Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic in Richmond Hill

Many of us have heard how our body needs enzymes but what exactly are enzymes and why is it our body must have enzymes?

Enzymes can be defined as being catalysts, substances that cause a chemical reaction to move faster. They are the catalysts of biochemical reactions in living organisms which includes the formation, breakdown, and the rearranging of molecules to provide organisms with the energy and materials required to live and function properly. In fact, enzymes are even more important than vitamins and minerals because without enzymes, vitamins and minerals are totally useless.

All enzymes are substances that occur naturally in all living things, including us. If it’s an animal or a plant, it has enzymes. Researchers have identified more than 3,000 different enzymes in the human body up to now; they are still examining the body as they believe they may discover more.

There is not a doubt that enzymes are absolutely critical for life process. Every activity that occurs in our body needs enzymes. This includes:

• The building of healthy tissue
• Synthesis and repair of DNA
• A strong heartbeat
• Proper digestion
• Absorption of food
• Blood coagulation
• Breathing
• Absorption of oxygen
• Breaking down fats in the blood, regulating cholesterol and triglyceride

Nothing can take place without energy and energy is produced with enzymes. The existence of every living cell in the human body depends on enzymes. Those of us whose bodies are rich in enzymes are people who function at their best and have the greatest advantages in resisting disease. In fact, enzymes are not only critical to human health, but they are also critical to plants and animals as well.

Nutrients and Enzymes:

If a person does not have all the enzymes required then their body cannot process and use the nutrients, vitamins or minerals that we also desperately need to be healthy. Enzymes are rather specific and each one promotes one type of chemical reaction. Some break down the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in our food into smaller molecules so that the digestion process runs smoother.

Like vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, enzymes work best when they are ingested from fresh sources. Taking enzyme supplements doesn’t replace a healthy diet of quality fresh produce.

Enzymes are not only ingested from the fresh vegetables and fruits we eat but our liver produces enzymes in which we cannot ingest. Having a healthy liver is essential so that it can produce the other enzymes we need.

Our body’s ability to function, to mend after injury, and to ward off disease is directly related to the strength and numbers of the enzymes in our body. Enzymes are also important to help recover from back pain, circulation problems and many other ailments.

Many people have an enzyme deficiency and are totally unaware of it.

Coenzymes:

Enzymes do not work all by themselves; they rely on other elements to complete their intended function. Some vitamins and minerals are really important for enzymes to do what they need to and these are known as coenzymes. Coenzyme Q10 is one that many are aware of and magnesium is another; in fact, magnesium is needed in over 300 enzyme reactions. Thousands of people are magnesium deficient and are totally unaware. According to Dr. Norman Shealy in Missouri, "Every known illness is associated with a magnesium deficiency" and that, "magnesium is the most critical mineral required for electrical stability of every cell in the body. A magnesium deficiency may be responsible for more diseases than any other nutrient."

Ingesting vitamins, whether from eating foods or as supplements, increases the quantity of coenzymes in the body. Some vitamins helps our body produce coenzymes, such as folic acid (B9) and some of the B vitamins and other vitamins directly act as coenzymes, such as vitamin C.

Boost Your Enzymes Naturally

There are only four things you need to do to increase your enzymes naturally:

1. Eat plenty of raw, living foods
2. Decrease calorie intake
3. Properly (and slowly) chew your food
4. Avoid gum chewing

The absolute best way to bring enzymes into your body is by eating mostly raw foods in your diet (at least 75 percent). A great way to help achieve this is to eat sprouts. Sprouting is cheap and easy to do. Although all raw foods contain enzymes, some are more powerful than others and sprouts are at the top of the list.

Other enzyme-rich foods include:

• Papaya, pineapple, mango, kiwi, and grapes
• Avocado
• Raw honey
• Bee pollen
• Extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil

Our body is very intricate and everything we choose to eat and drink throughout our lifetime will determine just how healthy or unhealthy we are and will become. Be sure to make healthy food choices, eat lots of raw food, and remember, exercise is also important in order to maintain good health.

DeQuervains disease is a painful disorder that affects tendons located at the base of the thumb. There are several kinds of tendon lining inflammatory diseases, but DeQuervains disease is the most common.

