New Year, New You

We’ve just been through that time of year again, our favourite time of the year. Christmas time.

For many of us, it’s that time where we finally take a much needed break. It’s hot, we are on holiday, and it’s so easy to over indulge in all the awesome food and drink. Our good habits and routines have gone out the window. Then the New Year hits, everyone is making their resolutions, and good health becomes a priority again. Decisions to exercise more, to eat better and drink less are common, but who actually thinks about making their spinal health a priority?

Why Should Spinal Health Be a Priority?

Your spine houses your nervous system, it protects it and it allows movement. Your nervous system literally controls everything in your body, your posture, your movements, your health. So, your spine really should be your number one priority if you are looking to improve your health.

Many common health problems including high blood pressure, breathing problems, digestive issues, sinus problems, and problems sleeping have all been linked to spinal misalignment. You may be battling with common chronic issues such as back pain, headaches, poor posture, and disc bulges that just never seem to get better. These are all commonly due to problems with the shape and alignment of your spine.

Most people tend to focus on their symptoms, and then lose sight of the bigger picture. They focus on removing these symptoms but not on fixing the cause of them.

I am quite honestly, frequently shocked and surprised by how many of our patients’ overall health improves so dramatically when they shift their focus onto spinal health and follow a Corrective Care plan.

A Major Cause of Poor Spinal Health.

After a much needed Christmas break, most of us are feeling relaxed and ready to take on the New Year. Then we go back to work, back to our routine, back to stress and for many of us back to sitting all day. One of the major causes of an unhealthy spine is the amount of time we spend at our desks. Health experts now rate sitting as worse for your health than smoking!

Combine the sitting with deadlines, increased stress, travel to and from work, time spent on our phones and it’s only inevitable that our spines will suffer

What Can You Do to Improve Your Spinal Health?

The first thing I recommend is having a thorough spinal health assessment. At Align Corrective Chiropractic, we use digital posture photography and digital spinal X-rays to accurately assess and measure the shape of your spine. We also perform a number of Neurological/Orthopaedic and Chiropractic tests. These help us to determine how well you are functioning.

Should we find any issues that can be improved with Chiropractic, we will put together a specific Corrective Care plan to correct these issues.  You may just be surprised by how your spine is impacting your health. You may be even more surprised by just how good you feel when you shift your focus onto improving your spinal health.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, or if you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor who focuses on health then please give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

“The Best Chiropractor in Durban?”

“I am looking for the best Chiropractor in Durban.”

This was the response I received when asking a recent new patient what brought him to Align Corrective Chiropractic. A number of questions entered my mind and I immediately felt the pressure rise. What exactly did he mean by “best Chiropractor in Durban” and could our practice live up to this expectation?

In exploring his case further, it became apparent that he had seen Chiropractors for lower back pain previously. He had actually spent the last 20 years consulting with a number of different practitioners, looking for lower back pain relief. Generally he would find it, but he seemed to be stuck in a cycle.

Pain – Relief – Pain.

So what was different this time around?

Well, his circumstances had changed, he had recently retired. This period of his life, that he had been looking forward to for so long, was just not living up to his expectations. His lower back pain had become restrictive, it was preventing the most basic activities from being achieved.

It was stopping him from doing the things that he enjoyed.

In my experience, people tend to put up with all sorts of pains and health problems until they get in the way of their joy. It’s usually at this point that they will find the motivation to do something different.

He had reached that point.

He didn’t just want the “quick fix” he was used to. What he really wanted was to be able to move better, to perform basic activities with ease, and most of all…

To have the good health needed to enjoy his retirement.

Could only the best Chiropractor in Durban help?

He wasn’t really looking for “the best Chiropractor in Durban”, he was just looking for someone who would look at the bigger picture. To take a different approach to what he had been used to all these years.

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone had this approach from the very beginning? To not focus on just removing the symptoms, but to correct the cause of the symptoms.

To focus on health.

