Low Back & Leg Pain: How Chiropractic Helps Radiculopathy

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Low back pain affects millions of people each year and is the number one cause of disability worldwide. It is prevalent and can be debilitating. As patients search for relief, they soon find that not all lumbar pain is created equal. There are many causes and treatments vary widely depending on the issue. Radiculopathy is a condition that can contribute to lower back pain, but chiropractic care can help patients better manage it.

What is Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is associated with some of the most significant causes of chronic or acute low back pain. However, it is important to note that the condition itself does not cause the pain. Instead, elements of radiculopathy, such as disc herniation, nerve root impingement, and facet arthropathy are actually what cause the pain.

Radiculopathy is a condition of the spine that occurs when a nerve is compressed, causing pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness along the nerve’s course. In the lower back, that course is in the leg. While it is most common in the lower back, radiculopathy can occur in the cervical or thoracic regions of the spine as well.

Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy

The symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy include pain, tingling, and numbness in the legs. Some patients experience extreme, painful sensitivity to light touch.

The nerves in the lumbar region of the spine supply sensations to the buttocks and legs as well as control muscles. So, when a nerve is compressed in the lumbar spine, those are the areas that are affected. The condition is often called a “pinched nerve” or sciatica because of the way that the pain radiates through the buttock and into the leg.

Causes of Radiculopathy

Irritation or compression of certain nerves are what causes radiculopathy, but it is worth looking at the causes of this irritation or compression to see the deeper cause of radiculopathy. These may include mechanical nerve compression due to:

  • Bone spur
  • Disc herniation from osteoarthritis
  • Thickening of surrounding ligaments
  • Infection
  • Tumor
  • Scoliosis

Degeneration or trauma can cause inflammation in the spinal nerves which can lead to pain.

Who is at Risk for Radiculopathy?

Certain people are more prone to radiculopathy based on the activities they engage in and their genetics. Patients who regularly engage in contact sports, heavy labor, or any activity that puts a repetitive or excessive load on the back are more likely to have the condition. Patients who have a family history of spine disorders, including radiculopathy are also more at risk of developing it.

Chiropractic for Lumbar Radiculopathy

A review published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine examined 162 patients with radiculopathy who were treated with chiropractic care. Of those patients, more than 85% not only experienced pain relief, but their conditions were resolved. This was done over 9 treatment sessions. Most of the patients saw improvement of their symptoms within 4 days of their first treatment.

There are a number of treatments for lumbar radiculopathy, including pain medication, epidural steroid injection, and surgery. However, chiropractic care is non-invasive and does not have the unpleasant, sometimes harmful of many pain medications. It is safe and effective, treating the entire body instead of just the part that hurts.

When treating lumbar radiculopathy, the chiropractor may use several techniques such as spinal adjustments as well as stabilization exercise and neuromobilization. They will also work with the patient to determine if there are engaging in any activities that increase their risk factor for the condition. In some cases, the chiropractor may recommend certain lifestyle and dietary changes to increase whole body wellness and a stronger, healthier spine. For more information on our clinic and chiropractors, check out www.ocwc.ca

Healthy Blueberry Muffins

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The smell of fresh blueberry muffins in the air. Brings a lot of attention to the kitchen. It can be a challenge to bake healthy snacks that’s not packed full of sugar and fat.

Meg’s Healthy Blueberry Muffins recipe substitutes some common ingredients without loosing any of the flavour. Now that’s something everyone can enjoy!