Tendons slide through sleeves (sheaths) and the inner wall of these “sleeves” has a slippery fluid to help lubricate the tendons. Repetitive movements such as forceful gripping contribute to the reduction of, or elimination of lubrication. When this occurs friction increases between the sheath and the thumb’s tendon creating an abnormal thickening. This constriction interferes with the smooth gliding motion of the tendons which in turn creates pain.

Although anyone can be afflicted with this, women between the ages of 30 and 50 tend to more likely to suffer from DeQuervains disease.

Causes Of Dequervains Disease

As mentioned above, repetition is the main cause of this condition. Squeezing, pinching, wringing, grasping all can contribute if done repeatedly.

Arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can also cause DeQuervains. Also, scar tissue from a previous injury can create difficulty for the tendons to slide easily through the sheath.

Symptoms Of Dequervains Disease

Pain is felt when moving the thumb away from the hand. This pain is felt at the base of the thumb as well as in the forearm.

Treatment

Treatment for DeQuervains Disease is approached in several ways. The first method is the simplest – cease all activities that cause the symptoms; or at the very least when this work cannot be avoided, take several breaks. Sometimes this is very difficult and so laser or chiropractic care may be required.

Chiropractic manipulation can help regain normal alignment and the thumb’s motion.

Benefits Of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy, or rather cold laser therapy is a viable option that can help. Cold laser therapy penetrates particular light waves that increase cellular metabolism. These wavelengths of light waves (photons) can penetrate as far as two to three inches so the affected areas are treated. Once the photons reach injured tissue, they stimulate and energize the cells to repair the damage at a remarkable rate; this helps to move the healing process along quicker and reduce pain.

This treatment is fast and efficient and this enables the patient to be pain free faster than other methods. A professional therapist places a “wand” over the injured area and holds it there a few moments; it’s that simple. Some patients report that they feel instant relief, while others say it takes about a day. Also, repeat visits may be required depending on the level of pain, but many patients have reported how thrilled they were with this treatment option. In the event that a patient experiences re-occuring pain every once in a while, they can continue with cold laser therapy treatment as it is non-invasive, does not hurt and has no side effects. The best part for the patient is that this treatment option only takes about 10 to 20 minutes and is very cost effective.

For more information about the benefits of cold laser therapy or about DeQuervains Disease, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill can help. 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.

Arthritis is a health condition in which its name is derived from Greek: “arthron”, meaning a joint, and “itis”, meaning inflammation. According to The Arthritis Society there are over one hundred types of arthritis but for simplicity sake, there are basically two categories of arthritis, inflammatory and degenerative.

Inflammatory Arthritis

Almost any joint in the body can be affected by inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis can start in many ways but the most common is a slow onset of stiffness and joint pain (in one joint) that spreads over a period of weeks or months affecting other joints. In some cases, it can even start rapidly.

Synovium is a thin layer of tissue that lines every joint in the body and it is responsible for creating small amounts of fluid to maintain normal joint lubrication. For reasons yet to be conclusively determined when inflammatory arthritis starts the body’s immune system turns against the synovium and attacks it. The immune system then releases chemicals that cause stiffness, pain and eventually can damage or destroy the bone and cartilage.
For some individuals it doesn’t seem to take that long to become a chronic problem that has a lifelong impact. Each person is different and what pain remedies work for one may not work for another.

Rheumatoid arthritis falls under this category of arthritis and it tends to mostly affect the smaller joints in the feet and hands. Other forms of inflammatory arthritis include:

• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Systemic lupus erythematous

Those between the ages of 30 and 60 tend to get these types of arthritis the most although any one of these can start at any age. The common morning stiffness symptom can last over one hour.

Degenerative Arthritis

Some people are afflicted with degenerative arthritis and this occurs when (over time) the cartilage becomes rough and wears away. As a result of this, the bone thickens and the affected joint becomes inflamed causing pain, swelling and even a feeling of warmth.

Cartilage plays an important role in the body as it is the tough elastic-like material that covers the ends of our bones creating a protective shield. In a healthy person, the cartilage is somewhat like a shock absorber when weight is applied; it also creates a lubricated surface so that the joints can move with ease.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative arthritis and generally affects the joints at the base of the big toe, knees, hips, fingers and at the base of the thumb. A person with OA may notice some stiffness in the affected area and it tends to last up to twenty minutes. As the joints get used throughout the day the discomfort level increases.

