Paula STACEY-THOMAS 2/10/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 2/10/21

Archie's Pre-Order Now Open

Pre-order is now open for Archies thongs. We love our Archies because they offer great arch support, prevent back pain are really durable and they now come in kids sizes too!!!

The most obvious problem with typical thongs is that they are flat and offer the feet no support. This can be a problem for all foot types as we have become conditioned to wearing footwear with support, however it is a particularly a problem if you have increased pronation. When the foot rolls in so too does the lower limb/leg, causing a disruption to the body’s natural alignment which can potentially lead to injury.

One of the other biggest issues with typical thongs is that they have loose straps which results in the wearer walking with a less than optimal gait cycle. Normally when you walk your toes are supposed to bend upwards which activates the arch of the foot which then provides protection and support to the vital structures of the feet. However, most typical thongs have loose straps which means that the user ends up clawing / scrunching their toes down just to try and keep the thongs on their feet and as such the arch does not activate correctly leaving the foot vulnerable to injury.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 25/9/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 25/9/21

Clinic Closed Oct 5-9

The clinic will be closed for the second week of the school holidays, so if you're been meaning to make an appointment for yourself or the kids, school holiday appointments will only be available this week.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 20/9/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 20/9/21

Lisa is taking leave

Chiropractic Assistant Lisa will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from The Chiropractic Domain after recent changes in her personal life have found her a single parent and needing to step back to support her children and herself.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 6/9/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 6/9/21

Step Up to Just One Thing

...we're asking everyone to instead step up to just one thing and in the short video (> 2 minutes) today we look at what that might mean for you.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 5/9/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 5/9/21

Gardening Tips for the Chiropractic Conscious Gardener

Let's look at some of the benefits of gardening you can enjoy physically, mentally and emotionally from just a little time in the garden.

Just being out in the garden has so many benefits both mental and physical! Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and restore side of your nervous system) is essential for mental, emotional and physical resilience, so we strongly advise that everyone gets out into the garden for short bursts, even if you don't have a green thumb.

That being said, if you do find yourself sore and achey after gardening, please book an appointment to adsress the pain, and discuss how we can support your gardening goals without leaving you in pain.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 2/9/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 2/9/21

Incredible Benefits of Gardening

Let's look at some of the benefits of gardening you can enjoy physically, mentally and emotionally from just a little time in the garden.

Thompson R. (2018). Gardening for health: a regular dose of gardening. Clinical medicine (London, England), 18(3), 201–205. https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.18-3-201
Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2021. Vitamin D - Better Health Channel. [online] Available at: <https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamin-d> [Accessed 1 September 2021].
The Statesman. 2021. Can gardening be an effective way to fight depression? - The Statesman. [online] Available at: <https://www.thestatesman.com/lifestyle/health/can-gardening-effective-way-fight-depression-1502968258.html> [Accessed 1 September 2021].
Wahl, D., Villinger, K., König, L., Ziesemer, K., Schupp, H. and Renner, B., 2017. Healthy food choices are happy food choices: Evidence from a real life sample using smartphone based assessments. Scientific Reports, 7(1).
Greater Good. 2021. How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More Creative. [online] Available at: <https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_nature_makes_you_kinder_happier_more_creative> [Accessed 1 September 2021].
Soga, M., Gaston, K. and Yamaura, Y., 2017. Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, pp.92-99.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 1/9/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 1/9/21

September 2021

Wellness and WisdomSeptember 2021 newsletter

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 28/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 28/7/21

Lockdown Lifting!

We are extremely happy to be back for everyone from 8 am on Wednesday morning as lockdown is lifting tonight! Please remember to bring a mask, to check-in and to maintain at least 1.5 metres from other patients while you're in the practice.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 25/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 25/7/21

Keep moving in lockdown!

Keep moving in lockdown! Dr Paula has a fun and easy workout for the whole family to enjoy together.

