Vitalism isn't just a philosophy; it's a way of life. Living vitalistically means that you must consciously consider everything that you ingest, whether it's a food or a thought. Everything you put into your mind and body ... affects the body

Monday, September 12, 2011

Good fences make good neighbours.

Dear Friends

The Chiropractic profession is currently mounting a strong defence against an accreditation body - CCE. They are wanting to direct Chiropractic away from the founding principles of Chiropractic. The following is the letter I have sent to the regulatory body that over sees the process of issuing this accreditation agency with its licence.



9th September 2011

To whom it may concern: 

I am a practicing Chiropractor in Australia who graduated from Life University, writing to file a complaint against the Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE).

The CCE has control over the direction chiropractic schools are forced to educate their students. Chiropractors spend four years as students, accumulating near $200,000 in debt. After those four years, over half (53.8%) will default on their student loans and no longer be associated with this profession.

Good fences make good neighbours. Chiropractors are not medical doctors, nor are we physical therapist. Yet the CCE's curriculum is focused in that direction. We offer One distinct service that no other profession on the planet can offer; the analysis, detection, and correction of Vertebral Subluxations. Yet the CCE is attempting to remove the word subluxation from being taught on anything but an "obsolete" historical observation.

You will find our office follows the tenets of Chiropractic as they were taught to us, in everything we do. It’s on our website; it’s on our new patient forms, it’s how we educate our patients. We are Chiropractors! We practice Chiropractic!

There are several courses that need to be cut from the chiropractic curriculum (i.e. Obstetrics and Gynaecology - in which we are required to spend six hours a week in lecture and three hours a week practicing skills that no chiropractor in the world will ever use) and several requirements that need to be added (only 250 adjustments are required to graduate) to properly prepare the future generation of chiropractors for life after graduation. 

I would hope that you organize and maintain an accrediting agency that focuses the curriculum of Chiropractic schools on a Subluxation based education.

Thank you for your time,


Dr Lucia R. Wilkinson
Chiropractor

If you want to see Chiropractors practice CHIROPRACTIC for years to come and not be reduced to a jack of all trades, master of none, please contact me.

Monday, September 5, 2011

I'm left handed now!





It only took 40 years but I've gone left handed.

Using a mouse that is, for all else I still use my right hand predominately.The change was amazing and by balancing the body in this one area, it had a ripple effect every where else. My neck and shoulder stress has diminished, the subluxations in this area were significantly less. My overall posture at the computer ( where I've been spending more and more time) has improved and relaxed.

Let me take you back over 18 months now. My desk has always been ergonomically sound, we took great care when setting up the office to look at such issues. A few years ago we had chairs specifically built for us. I can tell if someone has changed chairs with mine and if they have changed the settings :) But longer hours spend typing away, like I am now meant that on top of my daily adjusting patients, my wrists were causing me great concern.

Looking after my patients is my joy, so my only thought was to look outside of the box to a solution. My right hand and my work were one and the same. Then the thought came to me that my left hand was capable, just untrained and it could be put to good use, after all plenty of people had probably made the same changes after injury and illness.

The first month was all about giving my left hand an experience of using the mouse. Yes it felt strange at first. I played solitaire on the computer to help with general mouse movement, while it went a long way to help my control it did little for my scores. Then I progressed to reading my emails and generally using it to surf, with each of these activities I worked mainly in the less busy times of the day. Interval training helped me to lighten the load away from my right hand and not over burden the left at the same time.

Slowly but surely I picked up speed in the second months and by months end I knew I had reached a milestone when I went to use another computer in the office and searched for the mouse with my left hand. Strength and speed have increased with time and I still focus on my posture. My next venture is getting used to my saddle seat at home. But that's another story for another time. For now I balance my load of work with both hands and exercise my wrists and hands along with regular adjustments.

Please note these exercise may not be for everyone, please check with your Chiropractor if they would recommend them specifically you. Remember to take care not to force your hands or wrists and please take your time.

