With a decade of experience and practice to her name, Renee incorporates traditional chiropractic care with alternative healing modalities to provide a balanced whole-body approach to her treatments.
Since becoming a first-time mother in mid-2017, Renee has increased her focus on pregnancy and paediatric care. Additionally, Renee incorporates Neuro Emotional Technique and Kinesiology as well as gentle manual therapy and soft tissue techniques. Renee addresses the relationship between the body’s stress, environmental toxicity, structural integrity and nutritional balance.

With a strong focus on our bodies inherent intelligence and ability to heal itself, Renee believes that a strong nutritional foundation and a holistic approach is the best way to identify the cause of our ailments and the quickest way to return to our functional best.

Summer is almost upon us! I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and getting yourselves moving!

Recipes
Again I have gone back to my favourite, Yotam Ottolenghi. On my recent trip to Europe, Dan and I went to Nomad in Soho (one of his restaurants). It was beautiful and it inspired me to try some more recipes. Here are a few favourites.

Braised fennel and capers and olives sounds like a strange combination but it works. Very delicious and perfect for this strange between season weather.
I made the Roasted fish with aromatic olive oil  because of our Portugal travels where they served the whole fish with sides and it was simple and healthy.
Of course there has to be one recipe that is slightly summery. I am yet to make this one but as soon as summer fruit is more reasonably priced this sweet summer salad is going to make its way onto my table.

Interesting Infographics and videos

Over the last few months I have collected a few great infographics and videos. Here are some of my favourites;
-The benefits of a good nights sleep
-How chronic stress affects your brain
-The effect of exercise of our body's natural killer cells

Looking for a Unique Xmas Present? 

How about a massager? Now stocking Dr. Graeme's general purpose massagers (the same one that I use!) Price: $100

Crystal Street Chiro also has pillows available in both memory foam and latex. Please contact me to discuss the best pillow for you. 

Out and about

This year my lovely client Dasha opened her store Chalk on Stone. Located on Percival Rd, Stanmore, the store is beautiful. Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for homewares that are the perfect fusion between classic and unique. Ps. the bags and scarves are also pretty special. 

I recently attended a seminar on Functional Neuromuscular Assessment which changed the way I think about muscles and fascia. Next time you are in I will share with you some of the new stretches, releases and exercises. Be prepared! 

Clinic Hours

I am now treating from home on Monday afternoon/evenings and Friday all day. 
If it suits you best to come to Edgecliff please let me know otherwise tell all your Eastside friends!!

I am still in Petersham for most of the week;
Monday 7.30am - 12pm
Tuesday 2pm - 8pm
Wednesday 7.30am - 8pm
Thursday - 2pm - 8pm
Saturday - 7.30am - 1pm

To make an appointment please call 8021-4636, book online at www.crystalstreetchiro.com or send me a text.

Looking forward to seeing you all before Xmas! 

Amy

Finally it's December and the beginning of Summer!! This year has gone so quickly and I hope you are all going to take some time out and rejuvenate for the new year. 
In this newsletter; the best way to nap, some delicious recipes, Xmas ideas (and a wedding photo).

Articles
I liked this article about the best way to nap. Most people I see say that their energy takes a dip in the early afternoon. This might be your perfect time for a power nap!
This week I have read two very interesting articles on the difference in a baby's gut bacteria depending on if the are born vaginally or via c-section and furthermore the difference between the gut bacteria of breastfed vs formula fed babies. Regardless of the way bub is born or fed, there are ways of boosting the gut bacteria with specially formulated baby probiotics. Let me know if you would like to discuss further.

Recipes
I've saved my favourite recipes to share with you for this time of year.
My favourite is Ottolenghi's Honey- Roasted Carrots. It is not only a delicious recipe but carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, Biotin, Vitamin K, B6 & Potassium. 
I love the idea of having a meal with friends and friends with a number of dishes to share. Whole Roasted Snapper with Herbs is a dish that works perfectly for this along with a few different salads and of course the carrots.
Finally, it's not the holiday season without something a little naughty. Try these Tahini and Halva brownies. A bit different & a lot naughty (everything in moderation!)

