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Expert Health Advice
#1 Health Blog For Chiropractic News and Advice
Dr Julian Simpson & Dr Daniel Williams
Welcome to the Sunbury and Melton health hub.
Our mission is to empower our community through movement and knowledge.
With over 800 science-backed articles, we’ve built this library to help you enhance your Chiropractic and Massage care at home.
Dive in, learn the science behind your recovery, and share these insights to help our local community live stronger, healthier lives.

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Could Weak Neck Muscles Be Contributing to Your Headaches?
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that originates from structures in the neck.
Common symptoms include:
Pain that starts at the base of the skull
Headache on one side of the head
Neck stiffness
Pain that worsens with neck movement
Pain that spreads into the forehead, temple or behind the eye
Reduced neck mobility
Associated shoulder and upper back tension
Julian Simpson
15 hours ago7 min read


Nearly Half of Women Experience Ongoing Back and Pelvic Pain After Childbirth: New Research Reveals Key Risk Factors
48% of women still experienced low back or pelvic pain four months after giving birth
Women who delivered by caesarean section were more than three times more likely to experience persistent pain
First-time mothers were 2.4 times more likely to have ongoing pain
Women with no history of athletic activity before pregnancy were twice as likely to develop persistent postpartum pain
Julian Simpson
15 hours ago5 min read


New Research Reveals a Hidden Cause of Chronic Low Back Pain: It's Not Just About Muscle Size
Key Finding #1: The Multifidus Muscle Was Smaller
One of the most significant findings was that participants with chronic low back pain had a significantly smaller multifidus muscle cross-sectional area compared to healthy controls.
What Is The Multifidus?
The multifidus is one of the deepest stabilising muscles in the spine.
Its role is to:
Control small spinal movements
Support spinal stability
Help distribute forces through the lower back
Provide feedback
Julian Simpson
16 hours ago5 min read


Six Weeks of Neck Exercises Reduced Neck Disability by 92% in Digital Device Users
What Is Video Display Terminal (VDT) Syndrome?
Video Display Terminal Syndrome refers to a collection of symptoms associated with prolonged use of computers, smartphones, and other digital devices.
Research cited in the study found that:
Approximately 65.9% of computer users experience musculoskeletal disorders
The neck is affected in 38.2% of cases
The lower back is affected in 44.4% of cases
Julian Simpson
16 hours ago5 min read


Are Trigger Points Really the Problem? New Research Suggests They May Be Your Body's Protective Response
What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is characterised by the presence of:
Trigger points (TrPs)
Tight bands of muscle known as taut bands (TBs)
Local muscle tenderness
Referred pain patterns
Reduced flexibility and movement
Researchers estimate that Myofascial Pain Syndrome may account for between 20% and 93% of chronic musculoskeletal pain presentations, making it on
Julian Simpson
4 days ago5 min read


Are Poor Posture Habits Causing Back Pain in Teenagers? What New Research Reveals
Key Statistics From The Study
The study examined 70 adolescents aged between 10 and 20 years and found:
63% reported back pain within the previous three months.
56% reported neck pain.
Average back pain severity was 4.1 out of 10.
Average neck pain severity was 3.9 out of 10.
51% used smartphones or tablets for more than four hours per day.
Only 24% achieved 8–9 hours of sleep per night.
Girls reported significantly more back pain than boys.
Flexed
Julian Simpson
4 days ago5 min read


Upper Crossed Syndrome: Can Corrective Exercises Really Improve Your Posture?
What Is Upper Crossed Syndrome?
Upper Crossed Syndrome is a postural pattern involving:
Forward head posture
Rounded shoulders
Increased upper back rounding (thoracic kyphosis)
Tight chest and neck muscles
Weak upper back and shoulder stabilising muscles
Research suggests UCS affects between 11% and 60% of people, depending on age, occupation, and lifestyle factors, with particularly high rates among office workers and students.
Common symptoms may include
Julian Simpson
4 days ago4 min read


Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: The Overlooked Cause of Neck, Shoulder and Arm Pain in Sunbury & Melton
What Is Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome occurs when nerves of the brachial plexus become compressed as they travel from the neck into the arm.
The thoracic outlet is a narrow passageway located between the neck, collarbone and upper chest.
When structures within this space become tight, inflamed or compressed, the nerves can become irritated, leading to symptoms throughout the shoulder, arm and hand.
Common Symptoms Include:
N
Julian Simpson
4 days ago5 min read


Why Pain in Multiple Areas of the Body Can Affect Your Health More Than You Think
What Is Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain?
Multisite musculoskeletal pain refers to pain occurring in more than one body region at the same time.
Research estimates that:
Up to 81% of adults experience pain in multiple body regions during their lifetime.
Prevalence is even higher in adults aged over 65.
People with multisite pain report lower physical function, poorer mental health, increased healthcare utilisation and reduced quality of life.
Multisite pain has
Julian Simpson
4 days ago5 min read