That is exactly what we do at Align Corrective Chiropractic. We focus on Spinal Health.

We take a holistic structural approach to the health of your spine. A variety of tests including X-Rays and posture pictures are used to assess your spine. Once we know where your misalignment’s are, we can help you correct them.

Your whole spine. Not just the area that is sore.

If you are looking for a different approach to your health problems then give us call on 031 562 9180 or email us at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za
Click here to read how Corrective Chiropractic Care can improve your health.

Can Corrective Chiropractic Care Improve Your Health?

Most people know to visit a Chiropractor for back pain and neck pain treatment, but did you know that Corrective Chiropractic Care may improve your health?

“What!”

“How does Corrective Chiropractic Care improve your health?” is the response we commonly receive.
It actually makes a lot of sense when you understand how the spine and nervous system works. Over the years we have had many, many people report improvements in their health, especially when following a Corrective Chiropractic Care plan.

How does Corrective Chiropractic Care improve your health?

Very simply, it’s our nervous system that keeps us alive, healthy and functioning the way we should. Any damage or irritation to the nervous system has the potential to impact our health. The shape of our spine plays a vital role in supporting and protecting our nervous system and Chiropractic is the best way to maintain the correct shape, alignment and movement of the spine.

It makes sense that a problem with our spine could impact our nervous system which in turn could have a negative impact on our health. This is actually the theory behind Chiropractic’s development in the 1890’s. The goal of Corrective Chiropractic Care is to structurally improve the shape of your spine to an ideal alignment. Ideal alignment results in less strain on your spine and nervous system, and therefore the greatest potential for your nervous system to function optimally.

Common signs of improved health.

At Align Corrective Chiropractic we frequently have patients tell us that as their posture improves, so does their sleeping habits and energy levels. Improvements with sinus problems, digestive issues and headaches are also frequently reported. Patients will often say that their general mood improves, and they feel more positive and in control of their health when following a Corrective Care plan. Chiropractic is so much more than just a treatment for lower back pain, it gives hope.

Will Corrective Chiropractic Care improve your health?

Every person is unique and therefore responds uniquely to Chiropractic Care. Some health improvements may be very obvious whereas others may be more subtle. Just imagine if something as basic as taking better care of your spine was the answer to your health problems.

We believe that a healthy well aligned spine is essential to good health. Our goal is to help every patient, regardless of their symptoms, maintain a healthy spine. We use the most up-to-date, researched Corrective technique to assess and correct each person’s spine to a more ideal shape; improving alignment, movement, flexibility and posture.

If you are looking for a Durban North Chiropractor to assess whether your spine is potentially impacting your health then please give us a call on 031 562 9180 or drop us an email at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Welcome Align Chiropractics New Front Desk Manager

Our regular patients may have noticed some changes at Align over the last couple of months. The most obvious change, Leigh’s belly! As we approached the end stages of the pregnancy, Leigh began handing over some of her responsibilities to Jeanette, so she could finally take some much-needed time off.

Meet Jeanette

If you haven’t met Jeanette yet, she is our new front desk manager. Over the last few months Leigh has been training her to take over the front desk duties while she takes her maternity leave. If you know Leigh you will know that she just loves meeting and greeting all of our patients, so I don’t think it will be long before she is back in the office. But for now she will be taking more of a behind-the-scenes approach at Align Corrective Chiropractic.

Much like Leigh, Jeanette also loves the patient interaction and is focused on maintaining a high level of customer service and assisting our patients in whichever ways she can. We asked Jeanette to give us a better idea of who she is and what she enjoys.

Jeanette’s Story

“I have been part of the Durban North Community since I was 5 years old. Most of my working career and passion is in the medical field. I had my own Assisted Lifestyle Centre, The Manor, in Glen Hills, from 2003 until 2015. This was a 24-hour Care Facility where I had the privilege of taking care of people with a wide variety of medical and physical needs.

