Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic in Richmond Hill

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from stress, muscle stiffness and back pain, you may prefer to use a drug-free approach to treatment. No matter what ailments you may have, you can find a variety of alternative forms of therapy in Richmond Hill. Therapies most commonly used to relieve pain and stress, include chiropractic treatment, massage therapy and acupuncture.

Chiropractic treatment is commonly used for the treatment of back pain, but it can benefit many other parts of the body as well. This is because the spine is linked to all other parts of the body, so adjustment of the spine also helps to adjust other areas as well. Many people find relief from headaches, mood disorders and digestive difficulties by visiting a Richmond Hill chiropractor.

Massage therapy is an ancient art of relaxation that has been practiced in many cultures for thousands of years. Massage is said to balance the mind, body and soul, and enable the body to heal itself both inside and out. Richmond Hill massage therapy improves circulation, releases toxins from the tissues and triggers the release of endorphins that relieve pain and give you an overall sense of well being.

Practiced in the Orient for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine. In acupuncture treatments, tiny needles are inserted into the skin at key points to relieve pain and promote healing. At Richmond Hill, acupuncture can be used to relieve a multitude of health problems, including chronic pain, disease, obesity and addictions such as smoking.

Most people find therapies such as Richmond Hill massage therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture much less invasive and unpleasant than conventional medical procedures. In many cases, alternative therapies such as these are a viable alternative to drugs, surgery and other forms of medical intervention.

Individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome can experience anything from tingling, to burning, or numbness in the hand and fingers, especially in the area of the thumb and first two fingers.  This is caused by the nerves getting pinched.  In some cases, strength and mobility in the affected hand can be significantly reduced as well.

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can become a chronic condition that makes it difficult for those who need to use the affected hand; they will experience significant pain levels.  Also, if left untreated, medical conditions can occur such as bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist.

Some U.S. studies state that this ‘tennis elbow of the wrist’ is the cause for the highest number of work days lost.

Graston Technique® Treatment

There are many different treatment options available to those who have carpal tunnel syndrome however, there are a growing number of individuals who seek a natural therapy. Graston Technique® treatment has rapidly become the treatment of choice for health care practitioners and for patients.

Graston Technique^® treatment is a modification of the more traditional hands-on approach. This treatment uses specially-designed instruments that are hand held by the health care therapist. The therapist uses a specific instrument to a targeted area to introduce a controlled amount of microtrauma so that injured tissue (or in other injuries scar tissue) can experience a small amount of inflammation and this augments the healing process. Not only is this beneficial for the patient, the use of these instruments means that the therapist’s hands does not experience the level stress that he or she would without using Graston Technique^® instruments.

Graston Technique® Benefits Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The Graston Technique^® has proven to help in the healing of patients with many cumulative trauma disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome. Some health professionals offer therapies such as physiotherapy and splinting, and in some cases this is effective. When a health professional uses The Graston Technique^® in combination with suggested exercises for the injured hand then recovery time is generally accelerated. When this technique is used the fully-trained therapist is able to penetrate the area deeper than a hand therefore providing better results in less time. Many carpal tunnel syndrome patients agree that this method of treatment works well and in many cases has saved carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers from having surgery.

If you suffer with carpal tunnel syndrome do not rule out this type of rehabilitation therapy. This may be just what you need to avert surgery. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill can work with you to determine what your best options are. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals to help you get on the road to recovery. Visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 for more information on the Graston Technique^®.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of disability among the elderly, therefore it is important to have this diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Going into the senior years with osteoarthritis of the knee can be averted.

Causes Of Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Osteoarthritis can be caused if trauma has been experienced, injury or an infection. The articular cartilage is a smooth, fibrous connective tissue that acts as a protective cushion between bones. When this cartilage deteriorates then arthritis sets in. Joint space narrows between the bones creating a loss of the articular cartilage. This is an early indicator that osteoarthritis of the knee is imminent and it is detectable on x-rays.

Risk Factors In Getting Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

There are some risk factors associated with Osteoarthritis of the knee. The following is a brief look at some of the risks:

• Weight: Weight creates pressure on the joints.
• Age and Gender: Those who are aging and in particular women over 50.
• Trauma: Previous sports injuries.
• High Impact Sports: Tennis players, runners and elite soccer players are at increased risk.
• Diet: Lack of proper nutrition.
• Heredity: Some evidence indicates that genetic mutations may be a factor.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is diagnosed by the patient reporting the symptoms, physical signs and an x-ray. There are many therapies available to those who suffer including physical therapy, exercise and bracing.

