Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic in Richmond Hill

Although most people experience occasional back pain or injury at some point in their lives, there are some who suffer from back pain on a continuous basis.  A Richmond Hill chiropractor can provide professional treatment for all types of back pain, whether it is occasional pain or an ongoing problem.

Ongoing back pain can have a variety of causes, many of them environmental.  A Richmond Hill chiropractor can correct the problem, but part of the treatment is identifying the source of the pain and taking steps to eliminate it.  Poor posture can be caused by excess body weight, uncomfortable shoes, or standing or sitting in the same position for long periods of time.  Many types of mattresses can also cause back pain.  If you wake up every morning with a sore back, it is a good indication that your mattress is not supporting your spine properly, and you may want to try a different type of sleep surface.  Often mattresses that are too soft do not support the body well enough, allowing the heavier parts of the body to sag and putting strain on the spine.  Lower back pain is one of the most common types of back pain, and it is one that often results in a visit to a chiropractor.

When you visit a Richmond Hill chiropractor, your initial visit will involve an assessment of your condition.  This will include an analysis of the type of pain that you are experiencing as well as an overall examination of your spinal alignment.  This will allow the chiropractor to recommend the right type of treatment for your condition.  Together, you and your chiropractor can work together to address some of the issues that are causing your back pain to allow you to get the most out of your treatment.

Chiropractic methods have proven to be a highly effective way to treat various conditions as well as being preventative. Regardless of the incredible track record of success there are still myths and rumors circulating that have no foundation.  Before we look at a couple of myth and fact scenarios, take a look at what the “Chiropractic for the World Foundation” (based in Calgary) has shown.

They posted on their website averages of malpractice insurance rates therefore providing us with some great insight into the amount of claims against health care practitioners.

• OB-GYN in Canada – $12,000 per year
• OB-GYN in Florida – $237,000 per year
• Dentist – $1500-2000 per year
• Chiropractor – $681 per year

What is very interesting is that in 2008, Ontario taxpayers spent $112 million to subsidize the medical malpractice fees paid by doctors and doctors themselves paid only $24 million. This means that the Ontario taxpayers paid 83 percent of the cost of malpractice fees.

Myth Vs. Fact

Chiropractic Care Makes People Feel Worse

Those individuals who have just started care may feel worse before feeling better and this is totally normal. However, what is critical is that the full treatment be provided and for the patient not to abandon care. When a person (for example) has had to live for years with a misaligned spine then it is totally natural for the body to adapt to the changes happening. This is no different than starting to exercise after years of inactivity, there will be aches and pains as the body adjusts. There is a transition period and depending on each individual the time frame will vary. The chiropractor who is treating the patient will explain this and let the patient know what to expect.
Being patient is important, but the results are well worth the wait. Chiropractic care does not just relieve symptoms; it helps the body heal the underlying problem so that the patient’s body will function at its optimum level.

Can Chiropractic Care Cause Strokes?

Some people are terrified of seeing a chiropractor because they believe they will have a stroke. Science has shown us that there is no need for concern.

First of all, according to the July 2000 issue of the Chiropractic Journal, the risk of having a stroke in a medical doctor’s office is equal to that of a chiropractor’s office. Strokes can happen anytime, anywhere.

Make no mistake, there have been extensive studies completed that have analyzed the risk of stroke following a chiropractic adjustment. The best estimates show that the likelihood of stroke following an adjustment range lies somewhere between 1 in 15 million people to 1 in 2 million people. This is in the same likelihood as being struck by lightning. What this study also shows is that yes, some people may have a stroke, the chiropractic treatment they received is NOT the cause.

Let’s take these numbers and put them into perspective.

• The risk of hospitalization (and death) from taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, or Motrin) is about 1 in 1000.
• The risk of death from cervical spine surgery (neck surgery) is about 1 in 200.
• The risk of irreversible neurological damage, from the same surgery is 1 in 65.

I Feel Fine. I Don’t Have To Go To A Chiropractor

Health is only a very small portion of how you feel; however, it is mostly about how your body is functioning.  People may feel fine for years yet do not feel cancer, heart disease or diabetes starting. These manifest over a period of many years, meanwhile the person “feels fine.”  Check out this fact: in 60% of cases of cardiovascular disease, the first symptom is either a heart attack or death.

So, you may feel fine however something may be happening with your spine or nervous system. Chiropractic care can assess how the body in functioning, primarily the nervous system. The nervous system controls, regulates, heals , and coordinates the function of your entire body. It only makes sense that is works properly.