The Warm up

Side stretches and standing twists

Suggested song: I'm on my way

Cardio

Marching and Side Steps

Suggested song: I'm on my way

The Nutbush

Suggested song: Nutbush City Limits

Mountain Climbers

Suggested song: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Arms, Legs, Core Combo

Skate steps

Suggested song: Sk8er Boi

Skier swing

Suggested song: Swing

Push ups with chair
Triceps dips
Hip bridge lift

Suggested song: Push It

The Slow Down

Wide stance side lunge
Wide stance Hamstring stretch

Suggested song: Kung Fu Fighting

Quads stretch chair hold
Double calf stretches

Suggested song: Easy

Shoulder and. Tricep stretch
Pec , shoulder rolls and angel stretch

Suggested song: Superman - it’s not easy

Child pose elongation
McKenzie’s extension

Suggested song: Orinico Flow - Sail Away

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 23/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 23/7/21

Chiropractic in lockdown?

We are very pleased that the South Australian guidelines have been updated to include the ability to seek treatment if you are in pain. Of course, pain is not the only reason to seek chiropractic care usually, but in the context of the current South Australian restrictions, and stopping the spread of the virus, you may only attend "for relief of pain".

As such, limited appointments have been made available during lockdown on Monday and Tuesday next week.

We will be asking you the following qualifying questions, and if you do not require care for pain relief, your appointment will be rescheduled to after lockdown has lifted.

1. Are you in pain?

2. Will your pain worsen if you do not receive care?

3. Are you able to travel safely for care?

4. Have you reviewed the SA Government COVID-19 rules prior to attending for care?

If you are in pain, and have reviewed these guidelines, please book at www.thechiropracticdomain.com.au

Should you have any questions, please email dr.paula@thechiropracticdomain.com.au

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 20/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 20/7/21

Lockdown from 6pm tonight

From 6pm tonight we will all be in lockdown and appointments will not be available. If you had an appointment scheduled during lockdown, we will be in touch to reschedule you ASAP.Stay safe, wash your hands, wear a mask, follow the health orders and we will see you very soon!

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 20/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 20/7/21

Masks back on please!

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 16/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 16/7/21

Masks back on

The follow post from SA Health confirms that just as we did a couple of weeks ago, we will all be adorning masks again.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 8/7/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 8/7/21

Masks no longer required

Masks are no longer required to be worn at The Chiropractic Domain, however we do ask that you wear one if you have any cold symptoms and only attend after your negative COVID result is returned.We are very pleased to be able to see your smiling faces again!

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 11/6/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 11/6/21

June 2021

Wellness & Wisdom NewsletterJune 2021 Edition

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 28/5/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 28/5/21

Covid Caution at the Chiro Domain

We are being cautious at The Chiropractic Domain following the latest lockdown in Melbourne.Please continue to check in with the QR code, washing your hands and maintaining your distance when possible. If you have symptoms, please get tested and reschedule your appointment to a quiet time after your negative result is returned and wear a mask to prevent transmission of other viruses that may mean we'd have to close.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 3/5/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 3/5/21

Celebrating Mums of The Chiropractic Domain

We see a lot of mums at The Chiropractic Domain and we often see them put their families first when it comes to wellbeing. In recognition to the mums of the clinic community, we are offering all mums $20.00 off their next appointment if they are already a registered patients with us.For mums who have not seen us before (or not for 3+ years) you can buy a voucher to have the first two chiropractic appointments with us for just $99 (normally $193 - a 50% saving!)Why for the first two appointments? The first visit is all about collecting mums health history, doing posture assessment, sEMG scans, x-rays (if indicated), neurological and orthopaedic testing. After all that, Dr Paula will write a detailed and personalised report of the findings and present it at the second visit - that's when mum can make an informed choice chiropractic. Treatment will be provided then as well.

If you prefer to watch and listen, rather than read, watch the video below.

For mums who have not seen us before (or not for 3+ years) you can buy a voucher to have the first two chiropractic appointments with us for just $99 (normally $193 - a 50% saving!)

