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Car Accidents in Edmonton: Everything You Need to Know

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Whiplash: The Symptoms You Need to Know

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward. It’s the most common injury that happens during car accidents in Edmonton, and it’s one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain. While a little fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research has shown that even small accidents can result in significant injuries.

The violent forces that occur during an auto accident can cause damage to your spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones-even at “low” speeds. Most of these injuries happen because your head is whipped backward and forward very quickly. This rapid back and forth motion frequently results in ligament tearing and spinal disc injuries. Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression indicate that you’ve suffered a whiplash injury. Because of a spike in adrenaline at the time of the accident, you may not immediately notice any immediate pain. For many people, these symptoms may take hours or even a few days to develop after the initial shock of the car accident wears off.

  • Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and facet joints.
  • There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms become worse.
  • Symptoms of whiplash include neck or back pain, headache, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping.

It’s smart to get a complete evaluation after car accidents in Edmonton to minimize your risk of long-term pain. Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly and avoid long-term chronic pain. Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you’ve been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the relief road. How Long Does Whiplash Last?

Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, or confusion—none of these sound like a good time. So if you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long these symptoms are going to last. The good news is that with a proper evaluation and early treatment, you have a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks.

Why it Matters:

One of the most common injuries associated with whiplash is ligament tearing. Ligaments are short, tough bands of connective tissue that hold together the bones in your neck and joints of your body. If these liga- ments are torn, it can cause neck pain. The average time it takes a ligament to heal is about six weeks with the proper care and treatment. If you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or memory issues, you may have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A majority of people with a mild TBI recover within three months.

  • Whiplash injuries frequently cause tearing of the ligaments that support proper spinal motion and stability.
  • The acute inflammatory phase of injury last up to 72 hours, the repair phase takes up to 6 weeks, and the remodeling phase of healing can last up to a year.
  • A non healed ligament injury can result in osteoarthritis.

After car accidents in Edmonton, the most important step you can take is to receive a full evaluation. Only after a complete evaluation will you be able to know what type of injuries you’ve sustained, and most importantly- how to get well. You would be surprised at how many people shrug off a “small” accident and push their symptoms aside. While that may save you a little time today, it’s likely to result in much more pain down the road.

Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident: What does it mean?

You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries are some of the most common challenges after a car accident, in addition to whiplash. If you are the driver and have your hands on the wheels at the time of the crash, the sudden force created by the accident can lead to a torn rotator cuff. Your shoulder is one of the most complex parts of your body and is made up of a collection of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Why it Matters:

The rotator cuff is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones: your arm bone (the humerus), your shoul- der blade (the scapula), and your collarbone (the clavicle). The supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons are designed to help you lift and rotate your arm. Your shoulder is one of the most dynamic and unstable joints in your body. It’s hard to ignore a torn rotator cuff because…it hurts! Signs of a tear include shoulder pain when lifting your arm, weakness, pain when lying down, or a limited range of motion.

  • Shoulder impingement has been estimated to occur in up to 10% of people involved in car accidents.
  • The shoulder is one of the most complex, dynamic, and unstable joints in the body, with a complex network of bones, ligaments, and muscles.
  • The risk of neck or shoulder pain seven years after a collision was three times higher for patients with initial whiplash injuries than those without.

Ignoring a shoulder injury after car accidents in Edmonton is not a good idea. Your shoulder is designed to move, and if you try to “let it heal” by not moving it, then you’re putting yourself at risk for a frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is when your shoulder develops adhesions due to lack of movement. This can result in severe pain that takes months to heal. If you have shoulder pain after an accident, time is of the essence! Our team is here and can provide a complete evaluation and treatment plan for you to get moving safely and heal quickly.

Finding Relief After a Car Accident in Edmonton

Screech. Bam. Uh-oh. You’ve been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing through your head. If you don’t feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem. But waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances that you’ll need more aggressive interventions. Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can make a huge difference in your overall health and healing. With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc., it’s not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and wellbeing last on the to-do list.

