Why is the spine so important that sleeping positions should be considered?

The spine supports a lot of the body’s movement functions by being an overall body weight support. The spine also allows for neck and head movements like “flexion” and “extension” because of its complex vertebrae design in the cervical spine region. Most importantly, the bones or vertebra of the spine supports the spinal cord which transmits messages directly from the brain throughout the body. These are but a few of the reasons our spines and backs should be taken care of by sleeping in better positions other than the stomach.

Back and side verse stomach sleepers – Chiropractor Pretoria

All sleeping positions have their advantages and disadvantages and while some are beneficial others may cause long-term damage and strain to your spine and back. Sleeping is a time you get to give your spine a chance to rest after its constant support throughout the day.

Stomach

The stomach sleeper may find this position comfortable as it also reduces snoring and sleep apnea problems. However, what makes this position bad is that it puts strain on the lumbar spine region and can result in lower back pain as well as strain the neck because it’s positioned to either side.

Sleeping on your stomach for long hours will eventually start becoming problematic and you may experience neck and lower back pain amongst other. Neck pain occurs due to the rotation and/or side bending for hours on end. When you are laying on your stomach, your lower back also curves more, causing the joints to become jammed up and could result in lower back pain. For pregnant women sleeping on the stomach becomes more and more uncomfortable as your pregnancy progresses. It is advisable not to sleep on your stomach during the initial phase of your pregnancy.

If you sleep on your stomach, you need to train yourself not to do it. Something you can try is placing a pillow against your chest and in front of your legs. This will “trick” your brain into thinking you are on your stomach as well as preventing rotation in your lower back as you bring one of your legs up.

Back

Sleeping on the back allows the spine and neck to rest in a neutral position preventing any stress on this region. However, some folks may not get a good night’s sleep because this position even though great for your spine is not the most comfortable and may induce snoring.

If you sleep on your back, ensure you have the proper support for your neck and place a pillow behind your knees. This will relax the lower back muscles and reduce any back pain.

Side

This fetal position is very comfortable for most people; however, this can cause some pressure on the internal organs when sleeping on the left side, so switching sides during the night is fine. However, for pregnant women, left side sleeping is encouraged to help increase blood flow and oxygen to the heart and the unborn baby.

It is important to ensure you have a good supportive pillow. A pillow can also be placed between your knees. This will ensure your pelvis doesn’t rotate during the night. Click here to find out how to choose the correct pillow

Ask you professional chiropractor Pretoria for more information and start making better health choices for your back.

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The post Dr Vicki Ferreira Reviews – Chiropractor in Centurion appeared first on Chiropractor in Centurion | Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor.

Today we will be talking about the biomechanics of bones to help us understand how certain conditions and nutrient deficiencies affect bone. It is important to understand what the function of bone is in our bodies as well as how factors such as loading stresses, muscle activity and aging has on our bones.

When we think of our skeletal system, we immediately think of the hardness of the bones. Bones protect our organs (i.e. heart and lungs by the ribcage), however it plays a big role in locomotion as well. Muscles attach to the bones to allow specific movements.

Bones are also living and growing tissues. It is made up of inorganic mineral salts and organic matrix of collagen and ground substance. The inorganic mineral content, mainly consisting of Calcium and Phosphate, is responsible for the hardness and rigidity of bone. The organic matrix gives the bone flexibility and resilience.

There are many conditions that can affect our skeletal system for example physical activity, fractures, osteoporosis and osteomalacia (especially in kids) just to name a few. We will just briefly discuss these few conditions.

Fractures are probably the most common and well known injury that is associated with bone. They can happen as a result of a fall, overtraining in athletes or due to osteoporosis. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, treatment varies. Common fractures include hip fractures in older persons, stress fractures in athletes, Colles’ and Smith’s fractures which happens when you fall on an outstretched hand. Greenstick fractures are common in kids.

Osteoporosis is another condition that affects the strength of the bone. Osteoporosis can be characterized by a decrease in bone density resulting in weak and fragile bones that are predisposed to fractures. Osteopenia is also associated with a decrease in bone density, however not to the same extent as osteoporosis. The risk factors that are associated with osteoporosis include genetics, lack of exercise, lack of Calcium and Vitamin D, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption.

