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…
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…
Cardiovascular Disease: Are You At Risk?
Young and Old Are Affected By Cardiovascular Disease. In the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s 2010 Annual Report on Canadians’ Health they warn of a “perfect storm” of risk factors and demographic changes that will place an unprecedented burden on Canadians fragmented cardiovascular care system.
Do you Suffer with Arthritis?
If you or someone you know suffers from Arthritis then you understand just how debilitating this disease can be. Arthritis is a systemic disease (the whole body) that dramatically affects the joints…
Digestion, Heartburn & Ulcers
Your digestive system is a long tube starting at your mouth and ending at your anus. Its primary goal is to break down food and extract energy and nutrients from the food you ingest. Modifications of this tube are your throat, esophagus, stomach, duodenum and intestines.
Osteoporosis – The Silent Thief
Osteoporosis is a disease that is characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This puts people at risk for increased bone fragility and greater risk for fracture (broken bones). Bone loss often occurs without symptoms and because of this Osteoporosis has become known as the “silent thief”. Fractures resulting from Osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined. One in five men and one in three woman will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. In 2010 the overall cost to the Canadian healthcare system for treating osteoporosis and fractures relating to the disease was over $2.3 billion. Osteoporosis is to blame for over 80% of all fractures in people 50+ according to Osteoporosis Canada. There are 30,000 hip fractures annually and osteoporosis is responsible for 70-90% of them. The cost for the healthcare system for each hip fracture is $21,285 in the 1st year after hospitalization. $44,156 if the patient is institutionalized. The chance of a 50 year old woman developing hip, vertebral or wrist fractures during her lifetime is 40%. 1 in 4 women who have a vertebral fracture will fracture again within one year. 20% of people who have Read more…