Summer is officially here meaning Summer sports are in season. This week’s blog discusses five sports that are known to cause back pain, so that you can protect your spine when participating in your summertime activities! 1. Football All contact sports are rough on the body, but football is especially rough. Even as a spectator, my body starts to hurt after seeing someone take a big hit. One common back injury football players are plagued with is called a stinger “a sports related injury to the nerves around the neck or shoulders.” 2. Running Running is a well-known perpetrator of back pain. Its repetitive and high impact nature will often lead to, or worsen back injuries. Why is this? Your spinal discs are your body’s shock absorbers. Similar to the shocks on a bike or car, they are susceptible to wear and tear especially, if used often and for long durations. One common type of back pain runners experience is sciatica — a shooting pain that radiates from the back into the legs. Those experiencing back pain should consult a health care professional before running to ensure the action will not aggravate the problem. 3. Golf Though golf is one Read more…
Two Natural Ways to Relieve Foot Pain
Approximately 75% of Canadians will experience some form of foot problem during their lifetime. Are you one of the 75% of people suffering? This week’s blog addresses two natural ways to relieve foot pain. Common Causes of Foot Pain Your feet are a complex system of 52 bones, 66 joints, 214 ligaments and 38 tendons and muscles. Even the smallest imbalance in your feet can cause pain. Fortunately, there are solutions but before we get into those let’s chat about some of the most common causes of foot pain. 1) Plantar Fasciitis Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that spans the sole of the foot and provides shock absorption while walking. Those with plantar fasciitis will usually exp erience pain in the morning, when they first step out of bed. The pain will usually improve over the day, with only a dull pain persisting. 2) Metatarsalgia Metatarsalgia results in a sharp pain in ball the foot, which is given its shape by the rounded ends of the metatarsal bones. The pain can feel like Read more…
5 Things You Can Do to Relieve Shoulder Pain
Looking to relieve shoulder pain? Keep reading… The shoulder is a complex joint that is located at the intersection of the humerus (upper arm), clavicle (collarbone), and scapula (shoulder blade). These 3 bones are held in place by a network of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Despite its large range of motion, the shoulder is not very stable, which puts it at an increased risk for injury. In fact, shoulder injuries are so common that 1 in 10 people experience shoulder pain in their lifetime. What Causes Shoulder Pain? It could be as simple as a slip or fall, an injury while playing sports or plain old overuse. The pain may be caused by: • A fractured bone • An injury to tissues around your joint, like a ligament (bone connector), tendon (muscle-bone connector), or muscle • Damage to the cartilage cushion inside the joint Whatever the cause, shoulder pain is just that – a pain. Since shoulder pain can make life miserable, people often overdo it with pain medication. Though medication may temporarily mask pain, one must keep in mind that it does nothing to resolve the cause of the pain. Without addressing the cause – the pain will almost always come back. So, Read more…
Simple Ways to Relieve Tendonitis Pain
Swimmer’s shoulder Jumper’s knee Pitcher’s shoulder Tennis elbow You’ve probably heard one of these terms at some point or another. Though each term refers to a different body part, all refer to a common ailment: tendonitis. Tendonitis is caused when tendons (the thick cords that join your muscles to your bones) become irritated or inflamed. Any tendon can develop tendonitis, but most of time it occurs in the shoulders, elbows, heels and wrists. What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis? Tendinitis is known to cause acute pain and tenderness that often makes moving the affected joint difficult. Those experiencing tendonitis will usually feel a dull ache that is concentrated around the inflamed joint. The pain will often increase when that area is moved or if it is touched, and oftentimes swelling is present. What Causes Tendonitis? Tendinitis can be a result of: • an injury • repetitive movement • aging • disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis) That being said, the most common cause of tendinitis is repetitive action. Athletes or sport’s enthusiasts are often at a higher risk for developing tendonitis. Especially, those who play tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball, where the same actions are repeated over and over again. Those Read more…
Is Text Neck to Blame for your Neck Pain?