I have worked in a medical practice before and joining the team at Align Corrective Chiropractic has been very exciting. It has opened a new avenue of knowledge for me regarding the up-to-date Chiropractic treatment that Dr Palmer offers. I am impressed with the Corrective Chiropractic approach that he uses, which he studied overseas, and I am overwhelmed at the positive outcomes I have seen in his patients, following a Corrective Care program.

The care and value that Align Chiropractic gives to their patients is key to my personal value, which is to continue to give back to the community.  This makes me very happy in my new appointment at Align Corrective Chiropractic.”

Please come visit and welcome Jeanette to Align Corrective Chiropractic. If you would like to book an appointment with a Corrective Durban Chiropractor, please give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email us at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Do I need a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Have you ever wondered what happens during a Chiropractic adjustment? Maybe you have seen or heard stories online and are apprehensive to get adjusted yourself. “Will it hurt?”, “Is it safe?” “Are you sure you won’t break my neck?” are just some of the questions we frequently receive. The following post will give you a better understanding of what a Chiropractic adjustment is, how it can make you feel amazing, and more importantly how it is essential in maintaining a healthy spine.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Quite simply, your spine functions and moves at its best when it is well aligned. When your spine loses its ideal alignment, it stiffens up and takes extra strain. This leads to dysfunction, pain and eventual wear and tear. An adjustment is a quick, specific thrust to the joint to increase movement and improve alignment. Sometimes an adjustment will make a clicking/popping noise. This is just a release of built-up pressure in the fluid surrounding the joint and usually feels very good. Patients often report feeling looser, less tight, and less pain after an adjustment.

Watch Dr Palmer demonstrate a few neck adjustments

Will one Chiropractic Adjustment fix my problem?

This totally depends on what your problem is and what your goals are. If you have a simple backache and your goal is purely relief, then it is quite possible that you will experience relief with just one adjustment. As a Durban Chiropractor I have had many patients feel a massive difference in both pain levels and range of motion, following their first adjustment. However if you don’t fix the underlying cause of your pain, the chances are that it will soon return.

If your goal is correction of poor posture/structure then this will not be possible with just one adjustment. When a patient comes to us for Corrective Chiropractic Care, we perform a very thorough assessment including neurological testing, posture pics and spinal X-Rays. With this information we are able to determine where the structural misalignment’s are and what we need to do to fix them. Appropriate Chiropractic Adjustments are an essential component of our Corrective program. Click here to read why we generally recommend Corrective Chiropractic Care over short term relief care.

Why are Chiropractic Adjustments essential in keeping my spine healthy?

Very simply, when your spine becomes misaligned, it cannot move as efficiently as it should. Movement is what pushes nutrients into the discs and keeps them healthy. Without proper movement your joints and discs will eventually take more strain and wear out. This leads to extra bone formation, causing further stiffening of the joints. As your spine progressively degenerates it becomes more prone to nerve compression, injury and has a greater overall negative impact on your health. An adjustment is the best way to keep the individual joints moving properly, and a Corrective Care program is the best way to get your spine into the ideal alignment.

If you want a healthy spine and are looking for an experienced Durban Chiropractor to develop a Corrective Care program specifically for you, then please give Align Corrective Chiropractic a call on 031 562 9180.

Do you have a short leg?

Have you ever had a Chiropractor tell you that you have a short leg (leg length inequality)? Maybe this came as a complete shock, or maybe you already knew that something wasn’t quite right. Either way, if this is you, then you are not alone. As a Durban Chiropractor, this is a fairly common sign that I see in practice. In fact, one research study estimated that about 50% of the population had uneven leg lengths, and that a short leg could be a significant cause of chronic lower back pain.¹ Leg length inequality has also been linked to hip, knee and leg pain, and if left over a long period of time, can lead to degenerative changes of the spine, hips and knees.

Your short leg could be the cause of both your pain and degenerative changes!

