you may need some assistance to get the most out of your sleep. There are a number of ways regular adjustments can assist with sleep.  Each adjustment shifts your body from ‘fight or flight’ into ‘rest & digest’ and helps create new neurological pathways for sustained ease in your nervous system. Your adjustment can also help to improve posture, rib and respiratory muscle function, jaw alignment and sinus congestion, all of which can lead to poor breathing habits and affected sleep when not working at their best. If you are experiencing sleep issues including difficulty falling or staying asleep, still feeling tired upon waking or difficulty getting comfortable during sleep please get in touch!

Worry, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, concern, unease... These are all words and feelings most of us know too well but should we be concerned about how much time we spend being worried? What effect is all this worry having on our health? If you lay in bed at night worrying about every day things, going over and over situations in your head, worrying about upcoming events, your health or your family, you are not alone. In fact approximately 1 in every 3 of us are doing this on a regular basis and that is a lot of worry in the world and potentially a lot of sleepless nights. Most of us know a good night's sleep is absolutely vital for our health and well being. During sleep our body is busy restoring, regenerating and healing and the more sleep we miss out on, the less these essential functions can occur but that is not the only downside of excess worry. When we are consumed with worry, it is all too easy to miss out on so much of what life has to offer. We feel so overwhelmed that we are just trying to keep our head above water and get through each day rather than really appreciating the experiences and the people we have around us and enjoying all the wonders of being alive! Missing out on noticing all the good stuff and only focusing on the negative can lead us down an unhappy path which of course is no good for our mental health. Physically, think about what happens to your body when you are worried about something. Does your heart race? Is it difficult to breathe or do you feel nauseas and loose your appetite? These are short term effects of anxiety which is a stress response of the body and causes the nervous system to shift into fight or flight mode. Everyone has experienced this stress response, now more than ever because of our busy modern lifestyles and it is probably no surprise to most of us that long term worry can lead to respiratory problems, digestive issues, decreased immune function, heart disease, memory loss, weight gain, muscle tension and even chronic pain. No thanks! When you are worried or anxious, your nervous system is in the stress response state of fight or flight. A Chiropractic adjustment aims to remove interference from your nervous system and may help to switch you from fight or flight to rest & digest which is the state in which your body is able to heal, regenerate and adapt to your environment. This may also mean it is much easier for you to get a better night's sleep rather than being stuck in that cycle of recurring worries. One Case Study investigated the effect of Chiropractic adjustments on blood pressure and anxiety and it was found that patients felt a significant decrease in anxiety following chiropractic care and that their blood pressure also reduced significantly (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3075649/). At LiveLoveLife we are passionate about helping people live their best lives.  We offer world-class Chiropractic care along with proactive education, positive support and early intervention, which is key to ensure you are building a strong, healthy and resilient body for the future.  Get in touch with us today!

As human beings it is normal for us to worry at times, it is one of the many emotions we experience and when your brain is functioning well, worry leads to thoughts and actions which actually alleviate the worry, so it is constructive! The problem begins when, for one reason or another we are unable to effectively deal with this worry and become stuck in a vicious circle of worrying about our worries. In this cycle, with no solutions in sight the worry is no longer helpful and the feelings just seem to snowball. This occurs as certain areas of your brain are not working at their best individually or communicating effectively with other areas. Specifically, the areas of the brain that deal with worry and anxiety are: Limbic brain (particularly the amygdalae and hypothalamus) which deal with feelings and emotions; Anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex which deal with thinking about our feelings; and The frontal and prefrontal cortex which deal with thinking and acting based on feelings. You may not realise that persistent worry can actually change the way your brain functions and it can even change the visible structure of the brain as it becomes re-wired to create and fuel more worry and this is the reason we snowball. Anxiety, stress and worry actually become a part of the brains design and we reinforce these patterns every day as we fuel it with more worry. This of course leaves less of the brain available to focus on being calm or taking action to alleviate the worry. Once we get to this stage, the functional structure of your brain is in need of some serious remodelling and here is the good news! Just as your brain can form negative patterns, it can also re-wire to form more beneficial neurological patterns, basically giving itself an overhaul! As with any change it will take some time, effort and dedication but it can be done! Learning changes the brain. As the saying goes, if you want something different, you have to do something different. Learning something new and putting what you have learned into action is the basic formula we can use to create lasting change in the brain. This can be challenging but rewarding in the long term and can lead to changes in your habits, behaviour and they way you experience life. There is so much information at our fingertips these days it can be overwhelming but the positive side of that is the availability of so many resources which are accessible and user friendly, everything from online learning tools and self help programs to breathing exercises, meditation and exercise routines. Implementing a daily practice including mindfulness, gratitude and positive thinking is a great place to start retraining your brain. And of course there are professionals that can help if you need it. Here at LiveLoveLife Chiropractic we can help by getting you adjusted! Your spine is the protective casing for your nervous system and the motor for your brain.  The function of your spine can therefore affect every aspect of your health including how you experience life, how you deal with stress and anxiety and how well your brain is able to do its job. When you are worried or anxious, your nervous system is in the stress response state of fight or flight. A Chiropractic adjustment aims to remove interference from your nervous system and may help to switch you from fight or flight to rest & digest which is the state in which your body is able to heal, regenerate and adapt to your environment. At LiveLoveLife we are passionate about helping people live their best lives.  We offer world-class Chiropractic care along with proactive education, positive support and early intervention, which is key to ensure you are building a strong, healthy and resilient body for the future.  Want your health to be different? Want your life to be different? Then you have to DO something different. Get in touch with us today!

We can feel it, with the warmer weather and sunny days (which we welcome with open arms) can also come the not so welcome hay fever or allergy symptoms... If the above image reminds you of sneezing fits during spring, you are the 1 in 5 individuals affected by this condition in Australia. If you are that 1 person, your immune system identifies a harmless substance (such as pollen) as harmful and produces antibodies in response which means when you come into contact with that pollen the next time, your immune system will release chemicals and trigger symptoms associated with hay fever. These can include cough; itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat; postnasal drip, runny nose and/or nasal congestion; sneezing; swollen blue-colored skin under the eyes; watery, itchy, red eyes; and fatigue. Most treatments available tackle the symptoms, and can be very effective at doing so, but are unable to get to the root cause of the problem. On the other hand, chiropractic care may tackle the underlying interference to your nervous system and help your body to function at its best. The primary goal of chiropractic adjustments is to remove or release stress from your nervous system so your brain and body can communicate more clearly with each other. A stress-free body can be more capable of dealing with allergens, healing and regenerating, adapting to your environment and doing everything else you require of it everyday. Your body is brilliant and when its basic requirements are met and your nervous system is functioning properly you are better able to feel healthy and happy, to continue to do the things you need to do and the things you love to do in life. There are many things you can do besides taking medication to help reduce your symptoms but most of them involve isolating yourself indoors and avoiding activities that you probably enjoy. Chiropractic care and getting adjusted regularly seems like a much better option which may help you carry on enjoying life rather than hiding away for periods of the year, especially beautiful times like spring! If you would like to find out more about Chiropractic care, nervous system function and spinal health and well being please get in touch with us today at hello@livelovelifechiro.com