Quarterly Newsletter August 2025

23 September 2025

Otago Family Chiropractor

How do we maximise longevity and health span?

Lets get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

 
 

This year I decided to put my money where my mouth was. I started running. I ran as a kid but never really enjoyed it. But with this years theme on health span I thought I would make it a priority and commit to regular running. As my mother-in-law says, “I love everything about running, except running!” Running has not been an easy transition and there have been plenty of times I have questioned why I am doing it and that it would be easier to stop. However pushing through, findings people who I can go out an run with has really helped get me to a point where I have now made running a part of my lifestyle not just a chore. And I hate to say it but I even think I am starting to enjoy it…

 

What I have found I am starting to really enjoy is the slight discomfort that comes with pushing myself. Going that little bit faster or longer, taking the steeper hill. And that discomfort is paying off. I am able to carry Fred in a backpack for longer distances, I am finding I have more energy during practice with you all. I am running around with Paddy and Fred at the end of the day instead of flopping down in a hot mess.

 

So I employ you - What is something that may feel uncomfortable but is good for your health span? What is something you can start doing regularly that will make you that little bit better every day? it could be running, walking, starting a new hobby, get out of your comfort zone because if there is one thing I’m learning on this deep dive into health. It is that discomfort is the new comfort!

 

Chiropractic

Consistent chiropractic care has been a game-changer for many people looking to stay active and healthy as they age—not through dramatic overhauls, but through small, steady changes that build over time. Whether it's keeping up with kids, enjoying long walks, or just getting through the day without nagging pain, regular adjustments can help keep the body moving the way it was meant to. Personally, many patients find that routine care not only eases back or neck discomfort but also helps them feel more balanced, sleep better, and stay motivated to stay active. It’s not about quick fixes — it’s about creating a rhythm that supports long-term well-being.

 

What makes this approach powerful is its focus on consistency. Just like brushing your teeth or stretching every morning, chiropractic care becomes part of a bigger picture of health—encouraging better posture, movement, and awareness of how your body feels. Over time, those small adjustments can mean fewer injuries, less stiffness, and more confidence in your physical abilities. While chiropractic care isn’t a magic bullet for longevity, it can be a meaningful part of living a longer, more active life—one adjustment at a time. 

Many of you have spoken about how Chiropractic has been the catalyst to making changes and improvements to other aspects of your life.

 

Move Well

“Remember what is was like to run like a kid… heart racing, deep breathing and the desire to never STOP!'“

 

Running, especially when practiced consistently and mindfully, has been strongly linked to improved health span and even increased longevity. Numerous studies show that regular runners experience lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders, along with a significantly reduced risk of premature death. A 2014 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that even five to ten minutes of slow running per day can lower mortality risk by up to 30%. Beyond physical health, running also supports mental resilience, reduces stress, and boosts mood through the release of endorphins and other feel-good neurochemicals.

 

In Born to Run, author Christopher McDougall explores the idea that humans are biologically designed to run long distances, a theory supported by evolutionary biology. The book highlights the Tarahumara people of Mexico, known for their incredible endurance and low incidence of chronic disease. Their secret isn't just genetic—it’s a culture of joyful, low-intensity, high-frequency running, often done barefoot or in minimal footwear. McDougall's narrative emphasizes running as a natural, sustainable, and deeply human activity, not just a sport. This perspective reframes running as a tool not just for fitness, but for longevity—promoting joint health, muscular endurance, cardiovascular function, and even a more connected and joyful life. When approached with care and consistency, running can be a lifelong practice that keeps both body and spirit young.

 

Think Well

 

One of the most powerful habits for preserving mental longevity and cognitive function as we age is lifelong learning—continually challenging the brain through new experiences, skills, or knowledge. Whether it’s learning a language, playing a musical instrument, taking up painting, or simply reading regularly, mental stimulation strengthens neural pathways and encourages neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself. Research published in Neurology and other peer-reviewed journals shows that people who engage in cognitively demanding activities throughout life tend to have better memory, slower cognitive decline, and a lower risk of dementia later on.

Even small, consistent habits like doing puzzles, writing by hand, or attending lectures can keep the brain sharp. The key is novelty and challenge—activities that require focus, problem-solving, and memory work better than passive ones like watching TV. Learning stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the survival of existing neurons and the growth of new ones. More than just preserving memory, these habits help maintain decision-making skills, creativity, and emotional regulation well into older age. In essence, just like physical exercise strengthens the body, regular mental effort keeps the brain agile and resilient across the decades.

trying something new may seem uncomfortable to begin with but quickly becomes normal and even sort after.

