​Migraines are thought to affect 15% of the global population and sufferers commonly choose to self-medicate rather than seeking medical care. The quality of life of migraine sufferers can be greatly reduced, especially if the intensity is severe with regular frequency. From the intense pain to the neurological symptoms that distinguish migraine from other forms of headaches, medications are usually the first line of attack when a migraine strikes.
For a long time, Chiropractors have been aware that adjustments can help with various types of headaches and many studies of different kinds have been done before. Just recently, there was a new systematic and critical review (an analysis of collection of studies), published in the Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal which suggests that specific manual Chiropractic adjustments, alongside soft tissue work may be effective in managing migraine.
There are two (2) takeaway points from the study. Firstly, specific Chiropractic manual adjustments with soft tissue work may help in reducing intensity, frequency, and duration of migraine attacks. Secondly, it may also help in reducing the use of analgesic medications, which can have negative effects on the gut and other systems with long term use; as well as the potential addictive nature of it.
While it is great that the study focuses on the role of Chiropractic. It is also important to consider that there’s still much to learn. Onset of migraines and other types of headaches can be multifactorial and connected to other stressors such as chemical and emotional stressors.
If you suffer from migraines, and other types of headaches, consider Chiropractic care. Book a consultation with us, or come and return to our care to ensure that you get checked thoroughly and get adjusted so that you can continue to live the best life possible with less headaches or migraines.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
 
 
Allix F, Aubry A, Hoog V, Lorenzelli C, Sok S. The management of diagnosed Migraine patients through manual therapy: A Systematic and Critical Review. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#AllixMigraine  

​In today’s world, we’re surrounded by technology, pollution, and chemicals — all things that can quietly drain our energy and speed up the ageing process. Our bodies are built to connect with nature, yet most of us spend most of our time indoors. Two simple ways to restore that balance — and support natural anti-aging processes — are negative ions and grounding.
 
What Are Negative Ions — and Why Do They Matter?
Negative ions are invisible oxygen particles in the air that have an extra electron. They are nature’s way of “charging” the air and are found in abundance near waterfalls, ocean waves, forests, and right after a thunderstorm.
 
When we breathe in these ions, they can help our bodies in surprising ways:
 

• Improve oxygen flow to the brain – helping you feel more alert and focused
  
  
• Reduce stress levels – improving mood and reducing depressive symptoms

 

• Fight free radicals – reducing the oxidative stress that contributes to ageing
  
  

Studies have shown that people exposed to higher levels of negative ions often report better sleep, sharper focus, and a greater sense of calm. It’s one reason why spending a weekend by the ocean or hiking in the mountains can make you feel so refreshed. (1)
 
What is grounding?
 
Grounding, also called earthing, is the practice of making direct contact with the Earth — walking barefoot on grass, soil, sand, or swimming in natural water. The Earth carries a mild negative electrical charge, and when your skin touches it, your body absorbs free electrons. This process is similar to breathing in higher amount of negative ions, theoretically providing similar effect.
 
These electrons act like natural antioxidants, neutralising free radicals that cause inflammation and tissue damage. It is one big driver for ageing and chronic diseases.(2)
 
5 ways to stay younger at zero cost
 
Spend time near moving water — beaches, rivers, and waterfalls are negative ion powerhouses.
Step outside after rain — the air is richest in negative ions after a storm.
Walk barefoot daily — even 10–20 minutes on grass or sand can make a difference.
Bring nature indoors — open windows, add plants, and use salt lamps or small water fountains to help rebalance your indoor air.
Take tech breaks — disconnecting from electronics and stay away from power points helps your body reset its natural electrical rhythm.

 
Reference

1.         Oschman JL, Chevalier G, Brown R. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of inflammation research. 2015:83-96.
2.         Walther DS. Applied Kinesiology Synopsis. 2nd ed: Triad of Health Publishing; 2005.

​Do you or have you ever suffered with gut pain, bloating and abdominal pain, nausea, gastroesophageal reflux disease? Even symptoms including joint/muscle involvement, headache, anxiety, foggy mind, skin rash, dermatitis, fatigue and weakness and even numbness --- These are the most frequently reported symptoms stemming from a possibly common issue. This is an important article that could make the world of difference to you if you do have these things!
 
Over the past two decades, the incidence of diseases believed to be induced by the ingestion of wheat and related gluten-containing cereals, including rye and barley, has increased (1). Non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCG/WS) is a syndrome characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms occurring a few hours or days after the ingestion of gluten and wheat proteins in patients testing negative for coeliac disease and wheat allergy (2).
It has been established that other foods can cross-react with gluten. Antigens from other foods cross-react with various wheat antigens (3). If a subgroup of patients on a gluten-free diet does not show improvement in their GI or other symptoms, attention should be given to dairy and other cross-reactive foods, such as yeast, corn, oats, millet and rice, as shown in a recent study (3). The study also commented that some oat varieties contain avenin, which cross-reacts with wheat, barley, and rye. What this means in simple language is that foods can potentially act like other foods that you may not have suspected.
Patients who complain of symptoms following bread and pasta ingestion should not eliminate gluten and wheat, but they should correctly undergo the diagnostic work-up to rule out Coeliac Disease (CD) and Wheat allergy (WA) (2). A self-diagnosis of gluten / wheat intolerance must be avoided since, once the elimination diet is begun, it is very difficult to reintroduce wheat to study the patient. Treatment with gluten / wheat withdrawal should be started only when there is a clear evidence that the patient can be affected by NCG/WS (2).
The first step of the diagnostic work-up for NCWS is based on the symptom assessment (scored from 1 as very mild to 10 as very severe) at baseline (when patients are still on a gluten/wheat-containing diet) and weekly for 6 weeks on gluten-free diet (GFD) by using the modified GSRS questionnaire. This is a Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) integrated with extraintestinal manifestations. A GFD-dependent symptom decrease of greater than 30% compared with baseline in at least three symptoms is regarded as a criterion to suspect NCWS (2).
Since NCGS at this time is a poorly defined condition with highly subjective symptoms, a common clinical approach of eliminating suspected symptom-inducing foods followed by clinician-supervised re-challenge with close symptom monitoring has been advocated. In the most up to date literature/evidence This may prove superior to other methods due to its ease of administration and being more informative (4).
 