 

Traditional blueberry muffins recipe contains:

  • 2 cups white flour 
  • ½ cup white sugar 
  • 1/3c. Vegetable oil 
  • ½ c. blueberries 
  • baking powder 2 tsp.
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 c. milk 

 

Meg’s Healthy Blueberry Muffins Recipe:

  • 2 cups white flour  – cut white flour in half and add a whole
    grain/flour such as whole wheat, oatmeal, barley, spelt, brown
    rice, quinoa flours (or a combination of) =
    *Use 1 c. white and 1c. whole grain in recipe
    *might need a bit of extra liquid
    *adds fiber and nutrients
  • ½ cup white sugar – decrease to ¼ – ⅓ c.
  • 1/3c. Vegetable oil – 1/4c.(4 T) Oil is ample. Can add ¼ c. apple sauce or grated apple to make up difference, add moisture due to whole grain addition, and for sweetness given less sugar. Could go as low as 2 T oil and add more apple
  • ½ c. blueberries – can increase to 1 cup for more moisture, sweetness, nutrients, fiber
  • baking powder 2 tsp.
  • Also contains 1 egg and 1 c. milk all good
  • Extra flavor –  add 1 T lemon or orange rind or combo and enjoy some bioflavanoids while your at it 🙂

Baking Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  • In a large bowl, stir together milk, egg, and vegetable oil, and oil substitute.
  • Add flour, flour substitute, baking powder, sugar, and blueberries; gently mix the batter with only a few strokes.
  • Add your own special touch
  • Spoon batter into cups.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Serve hot.

 

We all know that it may be often difficult to stop at one muffin. Meg’s Healthy Blueberry Muffins recipe is a wonderful way to give your family a healthy snack.

Managing nutritional needs may seem complicated with all of the information out there. What types of food? How should our food be prepared? Having a nutritional coach to help find answers that best meets our individual needs may be the answer.

To learn more about Meg’s nutritonal coaching services click here. We hope you enjoy this recipe for yourself, family and friends.

 

Check Out This Video Of Meg’s Blueberry Muffin Recipe

 

What Chiropractic Patients Want To Know About Text Neck

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Text neck is a very real condition that is caused by staying in a prolonged “texting” position – hunched shoulders and neck tilted forward. As a result, the back, neck, and shoulder muscles become overworked and your spinal structure is actually changed. Many people who spend a lot of time on their mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, develop this condition (and others including “cellphone elbow” and tendinitis of the wrist and hand) and it can be very painful, even causing mobility problems.

What Exactly is Text Neck?

A normal human neck has a slight curve to it that travels along the spine. It is part of the intricate system that supports the head and body. However, a person with text neck will have a straight cervical spine. Their neck will not have that slight curve and that is a problem.

The cause of the absence of the curve is because of the position that the head stays in for such long periods of time. The average adult human head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. When the head is upright, the neck supports it and the slight curve gives it the stability that it needs.

When you keep your head tilted forward, such as when you are hunched over your smartphone or mobile device, your head is thrust forward instead of sitting over the balanced curve of the cervical spine. The gravitational pull is greatly increased and the neck is already in an unnatural position. This combination places unnatural and damaging stress on your neck. It is like carrying around an additional 60 pounds on your neck.

Symptoms of Text Neck

In the early stages of text neck, a person may feel some tightness in their shoulders, neck, and upper back. This may progress to discomfort in those areas and eventually pain. If left untreated, you can develop pinched nerves and herniated discs.

Your central nervous system begins at the base of your skull, so it extends down your neck and upper back. When you put unnatural pressure on your neck, you are also affecting your nervous system, causing it to malfunction. This can lead to pain throughout your body, stiffness, headaches, low back pain, and problems with your hands and arms.

How to Prevent Text Neck

Text neck is surprisingly easy to prevent. Your first step is awareness. Over two or three days, take some time to be very aware of your body’s position. Carefully examine your posture while you go about all of your daily activities. It is important to remember that text neck is not strictly confined to texting. You can get it any time you have your head bent down for an extended period of time, such as when looking at a laptop screen or even writing for a long time.

The best way to avoid the problem is to keep your devices at eye level. If you have a handheld device, hold it up at the level of your eyes instead of bending your neck to look down. The same goes for your laptop; arrange it so that your screen is at eye level.

