​Central Sensitisation Syndrome (CSS) is a condition where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain stimuli, leading to chronic pain that persists even after an injury has healed. This heightened sensitivity occurs due to changes in the brain and spinal cord, making normal sensations feel painful and amplifying discomfort. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, and chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome etc, are often linked to central sensitisation.(1) Symptoms include widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating, commonly known as "brain fog."
Managing CSS requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the nervous system's hypersensitivity and overall well-being. Lifestyle modifications, stress management, physical therapy, and tailored pain management strategies are key components of treatment. Many CSS sufferers and medical professionals focus on the “pain” itself, however, are yet to address the biological, phycological and social factors that are in play. Research has found biophychosocial factors are a significant influence in people living with chronic pain.(1) For example, CSS sufferers with poor sleep, socially unsupported, unstable income etc, are likely to experience greater amounts of disability compared to those more supported.
 
How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Chronic Pain
Chiropractic care can be a valuable tool in managing chronic pain associated with central sensitisation. Soft tissue techniques, spinal manipulations, acupuncture, aerobic exercises are some of the key component that are proved to be effective in managing chronic pain.(2, 3) On top of that, stress reduction techniques can be a crucial part for ones healing journey. Have a chat to one of our chiropractors in sprouting health and see how we can help manage your concerns with our variety of different techniques we offer. 

 
Reference

1.         Adams LM, Turk DC. Psychosocial factors and central sensitivity syndromes. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2015;11(2):96-108.
2.         Schneider M, Vernon H, Ko G, Lawson G, Perera J. Chiropractic Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2009;32(1):25-40.
3.         Vernon H, Schneider M. Chiropractic Management of Myofascial Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2009;32(1):14-24.

​Your Body is intelligent! Do you agree with this? It is true always. Full Stop.
To put it simply, the body-mind-spirit is innately (existing from birth) intelligent, is self healing and self regulating and thus always responds in the most appropriate way. Eg your skin knows how to heal from a cut.
 
The intelligence of the body-mind-spirit is perfect, it is only when we interfere with it, or fail to supply it with the required nutrients, appropriate stress, and movement that illness results. Illness also results when we have toxicity in our diet.
 
Symptoms and “diseases” are simply signs that the intelligence of the body-mind-spirit is under stress and is being forced to try to adapt. Symptoms and illnesses are not indications that the body-mind-spirit is inherently prone to failures; they are signs that we are failing to provide the proper environment to support it.
The goal of wellness interventions then is to support, or to stop chronic interferences and stresses to, the perfect intelligence of the body-mind-spirit so that the normal state of homeostasis and health can be restored or maintained. This is the first premise of TRUE health.
 
3 Short steps to getting healthy:
 

1. Eat natural unprocessed foods. The closer to natural is better. You don’t have to take out all of the fun, just add more healthy choices.
2. Move. Exercise at least three times per week for half an hour at a time. Just start with a 5 minute walk. Your body will soon be enjoying it and prompting you to do more. Movement reduces stress, this is proven.
3. Get your nervous system checked. The nerves control EVERYTHING. We have seen lots of babies, children and adults and have helped manage lots of different ailments.

 
When you provide your body with the right movement, foods and appropriate amount of rest and stress you can thrive. Get in for a thorough check over in all of these aspects at Sprouting Health.

The health and wellbeing of children today is showing some alarming areas of decline and is becoming a bit of a concern (1). Along with this, it is seen that there is an increasing number of neurodevelopmental disorders seen in school aged children, which may be associated with this decline (2). Do you have a loved one who’s not the best with their overall health and wellbeing, affecting their quality of life? This important article can make the world of difference to you.
 
“Data from the US National Survey of Children’s health from 2016 to 2020, showed an increase in rates of anxiety, depression, behavioural disorders and obesity. It also showed declining rates of preventative medical visits, daily physical activity, and decline in parents mental health.” (1)
 
Neurodevelopmental disorders covers conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyslexia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysphonia, Tourette syndrome, synaesthesia, and other distinctions in behaviour and neurobiology (2). It is currently estimated that it affects around 15% of school aged children, with ADHD having a prevalence of around 5-11% (2). It has been increasing over the last decade, with the prevalence of ADHD being 8% in 2011/12, and current data from a 2022/23 National Survey of Children’s Health showing 10.5% of the population age 3-17 years in the US have ADD or ADHD (3). In Australia, around 1 in every 20 Australians has ADHD, and more than 3 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD in childhood still have symptoms as an adult (4).
 
