Edmonton Chiropractic Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic

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How Combining Chiropractic & Yoga Can Be Beneficial To Your Spine

Yoga has long been touted as a healing activity that extends beyond its known fitness benefits. It can help alleviate depression, relieve stress, and decrease anxiety as well as tighten and tone the body.

In fact, a 2016 study by Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal shows that the more than 20 million people who practice yoga spend in excess of $10 billion on related classes and products. Chiropractors have picked up on the benefits of yoga and are recommending it to their patients. Why? Because it helps to improve flexibility as well as spinal health.

Chiropractic and the spine’s role in the body.

Chiropractic is primarily intended to align the spine and balance the body. The spine is the main support for the body. It houses most of the central nervous system and provides pathways for neural impulses to move throughout the body.

When the spine is out of alignment it can affect how the central nervous system functions. It can also affect flexibility and even overall mobility as well as cause pain and stiffness.

Chiropractic treatment brings the spine back into alignment. It helps to balance the body and treat injuries as well as help with the changes the aging body experiences.

One of the best-known uses for chiropractic is to treat pain. It is a medication free, non-invasive treatment for chronic pain, sports related injuries, and even automobile accidents. Many patients have reported finding relief with chiropractic when nothing else worked.

Combining yoga with chiropractic increases the effectiveness of the treatment while strengthening the body and making it better able to respond to it. Yoga is the perfect complement to chiropractic care and many patients are discovering tremendous health benefits from this winning, healthy combination.

What is Yoga?

In its purist form, yoga is an ascetic and spiritual discipline that comes from Hindu culture. It involves simple meditation, conscious breathing or breach control, and performing certain body postures.

While an ancient practice long used for spiritual and emotional healing as well as physical wellness, yoga has been adopted in western culture and is widely accepted as a form of fitness as well as a therapeutic practice used for relaxation and overall good health. It focuses on inward healing for outward results.

People who regularly practice yoga find they are more centered, handle stress better, and aren’t as likely to experience depression and anxiety. They also are more flexible, have better mobility, and have stronger, leaner bodies.

What happens when you combine yoga and chiropractic care?

Because yoga helps to lower blood pressure, decrease stress, and strengthen the body’s core, it is a perfect therapy for the chiropractic patient. While chiropractic care is working to bring the spine into alignment and balance the body, yoga is helping to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine, providing better support. The numerous health benefits, particularly regarding blood flow and relaxation help to increase chiropractic’s effectiveness as a pain management tool.

Patients who combine yoga and chiropractic will also often find that they see the effects of both treatments much faster than they would if they were only doing one or the other. Both chiropractic and yoga help with balance, flexibility, and mobility, but they come at it from somewhat different approaches. This provides a more balanced, well rounded treatment in these areas as one supports the other.

Yoga also tones and tightens the body, preparing it for much deeper levels of healing, cleansing and releasing the body of tensions that may have been held for years. It also works to stretch muscles that have been restricted for years, or even for the patient’s entire life. It prepares the body to accept the full benefits of chiropractic and respond faster and more fully.

Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to hear about our one on one yoga classes offered! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic, practitioners and services.

How Chiropractic Helps Those That Suffer From Spondylolisthesis

Chiropractic care is a drug-free, nonsurgical treatment for many types of conditions and to help manage pain. As more and more medical professionals are recognizing its effectiveness and viability for treating many issues in the body, chiropractic is gaining popularity and becoming the treatment of choice for many patients with chronic pain, back problems and other issues. In particular, it has been found to be a very effective treatment for spondylolisthesis. It can not only relieve the pain, but often return the patient’s mobility as well.

What is Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slides forward over the vertebra that is below it. It is typically confined to the lumbosacral, or lower back area. It can become painful, causing lower back pain and weakness or numbness in one or both legs, when it causes the nerve roots or spinal cord to be squeezed. In severe cases, a patient can lose control of their bowel or bladder function, but this is fairly rare. However, any patient who begins to lose bowel or bladder control should contact their doctor immediately.

In some cases, a person’s vertebra can slip out of place without any symptoms being present. Sometimes the symptoms don’t show up until months or even years later. Symptoms of spondylolisthesis may include:

Low back pain
Pain in the buttock area
Pain that radiates from the lower back down one or both legs
Weakness in one or both legs
Leg muscles feel tight (one or both legs)
Limping or walking difficulties
Loss of bower or bladder control (rare)
Pain that increases when twisting or bending

How is Spondylolisthesis Diagnosed?

