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Chiropractic Adjustments

Why Chiropractic Adjustments Are Just As Important As Dental Exams

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Regular preventative care and maintenance are integral to good health. The better you treat your body, the better it will treat you. Unfortunately, you can’t always see or know when there is a problem and regular check-ups can help you stay ahead of potential health problems that could significantly impact your quality of life. However, many people only see their chiropractor when they have a problem like pain or immobility. What they don’t realize is that they may have prevented the issue had they been undergoing regular chiropractic adjustments.

Just as they can prevent serious dental issues when they undergo regular dental check-ups.

The Importance of Regular Dental Exams

Most people get regular dental exams each year without know all of the reasons why it is so important. Dental care is more than just caring for teeth; it is a crucial part of caring for your health.

Dental visits help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Gum disease and poor dental health have been linked to a variety of health issues, including heart disease. In fact, researchers have drawn a direct line between tooth loss and heart disease. What’s more, regular oral exams and teeth cleaning can lead to the detection of early stage medical conditions, some of which can be life threatening which include:

  • Leukemia
  • Heart disease
  • Oral cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Pancreatic cancer

Studies show that these and other systemic diseases have some type of oral manifestation such as dry mouth, swollen gums, excessive gum problems, and mouth ulcers.

In the long run, good oral care that includes regular dental exams can save you a lot of time and money because you will catch many problems before they get out of hand and can incur great expense.

The Importance of Regular Chiropractic Adjustments

Just like regular dental care can help you stay healthy, regular chiropractic can also be very beneficial to your health. Chiropractors treat so much more than just pain!

Regular chiropractic adjustments help to keep the body in balance which allows the organs to function more efficiently. What’s more, regular chiropractic treatments put you in frequent, close contact with a health professional who can spot potential problems or the early stages of chronic diseases.

The benefits extend beyond that though. Regular chiropractic care helps you stay flexible and mobile which helps prevent many conditions that are related to aging. It also naturally treats a myriad of health conditions including:

  • Back pain
  • Blood pressure
  • Arthritis
  • Headaches
  • Joint pain
  • Ear infections
  • Asthma
  • Neck pain
  • Scoliosis

It also improves organ function and can help you avoid surgery and provides a natural, healthy alternative to medications that can be addictive and have harmful side effects.

Another added benefit of chiropractic care is the whole-body approach to wellness. Your chiropractor will look at your lifestyle, habits, diet, and exercise regimen and recommend changes and modifications that will help you live a healthier, fuller life.

Sure, they are there to help when you have a problem such as pain, but, like your dentist, they can also be the front line to better health care decisions and a healthier you. The natural approach that chiropractors take to healthcare also means that they typically see issues from a different perspective and may pick up on clues that your medical doctor might miss.

So, while you are scheduling your next dental check-up, make it a point to visit your chiropractor as well and talk to him or her about creating a plan for regular chiropractic adjustments. Your body will thank you and you will find that you are healthier for it.

 

Tension Headaches

Tension Headaches And How Chiropractic Can Help Relieve The Pain

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We live in a stressful world. Life happens; it moves so fast. There are pressures coming at you from all directions. Eventually it catches up with you and it’s your body that bears the brunt of it. Tension are your body’s way of telling you that it is under stress – probably too much stress.

It’s hard to escape stress in today’s society so if you find that you are exhibiting physical symptoms of stress, it might be time to make some changes. If tension headaches are one of those symptoms, you’re in good company – about 90% of adults in the US have headaches. Many of them are tension headaches.

Symptoms of Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are distinctive and can be very painful. The good news is, they are rarely an indication of a more serious condition – other than a stressful lifestyle. Some of the most common symptoms of tension headaches include:

  • Muscle tightness in the neck, jaw, and shoulders – may also be sore.
  • Headache that originates at the back of the head and moves forward over the top and sides.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Squeezing pain or dull pressure in the head, may also be described as a tight band or vice around the head.
  • Trouble eating.
  • Pain or pressure in both sides of the head equally.

