Chiropractic Benefits Archives - Page 4 of 13 - Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic

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3 Tips Chiropractic Patients Can Use To Increase Flexibility

October 18, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Health /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Flexibility is something that many people would like more of, but few know how to achieve it. If they do, they don’t do anything about it. This is because flexibility training is often seen as difficult, painful, and time consuming. It is also significantly underestimated. Why bother getting flexible if you aren’t an athlete or dancer? Why do regular people need to improve their flexibility? The answers to these questions may surprise you. You also might find that improving your flexibility is easier than you think.

Why is flexibility important?

Flexibility is a key component of keeping your body fit and healthy. Research shows that people who are more flexible are better able to reach their optimum fitness level.

It can also help to prevent injury and reduce your risk of conditions like arthritis and other chronic diseases. They also have a better range of motion and mobility as they age.

Muscles that are flexible have the potential to become stronger. This can help increase metabolism and improve fitness level.

A body that is more flexible can also carry out day to day activities easier and have less chance of injury. Blood flow is increased and circulation is improved which also helps to prevent chronic conditions like kidney disease and diabetes as well as heart disease.

Stretch for upper body flexibility

This upper body stretch also helps improve your posture. It is also great if you are largely sedentary throughout the day, such as sitting at a desk for extended periods.

Stand or sit in a chair, back straight, chin level, feel slightly apart and knees soft.
Put your hands behind your head, elbows out, chin tucked.
Gently press your head forward to feel the stretch through your neck, shoulders, and upper back; hold for five seconds.
Tilt your head back so that your chin is pointing toward the ceiling. Place the heels of your hands on your forehead and gently press to get a stretch through the front of the neck and the arms; hold for five seconds.
Bring your head to the start position, chin parallel to the floor, neck straight.
Put your right hand on the top of your head and gently press as if you are trying to touch your right ear to your right shoulder and feel the stretch along the left side of the neck and shoulder; hold for five seconds.
Put your left hand on the top of your head and gently press as if you are trying to touch your left ear to your left shoulder and feel the stretch along the right side of the neck and shoulder; hold for five seconds.
Raise your hands over your head and clasp your hands. Stretch and lift your body, lengthening your spine.
Release your hands and bend to the right, using your right hand to grasp your left elbow and gently pull it to the right. Hold for five seconds.
Raise your hands over your head and clasp your hands. Stretch and lift your body, lengthening your spine.
Release your hands and bend to the left, using your left hand to grasp your right elbow and gently pull it to the left. Hold for five seconds.

Stretch for lower body flexibility

This is a great stretch for women who wear high heels or for cyclists and people who walk, run, or use an elliptical machine.

Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you, feet together, knees soft, and back straight.
Slowly bend your right knee and lean back if necessary, using your right arm as a support behind you. Place your left hand under your left knee and flex your toes toward the ceiling, feeling the stretch through your calf. Hold for five seconds.
Stretch both legs out straight in front of you.
Slowly bend your left knee and lean back if necessary, using your left arm as a support behind you. Place your right hand under your right knee and flex your toes toward the ceiling, feeling the stretch through your calf. Hold for five seconds.
Roll onto your back with your knees bent toward the ceiling and feet flat on the floor.
Gently bring your right knee to your chest, holding it with your hands to get a nice stretch. Hold for five minutes.
Return to the start position, on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Gently bring your left knee to your chest, holding it with your hands to get a nice stretch. Hold for five minutes.
Return to the start position, on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

Stretch for flexibility in the back

This stretch is very good for low back pain.

Lie on your stomach keeping your legs straight, knees soft, and feet shoulder width apart.
Place your hands under your shoulders, palms down on the floor and push your upper body up so that your back is curved with your lower body still on the floor. Tilt your head back for more stretch. Hold for 10 seconds.
Lower your upper body back to the mat and slowly roll over to your hands and knees.
Keep your knees shoulder width apart and your back straight.
While on your hands and knees, tuck your chin and round out your back, pushing it towards the ceiling, feel the stretch through your entire back. Hold for 10 seconds.
Return to the start position with your knees shoulder width apart and your back straight.
While on your hands and knees, lift your chin, stretching it upwards and drop your back so that your spine curves toward the floor. Hold for 10 seconds.
Return to the start position with your knees shoulder width apart and your back straight.

