Top diet reviews 2015. Cliffs Chiropractor Southend shares the results from the BDA

You may have started a diet as part of your New Year resolutions or considering a diet option but with so many options available how do you decide which one is right for you?The good news is that the British Dietetic Association (BDA) has reviewed some of the most popular diets and come up with its verdict and pros and cons of each.

The list includes:

  • 5:2 diet
  • Dukan diet
  • Paleo diet
  • Atkins diet
  • Alkaline diet
  • Cambridge diet
  • South Beach diet
  • Slimming World diet
  • Slim-Fast diet
  • LighterLife diet
  • WeightWatchers diet
  • Rosemary Conley diet
  • Jenny Craig diet

You can read the BDA’s review of all of these diets here.

Unfortunately, for many people maintaining the diet over a period of time becomes too challenging and they find that their weight ‘yo-yos’. Often the diet is a quick fix and not sustainable or may not even be healthy in the long term.

With so much concern over the populations increasing weight and its impact on peoples’ general health (including low back pain) and consequently the pressure these health issues put and will put on the NHS, the NHS has developed a 12 week weight loss plan.

As a leading Chiropractor Southend, striving to get people to lead strong and healthy lives; we believe that a healthy diet is paramount to supporting this.

Here are 3 simple things you can do starting today to help lose weight:

  •  Plan your ‘healthy’ meals for the week ahead and only buy whatever is necessary to make the meals on your plan.
  • Get rid of all ‘junk’ food from you cupboards and don’t replenish.
  • If you tend to over eat use smaller plates and bowls to eat from,

If you’ve tried various diets we’d love to hear your results and why not give our 3 simple tips a go starting now.

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

The proof is in the pudding – Gill’s comments about Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

We have had many patients here at Cliffs Chiropractor Clinic near Southend, suffering from back pain and neck pain amongst other concerns.

Gill was suffering from hip and knee pain and had given up going to see anyone else for treatment. When Gill started going to our Chiropractor Southend, she found out that the problem was actually with her back and this was causing the pain in her knees and hip.

Gill could not believe the difference it made once she started being treated at our Chiropractor Southend and she is now feeling fantastic!

To hear more about Gill’s story click the link below to watch the YouTube clip:

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

5 ways to stay healthy this winter. Cliffs Chiropractor Southend offers these tips.

So far our winter has been very mild and because of this mild weather the plants are acting accordingly, with people spotting daffodils, primroses and snowdrops already starting to bud.

Even though we are having warmer weather this winter, there are still lots of bugs around which can cause illness. As a leading Chiropractor Southend, we would like to share these tips on beating those bugs:

1.Get a good night’s sleep

A good night’s sleep is vital to your health and wellbeing.  Six to nine hours is the recommended time for sleep and many of us are getting much less. Make sure your sleeping environment is set up to help you get a good night’s sleep. This includes making sure your mattress is right for you

2.Drink more milk

A healthy immune system during the winter months is vital and milk and dairy products like cheese and yoghurt provide a great source of protein and vitamins A and B12. The downside is their fat content so use semi-skimmed, or low fat versions

3.Embrace your 5 a day

Include five portions of fruit and vegetables into your daily diet. Have fruit at hand to snack on when you get those sugar cravings. A simple way to get your daily intake is to make soups full of winter vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and swede

4.Take regular exercise

The benefits of taking regular exercise can’t be stressed enough, from controlling your weight to boosting both your immune system and your energy level. Why not get the whole family involved and find a new activity you can all do

5.Eat lots of porridge

Porridge is a fantastic way to start your day. It will boost your energy and keep you feeling full for longer. Don’t succumb to adding sugar though, add fruit or some dried fruit instead and make it with water or if you have to use milk make it semi skimmed or skimmed

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

Knee pain? No more! Margaret’s story about Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

We have had many patients here at Cliffs Chiropractor Clinic near Southend, suffering from back pain and neck pain amongst other concerns.

Margaret had been suffering with very pain knee pain for over one and a half years; it was becoming so bad that Margaret was finding it increasingly hard to walk. Margaret’s daughter is currently a patient at our chiropractor Southend and recommended her mum to go and have her knee looked at.

It has been three weeks since Margaret started treatment at our clinic and already her knees are a lot better. Margaret cannot believe how her knees have improved; when she’s walking, sleeping and sitting.

To hear more about Margaret’s story click the link below and watch the YouTube clip:

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

Hitting the gym? Take care of your back – Tips to keep safe from Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

Here at our Chiropractor Southend we are big supporters in keeping fit and healthy. Taking part in exercise is important but it is just as important to do so in a safe way.

Exercise adds pressure to our joints and muscles and if it’s not done properly it can cause issues to your back and neck.

If you’re heading to the gym then here is some advice on how to keep your back safe.

  •  Visit your chiropractor who can advise on the approach you should take to a new exercise routine. He should also be able to advise you on signs to look out for to indicate that you may be overdoing it.
  • Make sure you have the right clothing for the type of exercise you are going to be doing. Clothing that is too tight can constrict your movement and can lead to injury. Footwear is especially important.
  • Warm up first. Many injuries and strains occur are a result of not warming up beforehand. (And remember too warm down too!)
  • If in doubt, make sure that there are no medical reasons why you can’t start the exercise your about to undertake. This is especially important if you haven’t taken any regular exercise before. Your chiropractor or GP may be able to advise on this.
  • Keep your legs at least a hip’s width apart and always bend your knees when using weights. Remember to avoid bending from the waist, as this will increase the stress on your lower back.
  • Keep weights you are working with as close to your body as possible to avoid injury. A weight held at arm’s length could have the effect of being up to 5 times heavier!
  • Avoid over reaching and stooping when using machines as you can stretch your back. Make sure the seat of the machine is positioned correctly to avoid this.

