Canterbury Health Hub

23/07/2025

Tips for Travelling with Chronic Pain
National Pain Week 2025 | 21 - 27 July

Traveling with chronic pain can present unique challenges. Here are some tips to help make your travel experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible:

💥 Plan Ahead
Research your destination and accommodations to ensure they meet your needs. Consider factors like accessibility, proximity to medical facilities, and amenities that can help alleviate pain, such as heated pools or massage services.

💥 Pack Wisely
Pack any medications, supplements, or medical devices you may need, along with extra supplies in case of unexpected delays. Don't forget to bring comfort items like supportive pillows, heat packs, or compression garments to help manage pain during your journey.

💥 Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods to keep your body hydrated and fuelled throughout your travels. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can worsen dehydration and exacerbate pain.

💥 Move and Stretch Regularly
Take breaks to stretch and move around during long flights or car rides to prevent stiffness and discomfort. Simple stretching exercises can help improve circulation and reduce muscle tension.

💥 Use Assistive Devices
Consider using assistive devices such as neck pillows, lumbar supports, or mobility aids to help alleviate strain on your body during travel. Don't hesitate to request wheelchair assistance or priority boarding if needed.

💥 Practice Relaxation Techniques
Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or guided imagery to help manage stress and pain during travel. Listening to soothing music or audio books can also help distract from discomfort.

💥 Communicate Your Needs
Don't be afraid to communicate your needs to travel companions, airline staff, or hotel personnel. Many accommodations can be made to ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

Remember, travelling with chronic pain may require some extra planning and flexibility, but it's possible to explore the world and create lasting memories without letting pain hold you back. Safe travels!

20/07/2025

National Pain Week 2025
21 - 27 July

Living with chronic pain can be an overwhelming and debilitating experience that affects every aspect of life. Chronic Pain affects over 3.6 million Australians.

Chronic pain refers to persistent or recurrent pain that lasts for an extended period, typically exceeding three to six months.

Unlike acute pain, which is a normal response to injury or illness and tends to subside as the underlying cause heals, chronic pain persists beyond the expected recovery time and often becomes a condition in its own right.

Chronic pain can have various causes, such as:

💥 injury
💥 illness
💥 nerve damage
💥 musculoskeletal conditions
💥 autoimmune disorders, or
💥 even unknown origins.

It can affect any part of the body and can interfere with work, sleep, social activities, and overall quality of life.

Additionally, chronic pain can have psychological and emotional repercussions, leading to depression, anxiety, frustration, and reduced functionality.

Chronic pain doesn't have to dictate your life. Contact our team at CHH to discuss ways in which we can help you step towards finding relief and enhancing your overall health and wellness.

19/07/2025

Flexibility and Mobility for Injury Prevention

When it comes to staying active, pain-free, and performing at your best, whether in sport, work, or everyday life, two key factors often get overlooked: flexibility and mobility.

What’s the Difference Between Flexibility and Mobility?

👉 Flexibility refers to the ability of your muscles and soft tissues to lengthen. This is what allows you to stretch or move through a full range without resistance.

👉 Mobility, on the other hand, is the ability of a joint to move freely and efficiently through its range of motion, influenced by muscle strength, flexibility, joint health, and control.

Together, they create the foundation for healthy, pain-free movement.

Why Are They So Important?

Poor flexibility or restricted mobility can place extra strain on your muscles, joints, and connective tissue, increasing your risk of injury, particularly during repetitive tasks, high-impact activity, or sudden movement.

Common injuries linked to limited mobility include:
💥 Muscle strains and tears
💥 Lower back pain
💥 Joint sprains (ankles, knees, shoulders)
💥 Postural issues and overuse injuries

At Canterbury Health Hub, our team of experienced Osteopaths, Myotherapists and Remedial Massage Therapists work together to assess and improve your flexibility and mobility.

Whether you’re an athlete, office worker, parent, or retiree, we can help you move better and keep injuries at bay.

📞 Call us on (03) 9836 3688 or
🌐 Book online at www.canterburyhealthhub.com.au

16/07/2025

Meet the Team ✨ Caleb Poppenbeck
Osteopath

Caleb's interest in Osteopathy was cultivated by his own sporting injuries whilst growing up, when osteopathic care proved to be crucial for his recovery and return to play. This exposure during his young age shaped his interest in the profession. Caleb never looked back from this point and embarked on this journey to become an Osteopath!