If pain or disconfort is preventing you from progressing with your stretch program, consider visiting a chiropractor in our office. Check out our website @ www.ocwc.ca or give is a call @ 780-455-2112.

4 Benefits of Getting a Scoliosis Screening from a Chiropractor

Why This 7-Minute Workout Is So Beneficial

September 6, 2021/0 Comments/in Health /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Doctors are always telling us to exercise, exercise, exercise but they don’t really give us many realistic options. Going to the gym is a pain, especially if you are short on time. Exercising at home can be a real pain too. You might be limited for space or tripping over kids – and although no one really talks about it, do you really want your significant other watching you sweat and gasp for air as you struggle through one of those insane workout DVDs? They say walking is good, but if you are in a neighborhood that doesn’t have sidewalks or it is hot as blue blazes outside just how likely are you to get up and do it (not to mention safety can be an issue)? Now suppose you could get all your exercising done in a 7-minute span. Would you do it? Is it even possible?

The answer is most definitely!

7 minutes 12 moves

An article published in the Health & Fitness Journal for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) takes everything we’ve learned about exercise and turns it upside down. Just 12 exercises in 7 minutes is all it takes to get fit, according to these fitness experts.

Nowhere are there heavy weights or fancy equipment, just a wall, a chair, and the person’s own body weight. Say hello to high intensity interval training- it’s about to change your world!

This 7-minute workout is the equivalent of a serious weight training session and long run, but without the weights or the running. That isn’t to say it is easy though. It requires a great deal of effort.

There’s a lot packed into those 7 minutes. It provides many of the benefits that are achieved by disciplined, long term endurance training, it just skips over the long-term part.

Make no mistake though, short does not mean it is easy – or pleasant. In fact, it may be one of the longer 7 minutes of your life.

The good news is, it’s over in 7 minutes. That’s a little more than 5 but less than 10.

It’s worth it though, when you look at the numerous health benefits that exercise provides. Plus, it’s great for people who are super busy and can’t seem to squeeze a workout into their schedules. Say hello to no more excuses!

The Science Behind the 7

These 12 exercises were not chosen at random. The reason it works is actually rooted in some pretty deep science. When you exercise for even a few minutes and are working at or near your maximum capacity (that means you are working very hard), it causes your muscles to experience molecular changes that are much like those that occur after several hours of riding a bike or running.

Interval training takes it a step farther. You engage in an activity that is extremely intense, then you have a brief recovery period, then back to a high intensity activity. That is the basis of this workout.

Each exercise should be done for about 30 seconds with a 10 second recovery period – but there’s a twist that ups the effectiveness even more. The exercises are arranged so that they engage the large muscles in the upper body, then in the lower body.

This alternating focus on muscle groups is important because while the lower body is working like crazy, the upper body can be catching its breath, so to speak. This makes for a much more efficient workout but it is also why the order of the exercises is critical.

The exercises are intense, but are movements that just about anyone can do. Many can also be adapted for people at different fitness levels. If you are looking for a great workout that will work for you but won’t eat up a lot of your time, you just might have found it.

3 Tips That’ll Save Your Back While Gardening

March 29, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

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

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

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

Use Back Friendly Tools and Gardening Methods

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

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

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

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

Change Your Position Frequently

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

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

Take Care when Bending, Reaching, and Lifting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Construction Workers Need Chiropractic

March 22, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

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.

Why More Professional Athletic Teams Are Using Chiropractors

March 15, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

There has been an increasing number of professional athletes and athletic teams in recent years that have chosen to use chiropractors to treat their injuries, help manage their pain, and help keep them at the top of their game in terms of performance and stamina. Top athletes like Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Vernon Davis, and Aaron Rodgers recognize that value in good chiropractic care and have incorporated it into their overall health and wellness programs.

One of the biggest draws is chiropractic’s whole-body approach to health care. A chiropractor will not just treat the symptoms of a problem (such as pain), he or she will work to uncover the cause of the problem and recommend lifestyle changes that will help the athlete not only eliminate their pain, but resolve the issue causing the pain, and take steps to help prevent the problem from recurring.

The NFL Chooses Chiropractic

The National Football League (NFL) has long kept chiropractic care as a standard treatment for its players. In fact, the Professional Football Chiropractic Association estimates that the average team chiropractor for the NFL will perform anywhere from 30 to 50 chiropractic adjustments or treatments a week during the football season.