Spondylolisthesis is diagnosed by a doctor or chiropractor who may conduct several diagnostic tests. Typically, the doctor will take X-rays of the patient’s back to rule out certain conditions, especially if they suspect spondylolisthesis.

The X-ray will allow the doctor to see if any of the patient’s vertebrae have slipped out of place, or are cracked or fractured. An MRI or CT scan may also be ordered to better view the spine and see the extent of the damage.

What are the Treatments for Spondylolisthesis?

The treatment for spondylolisthesis is based on the actual damage identified by the doctor, the pain and mobility problems that the patient is experiencing, and the overall severity of the condition. Rest is the first course of treatment as well as ceasing the physical activities that may have caused the damage in the first place.

Pain may be managed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and ibuprofen. Acetaminophen may also be administered for pain.

Other treatments for spondylolisthesis include:

Bracing
Weight loss (if the person is obese or overweight)
Physical therapy to strengthen the core
Epidural steroid injections
Surgery (in severe cases such as damage to the spinal cord or nerve root)

There are several types of surgery that may be used to treat spondylolisthesis. The surgeon may remove tissue or bone in order to relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. Sometimes the doctor may opt for fusing the damaged bones into place so they can no longer slip. In some cases, both procedures are done. This type of treatment is usually a last resort because recovery can be lengthy. The patient will have to wear a back brace or cast while their back is healing.

Is Chiropractic Effective for Treating Spondylolisthesis?

Chiropractic is a drug-free, noninvasive treatment for spondylolisthesis. It is often a preferred treatment because the patient does not have to undergo painful surgery or take medication that could have undesirable side effects. There are three primary spinal manipulation techniques that may be used by the chiropractor:

Spinal manipulation specific to the restricted or impaired joints
Flexion-distraction technique which is a slow, gentle pumping action
Instrument assisted manipulation uses an instrument to apply gentle force to the spine

Chiropractic care has been found to be very effective in treating this condition, but prevention is always the best course of action. Regular exercise, healthy weight management, and regular chiropractic visits can help ward off many spine related conditions including spondylolisthesis.

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about chiropractic care and the benefits!

4 Reasons Why Chiropractic Is Good for Your Spine

December 16, 2019/1 Comment/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Your spine goes through a lot each day. It provides structural support and houses the central nervous system which carries impulses from the brain throughout the body. When it isn’t working as it should, the entire body can be affected. Chiropractic has long been praised as a way to keep the back healthy. Well, now we’ll get down to the nitty gritty and examine just why it is so good for your spine.

It improves your posture

Posture is not only good for your spine, it is beneficial for the entire body. It keeps the body in proper alignment which, in turn, allows the muscles to work as they should.

This prevents abnormal wearing on the surfaces of the joints and allows joint and muscles to work more effectively and efficiently. Good posture helps to prevent injury and even helps with proper organ function.

However, many people have poor posture and don’t even realize it. Chiropractic can help bring the body into alignment and improving posture which greatly benefits the spine. The patient then enjoys improved range of motion and even more energy as the body does not have to work so hard to compensate for misalignments and poor posture.

It helps to relieve pain

It is estimated that as much as 90 percent of people experience back pain at some point. Considering all that the back goes through in a typical day, it isn’t much of a stretch to think that there might be some pain involved at times. This is especially true if the back is not properly aligned.

Chiropractic is traditionally thought of as a treatment for back pain, but what many people don’t realize is that it is also used to treat pain in the knees, ankles, feet, hands, and jaw. When there is pain in the body it will often try to compensate by adjusting to take the pressure off of certain areas.

This can cause misalignment which can impact the entire system, causing pain and stiffness. A Doctor of Chiropractic may treat these problems with various chiropractic techniques, specific exercise recommendations, and even dietary changes in order to relieve the pain.

It strengthens the spine to support the body

The spine is the primary support for the body. When it breaks down, the body suffers. Regular chiropractic treatment ensures that the spine remains in proper alignment which, in turn, keeps the body in proper alignment.

It helps with joint health as well as the health of the related muscles and ligaments. Your chiropractor can also recommend stretching and strength building exercises to help keep your spine strong and supple.

Chiropractic helps to keep the back flexible which aids in preventing injury. A strong spine is also less likely to become misaligned or experience pain. This can greatly improve your quality of life as you are more flexible and mobile.

It improves overall health

Chiropractic is good for your spine which means it is good for your overall health. While many people think that its only purpose is to treat back pain, chiropractic actually focuses on total body wellness.

