Back to Life Wellness - Integrative Musculosketal Clinic

27/10/2025

NEW HOURS FROM NOVEMBER

It's been a while since we've posted here as the clinic continues to keep us very busy.

This is a quick note to say that our hours will be changing. The good news is that this means on some week there will be MORE appointments times available including Monday mornings, Friday afternoons and both weekend days!

As some weeks there will now be less days, make sure to book ahead to make sure you have the times/dates that suit you best especially as we move into the busy summer months.

B

17/05/2022

😅🤣

20/12/2021

08/07/2021

Happy Friday 🙌

24/05/2021

Why a blast of cold water makes us feel better.

I'm not really much of a morning person. In fact, it can take me a long time to muster up the energy to get out of bed. So comfortable and warm in there, right? My daughter on the other hand has always been an early riser and while she doesn't wake with the same excitable "what are we going to do todayyyyyyyy mama!" energy she used to as a toddler (thank the lord), we're still not hugely matched in that area. Thankfully the dog and I are. the same page.

I noticed a while back if I was really struggling to get with the program, that switching the shower to cold for the last minute or so really helped. I'm a bit out of practice and want to start doing it again so thought I'd share some of the reading I've done on the benefits of incorporating some cold into our daily routine.

✦ It wakes you up - and fast. For obvious reasons. It's a bit of a shock to the body.

✦ It helps you get back in touch with things that make you uncomfortable. Usually we try to avoid such things. I'm a wuss so would start of with "cool" but the colder I let the water go, the more resilient and stronger I actually felt which helped a lot with the rest of my day.

✦ Some studies have shown that exposure to cold water can very quickly improve your mood, possibly by increasing the level of dopamine. I actually think this is one of the reasons I love drinking super cold sparkling water - each sip may be giving me a hit of dopamine!

✦ It switches off the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the fight, flight or freeze response and stimulates a specific part of parasympathetic nervous system called the vagus nerve to reduce anxiety and help you feel more calm.
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So next time you're feeling a bit tired, stressed or anxious, splash some cold water on your face, jump into the shower for a few minutes of cold or if you're super keen, have a quick dip in the ocean and see how it feels.

www.raisedonrealfood.com
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Photo Credit: Phil Goodwin, Unsplash

03/05/2021

Exactly. It’s why our functional approach to back and body health tends to get more lasting results faster - it's common sense, really.

☀️👨‍👩‍👧♥️🥩🥑🚴‍♂️🌿🌊

👉🏼 www.backtolifewellness.co.nz
📍 Servicing Albany and Mangawhai

20/04/2021

A super interesting post on the link between your 'bite' and your spine.

The spine is the communication center between the brain and the rest of the body.

In ancient Sanskrit the name for the spine is derived from sacred Mount Meru. Mt. Meru is considered as the axis of Earth. Likewise the spine is the axis of our body.

Through neural action potential, all our emotions, feelings, movements, experiences, functioning of our every organ and even the act of breathing are routed through spinal posture.

The spine can withstand around 4–4.5 k of load. If the spine is not neutral then postural and pain related conditions begin.

We can view the connection between the bite and the spine during development
Between ages 5-6 the spine is completed. The stability required for this growth is provided by core muscles and the relationship of upper and lower jaw, angle and in particular the childhood molars.

At the age of 6–7 years adult first molar teeth erupt to give stability to the cervical spine. First molars are the teeth with biggest surface area, and they can withstand maximum biting force.

Here's when the bite relationship forms with the young developed spine.

The optimal height and relationship ensures that cervical spine remains in most neutral position. In this position the head generates about 4.5–5 k of force on the spine.

During these development times, underdeveloped jaws can change the molar relationship and have an impact on spinal posture.

It has been found that if the lower molar is too far back (class II) or too far forward (class III) it results in forward head posture.

The reason is likely due to the relationship of the airway volume, and bone relationship. Jawbones house the airways, and the jaws hold the trinity between muscle, bone, and airway space.

If you notice forward head posture or mouth breathing in you or a family member, it may be associated with how the jaws have developed.

Signs include:
• Narrow upper arch (palate)
• Open mouth posture
• Low tongue posture
• Snoring
• Slumped forward posture

Have you noticed the links between bite and posture?

19/04/2021

We help. Very help.

15/03/2021

15/03/2021

TAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR FRIDAY

Today I was home with this gorgeous girl to help celebrate her birthday (pizza, swimming and ice cream - it was tough) so the good news is that I will be at the clinic in Albany on Friday with plenty of spaces currently available.

So if this day works better for you, head to the website and book yourself right in.

B

06/03/2021

Back to the clinic tomorrow. It was a nice enforced break but am looking forward to seeing you all soon! B 🌊

18/02/2021

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