Why it Matters:

The problem is that the longer you wait to get evaluated and receive care, the higher your likelihood becomes of needing more aggressive medical care. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to “heal” with more scar tissue than necessary. You may also try to live “around” your injuries, which can cause additional stress and compensation on other parts of your body and lead to additional injuries. Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobilizing exercises, and strengthening can effectively reduce pain. To give yourself the best chance to find relief without the

need for drugs or surgery, we recommend three simple steps. The three steps to finding relief after car accidents in Edmonton:

  1. Get an evaluation: A full evaluation can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
  2. Begin receiving care: After reducing inflammation, movement-based techniques are often recommended to help you regain your quality of life.
  3. Stay consistent: Getting well is a process. Stay consistent with your care to heal as quickly as possible.

Next Steps:

There’s no way around it- auto accidents aren’t fun. But with the right healthcare team, most people can get back to their full life and activities without the need for drugs or surgery. The key is to follow the three steps of evaluation, care, and consistency. While it seems simple, following the three steps will give you the best chance to get well quickly and stay well for years to come.

Looking for care following a car accident. Check out ocwc.ca for more info on our clinic.

Science Sources:

The Association Between a Motor Vehicle Collision and Future Neck Pain. Eur Spine J. 2010. Whiplash. WebMD. 2021.

The Treatment of Neck Pain and Whiplash-Associated Disorders. JMPT. 2016. The Impact of Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained in Traffic Crashes. BMC. 2018.

Say Goodbye to Your Stiff Neck: Simple Solutions That Work

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The Bottom Line

Around 20% of people experience neck discomfort daily

That nagging, stiff neck?

It’s often a sign that your daily habits are taking a toll on your muscles and joints.

Between working at a desk, scrolling on phones, and binge-watching shows, most of us spend hours in positions that strain our necks.

When your neck muscles don’t get the support they need, the extra stress shifts to your spine—altering movement, increasing tension, and, over time, leading to persistent pain.

The symptoms can vary widely.


Why it Matters

A stiff neck doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it’s often the result of muscle fatigue and joint restrictions caused by prolonged poor posture.

That added strain can make it harder for your neck to move freely, leading to discomfort when you turn your head or even just wake up in the morning.

So, if you’re wondering how to find stiff neck relief, try these three simple strategies.

3 Simple Strategies to Relieve a Stiff Neck


1) Stretch and strengthen daily.

Gentle range-of-motion exercises help keep your neck flexible and strong, reducing stiffness.

2) Upgrade your pillow.

A supportive pillow that fits your sleeping style can help maintain a neutral spine position overnight.

3) Prioritize movement.

Chiropractic adjustments can improve neck mobility and ensure your spinal joints are functioning as they should.


Next Steps

Small, consistent changes can make a world of difference when it comes to finding lasting relief from neck stiffness—and we’re here to help!

Our team focuses on more than just adjustments.

We provide tailored exercises and lifestyle recommendations to help you keep moving and feeling great between visits.

If neck pain has been slowing you down and you’re looking for natural neck pain solutions in Edmonton schedule an appointment today.

You’ll be glad you did!


Science Sources:

How to Get Rid of a Stiff Neck. Cleveland Clinic. 2021.
The Epidemiology of Neck Pain. Physiopedia. 2025.

How Prolonged Sitting Destroys Your Health & How To Fix It

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A recent study conducted by an associate research scientist at Columbia has found that prolonged sitting destroys your health. Sitting for long periods is associated with early death – upsetting news for the millions of Americans who spend extensive time sitting as they work and as they relax after work. Even regular exercise failed to significantly reduce the risks associated with prolonged sitting.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize the time you spend sitting. Experts recommend taking a movement break every 30 minutes to protect your health.

The Study

The study used hip-mounted accelerometers to measure how much time study participants – nearly 8,000 individuals – spent in sedentary positions. Over four years researchers tracked participants and recorded the number of deaths among participants. The study found that increased sedentary time lead to an increased risk of death from any cause. The risk of death went up regardless of how old the participants were or how often they exercised.

The study found that participants who sat less than 30 minutes had a 55% lower risk of death in comparison to participants who sat for longer periods of time.

Why Does Sitting Destroy Your Health?

Finding out that sitting for extended periods so greatly increases your risk of death is startling for many people. The next question is, “Why?” Unfortunately, the exact reasons are far from clear. The study was not meant to uncover the reasons why, so there is limited information to explain what occurs in the body to increase the risk of death. It will take further studies to provide an answer.

