3 Ways Chiropractic Can Help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

May 28, 2018/0 Comments/in Chiropractic Blog /by Kent Ferguson

Many people think of chiropractic as a treatment for neck and back problems, but in truth it is a whole body wellness practice and the neck and back are just one aspect. One application that is garnering a great deal of attention is the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Chiropractic is an effective, non-invasive treatment for CTS, relieving the pain and promoting healing without the use of medications. There are three ways the chiropractic has been proven to be effective in the treatment of CTS.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury, a condition that affects the hands and wrists. The most common symptoms include tingling, numbness, and weakness in the middle finger, index finger, and thumb as well as pain in the wrist or hand that gets worse at night.

It is typically found in hairdressers, typists, mechanics, cashiers, and other people who perform repetitive hand motions for long periods of time and it is estimated that about 3 percent of adults in the United States will deal with CTS at some time in their lives.

About 50 percent of workplace injuries in the United States are attributed to CTS. There was a time when it was believed to affect women more than men, but research has shown that a person’s occupation plays a large part in how it is contracted and gender only plays a small role – if any at all.

The carpal tunnel is a band of fibrous tissue that lies on the front side of the wrist. It holds the blood vessels, nerves, and tendons that are necessary for the hand to move and work as it should. When that carpal tunnel becomes inflamed, damaged, or pressure on that area compresses the arteries and nerves, CTS develops. It usually starts slowly and the symptoms gradually worsen as the condition progresses.

How Chiropractic helps Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are three primary ways that chiropractors treat CTS. These three common treatments have been shown to be very effective in treating the pain and the condition as a whole.

Adjustments of the upper spine, arm, and wrist – When the spine is not in alignment, it could exacerbate carpal tunnel syndrome. A chiropractor will use spinal manipulation to realign the spine to its correct position. These manipulations, or adjustments, are often performed by hand, but at times he or she may use special devices or a special table made specifically for chiropractic treatments. In addition to the spine, the chiropractor may make adjustments to other areas of the body such as the arm and wrist.

Ultrasound therapy – This is another type of therapy employed by chiropractors. It uses low energy sound or high energy sound – both outside the range of a human’s ability to hear. The device that is used emits these sound waves that are extremely focused and penetrate the body’s tissue at a very deep level. These sound waves can be very effective in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and relaxing muscles. It may be used as a stand-alone treatment or with chiropractic treatments.

Wrist Supports – The purpose of wrist supports is to keep the wrist properly aligned with the rest of the arm to reduce pressure and compression. It is often used as a preventative measure against carpal tunnel. The chiropractor may choose this option if the patient does repetitive work that may cause the condition. This is often combined with regular chiropractic treatments such as spinal alignment and is used to prevent conditions such as CTS from developing.

When treating carpal tunnel, the chiropractor may also suggest specific exercises as well as a dietary program to promote overall wellness. This is intended to keep the patient from experiencing carpal tunnel as well as other conditions.

For more information about our clinic, visit our website @ www.ocwc.ca or call 780-455-2112 to book your appointment today

HEALTHY EATING IS A LIFESTYLE

May 23, 2018/0 Comments/in Chiropractic Blog, Nutrition /by Kent Ferguson

Hi I’m Dr. Kent Ferguson (click to watch video), chiropractor @ Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic. Why is healthy eating as a lifestyle so important? Well, it’s because the statistics are sobering. The typical Canadian diet far exceeds the daily recommended intake levels in calories from sugars, solid fats, sodium, refined grains, and saturated fat. The typical Canadian diet is also lacking in the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and oils. The result is obesity and experts project that by 2030, in Canada alone, half of all adults will be obese.

So what do people commonly do when the weight begins to pile on? The answer is they go on a diet – and that is what gets them into trouble. What people should consider instead is a change of lifestyle.

When you make the life changing commitment to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle you open yourself up to a world of better health, more energy, and better focus. Your body will heal faster and you will feel better.

A healthy eating lifestyle involves a regular diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fresh fish, along with lots of water. Healthy eating as a way of life is far healthier than temporary diets that are out there and more effective too.

Making significant lifestyle changes related to food can be very difficult for many people to accomplish for various reasons. One of the most common reasons is lack of knowledge to understand the best first steps to take. That’s where a Holistic Nutritional Practitioner can be helpful. A Holistic Nutritional Practitioner can help you develop a diet to meet your needs that is specific to you.

If you or a loved one is in need of additional dietary guidance, check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca or give us a call @ 780-455-2112. Our helpful staff will work with you to find a time a time to meet our Holistic Nutritional Practitioner Karlien Bester.

