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How Chiropractors Help Chondromalacia Patellae

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How Chiropractors Help Chondromalacia Patellae

Chiropractic care is extremely beneficial for many different conditions; some obvious while others are more obscure. Structural issues that affect the knees are often very responsive to chiropractic treatment. In the case of chondromalacia patellae and other knee problems, it has proven to reduce pain and help improve the condition considerably, providing the patient with increased mobility and flexibility.

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weight loss, tips

3 Weight Loss Tips to Amplify the Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care

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Hi there. I’m going to share with you 3 Weight Loss Tips to Amplify the Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care (click to watch video)

I’m Dr. Kent Ferguson from Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic. If you want more of this content, subscribe to our clinics You Tube, Facebook or Twitter feed.

We all know and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy weight. Some people do quite well at managing their pounds with seemingly little effort, while others struggle constantly. If you struggle with weight loss, Here are 3 Weight Loss Tips to follow.

FIRST, START SMALL

Replace a couple of negative behaviors with positive ones, and commit to making them stick. Great examples of these are substituting water for soft drinks, eating a high-protein breakfast, or changing out your nightly bowl of ice cream with yogurt.

Simply removing 100 calories a day adds up to a 10 pound weight loss over a year’s time. Small modifications offer the dual benefits of being easier to implement while still showing results.

NEXT, KEEP A JOURNAL

Write down every bite you eat along with the portion size. Listing your food intake provides accountability, which may keep you from taking that third slice of pizza or super-sizing those fries.

It also arms you with important information that will be helpful throughout your weight loss journey. If you hit a plateau, read back through the journal to see what you may have changed over time that caused the scales to stall.  And speaking of scales….

DON’T LIVE AND CRY BY THE SCALES

Often, dieters weigh every day and are elated or depressed based on the number on the scales. That’s a roller coaster way to live, and those emotions can cause calorie laden binges!

Plus, daily weighing is not accurate, as fluctuations in water weight are common. Weigh once a week at the most, at roughly the same time each day. A weekly routine gives you a good idea of your success without the stressful up and down of daily weighing.

I’m Dr. Kent Ferguson from Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic. Please subscribe to our YouTube, Facebook and/or twitter feed for more information like this. Take care.

Benefits of Acupuncture and How It Helps

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Acupuncture is not just the insertion of fine needles into the human skin. Despite what the popular belief regarding acupuncture is, in reality, it is a practice used to relieve pain and heal the human body. It has been used in China for over 2,500 years and it has been successful. It has the ability to prevent and treat diseases and it helps improve an individual’s lifestyle.

What Can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture has proven to treat conditions like:

  • Anxiety, depression and mood swings
  • Digestion
  • Allergies
  • Knee and neck pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Muscle spasms
  • Chronic body pains.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that acupuncture is also able to treat the aftermath of chemotherapy, nausea, menstrual pains, and dental pains.

Benefits and How It Helps

1.     Decreases Chronic Pains

This is one of the reasons why acupuncture is popularly used. It reduces up to 15% pains that are present in the back, neck, or legs. With the reduction of pain, an individual’s physical stress, bad sleeping habits, muscle soreness, old injury pains, and other stressors all go away.

2.     Helps Treat Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. The effects of modern medicine are not helpful in fixing this problem therefore; individuals opt to go for acupuncture. The human body has 14 meridians (energy channels) that are connected with the different parts of our body. When needles are inserted into these meridians, the feeling of ache reduces. The endorphins are released that ease the pain and provide individuals with long lasting pain relief.

3.     Eases Migraines

Acupuncture helps relieve headaches and migraines. Studies have proved that acupuncture is more effective in healing this pain than modern medications. There are no side effects of acupuncture while there are strong side effects of medication when it comes to treating migraines.

4.     Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting

Along with the other benefits, this treatment has cured nausea. There is a certain pressure point located in the forearm and near the wrist, when it is stimulated the feeling of nausea reduces. Doctors have started using acupuncture after surgeries to lower the effects of anesthesia with the help of acupuncture.

