Myofascial Pain Syndrome | chiropractor victoria bc

Myofascial Pain Syndrome | chiropractor victoria bc   

When we first met her; Laurie came into Diversified Health very upset, fed up and feeling like nobody could help her, and  thinking that we probably couldn’t do anything much for her either. Her doctors had told her to learn to live with the constant pain she’d been experiencing for several years, and were apparently baffled by her condition.

Laurie told us that the pain had taken over her life. She could no longer work, and her marriage was not doing well. Her relationship with her teenage daughter was also very bad. Laurie said she knew adolescent girls were tough to cope with, but she also knew that they needed some attention, and Laurie was unable to interact with her daughter on most days because of the pain. She felt guilty and inadequate because she felt like a failure, both at work and in her family life.

A friend had suggested that the practitioner at Diversified Health would pay actual attention to her symptoms and would help her to attain some level of health and freedom from pain. She was hesitant because she’d never been to a chiropractor, and wasn’t quite sure what the experience would be like.

We took a complete medical history to determine if there were any obvious or subtler areas of trauma. The evidence suggested that Laurie was suffering from myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a painful problem characterized by “trigger points” of pain, and a limited range of motion in the affected area. It’s also a condition that is exacerbated by stress. Ironically, in her worry and fear over finding a way to pain relief, Laurie was inadvertently worsening the condition.

Laurie could point out where the pain spots of her myofascial pain syndrome were located, and we were also able to readily identify the knobby points of muscle tissue in each place where she said she was hurting so badly. These trigger points don’t show up on imaging, but an experienced chiropractor will be able to find them by touch. Stay tuned for the next article where we discuss the Recommended Action Plan for Laurie in dealing with Myofascial Pain Syndrome | chiropractor victoria bc .

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De-stress Kids with Yoga | vancouver island health

De-stress Kids with Yoga | vancouver island health – Stress is a fact of life. Surprisingly, stress comes in the form of both good and bad. Stress is indeed a disease, causing problems for both the physical body and mental functions. There is however an important distinction: long-term stress (e.g. emotional, drug, and financial) can cause significant damage, but short-term bursts of focused stress (e.g. writing an exam or being in a job interview) can actually help you to function better and be healthier.

Today’s world is tough … not only for us but also for our children. The constant go-go environment refined by busy households, school pressures, video games, malls and competitive sports, are so stress-filled that it is bound to subject our children to the burdens of life at a young age. As parents, it’s easy for us to overlook these influences as stressful for our kids, but they often are.

Regardless of what type of pressures our children face – they need to be taught how to manage stress overall. Amongst many different ways to alleviate and control stress, one method in particular can make quite a difference … yoga, for kids.

De-stress Kids with Yoga | vancouver island healthPhoto Credit; kidsyogaguide.com

Yoga is used by millions of adults to increase flexibility, strengthen muscles, center thoughts, and to handle stress. Yoga followers seek refuge in allowing the mind to reconnect with their soul to create harmony within, while also being relaxed and soothed. There have been many times when I’ve left a yoga class feeling so relaxed that a groovy “yes” response would have been rendered to just about any question. Children can benefit from yoga in the same manner, as it can be used to counter the pressures they experience. When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they are given the skill to navigate life’s challenges with a little more ease. Yoga at an early age also encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that’s non-competitive. This non-competitive approach encourages co-operation and compassion—instead of opposition— which is a valuable message to send to our children.

Whether your child is feeling stress from a normal everyday stressor or from something out of the ordinary, yoga can be just the right prescription to help him or her survive stress reactions. Kids not only learn how to experience their physicality with yoga, but they also learn to appreciate the value in proper breathing. Remember times when you were under pressure and the one thing people told you to do …“breathe”. Why? Because breathing deeply and regularly creates a calmer feeling within the body and a clearer feeling in the mind. As a result, this gives you a much better ability to handle stress.

Yoga for children is a natural way to exercise, relax, focus, and strengthen the body/mind/spirit connection. Yoga programs for kids have been available now for almost a decade and are specifically tailored to children’s age groups, which makes it fun! For example younger children are asked to assume poses from nature such as a snake, tree, or a dog. There are also programs in place for those children with special needs, which are geared towards teaching self awareness, self control, and concentration.

This weekend, why not “chill-lax” in the comfort of your own home by hosting a family yoga session using Yoga Pretzels Cards! These colorful cards are full of fun activities for kids and grownups to do together, and focus on teaching the basics of yoga while practicing bending, twisting, breathing, and relaxing. Truly a wonderful family activity to engage on a Friday night!

