acupuncture therapy myths benefits

Acupuncture Therapy – Myths and Misconceptions Busted

/0 Comments/in , /by

Every person you ask will give you different information – right or wrong – about acupuncture therapy. This alternative medication has been around for more than 3,500 years. It has proven to be a cure for thousands of people around the world. But with such a therapy, a therapy that is relatively unknown in these parts of the world, many questions arise.

Let’s Bust All the Myths and Misconceptions

1.    “We are About Talking Needles – It Must Hurt.”

The thought of needles piercing through your skin can sound intimidating, but the needles that are used are very fine. They are the size of a cat whisker. The initial prick may feel like a mosquito bite, which is not always felt by everyone. In case of discomfort, you need to know that the pain will ease as the acupuncturist starts to adjust the needles. Once the pain has faded, a feeling of peace will take over you. When you being to feel the Qi sensation, it means your body is healing!

2.    “There Is No Scientific Reasoning behind It”

Acupuncture therapy has been categorized as folk medicine over the years because its drug free and has a noninvasive nature. Now, doctors around the world are using acupuncture as an alternative method to medicinal treatments. What people disregard is that not all natural alternatives need scientific reasoning. Acupuncture is the most natural way to treat certain problems without having the need to take many different medicines.

3.    “If The Results Does Not Show After One Treatment Then It Is Not Working”

People tend to ignore the fact that everyone has different responses to different stimuli. If someone is giving a good response to the first or second treatment, does not mean that everyone will. Some people need to go through the full course in order to feel the effect. Acupuncture’s effects build after every treatment. Not all acupuncturists use the same methods therefore the results may vary.

4.    “Acupuncture is Unhygienic”

A popular belief is that acupuncture therapy is unhygienic and it transmits infections to others. Opposing this popular belief, acupuncturists use separate needles for each patient. Many use disposable needles as well, so there is absolutely no chance of being infected. The USFDA checks the acupuncture needles regularly for the licensed practitioners.

5.    “It Is Going To Be Addictive”

Another belief by people is that once you start getting acupuncture treatments, you will always need to get them in order to feel good. In reality, the aim of acupuncture is to treat the problem so that you don’t need endless future treatments. For those who have chronic problems, a weekly acupuncture therapy session can do wonders.

6.    “It Will Not Fix the Problem”

Acupuncture therapy teaches your body systems to self-heal. The functions of the needle are to stimulate the parts of your body that produce painkillers so it can reduce inflammation, improve digestion, sleeping patterns and fight against illnesses.

Lauren Wig R.Ac. at Oliver Chiropractic Clinic is skilled in treating a variety of conditions. Give the clinic a call at (780)455-2112 or visit www.ocwc.ca to book with her online!

massages benefits types

The Most Popular Massages

/0 Comments/in /by

Recently, massages have become more and more popular. The reason for this is that massages provide every person with endless relaxation and comfort. Even though, there are many different types of massages available, each one is suited for every person’s individual needs. With so many massages, it is important to know the most popular ones.

1. Deep Tissue Massages
Similar to its name, the target of the deep tissue massage is to get into the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues so the muscle knots can be untied. The massage therapist will use friction or slow strokes on top of your muscles to relieve pains. This massage focuses on fixing postural issues, repetitive strain, injuries, and painful/tight muscles. The pressure used in this massage therapy is much more intense compared to the others, but it does not cause pain or discomfort. If you are someone who has chronic pains, troubles moving, or injuries, you are the best candidate.

2. Swedish Massages
At spas, clinics, gyms, and wellness centers, the Swedish massage is the most popular kind of massage. The goal of this massage is to use longer strokes so it can focus on healing certain pains of your body. The 5 strokes used in this massage are friction (small circular motions), tapotement (percussion), effleurage (smooth long strokes), petrissage (rolling, kneading, lifting), and vibration (shaking and rocking movements). This massage is ideal because it releases tensions from your entire body.

3. Aromatherapy Massages
Aromatherapy massage is a modified version of the Swedish massage because this massage uses essential oils. These essential oils are extracted from flowers or plant parts and they are known to have healing powers. For example, rose and lavender oils have the ability to relax your body. Even though every single oil has its own properties, there is a chance that the massage therapist has a pre-blended oil that will provide you with uplifted feelings and energized.

4. Hot Stone Massages
This form of massage uses warm (slightly hot) stones to relieve pains. The massage therapist will place smooth, somewhat hot stones on the painful parts of your body while massaging you. The stones used in this massage are basalt (these are volcanic rocks that preserve heat). The warmth preserved in these stones have the ability to loosen your tight muscles while the massage therapist is massaging your body.
However, if you are suffering from issues like varicose veins, heart diseases, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you will need to talk to your doctor before getting a massage. Similarly, if you are taking any mediation that may be thinning your blood, you will need to consult your doctor again.

These are the top 4 massages that are popular all around the world. If you have never opted for a massage, make sure you opt for the most popular ones.

Our clinic is home to 3 of the best massage therapists in the city. If you or someone you know are in the market for a quality massage, give us a call at (780)455-2112 to book your appointment today! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our therapists.

Gut health nutriton tips

Healing the Gut – 5 Foods to Help with Digestion

/0 Comments/in , /by

The digestive system, also known as the gut is a delicate system of crucial organs that help in food digestion and fighting off diseases. The stomach, a part of the gut system  that secretes important enzymes and acids to disinfect our food and absorb essential nutrients while protecting your body from harmful diseases and infections.

A bad or leaky gut is the single-most important cause of just about any problem in the body. Acne is a common upshot of inner inflammation and an excess of bad bacteria. It’s safe to say that healing the gut ultimately heals every illness. Serving as a building block to your health and well being, our digestive system is extremely sensitive. Any food that offsets its balance can cause the body to develop gastrointestinal problems, eventually aggravating to worse health issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Alternatively, eating nutritious food in the right amount while making sure your meals are digested properly can create a healthy environment for the gut to function.