Theralase Laser Therapy

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill uses another form of therapy to help some patients who suffer with osteoarthritis of the knees, Theralase  Laser Therapy.

Theralase Laser Therapy is a super-pulsed, cold laser technology that’s used for a wide spectrum of health ailments including osteoarthritis. This therapy heals neural muscular skeletal conditions through inflammation reduction, increased tissue regeneration and pain elimination.

The Theralase Super-Pulsed Laser System is effective because it can penetrate almost four inches into tissue. This in turn promotes cellular regeneration at the source of injury. Laser energy accelerates the body's natural healing mechanisms energy so reparation to damaged cells is possible. Depending on the severity of the osteoarthritis, returning to an active lifestyle pain-free within a few weeks is possible.

Some other Theralase Laser benefits include:

• Anti-inflammatory – Laser light reduces swelling or inflammation of the joints.
• Increased Metabolic Activity – Higher outputs of specific enzymes, increased oxygen for healthy cells.
• Rapid Cell Growth – Laser light accelerates cellular growth and reproduction.

Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee will find that the length of treatment depends of the severity. Treatments required can range depending on the person’s natural healing rate and the severity of the osteoarthritis. Each individual treatment can be completed in as little as 2 minutes or as long as 20 minutes.

Theralase Laser is state-of-the-art technology and osteoarthritis of the knee is only one health ailment that this therapy has a success rate with. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre helps their patients using this revolutionary laser treatment who have carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, tennis elbow, and much more.

This is a proven method to help you that is perfectly safe and effective. 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.

Metatarsalgia is a condition that affects the ball of your foot causing pain and inflammation. This condition is not considered serious but the pain can sideline an individual from their normal activities. Metatarsalgia is considered a common overuse injury that originates in the metatarsal region of the foot.

Causes Of Metatarsalgia

There are a few known causes of metatarsalgia. This “ball-of-foot” pain is experienced among those who have improper footwear, especially women. This is because women wear shoes that are not designed for comfort; high heels and shoes that narrow in the toe area inhibits a healthy walking process and leads to extreme discomfort in the forefront of the foot.

Also, those who participate in high impact activities without proper footwear and/or orthotics tend to suffer with metatarsalgia. In addition, as we grow older, the natural “padding” in our feet tends to thin out, making us more susceptible to pain in the ball-of-the-foot area.

Any person, regardless of age may experience metatarsalgia if they are physically active and participate in activities that involve running and or jumping.

Symptoms Of Metatarsalgia

Those who have metatarsalgia usually experience a sharp, burning pain on the ball of the foot area (behind the toes). This pain usually worsens when the individual stands, walks or runs and also when the affected foot is flexed. Resting often can sometimes ease the pain. Some people who have metatarsalgia also experience toe numbness. Although these symptoms tend to manifest abruptly, it usually takes weeks for metatarsalgia to develop.

Prevention Of Metatarsalgia

Preventing metatarsalgia is easy so long as you are aware of the causes. Anyone who engages in running, jumping, or aerobic exercises must have proper footwear. Everyday proper footwear is essential in order to keep your feet in good shape. salgia if they are physically active and participate in activities that involve running and or jumping.

Metatarsalgia Treatment

First of all it is important to mention that getting a proper diagnosis is essential in order to treat metatarsalgia effectively. Only once properly diagnosed can a treatment plan be implemented.

Depending on the severity, metatarsalgia treatment can be as simple as applying ice packs to the affected area several times. Rest is another simple but effective way to treat metatarsalgia. Keeping stress off the balls of the feet is important in order to reduce inflammation and pain.

Athletes who need to still keep active are usually advised to temporarily switch to low impact exercises such as swimming. Even if some usual activities are maintained, no treatment will effectively work and the injury will inevitably worsen.

Causes Of Metatarsalgia

There are a few known causes of metatarsalgia. This “ball-of-foot” pain is experienced among those who have improper footwear, especially women. This is because women wear shoes that are not designed for comfort; high heels and shoes that narrow in the toe area inhibits a healthy walking process and leads to extreme discomfort in the forefront of the foot.