I encourage all parents to look for kids’ yoga in your area and enroll your children De-stress Kids with Yoga | vancouver island health – you just may be introducing them to one of life’s best survival skills.

Sources: Geeta Bagga
Benefits of Yoga for Kids
Yoga for Kids Guidelines and Poses

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Controlling your high blood pressure with a natural health practitioner

Controlling your high blood pressure with a natural health practitioner for some people is a full time job.  More research than ever is being produced that shows how the health of the spine and nervous system affects your overall health.  Diversified Health has 9 tips to help you control your high blood pressure.

1. Make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90mm Hg.  If your systolic pressure which is the top number is over 140, ask your practitioner what you can do to lower it.

2. Take your high blood pressure medicine, every day. If you have any questions, talk to your practitioner.

3. Aim for a healthy weight.  If you are overweight, carrying this extra weight increase your risk of high blood pressure.

4. Increase your physical activity.  Do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity such as walking at least 5 days a week. You can do 30 minutes in three 10 minute segments.

Controlling your high blood pressure with a natural health practitioner

Controlling your high blood pressure Photo Credit: cbc.ca

5. Choose foods low in slat and sodium.  Most Canadians should consume no more than 2.4 grams of sodium a day.  That’s about one teaspoon of table salt a day.  For someone with high blood pressure your practitioner may advise even less.

6. Read nutrition labels.  Almost all packaged foods contain high levels of sodium.

7. Use spices and herbs to replace salt and to keep your food seasoned and tasting great.

8.  Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains,  and low-fat dairy foods.

9. Make sure you incorporate a small amount of “down time” each and every day.

If you are not sure that you are controlling your high blood pressure, a natural health practitioner please ask your practitioner at Diversified Health to take your blood pressure on your next visit.

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Maintaining Liver Health | health care victoria

When you considers all of the incredible functions the liver performs in the body, you can begin to understand why maintaining liver health | health care victoria will have a positive effect on your overall health and vitality.

Here’s what your liver does…. and you thought you were busy!

*Metabolizes protein, fats and carbohydrates, thus providing nutrients and energy

* Creates bile, which breaks down fats

*Stores fuel for the body in the form of glycogen, which readily converts to glucose ( quick energy)

*Stores vitamins, minerals and sugar

*Filters the blood and helps remove harmful chemicals and bacteria

*Regulates the body’s ability to clot

*Helps assimilate and store fat-soluble vitamins such as A,E,D, & K

*Stores extra blood, which can be quickly released when needed

* Helps maintain electrolytes and water levels

*Creates immune substances such as gamma globulin’s

*Regulates levels of sexual hormones: manufactures estrogen and testosterone

Maintaning Liver Health | health care victoria

Maintaning Liver Health | health care victoria

Remember to follow these steps to help optimize you liver health.

Eat a whole natural diet consisting of a variety of high-quality fresh foods. Lower you fat intake and eat less refined cooked oils and fats.

Reset the digestive system whenever possible. This means not to eat too late at night or too early in the morning. Don’t eat when you’re not hungry and don’t over eat.

Make sure that you are hydrated and keep the liver moisturized and free flowing.

Keep the elimination channels open and free.  Exercise to eliminate toxins via the lungs and skin and try to keep your bowels moving regularly.

Massage the liver area at least once a day to help remove congestion and take antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, zinc and selenium  to protect against toxins.

For more information on maintaining liver health, | health care victoria ask Dr. Krisjan Gustavson about our Detox Kits.

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Treating Lower Back Pain at a Victoria clinic

Diversified Health Clinic , a Victoria Clinic has been treating lower back pain for over 2 decades.  Most cases of  low back pain are cause by a muscle strain or sprain, or a specific condition, such as a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease.

Low back pain from a muscle strain is the most common and is usually caused by lifting a heavy object, lifting while twisting, or a sudden movement or fall.  While pain or discomfort can happen anywhere in your back, the most common area affected is your low back. This is because the low back supports most of your body’s weight.

Treating Lower Back Pain | Victoria clinic

Treating Lower Back Pain - Photo Credit: motorvehicleaccidentnews.com

There are many causes of low back pain.

  • Arthritis conditions such as osteoarthritis
  • Muscle spasm
  • Ruptured or herniated disk
  • Sciatica
  • Strain or tears to the muscles or ligaments supporting the back

When the muscles in the low back are strained or torn, the area around the muscles becomes inflamed.  This inflammation causes the muscles in the back to spasm and cause low back pain.

