Shoulder pain is such a common symptom and can make simple tasks very challenging for people. Our shoulders have many muscles, ligaments and joints being the potential cause. The good news is Chiropractic has been shown to decrease shoulder pain and improve range of motion.(1)
 
A 2009 study assessed the prevalence of shoulder pain in Chiropractic Practices in Australia. It showed that 12% of the total weekly patients had shoulder pain, with the major cause of symptoms related to overuse (32%).
The most prevalent working diagnosis of shoulder pain was:     
shoulder impingement syndrome (13%),
followed by impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendinosis (17%),
impingement syndrome without rotator cuff tendinosis (14%),
and chiropractic shoulder subluxation (12%).
 
The results suggest a moderate prevalence of shoulder pain in clinical practice with the most prevalent structure involved being the rotator cuff tendon. Most practitioners use a multimodal therapeutic treatment approach in managing disorders of the shoulder. Some methods to manage shoulder pain include manipulation (81%), peripheral joint manipulation (82%), and various soft tissue strategies used by 92% of practitioners. Rehabilitation strategies were also used by 89% of practitioners with a main emphasis placed on rotator cuff strengthening.(2)
 
Proprioceptive training and taping, nutritional counselling, and conditioning exercises are also vital for the tissues to heal. A 2001 study demonstrates that achieving functional and sport-specific activities after musculoskeletal trauma can be enhanced significantly if proprioception is addressed in the treatment program. The decreased frequency of instability occurrences in this case combined with the perceived improvement on the shoulder instability index suggest a gradual stabilization of the proprioceptive function of the shoulder.(3)
 
If you or you know anyone with shoulder pain, feel free to call us with any questions or to book an appointment!
 
 
REFERENCES
1. Hains G. Chiropractic management of shoulder pain and dysfunction of myofascial origin using ischemic compression techniques. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2002;46(3):192-200.
2. Pribicevic M, Pollard H, Bonello R. An Epidemiologic Survey of Shoulder Pain in Chiropractic Practice in Australia. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2009;32(2):107-17.
3. Moreau CE, Moreau SR. Chiropractic management of a professional hockey player with recurrent shoulder instability. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2001;24(6):425-30.

Having a leg length discrepancy or a “short leg” is quite common to hear when it comes to postural issues, low back pain or musculoskeletal conditions. However, is having a short leg bad?

A study in 2015 showed that 59% of people are affected by a leg length discrepancy of 5mm or more. However, only 99.9% of cases are classified at mild in severity because it is under 20mm. There is a range of studies that show having a leg length discrepancy is correlated with postural and functional changes in the pelvis, spine and lower limbs.

However, it remains controversial to what degree a leg length discrepancy has to be for it to be clinically significant.

Having a leg length discrepancy is a common condition that involves abnormal loading of the lower extremities and the low back. It can either be due to an anatomical or functional cause. This abnormal loading can be excessive, which can be a predisposing factor to osteoarthritis in the lower extremities and lumbar spinal joints.
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The literature has shown a link between a short leg and knee osteoarthritis but less of a link between short leg and hip osteoarthritis. There is little research on the relationship with short leg and osteoarthritis in the lumbar spinal joints or lumbar degeneration. This relationship is still in need of a thorough investigation.
If you feel like you have a short leg or worried that you do, come on down to Sprouting Health Chiropractic. We would love to see if we can help you out!
 

1. Giles LG. Lumbosacral facetal "joint angles' associated with leg length inequality. Rheumatol Rehabil. 1981 Nov;20(4):233-8. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/20.4.233. PMID: 6458081.
2. Golightly YM, Allen KD, Helmick CG, Renner JB, Jordan JM. Symptoms of the knee and hip in individuals with and without limb length inequality. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2009 May;17(5):596-600. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2008.11.005. Epub 2008 Nov 19. PMID: 19095470; PMCID: PMC4082183.
3. Murray KJ, Azari MF. Leg length discrepancy and osteoarthritis in the knee, hip and lumbar spine. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2015;59(3):226-237.
4. Solomon L. Patterns of osteoarthritis of the hip. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1976 May;58(2):176-83. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.58B2.932079. PMID: 932079.

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Australians are now much more aware of their health status than ever before and striving to be at their best health possible! A piece of very pleasing news came out two weeks ago, Australians’ consumption of alcohol has recorded a decrease and it is the lowest seen in 50 years!(1) While we are decreasing the intake of toxins, what essential nutrients should we include in our diet to ensure our musculoskeletal system works at its best?
 
Clinically, we often see injuries happen because of muscle dysfunction. Muscle dysfunction can be a result of a dysfunctional joint, weakened bone, malnutrition and many other factors. We would like to give you 5 simple but important nutrition tips to help improve muscle function and growth.
 
Water
Water is the medium to transport nutrients from your digestive system to the rest of your body! It is vital to keep your system hydrated!
 
Electrolytes
Certain essential minerals such as sodium, calcium, potassium are required when muscle fibre shortens/contracts, these also help regulate body pH and nerve signaling.(2) Keeping your electrolytes up is key to counter muscle fatigue!
 
