Very interesting piece on how many disc herniations will self-correct without surgery. This is a perfect example of why surgery should be a final option, not an early one.
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As you may know, the government of Manit
As you may know, the government of Manitoba has decreased the funding of Chiropractic services. At this time, this will not change anything at our office in terms of pricing of visits, treatment options or booking hours. We will continue to provide the best in Chiropractic as we have for the last 39 years. Thank you for your continued trust.
Your “lumbar spine”, or low back, is mad
Your “lumbar spine”, or low back, is made up of five bones stacked on top of each other with a shock-absorbing disc between each level. Your low back relies on muscles and ligaments for support. “Sprains” and “strains” are the result of these tissues being stretched too hard or too far, much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity. The term “sprain” means that the tough, durable ligaments that hold your bones together have been damaged, while “strain” means that your muscles or tendons that move your trunk have been partially torn.
Most people experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime, and 70% of those patients can attribute their symptoms to sprain/strain injuries. Lumbar sprains and strains may result from sudden or forceful movements like a fall, twist, lift, push, pull, direct blow, or quickly straightening up from a seated, crouched, or bent position. Most commonly, sprains and strains are not the result of any single event, but rather from repeated overloading. The spine can generally manage small isolated stressors quite well, but repetitive challenges lead to injury in much the same way that constantly bending a piece of copper wire will cause it to break. Examples of these stressors include: bad postures, sedentary lifestyles, poor fitting workstations, repetitive movements, improper lifting, or being overweight.
Symptoms from a sprain/strain may begin abruptly but more commonly develop gradually. Symptoms may range from dull discomfort to surprisingly debilitating pain that becomes sharper when you move. Rest may relieve your symptoms but often leads to stiffness. The pain is generally centered in your lower back but can spread towards your hips or thighs. Be sure to tell your doctor if your pain extends beyond your knee, or if you have weakness in your lower extremities or a fever.
Sprain/strain injuries cause your normal healthy elastic tissue to be replaced with less elastic “scar tissue.” This process can lead to ongoing pain and even arthritis. Patients who elect to forego treatment and “just deal with it” develop chronic low back pain more than 60% of the time. Seeking early and appropriate treatment like the type provided in our office is critical.
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to limit your activity for a while, especially bending, twisting, and lifting, or movements that cause pain. Bed rest is not in your best interest. You should remain active and return to normal activities as your symptoms allow. The short-term use of a lumbar support belt may be helpful. Sitting makes your back temporarily more vulnerable to sprains and strains from sudden or unexpected movements. Be sure to take “micro breaks” from workstations for 10 seconds every 20 minutes. Following acute injuries, you can apply ice for 15-20 minutes each hour. Heat may be helpful after several days or for more chronic origins of pain. Ask your doctor for specific ice/heat recommendations. Some patients report partial relief from sports creams. http://ow.ly/i/uGlk4
Nobody loves a good burger more than I d
Nobody loves a good burger more than I do….. Want to know how Gordon Ramsay makes his? Check it out! #SundayMealPrep #Winnipeg #Healthylifestyle
The muscle responsible for flexing your
The muscle responsible for flexing your hip toward your trunk, is called the Psoas. This muscle begins on your lower spine and passes through your pelvis to attach onto the top of your femur (thigh bone). Along this course, the muscle travels across the front of your hip socket and over several bony prominences. If the muscle is too tight, its tendon may rub over these “bumps”. This occasionally produces an audible snapping sound, hence the moniker, “snapping hip”, aka “psoas tendinopathy”.
The tendon can be irritated by an acute injury, but more commonly from overuse- particularly repeatedly flexing your hip toward your trunk. The condition is also known as “dancer’s hip” or “jumper’s hip”, as movements associated with these activities are known culprits. Likewise, the condition is frequently seen in athletes who participate in rowing, track and field, hurdling, running (especially uphill), soccer, and gymnastics.
Your symptoms may include a “snapping” sound or sensation when you flex and extend your hip- although many cases are silent. Repeated rubbing causes inflammation and subsequent deep groin pain that can radiate to the front of your hip or thigh. Long-standing problems can trigger weakness or even limping.
The diagnosis of snapping hip is frequently overlooked. In fact, some studies show that identification is often delayed more than two years, while other potential causes are pursued. Fortunately, your problem has been recognized, and our office has several treatments to help you recover.
Psoas problems often start when one group of muscles is too tight, while another is too loose. Your home exercises will help to correct this problem. Depending upon the severity of your condition, you may need to avoid certain activities for a while. You should especially avoid repetitive hip flexion. Prolonged seated positions can encourage shortening of your hip flexors so be sure to take frequent breaks. Patients with fallen arches may benefit from arch supports. http://ow.ly/i/uUcTn
Your brain processes three different inp
Your brain processes three different inputs to establish your sense of balance: your inner ear, your eyes, and tiny pressure sensors that line the inside of the joints of your upper neck. Each of these systems relays information to your brain about the position of your head and body. Dizziness or “vertigo” arises when one or more of these balance systems malfunctions and “confuses” your brain by sending incorrect information.
When you lean your head sideways, the pressure sensors on that side of your neck are triggered and relay information to your brain about the tilt of your head. When your inner ear and eyes agree with this information, all is well. If one of the joints in your neck becomes abnormally restricted, it’s pressure sensors are “falsely” stimulated. This sensory mismatch, called “cervicogenic vertigo”, confuses your brain into a temporary state of dizziness until it can sort things out. Cervicogenic vertigo can develop when the muscles of your neck are too tight or the joints become stuck in an abnormal position. Certain conditions, like joint swelling, disc bulges, muscle tightness, whiplash or arthritis can be triggers for cervicogenic vertigo.
