“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…
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…
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…
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…
Arthrosis or Arthritis – What’s the Difference?
Arthrosis or Arthritis, these words look alike however they have two different meanings. Many people are not sure what the differences are. Some professionals don’t even bother explaining the difference anymore, resulting in even more confusion. I will try to give some clarity between these two words, so in the future you’ll know how and when to use them. Let’s start by a little bit of etymology (word origins) The word arthritis comes from arthri- (joint) and –tis for inflammation. On the other hand the word arthrosis comes from arthr- (joint) and –osis for abnormal. This doesn’t help explain the difference but sometimes it’s helpful to know where words come from. Two words same meaning Arthrosis is also known as Osteoarthritis. Both words are used interchangeably to describe the exact same condition. To help you remember try thinking of “O” for Arthrosis and Osteoarthritis. So what is the difference Arthritis is not a specific condition; it is actually a regrouping of multiple conditions affecting the joints including arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and many others diseases you’ve probably never heard of. Some arthritic disorders can even affect the skin like psoriatic arthritis. So what is the big deal if Read more…
The North American lifestyle is one of the most fast pace lifestyles in the world. People often have excuses for not having enough time to exercise, sleep enough, eat healthy, or simply just take care of themselves period! The one thing that I think people really overestimate is how easy it is to cook a quick and healthy meal every day. It is 2015 and the sources for this information are endless. Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and just googling the World Wide Web will suffice. Social media has had a huge impact over the years on how people find information. This also includes great information like healthy recipes anyone can easily find on any social media outlet. Here are a few quick ideas you can look up online. If you’re the type of person who loves to snack and has a sweet tooth, a great idea found on Pinterest is frozen yogurt-covered blueberry bites. Dip Blueberries in Greek yogurt then lay them out on a cookie sheet. Put it in the freezer for 15 minutes (it is recommended to keep them in there for 1 hour to insure they are all frozen) then pop them off the cookie sheet and put Read more…
The Impact of a Concussion
In the past decade they has been an increased awareness towards cerebral concussion
Prevent Lower Back Pain Naturally Ottawa!
Four out of five adults will experience low back pain.
Reduce Inflammation Naturally
Studies are linking chronic inflammation to serious health issues and diseases. Learn how to reduce inflammation naturally with these tips