Stretch Out.- We are constantly gripping things with our hands. The pen we write with, the door handle we open the door with, even using the keyboard to strike the keys with is a partial gripping action. While a stress ball feels great at times, again its a gripping action at work. Balancing what the hands do, will mean we should stretch out the whole hand.

  • Step 1, place your hands palm side down on a flat surface and relax your wrists. 
  • Step 2, gently spread your fingers apart and hold them for a count of 5.
  • Step 3. repeat for 3 to 5 times.










Stretch back - Now that your fingers are gently warmed up, try the next stretch to get that extra flexibility going.

  • Step 1. from the relaxed position in Stretch out, lift just your fingers off the flat surface. Try to keep the palm of your hand on the flat surface and still. Hold this for a count of 5 or less if this it too much for the first time. Slowly build up to it, there is no use over doing it at the beginning.

  • Step 2, repeat for 3 to 5 times.


Make a Fist - After you have exercised in one direction its now time to do the other direction.
  • Step 1, from the relaxed position in Stretch out, make a gentle fist with your hands. Again hold for a count of 5 or what ever you are first capable of.

  • Step 2, repeat for 3 to 5 times.



Wrist moves - Moving up from the hands, its now time to move those wrists. Gentle! Please be aware that forcing any of these moves is NOT what these exercises are about, you are just after a gentle stretch pressure. If any of these hurts please stop and discuss your difficulties with your Chiropractor.
  • Step 1, from the relaxed position, bend one or both your wrists at the same time UP and hold for a count of 5 or as what ever you are capable of. Then rest your whole hand flat.

  • Step 2, lift your whole lower arm off the flat surface, keeping as horizontal as possible and bend down at the wrist. Hold for a count of 5. Rest once you have done that.

  • Step 3, repeat for 3 to 5 times in both directions. Alternately you can do this exercise with both hands together for light or greater resistance.






Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes.



Back when I was an Associate Chiropractor I had the chance to see as a patient a retired service man. He presented to our office wanting care but unable to pay. I was asked if I was willing to take him on as a patient under these circumstances. I can say after all these years while I wasn’t rewarded financially I was more than adequately remunerated.

Never was visit to the office passed without him bringing a kind word, a small bunch of flowers, strawberries when in season or a fantastic joke. When he missed a visit due to various reasons he would always send a letter in to explain his absence. What a difference manners make.

But it was to be his death that he bestowed his greatest blessing for me. Never one very comfortable with death and dying, I went to many funerals were I just hid amongst the crowd. Well that was not to be at this funeral. His family invited me as was his request to attend the service. His wife had notified me of his passing and she conveyed her warmest thanks for all my help. Of which I thought was nothing really, I love what I do and it was the least I could do for someone who had defended his country with his life.

As I walked into the funeral parlour I was struck with the awkward sense that I was in the wrong place. There didn’t seem to be anyone here. I first thought I was too early. I went out and checked the notices, no I was on time. Then a young man, who could only have been his son, the resemblance was striking came and walked me back in.

That day I attended the funeral of a wonderful soul, as one of four people to bear witness to his life. I can only say the solace that he brought me was one of the greatest gifts I am yet to receive. And as I wipe the tear off my face while writing this, I know that blessings come in all shapes and sizes.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

We remind you how to fish, not fish for you.

Chiropractic is like the old saying,

“Give someone a fish and they eat for a day.
Teach someone to fish and they eat for a lifetime.”

- Chinese Proverb



With regular Chiropractic care, we remind the body to work as it should, free of subluxations to reach its potential. Enabling  it to respond to its environment and care for its self. If we do it for you and your body, that's a very short term measure of help. Better we teach you the how and you enjoy a healthy and vibrant life.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Help me with my Homework Mum


I sat down last night to help my youngest with her homework.

“Well Mum I have 3 assignments there is SOOOOOO much to do and I don’t know what my teacher wants “she cried. Ok, I’m an ex Teacher I can do that….