Sometimes tension headache symptoms can occur prior to a migraine. In other words, a tension headache can turn into a migraine headache and may be considered a migraine trigger.

Causes of Tension Headaches

The actual cause of tension headaches is not known. Researchers have some idea of potential triggers, but recent advancements in medicine have debunked the belief that they are caused by the tightening of muscles in the scalp, shoulders, neck, and jaw. Scientific tests show that then a person has a tension headache, muscle tension does not increase. Newer theories indicate that a likelier cause involves changes neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) which includes serotonin. This is similar to a migraine.

While researchers do not know the exact levels of neurotransmitter fluctuations, they do have evidence that it activates the brain’s pain pathways. The tightness in the muscles could be part of the physiological changes that trigger the fluctuations in neurotransmitters, or the neurotransmitter fluctuations could cause muscle tightness.

Some common triggers of tension headaches include:

  • Stress
  • Clenching the jaw
  • Alcohol or drugs
  • Overexertion
  • Certain medications (even some medications for headaches which can cause rebound headaches)
  • Keeping your head in one position for too long (like using a cell phone or computer)
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Grinding teeth
  • Neck or head injury (even old injuries)
  • Sleeping in a cold room or in an awkward position.
  • Arthritis
  • Anxiety
  • Hormonal changes
  • Sleeping on a worn-out mattress or the wrong pillow
  • Dehydration
  • Skipping meals
  • Eye strain

Certain foods can also be triggers for tension headaches. Additives and preservatives in prepared foods, even high sodium, can cause a headache.

Sinus and allergy problems can also accompany or lead to tension headaches.

Tension Headache Treatment

Over the counter and prescription medication may be recommended for tension headaches, but a good portion of the treatment involves lifestyle changes. Relaxation techniques, dietary changes, and exercise are all common treatments for tension headaches. Patients may be advised to stop smoking, limit alcohol consumption, or avoid certain foods.

Many patients find that keeping a headache journal is very useful in pinpointing triggers. There are several headache tracking apps that you can install on your smartphone and use them to get a better handle on your headaches.

Chiropractic for Tension Headaches

Chiropractic is a very effective, natural treatment for tension headaches. In addition to recommended lifestyle changes, the chiropractor may also make adjustments to realign the vertebrae and spine. The chiropractor may also use massage and other treatments that encourage relaxation of the muscles and relieve stress. He or she will use spinal manipulation of the neck and upper back to bring the body back into alignment, relieving not only the pain, but the tension as well.

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

Trigger Points

How Chiropractic Helps Relieve Trigger Points & Other Myofascial Pain

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Many people think of joints, bones, and the skeletal system when they think of chiropractic, but in fact, the muscles also play an integral part in supporting the body. The muscles are layers and interwoven work to move and stabilize the spine, facilitate the movement of the body’s joints, and aid in respiration. When there is pain within this system, chiropractic can be a very effective treatment. More patients are turning to chiropractic care to treat a variety of painful conditions because it does not use addictive pharmaceuticals with unpleasant side effects; it is completely natural. Chiropractic can also keep patients from requiring surgery in many cases. So when it comes to myofascial pain and trigger points, this form of treatment is often considered optimal.

What is Myofascial Pain?

In simple terms, myofascial pain is simply pain in the muscles. When you break down the word, “myo” means muscle and “fascia” refers to the connective tissue that are interwoven throughout the body.

The pain originates in specific trigger points that are located in the muscles and fascia at various areas of the body. The pain can range in intensity from mild and annoying to severe and debilitating.

What are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are tightened, hypersensitive spots that can be located in any muscle. Different people may have different trigger points. It isn’t like specific lower back pain or neck pain which occur in specific areas of the body. Trigger points can vary from person to person.

When trigger points form, they become nodules or spots that exist in one of the muscle’s taut bands. The patient may experience a variety of symptoms including pain, weakness, burning, tingling, and other symptoms.