All too often problems within the body are interrelated. For instance, back pain could be the result of an altered gait due to an ankle injury, or a headache could be caused by a misaligned neck due to improper sleep positions (or even the wrong pillow).

Chiropractors do treat the symptoms but they also delve into the problem to discover the root so that true healing can occur. This not only makes the spine healthy, but the entire body as well.

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

A Tension Headache or A Migraine? How to Tell the Difference

November 18, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Headaches are a real pain (insert eye-roll here). Many individuals suffer from them, and there are a variety of causes, symptoms, and treatment options. For some, they are a rare occurrence, while others deal with them on a weekly, or even daily, basis. They can range from minor inconveniences to full-fledged life changing afflictions.

The first step in treating headaches is to understand the type of headache you are experiencing. Some people think they have a migraine, when in fact, they are suffering from a tension headache. While tension headaches are more common, it’s estimated by the Migraine Research Foundation that 1 in 4 U.S. Households include someone with a migraine.

Determining which headache being dealt with takes a bit of research. Individuals suffering from headaches need to ask themselves these questions to determine if they are having a migraine, or experiencing a tension headache.

When in life did the headaches begin? According to the Mayo Clinic, migraines begin in adolescence or early adulthood. In contrast, tension headaches can start at any time in a person’s life. If an adult just began suffering from headaches, they are most likely tension headaches.

Where does it hurt? Migraines typically occur on one side of the head. Tension headaches affect both sides of the head, and can produce a feeling of pressure at the forehead area. The location of the pain is a key indicator of the type of headache.

What kind of pain is it? If it is a dull pain, a feeling of pressure, or tenderness around the scalp, it’s most likely a tension headache. If, on the other hand, the pain is a throbbing or pulsing pain, it could be a migraine. Both headaches can offer up severe pain, just different types.

Are there any other symptoms? Migraines typically come with symptoms beyond head pain. Nausea, light and sound sensitivity, seeing bright flashing or sparkling lights, pins and needle sensations down one or both arms, or dizziness are common. Individuals who don’t experience any of these symptoms are most likely dealing with a tension headache.

Can you function? While painful and frustrating, many people with a tension headache can still perform their jobs, drive, read, and deal with daily life. A migraine is a different story. Lying in a dark, quiet room with a sleep mask on until the headache passes is how most people handle migraines. If the headache is life-disrupting, it could very well be a migraine.

Do normal pain killers work? Tension headaches can often be relieved by over-the-counter pain medications. Migraines don’t budge with these treatments. Once a migraine is in full force, the sufferer generally must ride it out. If a headache reacts well to a couple of non-prescription pain killers, it’s most likely a tension headache.

The majority of individuals will unfortunately deal with a headache at one point in their lives. It’s important to note that tension headaches are much more common than migraines, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of the headache being a migraine. The answers to the above questions combined together give insight as to the type of headache occurring, and how best to proactively handle the treatment. No matter the type of headache, if the pain is severe, or begins after a head injury, seek medical treatment immediately.

Foot Dysfunction: How Overpronation & Oversupination Cause Chronic Back Pain

November 4, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog, Orthotics /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

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!

How Low Speed Rear-end Accidents Can Cause Whiplash

October 28, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

You are sitting in your car, stopped at a traffic light. Suddenly, a vehicle rear ends your car. The impact isn’t hard although it is unexpected. You take a look at your car and see that there is minor damage, or no damage at all, to either vehicle. The bumpers absorbed the bulk of the energy from the crash so they essentially protected the car. You feel a little pain in your neck and upper back, perhaps a little dizzy or you have a headache, but you shrug it off, reasoning that it is from the unexpected jolt. After all, they didn’t hit you that hard. You exchange information with the other driver and go on your way.

The next morning is a different story. Your neck is painful and stiff. You have pain in your shoulders and back as well. A visit to the doctor reveals a diagnosis of whiplash.

Is Whiplash Real?

Some people will tell you that whiplash is a made-up injury that people use to get more money in a settlement stemming from an accident. They do not believe it is possible in a low speed rear end accident and see it as a legitimate injury claim, mainly because there are no visible marks.

Some insurance experts claim that about a third of whiplash cases are fraudulent but that leaves two-thirds of the cases legitimate. There is also a great deal of research that supports the claim that low speed accidents can indeed cause whiplash – and it is very, very real. Some patients suffer from the pain and immobility the rest of their lives.

