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Heavy Backpacks: Their Negative Effects & How Your Kids Can Avoid Them

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Summer is ending and the school year is starting. Time for new shoes, haircuts, homework, and backpacks. As you do your back to school shopping, think about the backpack your child will be carrying. Sure, they load them up with books, but did you know that wearing a heavy backpack for a long time can actually hurt your child?

What are the health risks of a heavy backpack?

Wearing a heavy backpack can strain the shoulders, back, and neck. As the child’s body tries to compensate for the extra weight, such as leaning forward, it can adopt positions that put the spine out of alignment. It can also cause the muscles to fatigue and weaken. This results in poor posture and a misaligned spine.

The longer he or she carries the extra weight, the worse it gets. Over time, the child can experience pain, stiffness, and problems with flexibility and range of motion. This can significantly increase the child’s potential for injury. The effects may include back ache, sore or stiff neck, sore shoulders, and headaches.

How heavy is too heavy for a child’s backpack?

According to the AAP, a child’s backpack should weigh less than 10 to 20 percent of his or her body weight – and no more. However, a Consumer Reports survey showed that the lower end of the range, around 10 percent or less, is preferable. In short, the lighter the backpack, the healthier it is for your child. A good rule of thumb is to observe your child wearing the backpack. If they are stooped or leaning forward, it is too heavy.

Children who are shorter, as well as girls, may be more prone to back pain caused by carrying heavy backpacks. This means that for these children you need to aim for even lighter weights. Children who are overweight may also be at risk for injury. The excess weight already puts a strain on their joints and muscles; the heavy backpack exacerbates the situation.

Children who wear their backpack over one shoulder also increase their risk of injury. This puts all the weight on one side, causing the child to bend or lean in an effort to compensate for the off-kilter weight. This can strain the shoulder and back, eventually causing injury and pain.

Helping your child avoid carrying a heavy backpack.

If you notice that your child cannot stand up straight while wearing the backpack, then it is too heavy. You should inspect your child’s backpack on a regular basis to test the heaviness. When purchasing a backpack, aim for wide, padded straps that are adjustable. It should fit the child well and to be too big. The straps should not be too loose. You want it to fit close to your child’s body and should come to just below the waist – but not too far. Don’t allow your child to carry the backpack on one shoulder, encourage them to wear it on both shoulders. This distributes the weight more evenly.

If your child is carrying a heavy backpack, you may need to talk to their teacher to see what is necessary for him or her to carry daily, and what can be left at home or at school. Work together to find ways to lighten the load and avoid injury. Also keep in mind, your child may not bring your attention to the fact that their backpack is too heavy. It is up to you to observe and intervene for them. To learn more about our office check out www.ocwc.ca

Why Construction Workers Need Chiropractic

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Every day construction workers lift, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, twist, and climb. It’s no wonder that 25% of construction worker injuries are to the back. An estimated 1 in every 100 construction workers misses work because of a back injury with an average of seven missed work days. Many just power through the pain which isn’t healthy and can lead to further injury and pain. Repeated back injury and failure to take care of the back by taking proactive steps to prevent injury, can lead to permanent damage, even disability. That can end a construction worker’s career.

Chiropractic care can help keep the spine healthy so construction workers can stay on the job and be pain free. Regular treatment can offset the stress that is put on the body each day in this rigorous, physically demanding profession. There are several benefits that a construction worker can gain from seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis.

It helps to maintain mobility

When muscles are stiff and sore, it is natural to try to avoid moving too much. When a person has pulled muscles or they have muscle strain, their first instinct is to protect that area. This can lead to stiffness and lack of mobility, especially if the pain is in the back. A painful lower back can make it difficult to move your legs, bend, or even move about normally. Chiropractic helps to relieve the pain and reduce the stiffness so that mobility is restored.

Range of motion is improved

Stiffness can lead to a limited range of motion. If the spine is out of alignment, it can decrease flexibility and significantly limit the joint’s range of motion, whether it’s the back, shoulders, legs, or neck. Chiropractic brings the spine into the correct alignment which improves range of motion.

Chiropractic helps to relieve back pain

Studies show that chiropractic is very effective in relieving back pain. It can significantly decrease the pain, but in most cases it completely alleviates it.

In one study, 73% of the participants reported an improvement in their back pain. This means fewer missed days of work and much more productive on the job. This is one of the most common reasons that people seek chiropractic care, but it isn’t the only reason. It can help with so much more.

