Blog Archives

Hyperbaric Oxygen and Osteopathy for treatment of concussion in a seven year old child. A brief case study.

10/17/2016

This is an unusual case study as the child who fell is my daughter. I was able to assess and treat her immediately. If your child falls and hits their head it is important to go immediately to your GP or Accident and Emergency for concussion/TBI assessment. Then once their condition is stable you may like to look at complementary treatment options.

A Brief Case Study:

Seven year old girl fell 3.5 metres vertically onto her head in the April school holidays
Said she felt ‘sleepy’ at first (then yelled and cried loudly)
Osteopathic assessment took place less than five minutes after the injury. The whole top of her head felt very slightly depressed and her cervical spine was side-bent to the left and locked.
Neurologically all tests appeared clear.
Gentle treatment of the neck and head to assist normal range of motion and function of the membranous tissue of her cranium resulted in her feeling ‘fine’.
She was running around happy so there was no indication that she needed a CT scan.
However, two hours later during a walk up a hill she had a headache, so we suspected concussion and she went in the mild Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber. This works by reducing the oedema in the brain tissues and also supplies 5-7 times the usual amount of oxygen to the mitochondria of the neurones which enables more of them to start firing again. This quickly cleared the headache during the session.
She also had some symptoms involving feeling unusual anger and fatigue, also indicating a concussion
Daily osteopathic and mild hyperbaric oxygen sessions for the next three days kept her feeling symptom free and six days after her fall she won her school’s year 3 and 4 cross country trial, even against the boys!
She has continued to be well now, one year on in April 2017.

This is the seven year old who was concussed, winning her years cross country race.

City Osteopaths and City Hyperbaric are well placed to help people of all ages, in conjunction with their concussion healthcare team. Our Reg Osteopaths are able to gently treat any neck, shoulder and back strains that may have occurred and the hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces brain oedema or swelling and provides the extra oxygen required by injured brain tissue to help the mitochondria to make the energy required to heal damaged or dormant tissue and help restore function.

Ideally, as in this case, we are able to treat the neck injury and concussion as soon as possible after medical assessment after the accident. We like to work in with the concussion care team to help your child make a full recovery. If the concussion occurred many years before it is probably going to take longer to improve or resolve.

Below is some research for the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen in concussion for children:

“Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Severe Head Injury in Children”
—Journal of Pediatric Neuroscience. 2012 Jan-April 7(1) 4-8 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401652/
Conclusion: In children with traumatic brain injury, the addition of HBOT significantly improved outcome and quality of life and reduced risk of complications. Patients receiving HBOT were significantly better than the control group with decreased hospital stay, better Glasgow Coma Scale and drastic reduction in disability.

“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can improve Post Concussion Syndrome years after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury – Randomised Prospective Trial” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24260334
—PLoS One November 2013 10.137/journal.pone 0079995
Conclusion: Convincing results based on a crossover study, demonstrating that HBOT can induce neuroplasticity and significant brain function improvement in mild TBI patients with prolonged Post-Concussion-Syndrome at late chronic stage, years after injury.
The findings here bear the promises that HBOT can be effective in treating other brain impairments like PTSD or repairing radiation damage. It is reasonable to expect that HBOT can help slow down or even reverse metabolic disorders associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Please check out our website links below for more information or give us a call on 04 4991439
www.cityosteopaths.co.nz
www.cityhyperbaric.co.nz

0 Comments

Does Cell Phone use affect fertility? An in depth look by Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, Natalee Durrant at City Osteopaths Healthcare in Wellington.

10/16/2016

0 Comments

There is some conflicting information surrounding the effects of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (EMW) and their effects on the body and fertility. There is a large body of evidence however that supports the hypothesis that radiation from mobile phones has negative effects upon the body and fertility especially that of males. It has been difficult to conduct repeatable, strong experiments. This means that previous studies have produced antagonistic data. With increasing interest into this hypothesis, stronger and less fallible experiments and research have been conducted. If this is true of mobile EMW then as a technologically advancing race with evidenced lowered fertility rates we need to consider how we avoid these problematic EMWs.
Radiation is categorised as either non-ionising or ionising. That emitted from mobile phones is non-ionising, which is less ominous than the ionising radiation from sunlight and x-rays. Non-ionising REM waves are considered too weak to break biological chemical bonds whereas ionising waves break bonds and damage human tissue. Some research papers however dispute this, stating mobile radiation does in fact have the capacity to break chemical bonds within the body and cause tissue damage.

