Latrobe Health Centre – Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health

YOUR BODY IS TALKING – ARE YOU LISTENING?

Kyle Keenan — Mon, 03 May 2021 23:56:59 +0000

Chances are that if you have seen a heath practitioner or attended any sort of group fitness class, you’ve heard someone tell you to ‘listen to your body’. And no, they’re not just talking about the gurgles in your tummy when it hits 3:30pm and your lunch is feeling a little lonely.

Our bodies are (very cleverly) designed to send us signals when something isn’t quite right.

Here are some common signals and what they could mean:

Scratchy throat – I don’t need to tell you what that one means
Headache – dehydrated, stressed, muscular tension
Upset tummy – sickness, food intolerance, anxiety/stress
Sore back – musculoskeletal imbalance, soft tissue injury, postural strain
Missing periods or change to periods – hormone dysfunction
Sleeping difficulty – stress, hormone dysfunction, musculoskeletal dysfunction

This list barely scratches the surface, and of course there are many more reasons why you could be getting symptoms, some more serious than others. The point is, your body is sending you notifications every day.

Sometimes it’s pretty obvious what you need to do, and other times you need an interpreter to understand what your body is trying to tell you. That’s where your health practitioner comes in; it’s our job to listen to your ‘notifications’ and come up with a solution. We’ll also help you learn how to interpret them yourself, so you know what it means when your symptoms come back, and then we’ll give you some tools to use at home.

Every change, every symptom, every ache and pain happens for a reason. It’s all too easy to put your body on aeroplane mode and ignore the notifications. But we’re here to tell you that it’s not normal to be in pain every day and when you’re ready to starting listening, your body is ready to tell you (and us) what’s going on.

To book an appointment with one of our practitioners, call 03 5222 6868 or visit latrobehealthcentre.com.au

The post YOUR BODY IS TALKING – ARE YOU LISTENING? appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy

Kyle Keenan — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:03:46 +0000

PELVIC PAIN IN PREGNANCY

What you might feel, why you might feel it, what it might be called and how Chiropractic care can help

Mummas-to-be, this one is for you!

Feeling like everything is sore and achy during pregnancy? You’re definitely not alone.

Wu et al (2004) estimate the prevalence of pelvic girdle pain and low back pain is 45% in pregnancy and 25% postpartum, however some level of pelvic pain is reported in 50-90% of pregnant women.

Here’s the good news: early intervention and management can slow or stop the progression of pain throughout pregnancy!

Here’s the low down:

Where you might feel pain:

» Low back

» Tailbone

» Hips

» Pubic bone

» Groin

» Either side of your bump

What might be causing your pain:

» Ligament spasms

» Postural changes

» Activity changes

» Bub position

» Inadequate motor control

» Decreased strength

» Hormonal changes

» Increased stress on body

You might be diagnosed with:

» Pelvic girdle pain (PGP)

» Pelvic instability

» Symphysis pubic dysfunction (SPD

» Round ligament pain

How Chiropractic can help:

» Improving joint mobility

» Soft tissue massage to reduce muscle + ligament tension

» Stretching and strengthening exercises

» Home management plan

» Advice on pelvic support

Call us on 5222 6868 for more information or book online for an appointment with one of our chiropractors.

The post Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

Why we love magnesium (and why you should too)

Kyle Keenan — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 22:34:37 +0000

WHY WE LOVE MAGNESIUM

(AND WHY YOU SHOULD TOO)

Magnesium is an essential mineral for all hormonal conditions and is involved with over 300 biochemical actions in the body

it soothes and calms your nervous system and aids with sleep

it regulates your HPA axis and improves the function of both insulin and thyroid hormone

it is anti-inflammatory and promotes the healthy metabolism of oestrogen

it helps to relax smooth muscle and decreases cramping

it is theorised to decrease the risk of retrograde menstruation associated with endometriosis

You can find magnesium in food sources such as nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables, but for most of us, that food supply is not enough.

Why?

Because we live in the modern world, which is stressful, and stress causes our body to dump magnesium in order to rev up our nervous system and help us deal with whatever stressful situation you are experiencing.

In theory, this would be helpful, except that we typically move from one stressor to another, without the opportunity to replenish our magnesium through diet. Enter: magnesium powder supplements.

FAQs about Magnesium

Can I test for magnesium deficiency?

