When it comes to memory loss, there are many risk factors including head injury, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, older age, alcohol consumption, stroke, and other medical conditions. Prolonged sitting at middle-age has now been added to the list of factors that can increase the risk of memory loss. It has been said that sitting […]
Welcome to Westview Wellness Centre
Opening Hours : Monday to Friday - 9am to 6pm, Saturday - 10am to 2pm
Contact : 604-904-3993
All posts by westview
SCOLIOSIS
Lately I have had multiple inquiries regarding what treatment options are available for management and or correction of scoliosis. I have gathered some information here to help answer such questions in an easy and understandable way.
The basic objectives of comprehensive conservative treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis are:
1. To stop curve progression at puberty (or possibly even reduce it),
2. To prevent or treat respiratory dysfunction,
3. To prevent or treat spinal pain syndromes,
4. To improve aesthetics via postural correction
1. To stop curve progression at puberty (or possibly even reduce it)
It is believed that it is impossible to fully eradicate idiopathic scoliosis with conservative treatment techniques available at present. It is possible and usually sufficient to prevent further progression, even if recent research papers conducted have shown that it is also possible to obtain some amount of curve correction.
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE VITAMIN D3 INSTEAD OF D2
As a chiropractor, I am repeatedly asked about the benefit of calcium and vitamin D supplementation. I thought the following information would be of great interest for many of my patients and others suffering from chronic pain, sleep disorders, and osteoporosis among many other conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency. Health authorities around the world […]
6 FAST FACTS ABOUT NUTRITION LABELS
Food and nutrition labels on food are packed with helpful information. Often they’re our go-to source for calorie, fat, and carbohydrate information, but they have a whole lot more to communicate to consumers. Here are some fast facts about what information you can find on food labels, and what it really means: 1. All ingredients […]
OVERVIEW OF COMMON NON-MIGRAINE HEADACHES
One of the most common types of pain is a headache. Many people resort to over-the counter medications to relieve their headache, instead of trying to eliminate the cause of it. Many patients with headaches seek alternative forms of therapy, with the most common being chiropractic care. Below is an overview of the most common […]
SIX BACK-SAVING TIPS FOR NEW PARENTS
Becoming a parent brings joy like no other, but it also brings a host of new challenges that test the most patient and nurturing among us. It is no secret that childbirth and the general sleep deprivation that typically accompanies caring for a baby have a profound impact on the body. In fact, musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints like back, neck and shoulder injuries are common among new parents, in part due to extra physical demands on the body. If you are currently pregnant and experiencing back pain, consider chiropractic care to help manage symptoms and improve function so that you are ready for your new arrival. Once you bring your baby home, consider the following tips, as well as talking to your chiropractor to ensure that you stay healthy, mobile and pain free throughout this huge life transition.
1. Lifting the baby
When lifting your baby from a crib, car seat or high chair, make sure to keep a neutral spine and use the proper technique to avoid injury. Use your legs, rather than your back, and bend at the knees and hips to lift gradually. Keep your feet grounded well and shoulder-width apart to balance the weight. Use a similar form when settling the baby into a crib or onto a change table. Also, if possible, try to change the baby’s diaper or clothing on a raised surface rather than on the floor or sitting awkwardly on the couch.
IMPACT OF COLD WEATHER ON YOUR MUSCLES AND TENDONS
You may find that as the weather gets colder, you may experience more aches and pains, and even feel like your muscles are stiffer. This is even more evident for workers who work outside in the winter or individuals with certain ailments. The cold weather can increase the risk of suffering from musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and can even increase the intensity of certain MSK conditions.
How Can the Cold Weather Impact Us?
If you live with an arthritic condition you might find that your symptoms may be exacerbated by cold weather conditions, which can keep you away from doing the activities you enjoy. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis may not react well to sudden weather or atmospheric changes, which may worsen symptoms.
A HEALTHY BACK STARTS WITH YOUR FEET
Contrary to popular belief, many people with foot problems do not have any pain in their feet. Instead, the area of pain is transferred up the body to the knees, hips, or lowers back. An example of this is one whose feet roll inward, which causes their pelvis to jut forward. This, in turn, causes the upper back to “hump” and the head to move forward, all in an attempt to keep the body balanced. In fact, 80% of people over forty years of age experience bodily distortions directly resulting from supinated (rolled out) or pronated (rolled in) feet. The most common symptom of this problem is not pain, but rather, a general feeling of fatigue.
Orthotics can help stabilize your feet and ankles, thereby alleviating the associated pains. Orthotics have been shown to help the following conditions: excessive pronation, arch pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Morton’s Neuroma, shin splints, Achilles and patellar tendonitis, patellofemoral syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, hip bursitis, hamstring strains and spasms, stress fractures, ankle sprains, chondromalacia patella, knee collateral ligament injury, vertebral subluxations, lower back pain, leg length inequality, lumbo-sacral strain, lumbosacral facet joint jamming, and pelvic rotation.
BACKPACKS CAN AFFECT YOUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH
School season is upon us and time to again remind all parents out there about the importance of proper backpacks for kids. Carrying a heavy load that is unevenly or improperly distributed can result in poor posture; and even distort the spinal column, throwing it out of alignment. This can cause muscle strain, headaches, back, neck and arm pain, and even nerve damage. For example, a heavy backpack carried on one shoulder, forces the muscles and spine to compensate for the uneven weight. This places stress on the mid and lower back, and may increase the likelihood of back problems later in life.
Here are a few pointers to help you help your school age children carry their load comfortably and safely:
Choose the right backpack:
Forget leather! It looks great, but it’s far too heavy. Go for vinyl or canvas. Pick a pack that has two wide, adjustable, padded shoulder straps, along with a hip or waist strap, padded back and plenty of pockets. Make sure the pack fits properly, is not too snug around the arms and under the armpits, and that its size is proportionate to the wearer’s body.
WEIGTH TRAINING THE HEALTHY WAY
Light weights, many repetitions effective at building muscle mass. New research is challenging traditional workout wisdom which says that heavy weight lifting is the best way to build muscle. In the latest results from a 16-year study by McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, lifting lighter weights many times was found to be as efficient as […]