tension headaches chiropractic benefits

What Chiropractic Patients Want to Know About Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most prevalent types of headaches, occurring more often in women than in men. Research shows that 48 percent of women and 38 percent of men suffer from tension headaches.

Each year, patients spend more than $2 billion on over the counter headache medications. In fact, people spend a lot of money and effort seeking remedies for headaches. From prescription medication to over the counter drugs to alternative headache treatments like meditation, acupuncture, and chiropractic.

In fact, chiropractic is a proven treatment for tension headaches, but there is more to it than just adjustments. Chiropractic offers a whole body approach to treatment that can not only relieve the pain of tension headaches, but help prevent them as well.

What are Tension Headaches?

The most common type of headache is the tension headache which is described as pain ranging from mild to moderate that feels like a tight band is wrapped around the head. While stress can be a factor in the cause of these headaches, it still isn’t well understood how these headaches originate. Symptoms of a tension headache include:

  • Aching, dull pain in the head
  • Sensation of pressure or tightness on the back and sides of the head or across the forehead
  • Tenderness in the shoulder muscles, neck, and scalp

There are two categories of tension headaches: chronic and episodic. There are two primary factors that identify each type. The length of the headache and the frequency can help you determine which type of tension headache you have.

  • Chronic Tension Headaches
    • Length of Headache – hours and can be continuous
    • Frequency of Headache – occur 15 days or more a month for three or more months
  • Episodic Tension Headaches
    • Length of Headache – half hour to a week
    • Frequency of Headache – occur less than 15 days a month for three or more months

There are two primary risk factors for tension headaches:

  • Women – Research shows that nearly 90 percent of women will experience tension headaches throughout the course of their life. Only 70 percent of men will experience tension headaches in their lifetime.
  • Middle Age – Tension headaches increase as people approach 40 and peak at middle age, or when a person is in their 40s. However, anyone can get a tension headache, regardless of age.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Tension Headaches

A chiropractor can treat tension headaches through traditional spinal manipulation and adjustments, but they also provide advice on lifestyle and nutrition. Several things that your chiropractor may suggest include applying heat or ice to the area around your neck, shoulders, or head. A warm bath or shower may also help.

Stress management is another way that you can learn to manage and prevent tension headaches. This is typically a combination of minimizing stress in your life and learning relaxation techniques. Your chiropractor may also help you improve your posture. Poor posture is a very common contributing factor for many types of headaches.

Chiropractic for Tension Headaches

Your Doctor of Chiropractic will sit down with you to discuss your history, including your headaches. He or she will conduct diagnostic tests including x-rays, MRIs and other to determine if there are underlying causes for your headaches. They will recommend various lifestyle changes including dietary changes and exercises that you can do.

Your doctor may also perform chiropractic adjustments, or spinal manipulation which will help return the body to proper balance, improving spinal function and alleviating stress on the body and system. This helps to relieve pain as an immediate treatment, but when performed consistently, chiropractic can also help prevent tension headaches, allowing you to live pain free.

massage therapy benefits

Massage Therapy Dos And Don’ts

Since massage therapy has become the new big trend, more and more people have started opting for it. The reason for this is that this therapy allows individuals to release pains, stresses, and tensions, while gaining maximum benefits and relaxation. However, when it comes to massage therapy, there are a few dos and don’ts every individual must be aware of to get the most out of a single therapy session.

To make your massage therapy experience even better, we have the top dos and don’ts for you!

Dos

  • You must be on time, or even a few minutes earlier than the scheduled time. The reason being earlier is recommended is so that you can get “your fully-allotted time” and get the paperwork done early as well.
  • It is important to shower before the sessions. It will make a good impression on the masseuse. Moreover, it is a common hygienic practice, and the experience will be better overall.
  • Let your masseuse leave the room before you take your clothes off. Even though your masseuse has to deal with undressed bodies the entire day, it certainly does not mean they are open to seeing you take your clothes off.
  • Make sure you are telling your masseuse about any injuries or major surgeries you have undergone. This means ALL the injuries or surgeries you have had in your entire life because it will make a difference.
  • You must speak up if something does not feel right. The best massage is the one that makes your eyes close, but if yours are not, it means there is something wrong. Feel free to let your masseuse know so they can change what they are doing and provide you with the best experience.
  • No matter how relaxed you may feel, it is important to leave on time. As amazing as your masseuse may be, you need to know that he/she has other clients as well.
  • Let your friends know. The best compliment for a masseuse is when there are clients coming in with reference; this shows him/her that she provided his/her clients with top-notch services.

Don’ts

  • Try not to go for a massage when you have a contagious condition or if you are sick. Why? Because you don’t want to get everyone else sick. In case you are, you must call the reception and reschedule your appointment.
  • It is not a sin to have hairy legs, whether you are a man or a woman. Masseuses deal with all sorts of clients every single day, making them used to all these things.
  • Make sure you are not going in for massage therapy if you have consumed alcohol or have taken drugs in the past 24 hours. Narcotics are the last thing you would want in your system when you are getting a massage because it is dangerous and unethical to massage someone under the influence.

These are the top dos and don’ts when you are getting a massage. Simply by following these you will be heightening the benefits of your massage while getting ultimate relaxation.

Give us a call at (780)455-2112 or visit www.ocwc.ca to book online with one of our registered massage therapists!

Fermented foods Nutrition Benefits

8 Fermented Foods to Improve Digestion

Fermented  foods are amazing at keeping your digestive tract healthy and avoiding bowel diseases and acid reflux. With numerous benefits, here are the 9 best foods that you can include in your lunches.

1.     Sauerkraut

Sauerkrat is prepared by infusing cabbage with water and salt. The mixture is lightly heated to stop it from killing off the beneficial bacteria. The process of fermentation which breaks down the lactose gives this food a sour taste and lends it cancer-fighting capacity.