The effects of cell phone radiation are broken into two classifications. Thermal effects are caused by high frequencies that increase in heat and may heat the tissues in contact with the phone and increase the body’s overall temperature. This may cause dysfunction to cellular development and function, especially of the eyes and testes which are at particular risk due to having fewer blood vessels. Non-thermal effects may cause disruption to the integrity of the cell membranes by interfering with the cell membrane electrical potentials. It may alter endothelial tissue function, alter the blood-brain barrier, cellular signalling and in turn affect the immune system and nervous system excitability.

Mobile radiation is measured in terms of SAR (specific absorption rate). This measures the effect of radio frequency EM waves on the body. It is calculated by watt/kg ratio. Measurements above 1.6 watts/kg are deemed dangerous. SAR rates can depend on the proximity to a cell site, proximity of the phone to the body when in use, the transmission type (or mode of use –whether in standby or in talk mode), the use of hands free.

Data has been antagonistic due to the inability to perform repeatable studies. It has proven difficult to find an appropriate control group, as most people of current reproductive age have had exposure to telecommunications and older generations experience other fertility issues. Therefore most studies utilise those who have had ‘minimal’ exposure as a baseline for controls. Other issues to be factored in are the type of cell phones used; the proximity of the cell phone to reproductive organs, the length of exposure and the transmission type. Animal studies pose issues as well. SAR is based on body weight, of which animals have significantly less and they are anatomically quite different to human subjects. In vitro ejaculated samples have also been used. Questions as to the appropriateness of this are also raised.

A large number of retrospective studies, observational studies and a few prospective in vitro studies have been utilised in the past to conclude that there are a number of health issues caused by mobile EMW. Some of these issues include; disturbances to sleep patterns, neuroendocrine, EEG’s, hormone secretions, increased reactive oxidation stress (ROS) and reduced sperm motility and viability. General fatigue, lowered concentration, and increased blood pressure levels have also been noted. It is however not completely clear what effect mobile radiation has in order to produce these health issues. There are other studies that negate these findings also.

Several studies found a direct link between increased cell phone use and lowered progressive sperm motility, increased non-progressive sperm motility, increased ROS and decreased count and abnormal morphology of sperm. Where one animal study agreed with all of the above, other studies found no change when they repeated the study. Anatomical changes were noted by an animal study, where teste size and seminiferous tube diameter were reduced.

An animal study showed thermal effects caused no change to male fertility; whereas other animal and human studies showed non-thermal effects caused oxidative stress. Sperm is high in polyunsaturated fats and have low stores of antioxidant enzymes making them more susceptible to ROS. (This was also shown to affect the endometrium lining of the uterus.) It has been hypothesised that RF EMW may reduce antioxidant levels especially that of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. These results were seen with SAR levels of only 0.09w/kg. Research reviews concluded that depending on SAR, handling and use of phone, EMW frequency and proximity to reproductive organs, sperm were definitely affected by cellular radiation induced ROS.
A 2007 study linked GSM (2G) phones to increased abnormal sperm morphology and reduced progressive motility dependant on the duration of exposure. (There are conflicting reports as to whether 2G SAR ratings were lower than 3G, but it is thought that a 2G phone had to work harder therefore would emit more radiation).

Studies have shown a number of methods by which mobile radio frequency EMW radiation may negatively affect sperm health and therefore male fertility. Some of these methods are:

Radiation may interfere with sperm cell membrane potential and signal transmission.
Radiation may affect the mitochondria of the sperm, reducing motility.
Sperm apoptosis may also be affected causing an increase in morphological issues.
Phones with 0.9w/kg SAR were seen to affect the DNA and chromatin of mice. It is unknown if this was caused directly by the EMW radiation or by the induced ROS.
Lowered testosterone levels were also seen in test groups of mice. This is probably caused by an effect on the testosterone producing Leydig cells in the testes rather the pituitary as luteinising and follicle stimulating hormones were not affected.