Also, those who participate in high impact activities without proper footwear and/or orthotics tend to suffer with metatarsalgia. In addition, as we grow older, the natural “padding” in our feet tends to thin out, making us more susceptible to pain in the ball-of-the-foot area.

Any person, regardless of age may experience metatarsalgia if they are physically active and participate in activities that involve running and or jumping.

Health professionals at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill find that many of their patients have a great recovery rate when they are prescribed custom orthotics to minimize pressure. Although there are over-the-counter shock-absorbing insoles, these are designed with a “one size fits all” template. There is no “one-size fits all” when it comes to proper foot support.

Orthotics from Chiro-Med Rehab Centre are medical inserts that comfortably fit into footwear, and are custom designed to support and improve the functioning of feet. Regardless of where you go, work, school, or recreation activities, orthotics should be worn at all times – even at home. Orthotic insoles work like prescription eye-glasses; they can only work when they are being worn. During the first couple of weeks while wearing custom orthotics, there may be a slight discomfort in the arches, feet, and legs. This is normal, and is actually an indication that your custom orthotics are working.

Only in the absolute most severe cases and when all other treatment avenues have been explored is surgery suggested. Surgery involves the realignment of the metatarsal bones.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals to help you get back activities you once enjoyed – pain free!
Call 905-918-0419 for more information.

Healthy aging happens only through a healthy lifestyle. Many people are on a quest through life trying to discover the latest lotions, supplement pills, and other methods to thwart off life’s aging process. Make no mistake, we all are going to age, there is no fighting it; however, there is a way to ensure you age well and stay relatively healthy. It’s somewhat simple; you just need to take good care of yourself.

Health Canada defines healthy aging as “a lifelong process of optimizing opportunities for improving and preserving health and physical, social and mental wellness, independence, quality of life and enhancing successful life-course transitions” (Health Canada, 2002). This definition, although lengthy, is vague; however this is something that cannot be adequately defined in one or two sentences.

The importance of a proactive and preventative approach to our health in unequivocal. Being proactive can begin at pretty much any age but the earlier in life you take care of your body, mind and soul, the easier healthy aging will be. Far too many young adults feel they are invincible (and let’s face it even us more mature individuals still feel that way at times). Our food choices, how we choose to dress outdoors, our career choices, and our lifestyle choices all add up in a way that can add or take away years from us.

Prevention By Building Your Immune System

Preventing illness, disease and injury tops the list when we think about how to age healthy. There is continuous debate on vaccinations and yet nowhere in this debate is the immune system mentioned. It is mission critical to do everything in our power to build and maintain a great immune system. Avoiding sugars, high fructose corn syrup, and other additives that have detrimental effects on us is really important. Sugar can suppress the immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease. It can also upset how minerals are absorbed into our system causing deficiencies; and sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium. Sugar can cause tooth decay, periodontal disease and premature aging.

If you think switching to aspartame or any other synthetically-produced sweetener is better, please do your research on these. Many studies show these can be equally as bad or worse for our health.
Avoiding (or limiting) lifestyle choices that can have detrimental effects on your body is essential. These include smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, illegal drug use and abusing pharmaceutical drugs. Abusing pharmaceutical drugs has become a huge problem in society, one that some studies seem to indicate is worse than illegal drugs and alcohol combined.

A great immune system includes lots of vegetables (especially cruciferous choices), drinking lots of water daily, drinking healthy tea choices, limiting coffee, fresh air, maintaining a healthy pH balanced body, and making sure your body gets all the vitamins, minerals, fats, protein, and other nutrients it needs.

Your immune system also benefits when you get adequate sleep. Too many of us are running on empty because we’re not getting proper sleep and there is not a doubt that healthy aging includes sleeping at regular times.
The Internet has some amazing resources out there on how to boost your immune system but it also can be quite overwhelming. Getting help from a professional may be your best choice.

Exercise

Yes, we have heard this one at least a thousand times; exercising is mission critical to maintaining good health. There is an old saying, “use it or lose it” and this is applicable to our body. If you do not exercise on a regular basis then over time your muscles will become weak and flabby; your heart and lungs will develop some struggles to the point walking up a flight of stairs becomes a challenge; and your joints will become stiff and more susceptible to injury.

