Help your back pain with the “Dying Bug”

If you suffer with a back pain or injury, it can be a real burden getting back to normal movement. Even simple tasks like getting in and out of chairs, turning in bed, or putting your socks on can be a real challenge.

Pain Affects Coordination and Stability

Often when we have a nasty back injury, our ability to activate the muscles which support our back and hips become compromised, often due to something called “pain inhibition”. Our muscles haven’t gone anywhere, they are still there and trying to work. But often injury can disrupt the nerve signals that tell them to activate at the appropriate time. This can affect our coordination, and creates instability when we move, causing more pain, and even sometimes re-injuring the area.

We can help you get better

As well as working on spinal and pelvic function with hands-on treatment, another way to start on the road to recovery is to begin working on activating these muscles again in a controlled manner. The “Dying Bug” track is a progression of exercises designed to help you learn to engage the spinal and pelvic muscles again, and give you the confidence to return to normal activities. Here, our Stafford and Newport Chiropractor Chris runs through some of the steps of the progression and explains why it is so important.

If you suffer from back pain, muscle, joint or nerve problems, then let us help you to achieve better health. You can book an appointment with our chiropractor Chris or massage therapist Liesa, by calling 01785 530911 in Stafford, or 01952 825042 in Newport. Alternatively you can book using our online diary.

We look forward to seeing you.
Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Chiropractic can help your back pain

“I’ve got Sciatica!”

As an experienced chiropractor in Stafford and Newport, I am often presented with ‘I’ve got sciatica’ when seeing patients for the first time. But did you know that ‘sciatica’ isn’t really a true diagnosis?

‘Sciatica’ is a term that loosely describes any injury in the low back that causes pain down the legs or buttocks. It is derived from the name of the largest and longest nerve in that region: the sciatic nerve.

There are also different types of sciatica. True sciatica (also known as neurogenic or radicular pain) is typically caused by an injury to a spinal (intervertebral) disc, and can lead to irritation or damage to the nearby spinal nerves which then form the sciatic nerve. This is frequently known as a “slipped disc”, and leads to pain in a particular pattern down the leg, often past the knee, and can also be accompanied by pins and needles, sensation changes and muscle weakness. Usually the leg pain is far worse than the back pain.

Non-radicular sciatica (or referred pain) is much more common and is caused by an injury in the muscles, joints or ligaments of the back which then radiates pain into the buttock and/or leg. This typically stays above the knee and doesn’t cause symptoms such as pins and needles or loss of strength (although severe pain may cause weakness). The back pain is generally worse than the leg pain.

It’s important to get it checked

In all cases it is essential to get a diagnosis with suitable treatment and advice as soon as possible. Nerve symptoms can become chronic or even permanent if serious and left too long.

We are experts in assessing and treating back pain with sciatica

As chiropractors, we are experts in assessing and treating these types of injuries so that the most appropriate treatment, education or referral can be given. The most important step is to take a detailed case history, and perform a thorough neurological and orthopaedic examination, prior to any treatment plan.

Most people respond well to treatment. Once a certain level of improvement has been achieved, appropriate exercises will be offered to help stabilise the spine and take control of your health. Depending on your circumstances, regular chiropractic care and exercises may be recommended to help to maintain spinal function, so that in the long term the problem is less likely to return.

We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.

Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Chris - Chiropractor

Working from home – tips for your health

Welcome to 2021 and hopefully a new start to a better year! We hope you had a chance to at least get together with a few family members over the holidays to cheer you up, I know we all need it at the moment.

It used to be that working from home was seen as a great way to get up later, ease into those emails with a few cups of coffee, and sometimes not even get dressed for the whole day! It was a rare luxury, that could be construed as a bit of an excuse to skive off a bit.

How it’s all changed! With the advent of Covid-19 and the current lockdowns, many businesses have been encouraged (forced?) to allow staff to work at home, and have soon realised that they can be just as productive as they are in the office without the need for that tedious daily commute.

Chiropractic assessment

However, as good as this all is for the environment, time savings and productivity, I’ve seen quite a few cases of patients adversely affected by a lack of activity, interaction, and poor posture and workstation set-up. Here’s some helpful tips to hopefully keep you going:

The best posture is one that changes regularly.

Make sure you change your position or get up and move every 30-40 minutes. Standing desks can often help, but make sure you don’t stand all day either!

If you must sit for long periods minimise stresses on the body.

A good workstation setup and the right equipment is essential to preventing painful postural conditions.

Make sure that you get outside regularly.

Being stuck indoors for hours can also be a bit of a drag. Take a daily walk for 15-20 minutes. We need fresh air and daylight to elevate mood, and for vitamin D. If there’s no sunshine (particularly at this time of year), consider a daily supplement.

We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.

Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Christmas hours

Happy Christmas! Our opening hours…

Here’s to a happy Christmas and New Year 2020 and an even better 2021! If you’d like an appointment before the New Year, you’d better get in quick, as we will be closing over the festive period. Our hours are below…

Our online store will also be closing over the holiday break to allow for postage and relaxation time. If you’d like some gift ideas, see our Gift Idea page before it closes on the 21st December.

We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.

From all of us at Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness, we hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Year break. See you in (hopefully) a happier 2021!

Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Neck pillow

Need gift ideas? Our web store is open!

If you would like some gift ideas AND would like to support a small local business this year, we have some good suggestions for you in our online store.

