Free spine assessments

A local chiropractic centre will provide free posture and spine assessments this month as part of National Chiropractic Care Week from May 24 to 30.

Chiropractors from the Umina Chiropractic Centre will use a recently purchased Spinal Assessment Machine worth $5000 to conduct the tests at Deepwater Plaza on Tuesday, May 25.

Umina chiropractor Mr Peter Grieve will be joined by fellow chiropractor Ms Ursula Buckham while university student Mr Michael Grieve will also be assisting.

Mr Grieve said the aim of the assessment was to check people for potential issues that may affect their health as a result of their posture and spine alignment.

He said they would be targeting four postural groups including the office workers, carrying children, sitting for a living as well as kids and backpacks.

"The Spinal Analysis Machine is mainly used to assist people to visualise the effects of gravity upon their individual physical structure," Mr Grieve said.

"There is a set of scales upon which one is to stand and this measures the variance in weight taken through each limb.

"Degenerative arthritis of the spine and joints mostly begins early in life and is commonly associated with faulty mechanics of the joints related to poor posture.

"This, in turn, is associated with other lifestyle factors as well as genetic and hereditary tendencies.

"The Umina Chiropractic Centre purchased this unit with the specific goal of informing the public of the importance of spinal care."

Mr Grieve said a colouring competition would also be run for children on the day.

Email, 6 May 2010 Peter Grieve, Umina Chiropractic Centre