Exercising helps us to age healthy. Our bodies are meant to move, and sadly far too many of us are not nearly as active as we should be. Getting regular exercise helps reduce the risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. With increased blood flow comes better looking skin and it slows the aging process.

Optimizing Mental Health

Sadly, there are so many individuals who have suffered a horrific event in their life that has caused them severe emotional harm. Keeping your mind healthy is just as important as keeping your body healthy. Our minds are very powerful and they make or break how we handle various situations throughout the day. Anyone who has unresolved issues will struggle in interactions with others and it will interfere with healthy aging. It is really important to resolve pain and move forward. Letting go of the small stuff is just as important too.

Keeping your brain healthy by doing ‘exercises’ is really important to healthy aging. There is not a doubt that reading, doing crossword puzzles, learning something new on a regular basis all helps to maintain memory ability and happiness. Oh sure you can drink all the rosemary or gingko biloba teas you want to help improve memory but, like our muscles and joints, you need to use the brain or you may lose it.

Love Life

Negativity brings us down; always try to find the positive even in a bad situation. This is not easy but we really need to fill each day with positivity and love. Any negative emotions will drain us and age us. Have healthy relationships with others and get involved in activities that give meaning and excitement to your life. Visit friends, volunteer and surround yourself with people who make you feel happy and you’ll notice a difference in how you look and feel.

Laugh – lots! Laughing releases all those feel good endorphins and makes you look and feel fabulous.

Re-prioritize things in your life so that you can go to sleep at night feeling at peace with yourself. This is easier said than done, but the more at peace with life you are, the healthier you’ll age.

Regular Check Ups

Eating a very healthy diet is critical to not just your overall health but to the health of your teeth as well. We are very complex and having healthy teeth and eyesight is also critical in order to age healthy. Having regular eye and dental check ups are just as important as a seeing your doctor for a regular examination.

Last but not least by any means, having regular check ups with your chiropractor is something to seriously consider in your plan for healthy aging. Many people never think of a chiropractor until a problem arises yet there are many things that a chiropractor can do to help you prevent unhealthy aging.

To find out how a chiropractic check up can help you on your journey to healthy aging 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 come up with a personalized plan to ensure the stretches and exercises will benefit the health of your spine. 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.

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.

Lateral epicondylitis is a physical health condition more commonly referred to as tennis elbow. This painful condition has affected many people and it involves the tendons that attach to the bone on the outside part of the elbow. Tendons anchor muscles to bone. The muscle involved in this condition, the extensor carpi radialis brevis, is what is felt when tennis elbow strikes.

Degeneration of the tendon's attachment is what happens with lateral epicondylitis; the weakening places enormous stress on this area. Eventually this leads to pain when involved with activities in which this muscle is used such as lifting, gripping, and grasping. Tennis is usually associated with this condition but the problem can occur when participating in many different types of athletic or non-athletic activities. The good news is that the qualified professional staff at Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill can help.

Causes Of Lateral Epicondylitis

There are numerous causes of lateral epicondylitis that are work and leisure-related. Any activity that places enormous or repetitive stress on the tendon attachments causes tennis elbow. These stresses can come from holding too large a grip or from repetitive gripping activities. This can include painting, meat cutting, window washing with a squeegee and much more.

Another cause can be when the area receives a direct blow that results in the swelling of the tendon and this can lead to degeneration. A sudden and extreme action, activity or force can also injure the tendon.

Although this condition affects many people between 30 and 50 years of age, it can occur in any age group.

Symptoms Of Lateral Epicondylitis

Pain is usually the primary reason that patients seek out medical evaluation. The pain is located over the outside area of the elbow, over the bone area which is known as the lateral epicondyle. When you have tennis elbow, this area becomes tender to touch. Pain also occurs by any activity which places stress on the tendon, such as gripping or lifting. With activity, tennis elbow pain generally starts at the elbow and can travel down the forearm to the hand. Depending on the severity, any motion of the elbow can become painful.

Treatment Of Lateral Epicondylitis

The good news is that there are non-surgical treatment options. The most common form of treatment is simply limiting or eliminating aggravating activity. Total rest in some cases is not recommended. Modifying how you grip items can also help.