Why for the first two appointments? The first visit is all about collecting mums health history, doing posture assessment, sEMG scans, x-rays (if indicated), neurological and orthopaedic testing. After all that, Dr Paula will write a detailed and personalised report of the findings and present it at the second visit - that's when mum can make an informed choice chiropractic. Treatment will be provided then as well.

full terms and conditions are below

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 17/4/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 17/4/21

Infants Delivered Via Instrument-Assisted Birth May Have Lower Cervical Range of Motion

A 2018 study showed that at vacuum-assisted delivery and Caesarean section deliveries were associated with “a higher prevalence of reduced cervical spine ROM [range of motion]"This study showed that normal range of motion was not particularly common after vaginal birth without interventions, but it also showed that reduced cervical spine (neck) range of motion was more common in vacuum assisted births and caesarean sections.

The study took in data from 176 infants under 112 days old and found that vacuum-assisted delivery and Caesarean section deliveries were associated with “a higher prevalence of reduced cervical spine ROM [range of motion] when compared to a vaginal delivery without assistance.”

The study took its sample from a paediatric chiropractic clinic. While the number of infants studied is a potential limitation of the study, it yielded some enlightening results. Reduced cervical spine range of motion was apparent in:

76.1% of infants born vaginally without intervention
75% of infants delivered with forceps
88.9% of vacuum-assisted deliveries
82.3% of infants born via caesarean section

The normal range, for the sake of the study, was a mean rotation of between 110 and 75 degrees (lateral flexion) in infants aged 2-10 months. The authors of the study noted that, “the cortical effects of altered cervical spine motion in infants has yet to be researched.” However, they did note that in adults, altering normal cervical spine motion is associated with:

increased risk of alterations in autonomic function
increased nociception
cortical dysafferentation

They also noted that while this information is missing for the infant population, “afferent systems and cortical perceptions of pain are well developed by 30 weeks gestation.”

The most common effect of restricted neck movements in babies that we see at The Chiropractic Domain is discomfort for both parent and baby when feeding. If you baby is unable to turn their head each way, proper latching on both sides can be prevented.

Currently, 19% of vaginal deliveries require assistance and the risk of birth injury is four times higher than normal with forceps and three times higher than normal with vacuum extraction.

We know the delivery of a healthy baby is all that matters, and while vaginal deliveries without instrument assistance are preferred, they aren’t always possible. However, this study certainly creates a bit of increased awareness around the forces placed on infants during birth and the resultant reduced range of motion in around 75% of cases.

This study is clearly only a beginning, as the size of the sample was a limitation, and the sample was taken from a paediatric chiropractic clinic.

Paula STACEY-THOMAS 7/4/21 Paula STACEY-THOMAS 7/4/21

Chiropractic and the breast/chest feeding baby

We have 12 cranial nerves that begin at the brain and brainstem, travel throughout the skull and exit via the small holes (foramen and canals) to supply voluntary and involuntary muscles for movement, and sensory information like sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, and balance. Breastfeeding is no small task for the small human. It “is a synchronized event requiring the infant to suck, swallow and breathe. Performing this coordinated event requires 6 of the 12 cranial nerves; 22 cranial bones articulate at 34 sutures/places; and 60 muscles that are voluntary and involuntary.” The human body is incredibly complex and while the art of chiropractic celebrates this, the science of chiropractic is still being studied and proven.

More than you might think.

Chiropractic is concerned with the spine and bones as the protector of the nervous system. We have 12 cranial nerves that begin at the brain and brainstem, travel throughout the skull and exit via the small holes (foramen and canals) to supply voluntary and involuntary muscles for movement, and sensory information like sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, and balance. Breastfeeding is no small task for the small human. It “is a synchronized event requiring the infant to suck, swallow and breathe. Performing this coordinated event requires 6 of the 12 cranial nerves; 22 cranial bones articulate at 34 sutures/places; and 60 muscles that are voluntary and involuntary.” The human body is incredibly complex and while the art of chiropractic celebrates this, the science of chiropractic is still being studied and proven.

