Category : Articles

Fueling your athletic potential: a guide for adolescent athletes

We get many questions about how to ensure adolescent athletes are getting the nutrition they need to do their personal best. Here are a few tips from Dr. Carole.

Making children feel comfortable during chiropractic care

Although we may see children as smaller versions of adults, there are many differences physically – as well as in the feelings, demands, needs, behaviours, and thoughts of children – that require us to modify our approach to the physical exam of children.

Chiro spring tune up

As the warm weather returns, so do warm weather activities. We tend to feel more motivated and energized and we some times forget that the long and often less active winter has led to some deconditioning and that can lead to injuries and aches and pains. It’s a good idea to book an appointment for a “spring tune up” to see how your body is doing and to go over any stretches or exercises that may need to be added to your routine.

Abdominal massage

Have you ever had abdominal massage? If you haven’t, then you have been missing out. The benefits of abdominal massage can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, your “rest and digest” response. It can also release physical tension and emotional stress that some people don’t realize they have.

Enjoy your time on the slopes

Winter is the time of year when many consider hitting the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding sessions. We have a few tips to make sure overexertion doesn’t ruin your holiday.

Chiropractic and your child

Many people are surprised to learn that babies, some within hours of birth, have their spines checked by a chiropractor. But having a child’s spine checked can be an important part of their healthcare – from birth through adolescence.

Choosing the right bed for you

Chiropractors are often asked for advice on the selection of beds and mattresses and, in truth, there is no one solution that suits all. But, we spend more than a third of our lives in bed, so we should choose our beds carefully.

Let’s talk a little about sleep

Getting a good nights sleep is crucial for your health, healing, and recovery. The quality and quantity of sleep impacts your body’s ability to repair and grow tissue, bone, and muscle and affects your immune system. Here are some tips to help you get a better night’s sleep.

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10 things you need to know about telehealth care

Due to the spread of COVID-19, leaving our homes can feel difficult. It might seem simple, but it can be a tough decision for many. Here are ten things you might want to know before booking your virtual appointment.

Combat the work-from-home ache!

With COVID-19, working from home became the new normal for many people. Here are tips on how to combat the work from home ache!

Avoid the ache, know how to rake!

Fall is arguably the most beautiful season of the year. While working in the yard is an activity that many enjoy, it can cause back pain or other potential injuries if not done carefully.

What is the deal with Thyroid Hormone?

The thyroid is the center of your energy and metabolism and is a very important gland in the body. An under functioning thyroid can cause many symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, constipation, low mood, hair loss, dry skin, and much more!

Spasms and massage treatment

A spasm is an involuntary contraction of a voluntary muscle due to stress, injury, or chronic tension. This contraction causes nerve compression and forms a pain → spasm → pain cycle. Stretching and massage at the attachment sites of contracting muscles are often effective strategies for reducing muscle tension.

Pregnancy-related changes and how physiotherapy can help

As a father, understanding pregnancy-related changes was crucial for me. Physiotherapy during pregnancy can help in many ways, starting with understanding the changes the mother’s body is undergoing to prepare her for childbirth.

Lymphedema, part 2

Lymphedema is typically categorized by four stages. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is a non-invasive, multi-component approach to effectively treat and manage lymphedema and related conditions.

Lymphedema, part 1

Lymphedema occurs if the lymphatic system becomes insufficient and is unable to perform its normal functions. The result is an abnormal accumulation of water and proteins principally in the subcutaneous tissues.

Anxiety

One of the most common issues that brings people to therapy is anxiety. For some people, anxiety can increase to a point where it does not feel manageable. If you feel like you do not have control of your worry, psychotherapy (specifically cognitive behavioural therapy) can be helpful and help you regain a sense of control.

Pre-birth acupuncture

It’s not surprising that women planning a more natural childbirth may choose to take prenatal yoga classes and practice various breathing techniques and visualizations to prepare themselves for their labour both physically and emotionally. Acupuncture is another option that is getting more and more attention.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a set of techniques developed by Vodder to help the lymphatic system function correctly. In lymphedema, where tissues retain fluid and swell, the goal of MLD is to reduce the swelling. MLD can also be used after trauma or surgery to help prevent the formation of scar tissue.

Postpartum massage

After giving birth, the core is weakened. Massage therapy can help with the muscle strain that happens during delivery, as well as balance out compensations in your posture that happen afterwards. Treatments focus on your back, neck, hips, and hamstrings. For caesarean births, we can also begin working on a scar as soon as the wound is closed.

Don’t let fall be a pain in the back

As the seasons change and the weather begins to cool, many of us are getting out to do our fall clean up. Whether you are cleaning up the yard or clearing out the garage, make sure to follow these simple tips to help avoid injuries.

Benefits of Reflexology and Reiki

Reflexology deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the hands and feet which directly correspond to all of the glands, organs, and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflex areas properly is a type of preventative maintenance and can help many health and wellness issues in a natural way. It reduces stress, helps manage pain, and promotes deep relaxation, physical healing, spiritual healing, and self-improvement. Reiki and Reflexology are highly effect together and in conjunction with other medical and therapeutic techniques.

Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel is the most common nerve compression in the arm and is a result of a median nerve compression at the wrist. It causes numbness and tingling in the first three and one-half fingers. As the condition progresses, muscle weakness and tension in the forearm muscles also occur.

Compartment syndrome and periostitis (a.k.a. shin splints)

Both compartment syndrome and periostitis can occur on the front or back of the lower leg, causing pain and tightness. Symptoms increase with exercise and decrease with rest. But, while they can both occur in the same locations and have similar symptoms, they aren’t quite the same.

New tool in the toolbox

I recently completed two continuing education seminars called Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT). By using NKT, practitioners can identify areas that are overworking and understand why other areas are compensating for them. By addressing muscles that are overworking, muscles that are under working can turn on which will improve movement patterns, muscle tone, pain, or other symptoms someone might complain about.

Osteopathy and fertility issues

Structural dysfunctions alter how the nervous and circulatory systems communicate with the pelvic organs. A restriction in blood flow limits the flow of hormones and nutrients necessary to regulate the function of these organs. Osteopathy brings balance to the body by using gentle movements to correct structural and postural imbalances. Improving the alignment and biomechanics of the body, but more specifically the pelvis, will improve how the body functions.

Baseball season is around the corner!

Youth participation in baseball is on the rise across Canada. It demands a lot of physical skill to play and can therefore result in injury. New players are also using muscles they haven’t used before and learning new movements. Along with sore muscles, some of the most common injuries are to the elbows and shoulders.

YOUR HEALTH and insomnia

The fall can sometimes feel overwhelming! With kids back to school, activities starting, the dreaded return to making school lunches, and work projects ramping back up, it’s hard to find the energy to keep up with it all, especially if you are not getting enough sleep. Being tired increases your risk of getting into a car accident, increases your risk of mental health disorders, increases your risk of physical health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease, and impairs your work/school performance.

Weight loss acupuncture: does it work?

Are you struggling to lose weight even after trying diet and exercise plans? Weight loss acupuncture might benefit you! There are several reasons for weight gain that you might not be able to address through diet and exercise alone. Acupuncture can help address the underlying causes so that you can get your weight loss back on track.

What is hypnosis and how can it help me?

Hypnosis is a trained technique of conversation that creates a highly relaxed state of deep concentration. There are many misconceptions surrounding hypnosis. Many people believe that people who are hypnotized are asleep or unconscious. In fact, hypnosis creates a mind state where the client is even more focused than ever before! Hypnosis can help clients do something they currently cannot do (such as reduce their stress) or to stop doing something that they currently do (such as smoking).