In 2014 Dr. James Hotaling, an expert in male fertility and andrology negated any claims of mobile phone radiation causing male infertility. He stated he had never seen any conclusive data to substantiate these claims and suggested a selection bias, as participants were generally sourced from fertility clinics. He also mentioned that sperm counts naturally varied, hour to hour, day to day, month to month. His view is that the main factors affecting male infertility were diet, exercise and age.

More recent articles have published the results of studies negating Dr. Hotaling’s claims against mobile radiation induced male infertility. In Feb 2016 The Telegraph published an article about a recent study into mobile phone use and male infertility. The study followed 100 men for 1 year and found a number of men talked on the phone while it was charging, kept the phone only a few cm from the bed while they slept and found that less than 1 hour a day of use can “cook” sperm and significantly lower sperm count whether it was close to their testes or within 1-2 ft of their body. These findings were published in the Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine. Another article in the NZ Herald in Sept 2016 discussed a review of 27 studies that showed consistent results of lowered count and possible DNA damage from phones kept in pockets. The article noted an 8% and 9% decrease in motility and viability respectively.

These articles don’t often mention the possible link between reproductive cancers and cell phone use. In 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) rated mobile radiation as a 2B carcinogen, deeming it a possible carcinogen to humans. One may then assume a relationship between increased prostate cancers and cell phones in pockets.

So within our advancing technological age where ever developing telecommunication is an accepted and expected part of daily life, how do we reduce our exposure to mobile emitted radio frequency electromagnetic waves or radiation? Surely new regulations should be considered and put in place to protect our population from this radiation? Especially with a population that is experiencing increased infertility? One US telecommunication company reduced their frequency from 1800MHz to 850MHz and found their users experienced better quality calls. Lower frequencies may cause less damage to our bodies. Maybe this is one aspect to be considered.
Until such time individuals can follow the following guidelines:

Limit cell phone call to only those that are necessary.
Don’t carry your phone directly on your body. (Even switched off phones may emit radiation.)
Only use your phone when there is optimal reception. (Low reception increases the emissions of radiation. Each signal bar missing increases exposure several hundred times.)
Don’t use your phone in a moving vehicle. (This causes constant scanning by the phone for cell antenna/sites and this increases radiation emissions. GSM phone are worse than 3G and 4G for this.)
Use speaker phone where possible. (This allows you to hold the phone further away from your body. It can however increase the magnetic radiation levels.)
Use a headset. Preferably the air tube type. These are specifically designed to reduce mobile radiation. (These use a hollow, flexible air tube that transmits sound from the phone to the ear. They do not use metal, which can act as a conductor of radiation.)
Don’t keep your phone beside your bed or in your bedroom while you sleep.
Use texts over calls. (This limits the duration of exposure to radiation.)
Minimise the number of applications running and disable any unnecessary background services. (This reduces radiation from background data traffic.)

Things to consider:

There are some thoughts that SAR is not an appropriate measure of safe radiation effects on the body as there are too many variables. Therefore this should not be heavily relied upon.
There is conflict as to whether the use of Bluetooth is any safer than making calls normally.
There is some technology that provides devices to shield and/or adapt EMW, however there is still a lot of conflict about whether these work or not.

In conclusion, there are conflicting studies regarding the effects of radiation on infertility and most of these studies pertain to male infertility. There seems to be an obvious consistency between studies that mobile emitted radiation does effect fertility, especially that of males. The possible mode of these effects seems to differ between studies but the predominant results are those of reduced progressive motility, lowered sperm count and increased abnormal morphology of sperm. Although most studies pertain to male infertility, it is likely that radiation would definitely affect female reproductive health and fertility also. In conclusion these studies should be taken seriously by the entire population and at all ages, not just those who are of reproductive age or those experiencing infertility. The precautions listed above should be followed along with any others that readers may come across. It is hoped that with the increasing age of technology and telecommunications, the reduction in frequencies and radiation emissions of future developments in telecommunication and mobile devices will be strongly considered as pertinent requirements.
Thanks for reading!
For more information about the author, see the links below.

