Just Start Walking Say NZ Chiropractors

SPRING IS THE PERFECT TIME TO “JUST START WALKING” SAY NEW ZEALAND CHIROPRACTORS

The longer days and warmer weather are a perfect combination to take up regular exercise and even just walking more has a host of healthy benefits according to the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA).

Chiropractor and NZCA spokesperson Dr Hayden Thomas explains: ‘Walking benefits all aspects of your health - from increasing your levels of vitamin D, improving the efficiency of heart and lung function, reducing circulating stress hormones, assisting spinal function, and helping with weight-loss. And it’s something nearly everyone can do to increase their fitness and wellbeing.  As part of the Just Start Walking initiative from the World Federation of Chiropractic, a global non-profit organisation, we’re encouraging New Zealanders to think about making more journeys on foot.’

`We know that for every 20 minutes you spend sitting, it takes your spine about 30 minutes of standing or 5 minutes of walking to recover.^1,2  Walking regularly will also help improve your immune system, blood and lymph circulation, enhance mood and energy levels, and help maintain good levels of bone density.³ What’s more there’s no gym membership fee to pay, you can do it with friends and you can walk anywhere, at any time.’

The Just Start Walking programme is for everyone but the NZCA recommends getting a spinal check-up with your family chiropractor prior to starting any new exercise regime. An NZCA chiropractor will evaluate your spine for joint dysfunction and analyse your posture for imbalances, two conditions which may predispose you to walking related injuries.

Some Tips on How to Get Started

●      Visit your local NZCA chiropractor for a spinal system check up

●      Commit to a nine week walking programme

●      Start slowly – set achievable targets to prevent injury and to motivate you

●      Find a friend or work colleague to walk with

●      Wear supportive footwear which is designed for walking

●      Warm up with gentle stretching exercises at the start and end of your walk

●      Drink plenty of water and have regular breaks and healthy snacks

●      Mix it up – walking different routes, at different speeds with different inclines

●      Log your goals/achievements on the ‘Personal Activity Calendar’

●      Enjoy your walking!

Just Start Walking is an initiative from the World Federation of Chiropractic, a global non-profit association which was recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a non-governmental organisation in January 1997. For more information and to download Your Personal Activity Calendar go to  Just Start Walking New Zealand - NZCA

Dr Thomas points out: ‘Chiropractors specialise in helping people achieve proper movement and spinal function but also recognise the importance of supplying your body with the right ingredients so it can express itself at its optimum. Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is an essential part of many body processes and the evidence is that majority of people in our modern world are severely deficient. Just walking outside in nature a little more would go a long way to countering this issue and many other problems of our modern lifestyle and environment.’

References:

1) Restaino RM, Holwerda SW, Credeur DP, Fadel PJ, Padilla J. Impact of prolonged sitting on lower and upper limb micro- and macrovascular dilator function. Experimental Physiology 2015;100(7):829-38.

2) http://www.sca-chiropractic.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=79

3) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs385/en/

­Ends­

Further Information:

Dr Hayden Thomas, Chiropractor 027 299 9939 or hayden@chiropractic.org.nz Peter Boyes 027 554 0500 or peter@boyespr.co.nz

Connections Still Important For Investment Decisions

Insight and foresight have a vital role to play in making the best investment decisions despite the growth of big data, a meeting hosted by the New Zealand Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (NZVCA) at the Auckland offices of Chapman Tripp heard this week (25^th August).

Colin McKinnon, NZVCA Executive Director says: `This workshop aimed to look at how businesses can gain market intelligence and read between the lines for better investment decisions. Sophisticated investors are using new tools for data analysis and scenario simulation to develop insight for private capital investment origination and due diligence. Demographic changes can diminish the value of historic data for predicting future outcomes. But armed with an understanding of the cognitive decision process of individuals along with an ability to “crunch” a big amount of data, investors can provide foresight on customer behaviour across many products and services. But it was fascinating to hear that old fashioned personal connection still has its place. PE managers are still looking for on-the-ground, in-market expertise and want to speak with the right person.’

The meeting heard that resources such as the Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG) expert network provide relevant personal connections that give investors introductions to people whose experience and expertise are important references to making the best business decisions.

Charlie Ross of GLG says its network includes 450,000 experts worldwide and although conversations are personal and direct there is anonymity for the enquirer.

Matthew Houtman of Pioneer Capital, explains that GLG had introduced relevant experts to help a portfolio company validate a critical strategy by providing access to experts in the field and close to potential customers.

Michelle and Don Perugini, Analytics & Enterprise Intelligence, EY, add that big data and cloud computing are used to build simulation models to predict consumer behaviour, and that the psychology of the consumer was at the heart of the modelling. They point out that the Simulait model is based on the concept that cognitive decision process of individuals is unchanged and that human behaviour is driven by changing content and external influences.

They note that by integrating access to huge data resources and a model of consumer decision-making, it is possible to make accurate predictions about future consumer behaviour. These tools can help design products and marketing strategies for significant revenue gain or cost saving.

Contact:

Colin McKinnon, Executive Director,
New Zealand Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, New Zealand

NZVCA
+64 27 640 6406

Topcare Shortlisted for Customer Service Award

Topcare, the south Auckland kindergarten group has made the shortlist for Excellence in Customer Service Delivery in the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2015 – South.

Topcare founder Jackie Hui says: `We’re thrilled that the hard work of our dedicated team has been recognised. Our aim at Topcare is to make a real difference to our children’s lives by providing top quality care and education in the finest facilities anywhere in South Auckland.’

Christine Yi and Jackie Hui pleased to be on the shortlist

The Early Childhood Learning specialist, has recently opened a new centre providing pre-school care and education for children age two – five years of age at state of the art premises in Portage Road, Papatoetoe, South Auckland.

The new centre is modelled on the highly popular Topcare Early Childhood Learning Centre at Evelyn Street, Papatoetoe and will cater for up to 55 children.

Topcare founder, Jackie Hui has over 20 years of international experience in early childhood education. She studied for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education at the Manukau Institute of Technology and later graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland.  

In 2008 she opened the first of the Topcare Early Childhood Learning Centres, which has been highly successful with parents and shortlisted for a number of awards. This year Jackie gained her Masters of Educational Leadership.

Jackie says: `What we are building at Topcare is a new model of excellence in New Zealand early childhood education. My educational philosophy is founded on the strength of the relationships between the children, parents and staff built on Trust, Security, Respect, Caring and having fun. I really believe that children learn best when the teachers and parents work together and the children are engaged in experiences that are stimulating and interesting.

‘Topcare practices reflect the multicultural heritage of New Zealand’s community. Topcare’s mission is to educate our children to be the leaders of the future. We treat our tamariki with passion, love and knowledge.’

Topcare, 99 Portage Rd, Papatoetoe, Auckland, 

+Tel: 09- 278 2733

Topcare, 14 Evelyn Street, Papatoetoe, Auckland,
+Tel: 09-2782788 

 contact@topcare.co.nz