Ways to Protect Your Health

Although the exact reasons why sitting increases the risk of mortality are not yet clear, the recommendation to take a break from sitting every 30 minutes does offer an actionable step to protect your health. There are several other ways you can limit your sitting, including:

Standing Desks

There are a number of different desks designed to be used from a standing position, including stationary standing desks and sit to stand desks – both manually operated and motorized. Standing desks allow you to work exactly as you would at a sitting desk, only while standing. They take some getting used to, but most people who try them out find that they are an easy way to minimize time spent sitting.

When you purchase a standing or sit to stand desk, it may take some time to build up your stamina to use the desk for extended periods of time. Try standing for short periods, then sitting, then standing again to avoid excessive fatigue.

Activity Apps

A number of apps are available to help you track your activity and make gradual lifestyle adjustments to increase your activity levels. Apple’s Health app includes an Activity monitor and coach that collects data from your iPhone, Apple Watch and third-party apps to let you know how much you are moving, and to remind you to move more. You can set reminders on your app to tell you to move – such as every 30 minutes – as a way to ensure you avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Timers

The simplest way to avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes is to set a timer on your phone, or use a separate timer, to go off after 30 minutes of sitting. Once the timer goes off, engage in brisk walking or some other activity to get your heart rate up for five minutes. Then you can go back to sitting – after you set your timer again.

Helping You Stay as Healthy as Possible

Our chiropractic team is dedicated to helping you enjoy a long and healthy life. Please contact us to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive exam and targeted health advice from an experienced chiropractor. To learn more about our clinic and chiropractors click here.

What Chiropractic Patients Want to Know About TMJ Disorders

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Asking questions is the best way to learn, of course, and chiropractic patients often ask questions about some of the health issues they face. Some chiropractic patients are curious about back problems, for example, because chiropractors are well known for being extremely knowledgeable when it comes to spine health and the musculoskeletal system. A few chiropractic patients want to know about TMJ disorders.

Chiropractic Patients Most Frequently Asked Questions about TMJ Disorders

What is a TMJ disorder?

A TMJ disorder affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint where the jawbone connects to the head, just in front of the ear. The bones and muscles of the TMJ allow the jaw to move up and down, and side to side, enabling a person to talk, chew and yawn.

TMJ disorders (TMDs) can cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control the movement of the jaw.

How common are TMJ problems?

About 12 percent of the population experiences symptoms of TMJ at any given time, according to the TMJ Association.

What causes TMJ disorders?

There are several known causes of TMJ disorders, including:

  • Trauma to the jaw or temporomandibular joint
  • Infections
  • Dental procedures, especially those that require the mouth be open for a long time
  • Insertion of a breathing tube prior to surgery
  • Arthritis
  • Misalignments of the jaw

Grinding teeth, known as bruxism, may cause TMJ disorders but not everyone who grinds their teeth develops a TMD.

Medical professionals may not be able to determine the underlying cause of TMJ disorders in many cases but chiropractors can treat TMJ disorders even if the cause cannot be determined.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

Many people with TMD describe their symptoms as a dull, aching pain that comes and goes in their jaw joint and in nearby areas. Some people with TMJ disorders do not experience pain, but have trouble moving their jaws.

Other common symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

  • Pain or stiffness in the jaw muscles
  • Chronic headaches
  • Neck, shoulder pain
  • Clicking, popping or grating of the jaw joint when the individual opens or closes his or her mouth
  • Limited movement of the jaw
  • “Locking” of the jaw
  • Tinnitus, which includes ear pain, fullness, pressure and ringing in the ears
  • Dizziness, vision problems
  • A bite that feels “off” when the person closes his or her mouth

What is the treatment for TMJ disorders?

The best way to treat TMJ disorders is to eat soft foods, ice the affected area with ice packs to ease pain and try to avoid extreme jaw movements, such as chewing gum or yawning.

Can a chiropractor treat TMJ disorders?

Yes, chiropractic safely and effective treats TMJ disorders. A chiropractor will perform a full evaluation of the patient’s temporomandibular joint and surrounding bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments to assess the full scope of the TMJ problem and determine its underlying causes. The chiropractor can then suggest a range of treatment that can include stretches and exercises that alleviate pain and melt stiffness in the jaw joint. The chiropractor can also detect and address any misalignments that may be contributing to TMJ pain.