Osteomalacia is a condition that is causes marked softening of your bones due to a severe vitamin D deficiency. Children and young adults that have the softened bones might be prone to develop bowing during growth, especially in the weight-bearing bones in the legs. Older adults with osteomalacia may develop fractures later on.

This was a brief summary of some of the conditions that can affect your bones and your skeletal system. It is important to look after your overall bone health.

With all of this in mind, here are 7 tips for healthy bones by Chiropractors in Pretoria:

1. Eat Calcium-rich foods such as fish with bones (salmon or sardines) or dark leafy green veggies or broccoli.
2. Take Calcium supplements. During your 20s, 30s and 40s you need approximately 1000 mg calcium per day. However, as you age, your needs change and you might need to up your dosage, especially women going through menopause. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements to determine the right amount for you.
3. Add a little D to your day. Calcium and vitamin work together for optimum absorption. We can get vitamin D from the sun. 15-20 minutes a day is all it takes to ensure you get enough vitamin D for the calcium absorption.
4. Start doing weight bearing exercises. The bigger the demand on your bones is, the stronger they will become. Running, jogging, high impact aerobics, repetitive stair climbing, dancing etc. are great exercises for building bones. If you have osteopenia, osteoporosis or arthritis exercises like walking or using the elliptical trainer can help.
5. Don’t smoke and drink excessively. This is bad news for bad habits: research have shown that a loss of bone mineral density is associated with tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. If you are a smoker, look into programs to help you quit. If you drink, stick to no more than 1 drink per day.
6. Have a bone density scan done. Doctors and chiropractors in Pretoria can refer you for something called a DEXA scan or bone density test. It is a special kind of xray to measure bone mineral density and to help determine risks of osteoporosis and fractures. It is recommended that women within 2 years of menopause are sent for a DEXA scan.
7. Consider medication. Estrogen levels are linked to bone loss, therefore perimenopausal women may consider hormone therapy to help with decreasing estrogen levels. There are also some medications available to men and women who have been diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis to help prevent hip and spine fractures.

Let’s work together and build stronger bones and happy healthy skeletal system.

For any questions, please feel free to contact us on 083 288 0679

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Pathologic headaches can also be known as the Dr. Google headaches. These are usually the headaches that come up if you search the internet for causes of your headache and you immediately freak out. 99.5% of headaches are usually benign. It is estimate that 1 out of 300 headaches are pathologic. However rare these headaches are, these headaches are extremely dangerous and require immediate medical attention.

There are certain red flags or warning signs that you can look out for to determine if your headache might be a pathological headache. These include the following:

List of Pathologic Headaches

• Sudden onset of a severe headache.
• New headache in somebody over the age of 50.
• Headache due to trauma.
• Any neurological signs such as loss of consciousness, seizures etc.
• Vomiting without nausea.
• Persistent or progressive headache.
• Known cancers.
• Marked neck stiffness.

If a pathologic headache is suspected, please go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY!!!

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Now you might ask but what is an aura? It is basically focal neurological symptoms that develop gradually. The aura can be anything from seeing spots, having pins and needles or speech symptoms. This can occur approximately an hour before the onset of the migraine or sometimes even during the headache.

So what causes a migraine? It has been thought that a migraine can occur due to constriction of blood vessels in and around your brain or as a result of some sort of neurological deficit, which can only be seen on an EEG.

What is a migraine headache?

A migraine is usually intense and presents as a throbbing pain that can last to as much as 72 hours. People across the world suffer from migraines and they usually happen as a result of activity within structures of the head. These can include chemical reactions, and hyperactivity or stimulation.
Migraines may cause nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and auras in some patients. It can also cause mood changes, food cravings and additional pain or stiffness of the neck.

What is a tension headache?

Tension headaches often occur during high-stress levels; however, other factors can trigger this type of headache too. Some of the causes also include “astigmatism” or severe eyestrain, alcohol, cold, flu, and poor posture. Tension headaches are described as a feeling of pressure exerted on the scalp. It can cause scalp tenderness or sensitivity.