What often makes trigger points difficult to locate is that they cause what is known as referred pain. In other words, the person may experience the pain at the exact location of the trigger point, or the pain can be referred to other areas in the body. Referred pain usually has fairly consistent pain patterns so it can be traced to the origin – eventually.

Around 85% of the pain that individuals experience is attributed to myofascial pain. The trigger points determine whether the pain is chronic or acute. It is a condition that is very common.

How do Trigger Points Form?

Trigger points form when the muscle undergoes trauma of some type. The trauma can come from disease, accidents, work related conditions (from persistent, repetitive motion), and sports injuries.

Activities or habits that place a repetitive, long term strain on the muscles can also cause trigger points. Poor posture, improper ergonomics, and repetitive movements are the most common of these types of activities. Emotional and physical stress are often identified as causes of irritating trigger points.

Benefits of Chiropractic for Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points

Chiropractic care is often a preferred treatment for myofascial pain due to its effectiveness and drug free approach. Patients who undergo treatment will usually experience a dramatic decrease in their pain level or it will be eliminated altogether.

They also enjoy increased strength, flexibility, and range of motion. With continued chiropractic care, they will find that they have more endurance for work and recreational activities and even sleep better. It should be noted that sleep disruptions are a common complaint associated with myofascial pain.

Overall, chiropractic can give patients with myofascial pain a better quality of life with decreased incidence of injury. They are often able to lower their pain medication or eliminate it altogether.

Because chiropractic is a whole-body approach, patients learn healthy habits including diet, exercise, and mental wellness. Most of all, they can live with less pain or no pain at all.

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic and doctors. Phone (780)455-2112 to schedule your appointment with us!

Glucosamine

Why Chiropractic Combined With Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfates Are A Win-Win For Degenerative Disc Disease Sufferers

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The most effective treatments are often found in the natural ones. The human body has this incredible ability to provide its own healing. Often we can aid that process through nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes. While there are some people who do reach for medications and invasive means of pain control, the truth is the best cure is the natural one. This is also true of degenerative disc disease. There are several natural treatments that help relieve the pain and even stop the progression of the disease. Common treatments include chiropractic, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfates.

What is degenerative disc disease?

In a healthy spine the discs that lie between the vertebrae and cushion them are filled with fluid. They allow the spine to move, flex, bend, and twist. Over time they may lose some of their cushion as part of the aging process.

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs of the spine collapse and degrade. In extreme cases, the discs can completely collapse causing the vertebrae’s facet joints to rub against each other. This leads to osteoarthritis. The condition is accompanied by pain, inflammation, and loss of mobility.

How do glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates help degenerative disc disease?

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates are substances that occur naturally in the body. It is an essential element in cartilage maintenance and regeneration. They help to form new cartilage from within existing cartilage. They can actually help to rebuild the discs that have begun to degrade. Often they are taken as nutritional supplements.

Studies show that long term use of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate do indeed not just help arrest the development of spinal disc degeneration, they can also help to reverse the symptoms, especially if begun in the early stages of the disease. Treatment that incorporates these supplements result in decreased pain and improved range of motion. Patients may also notice strengthening of the back and increased flexibility. This is true even in patients who are older, in their 50’s and 60’s.

Patients may start noticing a decrease in pain as early as six months after beginning to take the supplement. After taking it consistently, the other benefits present over time. What is also important to note is that neither glucosamine nor chondroitin sulfate cause any adverse side effects. These supplements are safe and effective.

Chiropractic for degenerative disc disease

Chiropractic is a complementary treatment to combine with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for degenerative disc disease. Chiropractic alone is very effective for many spine and neck disorders, including degenerative disc disease. It is a natural, non-invasive treatment that does not use medications but instead incorporates lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise recommendations to provide whole body wellness. While chiropractic works very well to treat pain, improve mobility, and increase flexibility, it has actually been proven to stop the progression of degenerative disc disease and even reverse its effects.