It is therefore extremely important that we properly assess for leg length inequality and provide appropriate interventions to correct it.  The good news is, this can often be corrected with the use of a heel lift, but before we get to that, lets discuss what a short leg actually is.

What is a short leg?

A short leg can be considered either anatomical or functional.

Simply put, an anatomical short leg is due to a difference in the length of the structures of the leg between the right and left side. This could be due to a number of reasons including birth defects, traumas to the leg, surgeries or asymmetrical growth. This type of leg length inequality is best corrected with a heel lift.

A functional short leg is due to a difference in the alignment of the structures of the leg between the right and left side, and is often due to pronation of the ankle or foot (Flat foot). This type of leg length inequality is best corrected with appropriate Chiropractic adjustments and orthotics.

Sometimes a patient will have a combination of both an anatomical and a functional short leg.

How do we tell if you have a short leg?

Our medical history-taking will often reveal clues that you have uneven leg lengths. A patient might mention that they walk with a limp or that their pelvis feels imbalanced. They may have had a history of trauma, surgery or disease that has affected their legs. Chronic lower back pains, knee and hip problems may all point towards a leg length inequality. A lot of our patients have actually been told by a health care practitioner previously that they have a short leg, but nothing was done to correct it.

A good postural examination, looking closely at the alignment of the feet, ankles and knees may reveal a short leg. A simple test of observing the patient lying flat often shows signs of leg length inequality.

The best way to determine a short leg and to measure it appropriately is through X-rays. We take specific X-rays of your lower back and pelvis from the front and side. Precise measurements are then taken using the Sacral Base Unleveling and Femur Head Unleveling Techniques to determine exactly how much shorter your leg is.

How does your Align Corrective Chiropractor in Durban fix an anatomical short leg?

Once we know exactly how much shorter your leg is, we can pick an appropriate sized lift for you. We use specifically sized lifts, imported from the USA.

We then have you stand on the lift and take the same X-ray again. With these X-rays we can visualise exactly what effect the lift is having on your leg length and pelvic alignment. Once we know which size lift will create the best results, we then quite simply have you insert the lift in your shoe. Whenever you wear the lift, it will help to keep your pelvis aligned and well balanced.

Many of our patients have been told that they have a short leg, but unfortunately nothing was done to correct it. If you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor who can assess and correct your short leg, then give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email Align Corrective Chiropractic on reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Reference:

¹Friberg, Ora. “Clinical symptoms and biomechanics of lumbar spine and hip joint in leg length inequality”  Spine 1983

7 Tips to Make the Most of Your First Chiropractic Adjustment.

So you have just had your first Chiropractic adjustment, you are feeling great and you want to stay that way. Here are seven tips to help you make the most of your first Chiropractic adjustment. Remember that these are general tips; always follow the guidance or suggestions of your Chiropractor.

1. Avoid self-clicking after your first Chiropractic adjustment.

If you have the bad habit of clicking your own back or neck, try your hardest to avoid it. You will want to give your spine time to settle in the new adjusted position. Click here to read more about self-clicking.

2. Avoid strenuous activity.

We recommend that you avoid any heavy or strenuous activity for at least a few hours after your first adjustment. In some cases you may need to avoid it for a few days to weeks depending on your condition.

3. Continue with whatever is helping.

In general, if you find something helps to ease the pain, do more of that. If you find a certain position/movement or activity aggravates the pain then try to avoid it

4. Stay active / Keep moving.

In general, its best to try stay active after an adjustment. Go for a short light walk or do some stretches. Avoid sitting for long periods, especially avoid sitting in a slouched or awkward position.

5. Use an ice pack.

If you are feeling stiff and sore after your adjustment, we recommend using an ice pack on the area. This helps promote pain relief and is also a natural anti-inflammatory

6. Stay hydrated.

It is a good idea to drink lots of water after your Chiropractic adjustments. Your discs are constructed largely of water, and they are prone to dehydration and wearing out. This can often lead to pain. Increasing your water intake helps to keep the discs hydrated

7. Sleeping habits.

Make sure that your mattress is firm and not sagging. Ideally replace old or worn out mattresses. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this twists the spine. Your pillow height should support your head so your spine is in a straight line when lying on your side. Speak to us if you need help with a new mattress or pillow.