Chiropractic for Text Neck

If you are already suffering from the effects of text neck, your chiropractor can help reverse the condition if it hasn’t progressed to disc degeneration (even then he or she can help with associated pain). Regular chiropractic treatments, along with following expert recommendations for screen heights, can help reduce the pain and discomfort. It is smart to address these issues before they become a bigger problem. Your chiropractor can help. Learn more about our clinic @ www.ocwc.ca

What Chiropractic Patients Want To Know About Curcumin

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Many chronic pain sufferers are looking for relief beyond pharmaceuticals which can have unpleasant and even harmful side effects. This has brought them to natural pain management methods like chiropractic care as well as natural substances like curcumin. For many people, these treatment options have brought them relief from the pain and help them return to a more normal lifestyle.

How does it work though? And, more importantly, can it work for you?

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is a spice that is a relative of ginger and is a component of turmeric. Often the terms curcumin and turmeric are used interchangeably. However, curcumin is what gives turmeric its bright yellow color.

While it is often found in curries and other traditional Indian food, it has also long been used to treat a variety of health issues including inflammation that causes pain in the body. These claims have been backed up by several studies that show the tasty spice has tremendous health benefits to offer.

These studies have shown that curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory properties although why it works is not yet completely understood. This information has prompted further studies to determine the efficacy of curcumin in treating a wide range of conditions including chronic pain.

One study examined the spice’s effects on people suffering from arthritis or joint pain. The results determined that turmeric extract (curcumin) supplements were just as effective as ibuprofen in relieving the pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It helped to reduce the inflammation that was causing the pain, bringing the patients much needed relief.

Taking Curcumin for Better Health

You can get curcumin or turmeric supplements but there is no standard dosage information available. Your chiropractor can advise you on how much to take and which supplement brands are the best.

You can also use the spice in the foods you eat and gain a good bit of the health properties that way. However, it may be more efficient and easier to take curcumin or turmeric supplements, especially when you are treating inflammation and pain.

Curcumin is generally safe with very few side effects. As with any medication or supplement, there are some people who are sensitive to the spice and may experience diarrhea and nausea.

However, that usually occurs at higher doses or after the patient has been using it for a long time. High doses could also pose a risk if the person has ulcers. It can also irritate the skin is used topically.

If you are considering incorporating curcumin into your daily diet as a health supplement, you should first talk to your doctor or chiropractor to make sure it is safe for you. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take the supplements.

People with conditions like diabetes, gallbladder issues, bleeding disorders, kidney disease, or immunity problems should take special care when using the supplement. Also, it can interact with medications like NSAIDs, aspirin, diabetes drugs, statins, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications so talk to your health professional before taking. They may adjust your dosage or recommend certain nutritional therapies to better support the supplement.

Your chiropractor can help you live a more natural, pain free life and supplements like curcumin may be a part of that plan. They can help put you on the path to a life well lived. To learn more about our office check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Baking chocolate chip cookies can be a great family activity. So can eating freshly baked cookies! Unfortunately, tastey bakings can often mean high amounts of sugar and fat. Likely more than what you are looking for in the typical diet.

Meg’s Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe substitutes some common ingredients without loosing any of the flavour. Now that’s a win win!

 

Typical traditional recipe contains the following ingredients:

  • White flour 2 cups
  • White sugar 1.5 cups
  • Butter ¾ cup (12 Tablespoons)
  • Salt ½ tsp.
  • Baking Soda 1 tsp.
  • Chocolate chips 1-2 cups

 

Meg’s Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe:

  • White flour 2 + cups – cut white flour in half and add a whole
    grain/flour such as whole wheat, oatmeal, barley, spelt, brown
    rice, quinoa flours (or a combination of) =
    *Use 1 c. white and 1c. whole grain in recipe
    *might need a bit of extra liquid
    *adds fiber and nutrients
  • White/brown sugar 1.5 cups combined -can cut sugar by 1/3-1/2= Use ¾ – 1 c. sugar in recipe
  • Butter ¾ cup (12 Tablespoons) – fat can be cut ⅓ – ½
    Use 6-8T butter in recipe
  • Salt ½ tsp. – can eliminate all together given butter and baking soda contain salt, or cut in ½ using ¼ tsp salt
  • Baking Soda 1 tsp.
  • Chocolate chips 1-2 c. – quality dark chocolate healthiest option as contains less sugar and more nutrients than milk chocolate (more processed and more sugar added). Recommend 1 cup chocolate chips and can add ½-1c. dried fruit for more sweetness, moisture, texture, flavor, nutrients (raisins, craisins, dates, apricots, etc.)
  • Can also add some nuts pecans, walnuts, almonds for crunch, protein, fiber, healthy fats, minerals