5.     Treatment of Anxiety

Acupuncture treats anxiety as well. The exact connection of how it treats anxiety has not been discovered, but patients have said how they have felt their anxiety lower. Acupuncture has been added to the pharmaceutical regimen to treat anxiety and stress.

6.     Fixes Sleeping Problems

Acupuncture escalates the secretion of a chemical that aids and helps a person sleep called nocturnal melatonin. The results of it begin to come in less than 5 weeks and this is a much safer retreat than taking sleeping medicine.

7.     Gets Rid of Heartburn and Indigestion

Getting acupuncture regularly has proven to lessen indigestion and heartburn. Researchers saw a huge difference between the symptoms of pregnant women that were getting acupuncture and those who were not. Acupuncture helped them take care of their diet, which ended the heartburn.

 

Acupuncture is a retreat that has proven to improve lives and give long-term benefits. Give our office a call at 780-455-2112 to book your appointment today.

 

4 Benefits of Stretching for Chiropractic Patients

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Most people stretch and hardly pay any attention to it. Throughout the day a person may stretch upon waking or after they’ve been sitting in the same position for a while. They might do some stretches before working out or as part of physical therapy. Stretching often makes us feel better but it might be surprising to discover that it is actually beneficial to optimal body function.

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The Connection between Nerve Repair and Acupuncture

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Nerve damage is an inconsistent and highly common problem that is present when there is long-term numbness, pain, lack of movement and similar conditions, depending on which nerves got affected. The most common method to fix nerve damage is through physiotherapy, electrical stimulation, surgery, and mostly medication. The downside to these treatments is that they do not have guaranteed results. Therefore, more and more doctors are using acupuncture as the cure to all types of nerve damage.

Classification of Nerve Damage

East Asian Medicine identifies nerve damaged based on the symptoms. The names of the classifications are given in accordance to what we see in nature. The most common kind of nerve damaged are:

1.     Phlegm

This is when the damage leads to numbness and growth.

2.     Cold

This is when the damage occurs seasonally. It comes with throbbing pain when the contraction between the muscle and sinew takes place.

3.     Damp

This is when the damage results in severe and sharp pain, tingling sensations, quick exhaustion, and swelling.

4.     Wind

The damage that occurs in muscles causes spasms, twitching, stiffness, and uncontrolled movement.

Types of Acupuncture Used

1.     Electro-acupuncture

This is when there are electrodes placed on the needles. This therapy is used to cure lack of movement, stubborn pains, and severe pain sensation. This heavy treatment motivates nerve growth and helps stimulate nerves.

2.     Moxabustion

This is heat-based therapy with the involvement of burning herbs. This is used to treat exhaustion, spasm, and inflammatory tingling sensations.

3.     Plum Blossom Treatment

In this treatment, there is a promotion of sensory nerve re-growth in smaller areas of the body. It reduces pain that is caused because of febrile conditions or inflammations.

Proof that Acupuncture Helps Repair Nerves

Acupuncture is known as an effective method of repairing damaged nerves. Studies in the Neural Regeneration Research proved that acupuncture helped upper and lower limb motor nerves to mend. A test was done on patients who had electromyographic nerve damages to check if acupuncture would be effective on them. There was a positive response with 80% of the patients participating in the study.

Electromyography gives people the confirmation that acupuncture shows significant improvements in motor nerve conduction and promotes nerve repair all over the body.

The researchers of the study made a discovery. They found out that there is set of acupuncture points that resulted in good responses at a high rate. When local points where used, there was a 35% effective response. In addition, when the Du meridian points where added, there was an 80% effective response.

What is the Du meridian?

The Du meridian is a pathway that is made of 28 acupoints plus a few more. These points are located in the midline of the back under the spine where the vertebral functions occur. When acupuncture needles are inserted in the Du meridian points, conditions such are tremors, numbness, brain ailments, infertility and febrile diseases are cured.

Acupuncture is becoming more and more popular as many people are finding effective and long-term benefits with it. Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic offers are range of services including acupuncture. Give our office a call @ 780-455-2112 to book your appointment today.

