November 2011

Mission Statement

At Mullumbimby Integral Health your health is our top priority and it should be yours too. We believe that with a healthy body and mind you have the ability to live life to the fullest and create all that you need.

Issue # 1

Thank you for joining us for the seventh newsletter from Mullumbimby Integral Health, formerly Mullum Chiropractic. Mullum Chiropractic has expanded its services to include Mullum massage and Mullum fitness. Brent, Sheri, Max, Karen, Kate and Anna will now be operating under one name and will be combining their expertise in Chiropractic, Massage, Personal Training and Exercise Physiology to assist you in achieving optimum health results.

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Brents Health Tips

One of the highlights about my job as a Chiropractor at Mullumbimby Integral health is that you get to notice a few patterns over the years.

Taking an active interest in health you get to wondering “what really makes a person healthy?”, “Why do some people enjoy good health whilst others are always suffering?”, or perhaps more selfishly “How can I enjoy good health over my life time?”.

Below I hope to share some of my observations. Please bear in mind I’m not offering these up as any scientifically proven techniques but rather my opinions and observations. Ask around. If you know any other practitioners run these suggestions past them.

1. Don’t smoke

It’s pretty obvious but there it is. Whilst not everybody gets the cancer boogey man I can guarantee that your spinal discs and joints will degenerate more rapidly if you smoke. I noticed this when I was looking at smokers x-rays. They always appeared far worse than non smokers of the same age. Quitting smoking can be challenging because your brain actually has nicotine receptors in it but if you do smoke, quitting should be your number 1 life priority.

2. Decrease Stress any way you can

When you’re constantly stressed your adrenal glands are turned on making adrenalin. This is great when you are being chased by a bear but has a long term counterproductive result on your health. There is no easy way to stop getting stressed but one technique somebody shared with me is to view the problem in the context of your entire life and then see how big it looks.

3. Exercise a little bit most days.

I have the noticed that nature rewards consistency over time. I have several ex footballers on my books here that at one point were supreme athletes but stopped exercising at the end of their careers. They are in far worse shape than the bloke that walks around the neighborhood every morning.

4. Swim

I don’t know why but something I have noticed is that people that swim regularly just have a glow about them there entire life. Swimming seems to be the perfect low impact cardiovascular workout as we age.

5. Do a physical exercise that your passionate about.

If you hate the exercise your doing find something else. Did you used to play a team sport? Find a master’s game. Were you a boxer or martial artist in her younger years? Consider doing Tai chi.

6.Work on your core stability.

Our western life style is incompatible with our genetics. Do a Pilates class, Yoga or simply walk on rough uneven ground as much as you can. Work your balance systems or you will loose it. Loss of core stability is the single biggest cause of low back pain.

7. Drink lots of water

Again obvious but this one appears time and time again as a simple way to extend life and maximise health. When I ask all the super fit 70 something’s that come through this clinic time and time again they reply that drinking lots of water is part of their daily routine.

8. Have a positive mindset

Pain and discomfort can easily transform into a victim type mindset. I have noticed a big difference in recovery times in the way people perceive there injury. Don’t let your symptoms or diseases define you. Focus your mind to enjoy the activities that are still open to you rather than resent the ones that aren’t.

9. Have a positive mindset

No this is not a typo. Having a positive mindset is so important I believe it should take up 2 points. The single biggest thing i have noticed is that nearly everybody that I observe that enjoys good health has a positive outlook on life. Conversely most people that have a victim type mindset are always in pain and poor health. You have to look a bit harder in some situations to see the funny side but it’s usually hiding there somewhere.

10. Eat the best fresh food you can

Don’t follow the fads. Long life “experts” have been shown time and time again to die early. Just eat well balanced fresh food as much as you can. Do this before you worry about any “supplements”. Make your own curry pastes and spaghetti sauces. Pre-maid simmer sauces are high in salt and lower nutritional value.

If you find out how to do all the above all the time please come and show me. I hope some of my observations may be of benefit to you and your health.

Brent

Open Saturdays

Chiropractic and Massage Treatments are now available on Saturdays.

By appointment only

Group Fitness Timetable

Pilates Class

GROUP PERSONAL TRAINING TIMETABLE

Mo	Senior Fit 9-10am	Pilates* 10-11am	Total Body 3.30-4.10pm
Tu	Body Fit 9.45-10.30am
We	Pilates* 7.30-8.30am	Pilates* 8.30-9.30am
Th	Pilates 7.30-8.30am		Body Fit 6.30-7.15pm
Fr	Total Body 7.15-7.55am	Pilates* 8.30-9.30am	Senior Fit 9-10am
Sat	*Pilates 8.30-9.30am**

* Bookings required

Massage Techniques Available at Mullumbimby Integral Health

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury.

Swedish/Relaxation Massage

Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading and other movements focused on superficial layers of muscle using massage oil or lotion, to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation.

Triggerpoint Therapy

Therapy that applies concentrated finger pressure to “trigger points” (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle whole body treatment that relaxes the nervous system and aids the body’s immune system. It is highly recommended for those prone to and recovering from sore throats, colds, infections, on-going tiredness, excess fluids, low immunity, swollen nodes and also for the physically inactive.

Sports Massage

Sports massage will help release any built up tension and lactic acid in the overworked muscles so that blood and oxygen can return to the muscle and effectively promote muscle repair. Sports massage, if received as part of a sports program, can help an athlete prevent injury due to overuse.

Myofascial Release

In practice, Myofascial Release is a gentle therapy, consisting of a mixture of light stretching and massage work. During a session, the therapist will apply hands-on massage strokes in order to release tension from the fibrous bands of the muscles, bones, nerves and joints, by unblocking any scar tissue or adhesions due to injury in the muscles and surrounding tissues.
Muscle Energy Technique

This form of muscular therapy makes use of a patient’s own muscle energy (the force); while the therapist presents a stationary surface (or anti-force) the patient will contract their muscle against in order to stretch the muscle and joint to its full potential.Pregnancy

Massage has been known to calm many of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy such as sciatica, swelling, back and neck pain and stomach upset. Prenatal massage has also been shown to improve physical discomforts by encouraging circulation and by stretching the muscles and joints to their full range of motion to improve skin elasticity and body tone.

Acupressure

Acupressure Massage is a form of healing that utilizes the Chinese medicine meridian system. This healing system is similar to acupuncture, in that points along energy meridians are stimulated, though finger pressure is used instead of needles.

Kahuna

Ka Huna massage is done with the forearms primarily, in long flowing strokes. The therapist is focussed and moves in a dance-like rhythm around the clients body, working sometimes both on top of the body and underneath at the same time. Ka Huna massage is very powerful and cleansing.

Lomi Lomi

The style of Lomi Lomi massage is characterised by its very large, broad strokes, as well as two-handed stokes that enlist the forearms and elbows. Lomi Lomi technique covers a broad area of the body and works the muscles often simultaneously to encourage the continuous flow of love and harmony.

The team at Mullumbimby Integral Health would like to thank you for your ongoing support in the past and throughout this time of change. We wish you a life full of energy and void of pain and we look forward to assisting you on your path with our new integrated approach.

For more information do not hesitate to call us on 6684 1028 or visit our website: www.mullumbimbyhealthcentre.com.au.

Warmest Regards,

Brent, Max, Sheri, Karen, Kate and Anna

Meet the team