Cervicogenic vertigo causes a feeling of light-headedness, floating, unsteadiness, or general imbalance, but rarely, true “spinning.” Your symptoms likely come and go and are provoked by movement and eased by remaining still. Many patients report some neck discomfort or stiffness associated with their dizziness. You may notice a headache beginning near the base of your skull. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a “severe” or “different” headache.
Conservative chiropractic care is very effective at relieving cervicogenic vertigo. One of the world’s leading experts states: “in no field is manipulation more effective than in the treatment of vertigo.” Studies have shown a greater than 90% success rate for the chiropractic treatment of cervicogenic vertigo. http://ow.ly/i/uSdag
Why Chiropractic? Health, Wellness and P
Why Chiropractic? Health, Wellness and Performance.
Your chance of developing arthritis incr
Your chance of developing arthritis increases with age. Hand arthritis is 2 1/2 times more common in women. #Arthritis occurs more often in joints that have been previously injured and in patients who perform repetitive movement of the hands- particularly labor and manufacturing jobs. Other risk factors include obesity and the presence of arthritis in your parents. Contrary to popular opinion, knuckle cracking does not increase your risk of arthritis, regardless of duration or frequency.
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#Wellness http://ow.ly/i/vo28x
The bones in your hand have a slick, pro
The bones in your hand have a slick, protective covering called “cartilage” on the joint surfaces that touch each other. This cartilage serves as a friction reducer and shock absorber, thereby, helping to extend the life of your joints. “Arthritis” means that your cartilage has begun to thin or crack and may eventually wear away –impairing your strength and dexterity. Painful hand arthritis affects up to 1 in 4 people. This degeneration has a tendency to affect specific joints, especially those of your index and middle fingers and the base of your thumb.
Your chance of developing arthritis increases with age. Hand arthritis is 2 1/2 times more common in women. Arthritis occurs more often in joints that have been previously injured and in patients who perform repetitive movement of the hands- particularly labor and manufacturing jobs. Other risk factors include obesity and the presence of arthritis in your parents. Contrary to popular opinion, knuckle cracking does not increase your risk of arthritis, regardless of duration or frequency.
Symptoms usually begin slowly and progress into longstanding hand pain that comes and goes. Your symptoms are likely aggravated by activity and relieved by rest. Hard, bony enlargements often develop along the joint lines, especially in women. You may notice morning stiffness that subsides fairly quickly.
The American College of Rheumatology recommends the use of non-drug treatments (like the type provided in this office) for hand osteoarthritis. Patients with thumb osteoarthritis may benefit from a nighttime splint. Topical creams, especially those including “capsaicin” may help relieve symptoms. You may find relief by warming your hands with a hot pack or “paraffin bath” when they feel stiff. Some patients report benefit by taking Glucosamine Sulfate. The mainstay of treatment includes exercises to help improve your mobility and strength.
Tendons are strong bands of fibrous tiss
Tendons are strong bands of fibrous tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Your “patellar tendon” connects your kneecap (patella) to your shin bone (tibia). “Patellar tendonopathy” results from repetitive straining and micro-tearing of this connection, resulting in pain and inflammation. The condition is referred to as “jumper’s knee,” since damage is thought to often result from repetitive jumping. The condition should probably be called “landing knee,” since forces on the patellar tendon are twice as great during landing as compared to those created during take off.
Patellar tendinopathy is common, affecting almost 20% of all athletes with a rate as high as 50% in sports that require repetitive forceful jumping, like basketball and volleyball. The condition may affect one or both knees and may be slightly more common in males.
Weakness in the quadriceps muscle of your thigh can allow excessive bending of your knee when you land following a jump. This places your patellar tendon at a greater risk for injury. Having strong quadriceps muscles protects your knee from excessive flexion and injury.
Symptoms of patellar tendinopathy include pain or swelling just below your kneecap. This may begin without an identifiable injury and may come and go for months or years. Symptoms are usually aggravated by activity, but most athletes have been able to continue playing through the pain. Pain often increases during activities that require strong quadriceps contraction, like jumping, squatting, arising from a seated position, stair climbing, or running. Walking down stairs or running down hill seems to be more bothersome than going up.
Some athletes may have unconsciously learned to protect their knee by developing unnatural jumping mechanics. This could include landing with a more rigid knee, or allowing too much hip flexion. You may need to become more conscious of landing with the right amount of knee flexion with your foot in a neutral position and avoiding excessive hip flexion. Your doctor would be able to answer any questions you have about good jumping mechanics.
Patellar tendon straps, like a Cho-pat, can help reduce stress on your patellar tendon and relieve pain. Three fourths of the people who use patellar tendon straps for patellar tendinitis report improvement.
Patellar tendinopathy is treatable. Patients who follow a well-planned strengthening program show similar outcomes to those who have undergone surgery for the problem. Initially, you may need to decrease your training intensity to help protect your knee. You should stay away from activities that produce more than mild pain. You should avoid complete rest, as this could actually increase your risk of recurrence. Using ice packs or ice massage for 10-15 minutes at a time, especially following activity, may help to reduce inflammation. Below, we have listed some of the treatments and exercises that will be used to help relieve your pain. http://ow.ly/i/uGXjG http://ow.ly/i/uGXkF
Aberdeen Chiropractic 