Conditions of neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with several health and wellbeing difficulties, including poor sleep, poor school performance, gross motor function deficits, musculoskeletal pain, headaches, digestive issues and other physical complaints (5-9). Can chiropractic help with supporting children who are affected by these conditions?
 
In a recent research literature, a retrospective review of case records of school-aged children receiving chiropractic care was done. The sample of cases were children aged 5-18 years attending a public school in the US. The children were offered chiropractic care if they were identified by teachers/educators as having a neurodevelopmental disorder, or if it was requested by the child’s caregiver due to musculoskeletal and/or other health complaints, and were assessed and screened for eligibility to receive chiropractic care by the chiropractors providing the care. In this review, children who received chiropractic care found significant improvements in several areas, mainly in the health and activity domain and the overall score of the paediatrics quality of life questionnaire, which reflects enhanced self-reported quality of life related to health and activities (10). Though more research would be needed to further substantiate these findings as this case series only involved 180 children, early findings indicate positive influence of chiropractic care in supporting the health and wellbeing of children with these conditions.
 
So if you want to find out if chiropractic care may help improve the overall quality of life for you or your loved ones, have a chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.

“Childhood is a period of huge growth and development so it’s important to help support children to maximise their quality of life in this sensitive period”
 
 
 
 
1. Lebrun-Harris, L.A., Ghandour, R.M., Kogan, M.D. and Warren, M.D., 2022. Five-year trends in US children’s health and well-being, 2016-2020. JAMA pediatrics, 176(7), pp.e220056-e220056.
2. Francés, L., Quintero, J., Fernández, A., Ruiz, A., Caules, J., Fillon, G., Hervás, A. and Soler, C.V., 2022. Current state of knowledge on the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood according to the DSM-5: a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA criteria. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 16(1), p.27.
3. Initiative, T.C.A.H.a.M. 2024. Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health.
4. Australia, H., 2024. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).3. Boivin, M.J., Kakooza, A.M., Warf, B.C., Davidson, L.L. and Grigorenko, E.L., 2015. Reducing neurodevelopmental disorders and disability through research and interventions. Nature, 527(7578), pp.S155-S160.
5. Gnanavel, S., Sharma, P., Kaushal, P. and Hussain, S., 2019. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbidity: A review of literature. World journal of clinical cases, 7(17), p.2420.
6. Landgren, V., Svensson, L., Törnhage, C.J., Theodosious, M., Gillberg, C., Johnson, M., Knez, R. and Landgren, M., 2024. Neurodevelopmental problems, general health and academic achievements in a school‐based cohort of 11‐year‐old Swedish children. Acta Paediatrica, 113(3), pp.506-516.
7. King-Dowling, S., Proudfoot, N.A. and Obeid, J., 2019. Comorbidity among chronic physical health conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 6, pp.248-258.
8. Blackmer, A.B. and Feinstein, J.A., 2016. Management of sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: a review. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 36(1), pp.84-98.
9. Alabaf, S., Gillberg, C., Lundström, S., Lichtenstein, P., Kerekes, N., Råstam, M. and Anckarsäter, H., 2019. Physical health in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, pp.83-95.
10. Duehr, J., Cook, L., Blonigen, A., Cade, A., Glucina, T., Buerger, M., Sullivan, S., Perez, T., Navid, M.S., Niazi, I.K. and Haavik, H., 2025. Retrospective review of case records of school-aged children receiving chiropractic care. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.

Did you know that 50-70% of pregnant women experience low back or pelvic pain? While this discomfort is common, it doesn’t have to disrupt your daily life. Let’s explore its causes and effective ways to manage it.
Understanding the Causes

• Previous Back Pain – A history of back pain increases your chances of experiencing it during pregnancy.
• Hormonal Changes – The hormone relaxin (peaks at end of first trimester) softens ligaments, making joints more flexible but also less stable, often increasing discomfort.
• Postural Shifts – As your baby grows, your centre of gravity changes, affecting posture and leading to pain in the pelvis, legs, and even the neck and jaw.
• Daily Habits – Prolonged sitting, poor posture, and frequent bending or lifting (like picking up a toddler) can strain your back.
• Stress & Sleep – Emotional and physical stress can amplify pain, while poor sleep hinders recovery and lowers your serotonin and dopamine predisposing you to feeling more pain and tiredness.
• Hydration, electrolytes & Nutrition – Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet reduces inflammation and supports healing.