Using chiropractic for degenerative disc disease and combining it with supplements that include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is a very effective system for relieving the pain and other symptoms. In several studies, many patients saw improvement and decrease in symptoms faster than patients who used the supplements alone. Combining these treatments is usually the best course of action to help patients suffering from this devastating disease.

When treating any condition, it is always best to go the most natural route possible. The fewer synthetic substances and manufactured toxins that are introduced into the body, the better chance the patient has of a more thorough and faster healing or at the very least a dramatic decrease in symptoms.

Give us a call to schedule your assessment today! (780)455-2112 Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our doctors.

HIIT

What Chiropractic Patients Want To Know About HIIT

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Chiropractic is more than just spinal adjustments. It is a whole-body therapy that may include health supplements, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes that include exercise. By getting the patient to take certain steps, chiropractors make them a vital participant in their own healing.

Exercise is outstanding for not only healing, but also for prevention of injury and certain health conditions. Regular exercise helps to reduce weight, improve flexibility, mobility, and balance, build muscle, and increase stamina. However, most people do not get enough exercise. The main reason they give is that they do not have the time. There is an exercise method, though, that can get incredible results in just 12 minutes a day, or less – High Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT.

What is HIIT?

High intensity interval training is an exercise method that involves alternating segments of a high intensity activity and a low intensity activity.

After a 2 minute warm up you may try any of these HIIT exercises:

  • Sprint for 1 minute, walk for 2 minutes – repeat several times
  • On a stationary bike, pedal as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then slow it down a bit for about 1 minute – repeat several times.
  • Jump rope double time for 30 seconds, then jump-walk for 1 minute

The thing that makes HIIT so appealing to so many patients is its adaptability Patients can adapt it to any fitness activity that they enjoy doing. It also works much faster than most traditional exercise methods. Where most exercises must be done for an hour or more, HIIT only requires about 15 – 12 minutes and it provides a great cardo workout so it helps to increase metabolism.

Patients will see noticeable improvements in just a few weeks, including weight loss, increased endurance, and more strength. It doesn’t require any equipment unless the patient wants to use a bike, kettle bell, jump rope, or other devices to enhance their workout. The patient is also always in complete control. They can decide the workout level and intensity that is right for them.

Benefits of HIIT

There are several tremendous benefits of HIIT, including the obvious weight loss and fitness related perks. A 2012 presentation at the European Society of Cardiology, though revealed another interesting benefit. Exercise activates an enzyme, telomerase, which slows the again process. HIIT stimulates the release of telomerase while at the same time reducing p53 expression, a protein that promotes premature aging.

In other words, HIIT can actually help to slow or arrest the aging process. Other “youth oriented” benefits of HIIT include:

  • Improved muscle tone
  • More energy
  • Firmer skin
  • Lower body fat
  • Increased libido
  • Fewer wrinkles

HIIT can also help to balance certain hormones in the body that contribute to unhealthy eating habits (such as stress eating) and weight gain. The hormones leptin and ghrelin are responsible for weight. Ghrelin, the “hunger hormone,” is what is often responsible for giving you “the munchies” and causing cravings for salty, sweet, and fried foods. Leptin is the hormone that alerts your body when you’ve had enough to eat. It gives that full signal. When these two hormones are not acting as they should, it can result in obesity and other problems.

Staying fit and healthy is integral to maintaining a strong body and spine. This is why HIIT is so often recommended by chiropractors. It helps to get the body strong, fit, and healthy so that when problems arise it can be a major contributor in healing itself. If you need to drop a few pounds or just want to be more fit, talk to your chiropractor about HIIT and get results fast.

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

Baker's Cyst

Baker’s Cyst: How Chiropractic Can Help Alleviate Its Pain

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A baker’s cyst can cause pain, swelling, and limit the mobility in the affected knee. In some cases, complications can develop, causing serious problems with the leg. The problem with this type of cyst is that even if it is drained, if the underlying cause isn’t address, the cyst can return. Chiropractic can be used to treat baker’s cyst and help relieve the pain that it causes.