 What to expect after your first Chiropractic adjustment.

Many of our patients are quite surprised by how gentle their first adjustments are. The bigger surprise comes when they realise just how effective the adjustments can be. I have had patients report feeling 100% better after their first Chiropractic adjustment, however this is not always the case.

In my experience, I have seen many patients that required a few visits before they started to feel an improvement. Some may have even felt a little sore or achey after their first few adjustments. Remember that everyone is different and individual responses may vary. Sometimes we are dealing with problems that have been building up for many years. There may be degenerative changes, poor posture and many other complex issues involved.

The most important thing to remember is that healing and structural correction takes time. Hopefully your Chiropractor has managed to find the cause of your problem, and has developed an appropriate plan to help you fix it.

If you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor who takes a thorough, structural approach to finding the cause of your problems, then give Align Corrective Chiropractic a call on 031 562 9180.

6 Tips For a Great First Chiropractic Visit

So you have booked your first Chiropractic visit and now you want to show up as prepared as possible. Firstly, well done for taking this step, I am a firm believer that Chiropractic has the potential to change your health forever. Here are six simple tips to help you make the most of your first Chiropractic visit.

1. Clothing

For the first visit to your Chiropractor, your best choice is to wear simple, comfortable clothing. Think gym wear or active wear. Mini-skirts, skinny jeans or stilettos are not always ideal. Most Chiropractors will have a change of clothes/gowns that you can use. So if you don’t get a chance to change into something more comfortable, just come as you are.

Your Chiropractor may ask you to perform certain movements to observe your range of motion. They will most likely also want to take a good look at your posture. So form fitting clothes that allow good movement are ideal. Anything too baggy or loose fitting may mask your movements or postural pattern.

Try to keep your jewellery and accessories to a minimum. These may get in the way, and if X-rays are needed, you will need to take them all off anyway.

2. Prepare your medical history

Your Chiropractor will want a full understanding of your health status. They will most likely ask you about your medical history, even going back as far as your childhood. They may base their questions/exams/treatment largely on what you tell them. Take a few minutes before your appointment to make mental notes of any previous accidents, surgeries or health concerns that you may have had.

Try to keep your answers short and to the point. Make sure your Chiropractor gets all the important information that they need to fully assess your condition. “It is great when a patient can answer all the relevant questions with appropriate information.”

3. Previous tests

If you have had any previous tests such as X-rays, MRIs or blood tests, please bring these results with you. They will not only give your Chiropractor more information, but may prevent the need for further testing. Your Chiropractor may make use of these test results in developing your treatment plan. If you don’t have access to your previous tests, then don’t worry, your Chiropractor will be able to refer you for any tests that are necessary. At Align Corrective Chiropractic we have our own digital X-ray equipment on site. We are able to take quick, efficient X-rays if need be.

4. Medication

Make a list of all the medications that you are currently taking. Many medications have side-effects. These could potentially be related to your current lower back pain, neck pain or headaches. Your medications also give a good idea of your current health status.

Try not to load up on anti-inflammatories and pain killers just before your first visit. These can potentially skew the results of any orthopaedic tests that your Chiropractor may want to perform.

5. Punctual

Try arrive at your appointment a few minutes early. This will give you enough time to relax and complete any required paper work. Chiropractors try their best to stick to a tight schedule. If you come late, your Chiropractor will either have to cut your visit short or keep the next patient waiting.

6. Payment

Are you aware of your Chiropractor’s charges and payment methods before your appointment? Many Chiropractors require you to settle up front. Bring cash or your card, so that you can take care of your appointment there and then. Your Chiropractor may then provide you with a statement so that you can claim back from your medical aid. Should you need to contact your medical aid to find out if Chiropractic is covered, please do this before your appointment.

