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How Golfers Can Benefit From Chiropractic Care

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Does this sound familiar?

It’s a warm sunny day with a bit of a breeze, you are on the back nine about to sink a putt. When you swing, your back seizes up with severe pain. The beautiful day of golf turns into painfully riding in the golf cart back to the clubhouse, and you limping painfully to your car.

If you have ever strained your back during a golf game, you are not alone. It’s estimated of the 30 million golfers in the United States, 80% have experienced some sort of back pain. As fun as it is, swinging at golf balls puts an individual’s body in an awkward position, opening up the opportunity for injury.

While some golfers suffer through the pain by popping over-the-counter medications, others back away from playing as often, or stop altogether. There’s another way to combat back injuries caused by golfing, without meds. It’s not a magic wand, it’s chiropractic care!

Golfers are increasingly finding chiropractic care to be a valuable tool to help them deal with back injuries. Here are FORE! ways chiropractors can help injured golfers get off the couch and back on the green.

Consistent adjustments can avoid injuries in the first place.

Golfing, or any activity, is more enjoyable and causes less chance of injury if an individual’s body is in top condition and operating normally. Periodic spinal adjustments keep the body functioning at maximum capacity, and reduce the chances of being injured. If the neck and back are aligned correctly, awkward positioning such as a golf swing will have a less negative impact.

Chiropractic treatment can reduce a golfer’s pain.

Back injuries can be extremely painful, and many turn to pain medications to gain relief and comfort. By treating the origin of the pain instead of just the symptoms, a chiropractor helps their patients manage the pain through manipulations, instead of drugs. Over the course of a few treatments, pain is often drastically diminished and much more manageable.

A golf injury can heal quicker with chiropractic care.

Injuries to the back or neck can heal faster when chiropractors treat them than on their own. An experienced chiropractor can adjust the spine, and also work on the joints and surrounding tissue that can cause pain and hinder healing. Chiropractic evaluation considers the body as a whole. By treating the entire body, it promotes quicker healing of the injury.

Increased mobility can be gained with chiropractic visits.

Golfers who play often as well as those who only play a few times a year know mobility is essential to a good golf game. Stiff joints and a weak back not only mess with the golf game, but can be the very issues that end up causing an injury.

A chiropractic treatment schedule keeps the body loose and strong, and working in optimum fashion. This prevents injuries and increases the chances of playing the game of your life.

Golfers need to realize the sport can cause serious injuries just like "rougher" sports like football and rugby. It’s a good idea to stretch before playing, stay hydrated, and avoid overexertion.

If you are a golfer, chiropractic care is a valuable tool in staying healthy. Regular adjustments and manipulations keep your body on track and performing with maximum mobility at the top of your game. If you do suffer an injury, a chiropractor can help you manage your pain and decrease the time it takes to heal.

Contact us today @ 780-455-2112 for more information on how we can help reduce the chance of injury for golfers, and promote healing.

What Chiropractic Patients Need to Know About Sitting While Working

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It’s no big secret that exercise is good for you. Many articles and books have been written and studies completed on the subject of physical fitness. However, lately it’s been discussed as to whether that five mile run or spin class is really enough. Is our work environment undoing any positive effort we put into staying healthy?

The short answer is YES. Human bodies were not built to sit for long periods of time. Our twenty-first century workplace — working behind a desk, typing on the computer, endless video conferences — unfortunately stacks against us to keep us on our… well, not our feet.

There are four harmful results on a person’s body that stem from sitting at work.

Sitting for many hours each day takes a toll on our backs.

Working at a desk for many hours a day causes employees to stay in one position for an extended length of time. This puts a great deal of pressure on their backs. Over time, painful back problems can develop and, if left untreated, continue to worsen.

Sitting also takes a toll on our waistline.

Obesity is at an all time high in Canada and at least a good chunk of the reason is our sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for a long period (8 or more hours a day) decreases our metabolism, causing us to burn fewer calories. The time at our desks can end up packing on the pounds.

Sitting can increase the chance of developing a life-threatening disease.

Studies show individuals with sedentary jobs have more health problems than their active counterparts. Cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes are both examples of health issues that arise more often in people who regularly sit down most of the day.

Sitting can cause premature death.

This may sound melodramatic, but it’s true. As we talked about above, sitting for prolonged periods of time puts you at greater risk of diseases that may end up killing you. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, "found people who sat for over 11 hours a day had a 40% greater risk of dying within three years from any cause than people who sat less than 4 hours a day."

So, what should a sedentary office person do to improve their health and decrease the risk many hours of daily sitting causes?