Surgery and headaches

According to experts from the Headache Clinic headaches can be treated with specialized surgery and the success rate is high. However, surgery often has a recovery period and can set you back financially, let alone being able to afford it at all. So, to help you from your headaches, you can opt for chiropractic treatment instead.

A migraine usually presents as an intense, throbbing kind of pain on one side of your head and is usually felt around the eye and temple area. Associated symptoms can include nausea and/or vomiting, light- and sound sensitivity. For this reason when you have a migraine attack, you just want to lie in a dark and silent place. People who suffer from migraines usually find that it gets worse with physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs. A migraine can last anything between 4 to 72hours.

Certain triggers have been known to initiate migraines. These include:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Certain foods, i.e. chocolate, dairy, onions, beans, nuts or fatty foods
• Food additives like MSG or aspartame
• Environmental changes like weather changes, light or visual triggers or even strong odors.
• Lifestyle factors such as insufficient/excess sleep, fasting, stress or emotional letdown.
• Hormonal influences like menopause, oral contraceptives or pregnancy.
• Head or neck pain from other causes.

The management of migraines may consist of a variety of treatment protocols. This can include chiropractic treatment, trigger and dietary advice or prescribed medications.

Can a chiropractor in Centurion help me with my headaches?

Yes! Chiropractic treatment is not only safe but also non-invasive. The misalignment of the spine can result in many forms of pain in the body, including headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate pain especially in the cervical spine region, which also results in less pain from the headache. Before treatment begins, your chiropractic Centurion specialist will do some tests and diagnosis to establish what’s triggering the headache. In many cases, the chiro will help the patient to implement some lifestyle changes as many people suffer from poor posture as a result of their work environment, for example, sitting at a desk for a long period of time.

Chiropractic treatment has been found to be quite effective when treating patients with migraines. The treatment mainly consist of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine, soft tissue work like dry needling, massage and stretching and strengthening of neck muscles.

If you or someone you know suffers from migraines, give us a call today 083 288 0679

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Headaches are common occurrences to all of us. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 50% of the population has experienced a symptomatic headache at least once a year. 50% to 75% of the adult population, people between the ages of 18 and 65, experience headaches regularly. We will discuss the Five Types of Headaches in this article.

When talking about headaches, it is important to know the differences between the five different types of headaches:

• 1. Tension headache
  2. Cervicogenic headache
  3. Migraine
  4. Cluster headache
  5. Pathologic headache

Five Types of Headaches Explained – Chiropractor in Centurion

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. This is the type of headache that comes at the end of a stressful day. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of the population suffers from tension headaches. This headache typically feels like a tight band around your head. Muscles play a big role with these headaches as myofascial trigger points (muscle spasms) and other myofascial pain syndromes may be the cause of the tension headache. Tension headaches can last anything from 30 minutes to 7 days.

Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates in one or more of the structures of the cervical spine. These structures can include facet joints, nerves, muscles or ligaments. Pain is usually felt in the neck and at the base of the skull, but may radiate to the forehead, temples, orbital region or ears. The pain is usually brought on or aggravated by specific neck movements or sustained postures.

Migraines are usually triggered by a specific factor such as certain smells, medications, foods, hormonal changes or blood glucose levels. This type of headache can be quite debilitating and lasts for several hours. Migraines can occur with or without the presence of an aura (visual or olfactory disturbance that precede the migraine). A throbbing pain is usually felt along with nausea, vomiting or light and sound sensitivity.

Cluster headaches are usually uncommon headaches. You experience frequently recurring and brief episodes of an extremely severe headache. The pain is usually felt in or around one of your eyes with tearing and redness in that eye. You may also experience a blocked nose and well as a drooping eyelid on the side where the headache is present. These headaches can last between 4 to 8 weeks.

Pathologic headaches are headaches occurring from a potentially life threatening cause. These are the headaches that come up first with Dr. Google, however 99.5% of headaches are benign. Pathological headaches can be caused by infections, brain tumors, an arterial cause, strokes, trauma or brain swelling. These headaches are extremely dangerous and if it is suspected by your medical professional, immediate medical attention is required.

Chiropractic can help with almost all of the different headache types and are trained to know when to refer you to another specialist.

