Author: Raffi Grigorian

Your Spine is the Pillar of Your Body

Raffi Grigorian

Your Spine is the Pillar of Your Body

We live our lives at a pace where we strive to do our best, move forward, accomplish as much as possible in one day and rest at night to only do it all again the next day. How often do we check in and pay attention to our heart beat, our breath, our digestion or whether our spine and pelvis are in good alignment just like our wheels are aligned on our car.

As a chiropractor, It is my passion to treat but also to help people gain an understanding of their spinal health and alignment. While many only think about their spine when they experience discomfort or pain, there are countless reasons to be proactive about spinal health.


Here’s why taking a spinal health test should be on everyone’s health checklist:

1. Your Spine is the Pillar of Your Body Your spine isn’t just a stack of bones; it’s the central pillar of your body, supporting you in almost every movement and posture. An aligned spine promotes optimal biomechanics, allowing for efficient movement, balance, and reduced strain on muscles and joints.

2. Connection to the Nervous System The spinal column houses the spinal cord, a critical part of our central nervous system. Even minor misalignments can affect nerve function, which can impact various parts of your body and even internal organ function.

3. Detect Problems Early On You don’t need to experience pain to have a spinal issue. Many spinal problems develop over time and might not present noticeable symptoms immediately. Regular spinal health checks can help identify and address these issues early, preventing potential complications in the future.

4. Better Posture, Better Life Your spine plays a pivotal role in your posture. Regular spinal assessments can identify postural deviations that can lead to chronic conditions or exacerbate existing ones. Correcting these imbalances can enhance your overall appearance, boost confidence, and promote better lung and organ function.

5. Comprehensive Insight into Overall Health A spinal health test doesn’t just reveal information about your bones and nerves; it provides a holistic view of your general well-being. From muscle tension that may hint at stress, to limited mobility indicating potential joint issues, the spine can be a window to other aspects of health.

6. Enhanced Physical Performance Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can particularly benefit from spinal assessments. An aligned spine can improve performance, range of motion, and reduce the risk of sports-related injuries.

7. Prevention is Better Than Cure While chiropractic care offers solutions for spinal issues, our main goal is always prevention. Regular spinal health checks can stave off potential problems, leading to a healthier, more active life.

In conclusion, your spine does more than just keep you upright; it’s intricately linked with your overall health and wellness. Whether you’re an active individual, spend hours at a desk, or are just curious about your spinal health, I strongly recommend making spinal health tests a regular part of your healthcare routine. Remember, in the journey of health, it’s not just about how you feel, but how optimally your body functions.

Until next time, stand tall and take care!

Workspace Week

Raffi Grigorian

Workspace Week launched to help Australians’ work well from anywhere

Workspace Week is 22-28 August 2022 – Work Well from Anywhere!

Due to long-running COVID-19 lockdowns and persistent calls to work from home caused by ongoing outbreaks, the majority of Australians have spent the past three years working between home and office locations, with the risks to the health of those not working in ergonomically correct workspaces causing concern.

Since the pandemic began there’s been numerous studies and surveys conducted by researchers, governments, organisations and healthcare professionals looking at the benefits and disadvantages of working from home. While results found that many have enjoyed the increased flexibility that’s improved their work/life balance; a major downside has been that with more people working in non-ergonomic settings, chiropractors are seeing a surge in patients suffering neck pain, shoulder stiffness, headaches and lower back pain.




With hundreds-of-thousands of Australians now regularly working from home and many yet to adjust to their ‘new normal’, in launching the inaugural national Workspace Week (22-28 August 2022) the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) aims to address concerns that workers’ may be risking their spinal health and overall wellbeing if they haven’t adapted to their new workspace environments by adopting safe work habits.

Following the survey conducted by the ACTU which found 42% of Australians working from home did not have a suitable workstation or the correct equipment; and the Federal Government’s announcement in August 2021 that up to two-thirds of Australians were still working from home, the ACA developed new effective resources to help Australians maintain a healthy spine.

To change the way Australians’ work from home the ACA’s national Workspace Week aims to alert Australians to the potential risks of unsafe workspace practices due to poorly set up workspaces at home.

During national Workspace Week we are encouraging anyone using a computer at home, albeit for work or study, to learn some simple steps that may improve postural correctness and create an ergonomic workspace.

Those experiencing neck, shoulder, back pain and headaches and those concerned about their spinal health when working remotely should contact us today to make an appointment. Our team at Health Focus Centre can help you learn how to set up your workspace correctly so you can develop safe workspace practices and provide you with advice on exercise programs specific to your needs.

We’re also encouraging everyone to participate in Workspace Week by jumping online and downloading the ACA’s free Workspace Week resources to help maintain your overall health and wellbeing, allowing you to work well from anywhere.

ACA’s Workspace Week Checklist can assist people to work safely in an ergonomic setting, while using the Straighten Up app to improve posture, stabilise core muscle groups, and enhance overall health and wellbeing.
By using these free tools and implementing positive spinal health habits including using an ergonomic office chair, adjusting your laptop to eye level and positioning your knees slightly below your hips when sitting, you can help prevent potential physical injuries when working remotely.

For more information about Workspace Week, to download the Workspace Checklist and the free Straighten Up App visit workspaceweek.org.au.

For advice on how you can work well from anywhere contact us on 9808 5555 today to make an appointment.



REFERENCES

  1. Baxter J., Brown L. 2021, ‘Two-Thirds of Australians Are Working From Home’, Australian Government, Australian Institute of Family Studies, accessed 17 June 2022, https://aifs.gov.au/media-releases/two-thirds-australians-are-working-home
  2. Australian Unions, ‘Working From Home’, accessed 17 June 2022, https://www.actu.org.au/media/1449319/au_workingfromhome_p1.pdf

We are now stocking Archies thongs!

Raffi Grigorian

We are now stocking Archies thongs!

Imagine wearing a pair of quick slip on thongs for most of the day with the confidence that you won’t experience sore feet at the end of the day.

For many Australians summer warms the heart and the first thing that comes to my mind is beach, BBQ and thongs (flip flops)! I know for as long as I can remember, it was easy to throw on a pair of thongs and run out to uni, or even have them in my soccer bag to wear after the game. It has always been available on the shoe rack, but for someone like me who has flat feet, there was always the craving for a little support. What most people don’t know is when Archies first came about, I was an early adopter of a pair and also received one for my wife. We have spent the last few years testing them through all climates and even taking them with us overseas over and over again. I can confidently say that they are superb. They look trendy whilst being lightweight, offering arch support, a heel cup and a firm (but not tight) grip around the toe box. These offer both myself who has suffered with foot issues as well as my wife who has never had a foot issue the confidence that they can handle a visit to the zoo next time we take the kids to watch the zebras mingle with the giraffes.

They truly can handle any terrain you throw at them.
I even submerged them under water only yesterday at the beach and was amazed how well they stayed on my feet whilst in the water!

All this makes it a no brainer for the person who likes tower flip flops through the 4 Australian seasons outdoors or even indoors. I am now on my fourth year of wearing them and have to say I am impressed that the wear under the thongs looks minimal despite the extensive kilometers of walking I have put them through. There have been no blowouts due to the single mould from which they are created and love that they are designed here in Australia.

Video coming soon to explain just how they act in real life. Stay tuned.