Osteopathy Reduces Postpartum Back Pain by 73%

It has been estimated that around 50 percent of pregnant women suffer from lower back pain during or after their pregnancies. However, German researchers have found that women who received 4 osteopathic treatments at two week intervals reported a massive 73% reduction in their lower back pain. The women in the study had all given birth between 3 and 15 months before beginning their treatment,

“Women who’ve recently given birth are rarely studied beyond screening for postpartum depression and delivery complications, even though it’s well documented that low back pain is a common issue that hinders their quality of life during an already stressful time,” said Jennifer Caudle, DO, assistant professor of family medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. “This study shows that osteopathic manipulative therapy can relieve their pain without medication that could be passed to a breastfeeding infant.”

Read more about the research.

Disclaimer – Please be aware that each person’s body is different, so individual results may vary. If you have an osteopathy appointment at our clinic, your therapist will conduct a detailed assessment of your condition, and they will be able to advise you on how successful your treatments are likely to be. A result is not promised and/or guaranteed  from the act of receiving a treatment

If you have any questions regarding the treatment of any form of lower back pain, please give us a call. Be well, and have a great life!

Antioxidants for Male Fertility

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are important natural substances that help prevent damage to cells in the body.  A huge variety of chemical reactions constantly take place inside the cells in our bodies, and sometimes these reactions form by-products known as free radicals. A certain amount of free radicals are needed by the body; for example, some are used by your body’s immune system to attack viruses or bacteria.

However, if free radicals build up in your body, they can cause ‘oxidative stress’. This can damage your cells and impact your health. For example, oxidative stress can affect your

  • Eyes — causing cataracts and macular degeneration
  • Heart — causing hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure
  • Brain — causing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
  • Joints — causing arthritis
  • Lungs — causing asthma and chronic bronchitis
  • Kidneys — causing kidney failure

Antioxidants are able to prevent the negative effects of these free radicals by neutralising them.

Sperm and Antioxidants

Sperm have a special outer layer made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which help them penetrate and fertilise the egg during conception. However, free radicals damage this outer layer, and also reduce the sperm’s motility (ability to swim properly). As a result, the fertility of the male is reduced.

An even more significant effect of free radicals is the direct damage they cause to the DNA contained in the sperm. Sperm lack the DNA repair proteins that can stop this oxidative damage, so they are helpless to prevent this occurring. This leads to DNA fragmentation, and the majority of sperm with fragmented DNA cannot mature and fertilise an egg. However, if a sperm cell carrying damaged DNA did manage to reach and fertilise an egg, it is very likely that the resulting genetic mutations would cause a miscarriage or even birth defects. Whilst the likelihood of this occurring is low, we feel it is prudent for men trying to have a baby to reduce activities that increase free radicals in their body, and to take a high quality antioxidant supplement, preferably one that is specific for protecting the health of the sperm.

Preventing Sperm DNA Damage

An increase in free radicals can be due to alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, air pollution, electromagnetic waves, insecticides, and obesity. (One study reported severe abnormalities and molecular alterations in the sperm of men who lived in polluted areas. And recent research showed that the Mediterranean diet helps to improve male infertility and reduce the cancer risk caused by environmental pollutants.)

There are many different types of antioxidants, and they all have a different way of protecting the body. A combination of various antioxidants works best, and ideally the combination should be designed to help prevent the free radical damage to specific cells. (That is why a specific antioxidant formula is recommended by optometrists and eye specialists for people with macular degeneration, for example.)

One of the key antioxidants for protecting sperm is zinc. Zinc supplementation has been shown to protect sperm against oxidative damage, and as a result, improve semen function. For example, when 60 infertile men with abnormal levels of oxidation were given zinc supplements for three months, the oxidised levels within their semen returned to normal. Zinc also helps to increase the number of sperm, so it is beneficial to both the quality and quantity of the sperm. However, zinc is only one of a number of antioxidants needed for healthy sperm, and a trained naturopath will be able to identify which are most important for each individual.

Free Assessment

If you are considering having a baby or actively trying to have one, we offer a free Comprehensive Assessment, to help identify

  • What is going on in your body
  • What is working properly, and what is not
  • What might be causing any problems
  • The best way to improve any problems or potential problems

(Terms and conditions: the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.

Be well, and have a great life!

Low Fat Diet Causes High Blood Pressure

Case Study

When a person’s life revolves around their health problems, it can sometimes become demoralising and affect their day-to-day confidence. Their problems can chew up their time, interfere with their work, impact on their social life, and even affect their relationships with family and friends.

