New research is suggesting that bacterial infections might be the source of disc related pain. It’s an interesting mechanism – the bacteria, which exist in the mouth and hair, can be moved into the bloodstream by brushing of the teeth. They can be deposited into the disc as part of the body’s response to injury and once there can proliferate and be a source of pain. According to researchers, this could potentially be involved in up to 80% of back pain cases. The full article can be found here . I know …

This article came out late last year but I’m a little slow I guess. A study which followed nearly 10,000 adults found that those who regularly used natural supplements to reduce inflammation had the following results:

intake of glucosamine decreased inflammation by 17%,
chondroitin led to a 22% decrease in inflammatory markersand
fish oil lowered levels of inflammatory markers by 16%

It;s good news for anyone looking to limit or reduce the use of pharmaceuticals, as some medications have been linked to an increased risk of cardiac events.

Hey guys, just read an interesting article about a study which compared the health benefits of running and brisk walking. Now, if you’re training for a fun run or a triathlon this probably won’t apply to you, but for the average person just trying to improve their health this is worth a read. Some of the key stats:

Running reduced the risk of heart disease by 4.5% while walking reduced it by 9.3%.
Calorie for calorie, walking also had a stronger impact on heart disease risk factors. The risk of first-time high …

Poor ergonomics causes a lot of musculoskeletal injuries like back pain, neck and shoulder pain, RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and eye strain. It also causes people to fatigue quicker, makes them irritable and generally less productive. So how should they set up their desk, chair and computer?
The chair should be adjustable so their feet touch the floor (or a footrest) and they are at a good height relative to the desk. The desk should not be too high so they are reaching, or too low so they are slumping …

I have been talking with the nursing and physical education staff at some of the schools here in the Eastern Suburbs with a view to developing a guide for students on posture and general back health. The idea is to develop good habits at an early age as while your children are still growing. During childhood and adolescence their backs are not yet strong and it’s easy for them to suffer an injury that could affect the way their spine grows.
A lot of research has come out in the last …

The only thing I ever used to do with Watermelon was cut a hole in the top and pour as much vodka as I could inside. Then I found this recipe. Seeing as I was effectively living in a sauna, I probably ate this once or twice a week – it’s light, fresh, easy to make, and delicious. It’s a great way to cook the salmon and means you cook it perfectly each time, and the dressing for the salad (Green Chilli Nahm Prik) can go on any dish you …

Pictured is Joycey, my grandmother, who came to visit me in Singapore. She could only stay 36 hours as she was on her way to Budapest to get on a cruise that went through Austria, Germany, The Netherlands etc. As you do. She is enjoying a Singapore Sling (the first of many that day I’d like to point out) at the famous Raffles Long Bar.
Working as an Osteopath in Singapore was very different to working in Sydney. In Sydney the average person at least knows what an Osteopath is for …

Hi! Thanks for being patient with me, I know from the calls, emails, and the waiting list that there are a few of you out there hoping I’ll be starting back soon and I have good news – I spoke to someone at the registration board yesterday and my return to work is imminent! I will be going back to Bondi Junction to my old clinic, I have that funky picture of the castle already hung, and a fresh batch of pool noodles to hand out for rolling on.
Just to …

Hello,
I’m very excited to tell you that I will be returning to Sydney in early 2013. My girlfriend has scored an amazing job back in Sydney so I’ll be shutting the doors of my Singapore clinic and moving back to Bondi Junction. There’s no place like home!
Hopefully the picture of that castle in Germany has remained intact. Keep checking in for updates on starting times and when you can start making appointments. Hope you all have a great holiday period and I look forward to seeing you all in the …

I read an article that cited the statistic that 50% of 18-34 year olds regularly suffer from back pain. I know that nearly half of 40-49 year olds have evidence of arthritis in their back so I can understand 50% of 40-60 years olds suffering from back pain on a regular basis, but why are so many young people suffering from it? And is there anything we can do about it?
According to the article it all stems from the increased amount of time young people spend sitting. From school aged …