The Mechanics of Whiplash

When a person is sitting in their vehicle they are usually upright with their head directly over their shoulders, and the neck as the support. The key to whiplash is that it is unexpected. When the vehicle is struck, the torso of the person in the first car is thrust forward. However, the head does not immediately follow but instead falls backwards, behind the torso for a split second. In this position the neck is hyperextended for the first time (to the rear).

As the torso snaps back against the back of the seat, the person’s head falls forward but is quickly yanked back as it follows the movement of the torso – then passes it. This is the second time the neck is hyperextended (to the front). The effects of this movement that lasts only a few seconds can cause debilitating pain and immobility. It is compounded when the headrests are set too far back and are too low so that they do not provide adequate support.

What to do if you are in a Rear End Collision

If you are in an accident, especially if you are rear ended, and experience whiplash, see a doctor that day – even if you don’t feel much pain. The sooner you get in to a doctor, the sooner you can begin treatment should a problem develop.

Often, people with whiplash don’t experience any effects until a day, or even two, later. The key is to stay ahead of the pain and take measures sooner rather than later to relieve it and keep it at bay. It also provides documentation should other issues arise and you need the information for legal purposes.

Seeing your chiropractor soon after your accident can help you heal faster and manage your pain more effectively. With techniques like gentle manipulation and deep tissue massage, your neck can begin to heal almost immediately. Then you can get back to life a lot faster.

If you or someone you know has been in a rear- end collision and is suffering from whiplash, give our office a call to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced chiropractic doctors! (780)455-2112 or www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic.

What Chiropractic Patients Want to Know About Cervical Facet Joint Pain

October 21, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Facet joint problems are among the most common sources of lower back and neck pain. They can cause debilitating, chronic problems with the neck and back and can lead to other more serious conditions and symptoms that can be disabling.

Cervical facet joint syndrome, or cervical facet osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition marked by stiffness and pain in the cervical region (neck) of the spine. Patients are able to gain relief from various types of treatment, including chiropractic care.

What is Cervical Facet Joint Pain?

The spine is comprised of a chain of bones known as vertebrae. Each one has two facet joints on the back side and a large disc on the front side. This allows the vertebrae to stack neatly, one on top of the other, providing stabilization for the entire body.

The facet joints are synovial joints, like other joints in the body and sometimes they can become inflamed or injured, causing pain and stiffness. Cervical facet joint pain is, quite literally, a pain in the neck. It means that the joints in the neck area have become injured or inflamed. Pain from this condition can make it difficult for the patient to turn their head from side to side, or to move it up and down.

The cervical facet joints are almost always working. They undergo repetitive, constant motion and over time they can become torn or worn down. Problems within the joint can cause movement to be restricted or it can have too much movement, both of which can cause pain.

Injury, such as whiplash, to the area can also cause problems. If the condition is not treated appropriately, it can be degenerative and the patient can lose both flexibility and mobility, as well as suffer from chronic pain.

Symptoms of Cervical Facet Joint Pain

The symptoms of cervical facet joint pain tend to vary from patient to patient. A patient may experience one or several of these symptoms:

Tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and arm
Neck pain
Upper back pain that can affect the shoulders
Pain between the shoulder blades
Headaches, typically located in the back of the head
Swelling and tenderness at the site of the inflamed facet joint
Decreased range of motion and flexibility in the neck

Treatment for Cervical Facet Joint Pain

When a patient is diagnosed with cervical facet joint pain the treatment is usually fairly conservative. Their doctor may recommend soft tissue massage, physical therapy, and posture correction. This is usually combined with medications such as an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, or muscle relaxers to ease muscle spasms in the muscles that surround the affected joint.

If those methods do not give the patient relief, the doctor may take a more aggressive approach, prescribing facet joint injections that use steroid medications injected into the affected joint. This approach is intended to keep the pain localized while reducing it. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting and has a good record of being effective, but the results are temporary.

Chiropractic for Cervical Facet Joint Pain

Chiropractors have had much success in treating cervical facet joint pain. They are able to manipulate the areas that are affected, restoring painful, restricted facet joints to a point where they are able to move much easier and without pain. Over time, with regular chiropractic treatments, they can help to reestablish a normal range of motion in the neck area for their patients. This is all done without any medications or injections. It is a natural, gently, effective method for relieving the pain and helping the patient enjoy a better quality of life.

Our clinic can be reached at (780)455-2112. Give us a call to schedule your chiropractic assessment and address any questions or concerns. We’re happy to help!