Dr Paula has a particular interest in working with babies and has undergone further training in adjusting babies and working with tongue ties and other oral restrictions. As a result, over her 24 years as a chiropractor she has developed close professional relationships with orofacial myologists, dentists, and lactation consultants.

A 2019 case study showed improvements with latching after chiropractic care. The 4-day old infant was released from hospital after consults with lactation consultants and the mother was not satisfied with the interventions, such as nipple shields, offered as the baby still was “only able to be fed from a bottle and had to be held in very specific positions.”

Upon examination the chiropractor noted

low right/high left occiput (with head tilted and rotated to the left).
prone and supine leg length checks indicating cervical and pelvic involvement.
spinal examination (motion palpation) revealed right C1 vertebral segmental joint dysfunction.
Posterior vertebral segmental joint dysfunction were noted at T1, T2, and T4
Hypertonicity was also noted in several muscles.

While the case report goes into far greater detail of examination findings and how the care plan progressed, it should be noted that the infant began nursing at the breast (using a nipple shield) after the first adjustment. The mother said that the patient “had better range of motion of his neck and would turn both directions easier.”

By the third visit, he was able to nurse using the shield but did not have to be held in certain positions. One week later, after his next visit, he had full cervical range of motion and was continuing to thrive with no need to supplement with a bottle.

It was then that the chiropractor referred the family to a paediatric dentist for a review of possible oral restrictions and a tongue tie was released.

Two weeks later, there was a complete resolution of all the infant’s presenting complaints. These had included “limited range of motion… excessively recessed jaw, inability to open wide, and cranial asymmetry.”

Parker noted (at the completion of the care plan) that, “the resolution of these challenges suggests that there is a possible connection, specifically between an upper cervical… and cranial dysfunction. This case report shows the effectiveness and value of chiropractic care for infants with breastfeeding difficulties.”

This is only one baby and one study, so further study is required before we can say for certain that chiropractic was the corrective force behind this babies’ improvements, but it does show that close working relationships with other professionals is crucial to proper diagnosis and holistic care after release from hospital.

It is our hope at The Chiropractic Domain that families feel empowered to find what works for them.

It is the basis of chiropractic that small deviations from proper alignment can have a chain reaction throughout the entire body. An infant’s ability to breastfeed successfully can be disturbed if there is disruption of the proper functioning of either the musculoskeletal or nervous system that supplies the sutures connecting the plates of the skull.

Chiropractors’ potential to help parents successfully breastfeed has been well documented as far back as 1997, we’ve linked them below if you’re interested in some extra reading. Please note that a few of these links are restricted by pay walls, but the free-to-read ones are closer to the top.

Pain distribution in school aged children

Musculoskeletal pain experienced by adults is reasonably well researched, but pain in children is not. Last year the findings of a three-year study performed in Denmark was published looking at the pain distribution patterns of children between 8 and 16 years old. This study finished with 1,169 participants – which is a significant sample size when looking at children of that age across all industrialised countries.For the purposes of the report, pain was defined as at least one week of pain during a school year. While we know that “pain can start early in life and increases throughout adolescence,” it is the specifics offered up by this study that make it noteworthy.Other concerns that accompany childhood and adolescent pain include negative impacts on “sports participation and physical activity in childhood” as well as “psychological distress, poor relations with peers, absence from school, puberty and decreased quality of life.” To this end, it is important for both parents and clinicians to know when and how to bring in interventions.

For the purposes of the report, pain was defined as at least one week of pain during a school year. While we know that “pain can start early in life and increases throughout adolescence,” it is the specifics offered up by this study that make it noteworthy.

Other concerns that accompany childhood and adolescent pain include negative impacts on “sports participation and physical activity in childhood” as well as “psychological distress, poor relations with peers, absence from school, puberty and decreased quality of life.” To this end, it is important for both parents and clinicians to know when and how to bring in interventions.

