COVID-19 is the world health phenomenon we are still trying to wrap our collective heads around. While the days of lockdowns and COVID wards have ended, it seems the health crisis hasn’t, as our understanding of long COVID and the other impacts of such a wide-reaching crisis reveals itself in domains like mental health, economic…
Whether it’s skin care, brain health, aging, energy, or inflammation, the topic of antioxidants has made its way into modern health discussions in a big way. Sadly, we tend to talk a little less about what these anti-oxidants are fighting? What is the problem they seek to solve? And does the answer always need to…
There are a of myriad things for parents to consider as their kids reach adolescence. Alongside the sentimentality of how their childhood vanished so quickly, parents now have to consider social and internet safety, raging hormones, the elastic issue of independence and much more. One issue seems to disappear in the flurry of things that…
We love it when ordinary medical research backs what we’ve been saying for a long time. Chiropractors have long been caring for infants, using gentle and careful techniques, to support infants as they develop. Postural asymmetries are one major issue, seen when babies favour one side when they sleep or feed. This can often lead…
As chiropractors and chiropractic researchers increasingly turn their eyes to all matters paediatric and neurodevelopmental, it was only a matter of time before we landed at the big question: if chiropractic really helps kids, and if it really helps neurodevelopment, what about academic performance? While we are not yet at the stage where we have…
It’s not a crossover we read about often: a dentist referring to a chiropractor when they’ve reached an impasse with a patient. Yet, as both paradigms deal with jaw musculature and pain, it may be one worth exploring. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ, at the side of the jaw near the ear) and craniomandibular (further up towards…
The issue of neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood is an emotive issue, as parents often feel overwhelmed by the demands and opinions surrounding their child’s reality. While this is the last place judgment should be directed, it is sadly a place where judgment is often felt. While we don’t know the causes behind things like Autism…
Those of us who have been in or around chiropractic circles for long know that we are a drug-free, surgery-free health modality. We check and adjust subluxations, knowing that the body is a self-healing, self-regulating system that knows how to do the rest. With all that said, we know when to cross-refer when a patient…
Paediatric chiropractic has long been a complicated but important item on the to-do list. While academics grapple with the ethics requirements necessary to gain approval for paediatric studies, chiropractors grapple with the ethics of not having enough paediatric studies to adequately argue the case for continuing to serve our tiniest practice members. While Australia, and…
Neck pain is a monster we know well in the world of chiropractic. Long before a person understands or experiences the power of chiropractic for the broader aspects of health, neck pain is up there with back pain as a highly visible benefit of chiropractic care. It is, of course, the fourth highest cause of…
The new year is the time for taking stock and evaluating the systems that we have in place. One such system that may need a refresh is that of the practice member experience. The trust between patient and health practitioner, often referred to as the therapeutic alliance, can have a significant impact on how a…
As February rolls around and the New Year ramps up to full swing, it is a good time to look ahead to the year to come at the Australian Spinal Research Foundation. 2024 was a big year behind the scenes, as we continued to increase the amount and visibility of valuable chiropractic research. This work…
The ASRF has had a very productive year, focusing on funding research, expanding our global reach and providing members with valuable resources. Recently, Clare spent some time chatting with ASRF board President, Dr. Ryan Seaman as he reflected on 2024. “We started another year by funding more research, as we do every year. We’ve done…
It’s long been said that chiropractic isn’t a treatment modality but a care modality – that is, we care for the nervous system and let the body to the rest. What happens when we check and adjust subluxations is increasingly being supported and explained by important clinical and research studies. Still, case report data plays…
When it comes to babies, we know that ‘fed is best.’ But with this said, breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for both mother and child. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months are associated with improved immunity, reduced risk of infections, and long-term health benefits for infants. Additionally, breastfeeding has been linked…
It’s always an exciting thing when we see a new study emerge from the research rockstars at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, and even more so when the study in question impacts directly on a burgeoning area of interest for us here at the Australian Spinal Research Foundation – that is quality of life…
When it comes to quality of life, very few things rate as highly and as regularly as that of sleep and energy. Ask any child what it means to be an adult, and they’ll likely tell you, “It means you’re tired.” While that might be common, it’s not physiologically normal. But, the factors that make…
While Spring is a beautiful season filled with brighter sunshine and blooming flowers that boost our mood and energy, for many people suffering from allergies, the seasonal change can significantly impact their quality of life. Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance- allergens such as pollen, mould, dust mites, animal dander…