4 Ways to Incorporate Movement Into Your Workplace

October 14, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

If you sit behind a desk all day with little or no activity, you could be compromising your physical health, mental health, and brain health which could impact your productivity at work. From a physical standpoint, it isn’t healthy to remain in one position for too long. It can lead to various health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Experts advise getting up and walking around every hour or so or do exercises at your desk.

Healthy brain function can also be impacted by inactivity. If you sit at work without moving for long periods of time your brain could suffer. The lack of activity could cause it to enter into a state of slumber which can lead to a decrease in brain processing speed and short term memory loss.

It can also impact a person’s ability to learn or retain new information. This is why it is so important to create an organizational culture that encourages movement as part of their workday.

There are four areas where you can incorporate movement into your own workplace: policies, places, people, and permission.

Policies

Create written policies that encourage and advocate movement during work hours. Incorporate moving workstations, moving meetings, flexible scheduling, more breaks when meetings run long, and a movement friendly dress code.

Provide information and training to all employees and leadership underlining the importance of the policies and explaining the importance of movement as well as what they can do to support the initiative.

Places

Create workspaces that are conducive to movement, adjusting workstations so that they encourage active movement and incorporating active movement into current processes and workflows while minimizing the time employees spend sitting.

Seek out software and applications that encourage users to stretch or get up and move while they are working. Make stairwells more accessible and appealing, improve common areas, and encourage collaboration that requires moving to various workstations or common areas.

People

Identify employees who are good role models for movement and train them for leadership roles so that they can encourage other employees to make movement a part of their work day. Train them in the policies regarding movement and task them with helping to create a culture of health and movement within the organization.

Organize groups to walk during breaks or meet in common areas for light stretching and other types of movement. Sponsor contests and competitions with prizes for employees who achieve set goals.

Permission

Educate all employees and all levels or management or leadership on the benefits of movement and how it can positively impact personal production and performance as well as organizational outcomes. Stress that moving during the work day should become a normal activity and must be welcomed and allowed. Emphasize that it is the task of all employees to make a culture of movement the norm as opposed to the exception.

The benefits of bringing movement into the workplace extends far beyond healthier employees and increased production. Employees perceive themselves as valuable to the organization and morale is increased. This improves employee engagement on the job and they invest more into their work as opposed to just doing a job. They are happier, empowered, and more productive at work and take more of an active role in business outcomes as well as their own health.

Of course, employees will also enjoy individual benefits such as increased blood flow, as well as improved problem solving, better alertness, and enhanced creativity. A workplace that incorporates movement into its culture is a healthier, happier place to work with healthier, happier employees. You can’t afford to not implement this simple, effective strategy into your own organizational culture.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness tips! Call us at (780)455-2112 to schedule an assessment.

3 Ways Pro Athletes Benefit From Chiropractic… & So Can You!

October 7, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Chiropractic care is a respected, effective treatment for a variety of conditions as well as for promoting overall wellness. Every day patients seek it out manage their pain, find relief from health issues, and recover from injuries.

What many may not realize is that an estimated 90 percent of top athletes use chiropractic to step up their game. You don’t have to be an athlete to step up your own game with chiropractic care. Here are three benefits that the pros enjoy – and you can too!

Chiropractic is an effective treatment for pain management.

Chiropractic has long been regarded as a natural, non-invasive, drug free approach to pain management. Numerous studies have proven its effectiveness in treating pain for a number of conditions and injuries. Many pro athletes utilize this option to manage their own pain from over taxed muscles and ligaments to activity related injuries.

When the spine not properly aligned it can put pressure or stress on other areas of the body. Spinal adjustments can help relieve pain in ligaments, joints, discs, and muscles. However, chiropractic techniques can be used on all parts of the body, including arms, hands, fingers, feet, hips, and knees.

Chiropractic helps in preventing injury and enhancing performance.

Doctors of Chiropractic understand that when it comes to treatment, there is not a one size fits all option. Every patient is different and they will tailor a custom plan that benefits the entire body based on lifestyle, activity level, age, health conditions, and other factors.

The first appointment will include a variety of evaluations that help the doctor determine the best course of treatment for you, including the activities you engage in and the frequency. This way he or she can get an idea of your risk of injury and the areas to concentrate on in your treatment. So, whether you are a pro football player or a weekend warrior, chiropractic can definitely improve your performance and help protect you from injury.