To learn more about our clinic, click here. To book an appointment, give us a call @ 780-455-2112. Take care.

Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc: What’s the Difference? Can Chiropractic Help?

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Discs are the cushioning in your spine that act as shock absorbers and prevent vertebrae from rubbing together. Discs consist of cartilage. The outer layer is tough cartilage, while the interior of discs is softer. Your vertebral discs wear out over time. Injuries can cause a disc to bulge or become herniated. The cartilage can become stiff and dehydrated, giving you less cushion and shrinking the space between your vertebrae. If the space between vertebrae narrows, you might experience pain, stiffness or poor range of motion in the area.

When You Have a Bulging Disc

A bulging disc occurs when the outer layer of your disc becomes compressed, and the disc becomes more flattened. The whole structure doesn’t have to be impacted, but the bulge tends to be fairly even throughout the disc. While damage can occur if you have a bulging disc, decompression strategies to open up the area with chiropractic care can reduce pain and inflammation in the area.

Understanding a Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are different from a bulging disc. When you have a herniated disc, there is damage to the tough outer layer of cartilage and the inner layer is protruding out from the tear. Your doctor might also call a herniated disc a ruptured or slipped disc. It means you have damage to the outer layer of your disc, and you are more likely to experience pain. Herniated discs tend to reach nerve endings more readily than bulging discs, resulting in nerve pain that can be difficult to treat.

Chiropractic Assessments For Disc Problems

Chiropractic care looks at the overall function of your spine to determine what can be done about areas that are out of alignment. You can find pain relief by working with a chiropractor, but it’s important to work with your chiropractor on a consistent basis. Chiropractic treatment begins with a careful assessment of what is going on in your spine to cause pain, stiffness or inflammation.  Your chiropractor will want to look at any imaging that has been done on your spine to see what your discs look like. Once problem areas are identified, your chiropractor creates a treatment plan to address these areas.

Treatment for Bulging and Herniated Discs

If you are in pain , chiropractic treatment can ease some pressure on your disc. Decompression strategies such as stretching and traction are used to open up the space between your vertebrae. You will be taught strengthening exercises to keep your spine in alignment. You might find relief after one appointment, but it is important to keep seeking care from your chiropractor when you are trying to get help for a bulging or herniated disc.

Chiropractic care is a safe, holistic way to treat pain, stiffness and swelling. If you have been told that surgery is your only option, it’s time to seek the services of a chiropractor first. You might discover that you can decrease your pain and begin moving about easier again. Some people are able to prolong their need for surgery, while others avoid surgery completely.’

You deserve a healthy spine. We are here to help you get what you deserve. To learn more about our office check out our website here.  Call 780-455-2112 to contact our us to learn more about how we can help you with postural issues and other joint issues through chiropractic care. We look forward to hearing from you!

Lower Back Pain chiropractic benefits

How Chiropractic Can Improve Your Sleep

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Most people know that a chiropractor can help with musculoskeletal problems, such as backaches and slipped discs, but many people do not realize that chiropractic can do much more. In fact, chiropractic can even improve your sleep.

Getting enough quality sleep each night is good for your health. Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of developing obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious conditions, according to Harvard Medical School.

But what if you allow yourself plenty of time but still have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

Chiropractic can help you sleep. In fact, one-third of people who undergo chiropractic adjustment report sleeping better immediately, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

3 Ways Chiropractic Might Improve Your Sleep

1. Pain relief

Pain can prevent you from getting a decent night’s sleep, especially if you have chronic pain that lasts for three or more months. In fact, one study shows that 20 percent of people with chronic pain experience at least one symptom of insomnia, compared with only 7.4 percent of people without chronic pain. Chiropractic can alleviate pain associated with backaches, headaches, whiplash, migraines and more to help you get the sleep you need.

Chiropractic can also help you sleep by providing a drug-free approach to pain relief. Many prescription pain relievers, such as those containing morphine, oxycodone and opioids, can make you drowsy throughout the day. Daytime drowsiness might cause you to take naps throughout the day, which can interfere with your ability to sleep at night. The drug-free approach of chiropractic allows you to stay alert all day and sleep well at night.

