As you’ve no doubt recently heard, there are calls to make codeine a prescription drug. It is currently an over the counter pain reliever and something that a lot of people routinely use. Chances are you have used it yourself and if so, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. A new report published in The Medical Observer says that for the decade 2000-2009 the number of deaths from taking codeine in Australia more than doubled. Here are some of the key points from the article:

Almost half of these …

What I’m going to look at in this posting relates to how quickly one should start addressing a complaint of low back pain. Historically, people suffering from low back pain have been told to rest, sometimes for very long periods. It’s time to right this wrong.
I have treated plenty of people who 20 years ago were given a neck collar for a minor car crash and wore it for 3 months despite no evidence of any tissue damage, because “that was what they did back then”. Researchers have compared the …

I pity the fool that volunteered for this study. 153 healthy, that’s right, HEALTHY, men and women VOLUNTEERED, if you can believe it, to be given the virus that develops into the common cold. Imagine doing that to yourself. I think they had a cotton bud with the flu virus inserted into their nostril or something. Good times!
Anyway, I am loving their work, for we all get to benefit from the results. Prior to being given the virus, their sleep habits were measured for 14 nights, both in terms of …

For those of you who aren’t already aware, GP’s can refer you to see an Osteopath under a Medicare scheme covering allied health practitioners. It’s called the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Scheme and it covers up to 5 treatments per year and refunds you approximately $45-50 of the treatment cost. If you have a “chronic” condition, meaning you have had an injury for a couple of months or more, your GP can refer you under this scheme.
That’s your tax dollars hard at work people – take advantage of it!
If you …

I just found a great video on the New York Times website (so highbrow) that demonstrates a number of exercises for improving your ankle stability. This is particularly important for anyone who has ever sprained or injured their ankle ligaments, but I recommend these exercises for anyone participating in sports. Having good stability will help in a number of sports such as running, touch football, soccer, netball, aussie rules (go the mighty Swans!) etc etc etc. It may even come in handy when you’re wearing the wobbly boot after three …

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 …

Is your child laying awake at night coughing and you’re not sure what to do? A new study has found that honey can be used as an alternative to cough syrups etc for young children suffering from Upper Respiratory Infections (URI).
The study involved 300 children aged 1-5 over the period of a year. The children were given a single dose of 10 g of eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, labiatae honey. I personally have had great results with Manuka honey so would have loved to have seen how effective that was, knowing …