As the warm weather returns, so do warm weather activities. We tend to feel more motivated and energized and we some times forget that the long and often less active winter has led to some deconditioning and that can lead to injuries and aches and pains. It’s a good idea to book an appointment for a “spring tune up” to see how your body is doing and to go over any stretches or exercises that may need to be added to your routine.
Have you ever had abdominal massage? If you haven’t, then you have been missing out. The benefits of abdominal massage can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, your “rest and digest” response. It can also release physical tension and emotional stress that some people don’t realize they have.
Winter is the time of year when many consider hitting the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding sessions. We have a few tips to make sure overexertion doesn’t ruin your holiday.
Chiropractors are often asked for advice on the selection of beds and mattresses and, in truth, there is no one solution that suits all. But, we spend more than a third of our lives in bed, so we should choose our beds carefully.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, leaving our homes can feel difficult. It might seem simple, but it can be a tough decision for many. Here are ten things you might want to know before booking your virtual appointment.
With COVID-19, working from home became the new normal for many people. Here are tips on how to combat the work from home ache!
Fall is arguably the most beautiful season of the year. While working in the yard is an activity that many enjoy, it can cause back pain or other potential injuries if not done carefully.
The thyroid is the center of your energy and metabolism and is a very important gland in the body. An under functioning thyroid can cause many symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, constipation, low mood, hair loss, dry skin, and much more!
A spasm is an involuntary contraction of a voluntary muscle due to stress, injury, or chronic tension. This contraction causes nerve compression and forms a pain → spasm → pain cycle. Stretching and massage at the attachment sites of contracting muscles are often effective strategies for reducing muscle tension.
As a father, understanding pregnancy-related changes was crucial for me. Physiotherapy during pregnancy can help in many ways, starting with understanding the changes the mother’s body is undergoing to prepare her for childbirth.
Lymphedema is typically categorized by four stages. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is a non-invasive, multi-component approach to effectively treat and manage lymphedema and related conditions.
Lymphedema occurs if the lymphatic system becomes insufficient and is unable to perform its normal functions. The result is an abnormal accumulation of water and proteins principally in the subcutaneous tissues.
One of the most common issues that brings people to therapy is anxiety. For some people, anxiety can increase to a point where it does not feel manageable. If you feel like you do not have control of your worry, psychotherapy (specifically cognitive behavioural therapy) can be helpful and help you regain a sense of control.
It’s not surprising that women planning a more natural childbirth may choose to take prenatal yoga classes and practice various breathing techniques and visualizations to prepare themselves for their labour both physically and emotionally. Acupuncture is another option that is getting more and more attention.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a set of techniques developed by Vodder to help the lymphatic system function correctly. In lymphedema, where tissues retain fluid and swell, the goal of MLD is to reduce the swelling. MLD can also be used after trauma or surgery to help prevent the formation of scar tissue.
After giving birth, the core is weakened. Massage therapy can help with the muscle strain that happens during delivery, as well as balance out compensations in your posture that happen afterwards. Treatments focus on your back, neck, hips, and hamstrings. For caesarean births, we can also begin working on a scar as soon as the wound is closed.
As the seasons change and the weather begins to cool, many of us are getting out to do our fall clean up. Whether you are cleaning up the yard or clearing out the garage, make sure to follow these simple tips to help avoid injuries.
Carpal tunnel is the most common nerve compression in the arm and is a result of a median nerve compression at the wrist. It causes numbness and tingling in the first three and one-half fingers. As the condition progresses, muscle weakness and tension in the forearm muscles also occur.
Both compartment syndrome and periostitis can occur on the front or back of the lower leg, causing pain and tightness. Symptoms increase with exercise and decrease with rest. But, while they can both occur in the same locations and have similar symptoms, they aren’t quite the same.
I recently completed two continuing education seminars called Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT). By using NKT, practitioners can identify areas that are overworking and understand why other areas are compensating for them. By addressing muscles that are overworking, muscles that are under working can turn on which will improve movement patterns, muscle tone, pain, or other symptoms someone might complain about.
Structural dysfunctions alter how the nervous and circulatory systems communicate with the pelvic organs. A restriction in blood flow limits the flow of hormones and nutrients necessary to regulate the function of these organs. Osteopathy brings balance to the body by using gentle movements to correct structural and postural imbalances. Improving the alignment and biomechanics of the body, but more specifically the pelvis, will improve how the body functions.
Youth participation in baseball is on the rise across Canada. It demands a lot of physical skill to play and can therefore result in injury. New players are also using muscles they haven’t used before and learning new movements. Along with sore muscles, some of the most common injuries are to the elbows and shoulders.
(October 1)
The fall can sometimes feel overwhelming! With kids back to school, activities starting, the dreaded return to making school lunches, and work projects ramping back up, it’s hard to find the energy to keep up with it all, especially if you are not getting enough sleep. Being tired increases your risk of getting into a car accident, increases your risk of mental health disorders, increases your risk of physical health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease, and impairs your work/school performance.
Are you struggling to lose weight even after trying diet and exercise plans? Weight loss acupuncture might benefit you! There are several reasons for weight gain that you might not be able to address through diet and exercise alone. Acupuncture can help address the underlying causes so that you can get your weight loss back on track.
Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon. It is an overuse injury, caused by chronic overload of a tendon. At the beginning, you might feel pain only after you are physically active. But, if it progresses far enough, the pain can become constant with even the smallest of your daily activities.
The temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. There is one joint on each side of your jaw. It is a small joint that is localized in front of your ear. Many people have headaches or pain and tenderness around that region and don’t realize that it might be related to a jaw issue.
Piriformis syndrome is caused by the shortening or contraction of the piriformis muscle, which then compresses the sciatic nerve. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, you might feel pain down the back of one thigh into your calf, or even into the sole of your foot. You might also have numbness in your foot.
Many family doctors give a requisition or recommendation for a CT scan or an MRI without explaining the differences between those tests. As a result, patients, friends, and family members often ask us what the difference is between the two. Let’s review some basic points about these types of imaging studies.
The new year is a time when people often take stock of life and think of what they can work on in the next year … yes, the New Year’s Resolution! Often, these resolutions include becoming more physically active. Becoming more active is a great goal – years of working in healthcare has shown me your body is meant to move!