Sinus pain (sinusitis) and pressure can lead to headaches that can have a huge impact on your quality of life. For some individuals, the pain can be so severe it is crippling. If you suffer from sinus pain and pressure, or sinus headaches, chiropractic care can help.

Sinuses

Sinuses are cavities that are in the forehead (frontal sinuses); between the eyes (ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses); and in the cheekbones (maxillary sinuses). These cavities filter and moisten the air that is inhaled and they give resonance to our voice. Sinuses are lined with fine hair-like cells called cilia. Cilia help to drain mucous through the sinus passages into the nose.

Defining Sinusitis

Sinusitis, or sinus infections, is also commonly referred to as rhinosinusitis. This condition occurs when the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucous builds up causing one or more of the cavities to become inflamed or swollen. Allergic rhinitis or asthma can be associated with chronic sinusitis as well.

Sinus infections can be either acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). With a chronic sinus infection, the infection or inflammation does not completely go away for 12 weeks or more. Typically these occur after a cold, an allergy attack or from pollutants in the environment.

Acute sinusitis often occurs in those with weakened immune systems and it is almost always viral. A small percentage of these individuals will develop a secondary bacterial infection with streptococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or staphylococci.

Chronic sinusitis involves many factors that can combine to create chronic inflammation. Chronic allergies, structural abnormalities, environmental irritants, mucociliary dysfunction, and other factors interact with infectious organisms to cause chronic sinusitis. The organisms are commonly bacterial but may be fungal. Many bacteria have been implicated; however, in a few cases, chronic maxillary sinusitis is secondary to a dental infection.

Allergic fungal sinusitis is a form of chronic sinusitis characterized by diffuse nasal congestion, markedly viscid nasal secretions, and, often, nasal polyps. It is an allergic response to the presence of topical fungi, usually Aspergillus.

Specific Causes of Sinusitis

Those who smoke or work with children can be at risk for developing sinusitis. Even pregnancy or development disorders such as cystic fibrosis can be an antecedent to getting sinusitis.  Other causes include:

• Inflammatory and infectious causes that are related to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, as well as allergies and polyps.
• Tumours in the nose and sinuses.
• Anatomical causes such as a deviated septum or enlarged turbinates in the nose.
• Immunocompromised states such as diabetes or HIV infection.
• Prolonged ICU stays, severe burns, and ciliary dyskinesia.

Symptoms

If you have sinus congestion, discharge, and pressure with facial pain or headaches this could mean you simply have a cold. However, if the discharge from your nose is yellow or discoloured you may have a sinus infection. Also, when you bend over and the pressure intensifies, then chances are you have sinusitis.

Prevention Tips

Hand washing is perhaps the most important key to protecting ourselves not just from sinusitis, but other infectious conditions.  Washing hands isn’t just running our hands through water; it is using soap and water and scrubbing up to about 10 or 15cm above the wrist for minimum 10 seconds. Removing all jewellery is important and making sure between the fingers and under the nails are attended to as well.

We should be washing our hands:

• When we come home from anywhere.
• Before eating food.
• After petting our dogs or cats.
• After toileting.
• Most importantly, before touching our face.

Wash your vegetables and fruits before you prepare them. Many people still are not coughing or sneezing the way they should be . . . into their sleeve or a tissue. People are coughing and sneezing either into their hands or over produce in grocery stores!

Germs are commonly spread by the respiratory droplets emitted from sneezing and coughing. When they land on your hands, they’re transmitted to door knobs, elevator buttons, food, desk tops, and other surfaces the people around you are likely to also touch.

The CDC reports on their website:

• It is estimated that washing hands with soap and water could reduce diarrheal disease-associated deaths by up to 50%.
• Researchers in London estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented.
• A large percentage of foodborne disease outbreaks are spread by contaminated hands. Appropriate hand washing practices can reduce the risk of foodborne illness and other infections.
• Hand washing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections by 16%.

Keep the Immune System Healthy

A compromised immune system is an invitation to many health conditions, not just sinusitis. Food and food substances such as refined sugar, processed foods, pop and other sugary beverages will compromise the immune system.

Eating healthy is critical in order to maintain a healthy immune system. If possible, on a regular basis eat different mushrooms and seaweeds as these contain beta glucans which are critical to a healthy immune system.

