The Bedford Chiropractic Clinic and Wellness Centre

The hip is one of the most vulnerable joints in the body to develop arthritis—particularly osteoarthritis. The lifetime risk for hip osteoarthritis is about 1 in 5 for men and 1 in 4 for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How do you know if you're one of the people at risk for hip osteoarthritis? There are several factors that can put you at higher risk. Being older During our lifetimes, our hips carry most of our weight each day, which can be very hard on the cartilage in the joints. Inevitably, joint cartilage degrades more and more as we age, with the potential to become full-blown osteoarthritis after age 45. Most people with hip osteoarthritis problems are in their 60s and 70s. Being overweight The more you weigh, the more pressure is on your joints—and the faster potential degeneration can occur. Unfortunately, joint pain can discourage people from being active, making the accumulation of more pounds likely .   If yo...

It has long been known that over evolutionary time the human organism developed in tandem with a vast host of microbial fellow travellers. The 100 trillion microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tracts assist in numerous physiological processes critical to our health and well being. The intestinal microbiome (commensal microorganisms) helps maintain the integrity and function of the lining of the small intestine, helps us digest our food properly, and assists in training our immune systems to appropriately recognize friends and foes.1,2 Alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiome (dysbiosis) lead to many disorders and diseases, including celiac disease, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Thus, dysbiosis needs to be considered in the evaluation and treatment of many common conditions. Fortunately, many forms of conservative management are available for dysbiosis, including the use of probiotics and prebiotics. Probiot...

You've heard of some of the awesome benefits of honey...and you've also heard of some of the great benefits of coconut oil... but what about them both together!  Read on... Raw honey & coconut oil -- 5 fantastic uses of this duo What about honey vs sugar vs coconut sugar? Well, you already know that sugar is terrible for your health, and can be one of the causes of diabetes, obesity, and even feeds cancer cells.  And you also probably already know how terrible  artificial sweeteners  are for your overall health, gut health (they can decimate your gut flora), and other risks. Many people turn to stevia as a natural sweetener alternative that is healthier than sugar or artificial sweeteners.  Unfortunately, a lot of people don't like the taste of pure stevia and usually need it blended with something else. But what about white sugar vs brown sugar, coconut sugar (the newcomer on the block), and also honey?  This article below talks about each, along with ...

Running is both great for the body and hard on the body. It conditions the muscles and joints and it gives you a good aerobic workout, which keeps your heart healthy and weight within a healthy range. But the relentless impact of your feet against the ground can put you at risk for injuries, particularly in your lower limbs and back. Through a sudden, acute injury—but much more often through repetitive wear and tear—the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues of the back can become damaged or strained. This is especially true for distance runners. The good news is running-related back pain is treatable—many times with a full recovery. Also, you can take steps to prevent back pain from running before it starts. Suiting up A running shoe is not just a running shoe. There are several factors that can help determine what the right shoe for you should be, including: The height of your arches Your pronation style (in other words, how your foot hits the ground and rolls through each ...

Ageing is a natural process. Unfortunately as we age from 35+ our bodies, given the opportunity deteriorates rapidly or slowly. Every single day I hear from many people in their 30's and 40's that their aches and pains are because they are old and they seem to accept it as a norm just because their friends, family members went through the years with the same symptoms. After 20 years of treating thousands of patients and literally thousands of hours of study, education and exp erience, what I have found to be the reality is that your health is a result of your input. You are an outcome of what you eat/drink, what exercise you do, what thoughts you have daily and the state of your nervous system. So I decided to prove to all my beloved patients and hopefully their friends and families that this is actually true! And also because I am FED UP of seeing people blaming age on their symptoms when actually it is their actions and inaction are to blame. For this I took some very emb...