Another form of degenerative arthritis is degenerative disc disease. This or OA starts slow in the body and within a period of months or even years, gets worse.

Treating Arthritis

After a diagnosis by a health professional, he or she can then best suggest what treatment options are best depending on several factors. If discovered in the early stages the good news is that treatment options more than likely include non-medication therapies that include:

• Turmeric
• Physiotherapy
• Chiropractic
• Education
• Exercise
• Nutrition
• Glucosamine Sulphate
• Relaxation techniques

Prescription medications or over-the-counter medications tend to only cover the symptoms and the pain as opposed to strategies to effectively minimize (and in some cases eliminate) symptoms.

Implementing a holistic approach to help manage symptoms and pain is important when looking for treatment options. There are many options to consider in order to tailor a treatment plan specific to each individual. Diet is very important when managing pain and therefore must be part of a successful treatment program. There are also other rehabilitation solutions that are available at a chiropractic and physiotherapy office such as Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill.

For some people there are several pain management techniques that can be explored in order to minimize or even eliminate the need for medications. Often medications come with a long list of side effects that can do more harm than good and this must be taken into consideration in any treatment plan.

If you suffer with any form of arthritis, Chiro-Med Rehab Clinic in Richmond Hill has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. The health professionals at Chiro-Med can help you examine what options are available in order for you to live as pain-free as possible. Drop on by or call 905-918-0419 for more information or to book a consultation.

Nearly everyone experiences back pain at some point, often as a result of injury or poor posture.  Many jobs require people to stand or sit in the same position for many hours at a time, which puts an unreasonable amount of strain on the lower back over time, causing pain.  A visit to a Richmond Hill chiropractor may be just what you need if you suffer from lower back pain.

Chiropractic medicine is an alternative treatment that uses a drug-free and non-invasive method of treating lower back pain and many other types of health problems through hands-on manipulation of the spine.  Chiropractic care is based on the belief that the body has the power to heal itself if given the opportunity, and that the structure of the spine is connected to the function of all other parts of the body.  The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to balance the relationship between the spine and the rest of the body so that healing can occur.  When the movement of the spine is restricted by injury, swelling or misalignment, back pain occurs.  A Richmond Hill chiropractor will use spinal manipulation to change the alignment of the spine in key areas to loosen the vertebrae so they can move freely.

Lower back pain is one of the most common types of pain, and it can occur in anyone as a result of poor posture or inadequate support while sleeping.  Women who wear high heels often suffer from lower back pain, as the heels change the angle of the spine, forcing it into an unnatural position.  Looking fashionable can come with a price, and many women find themselves in need of regular visits to a chiropractor.  No matter what the source of your back pain is, a visit to a Richmond Hill chiropractor is sure to provide you with the relief that you need.

Core stability is at the centre of improving your winter sports performance. No matter what sport you participate for enjoyment or for competition, improving your ability to become better includes core stability.

The body’s core is often overlooked by many when they are trying to improve their skiing, skating, curling or any other winter sport they partake in. The central core of the body must be in great shape in order for us to be maximum for stabilization. Core stability for every one of us can be viewed as though it is a pillar; pillars are used as support for a building. In an active individual minimizing joint loads, regardless of the activity, is essential in helping to prevent injury and this is part of what core stability can provide.

Like any other part of our body, strengthening the core takes special exercises. These muscles are located deep inside. They include:

• The transversus abdominus is a very important core muscle. From the back it wraps around the torso, the top of the pelvis and attaches to the fascia pubic bone. It adds stability to the pelvis and lower back and compresses the abdominal area.
• The lumbar multifidus is on an angle from the sides to the tips of the vertebrae. Due to the angle, it helps with rotational stability. Many studies have shown that those with chronic lower back pain tend to have significant atrophy of the multifidus.
• The pelvic floor muscles connect the sacrum and pelvis to the pubic bone and these stabilize the bottom of the abdominal cavity. The pelvis floor, transversus abdominus and multifidus work together to stabilize the pelvis. The best way to strengthen the pelvic floor is by doing Kegel exercises.
• The transversospinalis muscles run from the sides of the vertebrae to the tips of the vertebrae. These muscles are also important for rotational stability.
• We have two oblique muscles and the internal oblique is the deeper of the two. It runs on an angle from the pelvis up to the ribs. In addition to helping stabilize the core, it also helps spine mobility.