A brace may be required to reduce the tension on the tendon in order to allow it time to heal properly.

Physical therapy plays a large role in the treatment of tennis elbow. A physiotherapist can provide stretching and strengthening exercises to help treat this condition. Also, modalities such as ultrasound, laser or cryotherapy treatment can be used. In some cases anti-inflammatories may be required.

Only in severe cases is surgery considered. The pain must be incapacitating and the patient has not been able to respond well to conservative care. Surgery should never be an option unless severe pain has been ongoing for many weeks.

Like so many other health conditions, it is very important to diagnose lateral epicondylitis as soon as possible. The sooner tennis elbow is treated, the faster the patient can resume their daily activities.

Chiro-Med Medical Centre has the necessary expertise and knowledge to help you recover from lateral epicondylitis. As professionals we can recommend the type of treatment needed and effectively implement that treatment, getting you back up and running as quick as possible! No two patients are identical and neither is treatment. We ensure that you get a treatment plan tailor-made for your abilities. Chiro-Med Medical Centre in Richmond Hill looks forward to helping you resume activities you enjoy!

Studies have shown that acupuncture offers some benefits to those who are trying to lose weight. The body has energy meridians and the ancient practise of acupuncture helps individuals in a myriad of ways including weight loss.

Weight gain isn’t the result of just a bad diet; there are other factors that contribute to gaining weight. Bad diet habits combined with little or no exercise is perhaps the main reason people gain weight but for some, there are other factors. Hormone imbalances and a slow metabolism (usually linked to lack of exercise) are other reasons.

Often people will blame diabetes for their weight, but most individuals with diabetes get this as a result of eating too much food, including sugar. Results of a large epidemiological study conducted at University of California San Francisco, suggest that sugar may have a direct, independent link to diabetes. An article on the university’s website says:

Researchers examined data on global sugar availability and diabetes rates from 175 countries over the past decade. After accounting for obesity and a large array of other factors, the researchers found that increased sugar in a population’s food supply was linked to higher Type 2 diabetes rates, independent of obesity rates. Their study was published Feb. 27 in PLOS ONE.

Losing weight is a major money-making industry with all sorts of gimmicks, products, and pills offering results. Americans spend over $33 billion every year on weight loss programs. Sadly, over 90 percent fail in their attempt to lose the weight they need to maintain good health. The reality is that changing the diet and regular exercise is critical in achieving results. This is much easier said than done and this is why people tend to seek out “quick fixes” when wanting to lose weight. There are additional ways that can help, but again, diet and exercise must be part of the goal to achieve and maintain results.

Acupuncture

Using acupuncture to help with weight loss is a multi-pronged approach. According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, recent studies have shown that when acupuncture is combined with traditional methods of weight loss, patients lose more weight.

A study published at the National Institutes of Health showed that acupuncture in combination with diet restriction was found to be effective for weight loss. Acupuncture can be used as a synergistic treatment option for obesity control (and weight loss in general).

Of particular interest is acupuncture’s ability to influence obesity hormones. Research measuring the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss found that acupuncture treatments increased ghrelin, a hormone that regulates fat storage and metabolism. Acupuncture can also strengthen the function of the liver. The liver is the organ that produces chemicals critical for digestion, the processing of nutrients and breaking fat down. It is suspected that acupuncture may increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach to help individuals obtain the “full” feeling.

According to Dr. Oz, acupuncturists focus on the four acupuncture points that target hunger points on the ear. Tiny sterilized needles are inserted along these inner channels to decrease the "heat" generated along these meridians and to stimulate centres that trigger the release of neurochemicals and hormones that help in weight loss.

As with any changes to the body, there may be minor side effects to acupuncture treatment that include fatigue, soreness, and possible muscle spasms. In the weight loss process, the body will experience changes including hormone levels (for the better).

It is very important to seek the services of a qualified acupuncturist in order to obtain best results. Be sure to follow through with diet suggestions and exercise regularly.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar 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 help you develop a personalized plan to help you safely lose weight. 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.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4877795/

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2013/02/13591/quantity-sugar-food-supply-linked-diabetes-rates

https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/11/05/acupuncture-can-help-weight-loss

http://www.doctoroz.com/article/acupuncture-and-weight-loss