  • Get on your feet! Schedule times during the day to stand up and walk around. If you can’t remember to do it, add an alarm on your cell phone. Even a couple minutes on your feet every hour will help balance prolonged sitting.
  • Learn to sit correctly. If you must sit, make certain your chair isn’t causing more damage. Select a chair that is height and angle adjustable. The seat should support your lower body, and the back should fit the curves of your spine. Special bonus points go to chairs with lumbar support and that rock.
  • Visit your chiropractor. Back problems brought on by a job behind a desk are not going to magically go away, and can get worse over time. Make a chiropractor appointment, get examined, and work to correct the issue.
  • Invest in a standing desk. A growing trend is to turn a sitting job into a standing job. Desks that are taller have the ability to keep you on your feet longer, which will provide many health benefits in the long run.

Good health is one of our greatest assets, and it pays to protect it. By understanding the risks of a sedentary working environment, we can be proactive in increasing activity and promoting our individual fitness.

If you or a loved one needs more insight on how chiropractic can guide you toward a healthier lifestyle, give us a call @ 780-455-2112. We’re here to help!

How Chiropractic Can Help Patients Who Suffer From Arthritis

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Even though chiropractic excels in wellness care, it is becoming more common for people to visit chiropractors to treat a variety of different kinds of pain. Because of this, chiropractic adjustments provide many benefits to people and patients who suffer from a wide variety of conditions like arthritis. In today’s article, we’ll explore how chiropractic can help patients who suffer from arthritis and give you additional suggestions on how to alleviate the pain that’s associated with it.

What a Chiropractor Does

A Doctor of Chiropractic, also known as a chiropractor, is a health professional that focuses primarily on wellness care instead of sickness care. Their specialty focuses on adjusting the spine to correct misalignments that may be impinging on nerves.

Regular visits to a chiropractor can not only restore health throughout the body but also help alleviate back pain and other symptoms associated with an improperly aligned spinal column. They can also work with their patients to plan exercise routines and alterations in diet to assist management of inflammation and pain. Most insurance carriers cover visits to a chiropractor on at least some level.

What Is Arthritis?

Put simply, arthritis is inflammation in the joints which result in joint pain, stiffness and limited range of movement. There are over 200 different varieties of the ailment. While it is generally associated with age, it can also affect young people. It can strike almost any area of the body, with each region having a different cause and name. In some cases, arthritis can cause damage to soft tissues and muscles, like the heart and lungs.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It results from repeated trauma to the joint and becomes more common in the elderly.

Other common forms of arthritis include:

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  • Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form in which the body’s immune system attacks the joint.
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  • Psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune form of arthritis.

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  • Ankylosing spondylitis, also a type of arthritis where the body attacks itself.

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  • Septic arthritis, which is caused by a viral or bacterial infection of the joint.

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    Diagnosis

    Diagnosing arthritis involves a complete and thorough examination. If a chiropractor feels the need to co-manage the case, a medical work-up by a rheumatologist may be recommended. This can include radiology (x-ray) or an MRI, urine and blood analysis and physical examinations.

    It is important to have your condition properly diagnosed so you can more effectively treat the symptoms of the disease.

    Chiropractors and Arthritis

    The most common treatment for arthritis is medication, which can take down the inflammation and swelling and reduce pain. However, chiropractors can be of great help in managing arthritis. While medications work, it has long-term health risks such as impairing healing, damage to the stomach lining and internal bleeding.

    By visiting a chiropractor you may be able to reduce your reliance upon these medications while managing your pain and symptoms naturally. A chiropractor can:

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  • Improve your range of motion by keeping your spine in line

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  • Improve endurance and flexibility

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  • Increase your strength and muscle tone

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  • Help you develop a dietary and nutritional plan to reduce inflammation naturally

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    In addition, chiropractors can recommend an exercise regimen that’s conducive to arthritis. According to the American Chiropractic Association, this is a vital component in managing your arthritis symptoms.

    Treating the Symptoms

    Please understand that chiropractors cannot cure your arthritis. At this time, there is no cure for this ailment. They can, however, help to alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of the illness. They may use spinal adjustments in conjunction with other treatments to address the disease. These options can include:

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  • Hot and cold therapy

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  • Ultrasound treatments

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  • Massage

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  • Electronic muscle stimulation

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  • Physical rehabilitation

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  • Magnet therapy

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    The Best Results

    With an inflammatory disease like arthritis, the best results are achieved from attacking it at all angles. This means working with your chiropractor and rheumatologist to combine treatments, if necessary. In addition to their care, a healthy diet and active exercise regime will help move you in the right direction toward a healthier outcome.

    If you or a loved one are suffering with arthritis, don’t hesitate to give us a call @ 780-455-2112 today. We’re here to help in any way we can!

    Back Pain? Chiropractor or Massage Therapist?

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    Anyone who has suffered moderate to severe back pain knows it can range from discomfort to absolutely debilitating. Many people find themselves in a doctor’s office or even an Emergency room seeking quick relief of their back pain. Often they are sent home with pain pills, muscle relaxants and instructions to “take it easy.” Though the quick relief may be welcome, it does not address the root of the problem, and the false sense of relief may even make it worse.

