Blogs

Understanding Intervertebral Disc Bulge: A Common Source of Lower Back Pain.

Lower back pain is a widespread issue that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Among the various causes of this discomfort, intervertebral disc bulge stands out as one of the leading causes. Intervertebral discs (IVD) act as cushions between the vertebrae of the spine providing cushioning, flexibility and a space to assist nerves to exit the spinal column and service the body. With disc bulge there is the potential to compress  nerves, leading to pain and other symptoms.

Understanding Muscle Strain as a Common Cause of Lower Back Pain

            Back pain from muscle strain

Lower back pain is a prevalent health issue that affects everybody at some stage in their life. Among the various causes of lower back pain, muscle strain stands out as one of the most common culprits. Muscle strain occurs when the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine are subjected to excessive loads and stressors leading to discomfort and pain. In this article we will delve deeper into the

                                                                                                                10 Causes of Back Pain

Lower back pain can have various causes and you may have 2 or more of these. It’s essential to identify the underlying factors contributing to your specific condition. Here are

When should l be worried about my Lower Back Pain?

When experiencing lower back pain, there are certain factors that might indicate a need for a visit to your healthcare professional.

Consider these factors;

1. Duration and intensity: If your lower back pain persists for more than a few weeks or becomes progressively worse, it may be a sign of an underlying issue that requires attention.
2. Origin and spreading: If the pain radiates down your leg(s), commonly referred to as sciatica, or if it extends into the groin, buttocks, or other areas, it

Pregnancy and Chiropractic

Having a child can be a remarkable as well as gratifying experience. It could similarly difficult with hormonal, physical and psychological changes taking place through each phase of pregnancy. Caring for yourself while pregnant is crucial for your well being and that of your child.

The following are simple changes that happen throughout each trimester:

Trimester one (approximately 12 weeks): the child’s nervous system establishes in addition to various other major organs, the mother could experience exhausted as well as sick as a result of shifts in hormones an bodily

Disc Injuries and Sciatica

To understand disc injuries we need to get some of the anatomy clear. The spine is made of bones (vertebrae) that are separated by discs. These discs have a number of important tasks to perform including:

Absorbing the loads of walking, sitting and twisting
Permitting the vertebrae to move on top of each other so that we can turn,
reach and bend
Create a space between each vertebrae to give the height required for the
nerves to leave the spinal cord at each disc and innervate the body

The disc itself is soft

How did I get neck pain?

In our modern world the potential for neck pain is high. The causes are many and we often have more than one contributor.

The most common way is by repeated and long duration stress to ligaments, muscles and joints.

A forward head posture caused by using computers, phones and reading books
Sitting on the couch watching TV and using handheld devices
Long periods of driving
Poor sleeping postures, especially sleeping on your stomach

The neck is also vulnerable to injuries with rapid, sudden or forceful movements.

Motor vehicle injuries through whiplash or

General home headache prevention advice from the team at Essendon Health & Sports Centre

In the final part of our four-part series on headaches we will provide you with some general advice on how to avoid and manage headaches.

Headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, poor posture, dehydration, lack of sleep, and more. Here are some tips to help you prevent headaches:

Maintain good posture.
Poor posture can put a strain on your neck and back muscles, leading to tension headaches. Be mindful of your posture while sitting or

Cervicogenic headaches. What are they?

Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that  caused by dysfunction in the neck or cervical spine.

Potential Causes;
They are often the result of poor posture, a traumatic injury, or degenerative changes in the spine.

Symptoms and Locations;

A pain that starts in the neck and radiates to the head or face
Pain that is triggered by neck movement or certain postures
Stiffness or reduced range of motion in the neck
Pain on the side of the face

Why and How do they Occur;

The relationship between neck factors and head pain is complex.

 Headaches That Require Medical Intervention

While many headaches can be managed with rest, physical therapy and lifestyle changes, there are some headaches that require medical intervention. These are the so-called “secondary headaches’ ‘ that are the result of problems in the brain such as strokes, bleeds and tumours. Here are some examples:

Thunderclap headache: Thunderclap headaches are sudden, severe headaches that develop within seconds or minutes. They are often a sign of a medical emergency, such as a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, and require immediate medical attention. (Thunderclap Headache )
Headaches

The Types of Common Headache

Headache is a common ailment that many people experience. There are many types of headache and understanding the differences between them can help you better manage your condition. Here is a brief description of some of the most common types of headaches we see at Essendon Health and Sports Centre.

Tension headaches: Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They are usually caused by stress, tension, or muscle strain in the neck and scalp. Symptoms include a dull ache on both sides of the head

Sciatica – its prevention and risk reduction

As we come to the end of our four-week email series on sciatica, we want to highlight the importance of preventing future episodes of this condition. While chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for sciatic pain, it is equally important to take steps to maintain a healthy spine and prevent further episodes from occurring.

Understanding the Causes of Sciatica:

Image of a woman suffering sciatic pain 19.04.23

As we discussed in previous weeks, sciatica can be caused by a variety of factors such as

Treating sciatica with chiropractic care

Welcome to the third week of our email education series on sciatica. In our previous emails, we introduced you to sciatica, discussed its symptoms, and provided tips on how to manage them at home. This week, we will focus on how chiropractic care can help to treat sciatica and relieve pain.

Understanding How Chiropractic Care Can Help:

Image of a woman suffering sciatic pain 19.04.23

Chiropractic care is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to treating sciatica. It focuses on correcting misalignments in the spine, which can cause

Sciatica – Symptoms and Management

Welcome to the second week of our email series on sciatica. In this email, we will focus on the symptoms of sciatica, helping you to identify when you might be experiencing sciatic pain. We will also provide tips on how to manage these symptoms at home and discuss how chiropractic care can help to address them.

Symptoms of Sciatica

The symptoms of sciatica can vary depending on the location and severity of the nerve compression. Some common symptoms of sciatica include:

Pain: This is the most common symptom of

Part 1; Sciatica – what is it, what causes it, how chiropractic helps

Welcome to the first week of our email series on sciatica! In this email we will provide an introduction to sciatica, explaining what it is and what causes it. We will also discuss the role that chiropractic care can play in relieving sciatic pain.

So what is Sciatica?

sciatica

Sciatica is a type of pain that affects the sciatic nerve,  the largest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve is a weave of individual nerves that exit the  lower