Spinal Reflex Therapy

Spinal Reflex Therapy with Simon Gunn

Spinal Reflex Therapy (SRT) is based around a defensive reflex called the Spondylogenic Reflex.  This reflex is the first defensive reaction the body uses when dealing with the unseen to start the body moving away from danger.  It occurs before the brain has had time to monitor for itself what action it will take to "Fight or Flight".

Each vertebrae will set off a different spondylogenic reflex pattern.  For instance, a golf ball to the back of the upper neck will usually set off hip flexors to make you bend forward and away from the impact.  It can be triggered by almost anything that is outside your Field of Vision,  i.e. impact (golf ball, punch etc), noise (car horn, scream, growl, falling bricks, etc), sensations (tickle, crawling spider, ice-water prank, etc) or emotions (painful flashback, betrayal, emotional abuse, etc).  It is meant to be a split second reflex reaction to get you moving away from danger, but can also be triggered by restricted vetebrae, in which case those associated muscle fibres get "stuck" on.  Kind of like microphone or guitar feedback.  Repetitive positioning can be just as much to blame as trauma.

Symptoms other than muscle/joint pain may result.  They range from anxiety, indigestion, sciatica, eye-ache, sinus pressure, headaches, bladder/urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, nausea, bloating, asthma, reflux, diarrhoea, plantar fasciitis amongst others.
SRT aims to identify if a reflex is "stuck" and where on the spine it is originating from.  It then aims to calm the Central Nervous System to release these fibres. 

Sometimes the release is instant, other times it is layered, wherein a presenting reflex is released, yet a secondary underlying reflex may be exposed needing further treatment/release. 

When this is the case, old or new symptoms that were not apparent recently may resurface.  Ideally, a few followup treatments are suggested to prevent the return of symptoms and ensure that the reflex is well and truly responding as it should and not in danger of getting "stuck" again.  Usually, SRT is integrated with massage but can be stand-alone.

Spinal Reflex Therapy is offered at Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre with Simon Gunn, Trained Remedial Massage Therapist. Call 59984554 to make an appointment or visit us online for more information, www.cranbournefamilychiro.com.au

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 or visit us online for more information.

Apples and arthritis.

Apples and arthritis

These guys have tons of unique compounds for effective management in arthritis.

•             The peel is highly concentrated in something called ursolic acid, a very well documented flavonoid to be a potent anti arthritic.

•             Apples also have apigenin a key fighter for inflammation.  Apigenin is so powerful a recent study found it to suppresses lupus by inhibiting autoantigen presentation.

•             Lastly apples contain luteolin a bioflavonoid that acts as an antioxidant, protecting the body from free-radical damage and helping to slow down the ageing process. Luteolin also possesses impressive anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating properties, its very good to dampen down any tissue mediated autoimmune attacks on joint tissues. 

Call 59984554 to arrange an appointment with our Naturopath, Tessa Zangiacomi today or visit us online for more information, www.cranbournefamilychiro.com.au