Our human skeletal system is the general framework of the body, consisting of bones and other connective tissues, which protects and supports the body tissues and our internal organs. There are approximately two hundred and six (206) bones in our body including the tiny bones in our ears which enables us to hear different sounds around us.

Unknown to many, a bulging disc is a type of spine injury that is sustained to your spine’s intervertebral discs that could occur or appear in the following areas:

• The lumbar spine or lower back
• The thoracic spine or the upper and mid-back portion
• The cervical spine or the neck

Literally, a disc is supposed to be in place or aligned along with other discs in a vertical manner and should not come out to either right or left portion of the spinal column. In cases where a disc slips or protrudes because of a sudden impact from an accident, the disc nucleus literally comes out of the annulus and is referred to as a herniated disc.

Distinction between a bulging disc from a herniated disc

A bulging disc is a kind or type of condition where the nucleus or inner portion of a spinal discs remains contained within the annulus fibrosus or the outer portion. On the other hand, a herniated disc is a condition in which the nucleus or the soft, gel-like tissue comes out or leaks out of the discs.

Spinal discs defined

Spinal discs refer to the shock-absorbing rings of fibrocartilage and glycoprotein that separates our bony vertebral bodies while allowing different back movements in our spinal level and giving enough space for the larger spinal nerves to come out off the spinal canal onto the limbs of our body.

The three degrees of spinal injury

• Mild disc strains or internal derangements
• Mild to moderate, severe disc bulges
• A completely ruptured disc and herniation of the nucleus through the annular wall

Causes of bulging discs

• Injury on the annulus – this significantly will contribute to the weakening of the spinal walls, and because of this, the nucleus will be pressed outwards on the weakened disc walls, causing your discs to bulge outwards.
• A pre-existing weakness in the annulus
• A protruded or slipped disc – can possibly put pressure or cause irritation on the nerve where it exits from the spine that can or will cause severe back pain, pins and needles, numbness, cramping, spasms and pain in your legs.
• An abrupt or quick amount of pressure on the discs can rupture the fibres in the annulus.

Three headings that cause disc injury

• Genetic factor – physical attributes that contribute to bulging discs include poor lower limb strength, poor core stability, and excess abdominal fat. Environmental factors include hazards and the amount of physical load that a person lifts or carries as compared to jobs that have a lighter nature like in an office doing a pen and paperwork.
• Sudden and unexpected load
• Accumulated microtrauma

Bulging discs symptoms

The amount of back pain could be aggravated based on the following activities or situations:

• Lifting
• Coughing or sneezing
• Forward bending
• Sitting

Treatment and medication

• Relief and protection from pain – the basic pain management is oral medication using a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen. Other interventions include the use of a back brace, soft tissue massage, acupuncture, and electrotherapy.
• Bulging discs exercises – this includes restoring your endurance, muscle tension and strength, normal alignment of joints, a comprehensive stretching program and a remedial massage that soothes your tired and weary muscles.
• Restoration of normal bodily functions – your physiotherapist will assist you from the beginning up to the end of your treatment. Recommendations on what to do and what not to do are given to you as precaution or prevention. Finally, following these stages of bulging disc treatment will assure or guarantee that it will prevent injuries from happening in the future.

A health professional who is able to assess, diagnose and offer treatment to dietary problems properly is a dietician. Such a person must have undergone one form of formal training and has a Bachelor degree in foods and nutrition.

A trained dietician must have also had practical training in a hospital to develop the skills necessary to practice in a work environment.

After getting the required Bachelor degree which can last up to four years and another one year for an internship at an accredited centre, a dietician can further train and pursue a masters degree and specialise in any area that relates to food and nutrition.

While a dietician can diagnose and treat nutrient-related problems, it is important to note that a dietician is not a medical doctor since they only possess a Bachelor degree and not a medical degree.

What Can a Dietician Do?

Dieticians play a significant role in society, and the work they do is indispensable. It is the job of a dietician to promote good health. The work of fostering good health involves advising on healthy eating, preparation of meals and even food services.

Dieticians are also involved in differentiating unhealthy meal plans from healthy ones that provide the required nourishment for an individual. They also conduct nutrition research and are up to date about health and nutrition.

The top dieticians are trained to help individuals with digestive problems, high blood pressure, those with specific nutritional requirements, those who want to lose weight, those with allergies and even those with eating disorders.

Where Can a Dietician Work?

Dieticians are high demand in the society. Their employment rate is projected to increase as much as 15 percent in the coming years. The work of a dietician is priceless, and they can work in many places.

Licensed dieticians can work in private clinics, offering health advice to healthy persons looking for various ways to maintain their health and to patients needing same.

A dietician service is also needed in schools since there is a rapid rise in dietary problems involving school children. Dieticians who work here assist children in developing healthy eating habits so that they can easily maintain a healthy lifestyle.

They also help with developing menus and recipe for students with food allergies and those with a particular nutrient requirement.

Those in prison also require nutritional education and a licensed dietician is the right person to give such information. Some inmates may have a required diet and may find it hard to stick with it.

It is the job of a dietician to ensure that such ones maintain their diet. In all, a dietician is expected to ensure that everyone receives healthy food.