Give us a call today to help get relieve from your headache

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Clicking your own back and neck is bad for you from an unqualified person are very common topics in a chiropractor’s office. Some people argue that they don’t need to come and see a chiropractor because they can adjust themselves or they would ask someone in the office to quickly “crack” their backs to get some relief. Other people are usually in our offices because of a “click” that went bad.

Have you ever notice that your neck or back sometimes feels stiff or has limited movement or just feels like it needs a “click”? You then either adjust it yourselves or have it adjusted by a random person and you feel better afterwards. You then go about your day and in less than an hour you have the same stiffness and limited movement in your neck or back. You “click” again and again and again.

Imagine your neck vertebrae as the links of a chain. Each vertebra must move optimally to allow maximum range of motion to your neck. When you feel your neck movement is limited, it means one joint, one link in your chain, is not moving as it should and might get stuck. This now causes all the other vertebrae to become hypermobile to compensate for this immobility to still allow as much range of motion as possible. So when you click your neck, you are in essence only clicking the vertebrae which are already moving and hypermobile instead of correcting the affected vertebrae. This is what usually happens and we as chiropractors can help. We find the exact vertebra that is not moving and induce movement again. Now each little vertebra can move as it is supposed to and you can get long-term relief.

So in short, this is why self-adjusting is bad for your neck and could result in severe neck and back pain. If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Vicki and she will gladly answer all your questions.

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Choosing the Correct Pillow – Chiropractor in Centurion

Choosing the correct pillow will not only helps you to get a good night’s sleep, but could also help with your neck pain and headaches. It’s seldom that we think about our pillows and whether we ought to change them after a few years. How a good pillow is made is probably also one of the last things on your mind when you lay your head down to rest.  Chiropractors often see patients who complain about a sore neck after waking up the next day. The wrong pillow can cause many problems but the right one will help you have better posture as you sleep. Driving Directions to Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor in Centurion

To understand why the correct pillow is so vital, let’s look at the anatomy of your neck. You have seven neck vertebrae, separated by a spinal disc, that function together to allow a great range of motion for your head and neck. Between adjacent vertebrae we find facet joints. This is where the most movement occurs. We also have lots of muscles and ligaments that attach to the vertebrae and cause movement when they contract.

When you sleep on your side with an incorrect pillow, your neck will either go into side-bending towards or away from the pillow and could result in neck pain or headache.

Read our latest blog: Can Chiropractors Help With Back Pain?

When you bend your neck to the side, the little facet joints on the side you are bending towards gets compressed and opened up on the opposite side. If this occurs over a period of time, like when sleeping for a few hours in that position, the facet joints on the side of compression might become stuck and not be able to move as it is supposed to or possibly compress a spinal nerve. On the opposite side, opening up the joints might cause the muscles on that side to become overstretched and painful.

So how do we know if there is a problem with our pillows?

With side sleeping, your pillow is supposed to fit comfortably in the space between your shoulder and your ear to support your head. When you lie on your side with a pillow that is too flat or too fluffy, your neck will be forced into a side bending position for hours while you sleep.

When sleeping on your back it is important to have a pillow that supports your neck to prevent neck extension, or backward tilting of your head, during the night. This will also cause compression of the facet joints at the back of your neck as well as spasms in the back of the neck. To prevent lower back pain with back sleeping, it is recommended to place a pillow under your knees to help take some of the pressure off of your lower back by relaxing your lower back.

What makes a good pillow and what does a chiropractitioner suggest is best?

Pillows are a huge benefit because:

• They provide support to your head and neck
• They allow for comfortable positioning
• Some are hypoallergenic
• Some pillows have cooling fabric which is perfect for warm nights
• Most pillow sizes can fit an average-size bed

What are the disadvantages of sleeping on a pillow?

• Cotton pillows can give to unwanted wrinkles
• They may lead to dust mites
• When sleeping wrong, certain pillows can induce neck pain

What types of pillows does a chiropractitioner recommend?

The type of pillow you choose depends on your lifestyle and needs. Some pillows are suitable especially for patients who may have had surgery. Some pillows provide support to patients having to wear Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) masks for sleep apnoea.