Here are 5 extremely healthy, warming foods that work to stimulate digestion

1.    Steamed Veggies

Cut up some colorful vegetables and lightly steam them in a little garlic and butter. You can have a bowl alongside a light meal or on its own. Beetroot, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, and butternut squash are good sources of antioxidants and nutrients that help the gut digest food faster. They can also increase nutrition absorption. You may even bake and pan-roast the veggies to enhance the taste.

2.    Oatmeal Porridge

A traditional breakfast dish, a delicious warm bowl of oatmeal can improve your digestive health. The gut bacteria cause the oats to ferment and improve the microbial health of the body. Oatmeal is rich in essential proteins, vitamins, fibers, and phytochemicals that helps remove toxins from the gut.

Sprinkle a few chia and flax seeds along with a little bit of maple syrup for a wholesome breakfast meal.

3.    Miso Soup

A Japanese stock, Miso soup is incredibly rich in probiotics necessary to encourage good bacteria in the gut. As a fermented food, Miso produces healthy enzymes for easier digestion. Your intestinal flora can benefit greatly because the probiotics help synthesize essential vitamins like B12 and boost metabolism. However, because it’s extremely salty, you should consume no more than 6g daily. You can ideally choose from white, yellow, and red Miso that’s rich in flavor and color.

4.    Lemon Water

Drinking a glass of warm lemon water and honey on an empty stomach reaps many benefits. With whopping amounts of vitamin C, lemons also contain a fiber called pectin that serves as a food for the gut bacteria. Lemon is a good source of probiotics as well that helps improve the microbial ecosystem of our body.

5.    Almonds and Walnuts

While eaten on their own they are just as delicious, you can also crush a few almonds and walnuts and sprinkle them over your oatmeal porridge. By encouraging beneficial gut bacteria in the body, these dry fruits strengthen intestinal health.

It’s time to ditch fast-foods and allow your gut to heal with these delicious, warming foods.

For a more detailed approach to maintaining a healthy gut, give our clinic a call at (780)455-2112 or visit www.ocwc.ca to book with our Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant- Alicia Miller. Lifestyle changes are the best!

 

fitness trackers benefits chiropractic

What Chiropractic Patients Want To Know About Fitness Trackers

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Exercise is usually a great compliment to chiropractic treatment. In fact, many chiropractors recommend regular exercise to their patients. It helps with pain management and speeds healing as well as give your mood a healthy, natural boost. Where does fitness trackers come in?

Fitness trackers are a popular workout tool that helps people set fitness goals, track their progress, and get healthier. How can they help chiropractic patients though? What can they offer that patients will get more out of their treatments? Find out what you need to know about chiropractic and fitness trackers.

It takes more than the tech to get you fit.

All the flashy, high tech bells and whistles in the world won’t roll you out of bed in the morning and place you on the treadmill. No fancy wristband will get you up and moving, getting exercise and getting fit. The tech is cool. It is fun and exciting, but it won’t get you fit. Only you can do that.

So if you are getting a fitness tracker with the belief that it is going to be some kind of fitness magic bullet, that just won’t happen. It is great as a fitness buddy, a tool, a nifty gadget that may help motivate you and help you achieve your fitness goals. In the end, though, you are the one driving that car. You are in control.

Is a fitness tracker for you?

There are so many fitness trackers on the market with an almost endless list of features. Finding the one that is right for you, or if you could even benefit from a fitness tracker takes a bit of research. Look for features that work for you and the activities you will be pursing.

For instance, if you enjoy water-based fitness activities you might want a waterproof model. There are also data limits, screen sizes (or no screen at all), heart rate tracking options, and whether you want a clip on tracker or one that straps on your wrist.

Before making your purchase, take some time to research all of the features that are available to you then decide what you like and what features would best help you meet your fitness goals.

How to get the most out of your fitness tracker.

Once you have your fitness tracker you will want to make a plan to ensure that you get the most out of it. Try these tips to make your fitness tracker work its best for you.

Identify clear cut goals. When you begin your fitness quest, the first thing you need to do is know where you want to go with it. It is a good idea to record your stats at the beginning and then update them every month or so. This will let you see how many more steps you are taking, how much weight you’ve lost, or whatever else you wish to accomplish.

Set attainable benchmarks. Benchmarks help you along as you work toward your goal. The key is setting them so that they are attainable but still present a bit of a challenge. If weight loss is your key, you might set benchmarks for every two months. For fitness goals, you may set benchmarks for a certain number of steps in a given time or a certain number of workouts each week. When you reach a benchmark, celebrate a little.

Wear it on your non-dominant wrist. The Journal, Medical and Science in Sports and Exercise published a study that revealed participants who wore fitness trackers on their wrists throughout the day found that they were more accurate when worn on the non-dominant wrist. The theory is that the non-dominant wrist moves less, giving a more accurate reading.

Calibrate your tracker to match your stride. Not everyone has the same stride. You may be very tall or very short; you might take longer strides or time steps. Whatever the case, you’ll get the most out of your fitness tracker by calibrating your stride. Most trackers will provide instructions for doing the calibration. It is well worth taking the time to complete it.

Incorporate other apps to boost your fitness efforts. Many fitness trackers will recommend other apps that can help you meet your goals and you can sync them to your tracker. However, you can also look for apps on your own that can help. There are so many different fitness apps out there from food tracking to apps that use your phone’s GPS to provide more accurate measurements on your runs, walks, or bike rides.

The more fit you are the better your chiropractic treatments will typically work. Fitness trackers can help you reach your goals and get the most out of your chiropractic care.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health information and fitness tips in our various blogs!