Everyone awaits spring. After all you can enjoy great weather and plan outings and BBQ’s with friends. But for some of us spring brings along allergies, the likes of which renders people unable to enjoy themselves to the fullest. The thought of actually stopping by and smelling the roses fills them with dread. After all who wants to suffer a runny nose and itchy eyes?

Most people are sensitive to pollen and other irritants as well. People with allergies when exposed to any of these can suffer from shortness of breath, swollen eyes, sinuses and skin irritations. The only resort is to turn to medications which can have drowsiness as a major side effect. These medications also don’t work all the time and make it difficult to carry out daily activities. Plus there are quite a few side effects of these medications, ensure you see your local chiropractor in Perth for any additional questions.

The immune system works by ejecting harmful material from the body in a number of way. Allergic people have immune systems which recognize even normal things as being harmful. The reaction could be anything from sneezing, coughing, vomiting etc. the allergic reaction is due to the body’s reaction to the substance and not the substance itself.

Can chiropractors help deal with allergies?

Chiropractors aim to treat vertebral subluxations. These subluxations have a negative impact on the body as a whole. The nervous system is responsible for sending out various messages to the brain. In case there is something wrong with any part of the body, it would impact the nervous system. That is why so much emphasis is placed on spinal health. When all the vertebrae in the spine are properly aligned, the body is healthier. This is because the nervous system does not detect anything wrong with the body. Everything works in harmony ad people can lead well balanced and healthy lives.

Also the misalignment of the vertebrae might cause wrong signals being sent to the brain which could disrupt the immune system. This is also one of the reasons why allergies are common. If you suffer from seasonal allergies a visit to a chiropractor could greatly benefit you. On the other hand, the chiropractor would carry out the necessary manual adjustments which would help align the spine and reduce stress. That’s not it, you would also be suggested a simple diet plan which would help keep those allergies at bay. Combining it with a proper exercise program and people get relief from allergic symptoms in a few visits only.

Research has proved that chiropractic care has helped thousands of people resume normal and fruitful life. If you believed that chiropractors only treated people with pain symptoms, you need to think again. In fact chiropractic acre can help people get rid of many ailments. Women who suffer menstrual problems might find relief as well as children who suffer frequent bouts of ear infections would benefit from a visit to a chiropractor as well.

Dive, splash, swim and repeat! Swimming is a fun activity, and no one can deny this fact! Most of us hit the pool to beat the summer heat, but not many think of continuing with swimming after summer ends. Temperature and fear of catching a cold are the two most common reasons why most of us quit swimming. But people, don’t give up! I have listed a few points which will encourage you to swim all around the year!

1. It’s a great stress buster:
   Let’s accept it – we live in a world where everyone is constantly under tremendous pressure. So why not spare some time and cheer up your mood? Just dive into a pool and see the difference! There’s no need for you to swim, just wading in the water will release happy-hormones and keep you cheerful all day long!
2. Anyone can do it!
   You can surely convince all the youngsters and seniors in your family to join you in the pool! There’s no specific age group for splashing into the water, and anyone can take it up. Whether you’re pregnant, recovering from surgery, a marathon runner, suffering from arthritis or an injured athlete, there’s no harm for you to swim. It will provide a great full-body workout and leave you feeling fresh and energetic.
3. Cold shouldn’t bother you:
   Swimming is the best remedy for people who have Asthma. See what I’m trying to put across here? You can continue swimming even in the colder months, and you won’t fall sick! In fact, it will increase your immunity and make you less susceptible to all kinds of illnesses. Of course, consult your doctor before taking up swimming, but it’s worth giving a thought!
4. It’s the cheapest sport, ever!
   You need not purchase any expensive or heavy-duty gear for swimming – just a pair of goggles, swimsuit and a cap (Optional) and you’re all set!
5. Host of health benefits:
   Tones your body, increases muscle strength, burns down calories, improves your heart rate without causing stress and improves your sleep pattern too! Any insomniacs out there? Consider swimming; I bet you’ll be sleeping like a baby at the end of the day! Your cholesterol and hypertension levels will come back to normal, too! Plus, it makes you look younger without any efforts. (If you know what I mean! – lesser visits to the parlour and a lot of money save on cosmetics!)
6. Makes you smarter:
   Always struggled to make your presence felt in your workplace, school or home? Well, swimming helps here too! It improves your cognitive functions and makes your brain sharper and more active. Easy to create an impact now, huh?
7. There are loads to do in the pool than swim!
   If you manage to catch hold of a group of friends to swim along with you, nothing can beat the fun you’ll have together! Even otherwise, don’t fret – you can always befriend people who come to the pool regularly, and you can keep days aside, where instead of swimming, you indulge in water sports!                                                                                                                                 
8. More confidence:
   Toned bodies and sharp minds – the perfect combination of beauty with brains right? Research says that swimmers are more confident than the general crowd and they easily stand apart from the rest!

If the thought of getting back to swimming has entered your head, don’t let it get out! Your swimsuits tucked away at the back of your closet are begging for liberation! Go get them out and get going. Remember, Dive. Splash. Swim. Repeat!!