Chiropractic helps in treating many types of injuries.

For pro athletes, injuries are just part of the game. High impact sports like hockey, football, and wrestling tend to result in injuries, but even non-contact sports like baseball, cycling, and golf can lead to injuries as well.

Low impact as well as low impact athletes find great value in routine adjustments and spinal alignments. This alone helps to lower their risk of injury as well as improve flexibility and enhance performance. It can help reduce the stress and strain that all types of physical activity places on the body, whether you are a pro golfer or football player, or if you enjoy working in your garden or are a stay at home mom running after kids all day.

Some of the top names in pro sports rely on chiropractic to treat injuries, manage pain, and enhance athletic performance. You might recognize some of the names: Barry Bonds, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lance Armstrong, Evander Holyfield, Tiger Woods, Joe Montana, and Martina Navratilova are just a few. You don’t have to be an athlete, though, to reap the same benefits that the pros do. You can get them by scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor.

Chiropractic care is a safe, effective healthcare option that is appropriate for all ages and activity levels. Your Doctor of Chiropractic will sit down with you and work with you to create a treatment plan that is tailored to meet your unique needs.

Because this type of treatment focuses on the root of the problem instead of just managing symptoms, your own treatment plan will usually involve not only adjustments and chiropractic techniques, but dietary recommendations, exercises, and lifestyle modifications as well so that you enjoy whole body wellness.

Give our clinic a call to schedule your assessment today! Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness information.

4 Health Benefits of Working Upright

September 30, 2019/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Sitting at a desk for extended periods of time is not healthy and can lead to a host of health problems. As more and more studies show the detriments of prolonged sitting, some companies are taking action to protect their employees’ health by installing upright work stations. These desks take the person from a seated position and move them into one where they are leaning. As a result, most of the workers are enjoying several health benefits.

It facilitates healthy postural transitions

Simply put, postural transitions are the body movements made when changing positions. There are large movements like going from sitting to standing, standing to leaning, and standing to sitting, but also small movements like adjusting arm placement or moving a foot.

Ergonomists suggest that a person should be making postural transitions several time an hour. They also recommend that people avoid any static position such as standing, sitting, or leaning for an extended period of time, instead advocating a transition or movement every 20 minutes when possible.

Static positioning has been linked to obesity, heart disease, and other health conditions. When the body is positioned in such a way that facilitates healthy movement, the body moves more often and in a more natural way. This is not likely to happen with static positioning, especially prolonged sitting.

It improves spine health

Sitting or standing for long periods of time is not good for the spine. When a person stands or sits without any healthy postural transitions the spine can begin to compact and the discs become hard. This undermines the spines ability to adequately support the body, leading to loss of mobility, decreased flexibility, and pain.

The spine is made up of small bones, vertebrae, which are cushioned by spongy, fluid filled discs. In a healthy spine, the discs are filled with fluid providing a good cushion for the vertebrae as they move and support the body. However, the discs need movement to encourage blood flow so they can continue working as they should. Working upright facilitates those movements, thus decreasing the likelihood of spinal problems.

It discourages painful posture

Standing and sitting for prolonged periods of time can cause pain and certain mobility problems. While they share some pain points, each brings its own problems. A strained neck and stiff, sore shoulders are often associated with sitting and standing, usually due to improper computer monitor placement. Poor leg circulation, tight hips, and lower back pain are also common problems of people who do a lot of standing or sitting on their jobs.

Using an upright workstation moves the body into a more natural, healthier posture that encourages natural, frequent movement. The spine is properly aligned over the hips, the hips are open, and the feet are adequately supported. It promotes posture that is completely contrary to being hunched over a desk – the typical posture for a sitting workstation.

It keeps core muscles engaged

When in a seated position, the core muscles are mostly lax and rarely engaged. Over time, these muscles can actually be trained to become weak, or lazy and not engage as they should. This means that they stop supporting the back and body which leads to poor posture, loss of balance, lack of mobility, decrease in flexibility, and pain.

Working upright encourages micro movements that engage the core. It’s not like crunches at the gym, but more like an ongoing mini-workout that keeps the core muscles toned and supportive. The results are a healthier spine, fewer gastrointestinal problems, better posture, and improved circulation.

Other health benefits of working upright include a decreased risk of certain cancers like colon cancer and breast cancer, improved circulation, better brain function, and a decreased risk of health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Working upright is the most natural position for the body’s best function and health.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more helpful health and wellness information and tips! Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to start your wellness journey today.