Healthy heart and blood pressure diet

‘Jim’ (not his real name) is in his mid-40’s, and came to us as he suffered from high blood pressure and just could not lose weight. There was a history of Fatty Liver in his family.

Jim has always been health conscious and had a reasonably good diet and exercise routine. Despite this, his blood pressure was high for the past two years. It became worse after he caught COVID, and he was fatigued for weeks after that. His emotional and mental wellbeing were affected, his constipation and reflux worsened, and he developed dandruff and dry skin.

He saw one of our naturopaths, who reviewed his blood tests. These showed chronic inflammation markers, which can lead to long term health issues. Inflammation that continues for longer than it should can result in damage to tissues, organs, and body systems. Chronic inflammation has been known to cause Diabetes, and in Jim’s case he was found to have borderline Type 2 Diabetes as a result. Excess weight that is very difficult to shift can also be caused by long-term inflammation.

Jim’s blood tests indicated that inflammation was also occurring in his liver and large intestine as well as his pancreas. This inflammation (together with the weight gain caused by the inflammation) had resulted in his high blood pressure.

The blood test also showed that his low-fat weight loss diet was contributing to his chronic inflammation. Many types of dietary fats or oils can cause inflammation, however the right essential fats will act to reduce it instead. In Jim’s case, a high carbohydrate to protein intake was making the inflammation worse.

Jim was keen to lower his blood pressure, and was happy to make some changes to his diet. Our naturopath placed him on a treatment plan that addressed his digestive and liver health, and lowered his inflammation.

After only 2 months, Jim’s blood pressure was back in normal range and his digestion was working very well. He also lost over 10 kg in weight, particularly around the abdomen. His lean body mass was also good, which is an important benchmark for healthy ageing.

Please note- high blood pressure is a dangerous condition, and so lowering your medication should only be done once your pressure has come down far enough, and with the approval of your doctor.

Free Assessment

As with any condition, in order to get results it is crucial to first investigate the cause of the problem. We are currently offering a limited number of free Comprehensive Assessments. (Terms and conditions: the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

The Assessment helps to identify:

  • What is going on in your body
  • What is working properly, and what is not
  • What is causing the problem
  • The best way to sort it out

If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.

Be well, and have a great life!

Treating Hormone Imbalances

Hormonal balance

Unfortunately, hormonal imbalance in women is relatively common. Women of varying ages frequently seek help for hormone related issues: period problems, sugar cravings, fatigue, weight problems, fertility issues, low libido, sleep issues, hair loss, etc. Normally these women have had a blood test and their doctor has advised them that everything is ok. So why are they having their symptoms and feeling unwell?

Your endocrine (hormonal) system is very complex, with various glands that produce a wide range of hormones to control your body. The main ones are your

  • Pituitary gland (control centre for the others)
  • Ovaries (produce oestrogen and progesterone)
  • Thyroid
  • Adrenal glands

Often the hormones produced by these glands can affect some of the other glands. This means that you may have symptoms that relate to one particular gland, however those might be caused by a problem with another gland instead. So it is extremely important to understand how the different glands interact with each other.

Pituitary

Your pituitary gland is the main hormonal control-centre of your body. It is a small, pea-sized gland at the base of your brain, in line with the top of your nose.

The pituitary releases some hormones that act on the body directly, but its major job is controlling other hormone-producing glands in the body. It releases

  • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to increase the activity of your thyroid
  • Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), which tells the adrenal glands to make their hormones
  • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), which both control your ovaries

Thyroid

Your thyroid gland controls the rate of activity of the cells of your body. So if your thyroid is overactive, most parts of your body speed up. This can cause a variety of symptoms, such as

  • Losing weight without trying (due to faster metabolism)
  • Faster heart rate
  • Increased appetite
  • Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
  • Mild tremor (usually a small trembling in the hands and fingers)
  • Increased sweating
  • Changes in menstrual cycles
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Sleep problems

If your thyroid is underactive, everything slows down. You could develop

  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Muscle aches or stiffness
  • Irregular or heavy menstrual cycles
  • Thinning hair
  • Poor memory
  • More sensitive to cold
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Hoarse or croaky voice
  • Depression

As the name indicates, thyroid stimulating hormone is used to make the thyroid more active. So if your TSH levels are high it means your thyroid activity is too low, and vice-versa. However, the accepted medical range for TSH levels is very broad and often what is considered within the normal medical range is outside of what we at CNTC would consider acceptable. We frequently see women with obvious thyroid symptoms, and yet their TSH levels are within the acceptable medical range (although outside of our parameters).