Corrects muscle imbalance

Workers who perform repetitive motions can experience muscular imbalance. This means that some muscles are tight (the ones being used) and others are not being worked as hard. It can cause pain in the area of the muscle as well as in other parts of the body.

A chiropractor can perform a technique called myofascial release to loosen the tight muscles. At the same time, they will recommend exercises for the muscles that don’t get worked as often so that the body can come back into balance. Muscular imbalance can also cause spinal misalignment so the chiropractor will also do an adjustment to bring the whole body back into balance.

Helps the body heal from injuries

Construction injuries are fairly common on a worksite. Most are fairly minor and tend to be ignored by the person until they are in so much pain they can’t function properly. Back strain is a common ailment among construction workers and it can put someone out of commission for a week or more.

Chiropractic care helps the body heal faster and more efficiently by focusing on the whole body instead of just the part that hurts. The patient receives the treatments at the chiropractor’s office then goes home with advice on lifestyle changes, supplements, and exercises to facilitate and speed healing.

For anyone in the construction industry, especially if their position is physically demanding, regular chiropractic care just makes sense. It keeps the spine healthy and the body moving as it should. It is a simple, natural, effective way to help the body function correctly – because pain is not normal.

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

Stretches Back Pain

4 Stretches Back Pain Suffers Can Do At Home

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If you are like most people, at some point in your life you will experience back pain – if you haven’t already. The American Chiropractic Association estimates that around 80% of the population suffers from back pain, has suffered from back pain, or at some point in the future will suffer from back pain. That puts you in pretty good company.

It also means that you have a better than average chance of falling into that 80% so the smart thing to do is take steps not to prevent it. One powerful preventative measure against back pain is stretching. Try these four stretches to help your back pain.

Forward Bend

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees soft (not locked). Take a deep breath and as you exhale, bend forward at the waist, hands out as if you are reaching for the floor. When you feel a little stretching in your hamstrings (the backs of your legs), stop and hold that position for two or three breaths. If you can’t reach the floor, that is OK, don’t force it. If you need extra stability, you can use a chair to hold on to for balance. Repeat this movement seven to ten times.

Cat and Camel

This stretch is typically done on the floor, but if you don’t think you can safely get back up, you can stand and hold on to a chair. On the floor, get on your hands and knees with your back straight. If using a chair, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees soft. Bend slowly and place your palms in the seat of the chair so that your back is parallel to the floor. Keep it straight.

Begin by arching your back up as high as you can. Hold for two or three breaths. Return to the starting position, then let it sway down toward the floor and hold for two or three breaths. Return to the starting position. Do this five to seven times.

Back Extension

Lie on your stomach on the floor or bed with your hands palm down near your face. Slowly push up with your arms, keeping your head level with your shoulders, until you are on your elbows. Hold for three or four breaths.

If you can push all the way up so that you are on your hands, that will give you a deeper stretch. You can also hold it for a little longer. Just remember to keep the movements slow and gentle to avoid injury.

If you are not able to safely get on the floor, you can stand with your feet several inches from a wall. Place both of your hands on the wall and bring your upper body toward them, letting your pelvis naturally follow. Gently push against the wall with your hands, pushing your upper body away from the wall. You can also do this with a chair if you need extra support. Repeat five to seven times.

Hip Flex and Stretch

Get on your hands and knees on the floor or bed. Slowly move your body back so that your bottom is over your heels. Keep your hips straight as you extend your arms in front of you. Drop your head between your arms and hold the stretch for three to five breaths.

If you can’t get on your hands and knees, sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor in front of you, hip width apart. Extend your arms in front of you and reach forward. Lean forward slightly until you feel the stretch.

You can also place your hands on your knees for support while you sit in a chair and bend at the waist, slowly rounding out your back over your thighs. Hold the stretch for three to five breaths then return to your upright position. Do this seven to ten times.

Before you begin any new exercise or stretching regimen, talk to your doctor or chiropractor to make sure you aren’t doing something that could exacerbate your problem. For the most part, stretching is very therapeutic and beneficial, but some injuries and conditions can be made worse.

It is well worth taking the extra time to talk with your doctor and perhaps even show him or her the movements. This will also allow them to correct any form problems you may have or recommend any modifications that will help you get the most out of your stretches.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness tips and information! Thanks for reading.