Caleb is a caring, welcoming and knowledgeable Osteopath, who makes you feel at ease as soon as you meet him. He utilises a broad spectrum of evidence-based techniques, including soft tissue therapy, muscle energy techniques, joint manipulation, dry needling, mobilisation and stretching.

Caleb enjoys treating people of all age groups, with a particular interest in treating hip pain, shoulder pain, spinal pain, headaches, postural issues and sporting injuries.

Outside of work, Caleb enjoys playing soccer and cricket and being active in those communities. He loves to cook and has progressively added to his equipment, with the latest purchase being a pizza oven! Caleb will watch any sport that he can absorb in his spare time, with the major followings being soccer, cricket, basketball and AFL.

Book your session with Caleb on Wednesdays and Thursdays to start your journey to better health.
🔗 https://canterburyhealthhub.com.au/meet-the-team/caleb-poppenbeck

15/07/2025

Part 3: Pregnancy and Osteopathy 🤰
How can osteopathic treatment help a pregnant woman?

By visiting an Osteopath during pregnancy, the body can be helped to adjust to the changes occurring. An Osteopath’s focus on the musculoskeletal system combined with the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems make it a safe and gentle option to help balance the body.

Osteopathic techniques include:

✅ Soft tissue techniques: to release tightness in muscles
✅ Stretching: to increase the flexibility of joints and muscles and improve blood flow
✅ Articulation techniques: joints are mobilised by gently being taken through their range of motion

Useful Tips for Pregnancy

💚 Look after your back when pregnant, take care when lifting and carrying, especially other children and avoid carrying a child on one hip for a prolonged period.
💚 When sitting, use a cushion for support and avoid crossing your legs to help prevent varicose veins
💚 When standing for any length of time, “tuck in” your buttocks to reduce the strain on your lower back
💚 When lying on your side, put a pillow under the “bump” and another between your knees to give you support and help prevent back strain
💚 Maintain a nutritious diet
💚 Wear flat shoes, stay away from high heels!
💚 Make sure you have a comfortable and supportive mattress and pillow
💚 Maintain aerobic exercise to keep strong and healthy, but within appropriate limits

Ask your Osteopath for exercises that will help to reduce the stress of the later stages of pregnancy on your body and visit your Osteopath for a tune and balance of the body early in the pregnancy to help avoid complications later in pregnancy.

🔗 https://canterburyhealthhub.com.au/health-tips

13/07/2025

Part 2: Pregnancy and Osteopathy 🤰
Why do pregnant women visit an Osteopath?

The most common reason pregnant women choose to visit an Osteopath is for back and neck pain as a result of physical strains placed on these regions.

Other problems that an Osteopath can assist with include:

💥 Sciatica (leg pain) from nerve pressure
💥 Headaches
💥 Pelvic girdle instability
💥 Sacro-iliac Joint pain
💥 P***c symphysis pain
💥 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
💥 Pelvic floor weakness and incontinence
💥 Poor abdominal tone
💥 Circulatory problems, such as swelling of the legs
💥 Back problems from pre-pregnancy that could affect pregnancy or delivery

10/07/2025

Part 1: Pregnancy and Osteopathy 🤰
How does being pregnant affect a woman’s body?

Pregnancy places numerous stresses and strains on the body. Osteopathic treatment is an extremely safe, gentle and effective method of helping the body to adjust to these changes.

An Osteopath’s initial concern is for the safety of the mother and child. After a thorough case history and assessment, the Osteopath may be able to help alleviate the aches and pains that are caused by the growth of the baby and the changes occurring in the mother.

How does being pregnant affect a woman’s body?

➡️ During pregnancy, the body must adapt to carrying approximately 10-12 kilograms in weight of a baby, placenta and waters, as well as adapting to hormonal, chemical and emotional changes.
➡️ Hormonal changes are responsible for softening of ligaments, allowing the pelvis to accommodate the baby’s head during birth. But, all the body’s ligaments are affected, making every joint more susceptible to strain.
➡️ Furthermore, the curves of the spine change and posture is altered due to hormonal and physical changes. The weight of the baby pushes the mother’s centre of gravity forward, creating a compensatory arch in the lower back and increasing the mechanical stress on the body.