You can add a few spoons in salads or over a rice bowl for a healthy dose of probiotics to help digestion.

2.     Kimchi

Kimchi is a beloved Korean side-dish taken with ramen and meat dishes. It is made by fermenting different vegetables like cabbages, radishes, and tomatoes mixed in sugar and flavored sauces. Kimchi has been found to lower down cholesterol in the blood and help insulin resistance.

3.     Tempeh

Tempeh is an Asian food made by fermenting soybeans and is a wonderful substitute for meat. It has an extremely high content of probiotics that fight off bad bacteria in the body and help your body digest even the heaviest of meals.

Soy protein is helpful in cutting down body cholesterol. You can bake tempeh or even steam with as a side dish with noodles and rice.

4.     Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is richer and thicker compared to normal yogurt. It carries in it beneficial bacteria from lactic acid prepared through the fermentation process. It’s not only a good source of calcium for healthy bones but a single bowl packs a nutritious punch of essential B vitamins, probiotics, and riboflavin.

Regularly consuming yogurt can single-handedly help you lower down blood pressure, supply your body with beneficial bacteria and, help you lose weight.

5.     Kombucha

Kombucha is a traditionally fermented tea made from green or black tea with a sour, unique taste. Drinking a cup after a heavy meal can significantly ward off liver toxicity and help digest the meal quickly. Kombucha also aids in blood sugar regulation and strengthens the liver.

6.     Miso

Miso is a Japanese seasoning prepared by fermenting soybeans mixed in salt and moldy rice called Koji. It is used to make miso stock and soup, and traditionally goes with breakfast items.

Studies have shown that women who consume miso naturally have lower risks of breast cancer. Miso has a number of health benefits for the heart and blood pressure while supplying your body with ample probiotics to strengthen immunity.

7.     Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider is a powerful concentration of fermented apples that is a good morning drink to kickstart metabolism. Having it sparingly after meals can help digestion and increase your stomach’s acid reproduction keeping acid reflux at bay.

It helps the liver detoxify and keep body colon clean.

8.     Kefir

Kefir is a fermented drink made out of cultured dairy. By mixing kefir grains with milk and yeast, the concoction turns into a viscous beverage that resembles yogurt.

Kefir is an amazing alternative for those who are lactose intolerant, helps digestion and improve bone health by preventing inflammation.

Fermented foods are an excellent addition to your diet and are the secret to living longer.

For more beneficial health information like this, visit www.ocwc.ca . Our Clinic offers detailed nutritional counselling. Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to schedule your appointment with our Certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor.

cyclists chiropractic benefits fitness

How Chiropractic Benefits Cyclists

Now that summer is upon us and the chilly winds of winter are gone for at least a few months, more people are taking their fitness and recreational activities outside. Cycling is popular activity that fits both bills. It is a great way to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors, but it is also an excellent form of exercise.

Chiropractic provides excellent benefits to cyclists, whether you hit the trails on the weekend, incorporate cycling as part of your fitness regimen, or commute to work on your bike every day.

  • Relief from Pain
  • Faster Healing from Injuries
  • Better Muscle Tone and Balance
  • Improved Range of Motion
  • Enriched Cycling Biomechanics

In short, chiropractic and help make you a better cyclist and help you get the most out of your cycling. It will help keep your body aligned and balanced physically, but it also treats the whole body.

That means that your chiropractor will also make nutritional recommendations and even recommend various supplements if necessary. This will give your energy a boost and improve your performance, while helping you stay healthy and fit. This is how chiropractic helps you have more stamina and endurance.

Chiropractic for Cycling Injuries

As with any type of physical activity, there is always a chance that injuries will occur. Chiropractic helps keep your body balanced and improves your flexibility. This, in turn, decreases your chance for injury.

However, if you are injured, chiropractic can help you recover and heal much faster. You start with a healthy, balanced body through regular chiropractic care, and that helps you bounce back faster if you sustain an injury.

Chiropractic care can also be used to treat injuries. Cycling can cause pain and injury in the ligaments, muscles, knees, ankles, hips, hands, wrists, feet, neck, back, and shoulders.

Regular adjustments can help decrease the likelihood of pain in these areas, but sometimes the soreness can creep in anyway. When that happens, chiropractic treatments have been shown to be very effective in treating pain without pain medication and associated harmful side effects.

Spinal alignment is one of the most common chiropractic techniques, but it goes much farther than that. Adjustments to the legs and feet can help with ankle, knee, hip, and foot pain. Adjustments to the arms and shoulders can help relieve pain in those areas. Special attention to the joints help keep them flexible and functioning as they should.

Chiropractic allows the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal

Chiropractic is completely natural and does not rely on invasive treatments or surgeries. It does not use medications of any kind. It uses nutrition and supplements that rely on the body’s natural ability to heal. It simply realigns the body so that the neural pathways are unobstructed. This allows blood flow to be more efficient and reach the organs much easier.

Chiropractic involves gentle spinal manipulations that realign the body and restore movement in the joints as well as muscle trigger points and soft tissue. It may include electrical muscular current therapies, massage, cold laser therapy, ultrasonic waves, and other therapies in addition to the spinal manipulations.

A chiropractic patient may be advised to rest, ice an area, elevate it, or be given specific exercises to work that area. Chiropractic is not a rote therapy as many traditional medical practices tend to be. It adjusts to each patient, taking into account their unique lifestyle, activity level, nutritional needs, and other elements that influence that particular patient’s healing process.

Chiropractic sees each patient as individual and treat them as such. This is what makes it such an effective treatment for cyclists. The benefits it offers them can not only keep them pain free and participating in their activity; it can also make them better at it.

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our chiropractors or call (780)455-2112 to book your assessment!