Baking Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix flour, flour substitute, baking soda and salt; set aside.
  2. In large bowl, beat softened butter, sugar, sugar substitute with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon about 1 minute or until fluffy, scraping side of bowl occasionally.
  3. Stir in flour mixture just until blended (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
  4. Onto ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart.
  5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store covered in airtight container.

 

We all know that it may be often difficult to stop at one cookie. Meg’s Healthy Chocolate Chip Recipe is a wonderful way to give your family a healthy snack.

Managing nutritional needs may seem complicated with all of the information out there. What types of food? How should our food be prepared? Having a nutritional coach to help find answers that best meets our individual needs may be the answer.

To learn more about Meg’s nutritonal coaching services click here. We hope you enjoy this recipe for yourself, family and friends.

 

Check Out This Video Of Meg’s Recipe

 

How Chiropractic Benefits Cyclists

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Cycling is a great cardiovascular workout, building strength, stamina, and balance. However, it can be tough on the body, especially if you put in a lot of miles. This is true of any activity that is repetitive, though. Certain muscles can become more tense and others that aren’t used become weaker. This can cause your spine to become misaligned. Bending over the handlebars can also cause back pain as well as wrist, neck and shoulder pain and affect your posture if you remain in that position for long stretches or are not using proper form. Chiropractic for cyclists can help combat these effects and keep your body in alignment.

Hip and Knee Pain

Cycling puts a lot of strain on your lower body, particularly the hips and legs. The more developed these muscles get, the tighter they can become if you aren’t stretching before and after your ride (and getting regular chiropractic care).

Inflammation and stiffness of the sacroiliac joint is very common with cyclists. It can cause a significant decrease in range of motion and flexibility, not to mention cause pain. This issue can really affect your ride. The stress that occurs in this area can affect nearby large joints, such as the knees. Chiropractic can release those joints and address any issues associated with it.

Lower Back Out of Alignment

Spending a lot of time hunched over your handlebars can cause your back muscles to become stretched out. When you combine that with hunching over a desk or computer all day, it can leave you with a misaligned spine.

The tight muscles of the lower body, including hip flexors and hamstrings, work against the stretched out back muscles to weaken the spinal support. Once your spine is misaligned, it can lead to back pain, hip pain, and make it difficult for you to ride effectively or comfortably.

Getting good, regular chiropractic adjustments, along with some core strength exercises, stretching, and exercises to increase range of motion, you can get your spine aligned – and keep it that way. It is also worth mentioning that proper bike fit is absolutely integral to keeping your spine and body healthy and aligned.

Numb, Tingling Hands

Numb, tingling hands are very common among cyclists. There are several reasons that this can occur, but the most common culprits are stress on the upper back from riding in a hunched position, or wrist issues that come from the stress of supporting your upper body as you are hunched over, and from holding the handlebars.

Proper bike fit can go a long way in preventing this, as does maintaining proper form and technique while riding. This will help you avoid compression, undue stress, and overreaching so that your arms are in a more natural, comfortable position. Your chiropractor can help alleviate the pain and correct the condition with spinal manipulation and other techniques applied to the joints.

Chiropractic is exceptional for cyclists because it not only addresses structural issues in the body, it also provides whole body care. Your chiropractor may recommend certain exercises and stretches, supplements, and lifestyle changes to help improve your ride and help you live a healthier life. You will combat the strain that the sport puts on your body and learn powerful techniques for avoiding injury.