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

Come and see Paz – Mary W’s story about Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

We have had many patients here at Cliffs Chiropractor Clinic near Southend, suffering from back pain and neck pain amongst other concerns.

Mary W first heard about our Chiropractor Southend through two friends whose relatives were regular patients at the clinic.

Mary had been suffering from sciatica for a while and was getting the odd twinge, when one morning she couldn’t get out of bed. The pain was so bad that she couldn’t put her foot on to the ground and ended up in tears. Mary then decided that it was time to do something about it.

Mary immediately got in touch with the clinic and in a few days had her first appointment. Since receiving treatment at our Chiropractor Southend Mary has had no more pain and says to everyone “Go and see Paz!”

To hear more about Mary’s story click the link below and watch the YouTube clip:

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

20 minutes of walking a day can add years to your life. Cliffs Chiropractor Southend shares results from recent study

Our lives are becoming a lot more sedentary, with many of us living what is called a ‘couch potato’ lifestyle and this lack of exercise could be detrimental to our health. As a leading Southend Chiropractor I would like to share this advice on why it is important to keep active.

A recent report has said that a brisk walk every day could add years onto you life. The study found that even a modest amount of activity prolonged life. Even if you just walk for 20 minutes a day it could cut the risk of premature death by nearly a third. The obese can expect a 16 per cent reduced risk of dying early.

Although the study found that just 20 minutes of exercise could help your health, ideally you should be aiming to do more. There have been many health benefits to people who take part in regular physical activity. In Europe, overall, 676,000 deaths could be blamed on inactivity.

New government guidelines have advised Britons to do around 150 minutes of exercise each week. This can include gardening, running, dancing, walking and playing sports. You can also become more active when doing daily tasks, such as walk up stairs instead of using the lift and walking instead of using the car. A brisk 20-minute walk can burn between 90 and 110 calories.

As a Southend Chiropractor, we advise you all to get moving!

If you have any injuries or other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

Matilda one of our youngest patients helped by chiropractic at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

Parents are often left exhausted and frustrated with new born babies that persistently cry, have difficulty sleeping or feeding and are fractious.

Matilda was just such a baby and mum Daisy was in a desperate state when they came to the Cliffs in November.However, things have certainly changed for Matilda and Daisy with the help of Arif.

 

Arif is an expert in craniopathy , a specialised field of chiropractic that focuses on restoring normal cranial function. This can effect the function of the brain and individual nerves that leave through holes in the skull. Birth can exert tremendous forces upon the bones or ‘plates’ of the skull causing the plates to alter shape narrowing the holes through which the nerves exit. The results can be visually obvious in the shape of the baby’s head but the interference with the ‘cranial’ nerves often results in a child that has difficulty feeding, winding, or sleeping. The baby may sometimes be consoled by being kept moving and stroked.

The good news is a baby is naturally pliable and responds quickly if diagnosed and treated quickly. Arif has treated baby’s for 20 years and is on an international register as an expert in his field. “It can often be an emotional experience treating little bundles, there is a connection that comes through feeling their tension and pain. But seeing the happy child and beaming smiles on the parents faces is one of my greatest thrills and rewards.’

If your little one is havign problems then please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice and if appropriate you can book an appointment with Arif. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

 

 

100 years young and going strong – we love Betty at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

Betty is our most senior patient at Cliffs at 100 years and what an inspiration to us all. We love her. Betty has been a chiropractic patient for 25 years, initially coming for back pain …

She responded well to treatment for her back pain as the majority of patients do. Betty now attends for relief to her Hiatus Hernia.

This is a condition that is common in the over 70s where part of the stomach and stomach acids pop above the respiratory diaphragm. The diaphragm is also a muscle and treatment aims to gently reduce the stomach hernia by pulling it below the diaphragm muscle ‘ring’ and tone up the muscle. This specialised technique can be very effective and may be combined with taking a form of liquorice to coat the oesophagus protecting it from stomach acids reducing the effects of heart burn.

 

You are never too old or young to receive chiropractic treatment. At Cliffs Chiro we tailor each patient’s treatment to their individual needs with treatment that is gentle and effective for your age and for your needs.

If you are suffering from pain or if you have any other concerns, whatever yoru age, please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.

 

 

New Year Detox Tips from Melanie at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

Feeling bloated and groggy after the Christmas and New Year festivities? Melanie’s quick post Christmas detox tips will have you feeling energised in no time.

1. Drink plenty of water, aim for 8 glasses a day. In the mornings add slices of fresh lemon to kick start your digestive system. During the day continue this with fresh ginger or mint which will dispel wind and ease food through the digestive tract.
2. Take some pre or pro biotics, these will improve digestion, help ease constipation and normalize gut bacteria.
3. Cut down on carbohydrates- remove the white stuff from your life for a few days. This means white bread, pasta, rice, cakes and biscuits.
4. Take a course of vitamin B complex, these are depleted after too much alcohol and are needed by the liver. Vitamin C will also help the breakdown and removal of alcohol from the body start off with 1000mg daily.
5. Gentian found in Angostura bitters is a digestive stimulant and will help your body rid itself of excess.

Tomato Sunrise

If you have a Nutribullet or Vitamix blender try my health giving cocktail. Full of vitamins especially A in carrots and tomatoes which may help with hangovers.

1 large glass of tomato Juice
1 carrot
½ raw beetroot
1 small chunk of celeriac
½ tsp vitamin C powder
a dash of angostura bitters

Blend all together and pour over ice garnish with a celery stick.