All of the deep core muscles are very important for athletes and for all of us. When you perform movements (or exercises) that require the spine to be stable, you need these core muscles working well for you.

Those in martial arts have known for decades that well-developed inner core muscles are required in order to avert injuries and to produce powerful, balanced and solid movements effectively. When the core muscles are not in shape then core stability is not where it should be therefore athletic performance is not what it can be, strains are common, and susceptibility to injuries increases.

Regardless of it being a winter sport or any physical activity, developing core stability will also help with better posture, which is critical if you are active in winter sports (as well as for anyone). Better posture also leads to a better functioning respiratory system. Regardless of whether you are an athlete at the competitive level or an individual who just likes to participate in a winter activity once in a while, developing core stability leads to overall better health.

Simple At-Home Core Stability Exercises

Make a Bridge

Lay on the floor with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Squeeze your gluteals and push upward with your hip until your body makes a straight line from your knees to the upper body. Shoulders remain on the floor.

One Hand Flying

Kneel on the floor and put your hands (flat) below your shoulders and be sure that your knees are below your hips. Slowly extend the left leg back and the right arm forward as far as you can. Maintain that straight line as long as you are able, slowly bring back and then repeat with the opposite hand and leg.

Legs Up

Lay on your back with both knees bent. Tighten your abdominal muscles and slowly lift one leg straight into the air. Once as high as you are able, hold that position. Keep you knee slightly bent at all times. Slowly lower the leg then repeat with the opposite leg. Try lifting both legs at the same time as high as you are able, hold, and slowly lower.

These are some examples of how easy it is to start working on tightening your core muscles so you can improve core stability. Once you have improved your core stability you’ll notice a huge difference in your performance on the ice, on the ski slopes or anywhere else you enjoy sports.

If you need assistance or need some advice in strengthening your core muscles Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill can help. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals to help you lessen your chances of injury. Visit Chiro Med online or call 905-918-0419 for more information.

We have all suffered from back pain before, but not everybody seeks treatment for occasional back pain, or even for ongoing problems. Controversy over the effectiveness of chiropractic medicine discourages some people from making that first step and scheduling an appointment with a Richmond Hill chiropractor.

If you haven’t been to a chiropractor before, you may not know what to expect. Contrary to what many people think, chiropractic treatment is not painful, even when you are already in pain. A Richmond Hill chiropractor will assess your condition and decide what treatment you require. In the case of an injury, there is usually a lot of pain and swelling, but rest assured, the chiropractor would not aggravate sensitive areas and cause you unnecessary pain. When a painful injury is involved, the chiropractor will make gentle, subtle adjustments to avoid aggravating the injury.

Your Richmond Hill chiropractor is likely to recommend frequent visits at first, so that several subtle adjustments can be made to facilitate healing. These small adjustments will probably not hurt; in fact, it may not even seem that the chiropractor has even done anything at first, but you will probably notice improvement within the next 24 hours as the muscles begin to respond to the treatment.

After treatment, your Richmond Hill chiropractor will probably suggest that you take it easy and avoid any strenuous movements. This is because the muscles are accustomed to being in the position they were in before the treatment and need time to adjust to the slightly new position. Sudden movements can cause the muscles to return to the position they were in before treatment, prolonging recovery time. After your injury has healed, it is a good idea to schedule regular visits with your Richmond Hill chiropractor to maintain alignment of your spine and balance throughout your body.

How do you know if it is time to visit a chiropractor? You may have strained your back during physical activity, either during work or while at play, or perhaps you wake up with back pain every morning due to a poor quality mattress. Some jobs put an unreasonable amount of strain on the spine because we often have to repeat the same actions again and again without a break, or possibly have to stand in one place or sit in the same position for many hours on end. All of these common scenarios often result in a visit to a chiropractor. What many people do not realize is that a Richmond Hill chiropractor can do much more than just relieve pain.

A Richmond Hill chiropractor can provide you with ongoing chiropractic care that can not only correct spinal misalignment and relieve pain, but also prevent future injuries by increasing overall spinal mobility. When you are feeling pain-free and flexible, you are much more likely to participate in exercise that will strengthen your body and make it less susceptible to injury in the first place. Often, injuries to the back and other parts of the body occur because of muscle weakness due to lack of activity, or the wrong type of activity.