Extensive research presented by the National Institutes of Health shows that chiropractic is as effective as other treatments, such as drugs, at relieving pain. Perhaps the best part of chiropractic is that the research shows that the pain relief lasts up to 18 months of treatment – which means you can remain pain-free without using drugs for a year and a half.

2. Relieves muscle tension and stress

Stress can prevent you from falling asleep or sleeping well. Stress can also cause uncomfortable muscle tension that interferes with sleep. The National Sleep Foundation lists muscle tension as one of the three signs that you are under too much stress to sleep. Tension and poor sleep can be a vicious cycle, as tension can cause poor sleep and poor sleep can cause tension.

Chiropractic often includes massage to melt away painful muscle spasms. These therapeutic massages are relaxing, which helps you unwind enough to fall asleep. Chiropractic also stimulates blood flow, which helps bring oxygen to your brain and other parts of your body.

Your chiropractor may also be able to suggest gentle exercises, stretches and relaxation techniques to help you relax tense muscles and quiet your stressed-out mind.

3. Suggested sleeping positions

Your chiropractor may offer suggestions on sleeping positions and other ideas about how you can sleep better. Your chiropractor may discourage you from sleeping on your stomach if you are having back pain, for example, or be able to recommend a particular pillow or mattress to help you sleep better at night.

For more information on how chiropractic can improve your sleep, talk with your chiropractor.  Check out our website @ ocwc.ca to learn more about our office. You may start sleeping better as soon as your first visit.

How to Take Care of Your Posture While Working From Home

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More people are working from home than ever before. While there are definitely some advantages that come from such an arrangement, there are also some challenges. One of those challenges is maintaining good posture. Your workplace likely had a variety of measures in place to encourage good posture and reduce strain at your desk – but most people don’t have the same resources at home.

Here are a few ways you can help your posture and your overall health while working from home.

Working from Home? Simple Ways to Protect Your Posture

1. Stretching

There are numerous muscles and soft tissues supporting the spine – and your entire skeletal system, for that matter. Those muscles can become tight and tense as you spend time at your desk. If they become tight enough, they can pull your spine out of alignment and leave you feeling worse for wear. Fortunately, you can do some occasional stretches to help relieve some of the tension.

A quick search online will show you numerous stretches, but a few you can consider include:

  • Child’s Pose. Begin on hands and knees. Push your hips back over your calves and stretch your arms out in front of your body. Relax your head on the ground and take five to ten deep breaths.
  • Standing Forward Fold. Stand with feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees and exhale as you fold forward at the hips. Bend your elbows and grasp each elbow with a hand. Pull your shoulders up to lengthen your neck. Relax here and breathe deeply five to ten times.

2. Use a standup desk.

If you have one available or can construct one, a standup desk can do a lot to help you maintain good posture. Standing is not only good for your overall health, but it also makes it easier to keep your spine aligned. You already know how to stand straight, which is generally an improvement over the slouch that tends to develop at your desk.

If you don’t have access to a standing desk, at least get up every half hour or so and walk around for a few minutes. The walking and standing will help to reset your spinal alignment.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

It may seem weird to focus on your diet when considering postural correction, but you’d be surprised just how much of an impact your diet has on your spinal health. Proper nutrition – including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins – is necessary to rebuild your joints as they wear down each day through use. It helps increase circulation as well. Your back will be healthier if you eat a nutritious diet.

4. Stay hydrated.

Here is another tip you might not have been expecting. Sufficient hydration is necessary to get nutrition to your discs and to keep them hydrated. They need to be hydrated to provide the cushioning necessary to protect your spine and keep you mobile. You can get hydration from most liquids, but your best bet is still water. Try to drink water regularly throughout the day to stay hydrated. You may find it easier to get your water in if you purchase a reusable water bottle and keep it with you as you go about your day to day tasks.

Contact Us to Learn More About Posture and Spinal Health

You deserve a healthy spine. We are here to help you get what you deserve. To learn more about our office check out our website here.  Call 780-455-2112 to contact our us to learn more about how we can help you with postural issues and other joint issues through chiropractic care. We look forward to hearing from you!