When you consider that the NFL teams employ around 35 chiropractors, that adds up to about 27,000 adjustments in that short 16-week span. But it’s worth it to keep the players in tip top shape and many continue chiropractic care even after they retire.

The PGA Chooses Chiropractic

Many top golfers in the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson see chiropractic care not only as a necessary element in their wellness routines, but also as a playing a vital role in their success.

Many use it to enhance their athletic performance, help prevent injuries, help heal from injuries, manage pain, and improve their overall health. Some golfers, like Masters Tournament winner Jordan Spieth, have a chiropractor who travels with him on a full-time basis and provides treatments several times a day.

Olympic Teams and Chiropractic

At the Olympics, the best of the best compete – and put their bodies through a lot of stress and punishment in the process. Most Olympic teams have two chiropractors who travel with them in an official capacity.

After practice or competition, they will get treatments to keep their bodies in optimal performance level. If any of the athletes sustain injuries, the chiropractors can help to manage pain and help heal the injury. Studies show that most injuries that are treated with chiropractic care heal faster and more complete.

The MLB, NBA, and NHL Choose Chiropractic

Most of the teams in the NHL, NBA, and MLB either have a chiropractor they refer to that is outside or their organization or they have one on staff. This means that not only are chiropractors treating athletes, they are treating some of the best athletes in the world.

These people make a living based on how well their bodies perform so it stands to reason they would not turn to just any type of treatment or trend. They choose to reap the benefits of the tried and true chiropractic care.

Chiropractic for Athletes

Athletes know the many benefits that they can get from regular chiropractic care. Some of the top include:

It is drug free and non-invasive.
It is very effective in pain management.
It can reverse the punishment that the body undergoes while participating in sports.
It can help prevent injury.
It is very effective in treating most sports injuries.
It helps to enhance athletic performance

If you play sports, even if you just enjoy a game of touch football on the weekends, you just might benefit from chiropractic care. If it’s good enough for the pros, it’s good enough for you!

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic. Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment!

Why We Get Shorter As We Age

March 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

If you are in your 40s, and you measured your height, chances are you would not be the same height that you were in, say, high school. It’s true. As we get older, we tend to shrink. A French study in 2010, measures more than 8,000 women who were over the age of 60. They then asked each woman to estimate her own height. Nearly all of the women in the study overestimated their height. Some overestimated by as much as 2 inches. This is not wishful thinking on the women’s part; they were recalling their tallest height. Shrinking in stature is a normal part of the aging process, but there are ways you can stop it – or at least slow it down.

What Causes People to Shrink?

There are several reasons why a person may lose some height as they age:

A condition like osteoporosis can cause loss of bone density, leading to a compression fracture which is essentially a collapse of the vertebrae
Flattening of the feet. As we age our arches flatten out and this can take inches off our height
Dehydration of the discs that lie between each vertebra. The dehydration can cause the discs to com press.
A stooped posture caused by loss of muscle in the core or abdomen

Getting Shorter by the Numbers

It is estimated that the average person will lose about ¼ to ½ inch every decade after they turn 40 (although some estimates say 30 and others say 50). Women are also more prone to height loss than men. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) found that between 30 and 70 years of age, women lost, on the average, 2 inches while men lost around 1 inch of height. By the age of 80, women had lost a little more than 3 inches while men lost 2. However, with all of the varying factors, some people will lose more and others will lose less – and some don’t shrink an inch.

Health Implications of Height Loss

It is important to know that height loss can be an indicator of a problem. Probably the most concerning of the conditions is skeletal problems, such as a compression fracture.

Such a condition can be debilitating, causing back pain and mobility problems. Muscle loss can also cause pain, as can compressed discs. It is important to stay on top of it, get ahead of any potential problems.

Height loss can also be a symptoms of other problems that are physiological or metabolic in nature. It can also indicate inadequate nutrition or poor health. In short, if you experience height loss, it may be in your best interest to pay attention and talk to your doctor.

Combating the Shrinkage

While genetics does play a large part in certain conditions that can cause you to lose height, there are some things you can do that may help. If you are still below the threshold age, start now to take care of yourself, get the proper nutrition, exercise, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water. The better foundation that you build when you are young, the better off you will be as you age.

