Immerse yourself into good health by using indoor plants!

Why we have indoor plants in our allied health clinic. 

If you step inside our allied health clinic, Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East, it would be hard to miss all of our indoor plants. There is a key reason for this. The benefits of having greenery have been very well documented over the years- ranging from removing air pollutants, carbon sequestration, improving air quality, improvements in productivity and creativity, and promoting good health and well-being.¹

So how many indoor plants are needed to make an impact?

A recent study in Australia discovered the ideal number of plants needed to make an impact on wellness. It has been revealed according to research that one medium sized plant (of up to 50cm) placed in a medium sized room (about 4 x 5ms) can improve the air quality by as much as 25% by “reducing the volatile organic compounds present”.¹

Why is it important to have indoor plants?

Plants can be effective at filtering out small particles by absorbing or collecting the particles.² Research studies have also suggested that “indoor plants can be effective in reducing airborne chemicals and particles in indoor spaces by as much as 75-90%, depending on the pollutant and the plant”.² Dominque Hes, the key researcher from the University of Melbourne, states that human beings are less and less among nature and current estimates indicate that we are spending 90% of our time in indoor environments.¹ Which means that we have a higher exposure to indoor contaminant compounds.¹ Research has also confirmed that indoor plants can “improve air quality by filtering airborne toxins caused by organic chemicals in products like paints and furniture finishes”¹ and that having enough plants indoors can improve your wellbeing.²

So, say yes to indoor plants because we certainly like them!

Our ethos at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East is to make sure we all Move, Grow and Thrive. We are all for immersing everyone into good health and it seems that just adding a few indoor plants into your living or work space is a great way to start. Have a read of our VISION and MISSION statements to see what we are all about.

To make an appointment with one of our Osteopaths or Massage therapists call us on (03) 9570 9061 or book online HERE.

Valued Health Osteopathy is conveniently located on Centre Road, Bentleigh East. We treat many patients from Bentleigh East, Bentleigh and surrounding suburbs including Carnegie, Caulfield, Oakleigh South, Oakleigh, Moorabbin, Brighton East, Brighton, Ormond, McKinnon, Cheltenham, Dingley Village, Beaumaris, Clarinda and Clayton.

References:

1. Growing Compact: Urban Form, Density and Sustainability: Part 3 Compact resource management, greening and integration with urban form, Chapter 12 Green plot ration and MUtopia, the integration of green infrastructure into an ecological mode for cites, Book Lay Ong, Ole Fryd, Dominique Hes, et al. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=eEYrDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA191&dq=Dominique+Hes+plants+2017&ots=Vcc72HIEKg&sig=WQAOMz16MwmzM9TF49NywketjiI#v=onepage&q&f=false
2. Mindfood, New study reveals the health benefits of indoor plants, November 9, 2017, https://www.mindfood.com/article/new-study-reveals-the-health-benefits-of-indoor-plants/
3. Pursuit, University of Melbourne, How a pot plants or five is good for you, Dr. Dominique Hes, Associate Professor Marco Amati, Christine Hernandez, https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-a-pot-plant-or-five-is-good-for-you

Finding balance in your life. 

Move, Grow, Thrive.

Valued Health Osteopathy, Osteopath in Bentleigh East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3165.

A healthy life balance can be an essential part of maintaining a positive lifestyle. Unfortunately, when life gets busy, our health can often be the first aspect that is impacted. Most people know that it is important to maintain a healthy balance between eating, exercising and actually living your life so, here are our top tips to help you move, grow and thrive towards a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Our top tips:

1. Disconnect from technology for the weekend. This means putting your phone down and turning off the television and computer. Use this extra time talking and laughing with your family and friends.

2. Create a healthy lifestyle. Pay attention to what you are eating and eat a little healthier. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and getting enough regular exercise.

3. Be a tourist for a day. Absorb the outside world by going for a walk, feel the sun on your face, the sand on your toes and explore what the world has to offer.

4. Be positive and surround yourself with people who love, inspire and encourage you as a person. As the saying goes “positive mind, positive vibes, positive life”.

5. Laugh out loud and have some fun. This might sound simple and it is. Make sure you are having fun and laughing with friends and family.

Our Mission at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East is to provide the best possible healthcare and outcomes to our patients so that they can Move and Grow towards a healthy lifestyle in order to Thrive through life.

Valued health Osteopathy offers Osteopathy, Clinical Pilates, Massage Therapy, Exercise Rehabilitation and Strength & Conditioning. Valued Health Osteopathy is open 6 days a week with early morning and evening appointments. Valued Health Osteopathy is located at 3/658 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, Melbourne, Victoria, 3165.

To make an appointment with one of our Osteopaths or Massage Therapists at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East call (03) 9570 9061 or book online HERE.

Teal Ribbon Day – 28 February 2018

Teal Ribbon Day. A day to show your support and take action to support Australians affected by ovarian cancer.

Every day, four Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and three Australian women will die each day. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all women’s cancers.³

Ovarian cancer is a disease where some of the cells in one or both ovaries start to grow abnormally and develop into cancer.² There are four main types of ovarian cancer, and these are named after the type of cells in the ovary where the cancer begins.²

Every woman needs to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Make sure you do.

