 We all need sleep for our tissues to heal and Australian scientists and pain specialists Lorimer & Moseley suggest that sleeplessness may contribute to ill health and increased sensitivity of tissues and that with not enough sleep there is not enough repair.
Matthew Walker’s book Why We Sleep is a fascinating read. A professor of psychology and neuroscience who has been researching the role of sleep in health and disease at University of California for many years. Evidence suggests that sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease and evidence is now pointing to an increase risk of diabetes and alzheimer’s. It is during our REM (rapid eye movement) sleep time, the deep sleep when we dream and when our brain is devoid of stress and anxiety, that our energy consumption is lowered therefore more energy can be used to restore our tissues. Also, during sleep, more blood flow is redirected from the brain to our muscles and other tissues for restoration and repair. If your pain is keeping you awake at night it is important to at least switch off your excitable, sympathetic nervous system for a period during the day, as this will reduce adrenaline levels, our stress, flight or fight hormone and allow your parasympathetic nervous system to flow. The parasympathetic part of our nervous system is concerned with conserving energy, aiding digestion and replenishment of our cells. So a good way to help turn that adrenaline switch off and allow tissue healing is to start taking short breaks each day for mindfulness meditation, relaxation or even yoga. As osteopaths we want our patients to get the most out of their treatments, having enough quality sleep and periods of relaxation built into your day are key ingredients on your journey back to living a pain free and healthy life. Most research suggests that we need 8 hours of sleep a night to recuperate and heal…..do you get 8 hours sleep? “The shorter your sleep the shorter your life.” (Matthew Walker). If you would like to book a treatment for those sore joints and muscles, please contact admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Mobile: 0419 910 237 Witten by: Dr Sharon Banks
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 OSTEOPATHY APPROACH FOR JAW PAIN - TMJ
During your lunch or when you yawn, you feel a discomfort on your jaw, when you open or close your mouth ? But after few days is still here and it worse ? It might be Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome. Symptoms · Pain and tenderness on palpation in the muscles of mastication · Pain and tenderness on palpation of the joint itself · Limited range of mandibular movement · Clicking and popping when you open/close your mouth · Pain when yawning, chewing or biting · Associated symptoms Migraines Tinnitus Dizziness Neck pain Shoulder pain Different causes Muscle Spam It results in discomfort in the fascia (connective tissue covering the muscles) and muscles that control jaw, neck and shoulder function. A dislocated jaw or injury to the condyle. Degenerative Joint Disease- This includes osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint. Psychological stress - Emotional factors (e.g., anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger) play a significant role in the ethology of TMJ disorders, in that they elicit muscular tension and oral habits. Motor vehicle accident - A sequential extension-flexion of the neck accompanied by simultaneous jaw movement resulting in shear stress and compressive forces to the retrodiskal tissues. Ears Nose Throat The TMJ located in front of each ear holds your lower jawbone (mandible) in place. How Osteopathy can help you ? An Osteopathic approach includes the evaluation and potentially, treatment of the whole body. During the session the practitioner will focus on finding areas of your head, neck, back and shoulders that affects your jaw. Osteopaths has few tissues gentle techniques to release soft, including the muscles, ligaments and fascia around your jaw. We never use adjustment to crack a jaw, just because it’s not necessarily useful. If you want to know more information or tp book in for a treatment, you can contact our receptionist Grace at Wigney Osteopathy Clinic via email admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au or Mobile 0419 910 237 Reference: Reported concepts for the treatment modalities and pain management of TMJ temporomandibular disorders Manual therapy improved signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical healthcare professional. Written by Dr Sharon Banks  How to make small changes that give you better sleep