Sit up straight! Don’t slouch! Parents nag their kids all the time about bad posture but funnily enough, they are just as bad! I can’t tell you the amount of times I have come out of my office at the clinic, only to see three of my patients slumped over looking down at their phones, texting, tweeting, facebooking or surfing the net. Many of them have come to the clinic to address neck pain, yet none seem to realize that their cellphones are part of the problem! Sure, our mobile devices keep us connected, entertained, and safer than ever before. But, with all the advantages we gain from mobile technology comes the risk of serious and permanent health problems. Is Text Neck Causing You Neck Pain? Ever heard of ‘text-neck’? Today, widespread use of smartphones, blackberries and tablets has caused an epidemic of Anterior Head Syndrome, or loss of cervical structure. In a prolonged period of time, this may be the cause of many health issues such as frequent headaches, neck strain, and even reduced blood flow to the brain. Not good! So, what is the big deal? The cervical spine supports the weight of the head, which generally speaking weighs between ten to fourteen Read more…
Common Spinal Disc Problems You May Suffer From
Do you suffer from sharp pains every time you bend? Back pain of this nature is often the result of a herniated disc or “pinched” nerve: both caused by preventable spinal disc problems. Common Spinal Disc Problems Our spinal discs are filled with fluid. The discs’ job is to provide spinal flexibility and shock-absorption, every time you move. However, when stress locks the spine in the wrong position, discs lose their flexibility and become dry, leading to the development of tiny rips. Disc herniation is the result of a disc’s fluid leaking through these rips. As a result: 1. The disc becomes thin and vertebrae start rubbing together. 2. The fluid presses onto the nerve, and pain ensues (often referred to as a “pinched nerve”) Common causes of disc herniation and pinched nerves include: • Body position (like constantly leaning on elbows, or habitually crossing legs) • Poor posture • Injury When a pinched nerve is caused by a minor injury from lifting something heavy or twisting the wrong way, pain will likely only last for a few days before healing. However, if the pain and symptoms last longer than a few days, or seem to worsen, that could be Read more…
Not all office chairs are created equal. The difference is always in the details. Just because a chair looks sleek and modern and is “certified ergonomic” doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your personal wellness situation. Today we break down the five vital features every office chair shares to ensure your time spent sitting is done in as ergonomic a chair as possible. Understanding your chair and its features will help you operate it correctly and sit comfortably without the pain and strain associated with the wrong chair adjustments. 1. Base Let’s start from the ground up. Your office chair’s base is the foundation for its stability. Most of today’s popular office chairs feature 5 Star rated bases, capable of providing adequate support for most people. The casters, or wheels, are an important consideration when selecting a new chair, and what type of caster you need all comes down to your office flooring. There are two styles of casters to know: carpet and hardwood casters. I’ll let you guess which one’s for which floor, but choosing the right caster makes a big difference in the chair’s mobility. Avoid using the plastic carpet-friendly casters on a hardwood floor or tile Read more…
Last week we talked about allergies, this week we’re talking about a common symptom of allergies: sinusitis. Let’s be real, no one likes having a stuffy nose. Especially, a chronic stuffy nose. You sound funny, food loses its flavor, and breathing becomes a hassle. Not to worry, there are some natural ways to relieve this pesky problem. What is sinusitis? In a nutshell, sinusitis is when the tissue lining the sinuses becomes inflamed. Normally, our sinuses are filled with air, but when we have sinusitis our sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid and germs that can grow and cause infection. Sinus blockages can be caused by the common cold, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum. Sinusitis (or a sinus infection) occurs when the blockages become chronic. Symptoms of Sinusitis Include: Pain and tenderness over the infected sinus. A blocked nose or runny nose A high temperature Headaches or aches in the face near the nasal cavities Toothache Cough Pressure in ears Tiredness Are you one of the unlucky Ottawans suffering from Sinusitis? Try these natural remedies. Get Rid of Sinusitis with these 5 Natural Remedies 1) Flush Your Sinuses. You’ve heard of the Neti Pot, right? The little Read more…
It’s that time of year again: allergy season. Are you one of the millions of Canadians suffering from: • Itchy, watery eyes; • A runny nose; • Constant sneezing; or • A wheezy cough? Common springtime allergens like mold spores, pollen and grass can cause an array of symptoms. When allergy symptoms strike, many people automatically reach for antihistamines but do they really work? The truth: Allergy medications serve to temporarily relieve symptoms, but do nothing to address the underlying cause. Ever wonder why some people are affected by seasonal allergies while others aren’t? An allergy is not caused by the allergen itself, but by the immune system’s inability to fight off the adverse effects of the allergen. In other words, the immune system is too tired, stressed or weak to fight off the allergen. So, allergies = poor immune function. The good news is, there are natural ways to beat seasonal allergies and improve your immune function. So, before reaching for over the counter meds, try some of the natural strategies below! Natural Allergy Relief 1. Eat Right. A healthy diet is key to a healthy immune system. Eat more fresh, whole foods and do your best to avoid sugar and Read more…