1 in 6 Canadians over the age of 15 report suffering from arthritis. Are you one of them? Learn what arthritis is and natural ways you can prevent arthritis damage in this week’s blog! Signs & Symptoms of Arthritis • Fatigue • Joint pain & tenderness • Joint swelling • Joint redness • Joint warmth • Joint stiffness • Loss of joint range of motion What is Arthritis? To put it simply, arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It refers to hundreds of related conditions including: tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. What Can You Do to Manage Arthritis, Naturally? The good news is there are natural ways to fight chronic inflammation and restore balance in your body. One way is to start including more anti-inflammatory foods in your diet. Foods like: Fresh Whole Foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds) Omega 3 Fats (wild salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil) Green Tea Garlic Herbs (basil, chili peppers, curcumin, turmeric, ginger, parsley, rosemary and thyme) If you need extra help, try a natural supplement. Natural supplements are a safe and effective alternative to prescription and over the counter medications. Always choose a high-quality supplement Read more…
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…
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…
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…
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…
5 Ways to Reduce Menopause Symptoms Naturally!
From hot flashes to mood swings, most women experience a range of symptoms when going through menopause. Luckily, there are natural ways to reduce menopause symptoms – and chiropractic care is one of them What is Menopause? By definition menopause is one year without a menstrual period. Most North American women will experience menopause at around the age of 50. During this time, the ovaries begin to limit estrogen production, forcing the adrenal glands to take over. Those with balanced hormones will likely go through menopause with ease. However, those with hormonal imbalances are likely to experience symptoms like: • Irregular periods • Hot flashes • Night sweats • Problems sleeping • Mood changes • Weight gain and slowed metabolism • Thinning of hair and dry skin As we have said time and time again, symptoms are your body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong. A hormone imbalance is often the cause of issues during menopause. Many women turn to estrogen replacement therapy but this has many risks including: breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. What can you do if you suffer from menopause symptoms? 5 Ways to Reduce Annoying Menopause Symptoms Naturally! 1. Take a Supplement! Read more…
7 Ways to Support Healthy Liver Function
The liver is a large, meaty organ that is located on the right side of the body, just above the stomach. Weighing approximately 3 lbs., it is the largest organ in your body. It is also one of the most important organs—acting as your body’s personal toxic waste plant. The Liver’s Role Your liver chemically breaks down anything that you consume. It is your liver’s job to distinguish between the nutrients you need to absorb (like vitamins and minerals), and the dangerous or unnecessary substances that must be filtered out of your bloodstream (like drugs or alcohol). Unfortunately, maintaining the health of your liver is easier said than done. Pollution, processed foods, medication and alcohol consumption; all clog and overwhelm the liver. Making it difficult for it to process the nutrients and fats your body needs. This causes a buildup of toxins in the body, which drastically affects your overall health and wellbeing. Symptoms of Liver Toxicity An example of some of the symptoms of liver toxicity include: • Acne • Dry, brittle hair • Nightmares • Difficulty losing weight • Insomnia • Exhaustion • Flu-like feelings • Difficulty thinking or focusing • Pain under right rib • Blood sugar Read more…
The Difference Between Heartburn and Acid Reflux
“You know you’re getting older, when the fire in your belly is actually acid reflux.” Almost everyone has experienced heartburn at some point in their life. In fact, it’s reported that nearly 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month. Do you suffer from frequent heartburn? If yes, keep reading. What’s the Difference Between Heartburn and Acid Reflux? Many people use the terms acid reflux, heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) interchangeably, despite them being different things. To clear things up: Heartburn is a sensation of tightness, pain or discomfort in the middle of the chest that can — but doesn’t always — follow an occurrence of acid reflux. It has nothing to do with the heart, and everything to do with the digestion system. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid regurgitates up into the esophagus. This happens due to an issue with the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The LES is the of muscle at the entrance of the stomach valve. Its job is to open and close as food passes through it. If it doesn’t close all the way, or if it opens too often stomach acid can make its way into the esophagus which is what we call Read more…