Natalee Durrant BNatMed, Dip.Massage, MNZAMH

Natalee graduated as a naturopath and medical herbalist in 2008 and has worked within the health industry as a consulting retail naturopath since.
Along with Zest Natural Health colleague Kimberly Taylor, Natalee specialises in fertility health in women and men, recurrent miscarriage, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy issues and gynaecological problems like endometriosis and PCOS.
Natalee is passionate about enabling individuals to develop and maintain optimal health and she enjoys supporting people in attaining their own personal goals.

Links:
City Osteopaths or call 04 4991439
www.zestnaturalhealth.co.nz

0 Comments

How to Self Treat your Bunion - City Osteopaths helpful video

10/11/2016

0 Comments

Do you or does someone you know have a bunion?

This video is by our Registered Osteopath Melanie Young, who has a very strong history of bunions in her family and was starting to develop her own. She decided she wanted to see if she could reduce the bunion she was developing and enable her foot to function normally again.

So she studied and practiced on herself for a few years and worked out a method which really helped reduce and remove the pain, stiffness and even the deformity. She goes over how to gently self treat your bunion.

You can use this video simply as it is, however if you would like some more help with your bunion(s), then come on in to see one of our Reg. Osteopaths.

Our osteopaths are able to gently work on your lower body/hip /knee/foot issues for best results. Plus they can go over the exercises and give you a comprehensive information sheet to help you remember what you need to do.

For best results do a small amount of work on your feet every day. Do let us know how you go!

Our Osteopathic Team
More information and research on Osteopathy
Phone 04 4991439 for an appointment or for one of our osteopaths to call you back if you have questions.

0 Comments

Osteopathic Testimonial Archive October 2016

10/9/2016

0 Comments

Over the years we have been given wonderful testimonials by many of our patients. As of October 2016 the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand has stated that Registered Osteopaths should no longer display testimonials. In order to comply with this we have removed them from our osteopaths page. Our practice treats a wide range of unique conditions for patients which the testimonials reflect. We won't be adding any new ones but here they are for reference as they may be helpful to people in need.

Registered Osteopaths Sebastian Tucker, Melanie Young, Chris Thompson, Aydan Hajyeva and Lara Sanders are in this photo, surrounded by our registered acupuncturists, naturopaths and massage therapists.

All of these testimonials are from actual patients and are verifiable.

"I would highly recommend City Osteopaths, they are professional, efficient and yet still always make you feel like you are the most important person they are seeing that day.

I have Fibromyalgia which means there are regular issues I need to deal with on a day to day basis. City Osteopaths have helped me combat everything from a painful jaw to a shortened hamstring to putting my upper back out – even headaches.
I have been given the tools to be able to deal with a lot of the body issues I get myself now. I highly recommend City Osteopaths." - AW, Wellington

"My son had an accident which resulted in his front tooth being knocked forward and his top jawbone protruding through his gum. The dentist was going to cut the bone out. I went to City Osteopaths and after just one visit to Melanie, who is a cranial osteopath, the bone began to re-align into place. Within a week it was completely healed and the bone could not be seen at all. His behaviour, which had been affected badly due to headaches since the accident, also quickly came right after the treatment. I would highly recommend seeing an Osteopath to heal your ailments". - Mother of a ten year old boy, Wellington

"I have been treated by Melanie since April this year following an injury to my knee which was severely limiting what I could do. The injury also compounded problems with my back and neck. I had regular treatments with Melanie and several acupuncture sessions with Janine to add support to my healing process.This is one of the real benefits of coming to an integrated healthcare provider which practices an ethos of genuine care and support to people to do their healing. So I'm healing well and hugely grateful to be moving with increasing ease and confidence". - Vicki

"I have had long term back and shoulder pain. This has been totally fixed by my osteopath Sebastian in the last three weeks. A great change to my life and lifestyle. Recommend the practice (City Osteopaths) to anyone." T.Lynch

