4wks to go!

The new place is only 4wks away, Wednesday November 5!

That's right, if you didn't already know we're Moving! 

But don't worry we're not going far away. 

Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre has outgrown our existing place mainly thanks to your support over this past five years. 

With over 12 practitioners and 5 staff it's time to expand. 

Our New Address, Unit 2, 4 Codrington Street, Cranbourne, right opposite the race course, from Wednesday November 5th. 

Same phone #, same website and emails. 

We'll keep u posted as things progress. 

We look forward to showing you our brand new facility soon. 

Any questions in the interim, just give us a call. 

Cheers, Andrew Arnold, Practice Owner.

Chocolate for a healthy heart.

Chocolate for a healthy heart. 

Not that we even need a reason to eat chocolate, however the antioxidant benefits of cocoa or cocoa-containing products has been reported extensively, but how is this clinically relevant? Well, for those struggling with weight, metabolic or inflammatory conditions, cocoa and cocoa-based products may hold the key to the prevention of a range of signs and symptomologies. 

Cocoa has been indicated in a range of papers to potentially reduce cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular-related risk factors such as blood pressure, low-density lipid oxidation, inflammatory status and the blood lipid profile, all of which are common features of metabolic conditions.

Now, before we start consuming bars of chocolate, much discussion is around which flavonoids exert particular functions and activity. Recently, researchers conducted a trial in an effort to identify the lipid-altering properties of cocoa. The result? theobromine. 

Theobromine, a cocoa flavonoid, was found to have significant influences on HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations, demonstrating the ability to increase the former and reduce the latter. Studies have shown that increasing HDL cholesterol by just 1% is linked to a 1-3% reduction of cardiovascular risk. This makes theobromine a promising dietary ingredient in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, the dosage of theobromine needs to be taken into account for its efficacy. 850mg of theobromine daily was found to have largely significant lipid-altering effects; this equates to 100g of dark chocolate or 200g of milk chocolate. 

For the chocoholics out there this may sound ideal, but as we know with this large consumption of chocolate comes the extra calories and saturated fats – not ideal for those with metabolic issues. For those who utilise food-as-medicine it is interesting to note that 6g of cocoa equates to approximately 150mg of theobromine.

This research brings us one step closer to understanding the health benefits of cocoa, and reveals theobromine as a potentially interesting supplement and dietary intervention for those with cholesterol-related health concerns.

Want to know more? Chat with one of our Naturopaths today! Call 59984554 to arrange an appointment.

Professional Rooms for Rent, suit Allied Health Professional - Acupuncture, Speech Pathologist, Massage, Naturopath

We are a multi-disciplinary health practice located in Cranbourne. 

We currently have 12 practitioners and 5 part-time reception staff including a practice manager. 

The owner has practiced in Cranbourne since 1997. 

We are about to relocate to a brand new, custom fitted, fully serviced location, 5mins from our existing location in November. 

We have a ~9-10m2 room available with option to rent exclusively or share. 

The facility is a 7 room practice and this room is the largest and best! 

Would suit a range of practitioners, e.g. Acupuncturist, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist, Podiatrist etc. 

Visit us online for additional information about our current modalities and staff, www.cranbournefamilychiro.com.au. 

The owners are also involved in heath practitioner coaching and support and so there are plenty of resources you will be exposed to. 

So if you are passionate about what you do and would love to work alongside a dynamic, integrated team of allied health practitioners we would love to meet you. 

Please email your CV to Rebecca Van Den Brink, Practice Manager and we'll be in touch, manager@cranbournefamilychiro.com.au. 

 We look forward to meeting you, yours in health, Andrew Arnold, Owner.

What Causes Migraines?

What Causes Migraines?

The exact causes of migraines are unknown, although they are related to changes in the brain as well as to genetic causes. People with migraines may inherit the tendency to be affected by certain migraine triggers, such as fatigue, bright lights, weather changes, and others.