Well done on taking the first steps to sorting out your health problems. Your Chiropractor wants to help and wants the best for you.  Follow these six tips to make the most of your first Chiropractic visit.

If you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor and would like to book a visit at Align Corrective Chiropractic please give us a call on 031 562 9180.

Why We Take Spinal X-Rays

So you have just had your first consult at Align Corrective Chiropractic and a set of Spinal X-rays were taken. You are probably wondering what it all means. Why do we take Spinal X-rays, what are we looking for and how will our findings impact your chiropractic care? These questions will all be answered in this blog post so keep reading!

The first thing we want to determine, when looking at your Spinal X-rays is, are there any signs of serious conditions or red flags that would prevent us from starting chiropractic care?  Things like Cancer, serious spinal disease and trauma (even though they are uncommon) do occur and have to be treated with caution. I believe that Spinal X-rays are extremely valuable as they often show us what we otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.

Once we have determined that chiropractic care is safe and the right choice for you, the next step is to analyse your spine.

Ideal Spinal Alignment

The first thing we look at is the alignment or shape of your spine. Each region of your spine has an ideal shape and alignment. For the purposes of this blog post I will be using the neck as an example.  The research indicates that your spine functions best when it is in the ideal alignment*.   A loss of the ideal alignment can lead to pain, dysfunction and eventual arthritic (wear and tear) changes. The following is a lateral neck X-ray (which means we are looking at the neck from the side). The ideal curve is demonstrated with the green curved line. Each vertebrae from C1-C7 lines up with this green curve.

This is what our necks should look like, and any significant deviation from this ideal should be addressed. We are also able to take specific measurements – the angle between each pair of vertebrae, the overall angle of your neck and the amount of forward head posture. Each measurement helps us give you the specific care that you need.

Misalignment

The following is an example of a neck that has lost it’s ideal alignment. You can see the vertebrae (red lines) are actually bending the opposite way to the Ideal curve (green line). This is often referred to as a ‘loss of lordosis’. This increases the strain on the neck significantly and can result in a number of problems. This patient in particular had been experiencing frequent upper back/neck pain and headaches since childhood. He experienced symptom relief after his first Chiropractic adjustment, however this does not mean that the problem was fixed. It will take time, consistency and effort to change the shape of his spine.

We are able to edit your X-rays too, with the same green and red lines to show you exactly how close, or far, your spine is from the ideal alignment. We will also take specific measurements which will be compared to the ideal. This gives us tangible, objective information that we can reassess in the future.

Ideal Spinal Bone Structure

The second thing we assess is the bony structures of your spine. Your vertebrae (with a few exceptions) should generally look like uniform square blocks stacked one on top of the other, as shown in the neck X-ray below.

Certain diseases and trauma can change the shape of your bones. When your spine loses its ideal shape/alignment, extra strain is placed on the spinal structures which can result in wear and tear (arthritis) to these structures. A common sign of this is a change in the bony shape of the vertebrae. The vertebrae may become flattened or irregularly shaped. You may also see bone spurs, which are small outgrowths of extra bone. Your spinal joints are designed to move, so any change to the shape of the bone, or extra bone growth can restrict normal motion. This results in further degenerative changes. Take note of the changes to the shape of the vertebrae and the multiple bone spurs in the X-ray below.

Ideal Spinal Soft Tissue and Cartilage

Next we will want to take a look at your disc spaces. Your discs should look like dark, thick rectangular spaces between the vertebral bodies. Changes to this shape or space often indicate degenerative changes to the discs. MRI scans are often used to confirm disc disease/degeneration. In the below X-ray we have outlined each disc in yellow.

In the following example, you can see that the disc spaces are substantially thinner than what they should be. This, combined with the change of shape of the vertebral bodies and the bone spurs, all point to severe degenerative changes. Take note of the shape of the neck, it has lost its normal C-shaped curve (Cervical Lordosis) and has developed a reverse curve (Cervical Kyphosis). This causes a huge increase of strain on the lower half of the neck (C4/C5/C6/C7) and this is most likely the cause of the degenerative changes.