In short, no. Most of your magnesium is actually inside your cells, so cannot be detected with a serum, urine or hair test. It is possible to test for red cell magnesium, but in reality, the test is quite unnecessary. Living in the modern world, surrounded by stress, it’s reasonable to assume that you could benefit from some extra magnesium supplementation. The easiest solution is to try some, and see how you feel.

Is all magnesium the same?

It would be nice, but unfortunately not. There are two components to consider; the form of the supplement that you take and the form of the magnesium.

SUPPLEMENT FORM:

Powder > tablets

The tablet form requires your stomach acid to ionise the mineral, resulting in less absorption and more excretion

MOLECULAR FORM:

Chelate or bisglycinate > oxide, chloride or sulfate forms (because they’re not easily absorbed)

Magnesium in supplements comes bound to carrier molecules, which can effect the rate of absorption, excretion and even the side effects you can experience.

What about sprays or salts?

It’s also worth noting that you can also absorb magnesium topically. Oils are great for targeted relief of cramps; such as cramping legs overnight or abdominal cramps during a period. Epsom salts can be used in a bath (or a footbath if you don’t have a full sized tub). The other way to absorb magnesium through your skin is swimming in the ocean!

Why does my chiro talk to me about magnesium?

It’s because many of the conditions we see in practice (muscular aches, neck pain, back pain, headaches, injuries etc) have associated inflammatory changes and are exacerbated by stress – and amongst other things, magnesium can help with this.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before self-prescribing a supplement to ensure the right dose for your body.

References available on request.

The post Why we love magnesium (and why you should too) appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

Take your time: a guide to getting back to the gym

Kyle Keenan — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 01:43:06 +0000

Exercise feels good, right? At least, that’s what we’re told. Endorphins flowing, blood pumping, all smiles and laughter.

That’s a nice idea, but we all have good and bad days. Maybe you’re not a regular ‘mover’, maybe you’ve had a little hiatus from raising your heart rate (hi coronavirus), or maybe it’s been a long week and your mind is anywhere but in class with you.

As gyms, studios and fitness centres re-open this week, please take a few moments to reflect on how you’ve moved your body over the last 3 months while they’ve been closed. Take away any judgement, any shame, and be real with yourself – for most of us, our exercise habits have changed.

It’s okay to say that exercise doesn’t always feel great. It can be overwhelming; it can stir up feelings of inadequacy, of competition, and of complete lack of worth.

In these times, it is important to recognise that you might not be able to lift the same weight you were lifting before lockdown (or do the same number of reps, or load your body for the same amount of time). It is also important to remember that just because it doesn’t feel amazing, that doesn’t mean that you’re wasting your time. Taking it slow now and easing yourself back in will keep you in the gym longer term, and not turn this 3 month break into 6 months because you’ve overdone it in the first week back.

If you’re in a group environment, maybe you need to listen out for some more supportive options. I know, it’s not always easy to be the first person to drop your knees or take a quick break. We’ve all been there; our body says ‘please give me some more support’ and our ego says ‘I can’t be the only one doing something different’.

Here are a few tips to help you get through a (mentally) tough workout:

· Give yourself permission to listen to your body and take breaks when you need

· Listen out to the options given in a group class; think of it as giving your body the support it needs to work out safely and effectively

· Remember that it’s your workout – the instructor/coach is there to help you get through it

· Everyone is concentrating on their own burning muscles; they couldn’t care less if you’re planking on knees or toes or taking a quick break to catch your breath!

· Remember that good form and controlled movement will get you a lot closer to your goals than pushing or rushing through poor form.

· If you’re back in the gym for some heavy lifting, don’t go straight for your PB. Do a week or two at 60%, and then at 70%. Work back up towards your PB the same way you did the first time (probably not after 3 months out of the gym).

Who knows, maybe you taking the first move will help someone else to take a more supportive option too!

If you’re feeling a little rusty, use this opportunity to give yourself some extra TLC. Prioritise stretching and recovery after your workouts, and book an appointment with one of our chiropractors or myotherapists who can support you as you transition back into your exercise program. Appointments available online or by calling 03 5222 6868.

Image Credit: Jeanie Irving

The post Take your time: a guide to getting back to the gym appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

How a pandemic changes your workload

Kyle Keenan — Mon, 11 May 2020 00:53:07 +0000

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a combo of puzzle pain (neck), knitters knots (shoulders) and Brooklyn-99 binge-watching back from being 100% committed to Staying Home for the good of others.

Or if you’re anything like my husband, you’re probably feeling sore from all the home improvements and yard-care you’ve been doing now that we can’t spend our weekends hanging out with other people.

