American Express are having their “shop small promotion” again in November. If you spend $20 at participating stores you get a $10 credit from American Express.

https://shopsmallaustralia.com/

Feel free to use your American Express card on your next visit

A very common source of back pain has been linked to the cartilaginous disks in the spine.  These are soft tissue structures between the vertebrae that provide shock absorption and mobility to the spine.  They also form the “weak spot” under load or activity.  This being the case, they are usually one of the first structural places in the spine to suffer injury.  Previously it was believed the disks had no nerve supply or sensory innervation.  The only time you would become aware of a problem was when the disks would become damaged in such a way that the spinal nerves or cord would become encroached or “pinched”.  The previously-diagnosed injuries were disk herniation/rupture and disk degeneration (height loss).   However, it is now recognised that the discs themselves have a nerve supply.  This is the outer one-half to one-third of the posterior annulus fibrosis, or that part of the disk closest to the back and the outer fibrous ring of the disk.

Clinically this means the disks are an important consideration in the treatment of pain and mobility issues of the back.  Not just for the impact they can have on spinal nerves but the trauma they can be subject to themselves. There are two specific entities that cause disk pain:  torsional injury and compression.  One of the worst things you can do is to lift something that is too heavy while twisting over (straight leg) and not bending the knees.  Just about everyone has experienced this…a classic way to “put your back out”.  Correct lifting technique.

Correct posture, correct exercise and correct lifting/working technique all have a major impact on our spine health.  Look after it. You only get one.

Source: Clinical Sports Medicine, Brukner & Khan 2012, p.465

A lovely piture of the sun poking through on a crisp winters morning

Here are a few snaps from travels to Sweden Leif recently returned from. Technically it’s summer in Europe. However, the weather was about the same as Sydney. Most days were around 18 Degrees with changing cloud cover and lovely sunny moments. It was wonderful to spend time at a summer cottage on a small island located in a freshwater Lake. The place is called Sandviken, about 2.5 hours drive north of Stockholm. It has a lovely relaxed pace. The midnight sun and midsummer celebrations were very special. A few days were spent in Stockholm taking in the beauty of the city in the summer glow. They have a very pleasant and colourful subway system there.

News Update

Leif Tunell will be travelling overseas for two weeks to attend to family matters. Leif will be unavailable from

Monday June 15th 2015 to Saturday June 27th and will be back at the clinic on

Monday 29th June

During his absence, Luke O’Toole will be conducting the acupuncture and massage treatments. Luke has fantastic skills and you will be well looked after.

Queen’s birthday public holiday

We will be open for a half day on the public holiday of the upcoming June long weekend, on
Monday June 8th, from 1 pm – 5.30 pm.
Saturday will be open usual hours 9pm – 4pm

Wishing you good health and a great start to the winter,

Best regards,
The Pain Relief Team

What a fantastic experience!

Refreshed and renewed, I have returned from my travels in Japan.

Japan is an extraordinary place: not only for its outstanding snow slopes, but also for the exceptional people and culture.  There is a lot of care and respect between people.  It’s probably one of the few places in the world where you can safely leave your board, gear and skis outside while you go inside for some warming ramen for lunch.  I have heard of people forgetting their wallets on the train and then returned to them with all contents and cash intact.  People don’t expect tips.  There is no hustling for extra charges or money.  Prices are set and respected.  Courtesy is highly regarded.  If you do someone a kindness, it is extremely well received and appreciated.

* The experience of working as an acupuncture TCM practitioner in another country.

* Incredible powder snow.  This is probably one of the best places for fresh snow in the world.

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Hello,

A quick update here from Leif in Japan. The wonders of nature have been working amazing treats with great snow conditions. This place is amazing. Food is great, the people warm and welcoming, not to mention the Great snow.

I have been working here at the healing centre. Treating the usual ailments and sore bodies that come with a great day skiing. Have also introduced a few people to the wonders of acupuncture and been learning a few new tricks.

The exciting prospect of working in Japan has presented itself to Leif. This is a remarkable opportunity to consult and work with a therapeutic group of professionals, focusing on acupuncture/massage skills, combined with indulging in a life-time passion for snowboarding.

Leif will be absent from the Pain Relief and Wellness Clinic for six weeks.Departing 31 January and returning on the 16th March, 2015. During this time Luke O’Toole will provide all the Clinic’s acupuncture and massage treatments. Luke is a wonderful acupuncture and massage therapist and will continue his excellent services with his caring hands and insightful approach.

We much appreciate and thank you for your support as a valued loyal client of the Pain Relief and Wellness Clinic’s services.

We wish to inform, with regret, that our fees will increase on 13th October 2014. The current fees at the clinic have been the same since 2006. To offset the rising supplier/leasing/utilities costs and running expenses, a small increase in the fees of the acupuncture and massage services we provide is necessary. It is an affordable increase of just $10 per acupuncture or massage treatment, and to compensate our loyal clients we offer an economical special pack as detailed below:

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Dr Karl of the ABC science show (Australia) …

Back when I was in my 20s, I foolishly took what is probably the most dangerous and addictive drug known to the human race — the one that kills more people than any other drug. Yup, for a few years, I stupidly smoked cigarettes.

I thought that by smoking roll-your-own cigarettes, or ‘rollies’, rather than factory-made, I was taking a healthier (or at least, less harmful) pathway. I was so wrong.

Unfortunately for the (usually poorer) people who tend to smoke rollies, they are both less natural and more harmful. In factory-made cigarettes, the additives make up about half-a-per cent of the dry weight of the tobacco. But in the rollies, the additives are about 18 per cent of the dry weight. In other words, rollies have about 38 times more additives than factory-made ciggies.

But the good news

If you quit smoking before middle age, you reduce the risk of lung cancer by 90 per cent. Within two to five years of giving up smoking, your risk of heart attack and stroke drops significantly. And after 15 years of not smoking, your risk of stroke is the same as if you had never smoked.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/07/22/4050221.htm