Chiropractic Care

In order to help prevent or treat sinusitis, chiropractic care can help. A qualified health professional is your best ally when seeking help.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behalf Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a proven record of commitment providing quality health care services in the Greater Toronto Area. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can provide the services you need. Chiro Med has clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Many people only visit a Richmond Hill chiropractor only when they have back pain, not realizing that regular chiropractic care can benefit many other parts of the body besides just the spine.  A qualified chiropractor can provide relief for a variety of ailments related to the spine, such as joint pain, headaches and sciatic nerve problems, but many people are surprised to learn that they can also find relief from seemingly unrelated disorders, such as asthma, allergies, and digestive disorders such as constipation simply by visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis.  Chiropractic treatment is also effective for carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and other minor injuries.

When you visit Richmond Hill for chiropractic treatment you can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality care from a qualified professional.  Your chiropractor will assess your condition and schedule treatment accordingly.  It is important to understand that it will take more than just one visit to correct your problem.   In order to maintain good health, you should visit your chiropractor regularly, even when you are feeling well and pain-free.  Your Richmond Hill chiropractor will advise you of the frequency of visits that he or she recommends, and by faithfully attending your scheduled chiropractor visits you can be sure that you will notice a difference in your energy levels, moods and overall feeling of well-being.

So remember, don’t wait until you are injured or feeling pain before you schedule an appointment with a Richmond Hill chiropractor.  Make chiropractic care part of you regular health maintenance regimen and it may be possible for you to ward off pain before it starts.  Maintaining proper spinal health will help keep all parts of your body functioning properly and keep you feeling better than you have ever felt before.

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that provides a wealth of health benefits. This common culinary spice has not just enhanced the flavour of many meals; it has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory agent by the Indians and Chinese. In addition, it is also an antioxidant and an antiseptic.

Traditionally called Indian saffron (as it is similar to saffron) it has been used throughout history as a condiment, textile dye and to heal. Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant.

Before getting into all the health benefits from the super-spice, let’s examine the nutrient content. Based on two teaspoons (or 4.40 grams), turmeric has:

• Manganese - 17 percent of the daily value
• Iron - 10 percent of the daily value
• Vitamin B6 - 4 percent of the daily value
• Fibre - 3.7 percent of the daily value
• Potassium - 3.1 percent of the daily value

Turmeric Is A Safe Anti-Inflammatory

The yellow or orange pigment of turmeric is known as curcumin and the anti-inflammatory effects have been proven in numerous studies to be comparable to many pharmaceutical drugs. Most pharmaceutical drugs come with a long list of potential negative side effects; turmeric is known to have no negative side effects.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and can neutralize free radicals. This is important in many diseases including arthritis where free radicals are the culprits for painful joint inflammation and damage to the joints.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Curcumin may be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's and ulcerative colitis according to recent research. While researchers are not yet sure exactly how curcumin achieves its protective effects, they are somewhat certain that its benefits are the result of not only antioxidant activity, but also inhibition of a major cellular inflammatory agent. Curcumin has been found to be safe in large doses.

Cancer Prevention

The antioxidant actions of turmeric have the ability to be a strong cancer preventative. Curcumin has been proven to protect the colon cells from free radicals. It also helps the body to destroy cancer cells that have mutated thus preventing them from spreading.

Frequent use of turmeric has been linked to lower rates of breast, prostate, colon and lung cancers. Lab tests have shown that curcumin can prevent tumours from even starting. Research at the University of Texas suggests that when breast cancer is present, curcumin slows the spread of breast cancer to the lungs (study was conducted on mice).

Here are some other quick looks at this powerful spice:

• Can delay liver damage that eventually leads to cirrhosis.
• Reduces the levels (up to 40 percent) of heterocyclic amines, the carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are fried, barbecued or boiled.
• University of South Dakota researchers discovered that taking curcumin before chemo or radiotherapy makes cancer cells more vulnerable.
• Many researchers believe that daily use of turmeric may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
• WHFoods reports that curcumin can correct the most common expression of the genetic defect that is the culprit for cystic fibrosis.

Turmeric is mild in taste and benefits almost every system in the body. This is a must-have spice as it is a powerful plant to add to your diet. When thinking of using turmeric as a method to help control arthritis or other joint pain, be sure to contact Chiro-Med Rehab Centre.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. Call 905-918-0419 for more information or to book a consultation.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is best known as the sunshine vitamin.  What is surprising is that many people are unaware as to how critical this vitamin is in order to have healthy bones.

First of all, an important strategy to keep your bones healthy is to eat the right kinds of food. Countless studies have shown that individuals who eat a lot of processed foods and fast foods produce biochemical and metabolic conditions that decrease bone density.