More time at home inevitably means more time spent doing things differently. Maybe your home workspace set-up isn’t quite as ergonomically-sound as it would be at work (and I just know you’ve spent months trying to get it just right in time for working from home to become mandated). Maybe you’re spending more time on the floor with your kids, because it isn’t worth fighting them to sit at the table and you just need to get on their level.

Pandemic or not – we see this all time. A change to routines, workspace and weekend activities inevitably means a change in the load on your body. And when it happens all at once (ie, you paint the roof or pull up an entire garden bed over a three-day-weekend, something you haven’t done for years), your body doesn’t quite know how to cope with that load and you wake up sore.

Likewise, time spent looking down at a puzzle, or holding up your nearly-completed knitting/crochet project while you work, and/or finishing an entire season of your (new) favourite tv-show or movie franchise at the same time (#multitasking) causes a change to the load in your body. It doesn’t matter if your posture is perfect (but if you’re anything like me, it probably isn’t) and you take regular breaks to stretch/move/visit the fridge – the bottom line is that our body doesn’t adapt quite as quickly as our brain commits to completing these new tasks.

The bad news is that a solution isn’t one-size-fits-all but the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help. We suggest taking regular breaks (so swapping from one task to another might actually be better in the long term, even if it disrupts your progress/train of thought in the short term). Something as simple as getting up to fill your glass with water and doing a lap around the house breaks the static posture that’s likely to be causing you some tightness and discomfort. Even better is getting outside for some fresh air – a walk, a ride, throwing the ball with your dog or even just moving outside into the sunshine (appropriately protected of course) and making sure you take some deep breaths while you’re there.

You’ll probably find that your local health care provider is still be open and available for consults – now is a great time for some TLC so book in for an appointment to prioritise your health and wellbeing in a time when it is so easy to neglect. As well as management for back pain, our chiropractors can also give you advice on setting up a home workspace to suit your body and your workload.

You can book appointments with our practitioners online at latrobehealthcentre.com.au or by calling 03 5222 6868. We’d love to help you (and celebrate your new hobby as well)!

The post How a pandemic changes your workload appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

OUR CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR MEDICARE, TAC, DVA & WORKCOVER PATIENTS

Kyle Keenan — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 00:57:27 +0000

Chiropractors in Australia can see patients under many different types of insurances.

Latrobe Health Center Chiropractors accept Medicare, WorkCover, Transport Accident Commision (TAC), Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) and private insurance companies.

WorkCover

Chiropractic is covered by WorkCover. WorkCover is a compulsory insurance for Victorian work places which is funded by employer contributions. It provides Victorian work places with insurance cover for employees who may be either injured or become ill due to work. If you have been injured at work you are eligible to get rehabilitation covered by WorkCover. Latrobe Health Centre Chiropractor’s accept WorkCover patients, all you need is your claim number and case manager’s details and our friendly reception staff will do the rest.

Medicare

Chiropractic is covered by Medicare. The Commonwealth Government of Australia allows Medicare to pay for up to 5 Allied Health (which may include chiropractic) visits a calendar year. This government initiative is called; Chronic Disease Management Plan formally known as Enhanced Primary Care Plan. To qualify for Medicare Chiropractic visits, eligible patients must have a chronic medical condition which they have had for more than 6 months, for example; diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and musculoskeletal conditions. To apply for Medicare visits for Chiropractic you need a referral from your GP and then a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement Plan (this is all done by your GP). We regularly see Medicare Chiropractic patients. Please note this is not a free consultation through medicare – full cost of the service must be paid, then our reception staff will rebate you by processing your medicare card. You will accrue a $10.00 out of pocket expense for each visit.

TAC

Chiropractic is covered by TAC. The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is set up to cover all medical and rehabilitation treatment costs. The TAC also pays for disability services, income assistance, household and travel support services, any of which has resulted from a transport accident. The TAC aims to help make your life easier and support you after a transport accident. We regularly see TAC Chiropractic clients, all you need is your claim number and your case manager’s details, our friendly staff will help make this process easy for you so you can start to receive your Chiropractic management as soon as possible.

Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA)

Chiropractic is covered by DVA who are an organisation which supports Veterans who have served in Australia’s defence force. Veterans include Australian and Commonwealth WWII and post WWII Conflicts Veterans. Veteran’s family members including Spouse, Partners, Widows and Widowers may be eligible for DVA support. Police Officers are also supported by DVA. Eligible DVA members are entitled to Chiropractic management. We accept patients using DVA cards. If you are interested in coming to us for patients the procedure is:

Have your DVA Gold card details available (Some White Card holders are eligible for Chiropractic cover)
Call us one of our practices for a consultation, the chiropractor will normally speak to you about your situation
Ask your medical practitioner for a referral to see a Chiropractor. Our Chiropractors often write letters to GPs that helps this process
These referrals are valid for 12 months, after which time a new referral can be granted, and all you need is a letter from your GP and your Gold card.

Private Insurance Companies

There are many private insurance companies in Australia, with many factors affecting your level of cover, insurance premium and well as rebate for particular health care modalities. Taking these factors into consideration, majority of people who visit our practice receive between $300 – $1,000 rebate per year after their Chiropractic care. Most insurance is configured so that the user receives more benefit at the beginning of care, as the frequency of care is usually higher. As your problem improves and your need for care reduces, so does your rebate.

Want some more info?

Book an appointment with one of our Chiropractors in Geelong, Bannockburn and Leopold.

Call us on 03 5222 6868 or book online.

The post OUR CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR MEDICARE, TAC, DVA & WORKCOVER PATIENTS appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

Stay injury free this season!

Kyle Keenan — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 01:18:48 +0000

With the days getting longer and warmer, many people often kick start their summer training, it can also spell the end for many with injuries taking their toll. So, what can we do to reduce our chance of injury and get in summer shape? Geelong podiatrist, Andrew Graham, explains…

With many people dusting off their runners and summer only around the corner, here are my top 4 tips to stay injury-free this training season!

1.Update runners!

This one is a big one. Don’t dust off the old pair that are falling apart, get yourself into the right training shoe for you. While some may argue that training bare feet or in a minimalist shoe will increase strength and stability, it’s difficult to begin training in that manner without a baseline of strength. For that reason, most will need a supportive shoe suited to them. Check out Active Feet in Ocean Grove (3/85 The Terrace) who have a big selection of runners and expert knowledge. Alternatively, ask your podiatrist what they can recommend!

2. Don’t push through that niggle!

While we all want to get the best results from training, we can’t get those results if we’re injured. Listen to your body, if it doesn’t feel right, come get it checked out. At Pro Feet Podiatry, we often see the bad side of injuries. Most of them are more manageable and have better responses if treated early.

3. Foam rolling is your friend, not your enemy

There have been a few myths out there that foam rolling isn’t a good way to prepare for exercise. This is simply not true. Foam rolling certainly has its benefits, by increasing mobility and reducing the likelihood of injury. Think of foam rolling as a cheap, convenient and effective form of massage. However, foam rolling isn’t the only thing to add to your warm-up routine to keep you injury-free!

4. Nail the warm-up

We can often find ourselves pretty time-poor these days, which can result in us skipping our warm-ups. However, I’m here to remind you of just how important they can be. Warm-ups are crucial in helping us reduce the chances of sustaining a preventable injury as well as maximising our performance while training.

So, what should my warm-up consist of?

Foam rolling to release tight muscles
Gentle restorative stretching e.g. adductors, glutes
Targeted muscle activation e.g squats, glute bridges
Movement e.g strides

If you, or anyone you may know, have any questions, please feel free to email me on the address below.

Alternatively, make the most of the 50% off an initial appointment for the month of October with myself or any of our team members on 5222 6868 or book online.

Please quote “FOOT HEALTH” when booking, to receive the discount !

Andrew Graham

Podiatrist / Development Level Strength and Conditioning Coach

Pro Feet Podiatry

andrewgraham@profeetpodiatry.com.au

The post Stay injury free this season! appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

‘Get Spine Active’ this World Spine Day

Kyle Keenan — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:13:19 +0000

Every year on 16 October, people from around the world come together on World Spine Day (an initiative of the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health) to raise awareness about spinal disorders and empower others to take charge of their spinal health.

With half of Australians not being sufficiently, physically active and back problems reported as number one globally, Australians of all ages are putting their spinal health and wellbeing at risk.

To combat this epidemic, World Spine Day 2019 and Latrobe Heath Centre are encouraging patients to ‘Get Spine Active.’ This initiative aims to highlight the importance of physical activity, movement and exercise for maintaining spinal health. This year aims to encourage everyone, no matter age or ability, to find ways to get spine active that suits their lifestyle. It is simply about forming good, healthy habits that can be implemented every day.