Whether it's a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or strained muscles, it can take some time to diagnose and treat the causes of back pain. And all the while, you're trying to navigate health insurance, work and family life, and everyday stressors—all while dealing with your back pain. This blog is written to highlight a few fairly simple things you can do to help achieve some level of comfort and pain relief. 5 simple tips to help keep your spine as healthy as possible: 1. Let your spine really rest while sleeping. While you're lying down, all the structures in your spine that have worked hard all day finally have an opportunity to relax and be rejuvenated. To make the most of this time, you need a mattress and pillows that allow your spine to rest in a supported and comfortable way. Your choice of mattress and pillow is largely based on personal preference, your preferred sleep positions, and your specific back or neck problem. As long as you're choosing a ...

Seventy-two per cent of migraine sufferers in a clinical trial experienced either ‘substantial’ or ‘noticeable’ improvement after a period of chiropractic treatment, defying historical skepticism of chiropractics by some medical practitioners. The randomised clinical trial was undertaken by Dr Peter Tuchin, a chiropractor for the past 20 years, as part of his recently-completed PhD thesis at Macquarie University. “Around 22 per cent [of patients] had substantial reduction – which means that more than 60 percent of their symptoms reduced during the course of the treatment,” Tuchin says. “What makes this a really strong result is that this was a really chronic group – the average length of time they’d had migraines was 18 years. To get a change of that sort of magnitude in a really chronic group was quite amazing. “Another 50 per cent had quite noticeable improvement. They either found that the frequency of the migraines was less, the length of time they had them was less or tha...

A Bulging DISC is when one of your spinal discs is bulging which can cause symptoms such as back pain, leg or arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness as it influences your nervous system. Patients that have been diagnosed with Bulging DISC may think that there is not much that they can do about it and they are stuck with this major problem, however that is incorrect. With the correct information and the correct treatment, a lot can be done to help you reduce the pain. There are many common misconceptions that people have about Bulging DISC which results them in believing false information, however this post will provide you with the true and correct information to help you: FALSE: Bulging DISC symptoms will ‘disappear’ if you have plenty of rest. TRUTH: If you leave your Bulging DISC untreated then the problem can lead to permanent nerve damage and a life-long pain, therefore if you are suffering from any back pain, buttock pain or leg pain then it is important that...

A frozen shoulder is a painful condition that reduces the movement of the shoulder causing pain and stiffness. It usually affects people between the age of 40-70 and it is more common for women, especially in postmenopausal women, than men. According to the NHS, studies have shown that approximately 1 in 20 people will suffer from frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis or shoulder contracture. It can be frustrating because you may look healthy on the outside but the pain inside is disturbing. These symptoms can disturb your ability to sleep, do normal and simple things such as picking up a spoon and it will make it difficult for you to do a lot of hobbies and exercise. To get the right treatment can be difficult because the cause of frozen shoulder is not always understood. Very often, clinicians will focus all efforts on the shoulder itself, however by following this approach means that trying to find the underlying cause becomes difficult. ...

Summer is unfortunately nearly over, at the end of the month the children are back to school. For most people this means pencils, notebook paper and mountains of textbooks. But sending your child to start, or return to school requires some homework from the parents. Here at Bedford Chiropractic Clinic, I endeavour to be both your chiropractor and educator. So here are some tips for a healthy start Back-To-School: Backpacks: An over-stuffed, incorrectly packed or worn backpack can result in a serious injury and affect young developing spines. How heavy is heavy? Even a backpack weighing 15 percent of a student’s body weight is too heavy to maintain a standing posture. This will cause undue stress on their young spines and can cause vertebral subluxations leading to postural changes and even scoliosis. Many of the current bags children are using may be fashionable, but unless they allow for even distribution across the back, they can cause pain. School can be a challen...

The knees experience pressure equal to approximately 3 times the body's weight when walking and approximately 5 times the body's weight when running. In other words, a person who weighs 150lbs puts about 750lbs of pressure on the knee when landing each running stride. Not surprisingly, the knee is the most frequently injured joint in runners and non-runners alike. Runner's knee: patellofemoral pain syndrome When people say they have "runner's knee," they are typically referring to patellofemoral pain syndrome. "Patella" means kneecap and "femur" means thighbone, so patellofemoral pain is pain that originates between the kneecap and thighbone. The pain is felt at the front of the knee, either under or around the edges of the kneecap. The root of patellofemoral pain can vary and may be difficult to identify. For example, the kneecap may not glide well along the groove in the femur (thighbone), or relatively weak hip muscles may ca...

