“Sitting is the new smoking” has become quite the buzz phrase lately, as numerous sources show the correlation between spending hours sitting at a desk and risk of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It’s a scary thought, considering so many of us are bound to our desks and chairs for hours upon hours while we work, commute or even to relax — when our bodies were never meant to do so. From brain fog, lack of focus, drop in metabolism, poorer circulation and breathing, muscle imbalances and degenerating posture, the effects of sitting have truly become the “silent killers” of today. As humans, we are primed to move. Yet urbanization, technology, and workplace norms have resulted in our physical stagnation. We have become sedentary, physically inactive creatures, and this comes at a cost. Being in practice for over 20 years, I too have seen the shift in recent years from patients experiencing neck and back pain from physical labor and strains from over-activity to now experiencing chronic pain, stiffness and lack of mobility from sitting for far too long daily. The worst part is, most of the damages acquired from sitting for too long are not reversible by Read more…
Although often overlooked, your posture and the health of your spine should be at the top of the list when it comes to good health. It should be right up there with eating well, exercising often, and getting adequate sleep. Surprised? The spine covers and protects our nervous system—a complex network of nerves and cells that transport messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body—so it is important that we maintain good posture to prevent spinal decay, and to make sure that there is proper communication between the brain and body. Misalignments, pain, reduced range of motion, and poor posture are all indications that the health of your spine may be impeding on your ability to perform physically, focus mentally and carry out basic functions optimally. So how do you know your spine may be impeding on your health? While nothing can replace a complete neuromusculoskeletal evaluation performed by a chiropractor, there are some ways you yourself can get a general idea about the health of your spine and joints. Here Are 15 Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spine: #1 – Poor Weight Distribution Stand on two separate bathroom scales with each foot 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, the 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 Read more…
Can You Prevent Arthritis? Is it truly possible to prevent arthritis? The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is experienced by 80% of people over 50 years of age and can begin in the teenage years. It brings with it pain, deformity and the tendency to limit joint movement throughout the body. Unfortunately, it usually does not announce its arrival. Rather, it comes on subtly, often with morning joint stiffness appearing as the initial symptom. From there, it progresses, becoming increasingly painful, especially with activity. For many people, the assumption is that it is impossible to prevent arthritis of this kind. They feel that osteoarthritis is just a normal part of aging and that it goes hand in hand with normal “wear and tear” on the body. They also believe that nothing can be done about it. Improve Your Understanding to Prevent Arthritis Understanding how osteoarthritis is caused, can help provide solutions in how to prevent it. Osteoarthritis is caused by an improper function (or motion) of the involved joints. When joints begin to move improperly, 90% of the time it causes no sensation. As a result, joint degeneration occurs, Read more…
Are you a weekend or Summer warrior? You know…someone who spends their weekdays behind a desk and their weekends running marathons, gardening for hours on end, building a deck or cycling across the city. While you may think that you can get away with saving your physical activity for the weekend, think again! In Canada, 35% of injuries occur during participation in some type of sport or exercise and studies show that weekend warriors are actually at a greater risk of developing an injury. Especially, warriors who are over the age of 30 and are not making time to exercise during the week. Weekend and summer warriors have a tendency of doing too much, too fast and that’s what puts them at extra risk for injuries like muscle sprains and chronic tendonitis. To avoid injury, it’s best to break your physical activity into smaller, more frequent sessions. Yes, this also goes for activities like gardening, building a deck or even house cleaning! Listen to your body. If certain activities cause your pain or discomfort like neck pain, back pain or joint pain, consider hiring someone to help get the job done. When it comes to exercise, consider a workout 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…