"Finally, thanks to my osteopath I am pain-free after 8 months of pain and various tests and a mis-diagnosis by my GP and specialists. I was getting desperate with not knowing what was causing my pain. The GP had pretty much given up on me as he had explored all the avenues he could think of. A friend recommended that I try her osteopath, who she described as "wonderful". I was a bit sceptical but thought I had nothing to lose and no-one else seemed to have any ideas about how I could investigate further. Within a couple of appointments I was feeling the benefit of the treatment - which was non-invasive and relaxing - and the improvement has continued with each appointment so that I am now pain-free. From talking to me the osteopath quickly identified the cause of the problem and was then able to treat it. 2010 is the year I will remember as "my year of pain" but that is now just a memory, thanks to the osteopath.
I would recommend an osteopath for any mysterious aches and pains you have which your GP cannot identify or treat successfully. It certainly worked for me". - J McDougall

"Lara has a lovely, calm demeanour that allowed me to relax when she was working her magic on me. I had never been to an osteopath before but thought I'd give her a go after I found a GP's advice for my sore tailbone was not helpful. Lara's handy work and exercises she gave to do at home worked wonders and she has also been very effective with treating a sharp stabbing pain near my hip. Lara helped me to understand the reason for my pain, which really eased my mind". - N. Harris

"I had constant sinus issues and headaches from the earlier stages in my pregnancy which I hadn't ever had before. I also had lower back pain. After visiting Melanie twice at five months pregnant, everything cleared up and my head, back and sinus have been fine during the pregnancy since. Would recommend this practice to anyone." - L.Snowdon

"Excellent work from City Osteopaths to resolve the ear pain and discomfort from a nasal fracture that was left to heal by itself after a visit to the doctor. I would recommend that everyone visits and osteopath for an annual checkup, these people can work wonders with things that you never knew needed healing." - A Google User

"Since being treated by Aydan for an ongoing compressed leg injury, my lifestyle has dramatically improved – subtle methods of therapy have helped me regain my ability to function at work, and even walk properly again. Whilst my treatment is still ongoing, I have regained my confidence and feel positive moving forward. I would happily recommend City Osteopaths to anyone experiencing physical difficulty, the staff give you 110% of their time and focus, dedicated to your eventual full recovery.” - K.Wood

"I have been having seeing Sebastian for the last few months, after suffering from neck, shoulder pain and stiffness and lower back stiffness and discomfort. Most of the pain and stiffness I was experiencing has disappeared and my overall posture has improved significantly. Sebastian has also recommended targeted exercises and magnesium and vitamin B all to assist with my overall recovery".
M. Mallet

"For months I suffered lower back pain, specially when I played the piano - I couldn't work out what was wrong with my posture, but I began to think I'd have to stop playing. When I went to Melanie with the problem, I could hardly believe it when, with just gentle touching, she somehow magicked the pain away! It wasn't even a question of it gradually getting better, it just went. Extraordinary and wonderful". - L. Cox

As an athlete, my body needs to operate at 100%. The treatment I get from Sebastian at City Osteopaths is second to none. He gets me back into shape quicker so I perform at my best. I would highly recommend Sebastian to any prospective clients wanting to get back to their best" April 2015 Feedback form

"I have been seeing Sebastian, and I was a little skeptical initially. However he has helped mobilise my back and pelvis to a point I have never had so much movement in my life. He has been so kind and supportive in every way possible and made me feel comfortable at all times. I have urged so many others to book in and see him".
Sarah, Wellington

"I highly recommend City Osteopaths, I've suffered from migraines for the last 8 years and by chance was shown a video that Osteopath Chris posted about the connection between posture/neck/back tension and migraines. The knowledge and skill that Chris has is amazing and I haven't had a migraine since I've been working with City Osteopaths. Thank you!"

0 Comments

Hyperbaric Oxygen and Osteopathy for treatment of concussion in a seven year old child. A brief case study.

Does Cell Phone use affect fertility? An in depth look by Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, Natalee Durrant at City Osteopaths Healthcare in Wellington.

How to Self Treat your Bunion - City Osteopaths helpful video

Osteopathic Testimonial Archive October 2016

Categories

Archives

For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic,
Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment

Hyperbaric Oxygen and Osteopathy for treatment of concussion in a seven year old child. A brief case study.

Does Cell Phone use affect fertility? An in depth look by Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, Natalee Durrant at City Osteopaths Healthcare in Wellington.

How to Self Treat your Bunion - City Osteopaths helpful video

Osteopathic Testimonial Archive October 2016

Categories

Archives

﻿For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic, Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment﻿

For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic,
Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment