Dr Jo the Chiro

01/08/2026

🌀 Could your dizziness actually be a Vestibular Migraine?

Do you experience:
✨ Vertigo or dizziness
✨ Feeling off balance
✨ Motion sensitivity (cars, supermarkets, scrolling)
✨ Brain fog
✨ Light or sound sensitivity
✨ Neck pain or stiffness
✨ Headaches... or sometimes no headache at all

Vestibular migraine is one of the most common causes of recurrent dizziness, yet it can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often overlap with inner ear conditions and don't always include a migraine headache.

The good news? There are effective treatment options, and the best results often come from a team approach 💙

✔️ Gentle chiropractic care to improve neck movement and address musculoskeletal contributors to dizziness.

✔️ Vestibular rehabilitation to help retrain the brain and improve balance.

✔️ Lifestyle changes including good sleep, hydration, exercise and identifying migraine triggers.

✔️ CBT can help manage the anxiety and loss of confidence that often develop after persistent dizziness.

✔️ Medications may also be appropriate for some people and can be discussed with your GP or neurologist.

✨ Every person is different, which is why an individualised assessment is so important.

If you've been living with unexplained dizziness, don't ignore it. With the right diagnosis and management plan, many people can get back to doing the things they love.

📍Consulting:
📍West Gosford – Mon, Wed & Fri and North Ryde – Tues & Thurs

💙 Book online via the link in my bio.

30/07/2026

📅 Updated Clinic Hours – Now Booking!

I'm excited to share my current availability across both of my clinic locations.

📍 Central Coast Spinal Care – West Gosford
💙 Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
💙 Wednesday: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
💙 Friday: 8:00am – 1:30pm

📍 Ryde Natural Health Clinic
💙 Tuesday: 2:00pm – 8:00pm
💙 Thursday: 10:00am – 2:00pm

Whether you're dealing with back or neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, pregnancy-related discomfort, or simply wanting to move and feel your best, I'd love to help.

✨ Appointments are available now.

Book online anytime:
🌐 www.johannamcfadgenchiropractic.com.au

I look forward to seeing both new and existing patients in clinic soon! 😊

02/07/2026

Living with PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness.

Have you ever felt like you're rocking on a boat, walking on a trampoline, or constantly off balance—even when every scan and test comes back "normal"? That could be PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness), a real and often misunderstood condition.

Common symptoms include:
🔹 Constant or near-constant dizziness or unsteadiness
🔹 Feeling like you're swaying, rocking, or floating
🔹 Symptoms that worsen when standing or walking
🔹 Increased dizziness in busy environments like supermarkets, shopping centres, or crowds
🔹 Difficulty with scrolling on screens, driving, being in visually complex places or light sensitivity
🔹 Brain fog, fatigue, and anxiety caused by the ongoing symptoms

PPPD often develops after:
• An episode of vertigo (such as vestibular neuritis or BPPV)
• A concussion or head injury
• Migraine
• Inner ear disorders
• A panic attack or other event that disrupts the brain's balance system

The encouraging news is that PPPD can be treatable.

The most effective treatments often include:
✅ Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (specialised rehab to retrain the balance system)
✅ Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce the brain's heightened threat response to dizziness
✅ Gradual return to normal activities rather than avoiding movement
✅ Medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs for some people, particularly when symptoms are persistent or anxiety is contributing

Recovery takes time, but many people improve significantly with the right combination of treatment, education, and support.

PPPD can have a profound impact on daily life. It can affect work, parenting, exercise, driving, socialising, and confidence. Because symptoms are invisible, many people feel misunderstood or dismissed.

If this sounds familiar, know that you're not alone—and there are healthcare professionals who understand PPPD and can help.

Awareness leads to earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and hope.

25/05/2026

May is Spinal care month! Book in for your spinal checkup today!

06/05/2026

Dr Jo has a few last minute spots available today Ryde Natural Health Clinic from 10-8pm. Book online today at www.rnhc.com.au or call 9878-5021 for your next adjustment.

05/05/2026

Heel pain in active kids? It might be Sever’s disease 👣

Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is a common cause of heel pain in growing children—especially those involved in running and jumping sports. It happens when the growth plate at the heel becomes irritated from repetitive stress.

The good news: it’s manageable, and kids can stay active with the right support.

Here’s how we help:

🔹 Chiropractic care
Gentle adjustments can improve lower limb alignment and reduce excess stress through the heel.

🔹 Soft tissue therapy
Releasing tight calves, Achilles tendon, and surrounding muscles helps reduce pull on the growth plate.

🔹 Strapping/taping
Provides short-term support, offloads the heel, and can ease pain during activity.

🔹 Targeted exercises
Stretching (especially calves) and strengthening improve flexibility and control—key for long-term relief.

🔹 Footwear support
Supportive shoes or orthotics help absorb impact and improve biomechanics during sport and daily activity.

If your child is limping, avoiding sport, or complaining of heel pain after activity, don’t ignore it—early management makes a big difference.

📩 Reach out if you’d like help getting your child back to doing what they love—pain free.

20/04/2026

If your little one dreads the car seat, you’re not alone. 🚗💺

For some babies and kids, it’s more than just restlessness — it can be discomfort, restriction, or even car sickness. Car seats are designed for safety (as they should be), but they’re not always ideal for posture, especially on longer trips.

Over 20 years in clinical practice, I’ve noticed something interesting: kids who are adjusted before travel often cope much better — even those who previously struggled with car sickness.

Why might this be?

It comes down to how the body and nervous system work together. The brain is constantly processing input from the eyes, inner ear (vestibular system), and body. When there’s imbalance or restriction — particularly through the spine or pelvis — that information can become a bit “noisy,” which may contribute to nausea or discomfort.

Add in factors like:
• Facing backwards
• The angle of the car seat
• Pressure through the pelvis and hips

…and it’s easy to see how some kids feel unsettled.

Ever wondered why you’re more likely to feel car sick as a passenger than as the driver? Same idea — it’s all about how your brain interprets movement versus what your body expects.

Alongside exploring gentle chiropractic care, you can also support your child’s system with simple vestibular activities at home:

✨ 1. Head turns + eye tracking
Have your child focus on a toy or your finger while gently turning their head side to side. This helps the brain coordinate movement and visual input.

✨ 2. Rolling games
Encourage slow rolling on the floor (like a “log roll”). This stimulates the vestibular system in a safe, playful way.

✨ 3. Swinging or gentle rocking
Using a swing or even rocking in your arms can help regulate the inner ear and improve tolerance to movement.

These simple strategies can help the brain and body communicate more clearly — making car rides a little smoother for everyone.

If car rides are a challenge in your household, it may be worth exploring a combination of chiropractic support and movement-based exercises.

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

Getting some CPD learning hours up for 2026! Learning about the knee, foot and shoulder.

10/03/2026

A couple of afternoon spots have become available today with at West Gosford. Jump online to book!