High-Intensity Interval Training

How Chiropractic Keeps Spinal Joints Healthy

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Healthy joints have obvious benefits, including aiding in movement, keeping you flexible and allowing you to stay active. The health of some of your joints is readily apparent—you only have to bend your knees, ankles, elbows or wrists to see how they are functioning at any given moment. But there are some joints in your body that are even more important, although you may not be as aware of them. The joints in your spine, where each vertebra connects to another, are vital to the normal, healthy function of your body. Without healthy spinal joints, you can expect pain and loss of mobility, among other unpleasant symptoms.

Fortunately, keeping your spinal joints healthy is made much easier with regular chiropractic care. Periodic visits to your chiropractor will help you keep your spine operating as well as it possibly can, year in and year out!

Ways that Chiropractic Aids Spinal Joint Health

1. Increasing circulation.

Stiffness in the spine can be caused by a variety of issues, including trauma and degenerative disc disease. While chiropractic cannot prevent the wear and tear that life often brings, it can do a lot to heal that damage. One way that adjustments aid in healing is by increasing circulation to your spinal discs and surrounding tissues. Increased circulation brings in healthy nutrients and removes undesirable material, making it possible for your spine to heal more thoroughly than without good circulation.

2. Reducing or eliminating pain.

Back pain can make living a normal life difficult if not impossible. Depending on the frequency and severity of the pain, you may find yourself unable to do many of the things you once enjoyed. Even if you do not lose mobility, back pain can distract and upset you every time it shows up.

The pain in your back can most likely be alleviated through chiropractic care. By returning your spine to proper alignment, your chiropractor can ease pressure on the nerves in your back and encourage muscles and other soft tissue to release. Over time spinal adjustments can greatly reduce or even eliminate back pain, which will help you stay active and improve the health of your spinal joints.

3. Increasing mobility.

Pain in your spine and/or neck is usually accompanied by a loss of mobility. Your muscles may seize up in an effort to protect your spine, which can make it impossible to move normally. Even if you are not suffering from muscle spasms, consistent back and neck pain can make you hesitant to move in ways that will trigger pain. Over time, the lack of movement can cause the body to stiffen and weaken. The longer this goes on, the less likely you are to get the physical activity you need to keep your joints mobile and your body strong.

Chiropractic adjustments are capable of breaking up the stiffness that holds you back. By returning your spine to proper alignment, circulation is increased, pain is decreased, muscles release and mobility returns. It can take time to get back to the way you want to be, but it is time well spent.

Joint Health Requires Consistency

The best way to keep your spinal joints healthy over the long-term is to make regular visits to your chiropractor while also maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Every individual is different, which is why it is important to get customized treatment from your chiropractor. By establishing a relationship with your chiropractor, you can ensure that you are always on the right track for spinal joint health.

Check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca. Or contact us today @ 780-952-2312 to schedule an appointment with our team.

3 Benefits Chiropractic Patients Enjoy

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It’s no secret that we’re a little biased when it comes to chiropractic care. We believe in it, we’ve seen how great it works, and our many happy patients are a great testimony to how well it works.

Still, there are some nay-sayers who believe that medical treatments are the only way to treat health care concerns and health conditions. While we do believe that medical treatments do indeed have their place, we also know for a fact that chiropractic offers far more benefits, provides faster results for many neuromusculoskeletal conditions. By providing a non pharmacological option for pain management, chiropractic care provides far reaching care that goes to the heart of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms.

If you’ve chosen to incorporate chiropractic care into your health plan, you’ve made a very wise decision. There are many benefits that chiropractic patients enjoy. Here are three great advantages that chiropractic care will provide – and they’re big ones.

1. Chiropractic treats the root of the problem while “the others” only treat the symptoms.

Modern medicine certainly has its place. It has helped many people. However, it tends to be rather short sighted when dealing with many neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

Chiropractic, on the other hand, seeks to find the root of the problem, to address the reason the patient is having the problem and correct it.

For instance, if a patient came in with back pain, a medical doctor may prescribe painkillers and invasive treatments. Their goal is to stop the pain.

However, a chiropractor will try to find out why the patient’s back is hurting and address the cause while treating the pain without medications or invasive procedures.

