Mother of Two, Writer and Selph Chiropractor Dr. Gina Martins fiercely advocates for the health of her patients by seeking to investigate the root cause of presenting symptoms.
A carer by nature, Gina is passionate about treating her patients in a holistic way, considering the role emotional health can play in the manifestation of physical symptoms.
After practicing Chiropractic care for over 25 years, Gina is acutely aware of the ever-present undercurrent of emotional stress which most mothers live with, and seeks to alleviate this tension from the minds and bodies of her patients through her nurturing and compassionate approach.
Keep reading to find out more about Gina’s passion for conscious living, her advocacy for the mental and emotional health of mothers, and how her self-care tools are carrying her through lockdown.
Why are you passionate about treating other mothers?
I’m a mum so I can relate to being too busy and feeling overwhelmed. This stress can lead to tension in the jaw, neck and shoulders, as well as lower back pain. Chiropractic adjustments can help you feel less pain, have increased joint mobility and improved nerve function, allowing you to perform everyday activities with more ease. The better you feel, the better you are at home and at work.
Can you explain what happens when we don’t address our emotional health?
When we fail to process our emotions, physical symptoms appear. I’ve been a Chiropractor for long enough to see that some people with chronic back pain have a related emotional stress. Both structural and emotional aspects need to be addressed. We need to talk more openly about the daily stressors we all suffer from and the ways in which we can manage them more effectively, like stretching, walking and meditation.
What are the most common symptoms mothers are experiencing and how are you alleviating these?
Neck pain and headaches are very common as well as jaw and shoulder tension from emotional stress. By mobilising the joints with gentle movements and releasing muscular tension with pressure point techniques you can feel good and perform at a higher level. Applied Kinesiology (functional nerve testing via a muscle resistance test) is a diagnostic tool that can help evaluate dysfunction and imbalances in the body.
Why would you take your child to a Chiropractor? What will they do, and how will they help?
Poor posture and slouching are very common now with our increased device usage. Chiropractors can help by identifying where your child needs correction. We then adjust the area by using modified gentle techniques that do not lead to any popping sounds. Take-home stretches or exercises may be prescribed, as well as postural advice. Before and after posture scans are also taken to show the improvement in posture.
What are you currently leaning on to support your mental, emotional and physical health during lockdown?
It’s important to take time for you each day. We are fortunate enough to live near the ocean, so I’ve been going on long coast walks. My daily meditation practice has also been non-negotiable, even if it’s only for five minutes. I’ve also been embracing more candlelit baths with a nourishing cup of loose leaf tea.
As we inch closer to spring, in what ways can we prepare for the change in season?
Spring is the season of renewal. It’s an amazing time to give your home a really good spring clean, getting rid of the old in order to bring in new fresh energy. It’s also a great time to spring clean your liver with a gentle detox, and start light outdoor exercise in the warming sun.
As a healthcare practitioner and mother of two, in what ways do you try and share your health philosophy with your children?
I understand the sense of overwhelm which can often come with motherhood, but it’s important to look after ourselves in order to be the best version of ourselves for our children. With my own children, I make sure to reinstate the importance of posture when using devises. I also make sure they spend at least an hour outdoors exercising and playing in nature, which is especially important during lockdown.