What is a Baker’s Cyst?

A Baker’s cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a fluid filled lump behind the knee. Synovial fluid builds up to form the benign cyst. It starts inside the knee but eventually extruded through the back part of the knee and forms a lump. Many times there is no discomfort of pain from the cyst, although there may be some pressure on the back side of the knee. The pain that is often associated with a Baker’s cyst is usually caused by the underlying problem that causes it. In some cases, a Baker’s cyst can become large enough to inhibit movement which can impact mobility.

What Causes a Baker’s Cyst?

A Baker’s cyst is caused by overproduction of synovial fluid in the knee that leads to the fluid building up and forming a lump. There are several reasons that this can happen, including knee joint inflammation and injury to the knee. A meniscal cartilage tear or other cartilage injury of the knee can cause a cyst to develop. Certain types of arthritis in the knee, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause the excess fluid to accumulate. Knee arthritis, a common condition among older adults, can also cause the development of a Baker’s cyst.

What are the Potential Complications of Baker’s Cyst?

Sometimes the location or size of a Baker’s cyst can cause swelling in the back of the knee. The cyst itself can be as large as a golf ball. This can put pressure on the joint, making it difficult to bend the knee. This pressure can extend through the calf muscle. The patient may experience tenderness and pain after exercising.

In rare cases, a Baker’s cyst can burst, causing the synovial fluid to leak into the calf. This can cause swelling and knee pain that is sharp and can be intense. The patient may notice redness in the calf or experience the sensation of water running down the back of the calf area. Because symptoms of a burst Baker’s cyst can closely resemble a blood clot in the leg, the patient should seek immediate medical attention to rule out a more serious condition.

How is a Baker’s Cyst Treated?

Some no treatment for popliteal cysts and they go away on their own. If a form of arthritis is causing the cyst, treating that problem may resolve the cyst. The same goes for a cyst caused by an injury to the knee. Once the injury is resolved, the cyst typically resolves as well.

If the cyst does not go away or if it is problematic, causing intense pain or limits mobility, the patient may talk to their doctor about getting it drained. The doctor will use a needle, insert it directly into the cyst and drain the fluid. Steroid medications may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation and swelling. In very rare cases, surgery may be required to remove the cyst.

Chiropractic for Baker’s Cyst

Many patients choose to seek chiropractic care to treat a Baker’s cyst because it is noninvasive and does not use medications that can have unpleasant or harmful side effects. The chiropractor will assess the cyst and conduct diagnostic tests to determine the cause. This will help them decide the best course of treatment. Sometimes an old injury can continue to put stress on the joint, causing a lingering tension pattern. A chiropractor can address this, bringing the body back into alignment, thus alleviating the problem. This will help reduce the pain, inflammation, and swelling. Chiropractic is also an effective treatment for arthritis so if that is the cause of the cyst, regular chiropractic care can help considerable. Often, once the underlying condition is corrected, the cyst goes away on its own.

Give us a call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment with one of our chiropractic doctors! Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health information and tips.

Fallen Arches

How Fallen Arches Can Cause Low Back Pain

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The human body is an intricate machine; everything is connected in one way or another. This means that when one part is not functioning as it should it can throw everything out of balance. The relationship between the feet, back, and hips is significant, so when there is a problem with feet it can cause pain in those areas. Fallen arches is a foot problem that is a very common cause of lower back pain. However, many people who have fallen arches don’t even realize that they have an issue.

What are Fallen Arches?

There are more than 100 ligaments and muscles in the foot that stabilize the bones and keep everything in the proper position. Ligaments prevent joints from extending beyond their intended limits. They contain elastin which allows them to act much like a rubber band, stretching with movement or flexion then returning to their normal length when the joint returns to its resting position.

There are variety of things that can happen that cause those ligaments to stretch, causing them to lose their ability to support the foot as they should. This can lead to pes planus (flatfeet), also known as fallen arches.