Lower Back Pain chiropractic benefits

Lower Back Pain When Sleeping: Which Position is Best?

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Sleep. New parents chase it, Type A personalities fight it, but everyone needs it. Thing is, most people don’t get enough of it. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 45 percent of adults in the United States report that in a seven day period, lack of sleep affected their daily activities.

Sleep quantity is not as much of a problem as sleep quality. Around 35 percent of people who said they slept for 7 or 8 hours a night, still reported that their sleep quality was “only fair” or “poor”. 20 percent said that they did not feel refreshed upon waking. When a person is dealing with pain, such as lower back pain, it can make it even more difficult to get a good night’s sleep.

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is vital for good health. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cites insufficient sleep as a contributing factor to a variety of conditions including obesity, diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular disease. It is also a significant contributing factor in many machinery related crashes, work site accidents, and automobile accidents. Leading to injury, disability, and even death.

Sleep allows your body to heal and the spine to rejuvenate. It helps you handle stress better and manage pain more effectively. It is an important part of good health so making sure that you get good quality sleep should be a priority – and it is possible. These are the best sleep positions to get your best sleep when you have lower back pain.

Stomach Position

Sleeping on your stomach is usually the least back friendly sleep position, but some people can’t sleep any other way. Take the strain off of your back by supporting it with a pillow under your lower abdomen and pelvis. Using a pillow may put too much stress on your back, so you might need to try to sleep without one. Another alternative is to use a flatter, less fluffy pillow. Try different positions, such as drawing one leg up or splaying your legs more until you find one that is right for you.

Back Position

If you sleep on your back you likely won’t be comfortable just lying flat. Try different positions such as, placing a rolled towel under your knees or the small of your back to provide added support. Use a good pillow to support your neck. There are pillows that are made specifically for people who sleep on their backs; you may want to give it a try.

Side Position

Many people with lower back pain find sleeping on their side to be the most comfortable sleep position. If you sleep on your side, pull your knees up slightly so that they are almost perpendicular from your body. You may have to make some adjustments to how bent your legs are, before you find a position that takes the pressure off of your back. Place a pillow between your thighs and knees. You may want to use a body pillow to provide even more support all along your legs.

A Word about Your Pillow and Your Bed

The position that you sleep in can help relieve your back pain, but getting good quality sleep will help you manage your pain much better so it should be your goal to get good, restful sleep every night. You should change out your pillow on a regular basis.

Pillows can get worn and no longer deliver the support they once did. If you are waking up with neck or back pain or headaches it could be your pillow. Additionally, studies show that making your bed every day improves your quality of sleep. Make sure that the temperature is comfortable and avoid electronic devices for about an hour before bedtime. Be good to your body; make sleep a priority.

Back pain core strength

How Building Core Strength Can Reduce Back Pain

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Back pain can be debilitating, causing immobility, inflexibility, and have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It can make even the most mundane daily activities extremely difficult – and even excruciating. Building the muscles that make up your core (abdominals and back) can help support your spine and reduce back pain. In many cases, strengthening these muscles can help a patient avoid medication with its unpleasant side effects and even avoid surgery. With just a few smart moves you can greatly decrease your back pain, increase your mobility, and take back your life.

The Role of Abs and Back Muscles

The spine is the supporting structure for the back, but it also is a vital infrastructure for the entire body. It houses the central nervous system and neural impulses are transferred along what is essentially a spinal super highway.

The arms, legs, neck, and head are all connected and stabilized by the spine through an intricate network of ligaments and muscles. The back muscles and abs, or abdominal muscles, are at the center, or core, of this muscular network. They keep the body upright and facilitate movement. When these core muscles are not in good condition, it puts stress on the spine, impacting its ability to support the body. This often results in back pain and even injury in some cases.

Postural Alignment

Postural alignment is a common contributor to back pain. This is often due to weak core muscles.

As the muscles fail to do their job to stabilize the spine, the body adjusts structurally to accommodate the weakness. This can result in postures that cause joint pain as well as muscular pain and even headaches.

For instance, stooped or hunched shoulders can cause back pain, but it can also create tension in the shoulders and neck. This, in turn, can cause tension headaches and migraines in patients.

A sway back, where the lower back bows, causing the pelvis to tilt up, can cause severe lower back pain, especially after standing for long periods of time. Sway back can be the result of weakened core muscles or a combination of a weak core, combined with obesity or pregnancy.