Even if you truly feel fine, a chiropractic assessment can identify areas of subluxation (when one or more of the bones of your spine move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves), or decreased brain/body connection. This way, treatment will allow these areas to function properly.

Cracking Knuckles Will Cause Arthritis

There is no research that shows cracking knuckles cause arthritis. Joints need to move in order to function properly and often it is the opposite that causes arthritis, lack of movement.
Arthritis being the end result of knuckle cracking is a myth that inevitably started decades ago by parents who wanted to stop listening to children cracking their knuckles.

If a knuckle “feels” like it must be cracked then there is stiffness that needs to be alleviated. The same can be said for those who crack their backs. There is stiffness or a tight feeling in the spine therefore twisting alleviates that tightness.  (However, if this tight feeling happens frequently, there may be an underlying problem that needs to be attended to.)

If there are any other myths you have heard about chiropractic care please give Chiro-Med Rehab Clinic in Richmond Hill a call. They have a team of professionals that can help you get straight answers to your questions. Chiro-Med has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals to help you with all your chiropractic needs. Call 905-918-0419 or contact Chiro Med online!

Sources:
http://www.chiropracticfortheworld.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Medical_Protective_Association

Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy generally used to treat soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement caused by muscle or myofascial pain syndrome.

This form of therapy can best be defined as the assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. When you see a myotherapist, they assess your condition to find out the specific cause of the pain, provide treatment in the form of manual therapy, and restore pain-free functioning.

What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome

First, myofascial are the thin, fibrous strands of tissue that surround and separate muscles. Tendons and ligaments are comprised of bundled myofascia.

Myofascial pain syndrome (also known as myofascial dysfunction) refers to pain and possible inflammation in the body's soft tissues or muscles. Myofascial pain is a chronic, painful condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles). Myofascial pain syndrome involves either a single muscle or a muscle group. There are some cases in which the area where a person experiences the pain might not be exactly where the myofascial pain originates. Experts believe that the actual site of the injury or the strain prompts the development of a trigger point that, in turn, causes pain in other areas. In these cases, this situation is known as referred pain.

Can Myofascial Pain Be Muscle Knots?

Most people have experience a muscle knot. Although this term is frequently used, there is no actual knot even though it feels like it. A muscle knot is actually referred to as being is a myofascial trigger point. Every so often we may have a few random trigger points and this is an annoyance; however, a group of these “knots” is known as is myofascial pain syndrome. So yes, these muscle knots are a form of myofascial pain.

Trigger points can be somewhat debilitating. They can cause far more discomfort than most people believe is possible. Trigger points can generate odd sensations, and the source may not be obvious.

Signs and Symptoms

Those with myofascial pain syndrome usually report regionalized aching, and diffuse, persistent pain in certain muscles and joints. The pain intensity can vary from mild to severe and is usually related to muscle activity. Symptoms may begin after trauma or injury to the affected area or can be of gradual onset. The most commonly affected areas are the muscles in the shoulders and neck.

Trigger points, one of the main characteristics of myofascial pain syndrome, are considered to be hyperirritable, circumscribed spots located in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle. These points are painful on compression and can produce referred pain, referred tenderness, and even autonomic phenomena. Referred pain and tenderness occur when pain is referred to remote sites from compression of a myofascial trigger point. (For example, pain from compression of trigger points in the scalene muscles of the neck may be felt in the hand.)

If you are experiencing soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement caused by muscle or myofascial pain syndrome then myotherapy may be the preferred treatment.

Myotherapy is not a form of massage therapy, though a qualified therapist may use such a technique during a session if it is necessary for the treatment of your presenting condition. Myotherapy is a form of manual therapy which uses evidence-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation techniques to treat neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle and joint) pain and dysfunction. Clinical myotherapists use massage as their main tool however have also got the skills and knowledge to apply wide variety of other techniques when necessary to further assist the patient regain optimal health.

Some of the other techniques used by myotherapists alongside massage may include:

• Dry needling or trigger point therapy– when pressure or a needle is applied to a ‘knot’ in the muscle. This aids in the release of these trigger points reducing pain. Even though the same needles are used with dry needling their purpose is different to acupuncture.
• Myofascial release is another very effective technique when applied with massage. Myofascial release aims to release the fascia that surrounds all muscles.
• Heat therapy may be used to increase blood flow to an area by opening up the blood vessels. Heat offers a similar effect to massage in that it helps to promote blood flow and lymph flow which brings healthy nutrients and oxygen to the injured site and assists in the removal of wastes and toxins in the blood.

