Summing up the nervous system

The spinal cord is housed and protected by your spinal column which is made up of 33 vertebrae. Your spine is a crucial part of extending messages through the nervous system and to and from the brain. If your nervous system is out of sync you could suffer emotional imbalance as well as ailments that could affect your body such as backache, headaches and low energy levels, inability to balance as well as major health issues to name just a few.

Your chiropractor Pretoria can help you keep the nervous system aligned as well as help resolve pain and aches on a mechanical level. A good chiropractor Pretoria knows that a healthy nervous system means a healthy body. Chiropractors focus on helping the body be able to return to it’s normal and optimum functioning level without resorting to drugs. Needless to say, chiropractors holistic and non-invasive approach to pains and aches is a safe option for mechanical back pain. The main focus is to maintain a healthy working function among the spine and the nervous system.

Other natural benefits of a chiropractor Pretoria:

• • Can help decreases headaches
  • Improve mobility and function of the spine
  • Fewer hospital admissions and surgeries
  • Less need for medication
  • Reduce neck or back pain and strain
  • Helps with headaches

Using a good chiropractor in Pretoria on a regular basis will help your body to heal and maintain balance. With a chiropractor you can keep your spine strong and supple as well as suffer less health issues as your body takes to healing itself. Visiting your chiropractor can even help avoid pain before it occur.

If you’re looking to, not only maintain the health of your back but also the overall health and wellness for your body, then a good chiropractor Pretoria is your solution,  Click Here or give us a call today on 083 288 0679 to make a booing

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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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Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the biomechanics of the human body as well as different components associated with it and how they all interact. We will be talking about joint movements, bones and articular cartilage, collagen and its importance, muscles and training as well as looking at ways to ensure you have optimally functioning and pain-free joints for a healthier life.

Biomechanics is concerned with the study of the mechanics (movement) of the human body in relation to physics. In other words it is what we as chiropractors focus on to determine which joints are not moving as they should and could be causing your pain.

When we talk about movement, where does it occur? Movement occurs at all body joints, from head to toe, and therefore we need to look at the components that make up a joint. This includes two bones, articular cartilage, a joint capsule and surrounding soft tissue components such as muscles, ligament, tendons and nerves. These structures interact with each other to allow optimal movement of a joint. Depending on the shape and congruency of the articular cartilage, different movements are allowed and why certain movements are “bigger” than others, i.e. hip flexion vs. hip extension.

When several joints work together to create a larger range of motion in a specific segment, we refer to it as a kinematic chain. This explains why if there is some sort of pathology in any of the components of the kinematic chain, the entire kinematic chain is affected, i.e. adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) affects the movement of the whole arm. If there is a lack of movement in a specific segment, the segments above and below the affected area now have to compensate for this by becoming hypermobile, unstable and painful.

Chiropractors in Centurion use motion palpation to determine which segments are affected and needs to be corrected through chiropractic manipulation. If you feel like your range of motion is limited or a joint simply feels stuck, contact your chiropractor today on 083 288 0679

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Cervicogenic headaches are more common than you might think. Cervicogenic simply means “originating from the upper cervical spine”, a.k.a. your upper neck. These headaches sometimes present as tension headaches, however with closer examination the diagnosis of cervicogenic headache is made.

There are many theories about the exact causes of cervicogenic headaches. The main theories state that the head pain is mainly felt due to referred pain from the neck as a result of prior neck trauma, cervical joint dysfunction, sustained neck postures or repetitive neck/shoulder movements.

Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headaches

The symptoms of cervicogenic headaches can be described as follows. It is a dull and achy head pain that is usually felt around the upper neck and back of the head and may refer pain to the forehead, eye region, temples or ears. Cervicogenic headaches are aggravated by specific neck movements or sustained postures. Occasionally this dull and achy pain may also radiate or be felt in the neck, shoulder or arm on the same side as the headache. If you have had prior neck trauma, i.e. whiplash, you are more predisposed to this type of headache.

Management of Cervicogenic Headaches

The management of cervicogenic headaches is simple. As we said earlier, the cause of your headache is coming from the neck joints or surrounding soft tissue such as muscles and ligaments. Chiropractic manipulation of the upper cervical spine has been proven to help dramatically with this headache as it corrects the cervical joint dysfunction. Other treatment protocols that can be incorporated include massage or dry needling of the affected muscles as well as stretching and strengthening of the neck muscles.

