​When Should You See An Allied Health Professional at ChiroCure Clinic!?

How Does Osteopathy & Chiropractic Help With Your Pain? Dr. Matt Explains

Dr Matthew Samartzis

Dr Matthew is one of experienced chiropractors at ChiroCure Clinic StKilda. He has a specific interest in the treatment and management of sports injuries, degenerative conditions and acute pain presentations including headache & low back pain. Dr. Matthew is passionate about providing holistic care that includes manual adjusting. 

Should you see a 
​Chiropractor or an Osteopath?

Our  imaging referrals and services

​What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that often causes debilitating pain and associated symptoms including emotional stress and headaches.

7 common symptoms of fibromyalgia, and how we can help!!

#1 Chronic Pain  Fibromyalgia patients experience a condition known as central sensitisation. This means that the body is constantly in a state of wind-up where stimuli are perceived as far more painful than they should be. Central sensitisation causes the body to categorise non-dangerous stimuli as dangerous, leading to widespread pain in the body.  #2 Overwhelming Sensory Responses  For fibromyalgia patients touch is not the only sense that is easily overwhelmed, you may also experience changes in sight, smell, and hearing. Thus, a loud noise, bright lights, or pungent odour may prove exhausting, or trigger a flare-up in symptoms. Unfortunately, sensory overload is often unavoidable for a fibromyalgia patient.  #3 Extreme Exhaustion  The exhaustion associated with fibromyalgia can be debilitating. Exhaustion may be caused from the stress of dealing with pain on a continual basis. This may in turn cause sleeping problems.  incorrect sleeping posture or pillow support - we can help you with this at the clinic. #4 Difficulty Sleeping For someone suffering from fibromyalgia, sleep problems can result in a debilitating cycle. Lack of sleep actually causes a person to experience higher pain levels. However, that pain can also make it difficult to sleep. Our practitioners can offer recommendations on lifestyle changes that may help improve sleep habits, including therapeutic pillows and sleep posture. We can also offer support to help you find your best environment for sleep. #5 Associated Conditions ​Research has found a link between fibromyalgia and an increased risk of IBS - irritable bowel syndrome. Patients may also be at greater risk of suffering from emotional conditions including depression and anxiety. Whether the pain or uncertainty of the fibromyalgia symptoms and create negative effects in a patients social life, personal life or career.  #6 Cognitive Symptoms For many fibromyalgia patients, this can be one of the toughest parts of the condition to deal with. Pain can make it difficult to focus. This can affect both work and home life. Short-term memory issues and information retention problems are common. You may wander the house for half an hour looking for your keys only to forget what you needed to go to the store for in the first place. It can be tough to explain to family and friends what it is like to feel as though you are in a fog at all times.  #7 Chronic Headaches or Migraines  Fibromyalgia patients are at risk of experiencing for more frequent migraines or headaches, including tension headaches, as chronic pain and stress can lead to tension in the neck and shoulders and spine. Our practitioners can help with specific treatment techniques and home care exercises to relax the muscles around your tension areas.

Treatment options... ​Our practitioners can offer you chiropractic, osteopathy and remedial massage treatments to help manage your condition and symptoms. Our Chiropractors and Osteopaths will focus treatment around the cervical region, specifically the top two bones in the neck, being  the C1 and C2 vertebrae, as well as the cranial region.  ​ To learn if upper our cervical specific treatment is the right option for you, please come and see us at ChiroCure Clinic in StKilda. Our therapists will take a patient history and perform a physical examination. We may refer you to have some diagnostic imaging, which may help to determine the degree and location and extent of any upper cervical misalignments that are present. We will discusstreatment options and a plan of care can be determined to meet your specific needs.

Our treatment techniques

Spinal Manipulation Therapy

Also known as manual chiropractic manipulation, this chiropractic adjustment technique is the most commonly used of all techniques and is the one probably most familiar to patients. ​It involves a quick, yet gentle, pressure to the joint using the chiropractor’s hands. It often results in an audible ‘pop’. This sound is created by the change of pressure within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released.

Activator Adjusting

The Activator adjusting instrument provides a low force approach to adjusting within chiropractic care. The Activator instrument assisted treatment has been used on patients of all ages since the late 1960s and has a steadfast reputation for bringing relief to people with a variety of health concerns including back pain, neck pain and headaches. It is gentle and pleasant in application, and an audible 'pop' may be heard.

