Inflammation is the body’s normal physiological attempt to defend itself against foreign invasions and repair it from injury. This blog shares what inflammation is and how to reduce chronic inflammation naturally! Acute Inflammation When describing what inflammation is to my patients, I always explain that there are 2 types; the acute and the chronic. Acute inflammation is important, especially if we experience an injury or infection—it’s what promotes healing. Heat (calor), pain (dolor), redness (rubor) and swelling (tumor), best describe the classic inflammatory response. Acute inflammation occurs as a short-term response to harmful stimuli such as a cut, sprain or burn. Ever notice that a wounded area swells up and becomes warm? That is the body’s way of protecting the area as it begins to heal. Chronic Inflammation When inflammation persists over time it becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation is the body’s response to ongoing lifestyle stresses like: poor diet, lack of sleep, stress, and lack of exercise. It occurs when the injury is ongoing or a predisposed immune system fails at counter-regulation, contributing to the onset of many chronic illnesses. Without getting too technical, chronic inflammation can be explained as an insufficient dampening or excessive up-regulation by intracellular proteins, kind Read more…
Considering that about 1 in 2 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime, it’s safe to assume that you or someone you know likely suffers from this life-altering disease. While chiropractic care may not be able to cure cancer, it can help reduce some of the symptoms experienced during and after treatment as well as help prevent it.* According to an article on thetruthaboutcancer.com, 84% of cancer survivors who undergo chiropractic care do so to alleviate pain, improve mood and sleeping habits, as well as to relieve stress. Though these are all great reasons to see a chiropractor, perhaps the best side effect of regular chiropractic care is its ability to boost the immune system and help the body heal! A Word on Cancer Cells Most people don’t realize this, but cancer cells are damaged cells. Meaning, most people have them. That said, not everyone will develop cancer. Why is this? In a healthy body, the immune system is strong enough to kill the cancer cells before they multiply. It is only when the immune system is too weak, that the cancer cells overwhelm the body and cancer develops. How Chiropractic Can Help Prevent Cancer Spinal misalignments (subluxations) are one of the Read more…
With Canadian Thanksgiving coming up this weekend, I thought I’d share some thoughts on the topic of gratitude. Practicing daily gratitude holds many benefits. From lower our stress levels to increasing our happiness. Studies continue to show the tremendous power of giving thanks! Gratitude can be as simple as smiling or saying thank you. It can also be a more intentional practice, like taking time to jot down a few things that you are grateful for each day or practicing gratitude through daily meditation. Instead of giving thanks just one time a year, why not do it throughout? Here are 5 tips that I believe can help foster an attitude of gratitude all year long! Tip #1 – Use Gratitude to change your state of mind. When something isn’t going your way or someone upsets you, try to list 3 to 5 things that you are grateful for in that moment. It could be something as simple your kids being ready on time or a co-worker bringing you a cup of coffee. Focusing on a few good things will help put whatever annoyances or hardships you are facing into perspective. The best part – when you start thinking this way, Read more…
At some point or another we’ve all experienced the dreaded symptoms of a cold. You know, the sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose, and fatigue that comes along with it. Though most of us are quick to blame someone else for our symptoms, there’s really only one person to blame: ourselves. Instead of being mad at your partner or coworker for spreading their germs, you should be upset with your immune system. Ultimately, a cold is our body’s way of telling us that our immune system isn’t strong enough. Hence why we’ve dedicated this week’s blog to sharing 5 Natural Immune Boosters! 5 NATURAL IMMUNE BOOSTERS 1) ZEN TIME. With Fall in the air and the holiday season fast approaching, things can get a little chaotic. Here’s the thing though, when it comes to health there isn’t anything more harmful than stress. Especially when it comes to colds. Stress weakens our immune system, making us more susceptible to colds and illness. It’s great to have a few plans or a couple of projects to tackle but give yourself some time to relax. Plan some zen time–your body will thank you for it! 2) WATER. Just because it’s getting cooler outside doesn’t mean Read more…
Ear infections are the second most common diagnosed illness (after the common cold) in Canadian and American children. It is reported that 75 percent of children are likely to suffer at least one ear infection before reaching the age of 3. But before reaching for antibiotics why not try this ear infection alternative. What is an Ear Infection? An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. While anyone can get an ear infection, children are more susceptible than adults. Why Are Children More Susceptible to Ear Infection Than Adults? There are three primary reasons: 1) Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in children than they are in adults. This makes it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear, point blank. So when the Eustachian tubes are swollen or blocked with mucus due to a cold or other respiratory illness, fluid may not be able to drain. 2) A child’s immune system isn’t as effective as an adult’s because it’s still developing. This makes it harder for children to fight infections. 3) Childbirth can do a number on a child’s spine. During the Read more…