 
How Chiropractic care can help
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is an effective way to:
✔ Relieve back, neck, hip, and joint pain.
✔ Improve posture and spinal alignment.
✔ Address and help manage symptoms like nausea, swelling, and indigestion.
Research also suggests chiropractic care may improve pregnancy outcomes, including reducing labor duration and creating more space for your baby to grow.
The Bottom Line
Pregnancy is a transformative journey—while back pain may be part of it, it doesn’t have to take over. With the right strategies and support, you can stay comfortable and focus on the excitement of bringing new life into the world.
For specific, tailored care, consider visiting Sprouting Health Chiropractic. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Some Daily strategies for relief

• Professional Support – Prenatal-trained Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help manage pain. Chiropractors use, pregnancy-specific techniques for spinal alignment and overall well-being.
• Exercise & Movement – Gentle activities like pregnancy yoga, Pilates, and water walking strengthen core muscles and improve mobility. Modify existing workouts as needed.
• Daily Adjustments
  • Squat instead of bending to lift objects.
  • Use a chair when picking up your toddler—let them climb onto your lap before standing.
  • Try an exercise ball to relieve lower back tension.
  • Wear supportive shoes and consider a pregnancy support belt.
  • Delegate heavy lifting or prolonged standing tasks when possible.
• Prioritise Rest – Sleep on your left side with a pillow between your knees. Take breaks throughout the day to reduce strain. Consider doing NSDR (Non-sleep Deep Rest) or Yoga Nidra practices throughout the day.

 
References
[1] Beliveau PJH, Wong JJ, Sutton DA, et al. The chiropractic profession: A scoping review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2017.
[2] Alcantara J, Nazarenko AL, Ohm J. Patient outcomes under chiropractic care using the Webster Technique. J Altern Complement Med. 2018.
[3] Borggren CL. Pregnancy and chiropractic: A narrative review. J Chiropr Med. 2007.
[4] Higginbottom MC, Jones KL, James HE. Intrauterine constraint and craniosynostosis. Neurosurgery. 1980.

Brain Function and Chiropractic Care

There are different ways to measure brain function in a lab setting, but there is no need to be fancy because we can get a basic understanding of how well your brain functions based on day-to-day activities.
Perhaps you notice you’re not as “sharp”, feeling “foggy”, “blanking” easily? You’re experiencing a reduced mental performance, clarity and acuity.
Perhaps you notice you’re not as strong, a bit more clumsy, falls easily? You’re experiencing a loss of motor function and reduced proprioception (ability to sense body position in space).
All the above is not just because of “aging”, but a reduction in the speed and efficiency of the communication between the brain and the body. And guess what is the main pathway between the brain and body? The spine! And of course, Chiropractic can help with maintaining your brain “speed” and overall function.
Hawkes (2024) reported an improvement in memory and recollection with a resolution of recurrent thigh pain with Chiropractic care. Patient reported Chiropractic care as “life-changing” upon improvement in mental clarity (Steinberg, 2023)
Reaction times and cerebellar function were noticeably improved following spinal adjustment on patients with subclinical neck pain (Daligadu, 2013). Complex reaction time tasks were significantly improved following Chiropractic care, specifically after upper cervical adjustment (Kelly, 2000). Overall improvement on sensorimotor function was improved following Chiropractic care in groups of older adults (Holt, 2016).
Finally, a case study reported that Chiropractic care seemed to improve brain fog in individuals experiencing mental health difficulties (Masarsky, 2024). These are all amazing results as as always we would love to have more research, these early indicators are extremely positive results!
If you’re interested in staying as “sharp” as ever and having the capacity to “play”, enjoying the time well spent with your loved ones, consider Chiropractic. Give us a call, send us a message and book an appointment with us. We’d love to look after you.
 
​

1. Hawkes D, Postlethwaite R, McIvor C. Decreased thigh pain and increased mental acuity and physical performance in a 26-year-old male under Chiropractic care: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2024;4.4.
2. Steinberg B, Clodgo-Gorden K, Postlethwaite R, McIvor C. Improved mental clarity, balance, and digestive function, and normalised gait in 63-year-old female under chiropractic care: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2023;4.2
3. Daligadu J, Haavik H, Yielder PC, Baarbe J, Murphy B. Alterations in cortical and cerebellar motor processing in subclinical neck pain patients following spinal manipulation. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2013 Oct 1;36(8):527-37.
4. Holt KR, Haavik H, Lee AC, Murphy B, Elley CR. Effectiveness of chiropractic care to improve sensorimotor function associated with falls risk in older people: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2016 May 1;39(4):267-78.
5. Masarsky CS, Todres-Masarsky M. Long COVID Fatigue, Depression, ‘Brain Fog’, and Subluxation: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2024;5.1.