Yes, calcium and magnesium are essential to bone health; but for maintaining healthy mineralized bones so is vitamin D. In fact, vitamin K2 and boron are also required in maintaining healthy bones.

Sunlight causes the photoproduction of vitamin D3 in our skin. Once formed, vitamin D3 is metabolized sequentially in the liver and kidneys to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Yes this does sound somewhat foreign however 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D it critical for our bodies to maintain essential cellular functions as well as promoting bone mineralization.

The bad news is that many foods do not contain any vitamin D. According to the USDA, the only natural food sources of vitamin D (known as D2) are:

• Wild salmon (1,448 iu)
• Pacific rockfish (459 iu)
• Canned tuna (68-229 iu, with light tuna in oil having the most)
• Sardines (164 iu)
• Flatfish, like sole or flounder (154 iu)
• Fortified milk (115-124 iu, with whole milk having more than skim)
• Fortified cereals (34-104 iu, varying by type and brand)
• Pickled herring (96 iu)
• Pork (6-88 iu, with variation by cut)
• Mushrooms (5-45 iu, with shitake having much more than white mushrooms)
• Beef liver (42 iu)
• Atlantic cod (40 iu)
• Eggs (25-29 iu)
• Ricotta cheese (25 iu, whereas most cheese have 4-6 iu)

Exposure to sunlight provides most of us with vitamin D (known as D3) but this ability is very limited. Aging, sunscreen use, and the change in the zenith angle of the sun dramatically affects the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D3. Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a major cause of bone disease in the elderly.  Some studies indicate that those of us in the southern latitudes of Canada can only get vitamin D from the sun between May and July. Even then, many people saturate their skin with sunscreen so they are getting very little. Bottom line, it is critical to eat lots of the foods that have vitamin D2 or take a trusted supplement.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Without a sufficient amount of this vitamin on a daily basis, bones can become thin and brittle. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect adults from osteoporosis.

Vitamin D is also critical to our immune system. Without sufficient levels of vitamin D, the immune system is compromised making the individual more susceptible to many illnesses from the common cold to heart disease.

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen discovered that Vitamin D is essential to activating our immune defenses. Without sufficient intake of the sunshine vitamin, T cells (the killer cells of the immune system) will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.

Other possible health issues that have been linked to vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness, psoriasis, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, periodontal disease, schizophrenia, depression and cancer. For more information on this Natural News is the best resource.

If you want more information on how chiropractic methods can help you, contact Chiro Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill. Our walk-in clinic is conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. VisitChiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 for more information about our services

Getting a blood test can determine if you are deficient.  Better still, prevention is truly the best medicine. For help on implementing simple solutions please contact Chiro Med Rehab Centre. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill has professionals on staff that can help you maintain strong muscles and a healthy skeletal system. Our walk-in clinic is conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. Visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 for more information.

The ancient art of acupuncture is one of the most widely acclaimed forms of alternative medicine available today.  The mainstream medical community has acknowledged the effectiveness of this ancient Oriental healing method on a myriad of complaints, from weight loss to chronic pain caused by illness or injuries.  It may seem hard to believe that inserting tiny needles into the skin can actually alleviate pain, but millions of satisfied acupuncture patients will assure you that it works.

For thousands of years, Asian doctors have used acupuncture on their patients, and the medical evidence supporting its effectiveness is overwhelming.  Richmond Hill acupuncture treatments can be used to cure headaches, stimulate weight loss, and even help people quit smoking.  Acupuncture can be successful in the treatment of digestive problems, including constipation, loss of appetite or excessive food cravings.  It can also be used to treat allergies, and in some cases, cure them.  Some mood disorders such as anxiety and depression respond well to acupuncture treatments, which can work in conjunction with antidepressant medications or even help eliminate the need for medications altogether.  If you are taking such medications, you should always consult your doctor before stopping the medication, and it may be helpful to tell the doctor that you are having acupuncture treatments so that he or she can monitor your progress and assess your needs for medication.

A Richmond Hill acupuncture specialist can tell you exactly what health problems can be addressed with acupuncture, and you may be surprised to learn that acupuncture treatments can help you in ways you never before imagined possible.  Not only can acupuncture help cure existing ailments, but it can also help prevent the onset of potentially deadly disease.  Regular acupuncture treatments can leave you feeling healthy and vital in many ways, and can even help you to live a longer life.

Scoliosis refers to a medical condition where a person's spine curves from side- to-side. Back x-rays of people with scoliosis demonstrate "C" shapes or "S" shapes, as opposed to being straight.