The most common cause of thyroid problems is excess adrenaline.

  • Adrenaline operates in a negative feedback loop with the pituitary gland. This means that the more adrenaline there is in your blood stream, the more it tells your pituitary to slow down so it doesn’t trigger any more adrenaline. However, as the pituitary also regulates thyroid hormone production, the thyroid is slowed down as well.
  • Adrenaline decreases the body’s ability to clear excess oestrogen from the liver. The excess oestrogen levels then cause the liver to produce high levels of thyroid binding globulin (TBG) – which, as its name suggests, binds up thyroid hormones and decreases the amount of them available to the body. (The excess oestrogen in the liver also causes an increase in blood sugar levels).
  • Adrenal fatigue also reduces the conversion of the inactive thyroid hormone T4 to the active T3 version
  • Adrenaline also reduces the effectiveness of thyroid hormones by suppressing the sensitivity of the thyroid receptor sites on the cells. (So even if the thyroid hormone levels in your blood are normal, your body could still behave as if they were low.)

Adrenal Glands

Your adrenal glands produce adrenaline, which looks after your ‘fight or flight’ response in times of danger or stress. Adrenaline stimulates the parts of your body needed to escape danger, so :

  • Your heart rate goes up
  • Your breathing rate goes up
  • Certain muscles tense up
  • Blood sugar levels are raised

and non-emergency areas of the body are shut down – such as the digestive system, the immune system, and the reproductive system – as these aren’t needed to escape from danger. (You may have heard of high stress situations causing a woman’s periods to stop altogether.)

The adrenal glands also produce a small amount of oestrogen and progesterone. So healthy adrenal glands are important for the balance of these hormones in the body generally.

(The adrenal glands are particularly important around menopause when the ovaries stop producing their hormones. If we look at oestrogen and progesterone as being like the fuel in a car engine, the ovaries would be the accelerator, which is used to produce more or less of these hormones depending on what the body needs at the time. The adrenals are more like the idle for your engine, which puts a small amount of fuel into the engine to keep it running. If your idle is not working properly, your car engine will be very uneven and erratic when you take your foot off the accelerator. In the same way, if your adrenals are not working well during menopause, your oestrogen and progesterone levels could become unbalanced, causing hot flushes, night sweats, and various other symptoms.)

Another way that the adrenal glands affect your reproductive hormones is that they use progesterone to manufacture cortisol, the stress hormone. So high or prolonged periods of stress can cause low progesterone levels, which indirectly causes high oestrogen levels. As we have seen already, high oestrogen levels cause the liver to produce high levels of TBG, which decreases the production of thyroid hormones to the body.

Ovaries

Your ovaries produce most of your oestrogen and progesterone, which are your main reproductive hormones. We have covered how your levels of these hormones can be affected by your pituitary gland and your adrenals. Some of the other causes of an imbalance in these hormones include:

  • The liver: if your liver is not working well it will struggle to get rid of unused oestrogen
  • Alcohol consumption: alcohol makes it harder for the body to process oestrogen
  • Gut bacteria: some types of gut bacteria can reduce how well the body gets rid of excess oestrogen
  • Underactive thyroid: this makes it difficult for your body to produce enough progesterone
  • Synthetic xenoestrogens (hormone disruptors): these are chemicals found in the environment that behave like oestrogen once they’re inside your body. Some examples include bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, both of which are present in various plastics. Xenoestrogens can also be absorbed into your body from pesticides, household cleaning products and some soaps and shampoos.

Another rare cause of reproductive hormone imbalances is a misalignment of the pelvis. If the hips are rotated, or one hip is higher than the other, this can cause pressure on one or both ovaries, effecting their hormone production.

Summary

It is clear that the balancing of hormones in the body is complex. It is vital that if a woman is suffering with the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, that the wider picture is taken into account to determine what the underlying source of the problem is.

Free Assessment

As with any condition, in order to get results it is crucial to first investigate the cause of the problem. We are currently offering a limited number of free Comprehensive Assessments. (Terms and conditions: the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

The Assessment helps to identify:

  • What is going on in your body
  • What is working properly, and what is not
  • What is causing the problem
  • The best way to sort it out

If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.

Be well, and have a great life!

Vitamin B3 Reduces Skin Cancer Risk

Vitamin B3 reduces skin cancer risk

In a recent large-scale Phase 3 tri­al1 by the University of Sydney, a group of peo­ple who previously had basal cell car­ci­no­mas or squa­mous cell car­ci­no­mas were giv­en a form of Vitamin B3 for 12 months.