Impulse Adjusting

Drop Piece

Flexion distraction

Our StKilda Clinic Location

Do you need a helping hand during isolation and social distancing?
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If you can’t go to the gym or do outdoor exercise, but still want to stay strong and healthy... why not let us help you?​

The Foam Roller ​The Foam Roller is great for increasing mobility throughout your spine and extremities. You can focus on loosening tight and tender muscles, through direct pressure or stretching over the foam roller. ​It is a great tool that you can easily store and use anywhere at home that will help you strengthen and protect your body. We offer a detailed manual with images and descriptions, created by one of our chiropractors, to assist you to create a personalised rehabilitation program.  Manuals can be purchased online and mailed out, as well as supplied in PDF form so you can view it on your phone or tablet!!! Ask Your Chiropractor about these products and how they can help you reach your health goals while at home.

The Resistance Band A tool prescribed regularly by your Chiropractor to help correct postural abnormalities, strengthen weak muscles or muscle groups and stretch those that are tight and tender. Resistance Bands are a great alternative when you are not able to attend the gym, as it gives you the ability to strengthen or stretch specific muscles or muscle groups anywhere in your own home. The Resistance band can be accompanied by detailed direction through rehabilitation from your Chiropractor.    Exercises aim to:  Increase range of motion through specific movements, improve muscle Strength through Isometric, eccentric or concentric exercises & decrease Muscle tightness through stretching ​

Spikey Ball ​Last but not least, the Spikey ball is fantastic at pinpointing specific muscles that are tight and causing restrictions through movement. ​It plays a similar role to your Foam Roller, but with more specificity.    Through correct application the spikey ball can be used to complete self myofascial release exercises as well as trigger point therapy and massage in your own home. Exercise manuals aim to:  Release tight and tender muscles, prevent muscular pain and spasms,  & lengthen muscles to reduce pull causing misalignment.

A little about our Myotherapist - Brendon...

​Dry Needling Vs Acupuncture
​What is the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?

Below is a table that quickly points out some differences, and similarities between the two techniques.

Book an appointment with Brendon for Myotherapy & Dry Needling today!! 
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UPPER CROSS SYNDROME & CHIROPRACTIC

Xray finding and symptoms

Treatment and home care

How is posture related?

Exercises recommended by our Chiropractors

2. Triple Extension Isometrics (with resistant band) Start by standing upright in the extended position. Keeping your arms long, neck relaxed and shoulder blades down towards your back pocket. Increase the tension from the band by stepping backwards until you find a challenging yet manageable level. Keep your chin tucked in to avoid the jaw from jutting forward.  Hold for 60 seconds and perform 3-5 x per day. Keep breathing throughout. ​

4. Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch ​ Place one foot in front of you and one foot behind you, make sure that your hips are square and that your back foot is in line with your front foot. When in a stable position, attempt to tuck your pelvis under (posteriorly tilt your pelvis) and contract your glut muscles simultaneously (on the same side as the back knee). If this isn’t enough, keep your pelvis tucked under and slowly move your hip away from back foot.   Hold the position for 30-40 seconds 3 x per day. Remain relaxed. The stretch may be uncomfortable but by no means painful.

Want an immunity booster this winter?
 

 To fridge or not to fridge that is the question????

Option 1 – Ultra Flora Immune Keep refrigerated

​Option 2 – Ultra Probioplex ​No cooling required

Option 3- Defence Eagle Support Probiotic and immune defence (new formula) No Refrigeration required

Can you avoid sinus, headaches and colds this WINTER?      
Find out more from our massage therapists recommendations below...
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A common cause of sinus pressure and pain is the common cold or allergies, causing what is known as sinusitis. Headaches are often present when a patient is experiencing sinusitis or when having a cold. Remedial massage therapy treatment at ChiroCure Clinic in St Kilda East, aims to relieve stress on the nervous system and body structure. in order to help the body work more efficiently and help ensure that the skull bones move freely. This will allow the body fluids to drain without interference, and in turn reduce the pressure in the face and head that may cause a headache or migraine. ​

Our treatment technique treatment will generally include soft massage of the nose, forehead and cheeks, during your adjustment, to release the pressure on the sinus cavities and allow for free drainage of fluids. BOOK VISIT ONLINE NOW

Which type of headache do you have... and what may be the cause?  Our therapists can asses and diagnose the cause of your headache in order to provide superior treatment and long term care. Ask one of our practitioners next time you visit the clinic to assess you. ​

TBM Chiropractic Treatment Techniques
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Dr Tania Leski works to improve an individual's allergy condition or overactive nervous system. She will perform a series of muscle tests to discover and correct the internal imbalances and blockages that may be impairing your health. These corrections include the restoration of organ function, rebalance blood flow, restore pressure, and improve water utilization for longer lasting correction and better overall health.

Rib misalignment is no laughing matter...