At Diversified Health treating low back pain consists of a combination of treatments, such as Chiropractic, Massage, Physiotherapy, Cryo therapy, Cold Laser Therapy, TENS therapy, Ultrasound, Back Project, Decompression Table, Neuromechanical Adjusting Tool as well as topical ointments such as Traumeel and nutritional supplements for help with inflammation.

With the first syptoms of low back pain, stop the activity for the first few days; this will help calm your symptoms and reduce any swelling in the area of the pain. You can also apply heat/ice to the painful area. Always use ice for the first 48-72 hours, then use heat.  You can also take something to help with the inflammation such as ibuprofen or nutritional supplements, and call your health care practitioner.

For more information on treating lower back pain,at a Victoria cliniccall 250-382-0018 and speak with Dr. Krisjan Gustavson.

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15 Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spine |chiropractor victoria bc

As you go about your daily routine, keep in mind the 15 warning signs of an unhealthy spine.  If you have more than three of these symptoms, it’s time to see your chiropractor.

The 15 Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Spine:

15 warning signs of an unhealthy spine|chiropractor victoria bc

Photo Credit: postureperfect.net

1. The heels of your shoes wear out unevenly. This can be due to an uneven leg length or stress along the length of your spine.

2. You find it difficult to take a satisfying deep breath. Breathing, spinal health, and energy are all interrelated.

3. Your jaw “clicks”. This can be caused by neck or hip subluxation (bones out of alignment.)

4. You have to “crack” your neck, back or other joints such as your fingers. This can be caused by areas of your spine that are locked, jammed, or irritated.

5. You can’t tilt or turn your head or hips to either side equally or easily. Reduced or restricted ranges of motion are signs of a misaligned spine.

6. You are often fatigued and feel stressed. An unbalanced spine drains your energy.

7. You have poor concentration. Subluxation will affect brain health.

8. You have low resistance to disease. Subluxation affects your immune system which plays an important role in your resistance to disease and your ability to fight infection causing recurring colds, fever or ear infections etc.

9. Your foot flares out when walking. This test is easy as long as you don’t cheat! Merely look at your feet as you walk. Do they both point forward, or does one foot appear to flare outward or inward? Do both? Foot flare may be a sign of a problem in the lower spine or hips, or meningeal stress in the upper neck or base of the brain.

10. One leg appears shorter than the other. Keep your shoes on, and lie down. Have someone stand behind you, look down at your feet, and gently push your heels toward your head. Compare where the heels meet the shoes. One foot (it’s often the right) may appear anywhere from 1/8″ to 1″ shorter than the other.

11. You have poor posture. Stand on two bathroom scales. The weight distribution should be about the same over each foot. If it is not, that’s a good sign that your spine, hips are off-center.

12. You have headaches, backaches, sore or tender spots in muscles or joints.  These are common signs of subluxation (bones out of alignment.)

13. You have a constant stressful feeling and tension especially in muscles and joints.  Muscles and joints are affected by subluxation.

14. You feel stiffness in your back and neck. Stiffness may be a sign of subluxation damage.

15. You just don’t feel right, and you are in general poor health. Subluxation can affect your overall health.

At Diversified Health, we see dozens of patients a month that book an appointment because of the 15 warning signs of an unhealthy spine.|chiropractor victoria bc, many of them require only one or two treatments to get them back into alignment and back to feeling great!

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Sport Injury Prevention | health care victoria

Below is a list of sport injury prevention tips on how to help prevent sport sprains and strains.

1. Make sure that you are using the proper fit and correct size of sports equipment.

2. Make sure that the equipment is approved by the organizations that governs each of the sports.

3. Maintain equipment and check the maintenance of the playing surfaces that you will be playing or practicing on.

4. Ask if the team coaches have training in first aid. Make sure that someone in the facility or at the sporting event has first aid.

5.  If you are new to a sport and just starting to play, make sure that you pick a team or league according to  your age and skill level.

6. Have proper preparations – make sure you know about the sport, how it is played and understands the rules.

7.  It is important to do warm-up exercises and to stay hydrated.

8. One of the most overlooked prevention tips is to stay alert and mindful during any sporting event. This is not the time to be daydreaming or distracted.

These tips will go a long way to keeping you safe and injury free.

However, even by following all the above tips on Sport Injury Prevention,  accidents do happen. The most important factors after a accident is to see your health care practitioner as soon as possible.