4 Powerful Ways Yoga Increases the Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care

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Yoga hasn’t taken the world by storm, but it has gained steadily in popularity in the last decade. Originally developed thousands of years ago, the practice of breathing, posing, and stretching offers a variety of important health benefits. Reduced stress and blood pressure, increased flexibility and stamina, greater balance, and a better understanding of breathing techniques are all fabulous results of practicing yoga.

In addition to the normal exercise benefits yoga offers, the practice serves as treatment for a variety of injuries and health conditions. Yoga embodies the recognition of the link between physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, and reaches its fans in deeper ways than other forms of traditional exercise.

Although the two disciplines come from entirely different histories, the concept that yoga heals the body in its entirety closely mirrors the concept behind chiropractic care. These similar foundations offer enormous benefits to those suffering from a variety of injuries and conditions that seek help from a chiropractor. By incorporating yoga sessions into their treatment, chiropractic patients often reap great rewards.

Here are four reasons why:

Yoga primes the body for healing

Practicing yoga stretches and elongates the body’s muscles, releasing tension and stress. Before patients visit their chiropractors, yoga can serve to warm up their bodies and clarify their minds, so the chiropractor can dig into the root problem. Yoga complements chiropractic treatment by readying the body to heal itself.

Yoga strengthens joints and ligaments

Dealing with a health condition or injury is frustrating and can seem like it takes forever to heal. Implementing yoga into a recovery plan helps strengthen joints and ligaments, which aids in promoting healing and cutting down the time it takes to get better.

Yoga works on the body as a whole and promotes greater well-being from head to toe. A stronger body absorbs chiropractic care more productively and deeply than one that is stiff, sore, and unhealthy.

Yoga increases range of motion

Depending on the severity of the individual’s specific condition, chiropractic patients may need several visits to "prep" their bodies before the main issue can even be addressed. Yoga sessions increase a body’s flexibility and help with the range of motion in the neck, back, hips, and other joints. By going into a chiropractic treatment equipped with better range of motion, the patient is more pliable, and the visit is able to offer more in-depth adjustments, for greater results.

Prevents future injury

Many reasons individuals seek chiropractic treatment are for recurring issues. Yoga provides an ongoing way for patients dealing with chronic issues to manage and reduce instances of pain, inflammation, and other symptoms. A regimen of yoga coupled with chiropractic care keeps the body aligned, its balance level, the muscles stretched and de-stressed, and the joints operating efficiently.

Both also serve to keep posture correct, and ligaments strong. All of these results create a body that is less susceptible to future injury, and less inclined for previous medical conditions to resurface. Individuals enjoy greater mobility longer, all without changing their active lifestyles.

Yoga has long been touted as the answer for many of the body’s issues, and it’s smart for individuals, whether dealing with current issues or in prime health, to check out the basics of yoga. Chiropractic care coupled with yoga offers a great many benefits to patients who are dealing with medical conditions or injury. Ask your chiropractor for an evaluation of your health issues, and whether adding yoga to your overall health plan would help you lead a better, more active life.

5 Ways Massage Can Help Improve Health

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Stress and tension have become such a big part of every individual’s life and it seems to be deteriorating their mental health. However,  there are ways to get rid of stress in the most comfortable way.

If you are suffering from everyday stress, your go-to solution to relieve stress should be getting a massage. It comes with numerous health benefits along with relaxation. Massage therapy should become a part of every individual’s healthcare regime as it will give them a break from life, unwind, and relax.

Here’s how massage can add to your overall health and wellbeing:

1.     Makes Blood Circulation Better

Sitting in the same position for long hours leads to postural stress. Lack of stretching or walking can be a result of poor blood circulation. This then leads to a weak immune system and bad digestion. Blood circulation gets better when you add massage to your routine as it will give you energy and release muscular stress. Although exercise is recommended, massages have proven to be the best way of stimulating blood flow in your body. They also improve the immune function and digestion.

2.     Fight Depression and Anxiety

Massage therapy  is also referred to as the “art of touching.” A single human touch can change perceptions and give the relaxation one needs after a long, tiring day. Massage stimulates the release of happy hormones to in your body, which calms the pathways of neuromuscular activities. This causes a significant decrease in anxiety and depression amongst people. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry revealed that individuals who get regular massages are less anxious and depressed compared to others who don’t.