Do you have a disc bulge or slipped disc?
Can chiropractic treatment help?

What do the myotherapist's at ChiroCure Clinic treat?

What exactly is a healthy immune system? Viruses and bacteria can affect people in different ways. Symptoms develop when exposed to a virus or infection, depending upon the strength of ones immune system. A strong and healthy immune system should be able to fend off most bacterial or viral intruders. If you have a weakened defence system you may experience illness more often than those around you. Some therapeutic treatments may help you to boost your immune function to help prevent reoccurring illness or injury.​​

Products available at chirocure clinic

What is Hay Fever?

​Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which means an allergy that affects the nose. Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne pollens from grasses are at their peak. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. ​ Your nose acts as a filter. The tiny hairs and mucus that line the nasal passages trap dust, pollens and other microscopic particles. A person with hay fever is allergic to some of the particles that get trapped in the nose, such as pollen.  An allergic reaction means the immune system treats a harmless substance as if it is dangerous, and launches an ‘attack’. The nasal passages become inflamed and more mucus is produced.

Book a FREE Spinal Check with our Chiropractors Today! Supplements and Other Options to Treat Hay Fever If it's not possible to avoid your allergy triggers, supplements and other over the counter natural options can be helpful. Available options include nasal sprays, tablets and eye drops. Read labels carefully and take all supplements as directed. ​Sinus Tablets include ingredients such as Silica and Purple Pasque Flower that are traditionally used in homeopathic medicine to help relieve the symptoms of sinusitis and sinus pain. Magnesium ​Magnesium is an important mineral for improving immune function, and repairing the sinus passage that has been damaged. The mineral is excellent for reducing the nasal congestion by removing the excess mucus from the sinus passages and accelerate the healing process. ​ Magnesium aids in fighting bacterial, viral and fungal infection and also lowers the chances of chronic sinusitis.  Food sources for magnesium include pumpkin seed, black beans, sesame seed, squash seed, watermelon seeds, peanuts, wheat germ, oyster, broccoli, whole grain cereal, tofu and soy milk etc.

10 Steps to Prevent Hay Fever Determine what it is that you are allergic to The first step in controlling hay fever is to find out what you are allergic to. Maybe you know, from years of hay fever symptoms, that it's tree or grass pollen in the spring, or ragweed in the fall. Pay attention to the pollen counts in your area There's now a nationwide network that collects and broadcasts pollen and mold counts—important information for people affected by these common allergens. Counts may be described as "absent," "low," "moderate," "high," or "very high," and often are provided in weather forecasts. http://www.weatherzone.com.au/pollen-index/ Stay indoors on bad pollen/mold days When pollen counts are high, people with severe hay fever symptoms should stay indoors—especially between 5 and 10 in the morning, when pollens are most prevalent. If possible, use an air conditioner, and keep the filters clean to avoid blowing allergens around. Avoid contact with pets that have been outdoors—they can carry pollen inside. Shower after you go outdoors If you have hay fever triggered by outdoor allergens, it's important to shower and wash your hair after spending time outside when the pollen count is high—especially before going to bed. Showering helps remove pollen from your skin and hair and can help prevent a nighttime allergy attack. Avoid smoke and other irritants Smoking—as well as secondhand smoke and smoky environments—insect sprays, fresh paint, and other households chemicals can worsen symptoms of hay fever for many people. If you have allergies, it may be helpful to avoid exposure to these pollutants. “Allergy Proof” your home There are many ways to limit allergens inside the house. Keep windows closed when pollen/mold counts are high. Prevent mold in the kitchen, bathrooms and household plants. Remove some or all carpets and unnecessary furnishings like throw pillows. Use synthetic pillows and encase mattresses in allergy-free covers. Wash clothing often. Keep pets out of bedrooms. Most air purifiers aren’t helpful Studies show that air-purifying units have little effect on allergens. Small air cleaners cannot remove dust and pollen, and some types—called electrostatic precipitators—can pollute indoor air with ozone, aggravating allergy symptoms. The best type is the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter. Check your car’s air conditions The AC system in your vehicle can help reduce your exposure to allergens, but it can also expose you to airborne spores within the unit that can trigger allergy symptoms. To minimize this problem, open the windows part way for 10 minutes after turning on the AC, don't direct the vents toward your face, or look into having the unit specially treated. Get help with outdoor tasks If you have hay fever, yard clean-up chores—like raking leaves in the fall, planting in the spring, mowing in the summer or pruning trees and shrubs—can trigger allergy symptoms. Consider asking for help from a family member, friend or neighbour—or hiring the kid next door! Book an Appointment to see our Chiropractors Today! Book Now