Manage Scoliosis with Chiropractic Care
According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, scoliosis affects 2-3% of the population. It is the most common spinal abnormality in school-age children. Unfortunately, there is no cure for scoliosis. There are however, things that you can do to reduce symptoms and ensure that it does not worsen overtime. One such thing is chiropractic care. But before we discuss how you can manage scoliosis with chiropractic, let’s chat a bit about what scoliosis is and go over some of its symptoms. Scoliosis 101 Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the spine or backbone. There are several physical symptoms that indicate scoliosis, including: • one shoulder being higher than the other • the waist appearing uneven • the body tilting to one side • one hip appearing higher than the other • one leg appearing shorter Though scoliosis is often visually evident, most people with it report little to no pain. That’s not the case for everyone though. Some people experience back pain, chest pain, and shortness of breath due to the abnormal curvature of their spine. Manage Scoliosis with Chiropractic Care In the medical world, treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the likelihood Read more…
It is estimated that between 3 to 5 percent of children have ADHD. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will struggle with symptoms. The exact cause of ADHD and hyperactivity disorders is unknown; however, it is believed to involve interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Keep reading to learn one way to manage ADHD naturally. ADHD Symptoms Symptoms of ADHD and learning disorders are generally categorized into three groups. Inattention: Meaning the child might procrastinate, not complete tasks like homework or chores, and often make careless mistakes. Hyperactivity: Common characteristics of hyperactivity include fidgeting or squirming while seated; getting up frequently to walk or run around (even when not appropriate), and talking excessively. Impulsivity: Those with impulsivity issues may be impatient, have a hard time waiting their turn, frequently interrupt or intrude on others, or start conversations at inappropriate times. How is ADHD Treated? In most cases, psychiatric drugs like Ritalin are given to children to treat their symptoms. However, according to Peter Breggin, MD, these drugs are dangerous. Ritalin can cause drug-induced behavioral disorders, psychosis, mania, drug abuse, permanent neurological ticks, and addiction. Other side effects Read more…
Believe it or not, too much homework can be bad for your health. But don’t worry kids, there are things you can do to ensure that homework is painless! And no, we don’t mean avoiding assignments. Though school is in session for most, it’s never too late to talk about backpack safety. This week’s blog discusses the trouble with heavy backpacks and provides tips to keep in mind when shopping for a backpack. Backpacks, Back Problems According a recent U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study, more than 75% of students ages 8-12 suffer from increasing back pain inflicted by carrying their schoolwork and supplies in backpacks or similar totes. This is no surprise considering, some of our younger elementary school students are literally carrying one third their body weight for prolonged periods of time and distance. That puts a lot of stress on a body in the midst of development. Student back injuries are now widespread. 96% of the pupils monitored regularly haul much too heavy a pack on their back. Backpack Safety Tips 1. Children should not carry backpacks that exceed more than 10% of their body weight — which translates into a 5 to 10-pound load for elementary Read more…
Pregnant? Experiencing Back Pain? Give this a Read!
5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SLOW AGING
Though some may claim they hold the key to eternal youth, when it comes to getting older, there’s really no magic pill. That being said, there are some things you can do to help slow down the process. SLOW AGING WITH THESE 5 TIPS #1– Stay Hydrated! The human body can go for weeks without food, but only about 3 days without water. Are you drinking enough? A good general guideline for water consumption is 8 – 10 glasses per day. And when we say water, we mean water—not soda or coffee. Water flushes toxins from the body and helps keep the skin hydrated, keeping cells happy and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. #2 – Eat Right and Take Your Vitamins! Eat a diet rich in good fats, moderate in protein and light in carbohydrates, and avoid sugar as much as possible. Why? Sugar causes inflammation, which breaks down collagen and elastin causing wrinkles and sagging skin. What’s more, sugar has been linked to numerous illnesses and diseases. Certain supplements can help slow down the aging process. Click here to learn about the 7 vitamins that can help! #3 – Exercise Regularly! Regular exercise produces long-term health benefits and in some cases, Read more…