If you are a regular cyclist, whether you ride competitively, ride with a group, or bike to work, you will find that your body will respond very well to chiropractic treatments. When performed regularly, you will find that your body will get stronger and your posture will be better. You will feel better too. To learn more about our office check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca

Walking

3 Health Benefits Walking Provides To Your Spine

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You hear a lot of people talk about the benefits of walking, but may not know how it applies to you. If you have back pain, walking regularly can be exceptionally helpful by providing the spine with added support and increased blood flow. These three spinal health benefits of walking should be enough to convince you.

Walking Aids in Rehydrating Your Spinal Discs

Gravity is not your friend. Well, not when it comes to your back. From the time you get out of bed until you lay down again at the end of the day, the pressure of gravity compresses your spine. When your spine is compressed that means your spinal discs are too. These fluid filled discs provide cushion for your vertebrae, but the constant compression that occurs throughout the day due to normal activity squeezes out the fluid out of them.

Dehydrated discs can cause back pain and structural problems. That is why restful sleep and staying hydrated are extremely important for spinal health.

Walking is also important because it increases circulation throughout your body, including your spine. This increased blood flow helps to rehydrate your discs which improves your spinal health. It also helps keep your spine younger, staving off the effects of the aging process.

Walking Relieves Back Pain and Reduces Stress to the Spine

Walking provides a great low impact aerobic workout. It increases blood flow which helps improve mobility, flexibility, and range of motion. When you incorporate stretching, you can reap even more of the benefits of a healthy spine.

The human body is made to move. When you don’t move or are sedentary, your muscles become stiff and inflexible. Moving prevents that, but even if you are experiencing some stiffness walking, stretching, and movement can help you regain that flexibility.

You will also find that walking regularly also helps with stress relief. Lower back pain is a very common stress symptom but walking combats it effects by encouraging the release of dopamine.

When you are stressed, your pain sensitivity is increased. You feel pain more acutely and it is more difficult to manage. By reducing your stress level, you also make your pain more manageable but at the same time, minimize lower back pain.

Walking Improves Posture

When you don’t use your muscles, they become weak and inflexible – and are not able to do their intended job. The muscles of the back are designed to provide support to the spine. When they are not used they can atrophy and weaken, resulting in stooped or other improper posture.

Poor posture causes back pain by putting more pressure on the spine. This can lead to pain, soreness, tension, and headaches. Without the necessary support, it can also lead to misalignment of the spine which can cause a number of problems.

Walking strengthens the supporting muscle groups so that your back muscles get stronger. Your spine gets the structural support that it needs. As your back muscles get stronger your body will naturally begin to adopt a correct posture. The benefits of good posture include improved organ function, reduced pain, less fatigue, and easier breathing.

Walking is good for your whole body as well as your mind. When you walk to reduce back pain you are also doing great things for your body. If you have any questions about proper form or how to achieve better, healthier posture, your chiropractor can help you. The spine is such an important part of the body; it does so much. Do your best to protect it and keep it in good health. In return, it will keep you moving for a long, long time.

How the Shoes You Wear Can Wreck Your Spine

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If you’ve been experiencing lower back pain and can’t seem to pinpoint the cause, try looking down – at your feet. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Your shoes can have a tremendous effect on your spine, causing back pain. While this is traditionally considered to be a “female issue,” some men’s shoe styles are unsafe as well. Take a look at the most common culprits and find out how you can be safely shod.

The Truth About High Heels

Wearing high heels puts your body in a position that is very similar to walking on a ramp. It causes your calf muscles to stay in a constantly flexed position and increases fatigue throughout the lower body. What’s worse, though, is that high heels cause your entire posture to change, they:

  • Thrust your chest forward
  • Push your lower back forward
  • Tilt your pelvis up so the spine and hips are out of alignment
  • Put excessive pressure on the knees
  • Tendons get thicker and calf muscles get shorter
  • Shift your weight to the balls of your feet with increased downward force pressure
  • Extended regular wear can actually cause your anatomy to change

Wearing high heels for even a few hours can cause lower back pain. Wearing them on a regular basis can have a detrimental effect on your body. This does not even take into account the increased risk of falls and twisted ankles.

