The most frequent reason for a tension head ache is muscle tension and is generally associated  with postural problems. Tension headaches tend to be caused by stress, exhaustion, noise and eye strain. Tension headaches are frequently linked to disk problems or degenrative bone disease within the neck or spinal column.

A migraine headache or vascular headache is known by a throbbing or pulsating pain.  Migraine headaches are often incapacitating and are associated with nausea or vomiting, disrupted sleep, pain in the neck and head area, sensitivity to light, sound and certain odors. Certain foods, like aged cheese and red wine, can trigger headaches and migraines, so take a look at what you are eating.  An easy way to track potential trigger foods is to start a food journal.

Your headache may be a migraine if you have a combination of these symptoms:

• Moderate to severe pain
• Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Sensations of being very warm or cold
• Fatigue or Dizziness
• flashing dots or lights

If you think your  headache might be a migraine, please see a health care practitioner for your treatment options. You want to make sure that you have your neck and upper and lower back checked by your health care practitioner to rule out any structural causes caused by tightened muscles in the the neck and back regions.

Sometimes headaches can signal a more serious problem. You should talk to your health care practitioner about your headaches if…

• You have several headaches per month
• You have nausea, vomiting, vision, or suffer from numbness or tingling
• You have a severe headache with a stiff neck or pain around the eye or ear
• You have a headache with confusion, loss of alertness or loss of speech
• You have a headache after a blow to the head
• You used to be headache-free, but now experience frequent headaches

 ”Although the exact cause of migraine headaches isn’t completely understood, medical researchers believe that migraine headaches are caused by altered blood flow and abnormal levels of naturally produced substances in the brain. When blood flow is decreased, certain arteries dilate and cause pain producing chemicals to be released. Additionally, the dilation causes an increase in the natural substance levels. This makes the blood vessels lining the brain swell and creates pressure on nearby nerves.  These nerves send pain signals to the body that are typically felt around the eye or temple region and can extend to the face, sinus, jaw, or neck.^“

A health care practitioner can determine if your headache is a migraine, and can prescribe the best treatment option – Chiropractic, Acupuncture or Physiotherapy for your unique symptoms.

Sweat is not the only issue, there are viruses, bacteria, germs and even bed bugs that can live on surfaces for a few seconds, up to 48 hours.

Cleaning of the gym equipment, change rooms, floors and reception area should be a top priority for all fitness facilities.

Most fitness centres do clean their machines and facility on a schedule, but it is still easy to become exposed to another person’s sweat and germs if you use a machine right after someone else has just finished.

To protect yourself, here are some options for keeping  the gym equipment clean both before and after your workout.

Our clinic is located in the heart of downtown Victoria, in the iconic Mosaic Building at 1063 Fort Street. We are a multi-disciplined clinic with Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Registered Massage Therapist and Acupuncturists.

The successful physiotherapist will be motivated and self-disciplined, with a sincere desire to develop an extensive client base, including the local community and in-house patients. We have a growing case load of highly active clientele, ranging from everyday individuals all the way up to high level Athletes.

Your ability to build rapport with patients and practitioners, combined with the opportunity to work alongside experienced team members, will ensure your success.

The Clinic’s hours are, Monday-Friday 8:00 – 6:00 and Saturday 9:00 – 3:00. We provide all reception services, patient billing, website, and inclusion in our advertising & marketing.  All practitioner supplies for the room will be provided by the clinic.

Compensation:  competitive, percentage based contract. This is an Independent Contractor position.

Either drop of your resume in person attention Dawn Steel (Clinic Manager) to 1063 Fort Street or email it to: dsteel@diversifiedhealth.ca

Guest Article by Dr. James Meschino

Recent evidence proves that specific dosages of Calcium, Vitamin D and the Icariin flavonoid (from the Epimedium Herb) can not only prevent osteoporosis, but also reverse bone loss in individuals who already have osteoporosis. In fact, the same dosages required to reverse osteoporosis are also the same dosages that prevent this disease.