It can be difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer because the symptoms are ones that many women will have from time to time, and they are often symptoms of less serious and more common health problems.¹ But we do know that ovarian cancer is NOT a silent disease.¹

Women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer report four types of symptoms most frequently:

1. Abdominal or pelvic pain.¹
2. Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating.¹
3. Needing to urinate often or urgently.¹
4. Feeling full after eating a small amount.¹

If you have any of these symptoms, they are new for you and you have experienced them multiple times during a 4-week period, go to your GP.¹

If you would like more information about Ovarian Cancer, please visit Ovarian Cancer Australia’s website. https://ovariancancer.net.au

Image: Ovarian Cancer Council, Ovarian Cancer Australia’s new look for 2018.

Teal Ribbon Day – 28 February 2018. 

References:

1. Ovarian Cancer Australia, About ovarian cancer, 2016 Ovarian Cancer Australia, https://ovariancancer.net.au/about-ovarian-cancer/
2. Ovarian Cancer Australia, Signs and Symptoms, 2016 Ovarian Cancer Australia, https://ovariancancer.net.au/signs-and-symptoms/
3. Ovarian Cancer Australia, Information sheets, Ovarian Cancer Australia facts and figures infographic, 2014 Ovarian Cancer Australia, https://ovariancancer.net.au/treatment-support/support-resources/information-sheets/
4. Image: Ovarian Cancer Australia, Ovarian Cancer Australia’s new look for 2018, date viewed: 28 February 2018, https://ovariancancer.net.au/oca-brand-announcement/

Back pain in Children – Back to School and avoiding injuries

Valued Health Osteopathy, Bentleigh East

Osteopath Bentleigh East

Back pain in children. Do you think your child suffers physically from using a computer for schoolwork or from carrying their schoolbag? Many parents spend a lot of time worrying about their child’s health. However, it can typically be the smallest things that seem to be missed.

Back pain in children is a common complaint in Australia.² Some of the most common causes of back pain in children in Australian include poor posture, inappropriate forms of exercises, carrying heavy schoolbags, obesity, incorrectly packed schoolbags, sedentary lifestyle (sitting down watching a lot of television or in front of the computer) and injuries caused by vigorous sports such as football, gymnastics and rowing.²

Back pain and schoolbags

Victorian studies have shown that one in three school students suffer significant back or neck pain, often thought to be caused by carrying heavy schoolbags.¹ Studies also show that a child should not carry a bag that weighs more than 10 percent (%) of their bodyweight.¹

For example: For a 40-50kg high school student, 10% of their body weight is 4-5kg.

For a child weighing 25kg, 10% of their body weight is 2.5kg. In this 10% you need to fit in a laptop, textbooks, notepads, a pencil case, lunchbox, water bottle and sports gear. Therefore, a supportive versatile backpack is important.¹

So how do you choose the right schoolbag?

Choice suggests that you avoid bags with wheels as kids run around and move from class to class throughout the day meaning they would have to pull the bag over bumpy terrain, on grassed footpaths, lift and carry it on stairs or public transport.² A backpack is better for the mobile child.²

Make sure they have the proper sized backpack. It is suggested that the backpack should neither extend past their shoulders when sitting down with it, nor be wider than their chest.²

The bag is also recommended to be sturdy and preferably water resistant.² The material of the bag should be firm to prevent sagging and the base of the bag be abrasive-resistant and/or reinforced.²

More importantly, a schoolbag should have options for custom fitting.¹ A custom fitted schoolbag should have:

1. A molded frame and/or an adjustable hip or waist strap. This means that most of the weight will rest on the hips and pelvis, not the shoulders and spine.¹ The hip or waist strap is overly important in securing the load when walking, running or cycling.¹

2. Compression straps are another important feature. They help to draw the load together, bringing it closer to the child’s back.¹ They also help stabilize the contents in the backpack.¹

3. Multiple pockets help weight distribution and organisation inside the bag.¹ A drink bottle holder on the side of the schoolbag can help keep spillages outside of the pack.¹

4. Shoulder straps. Shoulders straps should be able to be adjusted so that the child doesn’t have to lean forward and the base of the schoolbag rests on their hips, not their bottom.¹

Tips for choosing and using a schoolbag.

1. Choose a backpack that has padded adjustable shoulder, waist and chest straps.¹
2. Make sure you distribute the weight evenly across both shoulders, making sure not to over-strain one shoulder.¹
3. Heavy objects should be placed as close to the body as possible to improve the bag’s ergonomics.¹
4. Minimise the weight of a bag. Carry only what is needed for that day’s work.¹
5. Preferably, only lift a heavy bag from waist height if possible.¹
6. We also suggest that before your child heads off to school, make sure they’ve packed their backpack properly. Items shouldn’t be able to move around; the heaviest ones should be packed closest to their back to reduce stress on the spine, lighter items should be packed away from the spine.¹

All our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy are university trained allied health professionals who have completed a minimum of five years of university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. It is also a requirement that all our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) and Osteopathy Australia (OA).

So, if your child is experiencing back pain or they have a specific injury due to playing sports we may be able to help. To make an appointment with one of our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy you can book online HERE or call (03) 9570 9061.

You do not need a referral to see one of our friendly Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy. We have a very good relationship with many surrounding doctors, other allied health practitioners and personal trainers in the local community in Bentleigh East and surrounding suburbs.

References:

1. Weighed down? Kim Gilmour, Choice, https://www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids/education-and-childcare/education/buying-guides/school-backpacks, Last Updated: 6 January 2017.
2. Back pain in children, Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/back-pain-children
3. Avoiding injuries from school bags and computers, NSW Department of Education, http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/health/ways-to-keep-your-childs-back-and-posture-healthy