MT EDEN CHIROPRACTIC GETS PATIENTS MOVING WITH ‘A MILLION METRES IN MAY’ PEDOMETER CHALLENGE


Mt Eden Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association, held a competition throughout May, challenging patients to take at least 10,000 steps a day. As part of the ‘Millions of Metres in May’ initiative, the practice handed out free pedometers to encourage an increase in daily activity and to help people keep track of their level of exercise.

'Many people assume that health providers exist to treat problems. However, our aim is to promote overall wellness,’ explains Dr. Simon Kelly, chiropractor at Mt. Eden and spokesman for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association. ‘It’s not just about helping somebody that is injured or sick We talk with our patients about following a healthier lifestyle, so that they can avoid common threats to their wellbeing.’

Dr. Simon Kelly is thrilled with how successful the contest has been and is planning to hold the competition on an annual basis.

'Feedback has been absolutely fantastic. Many participants have started walking rather than driving, and a customer that works in an office has started a weekly walking group. ’ says Dr. Simon Kelly. ‘It seems that the inactive have become active, and the active have become even more active. It’s a great result.’

‘The pedometer has been a really useful tool. Recent studies have shown that people who use a pedometer to measure how far they walk lose more weight, exercise more and have lower blood pressure than those who do not,’ adds Dr. Simon Kelly. ‘Simple initiatives like these, as well as ongoing educational programmes, are what are needed to change our society from one that treats disease to one that promotes wellness.’

The eventual winners of ‘A Million Metres in May’ were husband and wife team, Cathy and Padraig O’Gormon, joined by Cathy’s brother, Michael McCahill, who logged over a million steps between them. They received over $300 worth of vouchers, sports bags and clothes from Shoe Science.

Almost 20 million steps were achieved by Mt Eden Chiropractic employees and 100 of the practice patients.

For more information on the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association, visit their website

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