Osteoporosis: The Magnitude of the Problem

Approximately one in four women and one in eight men over the age of 50 develop osteoporosis in our society. These are alarming statistic since 25% of individuals who sustain an osteoporotic hip fracture die within the first year from related complications. In Canada, more women die each year from the consequences of hip fractures than from the combined death rate from breast and ovarian cancer (Osteoporosis Society of Canada).

The real tragedy is that osteoporosis is 100% preventable, but its prevention requires optimal intake of certain nutrients, along with adequate physical activity. Sadly, most of your patients are not getting sufficient bone support nutrients.

Responsibility in Osteoporosis Prevention & Management

Chiropractors are viewed as “Bone Doctors” by their patients. As such, a great deal of the responsibility for the prevention and management of bone loss in your patients falls to you. In regards to nutrition, the following intake levels of calcium, vitamin D and icariin flavonoid have been shown to prevent osteoporosis and can even help patients with osteoporosis regain some of their bone density back.

Calcium 1500 mg
Vitamin D 1200-1400 IU
Icariin Flavonoi 60 mg (from Epimedium)

Recent Studies of Interest Showing Reversal of Bone Loss

1. The study by Hitz et al (2007) showed that supplementation with 1550 mg of calcium (from calcium carbonate) and 1400 IU of vitamin D increased bone density in men and women over the age of 50, who had already sustained a bone fracture previously. These individuals gained bone density in the neck of the femur (a critical site for life-threatening fractures) and spinal vertebrae.

2. The study by G. Zhang, L. Qin, Y. Shi. (July 2007) showed that supplementation with 60 mg of icariin could increase bone density in postmenopausal women. After two years of supplementation, bone mineral density at the hip (femoral neck) and lower spine (lumbar) increased by 1.6 and 1.3 per cent, respectively, in the icariin group, and decreased by 1.8 and 2.4 per cent, respectively, in the placebo group.

Other bone support nutrients of importance include:

Magnesium  500 mg
Vitamin C  1000 mg
Copper 2 mg
Zinc  15mg
Silica 2-3 mg
Boron 1.5 mg
B-50 Complex

Dr. James Meschino is the chief formulator for the Adeeva brand of products.  See his other health-related articles at: www.meschinohealth.com

What are allergies?

“Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an example of misplaced immunity. It is a learned response by the immune system wherein rapid physiological changes resulting in itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion and sneezing, asthma, and even diarrhea are produced. Typically, exposure to an allergen such as tree pollen elicits a massive release of IgE antibodies which attach to white blood cells known as mast cells. These cells are mostly located in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, the lining of the stomach and the skin. When these cells are stimulated, they release a number of chemicals including histamine which produce the allergic symptoms.”

My treatments allow patients who normally live on anti-histamines all season long the ability to go off them if acupuncture is administered regularly during the season when they are affected. Typically treatments begin with the onset of symptoms and are repeated once per week for 3 weeks, then once every two weeks for the remainder of the season.

Once symptoms are under control patients report improved energy and less reactivity to pollens. In part it is because they no longer require energy sapping anti-histamines to function, but also because their immune system is no longer using up so much energy to react.

An additional benefit to acupuncture for hay fever is that it helps prevent all the secondary infections allergy sufferers are prone to – such as colds, conjunctivitis, or chronic sinusitis.

With the allergy season getting started, consider acupuncture. It is a safe, natural and drug-free method of effectively addressing seasonal allergy symptoms.

Written by Victoria Spaurel R.Ac.

- Victoria Spaurel is a registered Acupuncturist having graduated from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria BC in 2005.  At Diversified Health, Victoria has had tremendous success assisting patients to reach their health goals. She uses a narrative approach to patient interviews, which helps build trust and enriches her understanding of the concerns at hand. Treatments are always designed and paced to suit her patients.