If you have soft tissue pain or restricted joint movement caused by muscle or myofascial pain syndrome then a qualified health professional at Chiro-Med can help.

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 a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help you seek relief from migraine pain. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Most of us will have minor back pain at some point in our life. As a rule our everyday body movements usually do not cause us problems, but symptoms can develop from everyday wear and tear, slouching, overuse, or injury.

Back pain can cause problems anywhere from the neck to the coccyx (tailbone). Our back consists of:

• The vertebrae (bones and joints).
• Discs separate the vertebrae and act as a shock absorber.
• Muscles and ligaments hold the spine together.

Back injuries are the most common cause of back pain and bad posture is a very close second. Often the two occur together because after an injury many people tend to slouch and this can make the pain worse. Good posture means your ears, shoulders, and hips are in alignment; if this causes you pain then you may have another condition such as a problem with a disc or bones in your back.

No matter the cause of mild back pain there are some stretches and exercises you can do at home to help alleviate the discomfort. Always remember to never attempt doing any stretch or exercise until a qualified health professional has given you the go ahead so that you don't cause further harm.

When you have the ok from a qualified health professional to do some stretching or exercises at home keep the following in mind:

• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Stretching should never hurt.
• Move into a stretch slowly.
• Hold stretches long enough (20-30 seconds) to allow your muscles to become loose.

Stretch #1

Kneel on all fours, with your knees directly under your hips and your hands under shoulders. Do not over-arch your back. Keep your neck stretched out, your shoulders held back, and always have your elbows slightly bent.

Slowly push backwards with your bottom making sure to maintain the natural curve in your spine. Hold the stretch for one deep breath and return to the starting position. Repeat ten to twelve times.

Stretch #2

Find a comfortable rug or mat and lie on your back. Place a small flat cushion under your head. Pull your legs up keeping your knees bent together with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your upper body relaxed and your chin gently tucked in.

Slowly roll your knees to one side, followed by your pelvis; be sure to keep both shoulders on the floor. Hold the stretch for one deep breath and return to the starting position. Then roll your knees to the other side and hold the stretch for one deep breath.  Repeat ten to twelve times making sure you alternate sides.

Stretch #3

Find a comfortable rug or mat and lie on your stomach. Prop yourself on your elbows, lengthening your spine. Keep your shoulders back and stretch out your neck.

Keeping your neck extended, arch your back up by pushing down on your hands. You should feel a gentle stretch in the stomach muscles as you arch backwards. Be sure to keep your hips on the ground. Breathe and hold for ten to fifteen seconds (whatever you are able to). Return to the starting position and repeat ten to twelve times.

Stretch #4

Find a comfortable rug or mat land lie on your back. Place a small, flat cushion under your head. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor at hip-width apart.

As you breathe out pull up the muscles of your pelvis and lower abdominals, as though you were pulling up a zipper along your stomach. Hold this gentle contraction while breathing from your abdomen anywhere between five and ten seconds, then gently let go. Be sure to keep the legs, shoulders and neck are relaxed. Repeat ten to twelve times.

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.

A bursa is a small gel-like sac that generally contains a minimal amount of liquid. Bursae are throughout the body but most importantly they are located around the heel, knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. These act as cushions between soft tissues and the bones in order to help reduce friction between the bone and gliding muscles. Should a bursa become inflamed, then bursitis is the result.

Bursitis Risk Factors

Although bursitis is something that can affect anyone those in their later years and women are more at risk. Hip bursitis is the most common and there are several risk factors that contribute to this. They include:

• Leg length – Sometimes one leg is longer than the other, and in some cases by more than an inch. The body tries to compensate as the person walks and this creates stress leading to hip bursitis.
• Calcium deposits – These deposits (and bone spurs) can develop within the tendons that attach to the bony prominences toward the near end of the femur (trochanter). This in turn irritates the bursa therefore causing inflammation.
• Overuse injury – Running, cycling, standing for long periods of time all can contribute to bursitis.
• Previous surgery – Surgeries around a prosthetic implant or hip can lead to bursitis.
• Hip injury – Any blow or injury to the hips can cause inflammation of the bursa.
• Spine disease – Scoliosis, arthritis of the lower spine and other spinal problems can contribute to bursitis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – This tends to increase the likelihood of bursae becoming inflamed.

Bursitis Symptoms

If an individual has bursitis, then he or she will feel pain. Often there is an achy or stiff feeling and the affected area looks swollen and is red. The affected area will hurt more when pressure is applied.