     

    When to Use a Massage Therapist:


    • The pain is muscular in nature, possibly from overwork or stress
    • The pain is caused by a muscle spasm
    • The pain is not chronic or debilitating
    • You do not have a history of back pain

     

    A Massage Therapist will be able to increase the blood flow that will help stop a spasm and loosen the muscles to promote faster healing.

     

    When to Use a Chiropractor:


    • There is a notable problem with body alignment
    • Your posture or mobility is impacted
    • The pain is caused by an injury or accident
    • The pain is caused by repetitive motion-(office workers and musicians are prime candidates)
    • You have a history of back pain
    • You have a family history of back problems, such as scoliosis

     

    A Chiropractor will help your condition long term with proper diagnosis, alignment and adjustment techniques and provide you with at home exercises to help manage your condition. He may also inform you of what exercises and activities to avoid to aid in your recovery. If you follow the prescribed program, your Chiropractor provides, you will also help prevent further occurrences.

     

    We all experience occasional aches and pains and sometimes a hot bath and a good night’s sleep is all that is needed. But if the pain continues or increases it is best to seek help from a professional. Start your recovery today!

     

    Schedule an appointment at Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic
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    Healthy and Smart Driving Posture

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    Driving with good posture will help you avoid back painDriving with good posture will help you avoid back pain. This is especially true when you drive for a long distance, but you should get in the habit of good posture even on short trips. Here are posture tips specific to driving.

    Relax Your Shoulders

    Many people tense their shoulders while driving. This causes neck pain, shoulder aches and other, similar problems. Take a moment when driving to observe your body position and note whether or not you are scrunching your shoulders or leaning forward. Be conscious of letting your shoulders relax naturally every time you observe that you are tensing up.

    Watch Your Grip

    Gripping the steering wheel the whole time you are driving does not make you a safer driver and puts you at risk for aching muscles, particularly in the arms and wrists. Let your hands remain relaxed while holding the steering wheel. The only time a tighter grip is required is when you are making turns.

    Adjust Seating and Steering

    Good driving posture does not mean simply sitting up straight. In fact, a slight incline to the seat is better because it distributes your weight more evenly, putting less pressure on your spine. Adjust your seat so that you are just slightly inclined backward and that your knees are slightly lower than your hips. Your feet should reach all pedals easily without effort. In addition, your steering wheel should be angled and close enough that you do not have to hyper-extend your arms to reach it as this creates tension in the shoulders.

    Avoid Slouching

    While it is good to relax and remain comfortable while driving, slouching is not the answer. It might feel comfortable in the beginning, but slouching places stress on your muscles and bones, especially the lower back and sides. If you are slouching on longer drives, soon you will find you will need to change positions frequently to avoid pain. Look at the angle of your body. You should be only slightly reclined with your knees slightly lower than hip level rather than drawn up and your shoulders should be relaxed and even. Placing one arm on the window ledge tends to put your whole body slightly off center and should be avoided.

    Years of driving with poor posture eventually takes a toll, but it is never too late to correct your posture. If your back pain keeps you from enjoying your drives or from living life to the fullest, book an appointment today at Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic by calling 780-455-2112.

    Don’t Let Pain Keep You Indoors: Ways to Prevent Back Pain from Hiking

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    Hiking is a great way to combine exercise with exploring the great outdoors. However, as with all exercise, it may result in back pain. There are a few ways that you can minimize or eliminate back pain so you can get in all the fresh air you need with no aches and pains.

    Keep Muscles Strong

    Back pain is often caused by overcompensation for other weak muscles. One of the best ways to prevent or treat back pain from hiking is to build up your abdominal and gluteal muscles. Back muscles often become overworked and sore from doing the work of these muscles. Before a huge hike, spend six weeks doing extra squats and crunches, or your other favorite core exercises.

    Prepare for Your Hike

    The things you do to prepare for a hike can have a huge effect on how you feel during and after it. First, pack appropriately. Make sure your backpack is light and that you have appropriate shoes and plenty of water. Second, work up to huge hikes. Let your body get used to smaller treks before taking on huge endeavors. Last, stretch thoroughly before embarking on your hike. This will ensure that your muscles are warm and loose as you head out on your adventure.

    Maintain Good Form

    When you are hiking, you can prevent a great deal of back pain by simply paying attention to your posture. Make sure you are walking with a straight back, shoulders back, and head high. Many people find that using walking poles helps them to keep good posture.

    If you get back pain during the hike, stop often to stretch. Roll your head in circles to relieve neck pain. You might even try wearing a stick-on heat pack like Thermacare to keep your muscles warm and pliant while you hike.

    Some back pain is normal with repetitive exercise, but it’s important to get help if it doesn’t get better or disappear with these measures. If your back pain continues to stop you from hiking, book an appointment at Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic by calling 780-455-2112.