“What are the assignments and what do you have a problem with” I asked her. She went on for 10 minutes spinning her wheels on everything from she didn’t have the enough information on her first projects, didn’t have the right paper for her poster and she just didn’t know what she had to do with the last project “AT ALL”. She was confused, I get that, a lot of children can get that way when confronted with the mounting list of homework. But I’m an ex Teacher I can handle that….

“Tell me what the most important assignment is”. I thought this was the best place to start. Well that confused her even more. “Important how?” She just looked at me with that blank stare and if I didn’t move and think fast I was going to have her pack it all in and just leave in a huff. “Do you know how to find out if something is important” I was being brave at this point. “NO” was the only response I got and it was loud and clear. Right, I’m an ex Teacher I can remember this issue…

She had this list of things that needed to be done, couldn’t see the forest for the trees and Goldie Locks was NOT going into that forest at all. “You were a teacher right Mum, can’t YOU just help me with it?” She really wanted me to do it for her. Aha! Now I get it. I’m the ex Teacher, she knows it and she wants ME to do the homework for her. I bet even if I wasn’t the ex Teacher she would still want me to do it for her. Goldie locks was in for a tough lesson tonight.

Back to the question “Do you know how to find out if something is important?” Now to ask some more questions even before we even got down to any of the homework. She was rolling her eyes at this point.

Is it important because it is due first?
Is the work time sensitive?Or is it important because there is a lot to do in this project?

So we sorted by due date. Then looked at things that needed to be done at a certain time .One of the projects needed data to be collected every day. And then for some more questions. Oh she was really over this at this point, the eyes were rolling, and the look on her face was priceless!

“What does each assignment ask of you? Are there questions you need to answer? What form does it need to be in?”

I had opened the can of worms now.


“Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers” Anthony Robbins

Monday, April 18, 2011

P.A.I.N





Have you ever wondered what PAIN really is? One definition cites pain as "a feeling of physical suffering caused by injury or illness" another is "An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder"


I don't know where I heard this one, but it resonates with me.


P- pay
A - attention
I - inside
N - now!


Pain is that feeling that communicates between that which is your intellect and that innate part of yourself. It is the red flag that tells you - HEY listen up. Its the blinking light on your dashboard. By paying attention to the signals of your body you can manage and respond immediately. And having done so, you are able to circumvent the issue of allowing dys-function and dis-ease to occur in the body.


Pain is more than just cause and effect: it is affected by everything else that is going on in the nervous system. Your mood, your past experiences and your expectations can all change the way pain is interpreted at any given time. How is that for confusing?





Monday, March 28, 2011

Chiropractic care through pregnancy

Chiropractic care through pregnancy is not only safe, it is essential. 




We can look at the implications of subluxation from a bio mechanical, hormonal and neurological standpoint. It is easy for all of us to see postural changes through pregnancy-the centre of gravity changes, the weight of the baby places increased pressure on the spine and pelvis, and towards the end of the pregnancy, changes are seen in gait pattern-the "waddle." What we can't see, are the millions of different hormonal changes and chemical reactions occurring both in the mother and the developing baby--all of which are controlled and coordinated through the nervous system.


Adjustments result in easier pregnancy, significantly decreased mean labor time, and assists new mothers back to prepartum health.


Adjustments to newborns contain only ounces of force. But that force is directed into the spine to facilitate health and remove subluxations. We adjust babies as soon after birth as possible, to alleviate subluxations caused by in-utero constraint and the journey down through the birth canal. Even relatively easy deliveries can result in subluxations. That's why every child should be checked, before problems with their health even develop. That's preventive care in the truest sense-preventing subluxations in mothers to prevent subluxations in their babies during childbirth.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Do you know the answer

A simple question on a school health test. Do you know the answer?


Runny nose, fever & cough are



a) signs of a cold;
b) signs your body is fighting a cold;
c) signs of a virus. 







B of course! Your body is responding the way it should. It is designed to raise its internal temperature to make it inhospitable for bacterial and viral infections to live. It produces mucus to capture these and remove them from the body via the runny nose, sneezing and coughing.

