After just completing the unforgiving and relentless 6 foot track marathon on the weekend I thought it would be appropriate to share with you the knowledge, insight and resilient spirit of our much valued client here at Health Associates - Jason.

Congratulations on a great finish Jason - You are a champion athlete and person!


Name: Jason Martin
Occupation: Baker and pastry cook
 
What health means to me?
Health is something I strive for daily with the aim of always moving forward to being a better, healthier person.
Finding balance in all areas of food, fitness, mind and body one step at a time.
Being able to look at myself as a whole person and be contented and happy.
 
How I keep healthy?
By always being open and adaptive to eating well, staying away from processed food as much as I can, eating mostly whole plant foods.
Trying to get good quality sleep so my body can repair, which can be difficult with the shift work I do.
My main passion is trail running but I also enjoy swimming, cycling and strength work. Doing a variety of exercise also has the benefit of working my muscles in different ways, which gives my body a break from the impact of running.
Giving my body regular TLC with stretching and quality treatments like remedial massage helps prevent injuries and keep my body balanced.
 
How I keep motivated?
By looking back on how far I’ve come on my journey to better health.
Stepping outside and running the trails in our beautiful National Parks.
Meeting and engaging with like-minded people and sharing knowledge and stories.
Setting a main goal for my next event and then breaking that down into smaller steps for my training plan.
 
Why I like coming to Health Associates?
It’s a friendly small business and the staff are genuinely interested in getting to know you and supporting you. The care and quality of treatments is exceptional.
 
Advice for others wanting to improve their health:
It’s like training for a marathon, it all starts with little steps.
Decide what your goal is, make a plan, break it down to smaller daily goals and if you follow this consistently before you know it you will be amazed at how far you have come. You may find you achieve more than you hoped for.
 
Favourite Quote:
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
- Lao Tzu
 
Jason receives regular massage to keep him feeling great and in tip top shape. Try it out for yourself. Contact us by clicking the button.

Friday 1st April to Sunday 10th April is Seniors Week.
Health Associates are huge advocates for seniors week and supporting our seniors in the local community. Our aim is  to keep them physically capable, confident, independent, active and social through excellent and affordable health care and by supporting their clubs and organisations.
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We do this in practice by:

• Allowing longer consultation times for seniors so they do not feel rushed and get the best treatment possible
• Offering 10% off all services for seniors
• Offering Bulk Billing for GP Chronic Disease Management/EPC referrals
• Providing onsite parking and disabled access making their experience more enjoyable
• Providing home care podiatry visits
• Supporting local clubs and organisations - Club Kirrawee

Just like you we have  parents and grandparents that we love and respect. Not only do we want them around for as long as possible but we want them to be having the best quality of life as possible. 

To celebrate seniors week we have an exclusive offer! Book in between 1 - 10 April and recieve 1/2 price initial consultations for chiropractic or podiatry or $25 of any standard consultations or one hour remedial massage.

If you or somebody you love could benefit from some professional insight or care then this is a great opportunity to book them in. Simply contact the clinic on 9542 3330 or email us at info@healthassociates.com.au

At Health Associates we are dedicated to keeping you 'Free To Move' 

Our mission is founded on our core belief that movement and exercise are essential to living well. When you have a physical issue it can severely impact so many aspects of your life be it work, family, health or confidence.

Not only are we here to help you through acute or chronic conditions as they arise. We are here to educate and support you the best we can to help manage or avoid injuries that might keep you out of the game. We will also do our best to fast track you to a successful recovery and hope we don't have to see you again.

Help us help you by following some very basic but simple injury prevention rules that will keep you in the game all season.

1. Warm up adequately. If it is cold or you are older or deconditioned allow extra time. Running from the car to the field does not count as a warm up. 
2. Wear adequate foot wear. It may seem like a good idea at the time but the money you save on cheaper shoes you will have to pay on injury rehabilitation.
3. Follow a realistic training program. Turning up to a game or event and not putting in the proper amount of training could lead to injury. Find a coach or follow a program and give yourself enough time to prepare for the season.
4. Work within your current fitness level - We all have had those moments when our mind tells us we are 21 but our body clearly disagrees. That game saving tackle may not be worth it in the long run. So when you think of taking the tackle, think again!
5. Eat well and hydrate... with water. This one is repeated time, and time again. It's often a hard lesson to learn. Keep your body in peak condition by choosing nutritious options and drinking plenty of water.
6. Stretch! Stretch! Stretch! Mobility and flexibility are essential to ensure our bodies are working at their full potential and moving through movements well. For every hour you have to exercise at lease  10 minutes of that should be for stretching. 
7. Seek specific advice - if you have a niggle, an old injury or just want to make sure everything is in good working order book in with our podiatrist, chiropractor or massage therapist and they will be able to quickly identify things that may cause you issues. One visit before the season may save you lots of visits during.