Guest article from: welladjustedbabies.com

Some adults may wonder why more and more children are starting to see chiropractors. That’s a good question and the answer is simple: whether we have a large spine or a tiny little spine, if that spine is creating nerve distress then our magnificent bodies may not operate smoothly…

 The nervous system is the ‘Master Controller’

The nervous system is the master controller of our body and if its communication channels become fuzzy, distorted or damaged then we experience all sorts of communication errors. For babies and children, this ineffective communication may play out as colic or irritability, an inability to suckle and breastfeed, poor sleep, developmental delays, digestion issues, asthma, behavioural problems, low energy, inability to concentrate, headaches, etc – the list is endless. In fact, regardless of what the end result or symptom may be, all roads to ‘optimal health’ lead back to the body’s ability to self-regulate and function at a peak level.

While chiropractic may be able to help with a number of health issues, our focus is not treating or curing ailments; our focus is ensuring the nervous system has every opportunity to work efficiently and effectively.

Can you cook at night with the lights out?

For example, imagine your nervous system is like the lighting system in your home. If the lights start to dim, you might not be able to cook dinner very well, you may start banging into furniture, you may trip and hurt yourself, you may feel frightened. How the dim lights influence you precisely will vary but the issue is still the same – there is a communication problem between the wiring and the the light globe which needs detecting and fixing.

In the same way, chiropractors spend years studying the nervous system to be able to detect and correct these ‘communication errors’ in the body.

Another question you may ask is…

“How do little kids get nerve irritation?”

Nerve irritations (or vertebral subluxations) occur as a part of normal daily life. They may result from physical, chemical and emotional stressors or ‘insults’ to our health, such as bad posture, prolonged postures, sleeping on our stomachs, knocks and falls, poor food choices, dehydration, exposure to chemicals and toxins, and stress and anxiety. Some research suggests that even before these lifestyle stressors have an impact, nerve irritation may occur in the uterus from awkward positioning, restriction of movement, and exposure to toxins. Subluxations or nerve irritation may also occur from birth complications such as long labours, very fast labours, or forceps or caesarean delivery.

While research to support how effective chiropractic for children is not yet extensive, parental satisfaction with results achieved is compelling in its own right.

While more research into the benefits of chiropractic for babies and children is needed, chiropractic for little people has been shown to be gentle, safe and effective. Babies can be checked by chiropractors very soon after birth and special techniques have been developed to carefully correct any subluxated areas. When we appreciate how the nervous system may be hindered and impaired it makes sense why more parents are having their child’s spine and nervous system assessed.

10 reasons parents take their children to see a chiropractor:

1. To encourage good neural plasticity (brain and nerve development).
2. To support their child’s overall health and well being.
3. To help strengthen their child’s immunity and potentially reduce the incidence of colds, ear-aches and general illness.
4. To assist with colic and Irritable Baby Syndrome.
5. To help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies.
6. To encourage good spinal posture.
7. To help improve their child’s ability to concentrate.
8. To assist with behavioural disorders.
9. To help alleviate digestive problems.
10. To assist with bed-wetting and sleep issues.

Article originally from: welladjustedbabies.com

When your eyes absorb light, the process creates heat or chemical reactions in the eye tissue. These reactions can cause permanent damage if the eye’s natural ability to heal itself is overwhelmed.  Properly chosen sunglasses will protect your eyes against damage from UV rays.

Make sure your lenses are dark enough to keep your eyes comfortable, and  that you wear your sunglasses every time you go outside. Just like wearing sun screen, a hat and staying hydrated, wearing your sunglasses should be part of your sun healthy lifestyle.

You can’t tell how much UV protection a pair of sunglasses will provide by their price, colour, or the darkness of the lenses. Instead, look for a label that lists the type and amount of protection.

Different lens tints filter out different wavelengths of light, so choose your tint based on need:

• Green—Allows true color perception and good contrast in bright light; reduces eyestrain in bright light.