In most cases, pillows provide good support while you’re lying down.

• Roll-shape orthopaedic pillow – provides optimum posture support when lying down. It can also, be used for neck support during travel.
• Memory foam pillows – memory foam conforms to any shape and in the case of a pillow, it will give excellent support for your neck and head.
• Pillow with microbeads – microbeaded pillows are usually very firm and provide good support as a travel pillow.
• Neck pillows – these are specifically designed to support your neck and cervical spine.
• Feather pillows – provide a natural spring effect and is firmer than down pillows
• Down pillows – as its name suggests, down pillows are filled with the down feathers of birds.

So, if you maybe wake up with neck or lower back pain, a stiff neck or even a headache, give us a call and we will gladly help. Find us on Facebook Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor

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You can injure your feet in any number of ways. Standing for hours on end can cause problems, so can sudden and jerky movements. A misaligned joint can be the culprit and sports men can injure feet, heels, or ankles by twisting them at odd angles or by running with the wrong shoes.

When the feet and heels are overused, and the tendons become inflamed a condition called Tendinitis develops. You can sprain an ankle and tear ligaments with sudden uncontrolled sideways movements. You will experience pain with the bruised and swollen ankle. A flat foot also causes problems. Weak muscles in the foot and leg can cause the arch of the foot to fall or collapse. You will feel the pain in a leg or a foot or you will be tired.

The chiro will examine the injury and look at your gait. X-rays and other forms of examinations may be required to pinpoint the injury and after a consultation with a chiro a series of treatments will commence.

The chiro will suggest ways to prevent a recurrence of the injury, one being to wear the correct shoes. Another will be to warm up properly before you exercise and allow time to cool down afterwards. Ask him for exercises that can strengthen the muscles that support the area of injury.

The chiro will gently stretch the foot and apply pressure to joints in the lower back, hip, or leg. He may suggest RICE treatment, rest, ice, compression, and elevation and ask you to come back for a check-up in 6 month’s time. If you follow the advice of the chiropractor, you may heal completely and prevent another episode from happening.

Check out the services that we have to offer here.

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Anyone can benefit from a chiropractor and chiropractic treatment. Infants can benefit hugely from this holistic treatment as chiropractic techniques are used to treat babies who suffer from colic and reflux. The elderly can benefit from chiropractic treatment too, as this kind of treatment is successful in alleviated pain associated with arthritis that usually effects the elderly.

Chiropractic treatment in Centurion is hugely popular because of its success rate among its patients. Chiropractic treatments are a safe, natural and cost effective alternative to modern medicine. With chiropractic treatment there is no medication (unless your chiropractor is working in conjunction with another medical practitioner) and chiropractic treatment eliminates the need for painful and dangerous operations.

Chiropractic treatments such as manual spinal manipulation, massage, strengthening and stretching exercises and dry needling have the power to relieve the patient from all forms of neuromusculoskeletal pain such as:

• Headaches and Migraines
• Back Ache: Lower back ache, middle back pain etc
• Whiplash or sport related injuries
• Disc injuries or slipped discs
• Muscle strains
• Tendon pain or tendinitis
• Pregnancy discomfort (back ache, leg cramping, neck pain)
• Baby colic
• Arthritis and other arthritic conditions

Chiropractic techniques take years of study to perfect and we will help you in finding the perfect chiropractor for you and your ailments. All our chiropractors are members of the Chiropractic Association of South Africa and are registered with The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa.

A chiropractor will give your body back its own healing abilities by technical and hand manipulation of your body, spine, muscles and tissues. Chiropractic treatment can help in providing you a life free from pain and give you a life full of activity, health and healing. If you are interested in taking an holistic approach to your health, free from medication and unnecessary surgery, than chiropractic treatment is the perfect health care solution for you and your loved ones. Remember that anyone can benefit from this treatment, from infants to the elderly and from sportsmen and sportswomen to pregnant women.

Chiropractics will help you alleviate back pain and neck pain
Chiropractic treatment in Centurion is a holistic approach to health care and can aid in the treatment of back ache, neck pain and migraines.

Contact us today for a free screening.  Find us on Facebook Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor

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