Good posture not only makes you look better, it also delivers increased energy, better breathing, improved circulation, and less wear and tear on your joints. The secret to good posture is maintaining the spine’s natural curves. If your spine is not properly aligned, your muscles and ligaments have to work harder to keep you upright and this can result in strain and pain. When you slouch, you also put pressure on your lungs and stomach. This can affect breathing and digestion, as well as blood flow.
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The Spinal Column
The vertebral or spinal column are terms used to describe your entire “backbone”. The spinal column includes four key functions:
- To protect your spinal cord and related essential nerves.
- To give structure and connection for our hips, legs, shoulders and arms.
- To serve as an attachment to muscles that enable movement.
- To provide framework and support for skull and ribs.
Back Pain Prevention Exercises
We all have different pain triggers affecting the low back. Improper spinal movements, a fall, sport injuries and many other muscle strains can all make an impact. Here are five easy back pain prevent exercises to help you get started. You may need more stability while others may need more mobility, so it’s important to check in with a chiropractor to make sure these exercises are right for you.
Know Your Acupuncturist
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) became a regulated profession in Ontario in 2013. An acupuncturist practicing in Ontario must be registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). The College is established by the government of Ontario to govern the practice of traditional Chinese Medicine, and to serve and protect the public.
Back Stretches To Improve Mobility
When we imagine someone with back pain we may think of someone who has suffered a sports related injury or car accident. But more often than not, it’s the day to day activities that produce tension and tightness resulting in backache. A healthy and flexible back not only depends on the health of its primary muscles but also on surrounding muscles and areas of the body. The following stretches will help you build and maintain a healthy back. These back stretches cover the major muscle groups and joints, starting with the shoulders and moving down to the hips.
A Study: Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain
Amid a worsening opioid addiction crisis, doctors are increasingly looking for alternative treatments for low back pain. A recent study in JAMA Network Open focused on U.S. military personnel. It found that those who used chiropractic care (including spinal manipulation, rehabilitation exercises and treatment with cold or heat), along with traditional medical care (including self-care, medications, physical therapy, and pain clinic referral), had better pain relief outcomes than those who only sought out traditional medical care.
Continue reading “A Study: Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain”
Fit Tips
Being active and staying fit can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce blood pressure, build strong bones, relieve stress, and maintain flexibility and good posture. Recreational sport is a great way to enjoy the many benefits of physical activity whether you pick up a hockey stick, golf club, racquet, or paddle, get on a bike, or put on your running shoes! The important thing is to get moving.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The expression “lending a hand,” has come to mean offering great assistance. We use this expression because we realize how important our hands are in our day-to-day activities. Those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) understand the key role our hands play better than most.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat bed of tissue (ligament) connecting the heel bone to the toes and supports the arch of the foot. If the plantar fascia is strained, it gets weak, swollen and inflamed. This causes the heel or bottom of the foot to hurt when standing or walking.
Flat Feet
Having “flat feet” is a term used to refer to lack of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. A true flat-foot is referred to as rigid pes planus. This is where the foot is completely flat even during non-weight bearing. What most people with flat-feet suffer from is called flexible or functional pes planus. In this case, the arch will appear normal when the person is sitting (not bearing weight). However, when you stand up, you won’t be able to place an index finger under the arch.