The results made inter­na­tion­al head­lines when the study found that the number of new

  • Non-melanoma skin can­cers was reduced by approx­i­mate­ly 23%
  • Basal cell car­ci­no­mas (BCC) were reduced by 20%
  • Squa­mous cell car­ci­no­mas (SCC) were reduced by 30%

In addition, the number of pre-cancerous actinic keratosis lesions were reduced by 13%, and there was also a decrease in the number of these lesions forming.

(In another study, the same version of B3 has been shown to reduce solar keratoses by about 35% after two months of treatment.)

How Does B3 Reduce Skin Cancer Risk?

When your cells are work­ing as they should, your DNA instructs your cells to grow nor­mal­ly. How­ev­er, UV radi­a­tion from the sun can damage the DNA in your skin, and this damaged DNA results in the creation of skin cancers.

The good news is that this research shows that B3 may help to reduce the risk of skin cancer by helping the DNA repair itself.

(The study did not look at whether the rate of melanomas was also reduced, however anecdotal evidence from a local skin doctor, who is a Fellow of the Skin Cancer College of Australasia, suggests that it has a similar effect on this type of skin cancer as well.)

For those who have been previously diag­nosed with BCC or SCC, the ben­e­fits of vit­a­min B3 could liter­al­ly be life-changing. However, it is important to note that a certain type of B3 (nicoti­namide) and a certain dosage was needed to obtain these results. So to help prevent skin cancer, nicoti­namide should be given as a high-dose treat­ment rather than just as a basic sup­ple­ment.

If you have had a skin cancer, or have a family history of it, or if you just want to try and prevent any skin cancers developing, we suggest making an appointment with one of our naturopaths. Or even better, book in for a free Comprehensive Assessment first, so that we can gain a very detailed understanding of your body and how it is functioning, allowing us to precisely tailor any treatment you may have. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

Be well, and have a great life!

References

1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4570055/

Broccoli Improves Gut Health

Broccoli is not everyone’s favourite food, but it is known to have many health benefits. For example, research has shown that increased consumption reduces the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes.

In a recent study, researchers found that broccoli contains certain molecules that bind to a receptor and help to protect the lining of the small intestine. If this lining is compromised, it can lead to a number of digestive and immune problems, including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerances and allergies.

For more information on how a poor lining of the small intestine can result in food intolerances or allergies, please visit https://www.cntc.com.au/why-a-good-immune-system-is-so-important-for-you/ .

For more on the research on how broccoli protects the lining of the small intestine, visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230406152639.htm .

If you have any gut issues, we offer a free Comprehensive Assessment, to see what is going on in your body, what is causing the problem, and the best way to treat or prevent it. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

Be well, and have a great life!

Common Pesticide Linked to Kidney Disease

Maldison, a commonly available pesticide, has been associated with a 25% increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a University of Queensland study

“Nearly one in 10 people in high income countries show signs of CKD, which is permanent kidney damage and loss of renal function,” Dr Osborne said.

“The findings suggest we should limit our exposure to pesticides, even in very small doses, as chronic exposure may lead to negative health outcomes.”

For more information, visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014100148.htm .

There are many pesticides that can have a variety of effects on people’s health, with some of them being very serious. If you are interested in seeing if pesticides or any other chemicals are impacting (or may impact) on your health, we suggest booking in for a free Comprehensive Assessment at our clinic. We can then see what is going on in your body, what is causing any problems, and the best way to treat or prevent them. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

Be well, and have a great life!

Magnesium Each Day Keeps Dementia at Bay

Brain out of order

Last year it was estimated that around 400,000 Australians suffer from dementia, and this number is expected to double by 2058.There is no effective treatment using pharmaceutical drugs, however there have been a number of studies showing the effectiveness of natural therapies for this condition.

One study, showed that increasing your magnesium intake is likely to “lead to less age-related brain shrinkage, which is associated with better cognitive function and lower risk of delayed onset of dementia in later life”. See more on this study by following the link below.

Magnesium plays an essential role in nerve transmission and nerve-muscle interaction. It also protects nerves against excessive stimulation, which can damage or even kill nerve cells, and cause many types of neurological disorders. Due to its importance to the nervous system, research continues to be conducted on its role in preventing or treating migraines, chronic pain, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, anxiety and depression.

If you have a health issue, or have a family history of a health problem and want to prevent it, we offer a free Comprehensive Assessment, to see what is going on in your body, what is causing the problem, and the best way to treat or prevent it. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.)

Be well, and have a great life!