For an appointment contact us on 9542 3330 today.

Growing pains are often categorised as muscular pain experienced in the legs of children between the ages of 3-5 years and 8-11 years. Symptoms are often felt in the calf, front of thigh or behind the knees – and it is often worse in the afternoon or evening. Symptoms subside by morning.
 
At this stage the cause of growing pains is not determined. Some think it could be due to bones growing however this is not conclusive. Fortunately, it is harmless although the child can be in a lot of pain. Growing pains do not affect how your child walks or runs and they do not make the child feel unwell. It is often seen in children who do a lot of physical activity.
 
Things to look out for:

• Is your child limping?
• Are they complaining of pain throughout the day?
• Do they feel unwell?
• Is their leg sore to touch?

If they are presenting with any of these symptoms then it is advised to seek professional advice.

Diagnosing growing pains
A practitioner will diagnose growing pains after ruling out all other causes of leg pain including:

• Problems that effect the muscles working together – such as knock knees or severe flat feet
• Infections and some viruses
• Arthritis – which damages joints
• Osgood-schlatters
• Severs disease

Treatment of growing pains

• Comfort and reassurance

• Gentle massage of the affected area
• Apply warm compress being careful not to burn the skin
• Temporarily reduce the amount of physical activity – especially for very active children
• Attend to any biomechanical deficiencies – feet that roll in, poor posture, movement patterns

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How we can help
Our practitioners will be able to help diagnose your child’s pain, offer reassurance, treatment and management advice. They can liaise with other health professionals to ensure your child is getting the best treatment possible.

Falls are a major cause of injury for older people and may be an indicator for deteriorating health. With the aging population this is something that needs careful thought and consideration. Did you know that between 2011-12 96,385 people aged over 65 and over were hospitalised for a fall-related injury. Of these, 68% were women.
 
It is estimated that at least one-third of people over the age of 65 years fall one or more times a year. Although many of these falls do not result in injury, they can cause:

• Hip and wrist fractures
• Hip and shoulder dislocations
• Head injuries and abrasions
• Bruising and strains
• Fear of falling that can result in a loss of confidence and restriction of activities.

Prevention is key and there are many easy changes that can be made to reduce the risk of falls or the severity of injuries:
 
Stay healthy to maximise wellbeing
Engaging in regular exercise helps improve balance, strength and flexibility. Whether it is walking, Tai Chi or water aerobics regular participation is key to keeping your body strong and responsive.
 
Talk to your health care professionals about improving your diet, managing any medication you may be on, and ways to manage chronic medical conditions. Get your eyes tested annually and visit your podiatrist regularly to minimise foot problems.
 
Shoes
It is important to wear comfortable shoes that fit well. Make sure they have low or no heels and that they are slip resistant.
 
Home safety

• Lighting – make sure there is adequate lighting and use plug-in lights in corridors or hallways
• Remove clutter and keep corridors and hallways clear
• Repair or replace rugs or carpet that are torn, frayed or have holes
• Put adhesive strips on mats and rugs including in the bathroom
• Make sure beds and chairs are sturdy and easy to get out of
• Check that doors can be opened and closed easily and that door locks are easy to use
• Wipe up spills immediately
• Install grab rails in bathrooms. Towel rails are usually not strong enough
• To reduce the risk of falling in an emergency ensure smoke alarms are in working order and a fire blanket or extinguisher are in easy reach

 
Home safety outside

• Clear away garden tools.
• Remove mosses, fungi and lichen that make garden paths slippery
• Mark the leading edge of outside pavers with white paint to make it easy to see
• Make sure outside steps are well lit
  
• Keep paths well swept
• Repair broken paths, patios and other walking areas
• Wear sunglasses and a hat to reduce sun glare

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How we can help:
Our podiatrist can help address any concerns of the lower limbs and attend to any foot care. They can advise on the best shoes for you that will help you feel stable, supported and confident. 

Visiting the chiropractor can help address any musculoskeletal concerns. Do you have poor balance? Do you find it difficult to stand straight or turn your head? Do you suffer from dizziness?

All of our practitioners are experts in their field and adhere to the highest standards of care.

Other useful information

• Aged Care Information Line 1800 200 422
• Carers Australia 1800 242 636

 
 
http://www.aihw.gov.au/injury/falls/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/falls-prevention-for-older-people