For many years, scientists believed that migraines were linked to expanding and constricting blood vessels on the brain's surface. However, it is now believed that migraines are caused by inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain.

There is a migraine "paincenter" or generator in the brain. A migraine begins when hyperactive nerve cells send out impulses to the blood vessels, causing them to clamp down or constrict, followed by dilation (expanding) and the release of prostaglandins, serotonin, and other inflammatory substances that cause the pulsation to be painful.

What Triggers a Migraine?

Many migraines seem to be triggered by external factors. Possible triggers include:

·         Emotional stress. This is one of the most common triggers of migraine headache. Migraine sufferers are generally highly affected by stressful events. During stressful events, certain chemicals in the brain are released to combat the situation (known as the "flight or fight" response). The release of these chemicals can provoke vascular changes that can cause a migraine. Repressed emotions surrounding stress, such as anxiety, worry, excitement, and fatigue can increase muscle tension and dilated blood vessels can intensify the severity of the migraine.

·         Sensitivity to specific chemicals and preservatives in foods. Certain foods and beverages, such as aged cheese, alcoholic beverages, and food additives such as nitrates (in pepperoni, hot dogs, luncheon meats) and monosodium glutamate (MSG, commonly found in Chinese food) may be responsible for triggering up to 30% of migraines.

·         Caffeine. Excessive caffeine consumption or withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches when the caffeine level abruptly drops. The blood vessels seem to become sensitized to caffeine, and when caffeine is not ingested, a headache may occur. Caffeine itself is often helpful in treating acute migraine attacks.

·         Changing weather conditions. Storm fronts, changes in barometric pressure, strong winds, or changes in altitude can all trigger a migraine; Menstrual periods; Excessive fatigue; skipping meals; Changes in normal sleep pattern.

A few people have assumed that myotherapy massage would not be able to do much in aliviating migraines or very strong headaches, but it is actually the complete opposite. Massage can DEFINITELY aid in the reduction or rid of a migraine. By releasing the sub occipital muscles below the scull and treating all muscles of the neck and back (scalenes, levator scapularis, sternocliedomastoid, splenus capitus, trapezuis, supraspinatus, rhomboids and sub scapularis). Relieving all tension at the base of the scull which can cause tension headaches. Let alone massage relieving stress, aiding in relaxation, increasing circulation and stretching of the muscles. For the last month I have treated clients who are prone to headaches and migraines every week sometimes everyday and have been suffering with the pain for years for them to have the pain relieved or even gone after an hour, they have never been happier! And nor have I! 

If you suffer from headaches or migraines, don’t hesitate to see me, Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, Natasha Zaharias, Myotherapist.

Call 59984554 to make an appointment or visit us online for more information, www.cranbournefamilychiro.com.au

What is Functional Fitness?

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL FITNESS??

Functional fitness exercises are designed to train and develop your muscles to make it easier and safer to perform everyday activities, such as carrying groceries or playing a game of basketball with your kids.

The focus is on building a body capable of doing real-life activities in real-life positions, not just lifting a certain amount of weight in an idealized posture created by a gym machine.

What is functional fitness training?

Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness exercises also emphasize core stability.

For example, a squat is a functional exercise because it trains the muscles used when you rise up and down from a chair or pick up low objects. By training your muscles to work the way they do in everyday tasks, you prepare your body to perform well in a variety of common situations.

Functional fitness exercises can be done anywhere, but you need to have a plan. That's where Jo can help.

What are the benefits of functional fitness training?

Functional exercises tend to be multi-joint, multi-muscle exercises. Instead of only moving the elbows, for example, a functional exercise might involve the elbows, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and ankles. This type of training, properly applied, can make everyday activities easier, reduce your risk of injury and improve your quality of life.

So if you are returning to exercise or just want to do the daily things a little better, book a session with me, Jo Firman, and I can help you be the best you can be!!

Jo practices from Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre. Call 59984554 to make an appointment or visit us online for more information.