Hibiscus Flower Improves Alzheimer’s

Hibiscus tea is high in antioxidants, and also offers many other health benefits. Recent research has also shown that it may be able to prevent and even reverse Alzheimer’s Disease.

Hibiscus flowers

Alzheimer’s is caused by a build-up of certain protein deposits in the brain (A Beta and Tau protein aggregates). These deposits end up causing a chronic inflammatory reaction and damage to the nerve cells, which results in cognitive decline and memory loss.

The brain has its own immune cells called microglia, which attack and absorb these deposits. However constant exposure to the A Beta protein will end up exhausting the microglia, and they can’t continue to remove the deposits.

A recent study established that a compound found in hibiscus flowers called gossypetin activates the microglia. The research team treated mice afflicted by Alzheimer’s with gossypetin for three months, and demonstrated that the microglia were then able to scavenge the A Beta protein in their brains. The A Beta deposits decreased, and the impaired memory and cognition were almost restored to their normal levels. Clinical trials are now planned for developing gossypetin products for the prevention and treatment of dementia.

For more details on the research, visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221116133855.htm .

Hibiscus flower is yet to be regarded as a medical treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s. However, if there is a history of this condition in your family, or if you are starting to experience mental decline or memory loss, it is worthwhile considering drinking hibiscus tea regularly.

Free Assessment

With any condition, to get results it is always important to treat the causes of the problem. We are currently offering a limited number of free Comprehensive Assessments. (Terms and conditions- the Assessment is a completely free service, with no obligations whatsoever.) These help to identify

  • What is going on in your body
  • What is working properly and what is not
  • What is causing the problem
  • The best way to sort it out

If you would like to book in for an Assessment, please give us a call on 3376 6911, or you can book online using the link at the top of the page.

Be well, and have a great life!

Beat the Heat with Mung Beans

In China, mung beans are a very popular food, especially in the hot summer months, and grown in almost all the provinces. Most families eat mung beans in their diet and use them widely in different recipes, such as mung bean noodles, mung bean cake, mung bean rice, mung bean soup, mung bean desserts and even mung bean wine. Mung bean soup is an extremely popular dish in the hotter months, as it is used to help cool the body by helping it regulate the body temperature more effectively.

Body overheating

Clearing Heat from the Body

In Chinese medicine, if the weather is very hot, the body may absorb more heat from its external environment. If the body cannot release enough of this ‘summer heat’ by itself, symptoms such as feeling hot and sweaty, lethargic, lack of energy, headache, dizziness, or even heat stroke may occur.

Mung beans have a cooling effect, and they have been shown to regulate body temperature and to help prevent heat stroke. Cooked mung bean drink or soup is best kept refrigerated, which helps to keep it fresh and increases its health effects.

Mung Bean Recipes for Summer Heat or Hot Weather

Recipe 1 (drink)

This recipe is suitable to clear body heat and prevent heat stroke during a hot summer. Drinking two or three cups a day will help to release the ‘summer heat’ from the body.

Ingredients

  • 2 handfuls of mung beans
  • 7 cups of water

Instructions

  1. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat
  2. Allow to cool (once cooled it can also be refrigerated)

Drink this thin soup as required. The beans can also be eaten if soft enough.

Recipe 2 (soup)

Takes 40 minutes and serves 4.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mung beans
  •  1/4 cup sugar, to taste
  •  8 cups water

Instructions

  1. Wash and drain 1 cup of mung beans.
  2. Bring 8 cups of water to a boil.
  3. Put mung beans in a separate large pot with enough water to submerge the beans, and bring to a boil. Don’t cover the pot. Let it boil at high heat until the water is almost boiled dry.
  4. Pour in 8 cups of boiled water; when the water boils again, turn down to low heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or until the beans soften and open up. Keep an eye on the pot in case the soup boils over.
  5. Add 1/4 cup of sugar to taste and stir well until sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat.
  6. Refrigerate the soup for about 2 hours or until chilled.
  7. Stir well and serve cold.
Mung bean soup
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  • What is working properly and what is not working properly
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CONTACT

62 Looranah St,
Jindalee QLD 4074
07 3376 6911
reception@cntc.com.au

AWARDS

Winner Business Achievers Award 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 & 2012
Inducted into Business Achievers Hall of Fame 2009
LPA Outstanding High Achievement Award 2011
Mt Ommaney Small Business Award (Health & Fitness) 2018 & 2020
Mt Ommaney Small Business Community Spirit Award 2021

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We help provide care and accommodation to young disabled people through regular support of YoungCare (by donating the proceeds of our Gift Voucher sales)

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