2. Chiropractic is completely natural and noninvasive, “the others” rely on drugs and surgery.

Chiropractic is entirely natural, using spinal adjustments and other techniques, combined with nutritional advice, lifestyle recommendations, and all-natural supplements.

“The others” are more reliant on medications that are often largely synthetic and have unpleasant, even dangerous side effects. Some medications are even addictive. Surgeries and other invasive procedures can leave you with difficulty in mobility and limited range of motion as you heal.

When you visit a chiropractor for your back pain, he or she will not only adjust your spine, they will also talk to you about your daily activities, habits, even how you sleep. They will make recommendations about things you can do to prevent the pain and strengthen your back. It may mean making some changes or doing some special exercises, but your treatment will be tailored specifically to you and your needs.

3. Chiropractic treats the body as a whole but “the others” only treat what’s hurting now.

Medical treatments tend to treat what’s hurting right now but rarely look beyond that to see how the whole body is affected. What’s more, they don’t tend to look at what is causing the problem, treating the body in parts.

This is unnatural and not the best way to combat pain and many neuromusculoskeletal conditions. It may work for a while, but eventually issues in the body will manifest in other areas as well.

For instance, a problem with the hip may manifest as knee pain. The doctor treats the knee but does not address the hip (which is the cause of the problem). Eventually, the hip worsens, and the back, knee and ankle become affected. The hips and other joints on the other side may also become affected as the body tries to compensate.

Chiropractic treats the body as a whole, not as parts. It finds the cause of the problem and addresses that while also treating the part that is in pain.

Chiropractic also looks at lifestyle, diet, habits, even relationships so see where you could have stressors or things that could be posing a risk to your health, making your neuromusculoskeletal condition worse or more difficult to treat.

To learn more about our office, visit our website @ ocwc.ca.
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How the Armed Forces Benefit From Chiropractic

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Members of the military put their bodies through tremendous stress every day, both physical and emotional. Add to that injuries that gamut from minor to serious trauma and you have a strong case for chronic pain. Often, this pain affects our veterans and soldiers on a daily basis, interfering with their normal activities and impacting their ability to perform their regular daily tasks. All too often, doctors will dismiss the pain as “something you just have to live with” and write prescriptions for narcotics that impair and incapacitate the patient. There are better ways to manage a good bit of the chronic pain that members of the military live with each day. We’ll explore one way, mainly chiropractic, in today’s article.

Chronic pain and members of the military

The regular demands of being a soldier, coupled with the stress that is prevalent, particularly among active duty military personnel, can create a perfect storm of sorts for chronic pain. When they are advised to tough it out or arrive at that option on their own, they usually do not get the medical attention they need. This can lead to exacerbation of the issue, compelling the soldier to seek treatment only when the pain is severe, or the condition is serious.

Single event trauma is all too common in this arena and plays a large part in the pain they experience, as does surgeries to correct injuries or trauma. However, the cumulative stress can have a detrimental effect on not just the condition and the pain, but the patient’s perception of the pain. In other words, it can cause them to experience the pain more acutely and have greater difficulty in managing it.

These issues are a part of the military and they aren’t likely to change. A chiropractor can help military personnel manage their pain, prevent injury, and regain flexibility and range of motion. It can be the solution that makes all the difference.

Using alternative treatments to combat an epidemic

Right now, opioid abuse has become an epidemic, yet doctors can rarely find viable alternatives that don’t have the dangerous and uncomfortable side effects – and that are not addictive. In truth, painkiller use is a growing problem with veterans and active military alike, mainly due to issues with substance abuse.

While their medications do relieve pain, the cost is just too great in many cases. Many people who take these pain pills report that they would live from pill to pill, their lives revolving around their next dose. That is why chiropractic is such an attractive option.

Chiropractic care for chronic pain

Chiropractic care is a highly effective way to manage chronic pain and help speed healing from injuries. It is safe, non-invasive, and does not require any medication.

The chiropractor will use specific spinal adjustments and other techniques to bring the body back into alignment. A balanced body heals faster and experiences less pain.

The patient may also receive recommendations regarding lifestyle changes and dietary advice from their chiropractor which can help speed up the results and bring them to a place of less pain or no pain much faster.

To learn more about our office, check out ocwc.ca.
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