Bursitis of the hips often starts with pain at the point of the hip and extends to the outer thigh area. At the onset the pain is sharp and it later becomes achy. Typically the pain is worse after sitting for long periods of time, lying on the hip at night, and it may worsen with prolonged activity.

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

The good news is that most people with hip bursitis can get relief with some simple lifestyle changes. Some of these changes include:

• Avoid the activities that tend to worsen symptoms.
• Use anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and even turmeric.
• Overuse injury – Running, cycling, standing for long periods of time all can contribute to bursitis.
• If only temporary, use a walking cane or crutches to help you get through the worst of it.
• Seek the advice of a health profession who can help with physical therapy.

Some physical therapy methods include the use of heat, ice, electric stimulation, ultrasound and laser therapy, yet having the guidance of a health professional is strongly advised in order to minimize the length of time it takes to recover.

PREVENTING BURSITIS

Of course, like most health ailments, prevention is paramount. Avoiding certain activities that can worsen a pre-existing condition is the first step in prevention. Also, avoid repetitive movements that place stress of areas that have a bursa (especially the hips). Maintaining strength and flexibility in the hip area is really important.

Properly fitted shoes are essential if an individual is aware that one leg is longer than the other.
Last but not least, losing weight may be required to reduce the stress on the hips.

The best plan is that if you have suffered from or it feels like you may have bursitis, see a health professional. Never self-diagnose because things could go from bad to worse before you know it. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has friendly health professionals on staff to help you live pain-free as naturally as possible. 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.

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.

Neuromuscular skeletal conditions are experienced by just about everyone at some point in their life. Strains and sprains causing pain are common occurrences throughout our lifetime and sometimes the pain in so intense that it won’t go away. Part of the reason of this is because many people “carry on” their routines as best as they can without seeking treatment and this results in pain that may not go away.

Inflammation and pain are things that many individuals tend to live with by taking medications as opposed to seeking professional treatment that can relieve pain at the root cause. There are a variety of great treatment options out there but there is a type of medical technology that is innovative because it heals injuries on a cellular level and it is safe. The Theralase line of therapeutic medical laser systems are effective with most patients with treating an injury.

Conditions That Are Treatable

There are over twenty pre-programmed clinically proven treatments that the Theralase super-pulsed laser can help with. Some treatable conditions include:

• Pain management
• Arthritis
• Weight loss
• Healing wounds
• Addiction rehabilitation
• Anti-aging
• Herpes simplex
• Skin conditions
• Wrinkles and stretch mark

How Theralase Laser Therapy Works

Light therapy can improve circulation by increasing the formation of new capillaries. (Capillaries are the smallest of a body's blood vessels and are parts of the body’s micro-circulation.) New capillaries help to speed up the healing process by supplying extra oxygen and nutrients that are required for healing and to stimulate collagen production.

One of the secondary mechanisms of light therapy is that it can increase collagen synthesis. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair and replace tissue that has been damaged. It is the essential substance that binds cells together (in conjunction with elastin) therefore increasing elasticity. Increasing both collagen and elastin production has been proven to decrease scar tissue.

Benefits Of Theralase Laser Therapy

Proven clinical studies have found that there is an efficacy rate up to 90 percent and no side effects. This is treatment decreases or eliminates pain, reduces inflammation, promotes nerve axon growth, and so much more.

The positive biological effects are incredible. Some of these effects include:

• Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation – Theralase laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue that occurs after being scratched, cut, burned or from surgery incisions and it allows for the re-absorption of fibrotic tissue.
• Increased Circulation – This laser therapy induces (temporary) vasodilation, which increases blood flow to damaged areas and removes waste products.
• Increased Metabolic Activity – Theralase laser therapy produces higher outputs of specific enzymes, greater oxygen and nutrients to nourish blood cells. There is also an enhanced production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Anti-Inflammatory – This laser therapy reduces swelling caused by bruising and it reduces joint inflammation therefore providing greater joint mobility.
  • Rapid Cell Growth – Theralase accelerates cellular growth and reproduction.
• Stimulated Nerve Function – This therapy increases the process of nerve cell reconnection. This prevents or stimulates recovery from nerve-damaged areas.
• Fast Wound Healing – Damaged tissue is repaired quicker as this laser therapy stimulates fibroblast development and accelerates collagen synthesis.

Whether you need help with reducing pain, pain due to arthritis or desire anti-aging treatments give Chiro-Med Rehab Centre a call. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill has a convenient location and highly qualified health professionals on staff who are fully trained in the Theralase laser treatment. Visit www.chiro-med.ca or call 905-918-0419 for more information.

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