If you or someone you know suffers from cervicogenic headaches, give us a call today today

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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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The word “chiropractic” actually comes from the Greek word ‘Chiropraktikos’ meaning an effective treatment by hand. This is essentially what a chiropractor does, Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor in Chiropractic has the ability to manually manipulate the body’s joints, tissues and muscles in order to alleviate pain. This is an holistic take on health care and also involves the adjusting of the spine, dry-needling, kineso taping and stretching and strengthening exercises. These are procedures that should not be painful but may come with an element of discomfort and tenderness which will pass quickly and give way to utter relief from pain.

An experienced and skilful chiropractor has the ability to make a patient feel intense relief after just one chiropractic treatment. Whether a patient is suffering from migraines or back pain or neck pain, a chiropractor has the ability to aid in the relief of this pain. This treatment entails manual manipulation of the body or the spine and will help in restoring the optimal or maximum function of what is known as the ‘neuromusculoskeletal system.’

The techniques that are commonly used by chiropractors include:

1. Manual Manipulation
2. Adjusting
3. Dry Needling
4. Kinesio Taping
5. Stretching
6. Strengthening

These holistic techniques performed by an experienced and qualified chiropractor have the capabilities of alleviating symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Back Pain
• Lower Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Spinal Problems
• Sports Related Injuries
• Infant Colic
• Pregnancy pains and aches
• Arthritis

Chiropractic treatment is a drug free form of treatment for the body and a qualified chiropractor has the ability to holistically relieve you of tension, pains, aches and muscular agony. A chiropractor is a qualified Doctor and a big part of the health care profession. A chiropractor has the ability to diagnose, treat and prevent neuromusculoskeletal disorders with out the use of medication, operations or drugs.

Visit the chiropractor for a safe, holistic and drug free approach to bodily care and muscular and skeletal health.

What can a chiropractor do for you

A chiropractor in Centurion has the ability to relieve you from severe migraines, back pain and sports injuries. This is a holistic approach to medicine and lower back pain treatment.

Contact us today to book an appointment. Find us on Facebook Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor

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Chiros treat mechanical disorders such as spinal dislocations, neck complaints and sports injuries and that includes injuries to the shoulder. Their main area of expertise is the spine but they treat all other joints and muscles as well. After they have treated the injury, they provide the patient with exercises to strengthen the muscles in the surrounding area and to prevent another incident from happening.

When a shoulder has been injured, the rehabilitation process goes through three stages, early, mid and late. Pendulum exercises are done during the early stages of recovery and aims to mobilize the shoulder. The scapular Squeeze aims to strengthen the middle trapezius and the rhomboids and is done in the following way: sit with your elbows by your side, squeeze the shoulder blades together for 5 – 10 seconds, and relax.

When an athlete does pole mobility exercises, he uses a stick or pole to improve flexibility and mobility. With isometric exercises, you move the muscle only not the limb.

A frozen shoulder causes discomfort and inconvenience to the sufferer, not to mention the pain. Apart from the pain, the shoulder is immobilized and difficult to move. Just imagine going through a day with a shoulder that is not flexible and mobile. This hampers a person during a workday or a mother with her children and worst of all a sportsman who wants to play a game. A frozen shoulder takes anything from 1 – 3 years to heal. The first phase is the painful phase; the patient has shoulder movement but it is associated with lots of pain. The second phase is the “frozen” phase where movement is restricted but the pain has fortunately reduced. Finally, the cycle has been completed and the shoulder returns to its normal function and mobility.

Services we offer to all our patients. Contact us today for a free screening.  Find us on Facebook Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor

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Back pain normally disappears within 2 months, whether treated or not. But if the pain is serious and connected to an injury, treatment is required. Often an operation will solve the problem although it may not be your treatment of choice.

If back pains originate from the abdomen or pelvic, it can be that you have an infection in that area. Appendicitis can cause back pain and so can ovarian or bladder infection. Once the infection has been treated with anti-biotics or other medication, the back pain will ease up.

The spine itself can be the cause of the pain, either by way of a previous injury or with a new one. A chiropractor can manually align the spine and in so doing the pain will be alleviated. The spine connects the nerve impulses from the brain to the rest of the body and if the messages are not delivered correctly, pain can ensue. By correcting the spine, the nerves can communicate again and the pain is soothed. They can also teach you how to exercise to strengthen the muscles of the back and the stomach.

Back pains can be chronic as from an old injury that acts up again and again but it can also be acute when you hurt yourself on the spot. The first one can be painful for months on end while the second will be shorter in duration. In both instances a back doctor can be of assistance.

It is however to your advantage to treat your body with respect; do not lift anything that you do not have the strength for, neither is it a good idea to move heavy furniture on your own. By keeping a good posture and looking after your health you can prevent a lot of pain from occurring. Find us on Facebook Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor

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