Your body knows instinctually what to do in these situations. It wants YOU to pay attention and not over ride these functions, but to support these functions. 

REST - allow your body the down time to heal.
FLUIDS - to produce the mucus that removes these from the body and to maintain normal body functions at the same time.
NUTRITION - to support the bodies energy needs in its NORMAL function of fighting a cold.
An ADJUSTMENT - to allow the body to function at its optimal best in its fight to maintain order.

Thanks Dr Kevin


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

What is a Subluxation?

A Subluxation creates abnormal function in the body.



A Subluxation is  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.




Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Chiropractic Paradigm

A Subluxation creates abnormal function in the body. Which in turn creates abnormal physiology and then Dis-ease follows. Ultimately reducing the quality of life.
An Adjustment improves nerve function, improving physiology. Creating less Dis-ease and raising the quality of life.


Chiropractic is PRO active health care, restoring the unique essence of the body to its potential.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

I'm not Happy!

I'm not happy! I don't live in a blissful state of serenity. And.... I'm really ok with that.

I'm content - satisfied with what one is or has as the dictionary describes it. Actually its more than that. Its knowing that life, especially the one that I have led is all about having a range of experiences. Some might say that I've experienced "bad" or "good", it really just depends on your point of reference.

I've come to point when either can be seen in a state of balance, not all that's seen on the surface as good is good and similarly the reverse is also true.

And I'm leaving behind the addiction to want to be only " happy"  because that seems to me as a false way to live, an idealist goal, that too many chase and are disappointed when they don't achieve it. I still strive in all my endeavours, I move forward, knowing that the journey is just as important as the destination.



Dr John Demartini is a mentor of mine and I've come to feel more at peace with all that life has to offer through gaining a different perspective.Thanks John

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Introducing solid foods too early to bottle fed babies can increase rate of childhood obesity

Looking into those babies that were bottle fed and when they were introduced to solid foods has led researchers to make the discovery that it can influence and raise the likelihood of later having childhood obesity. The study looked at children who were either breast fed or bottle fed exclusively and if they introduced solid foods before the age of 4 months.

In children who were bottle fed exclusively and had solids introduced before the age of 4 months, the rates of childhood obesity rose more than 6.3 times the average by the time they were 3 years old.

Exclusively breast fed babies did not show the same results. This only reinforces the premise that breastfeeding children and introducing solid foods slowly after 4 to 6 months helps provide for a child's health well beyond their early years.

Source Pediatrics, 2011

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

What can I eat for lunch today!’.

What’s the in the bag?

Nourishing lunches for children at school
and adults at work and play! This quarter
‘Everyday with Wholefoods’ takes a look at the
humble lunchbox and attempt to answer the ageold
question, ‘What can I eat for lunch today!’.
Lunch is an often overlooked meal and it’s very
easy to be seduced by a quick sandwich. Jude
will give you ideas for wholesome and delicious lunch boxes
including recipes, while also taking a look at what’s in season
during the Autumnal months.

Joining us to look at the nasties that lurk in the common lunchbox and beyond will be
Julie Eady – author of the bestselling book Additive Alert. Julie is a well informed
and inspirational speaker and will give you up to date information on food additives,
their dangers and what you can do to avoid them.

We’ll also have a great range of local producers and retailers on hand for pre and post
seminar shopping!

Event Program
Guest Speakers
Julie Eady – Additive Alert
Additives in food – the alternatives!
Jude Blereau – Whole Food Cooking
Yummy lunches & Autumn menu planning
Booking Details
Saturday 26 February, 2011
Time: 1pm – 4.30pm (Doors open from 12.15pm)
Venue: FJ Clarke Lecture Theatre
P Block, QEII Medical Centre,
Nedlands. Access off Caladenia Ave
(via Monash Ave)
Price: $38.50 incl GST
(seating is unallocated, tiered theatre-style)
Discount available for Thermomix consultants
only – Consultant No. must be supplied with
booking details
Books, local produce and other
merchandise will be on display and sale
from 12.15pm
Enquiries & Bookings
events@wholefoodcooking.com.au
www.wholefoodcooking.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Diabetes patients - wash your hands before testing!