For more health and lifestyle information, follow our clinic on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Take care.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utZRqRGpZCQ[/embedyt]

Everything You Need To Know About Acupuncture

May 21, 2018/0 Comments/in Acupuncture, Chiropractic Blog /by Kent Ferguson

Acupuncture is the art of healing which has been used for thousands of years and practiced throughout the world. Although it has treated many people successfully, there is a misconception when it comes to acupuncture. It is not understood properly in the western countries causing it to be seen as a painful retreat.

Acupuncture has many benefits, but since there is lack of awareness regarding it, there are millions of people that are missing out on this therapy.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that does not use any medication to treat the disease. The acupuncturist inserts thin needles in the pressure points of your body. These points can be on your back, leg, head, and other parts of your body.

The needles are often inserted in the areas where there will be no pain experienced. However, what an individual should keep in mind is that any pain experienced depends on the person’s pain endurance levels.

People often think that acupuncture helps with pain but the truth is that I can help relieve stress and treat diseases.

Does it hurt?

Having needles inserted in your body can arouse this question. Similar to the blood test prick, acupuncture can be painful for some and some might not even feel it.

The truth about this treatment is that it does not hurt. The needles do not go deep enough into your body to encounter the nerves. The needles are so fine that some people might not even feel them. Some people find the needle insertion relaxing. The needle pressure promotes blood flow and decreases inflammation.

Is it safe?

When going for acupuncture, you need to make sure you are going to practiced acupuncturists. Do not make compromises on your health so make sure you choose the right person. Go to place that is reputable and hygienic.

What are the Benefits?

Acupuncture has many benefits. Here are the most common ones:

Acupunctures reduce headaches and migraines. Studies have proven that acupuncture gives long-term relief from headaches and migraines.
Acupuncture decreases chronic pain that is present in your body.
It reduces stress levels and anxiety by balancing the hormones in your body.

Would You Go For It?

After finding out the benefits of acupuncture, would you opt for it? It comes with long-term benefits and allows you to live a healthy, future life. To find out more about our office visit www.ocwc.ca or give our office a call @ 780-445-2112 to book your appointment today.

4 Ways Chiropractic Can Help Those That Suffer From Fibromyalgia

May 14, 2018/0 Comments/in Chiropractic Blog /by Kent Ferguson

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions.
This condition is very problematic because it is extremely difficult to diagnose. It is also difficult to treat because it tends to be a chronic condition. Many doctors use pain medication that treats the symptoms, but there is evidence that shows chiropractic treatment as a very effective way to treat fibromyalgia, minimize the pain, and even control.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Doctors don’t really know what fibromyalgia is or what causes it, but researchers believe that that the condition affects the way that the brain processes pain, causing it to be amplified and spread throughout the body. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include pain, excessive sleeping, mood swings, fatigue, memory loss, fuzziness, and depression. It seems to be more prevalent in women than in men.

The condition may develop suddenly after severe psychological stress or physical trauma such as infection or surgery. However, it may also develop gradually with no known triggers. Often people who suffer from fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome, tension headaches, anxiety, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and depression.

4 ways that Chiropractors can Help Fibromyalgia Patients

There are four primary ways that a chiropractor can help patients with fibromyalgia. Chiropractic focuses on whole body wellness and has been shown to be very effective in treating the condition.

Chiropractic Adjustments. This chiropractic technique helps to realign your body and re-establish the connection between the nervous system and nerves throughout the body. It essentially resets the nervous system so that the brain can process pain more accurately. In fibromyalgia the pain is believed to be caused by the central nervous system receiving faulty or inaccurate pain signals and the result is pain felt throughout the body.

Physical Therapy. This is an important part of treatment that your chiropractor will recommend. Fibromyalgia can cause severe muscular pain and patient stop moving or exercising because it simply hurts too much. When the patient stops moving they lose muscle tone which actually exacerbates the effects of the condition.

Lifestyle Adjustment Recommendations. The chiropractor may also make recommendations regarding lifestyle adjustments. This can include incorporating exercise into the patient’s daily routine or finding ways to control the pain without medication. A patient who spends most of their day sitting behind a desk may be advised to take periodic walks. The recommendations will depend on the patient’s everyday activities and lifestyle.

Nutritional Recommendations. Nutrition plays a large part in every aspect of the body. It can cure conditions and help alleviate symptoms. The chiropractor will often make recommendations regarding changes to the diet and supplements. It helps both the psychological aspects of the condition as well as they psychological ones. This type of treatment is often recommended in conjunction with chiropractic treatments as part of a whole body wellness approach.

