Traction (stretching the spine) has often been used as a means of relieving pressure on the nerves and joints due to disc problems, spinal degeneration or mechanical (joint) neck and back pain. Cervical traction, when included with manual therapy and neck exercises, has shown to contribute to overall improvement in patients with arm pain due [...]
Arm and leg discomfort may be a result of the neck and low back respectively. Radicular pain from nerve compression or irritation can be a result of disc problems or spinal degeneration. This may also cause tingling or numbness, sharp pain, loss of sensation, arm or leg weakness and loss of reflexes. The different patterns [...]
The shoulder joint is a common site of injury due to its increased mobility. This makes it unstable and prone to injury, and accounts for 8-13% of all athletic injuries. Acute traumatic shoulder injuries include separation, dislocation, tears, and fracture. Chronic shoulder injuries due to repetitive movements are likely from overhead activities (e.g. painting ceilings, [...]
Low back pain (LBP) has been estimated to affect approximately 30% of the adult population, and as many as 50% of those over the age of 65 years. For those over the age of 65, a specific form of low back pain which can also produce lower extremity symptoms and significantly affect quality of life [...]
The recovery of soft tissue (muscles, tendons or ligaments) injuries involves inflammation, regeneration, and remodelling. The healing times of different injury types are mainly dependent on the blood supply of the specific injured tissue. Delay in healing times of soft tissue injuries can be due to age, location of injury, delayed treatment, incorrect diagnosis, incorrect [...]
Pain is a warning sign telling us that something is wrong and should be addressed. It shouldn’t be ignored (pushing the body past its limit), blocked (transcutaneous nerve stimulation, aka TENS), nor turned off (pain medications). Ideally, the underlying cause is found and dealt with. The severity of pain does not necessarily tell us how [...]
May is Arthritis Awareness Month Arthritis literally means joint inflammation. It is not a single disease, but refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, which [...]
妙手回春 妙 MIAO – magic (clever, healing) 手 SHOU – hands 回 HUI – restore 春 CHUN – spring (youth & health) This ancient Chinese proverb is an honour bestowed upon a medical professional with considerable skills. Hands that heal can bring us back to youthful health! Spring is a time of refreshing and reviving [...]
People arrive at our office presenting with a variety of painful – or in some way problematic – body parts. We use a detailed history and physical examination to properly diagnose and treat both the current and the underlying cause. When investigating neck pain or stiffness, we look at our modern postures, which can lead [...]
Mama always told us to “sit up straight!”, but little did she know it puts unnecessary strain on our backs, contributing to lower back pain. Research finds that the best sitting position is leaning back, at about 135 degrees. In a study at a hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, volunteers with healthy backs assumed three different [...]
Lumbar disc herniation is a displacement of disc material which then presses on nerves. The occurrence of disc herniations is rare (1 – 5%) compared to mechanical low back pain. Symptoms of disc herniation include: leg pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or increased symptoms with coughing, sneezing or straining. It’s found mainly among people age 30 [...]
Approximately 80% of Canadians will experience low back pain in their lifetime. 90% of back pain is “mechanical” in nature and will improve within 4 to 12 weeks. Mechanical low back pain is typically aggravated and relieved by specific positions and activities. Pain may refer to the buttocks or thighs. Although this form of back [...]
Did you know …? 60-80% of the population will experience at least one back pain episode in their lifetime. Occupational back pain is the most common and costly work-related injury. 65% of the population will experience neck pain at some point in their lifetime. This could be related to a history of whiplash injury, headache, [...]
Helping You Get Back in the Game Did you know that the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada) is granted royal designation? Canada’s Governor General Michaelle Jean recommended that Her Majesty grant the royal title to the college after it met stringent criteria, including its devotion to scientific causes and the field of sports health [...]
Back-to-School Backpack Safety It’s that time of year when thousands of kids pack up their books and head back to school. Before your budding scholar steps out the door with four textbooks on their back, take a minute to consider how much weight he or she is carrying. A backpack that is too heavy can [...]
The hip is a major weight-bearing joint that supports the entire upper body. The hip has very complex anatomy that allows for very flexible movement between the upper and lower body. However, this complex anatomy makes it difficult to diagnose the cause of hip pain and determine a correct approach to treatment. Hip pain is [...]
Many people have experienced a stiff neck at some point, and some live with chronic neck pain and headaches. Neck pain is generally caused by poor posture – forward head carriage is very common and causes muscle imbalances in the neck and shoulders. Pain in the shoulders or arms is very often related to damage [...]
The incidence of musculoskeletal problems increases as people age. In Canada, 30% of seniors over age 75 reported being in pain, and 47% of people over age 65 have been diagnosed with arthritis or rheumatism. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and joint diseases are also very common in seniors, and are the primary cause of severe long-term pain [...]
Whiplash is a very common injury that continues to be poorly understood. It is difficult to verify the presence of a whiplash injury as there are very few firm clinical indications beyond bruising or swelling, restrictions in range of motion, and localized point tenderness. To add to this difficulty, there are no reliable diagnostic tests [...]
Neck pain is a common complaint, with 65% of Canadians experiencing at least one episode of neck pain in their lifetime. Clinical factors associated with neck pain are headache, depression, cardiovascular disease, smoking, digestive disorders, and a history of whiplash. Neck pain can be caused by sprains and strains, osteoarthritis, or a herniated disc. Most [...]
Back pain is one of the most common health problems, with 84% of Canadians experiencing back pain at least once in their lifetime. In men, back pain is associated with low overall health, greater height, heavy physical work, stress, and middle age. In women, back pain is associated with stress, low activity levels, arthritis, and [...]