The weight in the abdominal area pulls the spine forward so that it curves. A pregnancy sling can sometimes help with the pain, but it is just a band aid. The real cure is to strengthen the core muscles so that they are better able to adequately support the spine and body.

Foundation Training

Eric Goodman, a chiropractor, developed Foundation Training as a way to help his patients who suffer from lower back pain, but are not physically able to do Pilates or yoga. It is also designed to help those who sit for long periods of time to counteract the associated negative health effects.

Foundation training incorporates powerful yet simple movements that work to integrate the body’s muscular chains, increasing strength and realigning the core and spine. It does not require any equipment so the movements can be performed anywhere. The muscles are trained how to move properly and work together so that you the body learns to move how it is designed to move. The key basic exercise can be viewed in this video.

Creating a strong core can help relieve back pain but also have added benefits such as increase energy, better mobility, and an improved mood. By allowing the body to support itself, it can naturally relieve pain and heal certain conditions without invasive surgery or medication which can have unpleasant or even harmful side effects. When you take good care of your body, it will take good care of you.

Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment with one of our wellness chiropractic doctors!

Muscle relaxants chiropractic

Why Chiropractic Adjustments Are Better Than Muscle Relaxants

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Nearly everyone, more than 80 percent of the world’s population, will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. Just ask the 31 million Americans suffering from low back pain at any given time.

In fact, globally it is the leading cause of disability. It is the most common reason that people miss work and the second more common reason for doctor’s office visits. In the United States alone more than $50 billion is spent each year trying to relieve back pain, but even that figure is not complete, but only based on trackable, identifiable costs.

There have been studies published over the years that unequivocally show chiropractic as a viable and extremely effective treatment for back pain. Several of these studies plainly show that chiropractic is better than muscle relaxants.

Chiropractic Study

One study that is one of the most notable was conducted at Life University in Georgia. It has been cited in several journals and used as a catalyst for proving the efficacy of chiropractic treatment for back pain and its superiority to muscle relaxants.

Study Parameters

The study involved 192 subjects who had been experiencing lower back pain for a period of time ranging from two to six weeks. The subjects were separated into three groups:

  • Group One – Chiropractic adjustments combined with placebo medication
  • Group Two – Muscle relaxants combined with sham chiropractic adjustments
  • Group Three – Control Group – received both placebo medication and sham chiropractic adjustments

All groups were given the same length of care. Four weeks, with an evaluation of progress at the two-week mark and the four-week mark. The pain was assessed using the Zung Self-Rating for Depression scale, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Upon admission into the study during the initial visit as well as at the two-week evaluation. Shober’s Test for Lumbar Flexibility was also administered.

The subjects in all three groups were also allowed to take acetaminophen for pain. This was an additional evaluative measure to assess the need for additional self-medication.

During the course of the study there was a two-week treatment period where the subjects in the chiropractic adjustment group received a total of seven adjustments. These adjustments were tailored to each patient’s specific needs and included pelvic adjustments, sacral (lower back), or lumbar and upper cervical (neck and back).

The sham treatments mimicked all aspects of an actual chiropractic adjustment including dialog, normal visit length, and procedures. However, no actual adjustments were performed.

Study Results

At the conclusion of the study, the subjects who received chiropractic treatment reported a significant decrease in pain and an increase in flexibility. There were no significant differences noted of the groups that did not receive chiropractic treatment. There was a decrease in disability and depression across all three groups. This indicated that muscle relaxants are effective in treating back pain. However, chiropractic care is the more effective option for treating back pain and disability.

What does this mean for Patients with Back Pain?

Patients suffering from back pain can receive greater relief without the undesirable side effects of muscle relaxants by seeking chiropractic care. Persons who are using muscle relaxants to treat their back pain should talk to their chiropractor and doctor about incorporating chiropractic treatment into their patient care regimen. Patients experiencing back pain should pursue chiropractic care before resorting to more aggressive methods including muscle relaxants.

Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive treatment for back pain. It also facilitates healing, increases flexibility, and improves mobility. Patients who are looking for a healthy treatment option that focuses on overall wellness, Chiropractic could be the answer.

Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to schedule your appointment with one of our wellness chiropractors!