Out & About
I went for lunch to West Village this week on Terminus St (the ex White Cockatoo). The food is a little on the pricey side but really good! They also have a great outdoor area and plenty of space for prams. A must try! 
Let me know if you have tried any new places around the Inner West or in the city!

Christmas Gifts
Struggling for Xmas gift ideas?
How about.... 

1. Dr Graeme General Purpose Massager (like I use at the clinic) 
2. Foam rollers 60cm or 90cm round or 30cm half
3. Heat packs 
4. Pillows - memory foam or latex
5. Gift voucher for an Initial Consultation

To order or enquire about a product please call the clinic, send an email or ask me at your next appointment.

Holiday Season Hours
Please refer to the website for holiday hours

Wedding Photo
Here is one photo from my wedding day earlier this year- I told many of you that I would send one through and forgot so here it is! Ps It is at the end of the gallery.

To make an appointment before Xmas please give the clinic a call on 8021-4636, book online or email.

Have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing most of you before Xmas or otherwise in 2016.

Amy

The most common cause of leg pain and cramps in young children is growing pains. Growing pains are a major cause of discomfort and can impact on a child’s concentration, physical and psychological wellbeing. Occurring in approximately 37% of children, the exact cause is still largely unknown.

 So what are the possible causes:

1.  Overuse of big muscles
   
2. Joint misalignment such as alignment of the knees or    feet
3. Psychological factors
4. We know that the first 5 years of a child’s life is when they have the greatest spinal growth.  During the 1st year, the spine increases by 12cm, between 1-5 years, the spine increases by 15cm, between 5-10 years, there is 10cm growth and between 10-18 years, 15-20cm growth.  This means if something was to interfere with this growth such as injury, birth trauma or sedentary lifestyle, problems may arise. 

So what do we know about growing pains?

1. The pain is usually in both legs 
2. It most often will come on in the afternoon or at night.
3. It is most common between ages 2-12 and is usually gone by puberty.
4. In order to be classified as growing pains there should be no signs of redness or swelling, no history of trauma and no decreased movement or limping.
5. There appears to be no difference in the amount of exercise or activity between those children with and those without growing pains.
6. There appears to be a family history of growing pains in the child’s sibling or parent.
7. The growing pains tend to occur at intervals of 1 to 3 months.

What can be done?

1. Look at your child’s knees and feet – Do their shoes fit?  Are they too worn? Do they require orthotics?
2. A little investigation of wellbeing  - What are their muscles doing? Are they dehydrated? Are they mineral or vitamin deficient? Magnesium deficiency is a common cause of leg cramps. Do they require more vegetables and fruit to give them nourishment  to alleviate cramps or help with neurological development?
3. Do they need to stretch? This includes hamstrings, quadriceps and lower back muscles.
4. What is happening in their spine and nerves. Have they fallen over and irritated joint or nerve function in their pelvis or lower back? Have they been sitting too much or with bad posture?  (This is where chiropractic comes in!)

Important note: there is a strong link between the legs, spine and pelvis. The muscles, nerves and joints in these regions can affect the other regions in the chain. Any interruption in the nerves running between the lumbar spine and the legs can impair function and cause pain. This is not to say that this is the whole cause of growing pains but studies are showing that treatment of these regions along with the legs themselves can help in resolving the problem.

 

It's almost Spring!! 
Just 1 month and we are there, so it's time to get yourself ready for the better half of the year. 

Research
Everyone knows turmeric as a beautiful spice used in indian cooking but it has some powerful properties. Curcumin has been found to help with post-exercise soreness, chronic inflammation and even treatment of alzheimer's disease.

Another interesting article: It has been found that commonly prescribed pain medication for lower back pain is not as effective as once thought. 

Nutritional Tip
Iron is a vital mineral that when low can cause tiredness, breathlessness and lightheadedness. It is often lower in women due to menstruation. It is important to get tested for iron deficiency before supplementing.

Fee schedule Update
From August 1st, Crystal Street Family Chiropractic's fee schedule has changed slightly. This is due to rising costs.
Initial consultations are going to remain the same but all other consultations will increase by $4. 
Standard consultations will now be $59 or $49 for a student.
Please have a chat with me if you have any financial concerns about the new schedule.