If you're like most people, you probably don't get the sleep you need to function at your best. It's not hard to see why: Our lives are full of responsibilities and distractions, and it's tough to find the time to relax and wind down. Sleep is essential for overall health and wellbeing. There are many things that can negatively affect your sleep, such as stress, noise, light exposure, and poor sleep hygiene. However, there are also a few simple changes you can make to improve your sleep. When you make these small changes, it can have a big impact on how well you sleep and how you feel the next day. Here are 4 tips for better sleep: 1. Establish a daily routine including winding down time before bed Most people know that winding down before bed is important, but few people actually make the time for it. Establishing a daily routine can help you get the most out of your sleep. Here are a few tips to help you get started: Start by setting aside 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime each night to relax. This can be anything from reading a book to taking a bath to meditating. The key is to do something that will help you calm down and unwind. Avoid watching TV or working on the computer in the hours leading up to bedtime. The bright light from these screens can disrupt your sleep cycle and make it harder to fall asleep. 2. Avoid working or using electronic devices in bed According to the National Sleep Foundation, working or using electronic devices in bed can lead to poor sleep quality and habits. The blue light emitted from these devices can relax your eyes, making it difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, using electronics in bed can lead to restless sleep and fatigue the next day. 3. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake in the evening. You may think that a cup of coffee or a beer after work is the perfect way to relax, but you could actually be sabotaging your sleep. Both caffeine and alcohol can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and get deep, restful sleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, try limiting caffeine and alcohol intake in the evening. Cut out caffeine after 2 p.m. and avoid drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime. Taking these steps can help you get the quality sleep you need to feel refreshed and energized during the day. 4. Practice some relaxation techniques before bed One way to improve your chances of getting a good night's sleep is to practice some relaxation techniques before bed. There are many different relaxation techniques that you can try, but some of the most popular ones include deep breathing exercises, visualization exercises, and yoga or stretching poses. You can either do these exercises on your own or with a partner. If you're new to relaxation techniques, it may take a little bit of time to get used to them. But don't give up if you don't see results right away – it often takes a few weeks of practicing regularly before you start to see real results. And the benefits of better sleep are definitely worth the effort! In conclusion, making small changes to your daily routine can have a large impact on your sleep quality. By following the tips listed in this article, you can get better sleep and feel more rested during the day. Author - Dr. Jared Barber  Gardens have never looked so good. But many of you have realised that gardening isn’t the gentle potter around it was expected to be, especially those of you that have taken on the bigger projects. Here are some tips to look after your body while you enjoy gardening
If you would like to book a treatment, please contact admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Mobile: 0419 910 237 Author: Dr Sharon Banks  Western Medical Acupuncture, or dry needling
is a reinterpretation of Traditional Chinese acupuncture using modern knowledge of anatomy and Physiology. Dry needling can be used to manage chronically painful conditions or to speed up patients recovery from injuries to muscles, tendons or ligaments. There are two distinct types of dry needling, the first being ‘trigger point technique’. This is when a needle is inserted to a tight or tender point or ‘knot’ in a muscle to alleviate pain. The second works on a process called ‘neuromodulation’. This is where needles are inserted to a muscle or area that is particularly sensitive to pain in chronic conditions. This method works by changing the way the brain and central nervous system interprets pain signals from the affected tissues with a natural analgesic a affect. If it is considered suitable by your practitioner, medical acupuncture may be used as part of your osteopathic treatment, or as a stand-alone treatment option. Here is a quick summary on the difference of dry needling and acupuncture: Dry Needling
Acupuncture
If you would like to book a treatment with dry needling, please contact admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Mobile: 0419 910 237 Author: Dr Sharon Banks  Should I rest if my back hurts?