Why Flip Flops are a Flop

Flip flops are a popular summer shoe. They are easy to slip on and take off, they’re cool, and fairly comfortable. Most even stand up to getting wet without damage. However, you may be sacrificing your safety and spine health for choosing these easy to wear shoes.

The biggest problem is, they do not offer any ankle or foot support – none at all. The cushioning is minimal at best and they aren’t really secure on your foot. All of this leaves you vulnerable to trips and falls – a leading cause of injury and death in the United States. It also leaves you vulnerable to back pain and spinal injury.

There are several problems with wearing flip flops, especially on a regular basis:

  • You have to unnaturally shorten your stride
  • You have to curl or pinch your toes to keep your shoes on while you walk
  • Your foot contacts the ground in an unnatural way that causes your leg to rotate slightly

All of these things put pressure on your spine, causing unusual strain on your hips, knees, feet, and lower back. It can cause muscular pain and strain, but it can also cause a misalignment of your spine.

So, are Flat Shoes Better?

When compared to high heels, flat shoes are much better, especially when it comes to posture. Flats keep your spine pretty straight and your calf muscles are relaxed. They also help to distribute your body weight more evenly through your whole foot as opposed to pushing it to the balls of the feet. However, not all flat shoes are created equal. For instance, flip flops are flat, but we know that they are bad for your body, so be careful when choosing your flat footwear.

10 Tips for Spine Friendly Shoes

Keep these tips in mind when looking for back friendly shoes:

  1. Throughout the course of the day your foot naturally expands. Go shoe shopping in the afternoon to get a more accurate fit.
  2. Get your feet measured every time you buy shoes.
  3. Always try on new shoes, walk around in them and stand.
  4. When determining length and width, do it while standing.
  5. Look for shoes that provide foot support and have an arch support.
  6. Don’t get shoes that are too wide or too narrow – or too long or short.
  7. Look at both size and width. Going up a half a size may not necessarily mean a shoe is wide enough if the shoes you are trying on pinch.
  8. Speaking of size, let it be a guide, not a rule. Gauge your shoe size by your comfort, not a number.
  9. Feel the insides of the shoes, along the heel and down to the toe to make sure that there are not seams, tags, or anything else that will affect your comfort or rub your foot.
  10. Check the shoe for sturdiness and soundness. Is the sole thick? Does the sole adhere well to the shoe (no gaps or loose spots)? Is the shoe made from durable, quality material?

Shoes are not accessories, they are tools that help protect much more than just your feet. Wear them well.

For more health and wellness information visit www.ocwc.ca

Yintang And Acupuncture For Stress An Anxiety

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Yintang is an acupuncture point that is located on the forehead midway between the eyebrows.  It is a wonderful point that calms the mind, reduces stress, and helps relax the sympathetic nervous system.  As such, it is a point that is excellent in treating anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and headaches.  In combination with other points it can also treat hypertension, sinusitis, allergies and dizziness.  While the location may seem intimidating, having this point needled usually puts patients right to sleep! 

How does acupuncture actually work to reduce stress/anxiety?

In the most basic terms, acupuncture regulates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight response”, and the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” phase.  Most people with high stress levels or who deal with anxiety have an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which means their body gets stuck in the fight or flight response.  This results in symptoms like restlessness, insomnia, mind racing, and palpitations to name a few.  If left untreated, there can be more severe long term effects such as high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.  Acupuncture and TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) regulates your body’s hormones and forces it out of the fight or flight phase, into the more calm rest/digest phase. A study done at Georgetown University Medical Center found that “acupuncture blocks the chronic, stress-induced elevations of the HPA axis hormones and the sympathetic NPY pathway” (Eshkevari et al, 2013).  The acupuncture point Yintang is a cornerstone point for treating stress and anxiety, and will be used in almost all point prescriptions for those (and similar) conditions.

 

How quickly can acupuncture help me?