Out & About
I recently ate at Fish & Co in Annandale which was excellent. Dan is a pescatarian (vegetarian but eats fish) so is a rarity to go out and he be able to eat almost everything on the menu. Everything we tried was yum! Other notable to fish restaurants are Mohr Fish in Surry Hills, Love Fish in Rozelle, North Bondi Fish in Bondi & Fish Face in Double Bay. I've found fish restaurants tend to be a little more pricey but the portions are always huge!!

Extras
Pillows, rollers, massagers heat packs and supplements are still available for purchase. Currently I only have rollers in stock but am happy to order in anything you may need. 

Cancellation Policy
Just as a reminder if you do need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please give at least 12 hours notice or a cancellation fee will apply of $25. Missing an appointment without letting me know will incur the full fee of the consultation. 

Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you soon for a spinal checkup!

Amy

Iron

Iron is an important part of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body, most importantly to the brain. It is also a vital part of myoglobin, a muscle pigment that carries oxygen to the muscle tissue and helps with muscle contraction. Iron also helps metabolise proteins, improves concentration and fatigue.

Try eating more iron rich foods

Here are some ideas: 
Red meat, Dark leafy greens, Beans, Lentils, Egg yolk, Artichokes, Chickpeas, Mussels, Oysters, Liver, Nuts, Whole grains, Dark chocolate, Tofu, Seeds, Dried fruit, Broccoli

Note: Get tested before supplementing!

Hi!

Slowly (& sadly) the temperature is dropping and winter is emerging! I hope you are keeping warm and looking after your immune system.

Research
So many of us are getting into Luminosity and other such apps or books in order to sharpen our focus and memory. The article "Brain Games: Do They Really Work" looks at some studies carried out to prove/disprove the effectiveness. 

Many people suffer from osteoarthritis in the hips and knees. This is because they are the big weight bearing joints of the body and therefore take the brunt of the force with running, falls and sitting. Research is finding that exercise can prevent or slow down the progression of wear and tear, to eliminate the need for surgery.

Nutritional Tip
It can be hard to keep the immune system working at 100% this time of year. Zinc is a powerful mineral that can help ward off & decrease the time of colds. 

Fee schedule Update
From August 1st, Crystal Street Family Chiropractic's fee schedule is going to change slightly. This is due to rising costs.
Initial consultations are going to remain the same but all other consultations will increase by $4. 
Standard consultations will now be $59 or $49 for a student.
Please have a chat with me if you have any financial concerns about the new schedule.

Out & About
I recently went to Jamie's Italian for the first time in the city. It was really delicious and very reasonably priced for a huge dinner. The vegetarian board was excellent, as was the risotto. 
I also finally went to Brighton the Corner for food and it definitely lives up the hype. I had the cauliflower salad and it was excellent!

Cancellation Policy
Just as a reminder if you do need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please give at least 12 hours notice or a cancellation fee will apply of $25. Missing an appointment without letting me know will incur the full fee of the consultation. 


Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you soon for a spinal checkup!

Amy

Hi!

Welcome to the Easter/ANZAC Day Edition of the Crystal Street Family Chiropractic newsletter. I hope everyone is excited for a bit of time away from the desk and hopefully some fresh air, good food and maybe even some stretching.

Research
A Cochrane review has found that upright labour lowers caesarean rates. This is a worthwhile read!
I have also included a very interesting study which has linked cancer treatment and arthritis. Although it is very complex, refer to page 438-439 for the summary.

Nutrition Tip
Vitamin of the month - Vitamin C, vital for this time of the year with its fantastic antioxident and immune properties.

Article
There is a lot of talk about the benefits and safety of babywearing. This article details a few of my thoughts.

In and Around Petersham and the Inner West
There are a few new places popping up in Petersham. Just down the road from the clinic is Brighton the Corner & on Stanmore rd is Daisy's Milk Bar. I have yet to try more than a coffee from Brighton the Corner, but that was good!

Foam Rollers
I have started stocking foam rollers for $60. They are extremely useful for stretching of the legs and upper body. They are also perfect for lying over instead of a rolled towel. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing.
 
Housekeeping
Just as a reminder if you do need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please give at least 12 hours notice or a cancellation fee will apply of $25. Missing an appointment without letting me know will incur the full fee of the consultation. 

Have a great week!

Amy