Foot Chiropractic orthotics

Foot Dysfunction: How Overpronation & Oversupination Cause Chronic Back Pain

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The human body is an intricate machine and everything is connected so when something goes wrong in one area, it can cause problems in other areas. The back carries a lot of the stress in the body so when there is a problem with the hips, knees, or feet, the back can bear at least some of the brunt of the pain and other effects.

This is particularly true with foot problems. When the mechanics of the foot are off it can throw off the alignment of the entire body. Overpronation and oversupination in the foot can lead to serious and chronic back pain.

What is Pronation and Overpronation?

Pronation describes the way that the foot rolls inward during its normal motion. The foot rolls inward, flattening out, as the heel’s outer edge strikes the ground.

In order for the foot to function properly there must be a significant degree of pronation. However, excessive pronation, or over pronation, can cause injury and damage to the foot and ankle. It causes the arch in the foot to flatten and the ligaments, tendons, and muscles under the foot overstretch.

What is Supination and Oversupination

Supination describes the way the foot rolls outward during its normal motion. It occurs during the push off part of the gait, particularly when running, when the heel lifts. The heel leaves the ground and the motion carries through as weight is transferred to the forefront and toes. It moves the body in a forward direction.

When there is excessive supination, or oversupination, it strains the tendons and muscles that provide stabilization for the ankle. This can cause the ankle to roll, causing injury to the ankle including sprain, a torn tendon, or ligament rupture.

Conditions and Injuries Caused by Overpronation and Oversupination

Overpronation and oversupination can cause a variety of injuries and conditions that affect not only the feet and ankles, but also the knees, hips, and back as well. Some of the more common injuries and conditions include:

  • Flat feet or posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
  • Ankle sprains
  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Arch pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Corns
  • Shin splints
  • Heel pain
  • Tight calves
  • Calluses
  • Knee pain
  • Patellar tendonitis
  • Hip pain
  • Tight hip flexors
  • Back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Herniated disks

How Foot Problems can Cause Back Pain

Problems with the foot can very easily cause a domino effect that extends all the way to the back. The feet are the foundation of the body and when there is a problem with the way they function it can cause the entire body to shift out of alignment.

For instance, overpronation of the foot causes a series of internal changes that extend up through the leg. The femur may rotate causing hip pain and inflammation of the sacroiliac joint which leads to back pain. Other misalignments in the body that are caused by foot problems can also lead to chronic lower back pain as well.

Chiropractic to Treat Foot Problems

Chiropractic seeks to find the cause of the conditions it is used to treat, including pain, instead of just treating symptoms. Because of this, the chiropractor will work to find the cause of the pain, in this case overpronation and oversupination, and correct it – or the effects of the condition – in addition to treating the pack pain.

Typically, overpronation and oversupination are caused by muscle imbalances in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. This can be caused by improper shoes, misalignment in the body, and other issues. The chiropractor will work with the patient to find the cause of the foot problem so that can be corrected, then work to correct the damage or injury that has been done.

Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment today. Our staff is happy to help!

Occupational Injuries Chiropractic benefits

Injured at Work? How Chiropractic Can Help Some Occupational Injuries

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In 2014, there were 2.8 million occupational injuries. This crossed all industries, but 75 percent were in those that provided a service.

These injuries can lead to time lost at work, decrease in production, depression, and temporary (or permanent) disability. These injuries can be caused by slip and fall, vehicle collisions, electrocution, struck by hazards, and caught in or between accidents. However, work related injury can also be caused by sitting at a desk or hunched over a computer for extended periods of time. Chiropractic has been shown to help workers who have been injured on the job, so they can return to work faster.

Common Occupational Injuries

Occupational injuries are vast and varied with a host of causes and many different symptoms. They can range from minor annoyances to significant damage that can lead to temporary or permanent disability. Some may require surgery while others require extended physical therapy, braces, and intensive medical treatments.

