BLOG SERIES: #4. Finding a weak muscle is like uncovering a loose thread in a sweater—it’s rarely an isolated issue. Instead, it’s a sign of a broader pattern of dysfunction that needs to be fully mapped out.

That’s where a structured, full-body assessment protocol comes in. Using postural observation, gait analysis, strength testing, and joint mobility assessments, we can systematically piece together the bigger picture of what’s causing dysfunction.

BLOG SERIES #3. In this blog, I’ll take you through a fun, investigative approach to uncovering musculoskeletal imbalances, demonstrating how these methods work together in practice.

By the end of this series, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how chiropractic care goes beyond pain relief, helping to restore movement, optimize function, and improve performance at every level.

BLOG SERIES: #2. In this blog, we’ll break down the neurological mechanisms behind muscle testing, how it reveals imbalances in the nervous system, and why it’s an essential tool for manual therapists.

Blog Series #1. Imagine a suspension bridge—flexible yet stable, designed to withstand external forces while maintaining balance. Our musculoskeletal system follows the same tensegrity principles, with bones as compression elements and muscles, tendons, and ligaments providing the tension that holds everything together.

But who’s in charge of maintaining this delicate balance?

Our bodies are incredible, dynamic systems, constantly adjusting to movement, stress, and environmental changes. But when something goes wrong—whether it's chronic tension, muscle weakness, or unexplained pain—how do we uncover the root cause?

This blog series explores the neurological and structural foundations of movement, strength, and balance, revealing how chiropractic care, kinesiology muscle testing, and a comprehensive assessment approach can detect dysfunctions, restore balance, and optimize performance.

If, like me, the kids in your life are Bluey fans, you’ve probably seen the "Dance Mode" episode. Inspired by this, and the fact that my 8-month-old Josie has started bopping along to music, I’ve decided that this Feel Good February, we’ll have a dance party each night as part of our bedtime routine. I did some research about the benefits of dancing as a family and found some great reasons to give it a try. Mostly, I’m just hoping it might make bedtime for my 2.5-year-old, Owen, a little smoother (cross your fingers for me)!

So, in typical “Murphy’s Law” fashion, not long after I’d written about my training motivation, I managed to get the flu. My motivation was high, but my body was not up to it. Ironically, I’ve had to stop myself from exercising even though I really want to. So, I got to thinking about how our immune system works and more specifically the “fly then die” phenomenon that athletes sometimes experience. The day before you crash and burn with a cold you can sometimes feel amazing. It's like your body is turbo charged and the hard efforts feel easy, like you’re flying. Hence “Fly then die”.

I have four cycling road races taking place over 5 weeks starting late August and finishing with the Australian championships in September, 13 weeks from now. So, I don’t need to panic but I really need to train consistently, now!

Honestly, I don’t usually have a problem staying motivated to exercise regularly. However, all this recent wet weather is really testing my will power. I don’t mind riding in the dark, or cold, or wet. But put those three together and it’s a real struggle.

Is the restriction on community sport in SEQ getting you down?

Can’t find the motivation to keep training when sporting events get cancelled or postponed because of lockdowns? Or are you just out of routine since the last snap lockdown? Did you know, regular aerobic exercise and strength training may substantially lower your risk of Sars-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 illness.

In what some would call the longest year ever, Christmas is finally right around the corner. The Christmas trees are up and decorated, Christmas carols can be heard everywhere you go, and the shops are filled with everyone trying to find that ‘perfect’ present. Present shopping can be stressful enough as it is, let alone stopping to consider if said present helped support and enrich the development of your child’s brain.

2020 has certainly proved to be the year of Challenges, not just locally, or even nationally, but on a global scale. In what seemed like overnight, our perceived ‘normal’ way of life, our jobs, education, entire industries, basic living practices and routines we all became accustomed to and dare I say, took for granted, changed and we as a global society had to adapt to a new way of living in ways we wouldn’t have conceived as possible. It has taken time, however as the dust starts to settle and we begin the baby steps of recovery and understanding what our new ‘normal’ is, we can start to appreciate just how adaptable we are.

Did you know that jumping on a trampoline has all the typical benefits of exercise (better sleep, improved digestion, improved sugar metabolism, and immune function), but also helps with proprioception, balance and with learning! 🤸

I’ve been nominated by our very own Dr Melissa (Chiropractor). Thanks, I think? Day 4 of twenty-five and I am realising how I’ve neglected my upper body these last 7 years of cycling. Ignoring all other athletic pursuits has helped me cultivate the physique of a T-rex. This is great for riding my bike. I have no unnecessary upper body weight or bulk to slow me down. However, it does explain why after 100 push ups over the last 4 days it hurts to eat, brush my teeth, or generally do anything that requires me to lift my arms.

We are all neurologically hardwired to learn through movement, play and interaction in our environment from the moment we’re born. From the initial breast crawl as a baby, through all our early milestones of rolling, crawling, walking and beyond, each skill set is achieved and built on from the one before and it is through these experiences that a baby builds their world.