Wins for the Week!

Patient N is a 73 year old man who was very grumpy because he had a constant cough. The cough never let up including at night. He was not able to sleep, because he coughed all night long. After a multitude of many tests over the last year, he was diagnosed with a fungal infection in his sinuses. We only saw N a few times and we adjusted his face, the bones around his sinuses. At last report, N announced "you fixed me! My cough is gone! I can sleep through the night!" N is very happy!

Our Story...

I am a healer. I didn't know that until I was well into the program to become a Chiropractor. A true healer is more than just their skills and training. I believe that a “healer” has the ability to tap into a universal force for guidance. It is a force that is sometimes called “chi” or “intuition” but it is a knowing that is more than just the person doing the healing. A healer can put their hands on another, and just “know” that there is a problem. Training, then, can help that person discern “where” the problem is, and “what” needs to be changed.

What you Need to Know About Concussion

A concussion is a “biomechanically induced alteration of brain function”, or a bruise to the brain.  This is commonly but NOT ALWAYS caused by a blow to the head.  A blow to the body, such as a body check in hockey or rugby, can also cause a concussion.  Think of a ball in a bucket of water.  The ball will float freely, but if there is a strong contact with the side of the bucket, the jarring force will cause the ball to make contact with the side of the bucket.  This is similar for our brain in its skeletal “bucket”.

NO BRAIN INJURY SHOULD BE DESCRIBED AS MILD

Once a person experiences a concussion, the likelihood that they experience a 2nd concussion is increased.  Symptoms in a 2nd concussion may be more severe and take an extended time to resolve.  This is true, even if a second concussion takes place years after the first.  Think of an earthquake that weakens the foundation, so aftershocks can be deadly. A concussion weakens the connective tissue in the brain. Repeat concussions create cumulative damage.

How to Recognize a Concussion

It is a common misconception that one needs to lose consciousness in order to be diagnosed with a concussion. The following list reveals what the patient may experience following a concussion:

  • Headaches or feeling of pressure in the head

  • Dizziness ,nausea, vomiting

  • Feeling “unsteady”, “stunned”, “dazed” or confused

  • Seeing stars or problems with vision, “glassy eyed”

  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering

  • Difficulty with balance, motor coordination or walking

  • Irritability or personality changes, including depression and fatigue

  • Difficulty getting to sleep, or increased sleeping

  • Slurred speech, ringing in the ears

  • Enhanced sensitivity to light and sound

Please let us know if you have questions or concerns about best practice.

Attention Golfers!!

Do these to save your spine:

1. Stretch: Major muscles/Joints

  • hip rotations

  • leg swings

  • shoulder rotations

  • wrist stretch

  • hamstring stretch

  • side to side bends

  • trunk rotations

  • forward-backward bends

2. Safely and Slowly remove clubs from your car

  • wide stance

  • knees bent

  • 'hinge' or push hips back to lower and lift

3. Warm up before your first swing

4. Bend your knees and use a club for support before picking up your ball or teeing-up.

5. Use safe spine angles to drive and putt.

FUN FACT: One season of weekly golf can be enough to lower cholesterol in males over 50*

*must be walking

For more information on improving your golf game, get in touch.

Image courtesy of pat138241 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What is Health?

This is the first of a multi-part series discussing how we define health, what are the constituents to health and what can you do to be a healthier better version of yourself.

Patients tell me regularly that “I’m healthy” or “I have a clean bill of health” having just seen their doctor. However correct they or their doctor may be, I am always curious about what this information actually mean

Should I put Heat or Ice on it?

When we first injure ourselves our body sends in fluid to protect the area. It is like turning on a small drip from a tap. Our body has a great “on” switch but a lousy “off” switch. If we leave this tap on, pretty soon there is too much fluid and this pressure compresses the nerves and muscle and causes pain. This process is called “inflammation”. We cannot begin to heal until we reduce the inflammation.