  • Thoracic outlet syndrome – This injury is caused by flexing the shoulder, carrying loads on your shoulders, and extending your arms above shoulder height for a prolonged period of time. It is marked by swelling, pain, dull ache, weakness, or a burning sensation in the affected area.
  • Elbow tendonitis (Epicondylitis) – This injury is caused by forceful or repeated forearm rotation while simultaneously bending the wrist. It is marked by swelling, dull ache, pain, burning, and weakness in the affected area.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome – This injury can be caused by several things including vibratory tools, repetitive motion, and secondary factors. It is marked by numbness, pain, tingling, wasting of muscles at the thumb base, and burning.
  • DeQuervain’s disease – This injury is caused by forceful gripping and repetitive hand twisting. It is marked by pain at the thumb base.
  • Tendonitis/tenosynovitis – This injury is caused by sustained hyperextension of the knee, repetitive motion, and prolonged load overuse. It is marked by numbness, pain, and swelling in the hands.
  • Back and neck pain – This injury can have a wide variety of causes from repetitive motion to accident to improper equipment. It is the most common work related injury.

Preventing Workplace Injuries

While a few work related injuries are unavoidable, many can be prevented with a little extra attention and care. The American Chiropractic Association recommends the following practices to reduce the risk of a workplace injury.

  • Get regular exercise. This helps prevent back injuries by keeping your body strong, fit, and flexible.
  • If you do desk work, get a chair that fits you. This means that there should be two inches between the backs of your knees and the front edge of the seat. Your knees should be level with your hips or slightly below, never higher.
  • When doing computer work, use a foot rest for support and keep your knees between a 90 degree and 120-degree angle.
  • If your job requires you to sit for extended periods of time, take breaks at least every two hours to walk and stretch.
  • When you lift something heavy or awkward, don’t bend over to do it. Bend at your knees and hips, squatting as you pick up the object and let your legs do the work and keeping the object close to your body while your back remains straight. Do not let your body twist while you are trying to lift.

Of course, you should also follow all recommended and required safety guidelines for your workstation and place of employment.

Chiropractic for Workplace Injuries

Chiropractic care can help speed your recovery, improve your posture, and restore your mobility and strength. Through various chiropractic techniques, many of the occupational injuries listed here can be effectively treated. Chiropractic is a proven method for managing pain for the back and neck, but it has also been proven to be very beneficial for conditions like carpal tunnel, elbow tendonitis, and knee injuries.

Chiropractic’s whole body approach helps injured workers not only manage their pain and help heal their injury through adjustments, it can also help with soft tissue rehabilitation and other noninvasive therapies that improve range of motion. In short, chiropractic can help workers get back to work faster so less time is lost from work and the financial impact is greatly decreased.

If you or someone close to you have been injured at work and would like to schedule an assessment, give us a call at (780)455-2112. Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic.

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How Chiropractic Helps Relieve Pain From Facet Syndrome

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Facet syndrome, also called facet joint sprain or facet joint syndrome is a common cause of back pain. There are many treatments that are used, but most mainstream medical treatments involve pain medication which can have undesirable side effects and may even lead to addiction.

Chiropractic is a proven, reliable treatment for relieving the pain and discomfort of facet syndrome. It helps restore mobility and flexibility while providing pain relief. Some patient notice significant relief from the pain and inflammation of this condition with chiropractic treatment and it is often recommended to facet syndrome patients.

What is facet syndrome?

Facet syndrome is the result of an injury to the facet joints. Zygapophyseal joints, or facet joints reside at the posterior of the spine. At each level there are two joints, one on each side of the spine.

The facet joints are enclosed in a joint capsule. They are synovial joints so the capsule contains synovial fluid. The surface of the joints is covered with hyaline cartilage.

Other joints, such as the ankle, contain this type of cartilage covering. These joints are constructed in this way due to their role in the body – to control excessive or extensive movement. This would include hyper extension and rotation. By doing so they help to stabilize the spine.

Facet syndrome occurs when there is an injury to the facet joints. There are numerous causes, but basically, it is a sprain that is brought about by excessive movement.

This damages the joint capsule and the result is inflammation, swelling, and pain. The pain triggers a protective mechanism in the spine called a reactive muscle spasm which causes great difficulty in moving comfortable and severe, sudden pain.

It is difficult to rest the back because of its integral function in supporting the entire body. A severe sprain can take weeks to heal, typically 2 to 6 weeks. This means that the pain and lack of mobility is impacting you on a daily basis. It can be very difficult to pursue day to day activities and enjoy your typical lifestyle.