Most people don’t realize that there are actually three arches in the foot, not just one: lateral, medial, and anterior. They act as shock absorbers for the body. When they don’t function as they should, don’t absorb the shock of movement and activity, it puts added wear and tear on the body. While foot, knee, hip, and back pain is common with fallen arches, it also is a major cause of impaired functioning of the lower extremities. It can also lead to balance problems.

Causes of Fallen Arches

The primary cause of fallen arches is improper footwear. Shoes that do not adequately support your foot and arch can lead to structural problems.

Other causes of fallen arches include:

  • Tendons in the foot that are torn or stretched
  • Certain health conditions including
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Pregnancy
    • Diabetes
    • Obesity
    • Aging
  • Structural abnormalities that are present from birth
  • Inflammation, deformity, or damage of the posterior tibial tendon that runs from the middle of the arch to the lower leg, running along the ankle
  • Nerve issues
  • Bones that are dislocated or broken

Recognizing the symptoms of fallen arches and knowing that you have a problem can help to prevent the pain but can also arrest further damage to the foot.

Do you have Fallen Arches?

While many people with fallen arches experience no symptoms or problems, others do. If you experience any of these symptoms of flat feet, it should prompt a visit to your doctor.

  • Pain in the foot, knee, leg, hip, or lower back
  • Feet that easily get tired
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Swelling on the bottom of the foot
  • Pain or achiness in the foot, particularly in the heel or arch
  • Certain movements. such as standing on tip toe, are difficult

There is a quick, simple test that you can do at home to see if you have fallen arches:

  1. Wet your feet
  2. Stand on a flat, hard surface, such as a floor or concrete pad (you need to be able to see your footprint) or walk in soft soil or sand
  3. Look at your footprints. If you see a footprint that shows the heel and ball of your foot with a thin, curved imprint running along the outside, then your foot structure is normal. If you can see the imprint of your entire foot then you probably have fallen arches.

The problem with fallen arches is that the damage cannot really be reversed once it begins. However, the progression can be stopped with proper treatment.

What are the Treatments for Fallen Arches?

The treatment for fallen arches depends on the cause and severity of the condition. If it isn’t causing pain or other problems, the doctor may elect to do nothing.

However, if there is pain or mobility issues present, treatments may include bracing, prescribing NSAIDs for pain and inflammation, and even surgery in some cases of torn tendons or broken bones. An increasingly popular treatment for fallen arches is chiropractic care. This natural, non-invasive therapy treats the whole body so that it addresses the cause of the condition as well as associated risk factors and helps patients manage the pain, greatly improving their quality of life.

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

Lumbar Spine Anatomy

Anatomy 101 – The Lumbar Spine: What Chiropractic Patients Need to Know

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The lumbar spine, or lower back, take a lot of stress and strain throughout the day. The spine provides stabilization for the entire body and the lumbar spine bears the brunt of much of the movement and activity. This wear and tear shows up as lower back pain in many people. The American Chiropractic Association estimates that 31 million Americans have low back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, the leading cause of disability is low back pain – not only in the U.S. but worldwide.

What is the Lumbar Spine?

Located in the lower back area, the lumbar region is the portion of the spine that begins below the shoulder blades, about five or six inches, at the lordosis (where it curves in toward the abdomen). There are five vertebrae that make up the lumbar spine, L1 through L5 – which also happen to be the largest unfused vertebrae in the entire spinal column. The lower vertebrae bear more weight than the upper vertebrae so they are constructed to be sturdier, but are also more prone to injury and degradation.

The L5 vertebra meets the S1 (the sacrum) at the lumbosacral joint. It is this joint that provides most of the range of motion including rotational flexibility of the hips and pelvis, allowing them to swing during movement such as running and walking.