The Science of Injury Prevention: What Every Athlete in Sunbury & Melton Should Know
The review found that athletes who followed structured injury-prevention programs experienced:
✅ Up to 43–50% fewer ankle, knee and ACL injuries
✅ Around 41% lower overall lower-limb injury risk
✅ 56–70% fewer hamstring injuries with targeted eccentric strengthening
✅ Improved sprint speed, jumping ability, balance and athletic performance
✅ Reduced risk of recurring injuries
✅ Better movement control and neuromuscular coordination
These benefits were seen across youth
Julian Simpson
4 days ago5 min read


Hip Pain and Lower Back Pain: Understanding the Hidden Connection Between Your Hip and Spine
What Is Hip-Spine Syndrome?
Hip-Spine Syndrome describes the overlap between conditions affecting the hip joint and the lumbar spine (lower back).
Because the hip and lower back work together during everyday activities such as:
Walking
Sitting
Standing up
Bending forward
Putting on shoes and socks
Lifting objects
Problems in one region can create abnormal movement patterns and increased strain in the other.
Julian Simpson
4 days ago5 min read


Can Your Lower Back Be the Key to Fixing Knee Pain? New Research Says Yes!
What Exactly Is PFPS?
PFPS occurs when the kneecap doesn’t move smoothly in its groove. This can happen due to:
Weak or inhibited quadriceps
Poor biomechanics
Reduced proprioception (your body’s ability to sense joint position)
Changes in muscle control
Increased sensitivity in the nerves surrounding the knee
Left untreated, PFPS can progress to chondromalacia patellae or even early osteoarthritis—so early intervention matters.
Julian Simpson
4 days ago4 min read


Handwriting vs iPad Writing: What the Latest Research Says About Neck Pain, Posture & Muscle Strain
What Is Text Neck?
“Text neck” refers to repetitive stress and strain on the cervical spine caused by looking downward at phones, tablets, or laptops for extended periods.
Common symptoms include:
Neck pain
Headaches
Shoulder tightness
Upper back stiffness
Reduced neck mobility
Muscle fatigue
Poor posture
Julian Simpson
May 204 min read


Scoliosis, Poor Posture & Screen Time in Teenagers: What New Research Reveals
75.3% of adolescents had at least one sagittal spinal deviation
This included conditions such as:
Forward head posture
Flat thoracic posture
Hyperkyphosis
Lumbar posture changes
Julian Simpson
May 204 min read


How Smartphone Use Is Causing Hand, Wrist & Thumb Pain in University Students
Some studies reported wrist/hand pain prevalence as high as:
68.7% of students are experiencing wrist or hand pain
50.57% reporting wrist, hand, or finger issues within 12 months
52.4% reporting wrist pain linked to smartphone overuse
44.05% reporting musculoskeletal pain overall
Julian Simpson
May 205 min read


The “Heads-Down Generation”: How Screen Time Is Impacting Teen Spinal Health, Sleep & Wellbeing
Researchers discovered:
Adolescents spent the most time on social media, averaging 2.89 hours daily
Computer gaming averaged 2.61 hours per day
Some teenagers reported 6+ hours daily on screens
Increased screen time was linked with higher rates of:
Headaches
Neck and shoulder pain
Back pain
Eye strain
Dizziness
Difficulty sleeping
Julian Simpson
May 204 min read


Musculoskeletal Pain in Police Officers: What the Latest Research Means for Your Spine and Health
The study examined 255 active police officers from tactical units in Germany and found an incredibly high rate of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
Key Statistics From the Research
92.9% experienced musculoskeletal pain within the previous 12 months
56.1% had pain within the previous 7 days
Only 7.1% reported being completely symptom free
71% experienced pain in at least two body regions
38% reported pain in four or more body regions
Julian Simpson
May 204 min read


Depression, Chronic Pain & The Nervous System: Can Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Help?
Depression is often thought of as an emotional or mental health condition, but research shows it can also have a major impact on the body. Muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, neck pain, low back pain, poor posture, and chronic pain are all commonly linked with depression and stress-related disorders.
At Health Wise Chiropractic in Sunbury, we regularly see how physical pain and mental well-being are connected. New research reviewing 97 studies suggests that manual therapies
Julian Simpson
May 204 min read


Can Chiropractic Care Influence Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis? What New Research Found
Quick answer: This research does not suggest chiropractic care treats or cures MS.
However, it does suggest that spinal manipulation and manual therapy may influence:
Neuroimmune responses
Inflammatory signaling
Nervous system physiology
Julian Simpson
May 203 min read


Can Manual Therapy Help Reduce Stress Hormones? What Research Says About Cortisol, Oxytocin & Pain Relief
Can Manual Therapy Help Reduce Stress Hormones? What Research Says About Cortisol, Oxytocin & Pain Relief
When people book a massage, chiropractic adjustment, or spinal mobilisation session, they often say the same thing afterwards:“I feel calmer, looser, and less stressed.”
But is there an actual physiological reason behind that feeling?
A recent scoping review titled “Physiological Changes of Cortisol and Oxytocin Following Manual Therapy” examined whether hands-on t
Julian Simpson
May 203 min read
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