Chiropractic treatments have been shown to be very successful in treating fibromyalgia patients, particularly in alleviating pain. Patients report a significant decrease in neck, back, and leg pain after just one visit. Because it provides immediate relief without medication, chiropractic is regarded as one of the best treatments for the condition. When the spine is properly aligned the entire body functions more efficiently and effectively.

One of the most attractive benefits of chiropractic treatments is that it treats pain and mobility issues without the use of medications. In the case of fibromyalgia, because so little is actually known about it, chiropractic is an optimal treatment method because it does work but it does not put an additional burden on the body by introducing medications.

For more information on our clinic, check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca or call 780-455-2112 to book your appointment today.

How Acupuncture Helps Athletes

May 7, 2018/0 Comments/in Acupuncture, Chiropractic Blog /by Kent Ferguson

Acupuncture is a fantastic therapy for athletes, but that does not mean that others cannot gain from its benefits. Whether you are a devoted yogi, a gym rat or a marathoner, acupuncture has the ability to improve your performance while providing you exceptional health benefits.

Two in One Benefit

Acupuncture is highly recommended and effective for any sport injuries as it eases pain, speeds up the recovery process and improves range of motion. This is done by minimizing the inflammation, bruising, and swelling caused by the injury. Acupuncture allows the muscles to relax and relieves spasms, which leads to lowering the body’s pain responses and helps with blood circulation.

Studies prove the benefits of Acupuncture

Studies have showed that acupuncture can remove all types of pain, ranging from neck pain to shoulder pain and any chronic pains. In addition, the World Health Organization states that acupuncture is a safe and effective way of treating injuries, alleviating acute & chronic pains and any orthopedic conditions. In this case, it is a fantastic option for athletes as their bodies are always in use and can suffer from wear and tear.

Acupuncture naturally boosts energy levels, helps with post-workout recovery and can visibly improve the performance levels of any athlete. Athletes who make acupuncture a part of their regular training regime get better results, are prone to lesser injuries. This means athletes can have more fun when they are playing their sport.

4 Benefits of Acupuncture

1. Lessens Anxiety and Stress

Athletes often are stressed before a big race or feel anxious before a big game; therefore, acupuncture is a healthy resort. Acupuncture has the ability to balance the mind and lower anxiety and stress levels.

2. Improves Sleep

Acupuncture is a safe and effective way of solving sleep-related problems. Getting acupuncture regularly can be helpful, as it will make you feel well rested and energized.

3. Stronger Immune System

Studies have showed that acupuncture improves the functions of immune cells. It increases the production of T-cells that destroy bacteria and defends the body against viruses.

4. Increases Awareness

People that get acupuncture feel more aware of their body, mind and emotions at deeper and subtler levels. Being mindful about you and your surroundings is a key trait that every athlete must have on and off the field.

Consider adding acupuncture to help support your training activities. Our clinic offers acupuncture to help solve an array of problems. To book an appointment call 780-455-2112 today.

GOT SHIN SPLINTS?

May 2, 2018/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Kent Ferguson

I’m Dr. Kent Ferguson, in my chiropractic practice we see many conditions holding people back from being fully active. Shin splints are one of those conditions. Chiropractic care is a powerful choice for treating shin splints and reducing their recurrence. Three significant ways chiropractic treatment benefits those suffering from shin splints are:

REDUCTION IN PAIN

Chiropractic care is proven to relieve the pain associated with bodily injuries and conditions, including shin splints. Sometimes one visit is enough to relieve the pain, other times the pain decreases over a series of appointments. Being able to diminish a high degree of pain down to a manageable level is possible for shin splint patients through chiropractic.

FULL BODY ALIGNMENT

The premise behind chiropractic is that it treats the body as a whole, and, in doing so, promotes healing and health to the injured or diseased areas. Chiropractors may work on your neck to help your calf. With shin splints, your chiropractor may align your spine and joints to lessen the impact of activity on your shins. Again, the entire body is treated in order to create the best environment for health restoration.

DRUG FREE TREATMENT OPTION

A primary benefit of chiropractic care is it requires no over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Individuals who suffer from stomach issues, or simply prefer to avoid drugs, find chiropractic visits a productive alternative to manage pain and promote healing.

If you are one of the many people dealing with shin splints, consider chiropractic care as your main treatment option or in conjunction with other modes of treatment. Within a few visits, you can experience pain reduction, and enjoy a decreased risk of ever dealing with painful shin splints again.

For information about our clinic visit www.ocwc.ca or call 780-455-2112 to book your appointment today.