Our popular pillows are back in stock

The Complete Sleeprrr pillow has always been popular ever since we started selling it around 9 years ago and the demand online particularly has has been amazing. This may be because there doesn’t appear to be many places that sell a pillow that is so adjustable. Many of our clients find this pillow to be the most comfortable and modifiable pillow they have tried, and compared to other orthopaedic pillows is very good value.

Memory Foam pillow

For more information, please see our Complete Sleeprrr product page.

What about a gift voucher?

If you know someone who would benefit from massage, chiropractic or shockwave treatment, then a fantastic gesture would be to get them a gift voucher.  They last for up to 12 months and I’m sure they would appreciate it!

Gift Vouchers

For more information, please see our Gift Vouchers product page.

We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.

From all of us at Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness, we hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Year break. See you in (hopefully) a happier 2021!

Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Squatting to help your low back and hips

The squat is one of the most fundamental movements to help keep our hips mobile and strong, and to help spare our low back from too much stress and potential injury. Being able to squat with a good movement pattern is a good indicator of general health and is something we should all be able to do.

Unfortunately, with a more sedentary lifestyle nowadays, particularly sitting, the ability to squat properly is being lost. Here, our chiropractor, Chris gives you some tips to help get that movement back!

To be able to squat properly takes good spinal stability, good gluteal/hip coordination and a good “hip hinge”! If you struggle with any of these areas, practice these too below:

For our “Hip Hinge” video: https://youtu.be/-KQnWH8iUTk

For the “The Dying Bug” stabilisation progression: https://youtu.be/zkzk86QL86I

For our “Gluteal activation” video: https://youtu.be/ko4eGs3bbFg

Subscribe for more content from Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness for more advice, exercises, and product reviews:

Youtube: Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness
Website: https://www.purehealthchiropractic.co.uk

Follow our chiropractor, Chris on his channel MTBChiro for general advice and mountain biking adventures:

YouTube: MTBChiro
Instagram: TheMTBChiro

Let us help you to achieve better health. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, we are closed at the moment, but once open again you can book an appointment with our chiropractor Chris or massage therapists Liesa or Matt, by calling 01785 530911 in Stafford, or 01952 825042 in Newport. Alternatively you can book using our online diary.

We look forward to seeing you.

Mountain Biking

Have the January blues? Getting active can help!

After all the build-up and hype around Christmas, it’s gone so quickly that January can often be a bit of a let-down. It’s hard to get back into the routine of things, particularly when it comes to exercise and staying healthy.

I’ve found it difficult this year too. With a number of injuries, a rather stressful house extension, and a very busy practice; it’s been a struggle to keep motivated to stay fit and strong. Despite this, I know I’ll get back to it again because I enjoy my mountain biking.

One of the things I often try to encourage my clients to do is to find something they enjoy that gets them active. It doesn’t matter what it is: swimming; cycling; Zumba; Pilates or simply going for a walk. Being active and doing something you enjoy is just as good for you mentally as it is physically. It has been shown to be one of the most effective remedies for feeling down and for your general well-being.

However, I know it’s not always easy when you’ve got aches and pains. I’ve been through back injuries and surgery and have been told before that I should give up riding down ‘bumpy hills’ as it’s not good for my back. I strongly disagree.

In all activity, having a spine that functions well but is also strong and stable is vital to both good movement and staying injury free. It’s the biggest reason why everyone (including athletes or those just looking to stay healthy) should be maintaining good spinal function, good movement patterns, and good core stability. These three factors are hugely important in both professional and amateur sports (and movement in general) if you want to enjoy your chosen activity as much as possible.

Unless there’s a very good reason, no-one should ever tell you to stop doing a sport or activity you love doing. With the right treatment, advice and training, almost everyone can continue with their chosen activity and lead a better quality of life.

We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.

Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Christmas

Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas and New Year hours are below 

Chris and Liesa are off from 24th December and back on 6th January.

Matt is still here over Christmas on 28th December and 2nd January (Stafford clinic only).

Wishing everyone a fantastic break over the holiday period 🙂

Featured Image: Esra [Copyrighted free use], via Wikimedia Commons

Christmas

Need some gift ideas? Try our new online store.

If you are like me and struggle for gift ideas around this time of the year, then we have a few good suggestions for you in our new online store.

The Complete Sleeprrr pillow has always been popular ever since we started selling it around 8 years ago. People love how adjustable and comfortable it is, and compared to other orthopaedic pillows is very good value.

Memory Foam pillow

For more information, please see our Complete Sleeprrr product page.

 

What about a gift voucher?

If you know someone who would benefit from a massage or chiropractic session, then it would be a nice gesture to get them a gift voucher for some treatment.

Gift Vouchers

For more information, please see our Gift Vouchers product page.

We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.

From all of us at Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness, we hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Year break. See you in 2020!

Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)

Help your back pain with the Dying Bug

If you suffer with a back injury or pain, it can be a real burden getting back to normal movement.

The Dying Bug track is a progression of exercises designed to help you learn to engage the spinal and pelvic muscles again, and give you the confidence to return to normal activities. Here, our Chiropractor Chris runs through some of the steps of the progression and explains why it is so important.

Subscribe for more content from Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness for more advice, exercises, and product reviews:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCes0…
Website: https://www.purehealthchiropractic.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phchiro/

Follow our chiropractor, Chris on his channel MTBChiro for general advice and mountain biking adventures:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmWx…
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/177911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themtbchiro/

Let us help you to achieve better health. You can book an appointment with our chiropractor Chris or massage therapists Liesa or Matt, by calling 01785 530911 in Stafford, or 01952 825042 in Newport. Alternatively you can book using our online diary.

We look forward to seeing you.