Older people may be able to slow the shrinkage by eating a healthy diet that is rich in calcium, doing weight bearing exercises, staying hydrated, and avoiding unhealthy practices such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Study after study shows that exercise works, so that should be a priority. Hydration is also key. In the end, the better you take care of your body when you are young, the better care it will take of you when you are older.

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

How Chiropractic Can Help Keep You Moving On The Assembly Line

March 1, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Assembly lines have long been the standard for factory workers. Henry Ford got the ball rolling in December 1, 1913 when he created the very first assembly line to mass produce a car. Workers stood for hours, doing the same tasks over and over. Although Ford took steps to reduce at least some of the damage, many factory workers still went home with aching backs and feet, migraines, fallen arches, and repetitive motion injuries.

Now, more than a hundred year later, some things have changed. According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,834,000 assembly line and fabrication jobs in 2014. Technology is better and some tasks can be automated making some people’s jobs easier – and, unfortunately, eliminating some as well.

Despite the great strides in technology, there are still some things that haven’t changed all that much. The working conditions in many factories are often still not as healthy as they could be. Many workers are still required to stand for long periods of time and perform repetitive motions for hours without a break. This can lead to injuries, pain, and certain conditions that can cause immobility, inflexibility, and even disability. The good news is, chiropractic can help.

Working in a Standing Position Can Be Bad For Your Health

Many assembly line jobs require that the worker stand for long periods of time. While standing is a natural posture for humans and, by itself does not pose any real harm or health problem, working in a standing position every day isn’t good for you. It can lead to muscle fatigue, stiff shoulders and neck, swelling of the legs and feet, low back pain, varicose veins, fallen arches, and sore feet – just to name a few.

Another problem with standing for extended or frequent periods of time without any breaks (such a s walking or stretching) can cause the joints in the feet, knees, hips, and spine to become locked or immobilized temporarily. If the behavior continues, it can cause degenerative damage, leading to rheumatic diseases because the ligaments and tendons become damaged.

Chiropractic can Help Assembly Line Workers

Chiropractic care can help keep bodies flexible and help with range of motion. It is a very effective, non-invasive treatment for pain and can help with joint and muscular problems as well. Regular chiropractic treatments can help you better manage your body’s response to your work environment. It can also undo many of the ill effects that that type of work can cause.

You can enjoy more pain free days without invasive surgeries or medications that leave you groggy, nauseous, or worse. When you sit down with your chiropractor, he or she will talk to you about your medical history as well as your current lifestyle. After a complete evaluation, you will be given a plan of action that may include lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and recommended supplements in addition to spinal manipulation. Chiropractic is all about whole body wellness and that is what will help you perform better on your job and recover faster afterwards.

Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment today!

Why More People Are Choosing Chiropractic

February 22, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Chiropractic care is enjoying an upsurge in popularity as more people are veering away from invasive procedures and pharmaceuticals in favor of more natural treatment options for their pain. A recent Gallup poll for Palmer Chiropractic College confirms this. Of the people surveyed:

More than 35.5 million people said they sought chiropractic care within the 12 month (the Gallup survey was conducted from February 8, 2016 through March 11, 2016).
95% said chiropractic was effective in treating their condition.
89% said they would recommend chiropractic to friends and family.
97% said that they would likely see a chiropractor for neck or back pain.
88% said that chiropractic care is a good value for the money.

Non-Drug Treatments for Back Pain should be Sought First

In April 2017, the American College of Physicians published their updated guidelines for managing and treating low back pain. They recommended seeking non-drug treatments, which include the application of heat, exercise, stress reduction, and spinal manipulation, before turning to medications. The purpose is to steer patients away from unnecessary medicating and toward healthier, more natural options as a first line of defense in managing low back pain.

Another study published in2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association supported spinal manipulation as a preferred first treatment option over pharmaceuticals for patients with acute low back pain. While these recommendations are primarily in response to the opioid epidemic, it is also in response to the numerous studies that show chiropractic care is safe and effective for back pain management.

Chiropractic is a Healthier, Safer Option

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that opioid abuse and overdose has reach epidemic proportions. An estimated 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. This includes opioids obtained by a prescription from a doctor.

Popular pain medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone have seen steadily increasing abuse, overdose, and death rates over the past two decades. In fact, deaths caused by overdose of these drugs as well as methadone and others, have quadrupled since 1999.