A recent studying into the effects of testing reliability has found that the current policy of only using an alcohol swab on the finger to be tested is NOT enough to remove the residue of foods and in particular fruits from skin surface.

Testing on hands that were washed and then wiped with an alcohol swab gave more accurate results than only swabbing. Blood levels had a spike of nearly double the actual reading when the hands were not washed due to the residue of fruit sugars still left on the hands, therefore patients were inaccurately giving themselves incorrect dosages.


Source Reuters Health

Monday, February 7, 2011

You DO NOT want to belong to this club!!

Number of Americans with Diabetes Rises to Nearly 26 Million

More than a third of adults estimated to have pre diabetes.

In addition, an estimated 79 million U.S. adults have pre diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Pre diabetes raises a person's risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

"These distressing numbers show how important it is to prevent type 2 diabetes and to help those who have diabetes manage the disease to prevent serious complications such as kidney failure and blindness," said Ann Albright, Ph.D, R.D., director of CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation. "We know that a structured lifestyle program that includes losing weight and increasing physical activity can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes."

You DO NOT want to join this club!

Do something for your health NOW. Do something about your weight and overall health with Nutritional Cleansing.









Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Exercise plays a greater role in increasing bone density in older men


In an Australian study, it was found that in older men, their level of bone density was greatly helped more by exercise than by the consumption of extra Vit D and Calcium alone. 
Over the 18 months that the study was conducted, those that exercised, had a better bone mineral density reading than those that just took the supplements. While this might be the case I would still recommend that everyone pay close attention to their diet and their levels of supplements to maintain an overall healthy out look.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Nutritional Cleansing unlocks the miracle of the human body

Nutritional Cleansing unlocks the miracle of the human body

Nutritional Cleansing increases the health benefits you’ll receive from the ancient health practice of cleansing. The herbs, vitamins and minerals that aid cleansing do two things:

·         Accelerate the removal of impurities from the body.

·         Nourish the body with vital nutrients to rapidly revive health.


A cleansed and revitalized body is stronger; resists illness better, is more efficient and performs at a higher level than one that is filled with impurities.



 A healthy body is like a finely tuned engine. The problem is if you don’t maintain it and remove the junk that builds up from every day wear and tear, you're likely to stall.

Jennifer Jefferies ND explains that a body struggling with a toxins overload causes an inflammation response in the whole body, and left there long enough you can experience even more serious health issues.

As a Chiropractor I have focused on a healthy lifestyle and supporting that with nutritional cleansing has made the world of difference. Years of dealing with Irritable Bowel syndrome and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome had left my body struggling for air sometimes. The Isagenix nutritional cleansing program has meant that my system works efficiently and effortlessly without stress. 


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Breast feeding and strength


HealthDay news image

Adolescents who were breast-fed as infants have stronger leg muscles and "explosive strength" than those who were not breast-fed, a new study finds.
Both male and female adolescents who were breast-fed did better on a horizontal jump test than those who were not breast-fed, an indication of stronger leg muscles. And those who were breast-fed for a longer period of time had even stronger leg muscles. This was true regardless of the teens' fat mass, height or the amount of muscle present.
The researchers noted previous studies have shown many other benefits for infants and children who have been breast-fed, including increased protection against childhood allergies, skin diseases, obesity and diabetes.
SOURCE: University of Granada

Monday, January 3, 2011

Make the link



NEWSFLASH -Children who consistently eat lots of fruits and vegetables lower their risk of having stiff arteries in young adulthood, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.


“These findings suggest that a lifetime pattern of low consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to arterial stiffness in young adulthood,”


Why is it so amazing that these finding should prove what basically we should all know - early prevention is better than looking for a "cure'' later in life.