If this resonated with you and you would like more information……
Come mon and see one of our Drs of Chiropractic and Kinesiology at Sprouting Health
 

1. Leonard MM, Sapone A, Catassi C, et al. Celiac disease and nonceliac glutensensitivity: a review. JAMA 2017;318:647–56.
2. Volta U, Caio G, Karunaratne TB, Alaedini A, De Giorgio R. Non-coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivity: advances in knowledge and relevant questions. Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology. 2017 Jan 2;11(1):9-18.
3. Vojdani A, Tarash I. Cross-reaction between gliadin and different food and tissue antigens. Food and Nutrition Sciences. 2013 Jan 10;4(01):20.
4. Priyanka P, Gayam S, Kupec JT. The Role of a Low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyol Diet in Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity. Gastroenterology research and practice. 2018;2018.

​The leading cause of years lived with disability in most countries and age group is considered to be spinal pain (low back and neck) (1). Spine-related pain is increasingly more common in older adults as the population ages (2). It affects the overall quality of life, ranging from family life to work life for those who suffer from it. Do you or a loved one experience spinal pain? This is an important article that could make the world of difference to you.
 
“30% of all back pain presentations in Australian emergency departments are for older adults, aged 65 and over” (3)
 
In Australia, a number of chronic conditions have been shown to be associated with spinal pain in older women with arthritis, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and obesity (4). Low back pain in older adults have been associated with early retirement, difficulties in caring for themselves at home, increased disability, and decreases with their social well-being (5,6,7). The difficulty is being older is associated with non-recovery in adults with low back pain, in a cohort of older adults presenting for a new primary care visit for back pain, found that 77% had persistent back pain after 12 months (8). So it is important to get on top of it earlier. Can chiropractic care help with the management of back pain?

In a recent research literature, where they did a retrospective study, looking at older adults with spine pain at a publicly funded facility utilising chiropractic care. The study looked at data between January 2011 and June 2020 of adults aged 45 and older. 240 patients were looked at from that data, and it was found that older adults with spinal pain experienced statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in pain (9). So it may not be too late to seek help with spinal issues with non-invasive and conservative therapy, even at an older age. Though a larger data set and more studies would be helpful in further substantiating these findings, the findings are positive.
 
If you want to find out if chiropractic may help manage spinal pain for you or your loved ones, have a chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.
 
“It is important to look into issues earlier rather than later”
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Hurwitz, E.L., Randhawa, K., Yu, H., Côté, P. and Haldeman, S., 2018. The Global Spine Care Initiative: a summary of the global burden of low back and neck pain studies. European Spine Journal, 27(Suppl 6), pp.796-801.
2. Fu, J.L. and Perloff, M.D., 2022. Pharmacotherapy for spine-related pain in older adults. Drugs & aging, 39(7), pp.523-550.
3. Ferreira, G.E., Machado, G.C., Shaheed, C.A., Lin, C.W.C., Needs, C., Edwards, J., Facer, R., Rogan, E., Richards, B. and Maher, C.G., 2019. Management of low back pain in Australian emergency departments. BMJ Quality & Safety, 28(10), pp.826-834.
4. de Luca, K.E., Parkinson, L., Haldeman, S., Byles, J.E. and Blyth, F., 2017. The relationship between spinal pain and comorbidity: a cross-sectional analysis of 579 community-dwelling, older Australian women. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 40(7), pp.459-466.
5. Bevan, S., Quadrello, T., McGee, R., Mahdon, M., Vavrovsky, A. and Barham, L., 2009. Fit for work. Musculoskeletal disorders in the European workforce. London: The work foundation, 2009.
6. Rudy, T.E., Weiner, D.K., Lieber, S.J., Slaboda, J. and Boston, J.R., 2007. The impact of chronic low back pain on older adults: a comparative study of patients and controls. Pain, 131(3), pp.293-301.
7. Hoy, D., March, L., Brooks, P., Blyth, F., Woolf, A., Bain, C., Williams, G., Smith, E., Vos, T., Barendregt, J. and Murray, C., 2014. The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 73(6), pp.968-974.
8.Rundell, S.D., Sherman, K.J., Heagerty, P.J., Mock, C.N. and Jarvik, J.G., 2015. The clinical course of pain and function in older adults with a new primary care visit for back pain. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 63(3), pp.524-530.
9. Albertson, A.K., Maiers, M., Tailor, G. and Passmore, S., 2025. Utilization of Chiropractic Services among Older Adults with Spine Pain at a Publicly Funded Canadian Healthcare Facility: A Retrospective Study. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du vieillissement, pp.1-8.