The good news is that being spine active can take many forms. Whether it’s running, weightlifting, swimming or cycling, regular exercise not only strengthens your spine and improves your physical health but can be extremely beneficial to a number of other health factors including energy levels, sleeping patterns, metabolism and so much more.

To help you form these good spinal habits, the Australian Chiropractors Association has developed the Straighten Up and Just Start Walking apps. The Straighten Up app features a 3-minute stretching program to help you maintain correct posture no matter where you are, and the Just Start Walking app enables you to experience the benefits of walking and also allows you to track and map your walks so you can monitor your progress and improvement.

For further advice and assistance on how to improve your spine health, book an appointment with one of our practitioners in Geelong, Bannockburn or Leopold this World Spine Day.

Call us on 03 5222 6868 or book online.

The post ‘Get Spine Active’ this World Spine Day appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

EXERCISE FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY BONES

Kyle Keenan — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 01:59:54 +0000

EXERCISE FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY BONES

Just like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger; and just like muscle, our bone strength starts to decline as we age. The good news is that numerous studies have shown that weight-bearing exercise can help to slow bone loss, and even build bone strength. Exercising also helps us to maintain muscle strength, coordination and balance, which helps to prevent falls and related fractures.

The evidence shows that weight-bearing and resistance exercises is best for bone health. Let’s break it down:

Weightbearing Exercise is any exercise that forces you to work against gravity; think walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing sports. Generally, higher-impact and higher-velocity activities have a more pronounced effect on bone than lower impact exercises (read: a gentle walk is a great start, but a brisk walk or jog, or a combination of exercise including some high-intensity/plyometric training will do more to strengthen bone than a leisurely stroll.

Resistance Exercise is when you add an extra component such as weights and weight-machines, resistance bands, springs (like a pilates reformer). It can also be functional movements where you just move your body, like push-ups, squats, lunges and bear-crawls.

Two other contributors to bone strength are adequate and safe sun exposure for vitamin D, and calcium intake from our diet. This can be from dairy, or other sources such as nuts, seeds and leafy greens, to name a few. Check out the “Bone” highlights on our Instagram page to see some great sources of non-dairy calcium.

Want some more info?

Book an appointment with one of our practitioners in Geelong, Bannockburn and Leopold to see what you can be doing to improve your bone health.

Call us on 03 5222 6868 or book online.

The post EXERCISE FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY BONES appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.

THE TASTY TREAT THAT’S DOING GOOD THINGS FOR YOUR GUT: GELATIN GUMMIES

Kyle Keenan — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 01:54:01 +0000

THE TASTY TREAT THAT’S DOING GOOD THINGS FOR YOUR GUT: GELATIN GUMMIES

Winter may be over, but we’re far from clear of the dreaded cold and flu season. Here is our chiropractor, Dr Chelsea’s new fave recipe – Immune Boosting Gummies using natural gelatin and everyone’s favourite soothers.

Natural gelatin is a complete protein source, which provides essential amino acids necessary for tissue building and repair within multiple areas of the body.

Lemon promotes hydration, aids digestion, and is high in vitamin C, a strong antioxidant that can fight inflammation, boost immune function and improve zinc absorption (to name a few).

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and it can settle the stomach and help regulate blood pressure.

Manuka Honey is antimicrobial and promotes healing.

Try this recipe to create some immune gummies for yourself! They’re sweet, tangy and best off all, they have no nasties or added sugar!

Ingredients:

1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 tbsp Manuka honey
3 inch knob ginger, grated (or 1-2 tsp minced ginger)

6 tbsp natural gelatin (I use NutraOrganics https://nutraorganics.com.au/products/natural-gelatin )

Method:

Bloom your gelatin (if using powder) by adding to 1 cup of water and give it a stir
Add ginger to the lemon juice, and strain both through a sieve to remove pulp
In a saucepan over low heat, add the juice, ¾ cup of water, and your bloomed gelatin and warm up just enough to mel the gelatin. Don’t worry if it starts of a little clumpy (or just a big blob) – just keep stirring until the mixture is smooth.
Remove from the heat and add the honey; stir well.
Pour into moulds of your choice, and place in the fridge until gummies are set.

Try not to eat half the batch in one go!

You can also experiment with other flavour combos to make any sort of gummy treat you like – perhaps try berries and coconut or espresso/coconut latte.

The post THE TASTY TREAT THAT’S DOING GOOD THINGS FOR YOUR GUT: GELATIN GUMMIES appeared first on Latrobe Health Centre - Geelong Chiropractor and Allied Health.