3.     Better Sleep

When blood circulation gets better and muscle tension is released, an individual feels relaxed and calmer. This allows the sleep cycle to improve and gives the person a better perspective on things. A good massage will allow you to go to sleep with a clear mind and enjoy a deep, sound sleep.

Fun fact: If infants are massaged before sleeping, they will sleep longer and better.

4.     Strong Immune System

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine revealed that people who get regular massages have stronger immune function. Stress causes your body to be prone to diseases and viruses. Therefore, an individual should work on strengthening their immune system. Massaging helps lessen the stress hormones that are present in your bloodstream. It causes the activity of white blood cells to increase, which leads to a strong body defense and a healthier perspective on life.

5.     Get Rid of Headaches

Having a long-term headache can possibly make an individual dysfunctional. When you are suffering from a severe headache, your first instinct is to apply pressure on the area that is hurting. A therapeutic massage will allow the pain to ease along with a positive and clear mindset.

How Chiropractic Helps Tendonitis

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Tendonitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon that connects bone to muscle is injured, overused, or used improperly. The result is inflammation, pain and sometimes swelling. In the case of an injury where the tendon is stressed to otherwise injured, soft tissue around the area may also become involved. Each year more than 4 million people in the U.S. seek medical treatment for symptoms of tendonitis.

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Benefits of Acupuncture Therapy

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Acupuncture is the one of the oldest practices in Chinese medicine. It is an ancient form of medicine that was practice in the oldest times and it is used to this day. Nations around the world are practicing acupuncture, as it is an effective and trusted way of treating those who are suffering from stress or some illness.
Acupuncture is done by identifying the points of your body that trigger the bodily functions. Improper body functions can lead to elevated body temperature, lack of defense against pathogens, less bodily fluids and the inability of transforming those fluids into energy. The purpose of acupuncture is to fix these functions to improve the health and wellbeing of an individual.
Here are the top 5 health benefits of acupuncture:
1. Decreases Back Pain
Acupuncture therapy eases and diminishes back pain. It promotes the release of chemicals into the spinal cord and brain. The chemicals that are released relieve the pain and improve the bodily functions.
A study was done by the Archives of Internal Medicine and they revealed that needle stimulation, which is the primary technique used in acupuncture offered quicker relief from pain than medications. In acupuncture, pressure is given on certain points with the use of small needles. This helps a patient get rid of the pain and discomfort they are experiencing.
2. Makes Medications Effective
A study showed that adding acupuncture while on medication improves impact of the medicine. This also helps lower the dose and avoid the side effects commonly associated with pain-alleviating medicines, such as weight gain and nausea.
3. Minimizes the Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Cancer patients can minimize the side effects of chemotherapy if they add acupuncture therapy to their regime. A study showed that people who were getting chemotherapy had lesser negative side effects when they were getting acupuncture alongside. One cancer patient claimed that they felt less nauseous as compared to before when they began acupuncture therapy. It does not transform the life of those getting this treatment, but it does make the quality of life after chemo much better.
4. Helps Put a Stop to Long Term Headaches
Doctors have started recommending acupuncture as a treatment to help patients get rid of headaches and migraines rather than prescribing medicines. It has proved to be effective in preventing chronic tension-related headaches and decreasing the chances of suffering from a headache in the future as well.
5. Put an End to Obesity
Although there is no conclusive evidence regarding the effects of acupuncture on obesity, there are studies that show that it can be an effective weight loss treatment. Korean researchers analyzed a large group of people and concluded that acupuncture therapy led to more weight loss than extreme lifestyle changes. For those who are trying to lose weight, adding acupuncture could help them make accelerated progress towards their weight loss target.
Along with these benefits, acupuncture has proven to be the cure to many chronic body pains. The insertion of fine needles has been found to be an effective treatment and is therefore being increasingly used all around the world.

Why Chiropractic Patients Should Avoid Diets

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The statistics are sobering. The typical Canadian diet far exceeds the daily recommended intake levels in calories from sugars and solid fats, sodium, refined grains, and saturated fat. It 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.

That’s when people start dieting – and that is what gets them into trouble.

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