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…
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…
Do you suffer from the A-B-C-Ds? Abdominal Pain Bloating Constipation Diarrhea If so, you might be one of the 30% of Canadians suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (also known as IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). It can begin in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood and can resolve unexpectedly for periods throughout an individual’s lifespan, recurring at any age. Most people can control their IBS symptoms by managing their diet, lifestyle and stress levels. However, those with more severe symptoms may require medication and counselling. What Triggers IBS? Your intestinal walls are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax in a rhythm as they move food from your stomach to your rectum. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal, causing gas, bloating and diarrhea. Or they may be weaker, slowing food contractions slowing food passage and leading to hard, dry stools. It’s not known exactly what causes this to occur, but there are notable IBS triggers. Triggers vary from person to person. The Mayo Clinic lists these four common triggers on their website: Dietary Choices. Food allergies and intolerances can trigger IBS 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…
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…
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…
Stuck in the same old workout routine? Looking to change things up a bit? Why not try a fitness class? We asked some of our patients which Ottawa fitness classes they enjoy the most and here’s what they said: 1. Greco Fitness [Multiple Locations] You’ve probably heard of Greco Fitness before. Heck, you may even train there! There are 14 Greco locations across Ontario and that number keeps on growing. Their claim to fame is their ever so popular “Lean & Fit” class. The 45-minute full body conditioning circuit is offered 7 days a week at various times throughout the day. The circuits are always changing, so it’s unlikely you will do the same workout twice. The best part is that you set your own pace, so it doesn’t matter what skill level you’re at! Beyond “Lean &Fit” they also offer kickboxing, martial arts, HIIT workouts and personal training! 2. iNSiDE Out STUDiO barre [1416 Wellington Street West] Popular with celebrities, barre fitness is a unique combination of strength training, yoga, Pilates and ballet barre that allows you to work on individual muscle groups. Using tiny isometric movements, barre fitness allows you to burn fat and sculpt muscles—helping you achieve a long, lean, and toned body. iNSiDE Read more…
5 Tips for Low Back Pain Relief During Pregnancy
Pregnancy causing back pain? Relieve it with these 5 tips
