High Salt Intake Associated With An Increased Risk of Stroke and CardioVascular Disease
We already knew that too much salt increases your Blood Pressure, and now a review of the best quality studies conducted in the last 40 years (including a total of over 177,000 people) has found that “high salt intake is associated with increased risks of stroke and total cardiovascular disease (CVD).”
The authors concluded that “an average difference in intake of approximately 5 g/day of salt was associated with a 23% increased risk of stroke, and a 17% increase …

We’ve already seen how effective exercise is for reducing men’s risk of developing cancer http://www.chrisjonesosteo.com.au/?p=348, now it’s the ladies turn. Along term study of nearly 6,000 women “found that those who exercised the most had a 25 per cent lower chance of developing cancer than those who were the least active”.
This new research supports findings from late last year which found “women who carry out lots of vigorous exercise are approximately 30% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who don’t exercise vigorously”. That study followed over 30,000 women. …

If you haven’t yet heard, recent studies have shown that women can reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Breast cancer is one of the cancers that has a strong genetic link, so for those who might be at a greater risk of developing it later in life, this is big news, as anything you can do to reduce your risk is obviously important.
According to Xanth Kleinig from The Daily Telegraph, “A major review of research by the World Cancer Research Fund blamed alcohol, lack …

I’m going to take information from a couple of recent articles to outline the effects of chronic stress. Obviously this year has been very stressful for a lot of people, and we’ve certainly been seeing that in clinic. Everyone is feeling the pressure this year, and it’s easy for things to escalate out of control. But the good news is relaxation can reverse the negative effects stress has on your body.
Stress is bad enough in the short term, but when it is maintained for a longer period of time, it …

Hate to say I  told you so, but really, we’re starting to get some pretty compelling evidence on the benefits of exercise. Check this out: A new study, published online July 28, 2009 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, has found that “men who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day at moderate to high intensity halved their risk of dying prematurely from cancer, mainly gastrointestinal and lung cancer.”
In the study, 2560 men were followed for a year to see what sort of exercise they did, and they were …

More people miss work for back pain than any other ailment except the common cold. These are just some of the disorders associated with Office Tasks: Neck/shoulder tension, Headache, Tendinitis of the wrist & forearm ,Carpal tunnel syndrome, Mid back/shoulder blade pain, Lower back pain, and Sciatica.
The Number 1 mistake people make is that they sit in one position for too long.
Studies have consistently proven the amount of time you sit at the computer (hours keying per day/per week) is more important than posture. And the studies have shown that …

Science meets common sense. I read an article last week which summarises findings relating to how stress can affect your immune systemt, and thought I would post a quick summary. It’s something I think we all know deep down, but it’s worth reminding ourselves of, especially as we all get towards the end of the year and start to feel the effects of the last 12 months.
Researchers asked whether the widespread phenomenon of getting a cold during exam time or feeling run-down after a big meeting is merely coincidence, or is …

The first thing I usually advise people to do when they are in acute pain is to get into the “Astronaut Position” http://familydoctor.org/online/etc/medialib/famdoc/images/100-200/117b.Par.0001.Image.250.gif
10 minutes in this position will let the back muscles relax and help correct the hyperextended position most people adopt when their back is killing them.
Try not to annoy your back by testing it out all the time eg “Does it hurt when I twist here, does it hurt if I bend there?” etc. But try not to sit around too much either; I would try to be …

If you want to give your self the best possible chance at preventing disc degeneration, follow these guidelines:
Low back flexibility – stretch low back muscles (eg rolling knees side to side), glutes (eg hugging your knee to your chest), hip flexors (eg lunge stretch), and hamstrings.
Core Strength – Deep abdominal strength/endurance as developed in Pilates; see figure (from http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/lbp involves drawing in your abdomen to contract the deep abdominals – get me to check you are doing it right next time you come in!)
Use correct Lifting Technique. Don’t combine movements …

I recently read a really interesting study on Disc Degeneration, and what causes it (I know, I need to get a life). As a lot of you either have a little degeneration or are concerned about it developing I thought I’d share the findings of this study.
The first interesting point worth noting is that degeneration is a Progressive Process – ie it is not a one off event. Over time, repeatedly doing everyday activities can cause the structure to fail and this will accelerate the aging/degeneration process.
The study says looking …