Many of our patients ask us what they should or shouldn’t do to help their back pain get better. There are multiple ways to help back pain, but today I want to focus on the question of rest vs movement. Some of you may already know this but: Movement is medicine! Keeping active is one of the best ways to help back pain. But before you take off for a half marathon or a full-contact game of footy, let me explain why many people are still concerned about movement, and what type of movement is the most helpful. It is important to rest when you suffer certain serious injuries. For example, when you break a bone, you must keep it immobilized while it heals. You would have also noticed that resting tends to reduce pain for most injuries. This has led to a belief that resting (sitting or lying down) will help injuries to heal quicker and more effectively. The problem with this is that it doesn’t work for injuries to the soft tissues, like muscles or ligaments. Most back pain is caused by an issue with the soft tissues, such as a sprain or muscle spasm. When you rest a soft tissue injury, the muscles get weaker and the joints become stiffer. This makes it harder to get moving again and can make re-injury more likely. For example, if you sprain your ankle, it is now recommended that you start retraining the muscles within one week of injury (Chen et al., 2019). Movement also teaches your brain to trust your body and reduces fear, anxiety and overprotection. What type of movement should I do? The easiest way to get moving is walking. It’s simple, free, low impact and helps to mobilize the spine in a gentle way. Other options include swimming, stretching and mobility exercises. Discussing which exercises are best for you is a key part of your Osteopathic treatment. The sooner you can get back to your normal activities the better. Can I sit down at all? Of course you can! Just try to limit your sitting to 45 minutes before you get up and move around. Are there any exceptions to this? As with any advice, it won’t apply to everyone. Our Osteopaths are able to tell if your back pain is coming from a rare serious injury that requires rest. What about hands-on treatment? Seeing one of our Osteopaths for a treatment works hand-in-hand with movement. We use techniques such as massage and joint mobilisation to reduce muscle tension and speed up your recovery from injury. Contact Wigney Osteopathy Clinic to book your appointment today. admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Mobile: 0419 910 237 Written by Dr David Salisbury  Why do we take Blood Pressure As many of my patients know, I like to take blood pressure measurements, especially if it is your first appointment with me. So why is blood pressure important and why am I always banging on about it? The answer is often hypertension (or high blood pressure as it is typically known). High blood pressure is really common. It affects more than one third of Australian over the age of 18. In fact, it is so common that for every 10 people diagnosed with hypertension a further 7 remain undiagnosed and untreated. This is because there aren’t many obvious symptoms indicating high blood pressure, so it can slip under the radar. High blood pressure is broken down into key stages: Stage I hypertension= 140/90 mmHg to 159/99 mmHg Stage II hypertension= 160/100 mmHg to 180/120 mmHg Stage III hypertension= >180/ 120 mmHg The good news is that high blood pressure is treatable! There are several medicines available such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium- channel blockers (NICE, 2021). Lifestyle changes are also important for management, the usual culprits of a balanced diet, reduced/ stopping smoking, low alcohol and an active lifestyle all apply here. So how does high blood pressure relate to pain levels? Like most things in the medical world the concepts are not yet fully understood. However, there is evidence that acute pain (that immediate pain you feel when you stub your toe or roll your ankle) leads to an increase in blood pressure. This is part of a natural survival response in which your sympathetic nervous system is triggered. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for your body’s immediate involuntary reaction to a perceived threat. Therefore the sympathetic nervous system raises blood pressure, because you need a raised blood pressure in order to rapidly supply blood and nutrients to your muscles allowing them to help you escape the ‘immediate threat’. In today’s society this is far more likely to be stepping on a pesky piece of lego rather than being chased by a saber tooth tiger, yet your body will react the same way. Therefore, when you’re in acute intense pain your blood pressure tends to spike. But what about long term pain? If you have been living with pain for more than 6 months, this is known as chronic pain. The evidence related to high blood pressure and chronic pain is less well understood. What is understood is that chronic pain is complex and involves multiple systems throughout the body, such as your nervous system and endocrine (hormonal) system. It is believed that long term pain may alter these systems which could in turn have an accumulative effect on raising blood pressure levels. There is even some evidence to suggest connections between chronic pain, anxiety and depression and hypertension (Hamam et al., 2020). However, further research into this area is required before any clear conclusions can be drawn. So next time I ask to take your blood pressure, you’ll now have more of an idea as to why I am doing it and remember you can always ask any of our practitioners if you would like it checked. Contact Wigney Osteopathy Clinic to book your appointment today admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Mobile: 0419 910 237 Written by Dr Sharon Banks References Hamam, M.S., Kunjummen, E., Hussain, Md.S., Nasereldin, M., Bennett, S. and Miller, J. (2020). Anxiety, Depression, and Pain: Considerations in the Treatment of Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension. Current Hypertension Reports, 22(12). National Institute for Health and Care (2021). CKS is only available in the UK. [online] NICE. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypertension/management/management/. NHS (2019). Overview – High Blood Pressure (hypertension). [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/. Ps, C. and Ms, K. (1999). Effect of Pain and Nonsteroidal Analgesics on Blood Pressure. [online] WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10605351/. Public Health England (2017). Health matters: combating high blood pressure. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure/heal th-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure. Saccò, M., Meschi, M., Regolisti, G., Detrenis, S., Bianchi, L., Bertorelli, M., Pioli, S., Magnano, A., Spagnoli, F., Giuri, P.G., Fiaccadori, E. and Caiazza, A. (2013). The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Pain. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 15(8), pp.600–605.  What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Practitioners are statutorily regulated primary healthcare professionals, who work mainly in the private healthcare sector but some osteopaths also work in primary, secondary and tertiary care as in the NHS in the UK. Osteopaths take a detailed case history and perform a thorough clinical examination to help understand the nature of your pain and symptoms so that they can arrive at a diagnosis. Practitioners use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to help increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle/joint tension and pain. Osteopaths often combine a range of other treatment techniques in their approach, such as rehabilitative exercises, advice about how you can self-manage your condition and educational approaches to help you understand your pain and the factors which influence it. In Australia, osteopaths are trained to decide as to whether assessment or treatment from other healthcare professionals is necessary, such as referral for further tests (eg x-ray or MRi scan), or for an opinion from a medical specialist. Your osteopath will discuss this should the need arise during the course of your treatment. What can osteopathy help with? Osteopathic treatment can be helpful for problems associated with many areas of the body and variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Will I benefit from osteopathy treatment? The effectiveness of osteopathic treatment for back pain and sciatica has been recognised by The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). The most recent NICE guidelines recommend manual therapy (e.g. osteopathy, spinal manipulation, spinal mobilisation and massage) combined with exercise and advice for the early management of back pain and sciatica. Insurance Our Osteopaths are accredited members of Osteopathy Australia (OA) and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and the Chronic Disease Management Scheme (CDM). Our Osteopaths are also registered providers for The Department of Veteran Affairs. Contact Wigney Osteopathy Clinic to book your appointment today admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Mobile: 0419 910 237 Written by Dr. Sharon Banks 13 April 2022 Here at Wigney Osteopathy Clinic, we aim to resolve pain but even more importantly, we aim to identify underlying causes of back pain and other injuries.
One major contributory cause of back pain for people who are sat at a desk all day is poor posture. Read on for more details… Office workers suffer from a multitude of aches and pains and repetitive strain problems. However, by using a wedge shaped cushion on your seat or tilting the seat angle forward 20 – 30 degrees, you reduce a lot of discomfort that is produced from poor and prolonged posture. The biomechanical benefits from making this simple change are as follows… 1. The pelvis is tilted forward which promotes the natural lumbar spine curve. 2. The lumbar spine muscles are activated which will maintain and even strengthen these muscles. 3. The mid back will straighten, which will prevent slouched posture. 4. The shoulders will be in a more natural position, instead of rolling forwards. 5. The head will remain neutral rather than protracting forward and straining neck muscles. 6. The hips will be less flexed therefore reducing hip flexor tightness. Secondly, let us tell you more about who we really are. We are an Osteopathy Clinic in Bairnsdale and we provide safe and effective treatment for a broad range of conditions. Email or call for a chat if you have any questions. Call: 0419910237 or email: admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au Address: 321 Main Street, Bairnsdale, 3875 Written by Dr Sharon Banks 11 April 2022 |
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