 

Sleep Well

 

Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining and extending health span—the portion of life spent in good health. During sleep, the body repairs tissues, consolidates memory, regulates hormones, and clears waste from the brain, including beta-amyloid plaques linked to cognitive decline. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions, all of which can shorten health span. Consistently getting high-quality sleep supports immune function, mental clarity, and emotional resilience, making it a cornerstone of long-term well-being.

 

To improve sleep, one effective strategy is to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, which helps regulate the body’s internal clock. This means not having the sleep in on the weekend (yes we know, blasphemy), also not snoozing that alarm. Rather try getting out of bed as soon as it goes off and starting the day. With it coming into summer and mornings getting lighter we are sure you will find more motivation to get out of bed in the morning!

 

Another powerful method is reducing exposure to blue light from screens at least an hour before bed—this helps melatonin production and signals to the brain that it's time to wind down. Prioritising these habits can lead to more restorative sleep and better overall health. Ways to this is set all your devices to a night schedule, swap out bright white lights to dim warm ones where applicable and use lamps or low wall lights in the evening.

 

Eat Well

One big change to our diets we have made this year is the reduction (not elimination) of simple carbohydrate.  

Simple carbohydrates, such as those found in sugary snacks, sweetened beverages, and refined grains, are quickly digested and cause rapid spikes in blood glucose levels. Over time, frequent consumption of these foods can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, and increased fat storage—key risk factors for chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. These conditions not only reduce quality of life but can also significantly shorten health span. Furthermore, diets high in simple sugars may contribute to cognitive decline and accelerate aging at the cellular level by promoting oxidative stress and glycation, a process that damages proteins and tissues. Limiting simple carbohydrates and choosing complex, fiber-rich alternatives can help support metabolic health and extend healthy years of life.

 

With Spring coming Chad is back in the garden ready to start growing veg for summer. He is still collecting a lot of winter greens like silverbeet, kale, along with beetroot and spring onions. Here is a really nice fresh salad that make you feel like its summer while using winter veg.

Beet & Almond Salad

1 Beetroot Boiled and diced

1/2 beet root finely sliced into matchsticks (or grated)

3-6 Leaves of silverbeet sliced

3-6 leaves of kale

trimmed and sliced

handful of Rocket or Mizuna

1/2 red onion Thinly sliced

2 spring onions thinly sliced

1/2 cup of roasted or tamari almonds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup of red wine vinegar

1/2 cup Olive oil

 

Wild greens like miner lettuce, nasturtium, chickweed to garnish

Salt and peper to taste

 

Prep

Add cranberries and vinegar to a bowl and soak for at least 1 hour. You will put this mixture into the salad

If you haven’t boiled your beet do this now.

 

To Serve

Assemble all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly to ensure the vinegar and oil combine and coat everything.

Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy with grilled meats or protein.

 
 
 

Updates and Other News

 

Tick tock baby watch.

 

Dr’s Chad and Aidan are expecting their second child somewhere towards the end of the year - Fred was a late comer so we are taking the expected due date with a grain of sand with this one. Dr Aidan will be finishing up at the end of October to start her maternity leave.

New Chiropractor on the block

We are excited to announce that we will have Dr Liv Tutty starting with us at the beginning of November!

 

Dr Liv will be taking over the Balclutha practice while Dr Aidan is on Maternity leave. Dr Liv will be opening up full days for Tuesday & Thursday in Balclutha along with working the alternative days in our Dunedin practice.

Dr Liv has a particular interest in pregnancy and natal care and we can’t wait to have her as part of the OFC family

Dunedin Marathon

 

Good luck to all who have entered the Dunedin Marathon in September. It is great to see so many of you embracing the uncomfortable and moving your amazing bodies whether is be the walk or the full 40km.

 

Unfortunately we will be in Auckland that weekend otherwise Dr Chad would have been attending.

Telford Market

 

The telford market will be held the 30th November 2025. We will have a stall there to check our Clutha communities spines and ensure you lot are on your way to a long happy health-span.

Its set to be a great day so be sure to stop in and say “Hi”

 

 

We will also be at the Edgar Christmas markets in Dunedin on the 23rd November  2025.

 

Fred’s Busy Life

 

There are a few of you who are invested in our wee mans journey through life and we are so grateful to have you as part of it!

 

Here are a few snippets of what he has been up to over the past few months - we had a lovely time in Canada with family too.