While acupuncture is not an immediate fix, most patients feel at least some mild relief after their first treatment.  The treatment plan, including frequency and number of visits, is customized to each patient.  Generally, for conditions which are acute (occurring for 6 weeks or less), it takes fewer treatments to see full resolution of symptoms.  For chronic conditions (occurring for 6 or more weeks), it will likely take between 3-5 treatments to see significant, lasting change in symptoms.   A full course of treatment could be between 8-10 treatments depending on the severity of the case.  For each patient, your acupuncturist will create a specially tailored plan based on your medical history and wellness goals.  

 

If you would like to know more about this point or acupuncture in general, contact us today at 780-455-2112 or info@ocwc.ca

Visit our website to learn more about our registered acupuncturist! www.ocwc.ca

References:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/gumc-sos031113.php

3 Tips That’ll Save Your Back While Gardening

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Gardening is a favorite warm weather activity for many people. Unfortunately, it can often send them straight to the chiropractor with back pain and stiffness. If you enjoy your garden but your back doesn’t, take heart. An estimated 80% of the population has experienced back pain or will experience it at some point in their lifetime. It is common, but it doesn’t have to keep you from doing the things you enjoy. There are some fairly simple things you can do to make it easier and less painful.

Stretching is a good way to prevent back pain for nearly any activity. The more limber you are and the more warmed up your muscles are, the more comfortable you will be while you are gardening and afterwards.

Stretches for gardeners aren’t all that different from stretches for other activities. You need to address your hamstrings, triceps, and of course your back. Then you will be ready to get in the dirt and do what you love.

Use Back Friendly Tools and Gardening Methods

It may feel wonderful to get close to the dirt as you dig, breathing in its earthiness, feeling at one with nature, but your back likely does not hold the same appreciation. You can mix it up a little, but allow at least part of your gardening time to the use of tools that are “back friendly.”

Long handled and telescopic tools allow you to do your garden work without overworking your back. This is also great for people who don’t have full range of motion in their backs or who have trouble getting up and down.

Another back saver is a raised container garden. This will put your garden within easy reach, saving you from trying to get on the ground or, worse, feeling like you have to forego a garden because you can’t get around like you once did.

You can set the containers at whatever height you choose and include benches and seats for more comfortable gardening. If you do get on the ground, knee pads or a mat can help reduce some of the stress and prevent some pain.

Change Your Position Frequently

It’s easy to get in the zone and lose track of time, only for your body to remind you when you try to move and are met with painful stiffness. Carry a small timer with you and set it so that you are reminded every 30 minutes to stop, walk around, and stretch a little. This not only prevents pain and stiffness, it also helps with your circulation and blood flow, even digestion.

You can also vary your garden tasks so that you don’t over-tax a single muscle group. You may weed for a while, then move to your potting bench for a while or pruning trees or shrubs. It isn’t good to stay in one position for too long no matter what you are doing. A physical activity like gardening, though, requires more movement.

Take Care when Bending, Reaching, and Lifting

Gardening involves a lot of reaching, bending, and lifting. When you don’t do it correctly you would wind up with a sore back – or worse.

To lift: Don’t bend at your waist. Squat, grasp the object with both hands while pulling it close to your body. Straighten your legs slowly, letting those muscles to the work of lifting. You may also use a dolly, wheelbarrow, or wagon to move heavy items around and minimize the need to lift them.

Push: Pushing doesn’t strain the back as much as pulling does. Push your seeder, wheelbarrow, and lawnmower and try to avoid pulling as much as possible.

Reaching: Be careful when you reach, especially if you are reaching to lift. Even something that doesn’t weigh much can throw off your balance or cause you to twist your back. Try to minimize lifting while reaching as much as possible.

Bending: Keep your knees soft when you bend and try bending from the waist. If you are doing a task that requires bending, take frequent breaks where you can stand upright. If you bend to lift, make sure you use proper lifting techniques.

Gardening can be wonderful for mind, body, and spirit. It can also be painful if you don’t take the necessary precautions. When you go out to tend your plants, remember these back-saving gardening tips. Your back will thank you.

Happy Gardening! Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness tips and information.