• Gray—Allows true color perception, but does not enhance contrast; good for cycling or running.

• Brown—Good in hazy sun, enhances contrast; good for high-glare environments.

• Amber—Brightens cloudy, hazy, or foggy skies; excellent for contrast; minimizes eyestrain; dis­torts color (images look yellow-orange).

• Yellow—Improves contrast and depth perception in low light; good for overcast days.

• Red—Excellent depth perception in low light; contrast objects against blue or green back­grounds.

• Mirrored—Reflects high-intensity light to reduce glare; available in various colors.

When purchasing sunglasses, make sure you read the label.  You want to look for 99 or 100 percent UV pro­tection  and sunglasses that are close fitting to pre­vent UV rays from filtering in.

Don’t be misguided by price—higher priced sunglasses usually reflect fashion, and not UV protection. Remember that dark-colored sunglasses don’t nec­essarily provide better protection, because the chemical coating applied to the lens responsible for UV protection is clear.

Protect your eyes whenever you go outside, no matter how briefly.

The obvious symptoms of foot trouble is pain.  If you are limping, or avoiding placing weight on your heel or toes you need to find out why.  Feet are extremely complex structures composed of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and skin.  Even without pain, foot dysfunction can cause your entire body to overcompensate, which can lead to back and hip pain.

The problem with foot pain is that it can force you to modify the way you walk which creates significant stress on the joints of your legs, hips, and lower spine.  A common foot problem is Pronation.  If you pronate; some of the bones of the foot drop to a less stable position because the foot arch is too weak to keep them in proper alignment.  The arches themselves may be unnaturally stretched which places stress on the entire foot – this is known as “flat feet”.

Another common problem — one that is often found along with pronation — is Plantar Fascitis.   Plantar Fascitis is a stress irritation of the sheath of elastic tissues running nearly the entire length of the foot.  If not treated, both conditions can lead to progressive development of foot malfunction and discomfort.

Chiropractic and Physiotherapy can help overcome foot and ankle problems.  The practitioners can use a number of diagnostic tests and treatments, including examining your gait and foot function.  They will palpate your feet and ankles to measure any limitations in range of motion to identify what is causing your pain, and determine the best course of treatment.

These treatments can consist of Shockwave Therapy, Class IV-Laser,  eToims treatment, or orthotics. Our health care practitioners can provide lifestyle counseling/exercsies that can help reduce biological and psychological stresses on your body as a whole.

Here’s what you need to know to when shopping on line for vitamins.

Always make sure the on-line store you will be shopping from uses SSL (secure sockets layer) which means that they encrypt sensitive information. Look for the locked padlock icon at the bottom of your browser window.

When shopping on line a little research goes along way. Learn about the merchants and look for reviews from other shoppers.  Ask if they have a representative that you can discuss issues such as the quantity and quality of ingredients, what type of “fillers” are being used, and what the correct dosage is.

Before you make any purchase ask questions: What is the return policy? How do they ship the item? How do they keep the temperature stable? Think of the questions that you would ask any sales associate when shopping at your favourite health food store.

When your item arrives, keep all the documentation and the original packaging. Make sure you check the expiration date, and that the seal is secure.  If you are not satisfied with your purchase, many companies require that the item is shipped back in the original packaging.

If you find a website that seems too good to be true, offering extremely low prices or large quantities …STOP… these are red flags that you need to investigate this company further. There are numerous rogue websites selling counterfeit over-the-counter and prescription drugs that look like regular store websites.

Make sure that you know what dosage is save for your health concerns, especially if you are already taking additional supplements or medicine!  For example:

~Too much calcium. High levels of calcium in the blood can cause inflammation of the blood vessels

~Too much copper – Can have a pro-oxidant effect, damaging your tissues and cells.

~ High levels of manganese - Many formulas contain too much manganese, which can cause insomnia.

Before taking any new supplement, contact your health care practitioner to discuss the effects and benefits of your new regime.