Chiropractic for facet syndrome

Chiropractic care is a proven, effective treatment for facet syndrome. When you visit your chiropractor, he or she will conduct a physical exam, discuss your medical history, and may send you for diagnostic tests like x-rays and MRIs. Once they have a clear picture of your condition and a facet syndrome diagnosis has been confirmed, they will discuss with you a recommended course of treatment that may include:

  • Exercise – they will recommend specific exercises to help relieve the pain and strengthen the muscles in the back so that they can better support the spine.
  • Posture – posture is extremely important in spinal health and overall wellness. Your chiropractor will help you achieve good, healthy posture and give you exercises to do at home to help you maintain good posture and retrain your body to have better posture.
  • Heat or cold therapy – heat wraps and hot showers or ice packs and cold pad applications may be recommended to help control pain.
  • Changes in activities – you may be advised to take frequent breaks if you sit at a desk all day or to shorten your commute. There may be some activities that you won’t be able to do for a while – or won’t be able to do for long periods of time until your back heals.
  • Chiropractic treatment – spinal manipulation is the most common chiropractic treatment for facet syndrome. Your chiropractor may include other types of treatments though, depending on your specific condition and lifestyle.

Chiropractic is a safe, effective, non-invasive, and drug free way to treat facet syndrome, relieve back pain, and help you regain your mobility. Talk to your chiropractor about your treatment options for facet syndrome.

If you or someone you know might be suffering from severe back pain, give our clinic a call at (780)455-2112 and our staff will be happy to help. Visit www.ocwc.ca for more information about us!

4 Ways Chiropractic Care Helps Patients Suffering from Maignes Syndrome

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Back pain is a daily issue for millions of Americans, with a variety of medial issues being the culprit. The results of lower back pain on the economy as a whole are far reaching, from tons of lost work time to enormous medical costs. Maignes Syndrome is estimated to be the cause of a great deal of the instances of lower back pain.

Never heard of it? Lucky for you because those who are diagnosed with Maignes Syndrome suffer from pain that sometimes lasts for weeks or even months, and can become quite severe. Discomfort is increased sometimes when the patient twists his torso, or lifts a heavy object.

What is Maignes syndrome?

Also called Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome, Maignes Syndrome is a spinal disorder that is located in the nerves in the upper lumbar region of the back, causing pain to radiate along the nerves from the site. This spinal condition creates difficult to diagnose symptoms, since it often results in pain in a different part of the body than the actual source. It is believed this "condition exists because of the facet joint issues at the junction between the middle spine and lower spine.". The pain from Maignes Syndrome usually shows up in the hip, lower back, or groin.

If you are experiencing lower back pain, you may suffer from Maignes Syndrome. Schedule a chiropractic visit as soon as possible, because a chiropractor benefits Maignes Syndrome sufferers in four important ways.

Chiropractors can…

…help correctly diagnose it. Unfortunately, the nature of the pain and location of the condition frequently cause Maignes Syndrome to be misdiagnosed. Sacroiliac joint pain is sometimes the diagnosis they receive, which hinders proper treatment. For this reason, the patient needs to make certain they are working with an experienced chiropractor who understands the subtle differences of the two conditions.

…adjust the area where the issue originates. In order to minimize the symptoms of the condition, a chiropractor can administer adjustments on and around the area causing the issue, the thoracolumbar facet joints. Aligning this area correctly, and loosening the area that may have become tight from overcompensation, assists in relieving pain from Maignes Syndrome.

…offer at home exercises to help with healing. Fortunately, there are exercises that can aid Maignes Syndrome, both in loosening the tightness of the afflicted area, and building up the surrounding muscle strength so the body can compensate for the issue. A chiropractor who understands this spinal condition can walk you through a step-by-step exercise regimen of the types of exercises that will help your body adapt to and heal from Maignes Syndrome.

…promote your body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic care is a broad-based approach to the body’s inner function and balance. Experienced chiropractors understand that all parts fit together for overall health. A patient with Maignes Syndrome benefits from chiropractic care because of this.

Your chiropractor will make a series of adjustments that help the nervous system work at optimum capacity, which promotes healing to the entire body. Attacking Maignes Syndrome directly at the site and through the body as a whole promotes faster healing and increased mobility.

Individuals with Maignes Syndrome unfortunately face an uphill battle that begins with being correctly diagnosed. The complexity of the spinal condition is the primary reason to seek a professional chiropractor’s opinion at the first sign of ongoing lower back pain. Once Maignes Syndrome is correctly pinpointed, the chiropractor will be able to design an in-house and at-home blend of treatment options to minimize your healing time and achieve a pain-free, fully functioning back.

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