Please call our clinic at 250-282-0018 for more information on Sport Injury Prevention  | Health care Victoria

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In Victoria, Therapeutic Massage Provides Effective Relief.

In you’re looking for effective, non-surgical and natural, drug-free approach to pain management and rehabilitation in Victoria therapeutic massage can provide relief from a wide range of conditions such as migraines, osteoporosis,sports injuries and conditions related to soft tissue, nerve and joint dysfunction.

victoria therapeutic massage

Photo Credit:pacificwellness.ca

Using a blend of modern science and ancient philosophies Diversified Healths’ registered massage therapists will tailor each treatment to best suit your needs.  They will use a combination of techniques that include massage and manual therapy, joint mobilization, and rehabilitative exercises such as stretching, strengthening, postural exercises and patient education to help you achieve the wellness you are looking for.

Massage helps maintain good muscle tone, flexibility, and is very effective for the management of muscular conditions. Massage can also help reduce the harmful affects of stress on your body.  When used by itself or in conjunction with our other therapies, massage has many positive effect

Choose a deep tissue massage which focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue.  It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness and sore shoulders.

Choose a sports massage which is typically done before, during and after personal training sessions and athletic events. The purpose of this technique is to prepare the body for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and the prevent injuries.

Our Registered massage therapists will provide an accurate assessment, diagnosis and prognosis of specific soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as take a complete patient history, assessment, manual treatment and remedial exercise.

Victoria therapeutic massage is effective for people of all ages and at any stage of life, so call today to book your massage appointment!

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Shockwave Therapy Victoria BC

Shockwave Therapy Victoria BC is a non-surgical treatment of soft tissue, bone, and joint pain.   Shockwave Therapy provides a safe, non-invasive, non-surgical alternative for those suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy, Tennis Elbow, Jumpers Knee, Stress Fractures, Rotator Cuff, Tendonitis, Bursitis, and anyone suffering from joint and tendon disorders.

shockwave therapy victoria bc
shockwave therapy victoria bc

There are no side effects or long term effects with shockwave therapy and no extended recovery period. Shockwave therapy improves the metabolism in the pain region, increases blood circulation,  promotes and accelerates the recovery of injured tissue. and stimulates the body’s repair mechanisms. Damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals.

Shockwave Therapy is particularly good at pain management by stimulating a metabolic reaction in the affected tissue, causing stress fibers to  change in their permeability, breaks down calcific deposits which induces an analgesic reaction mechanism, which blocks pain messages.

During a Shockwave  treatment, a high-intensity sound wave interacts with the tissues of the body, effectively reinjuring the area on a cellular level and breaking up scarring that has penetrated tendons and ligaments.  The controlled reinjuring of tissue allows the body to regenerate blood vessels and bone cells.  The resulting revascularization leads to faster healing, reversal of chronic inflammation, stimulation of collagen and a return to pre-injury activity levels.

To find out more about Shockwave Therapy  Victoria BC, and to find out if this treatment is right for you, please contact Dr. Krisjan Gustavson at 250-382-0018.

 

 

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Diversified Health – Physiotherapy 

What can you expect from a physiotherapist?  A physiotherapist is a health care professional that provides physical rehabilitation and pain relief to people including those with osteoarthritis, repetitive strain injury, whiplash and sports injuries. Whether you’ve been injured playing sports, sustained a workplace injury or been in an auto accident, you will find your solution with a physiotherapist at Diversified Health.

physiotherapy victoria bc

Photo Credit: advancedhealth.ca

As primary health care professionals, physiotherapists combine knowledge of how the body works with clinical skills to diagnose and treat symptoms of illness, injury or disability.   A physiotherapist’s goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, and movement. Some of the equipment/therapies they will use are: cold laser therapy, hot and cold therapy, ultra sound, electro therapy, shockwave therapy, eToims, Dry Needling Therapy and traction with a decompression table.

Physiotherapists prescribe personalized exercises,  help to reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility,help recover from injury and how to avoid or prevent further injuries.

Physiotherapists prescribe therapeutic exercises to improve range of motion, muscle strength and posture and will include exercises that can be done at home. A physiotherapist also provides education and advice for health promotion, disease and injury prevention.

Diversified Health is leading the way in aesthetically functional design with their Rehabilitation Gym; combined with cutting edge technology for a non-clinical, compassionate experience for our patients.

Please contact us at 250-382-0018 to book an appointment and to find out if physiotherapy is right for you.

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