However, don’t wait for an injury to occur before you enjoy all of the benefits that chiropractic treatment can provide. It not only keeps the back feeling limber, but it also relieves tension and improves the function of all of the organs. Many people don’t know that visiting a chiropractor can actually relieve constipation, migraines and even arthritis. Ongoing chiropractic care can keep all of the body’s organs functioning properly, to keep you feeling healthy and vital and prevent disease. The best way to maintain optimal health through proper spinal care is to visit a Richmond Hill chiropractor on a regular basis. Your body will thank you!

Cerebral spinal fluid (also referred to as cerebrospinal fluid CSF) is clear fluid produced by dialysis in the choroid plexus (located in the brain). CSF is a critical component in creating a cushion to protect our brain and our central nervous system. Cerebrospinal fluid is always being produced and should there be any disruption in the production or in the protection of the brain and central nervous system then this means trouble.

Other CSF Functions

Cerebrospinal fluid acts as a chemical buffer giving us immunological protection as well as means for transporting nutrients, metabolic wastes and toxic substances. This fluid provides buoyancy to soft neural tissues which is critical in preventing the brain tissue from deforming from its own weight.

Recent research indicates that cerebrospinal fluid has a major influence on the body's homeostatic balance of acidity and alkalinity. There is also scientific research that indicates that the cerebrospinal fluid could act as a chelating agent by which it removes metallic toxins from the spinal cord and the brain providing protection against free radical oxidation.

Disorders of the CSF flow can affect the distribution neurotransmitters, disrupt the blood flow around the brain, and it can affect normal brain function.

Our bodies produce about one cup of CSF every day because it continuously replaces CSF as it is absorbed. There is a delicate balance between what is absorbed and what is produced and when the balance is off then hydrocephalus occurs. The most common factor that can cause this disruption is an obstruction. If left untreated hydrocephalus can cause cysts, infections, and brain tumors.

CSF Stasis

When the CSF flow becomes stagnant, this is a condition referred to as CSF stasis. CSF stasis is associated with several conditions such as vertebral subluxation complex (or joint fixation). (This is a term applied to a vertebra that has lost its regular position in relation to the vertebrae beside it. Eventually the wear and tear on the surrounding discs, ligaments, spinal muscles, or other spinal tissue causes pain, inflammation, tenderness and there is a decrease in spinal mobility.

CSF stasis also reduces cranial rhythmic impulses and can restrict respiratory function. Reduced levels of cerebrospinal fluid through key areas of the brain is a factor involved in degenerative disease.

Sedentary lifestyles and bad posture are culprits in creating a suitable environment for CSF stasis. A sedentary lifestyle creates poor core strength and muscle imbalances that lead to chronic subluxation patterns throughout the spine.

Improving CSF Flow

A healthy CSF flow depends on minimizing subluxation through corrective chiropractic techniques and specific spinal exercises including yoga.
If there is any ligamentous scar tissue along the pathway in which there is CSF then chiropractic adjustments will help to release this tissue. This allows for better neurological function. Also, chiropractic adjustments help to reinforce healthy soft tissue formation in the subluxated regions. This new healthy tissue allows these areas to have normal, healthy motion.

Chiropractic adjustments will dramatically increase CSF flow to help the blood flow properly around the brain, and to ensure proper distribution of neurotransmitters.
Balance board exercises can help restore and reinforce healthy sacral movement and initiate proper CSF flow. Balance boards have a very small centre of gravity that creates a challenge to the brain's coordinating centers resulting in increased receptor information allowing a greater degree of range of motion and an increased CSF pumping effect.

Repetitive cervical traction exercises put motion into the occipital region of the brain (rearmost portion of the skull). This motion helps to create a pressure change, which assists in the facilitation of the cerebrospinal fluid pump. This allows cleaner CSF to flow into the brain stem region providing fresh oxygen and nutrition.
Chiropractic adjustments unlock stiff areas of the spine and encourages growth of healthy soft tissue. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, specialized exercises will help to restore healthy CSF movement in the central nervous system. As part of your chiropractic treatment plan these exercises and adjustments are specifically designed for you so that your CSF flow returns to normal. In return there will be increased oxygen and nutrient-rich fluid reaching your brain stem and improving your overall health.

If you have concerns about the cerebrospinal fluid in your body not flowing at the rate it should be please give Chiro-Med Rehab Centre a call.

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 you attain maximum health. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.