Chiropractic its simple really

Simply put Chiropractic is NOT a treatment for colic, reflux, headaches/migraines, Irritable bowel syndrome, lower back pain or any such condition. Chiropractic in any sense is about

 locating and removing one of the most severe forms of interference known to healthy body function - a condition that puts pressure on the nerves and related structures, unbalances our body, generates fatigue, lowers our resistance to disease, and weakens the body in general - in short, affects all the elements of our natural healing ability.

This condition is known as a Vertebral Subluxation(s) or spinal nerve interference. And we as Chiropractors are the ones trained to detect and correct these Vertebral Subluxations through a Chirpractic Adjustment.

Here at Hillarys Chiropractic our vision is

To inspire and be influential in the chiropractic lifestyle for individuals and families so that they can experience a life of optimal health and wellness.

That's how simple it is.

Food additives – uncovering what’s really in our food.

Any basic dictionary will tell you that a food additive is something that is added to our food as part of the processing of the food, for the preservation of that food, to colour that food or to stabilize that particular food. In essence it becomes part of that food directly or indirectly. The original food additives were in fact spices, salt and even smoke.

When you really look at the foods that we are consuming every day, it’s alarming at just how much extra we are getting in our diets in the way of food additives. Are they really that necessary? Are they in fact that safe?

Local Author Julie Eady started out wanting to do what was best for her family in the way of health and nutrition. With a history of allergies and asthma she began a personal project to look into foods that she was putting on the table for her family and realised that they contained many food additives that held some real health concerns. This personal project turned into a fabulous book –

The Essential Information about what’s really in the food you eat, which additives to avoid and why. This book explains clearly and simply which food additives are linked to health problems or banned because of safety concerns, and also shows you how easy it is to avoid them in your shopping.. A must have book and a great gift for anyone who cares about their health and especially anyone responsible for feeding children. Comes with handy Additives to Avoid card to make your shopping simple.

When I found out about this it really hit home. As a mum myself with two young daughters at home, a history of allergies on both sides of the family and asthma, it couldn’t have come at a better time. In fact we were already looking at our diets very closely. We already had the experience of a child with reactions to food colourings and dyes, but didn’t realise just how many foods had the same additives. It was time to clean up our act and FAST.

We invited Julie to our office in Hillarys to speak to our patients and what a wealth of information she did bring to us. I highly recommend if you ever have the chance to hear either Julie or another member of her team speak make the effort – you will not be disappointed. You will be shocked at just how insidious some of these additives are in our diet. Julie can be booked from February next year to speak to school communities, parent groups or work groups, please contact her directly on 94032245 or alternatively additivealert@bigpondcom.

Visit Julies website for more valuable information www.additivealert.com.au

Yoga - two great beginner poses

Over the years that I have been in practice I have found that those patients who hold their adjustments the longest are those that participate in some form of either Yoga, Tai chi , Pilates or keep a regular routine of stretches. 

This isn't remarkable really, these disciplines involve focusing on a specific mode of  breathing, look at keeping the ranges of motion in our joints and balancing our muscular strength. They also delve into a form of mediation as well. More of a balancing of all aspects of health.

My two favourite poses in Yoga for beginners are the Thunderbolt pose and the pose of the Child. Both may need to be modified for those that have knee issues, all others should be comfortable. Please do check with your Chiropractor if this is appropriate for you.

The Thunderbolt or Diamond Pose (Vajra-asana) Instruction:

1		The vajra-asana is a seated posture. Begin by sitting back on your heels and placing your knees, legs and feet together.
2		Keeping the back straight place the palms of your hands down on top of your thights.
3		Breath gently thorugh your nostrils and sit in this position for at least three minutes.

The vajra-asana is a versatile posture well suited for meditation and as a rest in between other seated postures.

The Child Pose (Bala-asana ) The bala-asana is one of the more relaxing Yoga postures and can easily be done by beginners.

Starting with the Thunderbolt pose inhale deeply, then exhale as you bring your chest between your knees while swinging your arms forward.The bala-asana can be held for as long as is comfortable. Repeat at least twice if it is held for less than a minute.


Both poses are great for relaxing and calming the mind and body after a long day, its also a great way to wind down once you have done your cool down exercises from any particular sport.

Question: If you dropped a brick on your foot, what’s the first thing you must do to start the healing process?

Answer: Get the brick off your foot!

Sounds simple, but it’s true. Your foot WON’T heal until the offending pressure is removed first. And once the brick is removed don’t expect your foot to look or feel normal right away! It’s going to take time to repair all that damage. The same applies to your Chiropractic care.

A misaligned vertebra – a Subluxation, is much like that brick, causing damage, pain and inflammation. Healing can occur when the offending pressure is removed and kept off with regular Chiropractic care through the Adjustment.

BUT that won’t necessarily bring instant relief.  Simply it’s the first step in a timely process. So if you don’t feel great immediately after your adjustment, don’t be discouraged. With time, the damage tissues will heal and you’ll start to feel like new again. For now, be confident the healing process has at least started because the Subluxation – the brick, has been removed.

Healthy teens part 2

In a study looking into the health and well being of teenagers it was found that teens who smoked, exercised less than twice a week and were overweight or obese were over three times more likely to have recurrent headaches.

By simplying having two of the factors most teens would double their chance of having recurrent headache or migrains.

All of these facotrs are avoidable if not able to be managed so that healthly habits are established before long term side affects are pernanently etched into the childs life.

Source :Health Day

Is your teenager doing exams?

The season for exams is fast approaching. Our year 12 students will soon sit their last exams and parents nation wide will be left wondering and agonising over their children's health and well being.

Are they getting enough sleep?

Are they getting enough exercise, what about their diet.
Could they change their study posture?

A word of gentle advise – don’t try anything too drastic at this time. Definitely support them in their efforts, but if its not something they are already used to, doing it now might be more harmful. Cover the basics of sleep, exercise, nutrition and good spinal health.

If their normal out of exam node sleep pattern is maintained or closely followed that should help to carry them through. Forcing them to get more sleep may just prove to be a waste of time. Sure they need their sleep, but just like when they were toddlers if they didn’t want to go for a nap, they won’t. Encourage them to take breaks from their studying. Eating smaller meals more often might help with maintaining their energy levels and certainly encourage their intake of water. Maintain their regular spinal adjustments.


For their nerves and stress levels - I have to quote my own Mum here. She would see me getting all bent out of shape about something and it would detract me from my task of studying so she would say " Ok sit and worry for 10 minutes, then get back to work".

Get it out of your system and then move on.


Good luck to all those in exams.

Do you want to carry LESS weight on your shoulders?

“For every inch of Forward Head Posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” -Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol. 3


To convert that to metric for you, the average head is 12lbs or 5.44 kgs, if you slouch forward one inch or 2.54 cm your shoulders are now wearing 14.51 kgs. Move it forward some more (another inch/2.54cm) and it now puts 19 kgs of weight on your spine at the junction of your shoulders. 


For every centimetre you move forward another 1.78kg of weight is felt by your spine.


In the long term this puts your neck under so much stress that the vertebrae themselves will change structurally due to the stress. Wear the weight over your shoulders as you were designed to and less weight will be experienced by your spine.