09/07/2025

☀️ Treatment After Care ☀️

At Canterbury Health Hub, we aim to achieve the highest quality treatment outcomes for you. In order that you achieve the most from your treatment, we recommend that you follow these simple guidelines:

☑️ Try to rest for a few hours following your appointment. It is not uncommon to be slightly sore after treatment so a little rest goes a long way!

☑️ Keep mobile – unless otherwise advised by your Practitioner, have several short walks in the following few days after your treatment and avoid sitting for long periods.

☑️ Drink increased amounts of water – this helps to flush toxins from your system.

☑️ Rest from vigorous activity for a few days following treatment. This includes heavy gardening and lifting weights at the gym.

☑️ A hot shower or bath following treatment may help to relax your muscles.

Please seek advice from your Practitioner regarding these recommendations to ensure that they are appropriate for you.

07/07/2025

Ever wondered about the benefits of walking?

Walking is a great form of exercise that is easy to do, doesn’t have to take a long time, doesn’t cost anything and needs no equipment. It is also a great form of exercise that can provide benefit for anyone and everyone!

Read more about the key benefits for why you should walk regularly:

Walking is a great form of exercise that is easy to do, doesn’t have to take a long time, doesn’t cost anything and needs no equipment. It's also a great…

04/07/2025

Are you constantly struggling with heel pain?
Are you frustrated that your heel pain makes simple tasks like walking and exercising difficult?

💥 Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that causes pain and discomfort in the heel and sole of the foot. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed or irritated.

Our team at Canterbury Health Hub (CHH) recognise how difficult and disruptive it is to manage day-to-day life whilst also managing and attempting to control your plantar fasciitis.

Ready to get back on track doing the things you love? 💚

Download our FREE Plantar Fasciitis Recovery Program.

🔗 https://canterburyhealthhub.com.au/plantar-fasciitis

Terms and Conditions:
- Please contact the clinic for participating practitioners
- Available for new clients or existing patients of CHH that have not been to the clinic for 6 months+
- Not to be redeemed for cash

04/07/2025

✨ Happy July ✨

Many of you might be taking part in Dry July. Here's the effects of alcohol on the body:

💥 Brain
Alcohol affects our brain, impairing judgment, coordination, and decision-making. It can lead to memory problems and difficulty concentrating.

💥 Heart and Cardiovascular System
Excessive alcohol consumption can harm our cardiovascular system. It increases the risk of high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and even heart disease.

💥 Internal Organs
Alcohol takes its toll on our internal organs. From liver damage to pancreatitis, it's crucial to moderate alcohol intake.

💥 Digestive System
Alcohol irritates the lining of our stomach and intestines, leading to digestive issues like acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and malabsorption of nutrients.

💥 Bones
Regular heavy drinking weakens bones, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

💥 Sleep
Although alcohol may make you drowsy initially, it disrupts your sleep patterns, resulting in poor-quality rest.

Now a glass of your favourite tipple is great every now and then, however it should be consumed in moderation.

29/06/2025

Osteopathy - Toddlers and Adolescents

As children develop and explore during this period, they often test their bodies’ ability and resilience to the limit.

It is vital to ensure the stresses and strains they place on their bodies during play are not affecting their normal musculoskeletal development.

This is also an age where common muscle and/or joint conditions may develop (as a result of accidents, falls, sporting injuries or poor posture) and remain into adulthood. Commonly treated conditions include:

✨ Scoliosis (s-shaped curvature of the spine)
✨ Sporting Injuries
✨ Muscle strains and tears
✨ Headaches
✨ Knee pain (for example: Osgood Schlatters)
✨ Heel and Foot pain (for example: Sever’s Disease)
✨ Neck pain due to poor studying posture and/or computer use
✨ Back pain associated with lifting/carrying heavy school bags
✨ Repetitive injuries associated with rowing, swimming, tennis, gymnastics
✨ Injuries associated with playground falls and/or contact sports

Need help finding the right practitioner or don’t know what type of treatment you need? Our friendly reception team are ready to help you find the right practitioner for you.
🔗 https://buff.ly/3KozU7f