The percentage of children who did not experience pain during the school year was just 28.5%. 71.5% of children did experience at least one episode of pain lasting one week.
Of this percentage, 60% experienced lower extremity pain, 28.7% experienced spinal pain and the upper extremities came in last at 22.6%.
2% of participants reported pain in more than one region, and of these, the most common was spinal and lower extremity pain (13.2%).
Twice as many girls reported pain in all three sites compared to boys (10% vs. 5%).

The study did have limitations, one being that parents reported the pain states. When the children themselves were asked, they often had other pain to report. Parents (admittedly less so than doctors) underestimate a child’s pain and overestimate their child’s wellbeing and quality of life, so this study’s findings are likely conservative when we factor that in.

Fuglkaer S, Vach W, Hartvigsen J, Boe Dissing K, Junge T and Hestbaek L (2020), “Musculoskeletal pain distribution in 1,000 Danish Schoolchildren aged 8-16 years,” Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 45(2020), https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-020-00330-9

McIvor, C. (2020). Pain distribution in school aged children - Australian Spinal Research Foundation. Retrieved 30 March 2021, from https://spinalresearch.com.au/pain-distribution-in-school-aged-children/

Brudvik, C., Moutte, S.-D., Baste, V., & Morken, T.. (2017). A comparison of pain assessment by physicians, parents and children in an outpatient setting. Emergency Medicine Journal, 34(3), 138–144. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2016-205825

Lagattuta, K. H., Sayfan, L., & Bamford, C.. (2012). Do you know how I feel? Parents underestimate worry and overestimate optimism compared to child self-report. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 113(2), 211–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2012.04.001

Loopstra, C., Strodl, E., & Herd, D.. (2015). A qualitative analysis of how parents assess acute pain in young children. Health Psychology Open, 2(1), 205510291456629. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102914566290

Available Sizes

But what’s actually wrong with normal thongs?

Lisa is taking some leave.

Warm up

Heavy lifting tips:

Ask for help

Avoid repetitive postures and movements

Stay hydrated!

Take regular breaks

Use the right tools

1. Improve Your Mood

2. Get Some Vitamin D

3. Help to Manage Mental Illness

4. It is easy exercise!

5. Can lead to healthier food choices

6. Get the family together

7+ Reduce stress, fear, anger and sadness, as well as reducing blood pressure, pulse rate and muscle tension

References

Just One Thing

The incredible benfeits of gardening

Gardening Tips

Keep moving in lockdown!

The Workout Steps

The Warm up

Suggested song: I'm on my way

Cardio

Suggested song: I'm on my way

Suggested song: Nutbush City Limits

Suggested song: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Arms, Legs, Core Combo

Suggested song: Sk8er Boi

Suggested song: Swing

Suggested song: Push It

The Slow Down

Suggested song: Kung Fu Fighting

Suggested song: Easy

Suggested song: Superman - it’s not easy

Suggested song: Orinico Flow - Sail Away

"Allied health services for relief of pain"

If you need help, support, or advice...

From midnight tonight, we'll be back in masks at The Chiropractic Domain.

'This is not a lockdown': SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens

Gyms closed

Masks are required in "Personal Care Settings" from July 16th 2021

In the video:

No Symptoms & No Melbourne Visits.

You Have Symptoms, But No Melbourne Visits.

You've been in greater Melbourne or Bendigo

Caring for Mums with Chiropractic

Video

Terms and Conditions

A summary of the findings

Chiro for Kids Special

Standard visits for all patients under 18 years old get an extra $5.00 off their standard or reactivation visits.

New patients under 18 years old get 50% off their first AND second visit.

References

What do chiropractors have to do with breastfeeding?

More than you might think.

Review of a recent case study

Further reading

Chiro for Kids Special

Standard visits for all patients under 18 years old get an extra $5.00 off their standard or reactivation visits.

New patients under 18 years old get 50% off their first AND second visit.

References

A summary of the study

What the study found

Chiro for Kids Special

Standard visits for all patients under 18 years old get an extra $5.00 off their standard or reactivation visits.

New patients under 18 years old get 50% off their first AND second visit.

References

ww.thechiropracticdomain.com.au