Many people think that degenerative changes happen due to old age. If this was the case, then every vertebra would be degenerated equally. The research indicates that the degenerative changes occur in the structures that are under the most strain. By correcting the shape of the neck to the normal curve (lordosis) we can remove the extra strain on the degenerative area and possibly prevent the degeneration from getting worse.

How Will Your Spinal X-rays Impact Your Chiropractic Care?

So now that we have assessed your X-rays, we have much more insight into your spinal structures. Our measurements give us a goal to work towards. They show us where your spine is not ideally aligned and enable us to tailor a specific treatment plan to correct these misalignments. We will show you your spinal X-rays at your next report visit. We will give you feedback on how healthy your spine is. Are there any degenerative changes? Any signs of a more serious problem? We will discuss your alignment/measurements and explain your options. With this in mind you can then make an educated decision on how to keep your spine healthy and in the best possible alignment.

The following picture from this interesting research study demonstrates how a neck that is too curved, not curved enough or even reverse curved can all result in the same forward head posture. This is why we recommend taking Spinal X-Rays and not only relying on posture pictures. In my opinion if you are looking to improve your posture or make a structural correction it is imperative that we have an up-to-date set of Spinal X-rays.

If you would like to book your assessment at Align Corrective Chiropractic, you can give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

*We use systems developed by CBP (Chiropractic Biophysics) to analyse and assess our spinal X-rays. CBP is the most researched technique in Chiropractic and in my opinion, is the best structural/corrective technique available to Chiropractors today. More information and research can be found at http://cbpnonprofit.com/publications/

To view a short clip on why we take Spinal X-Rays, click on the link below.

Chiropractic Posture Assessment.

All of our new patients receive a chiropractic posture assessment at Align Corrective Chiropractic. Why? Because we believe that good posture is such a vitally important aspect of good health and vitality that we just can’t ignore it. How we stand, sit, sleep and move on a day to day basis, impacts us in ways that we don’t even realise. Research has shown that poor posture can affect our moods, circulation, digestion and breathing. It can also cause a host of other health issues, and is very commonly the cause of our aches and pains. Many of our patients have battled for years with a variety of health issues but have never had their posture assessed. We are here to change that.

Do you need a Chiropractic Posture Assessment?

Is your posture a problem?  You can start off with this simple self-assessment. When assessing your posture, it is very important that you stand in your most comfortable, relaxed posture. Do not try to force an unnatural posture, as this will give a false reading.

If you pick up on any postural abnormalities then we would highly recommend a thorough posture assessment performed by a Corrective Chiropractor.

Once we have a good understanding of your postural pattern, we will want to investigate it further. We perform a variety of orthopaedic tests to assess your joints, movements and range of motion.  Neurological tests are done to determine if there is nerve involvement and Chiropractic tests to determine if Corrective Chiropractic is the best choice for you.

Do I need X-Rays to assess my posture?

One big thing that separates us from many other Durban Chiropractors is that we have our own on-site digital X-ray equipment. We take spinal X-Rays to give us more insight into why you have the postural pattern that you do. Is there spinal degeneration? Underlying disease? We are able to assess the health of your spine and take precise spinal measurements.

We then give you feedback on how close, or far, your spine is from the ideal alignment. With this in mind, we can develop a specific program to correct your spinal mis-alignments and improve your posture.

We take a structural approach, which means that we focus on fixing the problem at the cause. Most other postural techniques are functional. This involves functionally strengthening the muscles so that you can hold your posture better for longer. Unfortunately as soon as these muscles weaken or tire out your posture will worsen.

If you are looking for a thorough chiropractic posture assessment and a long term solution to your postural problems, please give us a call at Align Corrective Chiropractic on 031 562 9180.