Magnesium
Magnesium is known as a natural muscle relaxation agent. It plays a role in lengthening the muscle fibre by unlocking actin and myosin, the two main muscle cells that are overactive when your muscles feel tight. (2)
 
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is part of the 8 different vitamin B family. It plays a role in assisting red blood cell manufacture(with iron), methylation and supports nerve signal conduction(myelination).(3) It aids in better nutrients transportation as well as a healthy nervous system!
 
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial to bone and muscle health. Vitamin D is classified as a non-essential vitamin because the human body can make it with cholesterol in the aid of sunlight. In addition, we have a vitamin D receptor (VDR) in our muscle cells. When VDR binds with active vitamin D, it initiate a cascade of physiological response to make stronger bones.(4) Research shows vitamin D can help increase bone and muscle mass.(4) Deficiency can results in muscle atrophy, weakened bone(osteopenia) and is associate with anxiety.(4)
 
Good nutrition and a balanced diet is vital for muscle growth and maintaining optimal muscle function. It is a complex process for our body to produce energy. The 5 nutrients mentioned above will help build a healthier musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors qualified in Australia have training in nutrition under the university training program. At Sprouting health, we also work closely with nutritionists, dietitians and other health professionals. Give us a call and see if we can help manage your health goals!


References
1.         Dr Tamara Bucher MP. Australians are embracing ‘mindful drinking’ – and the alcohol industry is also getting sober curious  [9/7/2021]. Available from: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/hippocampus/story/2021/embracing-mindful-drinking.
2.         Yu-Yahiro JA. Electrolytes and their relationship to normal and abnormal muscle function. Orthop Nurs. 1994;13(5):38-40.
3.         Green R, Allen LH, Bjørke-Monsen A-L, Brito A, Guéant J-L, Miller JW, et al. Vitamin B 12 deficiency. Nature reviews Disease primers. 2017;3(1):1-20.
4.         Gunton JE, Girgis CM, Baldock PA, Lips P. Bone muscle interactions and vitamin D. Bone. 2015;80:89-94.

Anyone who is a parent would understand the frustration of an excessively crying or fussy baby. Chiropractic has been found to be safe and effective care for infants (in comparison with similar treatments) (1), but can it help support crying babies? If you or a loved one are looking for extra support for a crying baby then this is an article that could make the world of difference to you.
 
“Cry and fuss problems are responsible for up to 20% of paediatric consultations” (2)
 
Crying deemed as excessive by the caregiver/parents can be a stressor affecting mental health and the well-being of adults (3), this may lead to parental distress and depression (4). It can also cause poor parent-child relationships and problems with long term child development. (5,6). So not only is it important for the infant to help them become a calmer child, but it is also important for the parents too.
 
In a recent research study 74 caregiver/parents were given a questionnaire retrospectively in regards to their infant that attended a chiropractic clinic, and had chiropractic treatment. It was observed that there was significant improvement with infant crying scores and sleep outcomes. The parents also saw clinically significant improvements with their own anxiety and depressive feelings (7). Though more studies are needed as it is only based on the perception of the parents, it is a study that points towards chiropractic as another management consideration for infants who cry excessively or are quite fussy, not only for the health of the child but also the wellbeing of the parents.
 
If you want to find out if chiropractic may assist you with your infant, have a chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.
 
“Reducing stressors are important for both the child and parents for a more harmonious family”
 
​References
1. Miller, J.E., Hanson, H.A., Hiew, M., Kwong, D., Mok, Z., Yun-Han, T., 2019. Maternal Report of Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Infants. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 42(3):167-176.
2. Halpern, R. and Coelho, R., 2016. Excessive crying in infants. J Pediatr (Rio J), 92 (3 Suppl 1), S40-45.
3. Long, J., Powell, C., Bamber, D., Garratt, R., Brown, J., Dyson, S. and James-Roberts, I. S., 2018. Development of materials to support parents whose babies cry excessively: findings and health service implications. Prim Health Care Res Dev, 19 (4), 320-332.
4. Kurth, E., Kennedy, H. P., Spichiger, E., Hösli, I. and Stutz, E. Z., 2011. Crying babies, tired mothers: what do we know? A systematic review. Midwifery, 27 (2), 187-194.
5. Stifter, C. A., Anzman-Frasca, S., Birch, L. L. and Voegtline, K., 2011. Parent use of food to soothe infant/toddler distress and child weight status. An exploratory study. Appetite, 57 (3), 693-699.
6. Smarius, L. J., Strieder, T. G., Loomans, E. M., Doreleijers, T. A., Vrijkotte, T. G., Gemke, R. J. and van Eijsden, M., 2017. Excessive infant crying doubles the risk of mood and behavioral problems at age 5: evidence for mediation by maternal characteristics. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 26 (3), 293-302.
7. Marinus, M.A., SA, M.T.C. and Crowther, E., Does chiropractic care have an effect on depression and anxiety scores in caregivers of excessive cry/fuss infants?. THE CHIROPRACTIC CLINICIAN, p.13.