Anyone can get scoliosis, but geneticists have identified DNA markers associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Causes Of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is classified according to its cause, and there are three main classifications:

• Congenital scoliosis, caused by vertebral anomalies at birth
• Idiopathic scoliosis (cause unknown) that occurs with infants, juveniles, adolescents or adults (adolescents is the most common occurrence)
• Neuromuscular scoliosis, which develops as a result of another condition such as cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, spina bifida or some sort of physical trauma

Curving often accelerates during growth spurts in adolescents, and cases with adolescent woman are most common. Scoliosis is less common with infants and young children, and affects boys and girls equally.

Scoliosis symptoms are as follows:

• Unequal hip lengths or leg lengths, resulting in tilting of the hips
• Uneven musculature development along one side of the spine
• One shoulder is higher than the other
• Lower back pains
• General fatigue
• Spinal curvature from side-to-side

Extended standing or sitting for people with scoliosis may result in spinal fatigue. Pain can also occur, depending on the amount of tissue irritation and spinal bone deterioration.

Treatment Of Scoliosis

There are a wide variety of treatments for scoliosis. The required type of treatment is determined by the amount of spinal curvature along with a person's age (which affects how supple the spine is).

The following treatment options are ordered from least to most severe:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Chiropractic or osteopathic therapy
• Casting (EDF)
• Bracing
• Surgery

Our Richmond Hill Chiropractic, Massage Therapy and Physiotherapy center can help treat scoliosis via:

• Spinal joint mobilization that improves flexibility and blood flow
• Spinal joint manipulation that increases flexibility, breaks down scar tissue, improves blood flow, stretches muscles and speeds healing
• Physiotherapy using the Schroth method, which is a noninvasive treatment based upon the idea that scoliosis results from muscular asymmetries
• Massage therapy that decreases chronic neck pain, shoulder pain and lower back pain
• Orthotics that are customized to your pertinent body measurements

The majority of scoliosis cases can be corrected and even extreme scoliosis can be treated so that the spine becomes straighter. Regardless of the severity, it is not necessary to live with pain resulting from scoliosis.

As treatment progresses your shoulders and hips will become more even, breathing will become easier, there will be less pain and greater ease of movement. Most of the improvement will be permanent, although there may be a small amount of regression between treatment sessions.

Scoliosis is a debilitating condition that needs to be detected and treated as early as possible. The longer it goes unnoticed, the more severe the treatment may have to be.

Fortunately scoliosis is easy to detect, the trick is to get checked out sooner rather than later.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has the necessary knowledge and expertise to start you on the road to recovery today. As professionals we can recommend the type of treatment needed and effectively implement that treatment, getting you back up and running in as little time as possible!

It’s no surprise that far too many of us are spending an inordinate amount of time sitting. We sit as we drive to work, sit at a desk, sit in front of our television, and we sit in front of our computers at home. If you add it all up it really is alarming just how many hours we spend sitting every day. There is a serious problem nowadays with our health because of sitting too much.

The more a person sits all day their risk of dying from all causes, especially cardiovascular diseases dramatically increases. Even if you work out, go for walks, or a swim on a daily basis, if you spend large swathes of the day sitting then you are elevating your risk of death from many diseases. Also keep in mind that sitting increases blood pressure in most people.

Let’s look at this another way – sitting for the bulk of your waking hours is not healthy for your back. There is an increased awareness that ergonomic chairs can help, which yes, can be good; however the bottom line it does not negate the fact that countless hours every day are spent sitting.

If you sit at a desk all day then there are some things you can do to help alleviate the ill-effects.

Move When You Can

Sitting on a stability ball really helps so long as you can stay focused. If you are reading then twist, move your legs up and down, swing your arms in circles or in any movement, twist your head back and forth, or move in any way imaginable that allows you to still focus on the task at hand.

Sit Upright

We know that sitting upright promotes great posture but as you sit upright lean forward and slowly move back; heck you can even move side-to-side somewhat. Hold in the stomach and be sure to be doing some deep breathing.

Stretching

Sitting is a flex posture so stretching is essential every half hour or so to help you feel better. Stretch out your arms, legs and be sure to stand up every so often and stretch. This is vital for infusing oxygen into the blood stream that helps us get through the day.

Standing Desks

Solutions to sitting all day do not include going to the gym or going out for a walk. There is evidence to suggest that the negative effects can’t be countered by a short period of time of strenuous exercise. The answer is to incorporate standing, pacing and other activities into your day.

