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Chiropractor Hong Kong Joint Health Spine Videos

Cracking Knuckles

Cracking Knuckles: What is that sound?

 

 

That’s right folks, cracking knuckles is just gas bubbles in your joints being popped. Generally, the sound a cracking joint makes is harmless. If that sound is accompanied by pain, locking and/or reduced movement, it is time to see a specialist such as a Chiropractor. We can determine what is normal joint findings and what is not.

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Chiropractor Hong Kong Joint Health Spine Sport

Secrets to Joint Health

Joint health is dependent on movement!

The Secret to joint health

The secret to joint health is to first move well, then move often. In order to maintain joint health you need to move your joints: actively and passively. Mobility training should be done on its own and not only as a warm up before activity. 

Body Assessment

Before attempting mobility training, you should have a joint assessment by a health professional like a Chiropractor to determine your level of ability. Your Chiropractor can determine what your knees, hips, shoulders, spine etc. are capable of and if they are functioning correctly.

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Media Office Pain Photos Posture Spine

Office Posture

Office Posture Workshops

Office Posture in Hong Kong

#Flashback Friday. The last two Fridays we met to speak with a corporation in regards to their occupational health and ergonomics. We also had 1 on 1 sessions with each participant and looked at and adjusted their workstation to decrease overuse injuries and improve their posture and performance.  You can learn how to sit better by clicking here.

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Chiropractor Health Hong Kong Joint Health Office Posture Spine

Ways to Assess Posture

How to Assess Posture


In my practice, posture is commonly assessed in 2 ways: Static and Dynamic. 



Static Posture



Static posture refers to looking at posture while the body is stationary. While the patient is standing we see how gravity is acting on the body from head to toe. Static posture can also be assessed in the seated and lying positions. 


Why would this be important? iIf you are able to maintain a neutral, effecient, body position, your body will be able to reduce the amount of force on your joints as well as decrease the energy require by your muscles. Unbalanced and unessential forces acting on the body can lead to stiff, tight or even painful joints and muscles. For long term joint health, proper posture is crucial.  


A typical look at static posture is done by checking visually.


 


For better sitting posture, CLICK HERE
 

Dynamic Posture


Dynamic posture is the alignment of your body while you are moving. It is vital that you maintain good, symmetrical body posture while performing basic movements such as bending forward, rotating at the hips, shoulders  and squatting.  

As a Chiropractor, we look at your active and passive range of motion of your joints. This allows us to see if you are moving properly and efficiently. 

Some Chiropractors utilize techniques such as Funtional Range Release and Conditioning to assess, treat and optimize all the joints in your body. 

If joints do not move like they should, compensations will result in STIFFNESS in joints, TIGHTNESS in muscles and even PAIN.

Is your spine moving like a proper spine? Is your shoulder moving like your shoulder should? 
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FR and FRC are ways a Chiropractor can assess dynamic(movement) posture

Chiropractors also use Selective Functional Movement Assessment(SFMA) to distinguish pain and dysfunction (problems seemingly unrelated to a body complaint) and where possible, identify where exercise is indicated or contraindicated. SFMA helps the Chiropractor in musculoskeletal evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. It also allows us to choose the best possible rehabilitative and therapeutic techniques and exercises.

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SFMA is way health professionals can break down and assess how you move (dynamic posture).

 

 

Have you had your posture assessed? 


What do you do to maintain good posture? What do you do to maintain your long term joint health?

Have your Chiropractor assess and treat your body posture to help you live better.

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Chiropractor Health Hong Kong Joint Health Pain Spine Sport

Feeling stiff? What does it mean?

I’m Stiff…

Joint stiffness is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in my practice. Many patients complain that most stiffness occurs within the neck, back, hips, knees and shoulders. Both athletes and the general public report joint stiffness impacting their lives daily. Feeling stiff is your body’s way to tell you your joints are not functioning optimally.

Something that is under emphasized is the idea of long term joint health. As a Chiropractor, I always emphasize on the importance of preventing stiffness and maintaining articular health throughout life.

Will joint stiffness, regardless of reported pain, impact the way we live?

Thakral et al. 2014 (“A stiff price to pay: does joint stiffness predict disability in an older population?”) studied whether or not reported stiffness to predict disability in an older population (>70 years old). 400 of the adults participated reported morning stiffness, with half of them reporting one area of stiffness and half with multiple areas.
The study showed that 64% of people with multisite stiffness were at greater risk for developing new or worsening mobility AND declined in physical performance.

 Mobility Program

Integrating joint mobility programs to adults at an early age to address any stiffness will help prevent further progression of joint stiffness and improve mobility throughout life.
Before attempting a mobility program, you should first find out if your joints are moving the proper way. Some individuals cannot move themselves on their own or do not know how to. Health professionals such as Chiropractors are specialists at diagnosing and treating the joints of the entire body, not just the spine. Perhaps your body requires more than exercises to maintain your health such as needling, manipulation, mobilization, or taping etc.
Chiropractors are able to assess the integrity of your joints and articulations of the body (spine, knees, ankles, shoulders etc.) and will provide advice on how to decrease joint stiffness, improve mobility and physical performance.
Do you do daily mobility exercises to prevent stiffness? What exercises do you do? Are you truly changing the structures of your body?