Research Proves Every Headache is connected to the Neck Dr Sandhu helps many of people overcome  pain and suffering from headaches every day.  Spinal adjustments provide a healthy alternative to the use of drugs or surgery. Many people remain unaware of the alternative approach and benefits available through Chiropractic adjustments. These same people find themselves consuming  dangerous chemicals  to deal with painful symptoms rather than ever addressing the cause of headaches and other ailments. Today’s research reveals that the root cause of most headaches begins with understanding the characteristics simplifies the pursuit of  finding a solution. Brain tissue does not cause a headaches pain. The main culprit s of headache pain stems from changes in  muscle function ,  nerve receptors , and  blood vessels.  Humans never actually  feel  their actual brain. The lack of sensation explains why neurosurgeons operate on brain ti...

Low back pain might begin as acute due to an injury, but can become chronic. Managing pain appropriately at an early stage can help limit symptoms in both time and severity.   Pain is typically divided into three categories: acute, chronic, and neuropathic.  Common Symptoms of Lower Back Problems Specifically identifying and describing symptoms can help lead to a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Low back pain is typically characterized by a combination of the following symptoms: Dull, aching pain. Pain that remains within the low back (axial pain) is usually described as dull and aching rather than burning, stinging, or sharp. This kind of pain can be accompanied by mild or severe muscle spasms, limited mobility, and aches in the hips and pelvis. Pain that travels to the buttocks, legs, and feet. Sometimes low back pain includes a sharp, stinging, tingling or numb sensation that moves down the thighs and into the low legs and feet, ...

Summer is a time for swimming, travel, and get-togethers with family and friends. The last thing you want is for your back pain to throw a wrench into everything. Try these 6 suggestions to enjoy the great outdoors without the hassles: 1. Warm up first.  If you haven't been active lately, it's best to start gradually. Do some slow stretches or take a short walk before joining that basketball game or digging up those overgrown bushes you've been meaning to get to.  2. Make a splash.  Water's buoyancy is a boon for your back. It not only eases lower back compression, it allows greater range of motion without the risk of falling. Warm water has the added benefit of relieving stiffness and relaxing tight muscles, which can aggravate back pain. 3. Skip the flip-flops.  Flip-flops and flats offer little support, putting stress on your back. Sandals can be a better way to keep cool. Look for styles that hold your feet securely—no slipping from side to s...

Festival Info Orthothics

July sees the start of a summer of festivals across the UK and Europe. Ensure you are back pain free for the festivals season this summer. Appealing to young and old, they focus on food and other activities as well as music; something for everyone. If a festival is on your agenda for this summer, it is important to take care of your back so you can maximise the fun. Many festival-goers just go for the day and some will choose to camp overnight but all will be sitting or sleeping on hard surfaces, carrying bags/rucksacks and standing for hours on end.  Tim Hutchful, British Chiropractic Association (BCA) chiropractor, concludes that, although we all want to have fun, it is also important to remain level-headed and switched on to potential risks: “We all love the chance to let our hair down, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of our health. Simple things, such as remaining on the edge of a boisterous crowd or warming up slightly before dancing can help festival-goers to a...

Keep an eye on your spinal health News from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has revealed that over half the UK population is crooked. Don’t fret, we’re not accusing you of fiddling expenses or cooking any books, by crooked we mean out of alignment with poor posture and bad backs. The BCA say that in a survey of 5000 Brits the incidence of bad posture has risen to 56% of the UK population, up from 38%. Alarmed at the news we at  Men’s Health  sat up straight and phoned Tim Hutchful from The British Chiropractic Association, to find out how we can avoid joining the crooked crowd. Here’s his advice. Give your posture a sporting chance “Any unaccustomed exercise can put you at risk of back pain,” says Hutchful. You might only play a relaxed low-risk sport once a week but you still need to prepare yourself sufficiently – mentally and physically. “Warming up and warming down is essential to ensure that your joints and muscles don’t get a shock. Strong ab...