The spinal cord ends at around the L1 and many nerve roots that originate at the spinal cord form what is called the cauda equine. These nerves travel down the spine, branching out to the legs, buttocks, and feet. The appearance resembles a horse’s tail, hence the name. Because the spinal cord does not extend into the lumbar area, the chance of a problem with the lower back resulting in paralysis or damage to the spinal cord is very rare.

Lower Back Pain

The most common causes for lower back pain are soft tissue injuries and mechanical problems. Either of these can damage the intervertebral discs, compress the nerve roots, and inhibit correct function of the spinal joints so that they don’t move properly. Lower back pain is most commonly caused by a pulled or torn muscle or ligament, known as a sprain or strain. These injuries can have a number of causes, including:

  • Prolonged improper posture
  • Improper lifting of something heavy (without using your legs)
  • Sports injuries, particularly those where the player sustains high impact or where a lot of twisting is involved
  • Lifting while twisting the spine
  • A fall or movement that occurs suddenly and puts a great deal of stress on the lumbar area

Chiropractic Care for the Lumbar Spine

Chiropractic care is a very popular, effective treatment for lower back pain. A chiropractor can help patients manage their back pain through spinal adjustments and lifestyle advice. They may recommend supplements, exercise, and dietary changes. The whole-body approach to chiropractic makes it an optimal choice for many people, especially those who don’t want to take medications or undergo invasive procedures.

The chiropractic treatment itself usually involves spinal manipulation and mobilization. Spinal manipulation is the technique that most people think of when they think of chiropractic. It involves a short lever, high velocity arm thrust applied directly to the vertebra that is injured or is causing the pain. This technique typically relieves pain, improves the function of the spine, and restores the back’s range of motion. Mobilization is a low velocity movement performed by the chiropractor to manipulate the area, stretching and moving the joints and muscles.

These techniques typically restore range of motion and flexibility to the spine while reducing pain. For people with chronic lower back pain, chiropractic care can be a game changer.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness information! Call (780)455-2112 to book with one of our chiropractic doctors.

Cervical Spine Anatomy

Anatomy 101 – The Cervical Spine: What Chiropractic Patients Need to Know

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Neck pain is one of the most common sources of pain and chronic pain worldwide. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, each year, around 30% to 50% of the general population experiences neck pain and around 15% will, at some point in their lives, have chronic neck pain. Women seem to experience it more often than men and it is most prevalent at around middle age. Neck pain can be debilitating, impacting a person’s home life as well as their work performance. It can also trigger migraines and limit range of motion. Understanding the cervical spine is integral in understanding how to manage pain in that area.

What is the Cervical Spine?

There are seven vertebrae that make up the cervical spine: C1 through C7. They protect the spinal cord and are part of the system that makes up the neck.

C1 is located at the base of the skull and C7 sits at the beginning of the thoracic spine. While C1 is the smallest vertebrae, each subsequent one is slightly larger as you move down the spine. This is necessary because the farther down the spine, the more weight it must bear.

The vertebrae C3 through C6 are called “typical vertebrae.” Like other vertebrae in the spine, they have a similar construction. The top vertebrae, C1 and C2 are “atypical vertebrae.” Their construction is somewhat different from typical vertebrae due to their specialized function and location.

The atlas, C1, is the only vertebrae that has more of a ring shape than a shape resembling a vertebra. It is what connects the skull to the spine and is responsible for about half of the head’s backward and forward range of motion.

The axis, C2, is the second vertebra and has a special construction that connects it to C1 at the atlanto-axial joint. It is responsible for around half of the head’s rotation. The vertebra prominens, C7, is much larger than the vertebrae that sit above it and its shape is different to facilitate its connection to T1, at the beginning of the thoracic spine.

Neck Pain

The cervical spine has several critical functions. It houses the spinal cord and protects it, supports the head and facilitates its movement, and facilitates the flow of blood to the brain.