These medications are highly addictive and have many unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. While most states are taking aggressive steps to curb the over-prescribing of these medications, patients are still finding ways around the prescribing guidelines and restrictions. This is a compelling reason for patients to seek natural, non-medicinal pain relief options first – and for their doctors to recommend them.

More People are Turning to Natural Remedies

Many patients are simply getting fed up with invasive treatments and numerous pills. They are now turning to remedies that are more natural. One benefit of chiropractic and other natural remedies is that they rarely treats only the symptom.

Instead, it addresses the root of the problem to treat the cause. This approach has many benefits beyond being medication free and non-invasive. When the cause of the condition or problem is corrected, it can eliminate other troubling symptoms as well.

Chiropractic is a Healthier, Whole Body Option

A patient who sees their chiropractor for low back pain may find that after a few treatments, their headaches, constipation, and digestive issues are also resolved. This is because chiropractic treats the body as a whole, unlike traditional medicine that tends to treat it in parts.

Everything is connected in the body. A problem in one area could easily cause problems in other areas. By correcting the root of the problem, the patient receives more rounded healthcare.

Where traditional medicine will often opt to prescribe a pain pill for lower back pain, chiropractic care looks for the cause of the back pain and treats the pain symptom from the cause. The chiropractor may advise lifestyle changes, changes in diet, and even recommend supplements. With chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity increasing at an alarming rate, chiropractic care offers a solution that treats the body as a whole in a more natural, safer way.

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

Why Senior Citizens Need Chiropractic

February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Chiropractic care is a safe, natural treatment for people of all ages and senior citizens can definitely benefit from it. It is far more preferable than many other options including pharmaceuticals with their unpleasant and even harmful side effects, and surgery. Several studies have even shown that regular chiropractic treatment benefits geriatric patients and can even help keep them out of long-term care facilities and nursing homes. In short, seniors who get chiropractic on a regular basis are healthier and also enjoy these great benefits.

Reduced Risk of Degeneration of the Joints (Including the Spine)

When the spine is not aligned it can cause wear and friction on the joints, resulting in damage. Regular spinal alignment keeps the spine in the correct position so that the body is balanced. It reduces the risk of spinal degeneration as well as certain types of arthritis by decreasing the amount of stress on the spine and bringing it into a more normal, natural alignment.

Improved Range of Motion

As a person gets older, their range of motion decreases. This is especially true of people who are sedentary or who have sustained an injury that kept them confined to a bed or wheelchair for a long time.

Helping improve a person’s range of motion is one of the best benefits of chiropractic. While there are certain levels and each person has a goal for how much range of motion they want, a chiropractor can help them get as close to those goals as possible.

Better Coordination and Balance

Most of the coordination and balance problems that seniors experience come from degenerative changes or injuries that affect the cervical spine. The back side of the cervical spine joints houses mechanoreceptors, structures that are responsible for providing the brain with vital information that regulates coordination and balance. When that area is compromised their function is hindered. By stimulating the mechanoreceptors, a chiropractor can help restore or improve the condition.

Decreased Risk of Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States, every second of every day some older adult falls. Among Americans who are age 65 and older, there are 850,000 bone fractures each year and falls are the cause for 90% of them. A chiropractor can stimulate the mechanoreceptors which reside in the cervical spine, normalizing them and helping to restore the patient’s balance and coordination.

Stronger Immune System and Better Health

When the spine is properly aligned, the body is better able to function as it should. This includes the digestive system, respiratory system, and even the heart. Neural impulses can be transmitted and received more efficiently and effectively.

This strengthens the immune system making the patient less susceptible to illness and disease. Regular care can provide better health and wellness while improving the patient’s quality of life.

More Effective Pain Management

Chiropractic has been proven time and again to be one of the safest, most effective methods for treating pain, particularly those that involve the spine. Chiropractic helps to correct the problem that is causing the pain and helps treat the soft tissue structures that are around the area. Where pain medicine, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory medication are little more than band-aids that treat the symptoms while ignoring the cause, chiropractic gets to the root of the problem and begins treatment there.

In addition to spinal adjustments, the chiropractor will typically recommend stretching and special exercises as well as lifestyle changes and diet modifications. Elder patients benefit from the whole body, holistic approach to health care that is at the heart of chiropractic. The result is better health and better quality of life.

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our wellness chiropractic doctors. Call (780)455-2112 to book an appointment!