Now here is a solution that many thought that only eccentrics used – a standing desk. These are gaining in popularity and for good reasons. Some studies have found that the overall mood of a person using a standing desk is better than those who sit. There is even evidence that some people actually lose weight when they use a standing desk.

Naturally this is not a desk for everyone. Those who are not certain if they can stand all day can find relief by having a bar stool-type chair to sit upon when they need to rest. Good standing desks have an elevated foot piece so one foot can be supported off the ground at a time.

Using a gel mat to stand on is really important because too much of a good thing can be a bad thing too and spending several hours on your feet can have bad effects – especially if standing on a hard surface. Keeping your posture straight is just as important standing as it is sitting and moving around a little and stretching is also a must.

Before investing in a standing desk try it out at home first by creating a standing desk out of various items in the home such as strong boxes. Standing desks are not for everyone. When creating a standing desk or purchasing one, keep in mind there are some measurements that you should adhere to. The monitor needs to be at eye level. Viewing distance should be 10 to 30 inches, wrists need to be straight and the elbow angle needs to be at 90 degrees and close to the body.

Standing allows for more movement possibilities such as squats and toe touching.

No matter what desk is for you the most important thing of all is to be sure you are moving as frequently as you can all day. Instead of sending an email to your colleague in the cubicle down the aisle – go deliver the message in person; take stairs not elevators; park a good distance from the front door and walk; these are some suggestions to help you to move as much as you can in the day.

If you want to research more about sitting and standing desks Smithsonian has a great article about this topic. Or you can give us call and one of our qualified health professionals can speak with you to help you determine if a standing desk is a good choice for you.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over half a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help evaluate if a standing desk is right for you. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-0419 for more information.

All living cells from simple organisms to humans depend on catalytic proteins called enzymes in order to grow, divide, and function normally. All living "systems" must have a healthy interaction of enzymes that are either synthesized from components of water, food and other nutritional supplements or from the breakdown products of tissues. Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes that aid in the digestion of protein and it has many health benefits.

Where Is Bromelain Found?

Bromelain is found naturally in the juice and stems of pineapples and as a result is often referred to as the pineapple enzyme. Interestingly, the pineapple belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, from which the enzyme bromelain was named. Although bromelain is found only in pineapples, it is not in high enough doses to act as medicine.

Bromelain Health Benefits

This enzyme has been heralded as an anti-inflammatory agent. Bromelain has brought temporary relief from inflammation caused by muscle soreness, injury, arthritis and even surgery. Some carpal tunnel syndrome patients have stated that they feel a reduction of numbness, aching, and tingling after taking bromelain. There have been many studies and although there appears to be mixed results, bromelain may also reduce bruising and healing time after surgery. Bromelain is often used to reduce inflammation due to sprains, strains, tendinitis and other minor muscle injuries.

Some naturopathic doctors have recommended that their patients take bromelain before and after
surgery and some suggest that pineapple dressings be applied to skin injuries (including wounds) to help reduce inflammation and promote quick healing. (Chiro-Med Rehab Centre recommends that you consult with a health professional before self-administering bromelain.)

Some studies have indicated that bromelain may actually help reduce cough and nasal mucus associated with sinusitis. In addition, it might even relieve inflammation caused by hay fever.

Other Health Benefits:

• Bromelain is well-recognized as a beneficial digestive aid. This mixture of enzymes not only
  benefits better digestion; it can reduce or eliminate heartburn, gastric reflux, nausea, and other ailments related to improper digestion of foods.
• After extended use, bromelain has been noted to reduce blood pressure.
• Heart researchers have discovered that bromelain can reduce thrombus and that it is an
  anticoagulant.
• When topically applied, bromelain lowers swelling and reduces pain associated with insect bites and stings.
• Bromelain has been used in alternative medicine to help reduce hemorrhoids, varicose veins,
  chronic venous insufficiency, as well as other conditions of the veins.
• Many studies indicate that bromelain may prevent blood platelets from clotting.
• The immune system may be boosted. In many people who were studied, cytokines, hormones in the immune system, increased when given bromelain.
• Although not studies on humans yet, animal studies indicate that bromelain possesses anti-
  bacterial and anti-viral effects that may help in relieving symptoms of urinary tract infections,
  bronchitis and pneumonia.

The health professionals at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill are excited about the new
research that is emerging about all the health benefits of bromelain. Bromelain as an anti-inflammatory has helped many people with tendonitis, sore muscles, arthritis and.

If you suffer from an inflammatory health ailment book an appointment with Chiro-Med Rehab Centre and let their professionals put you on the road to good health.