As a result of extensive education and training, chiropractors are capable of diagnosing and treating a wide range of spinal and peripheral musculoskeletal disorders. Individuals with musculoskeletal disorders experience pain, lose physical function, and have a reduced quality of life in not only the physical domain, but as well in social and mental functioning. The [...]
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons people seek health care. There are numerous causes of LBP, as well as several different ways to treat the problem. Incorporating the best treatment option will prevent long-term pain and disability. Problems occurring for more than 4-6 weeks increase the risk of chronic disabilities, [...]
Author: Claire Sowerbutt If you’re contemplating going on a diet or altering your eating habits – and you’re a woman – beware the high protein mantra. While high protein diets have been shown to work for weight loss, protein – specifically animal protein – contains acid. When eaten in large amounts, without sufficient quantities [...]
A 3-Minute Spinal Health Exercise Program After five weeks of daily practice of “Straighten Up” exercises, 83% of study participants reported that they had improved their posture. 78% reported that they had strengthened their core muscles. 80% reported that they sat and stood more uprightly and that their backs were more comfortable. Please perform these [...]
Why they can cause more harm than good The use of back belts is quite common in work and athletic settings, but when is it appropriate? Many people believe that the use of a back belt will prevent injury to the back, and help them to be able to lift greater loads. However, research shows [...]
While most people suffer from the odd headache, for some they are a regular debilitating occurrence. The good news is that up to 80% of headache sufferers find relief at the hands of a chiropractor. A major cause of headaches is a stiff, painful neck, often the result of disorders of the spinal joints, muscles [...]
Dr. Ray Baker Chronic pain syndrome is a cluster of signs and symptoms in which the pain and disability it creates cannot be explained by demonstrable tissue damage or pathology. It persists in time, at least six months. It is usually accompanied by chronic sleep deprivation. The sufferer becomes depressed, anxious and often angry. Away [...]
Just Answer 3 Questions A recent study in the August 2003 issue of Neurology involving 400 headache sufferers asked each patient a nine-question survey at their doctors’ offices. Afterwards, they were sent to a headache specialty centre, where they had their headaches diagnosed without knowledge of their survey answers. Later, researchers were able to narrow [...]
Sciatica is a term that is often misused. It is meant to define a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis. Sciatica is a general term that refers to pain in the back of the leg caused by compression or irritation of one or more nerves exiting the lower spine that make up the sciatic [...]
A good exercise routine is important to reduce the chances of recurring back pain. Studies have shown that bed rest and inactivity can lead to a longer recovery time from injuries. Movement distributes nutrients into the soft tissues of the spine to keep the discs, muscles, ligaments and joints healthy. A lack of exercise can [...]
You may have experienced a headache sometime in your life, but do you know the reason why? Or which ones require special attention? Primary types of headaches include tension, migraine and cluster. Secondary headaches are caused by other problems that include caffeine/analgesic withdrawal or more serious diseases like brain tumours, strokes, or hematomas. The more [...]
Carrying heavy backpacks on a continual basis can cause stress to the growing spinal column which could lead to future pain and health problems. To prevent back and neck pain from an overloaded backpack, it is important to recognize the correct way to choose, pack, lift and carry a backpack. When choosing a backpack, ensure [...]
We spend a lot of time talking about what to do to care for your back and spine. For a change of pace, we thought it would be valuable to provide some input about common mistakes to avoid. Mistake #1: Ignore It For Too long While it’s true that the majority of episodes of back pain will [...]
Most people think that they won’t get back pain. However, eight out of ten people will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. Here are some common misconceptions regarding low back pain and its most effective diagnosis and treatment. Myth: My parents had back pain, so I’m likely to have it [...]
Lower back pain is very common, affecting at least 80% of the general population at some time. While neck pain is less common than lower back pain, millions of people will experience neck pain at some point in their life. Here are some common neck and back problems that respond to conservative treatment. Strain/Sprain Most [...]
Cervicogenic headaches, or headaches caused by structures in the neck, are caused by irritation or injury to the structures of the upper neck region, resulting in local neck pain as well as referred pain to the temporal (at the side of the eyes) and facial (on the cheeks and forehead) regions. This headache is often [...]
May is posture month. Good posture contributes to increased energy, better breathing, improved circulation and can even make you look better. People with proper posture seem to move with greater confidence and grace than those who slouch. Good posture will also make you look taller and slimmer, and when our bodies are aligned, it contributes [...]
Single injuries and even repetitious movements can lead to imbalances in your body. Similar to injuries from everyday activities, work, or motor vehicle accidents, athletic injuries can be the result of a sudden trauma, postural imbalances, overuse or even misuse. Chiropractic care involves identifying the problem, and sometimes more importantly, determining the cause in order [...]
Whiplash is a sudden, sharp snap of your head backwards and forwards following a (rearend) car accident, sports injury, or simply from being pushed from behind. The resulting injury to the structures in your neck can produce neck and shoulder pain and/or stiffness, headaches or dizziness. Research shows that chronic neck pain and headaches following [...]
Although it may be an annoying habit to listen to, there is no conclusive evidence to the myth that cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. A study involving 300 people, 74 of whom were self-proclaimed habitual “knuckle-crackers” revealed that there was no increased incidence of arthritis in the “cracking” group.1 The cause of that loud “popping” [...]
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue which leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. Osteoporosis is known as the “silent thief” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. So what can we do to help prevent this disease from becoming our reality? A healthful diet with [...]