The human head is around 10 to 13 pounds and the cervical spine, along with an intricate network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments support it. This is what also allow flexibility to the head so that it can move up and down, backwards and forwards, rotational, and side bending. This job alone puts a great deal of stress on the neck and can lead to neck pain. Common causes of neck pain include:

  • Whiplash (whipping the head forwards and then backwards very suddenly)
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Pinched nerve
  • Age related conditions
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Sleeping in certain positions
  • Neck strain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Keeping the neck in one position too long, such as looking down at a mobile device
  • Herniated disc
  • Neck injury
  • Fibromyalgia

Chiropractic Care for the Cervical Spine

A chiropractor will typically treat a patient with neck pain using cervical spinal manipulation, cervical spinal mobilization, or a combination of the two techniques. Cervical spinal manipulation is what most people think of regarding chiropractic treatment. It involves brief, quick thrusts that focus on a single joint at a time so that range of motion is returned to that area. Cervical spinal mobilization is a gentler, lower impact adjustment that does not use as much force but does move the joint to its correct position.

Other treatments the chiropractor may employ include the application of cold or heat, massage, and exercises to strengthen and stretch the neck. The doctor will carefully consider the patient, their lifestyle, habits, and current level of fitness then create a plan that is tailored specifically for them that will help them manage their pain and return flexibility and range of motion as quickly as possible.

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X-rays Chiropractic

Why Chiropractors Use X-rays As A Diagnostic Tool For Treatment

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Most healthcare providers use x-rays as a diagnostic tool to treat a variety of patient complaints, including chiropractors. They can help doctors identify the source of a problem or if there is something more going on. X-rays can also help chiropractors determine the best course of action for treatment. To understand more, let’s take a closer look at what they are and how they’re used in most chiropractic offices.

What are x-rays?

An x-ray is a very vigorous form of electromagnetic radiation that is similar to radio waves, ultraviolet radiation, microwaves, or visible light that is used to view the internal composition of a person or thing. A beam is focused on a certain part of a person’s body, such as the back, it produces a digital image of the skeletal structure.

The beam passes easily through skin and other soft tissues, but is unable to pass through bone and teeth. Soft tissue that is denser, such as organs, ligaments, and muscles, will be visible, but will be captured in shades of gray. Areas like the bowel or lungs appear on the film as black.

The use of chiropractic x-rays

Chiropractic x-rays provide vital information that can affect how the chiropractor chooses to treat a patient. In some cases, chiropractic care or spinal manipulation may not be an appropriate course of action at that time and the patient may be started on a different, gentler therapy.

Other times, it can show the chiropractor how to best proceed in treating the patient. In short, patients are able to receive better, more well-rounded care which can better facilitate their healing and pain management.

Some of the benefits of chiropractic x-rays include:

  • Identify a condition or symptom, such as a spinal tumor or lesion, that would provide a medical reason that a certain course of care should not be done.
  • Obtain important biomechanical information that can aid in guiding treatment.
  • To stay apprised and maintain a record of a patient’s degenerative process.
  • Aid in identifying anomalies in the spine and joints that can affect treatment.
  • Allows patients to better understand their condition and treatment plan, allowing them to take ownership of the process and be more involved in their therapy and healing.

What does a chiropractor look for on an x-ray film?

When a chiropractor takes an x-ray of a patient, they are looking for things in several very specific areas. The first thing they check is to make sure that there are no dislocations, fractures, cancer, infections, tumors, or other potentially dangerous conditions.

They then look for disk height and other signs of disk degeneration, bone density, bone spurs, joint spaces, and alignment. This allows them to identify conditions like scoliosis and other conditions that may require specific forms of treatment.

Many chiropractors prefer that the patient is in a weight bearing position when taking spinal x-rays. This differs from the majority of medical facilities which have the patient lie down.

The advantage of a weight bearing x-ray is that it allows for measuring such as with leg length deficiency, scoliosis, and the narrowing of joint space. It can also show that certain bones, such as the tibia and fibula, are separating which can be an indication of a torn tendon or problem with the joint. A non-weight bearing x-ray simply cannot provide the same perspective and vital clues to a patient’s condition may be missed.

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