Welcome to Shaftesbury Chiropractic

Why do you feel better for having a good laugh? One reason is that, when we laugh, we stimulate our vagus nerve, which provokes a relaxation response.

Why do you feel better for having a good laugh? One reason is that, when we laugh, we stimulate our vagus nerve, which provokes a relaxation response.

We all know that vitamin D is essential for strong bones so it's no surprise that the team at Shaftesbury Chiropractic are very keen that you are getting enough. But how much is enough?

Vitamin B12 is made by gut bacteria. Humans are not able to absorb B12 from their own gut and need to get B12 from food or supplements. Animals have worked out a way to absorb B12 produced by their gut bacteria - making meat, and especially liver, the best source of vitamin B12.

Being near water makes you happier. The concept of blue health started when researches at the university of Sussex asked 20,000 people to record their feelings and location. They had 1,000,000 responses and found that people were happier when they were in blue spaces.

Children need barefoot experience to help encourage their bony and soft tissue structures to develop into optimal positioning. It’s really important for their balance and motor skills development too.

Did you know that your calf muscles are often called the 'second heart'?  As the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to your whole body it benefits from some help by your calf muscles to keep the oxygen-depleted blood flowing round the system - against gravity.

After back and neck pain, knee pain is the most common problem we see in the clinic. The knee is an amazing hinge joint. The joint is quite complicated and there are a number of structures that can be injured.

If your Atlas is misaligned, it can have a knock-on effect to your entire skeleton. One shoulder might be higher than the other, causing pain in the shoulder blade. Or your pelvis could be tilted, with danger of disc damage causing severe back pain.

The way we move may not always look as graceful as we like, but movement is an amazing thing. And there’s far more to it than most of us realise.Think of it as a constant series of inputs and outputs….

Did you know that there’s no such thing as a slipped disc? These spinal shock absorbers play an important role in spacing and protecting our vertebrae and spinal cord. And, while they don’t slip, they can bulge, herniate or rupture. Which can be excruciating!

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints we see in the clinic, so obviously we see a lot of necks! If you use a computer or spend time on your phone, it's really easy to peer at the screen so that your head is forward of your neck.

Did you know that there are 26 bones in the foot and ankle? Our feet go through a lot and it is very important to look after them throughout life. Stiff joints in the feet can lead to problems in the knee, hip and lower back…

As we get older our hip joints tend to stiffen up. The hip joint, like the shoulder, is a ball and socket joint. The ball is the top of the femur (thigh bone) and the socket is found in the pelvis. Ball and socket joints are designed to move in all directions. However, it's really easy to lose mobility in our hips.

Whether you're an avid texter or a keen gardener, on computers in the office or busy with DIY on the weekend, it's amazing how much work we do with our hands. Often in awkward or repetitive ways. Which can lead to pain or stiffness if you're not careful.

As a nation we love our gardens. Gardening eases stress, provides exercise, gets us outside in the fresh air and gives a sense of accomplishment. However, it's easy to get carried away in a fit of enthusiasm and overdo it! It's my job to remind you to look after your back as well as your garden.