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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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.

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:

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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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

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 Clinic Victoria BC

Diversified Health Clinic Victoria BC is a group of health practitioners with diverse experiences using passion for health and years of clinical expertise to clearly diagnose problems, maximize results and accelerate healing.

Health Clinic Victoria BC

Diversified Health Clinic Victoria BC

Besides our knowledgeable practitioners we also have a full range of leading edge equipment and products that address the whole patient and provide a comprehensive health approach.  The attention to detail is what makes this clinic unique.  Different treatment rooms have different requirements, and we offer a variety of flooring materials, ceiling heights and wall treatments to enhance and support our patient’s overall experience while in our clinic.

Some of our equipment and modalities that the practitioners use are;  Class IV Laser,  TENS,  Ultrasound, Vibe machine, Decompression Table, eToims, Cox table,  Rehab gym facility, Graston Tools and Neuro-mechanical Adjusting Tool.

Diversified Health also offers Shockwave Therapy.  This a non-surgical treatment of soft tissue, bone, and joint pain.  These high-energy mechanical pulses stimulate the breakdown of scar tissue and fibroblasts in the targeted area thus improving blood circulation in the area.  These pulses also initiate metabolic activity and an inflammatory response that promotes and stimulates healing.

To find out more about our practitioners, equipment or treatment methods, please contact Diversified Health Clinic Victoria BC at 250-382-0018.

 

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Have you ever Googled: find a doctor Victoria BC

When you search on-line for “find a doctor Victoria BC, you get about 1,120,000 results!

Finding the right doctor and clinic can be a full time job, especially if you are new to the area. But this can be your chance to find the perfect doctor/patient fit.

Start by asking yourself what your needs are.  Do you need a clinic close to home or work? Are the hours of operation important?  Do you want more than one type of practitioner available?

find a doctor Victoria BC

Diversified Health Clinic

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Diversified Health!   We are a team of health practitioners with diverse experience using our passion for health and years of clinical expertise to clearly diagnose your problem, maximize results and accelerate healing.

We offer Chiropractic, Registered Massage Therapy,  Shockwave Therapy,  Nutraceutical Counseling,  Acoustic Wave – Cellulite Therapy 6 days a week and coming soon Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Naturopathy, and a Rehabilitation Program

The clinic is located in the iconic Mosaic building located at 1063 Fort Street in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Diversified Health is leading the way in aesthetically functional design, combined with cutting edge technology for a non-clinical, compassionate experience for our practitioners, patients, visitors and staff.

Please contact us at 250-382-0018, our practitioners would love to answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding your health or condition.  So remember not to Google ” find a doctor Victoria BC ” for your health question, instead Google Diversified Health Clinic.

From all of us at Diversified Health Clinic, Welcome!

 

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Diversified Health Clinic: Bursitis Treatment Victoria

Bursitis Treatment Victoria – Bursitis is an inflammation of one of the body’s bursae (the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints). This painful condition can be caused by a mild injury, repeated use (such as prolonged kneeling on a hard surface), arthritis, or infection. Commonly affected joints are the shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip.

Photo Credit: arthritis-symptom.com

Bursitis is typically identified by localized pain or swelling. Bursitis occurs when the small sac (bursa) found inside joints becomes inflamed. The fluid-filled sac helps to lubricate and cushion the joint. When it is inflamed, movement can be painful. Usually bursitis occurs in larger joints such as shoulders and hips.

Without seeing your health care provider, you usually can’t tell the difference between bursitis and pain caused by a strain or arthritis.  Often just resting and elevating the joint can help.  Applying ice may help relieve pain and swelling. Once the joint is no longer painful, you can work to strengthen the muscles around the joint and prevent further flare-ups.  Symptoms of bursitis may include swelling, redness, a warm joint area, aching or stiffness in the joint that gets worse with movement.

Chiropractic treatments can help  most people with musculoskeletal disorders such as bursitis. Chiropractic treatments can include,  adjustments or manipulations, modalities such as cold lasers, decompression table, and  joint supplements  such as Glucosamine.

Contact Diversified Health and speak with one of our chiropractors for more information on bursitis treatment Victoria and what options would be right for you.

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A Simple Solution to a Common Problem

If you take a moment to look into your child’s backpack, you may find a couple of textbooks, a notebook, gym clothes, lunch etc. It all adds up to back strain.  Kid’s today carry heavy school loads and these equal heavy back loads.

Although the packs may be too heavy, your child may be reluctant to fore go the convenience  offered by them.  Children often travel a distance to school, then between classes with little time to unload and reload again at their lockers.

Dr. Russell Windsor, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon says,”We are seeing students in fourth and fifth grade who are complaining about backaches, fatigue and physical stress.  They just don’t have the body strength to remain erect under these very substantial loads, and it puts their skeletons under substantial duress.”  ” Children are carrying far too much weight in their backpacks and improperly; slung over one shoulder.  “We are concerned that the damage the is inflicted now will be showing up 30 years later in even more serious back injuries.”

Guidelines created by The Canadian Chiropractic Association states that students should carry no more than 10% of their body weight in a back pack.  Although backpacks slung over one shoulder may be fashionable, this posture puts further stress on the back and spinal cord.

Children should support the pack with both padded shoulder straps to balance the weight and prevent shoulder, neck and back problems.  Better yet, give your children a backpack with wheels… they look cool, hold a ton of stuff, reduce and often eliminate neck and back pain and strain!

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Chiropractic: Ahead of its time all along!

Chiropractor Victoria, BCIt’s strange how what seems to be “new” or “advanced”, can sometimes really be old fashioned…and what used to be considered “old”, or “folksy” can really be more advanced. Here’s what we’re taking about.

For the last hundred years or so, health care was pretty much controlled by the established institutions. The public had been conditioned to take whatever “medicine” they had been dishing out to us. It could be in the form of drugs, surgery, or other types of health care that are now commonly referred to as “Western Medicine”. Or, in some people’s minds, were considered “new” and “advanced”.

We’ve discovered that much of what was considered “modern” as recently as a few years ago, is now looked at as old school. And, what was considered “primitive”, is now considered high tech, and very advanced! For example, certain types of surgery that used to be considered “advanced” are now looked at as being too harsh and old school. While non-invasive techniques that have been used for decades to successfully treat those same conditions are now seen as the “advanced”, more humane methods.

What we’ve come to understand is that the REAL solutions for health care are to use the methods that are the most advanced, efficient, easiest to administer, lowest cost…and come with the highest probability of success. And…we want these methods to be the least invasive, the least risky, with the lowest probability of unwanted side effects. Finally, as a society, people just want to get better, and stay healthy, without any bias over what kind of doctor delivers the care, or whether or not the “establishment” approves of those methods.

It seems that the “establishment” isn’t totally in charge any more. We believe that YOU are finally in charge, and have demanded that our health care be what works best…instead of based on certain institutions’ biases. We’ve finally reached the point in time where mostly everyone agrees that the right answer is to blend in and use the:

Best and most successful of “Western Medicine” techniques, along side of the best and most successful of what used to be called “Alternative Health Care”! It’s ALL part of mainstream health care for the new millennium!

Now, in this new era of enlightenment, millions of Canadians, in search of pain relief, no longer have to suffer unnecessarily. You no longer have to choose between taking potentially harmful drugs, or going through surgery as your only options. After a century of searching for the right answers, the verdict is finally in; Chiropractic care works. Young and old, rich and poor are seeing doctors of Chiropractic for more than just back pain.

Chiropractors were once thought of as doctors for treatment of only back pain. Now, Canadians are being referred to Doctors of Chiropractic for their auto and work injuries, neck and back pain, headaches, migraines, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, indigestion, allergies, osteoporosis, fatigue, osteoarthritis, nutritional counseling, smoking cessation, weight loss, and more!

As a matter of fact, Chiropractic is now the third largest primary health care profession in the world!

Insurance Companies have come to the realization that reality should dictate how we get taken care of, not prejudices and connections to the “good old boy” network! Many managed care systems have included Chiropractic care reimbursement for their members. By the way, if your insurance company or health plan doesn’t cover chiropractic, we have created a no interest, easy pay, installment plan for you! Call our office, and speak with either Deb or Carmen for details.

Here’s why more and more people are flocking to doctors of Chiropractic, and why it’s considered so advanced and forward thinking…

Health is either directly or indirectly controlled by the nervous system. Interference within this system impairs normal function, causes pain and other discomfort…and lowers resistance to disease! Exercise, eating right, getting plenty of rest, and regular Chiropractic Adjustments are paying off for millions of Canadians!

It took a while, but Chiropractors are finally being received as mainstream health care providers!

Unfortunately, in the past, the public was led to believe that Chiropractic care is ineffective, and a waste of time and money.

Not so long ago, if you were running down the street, and not chasing a bus, but actually EXERCISING, you were perceived as a health freak! Now, millions of us exercise every day. If you were taking vitamins, you used to be considered really “out there”. Now, taking vitamins is as common as brushing your teeth.

Isn’t it great that you have so many health care choices available to you now?

Isn’t it awesome that you can make your decisions based on FACTS, and make your own choices on how you take care of yourself and your family? It’s like being in Florence in the 16th Century. We’re in the age of true enlightenment! We’re living in a Renaissance period of health care delivery! Also, the public is slowly accepting the fact that YOU are responsible for the daily care and feeding of your mind and body. That even though we need to be an integral part of your quest to get better and stay better…you have to do some basic maintenance on yourself to maximize your staying in a state of joyous, serene good health! So, at the risk of sounding parental, we’d like to ask you a few questions:

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  • Are YOU eating plenty of natural foods; fruits, vegetables, and low fat protein?
  • Are YOU cutting down on fast foods and other highly processed “junk”?
  • Are YOU getting adjusted at least on a monthly basis?
  • Are YOU at least trying to quit smoking?
  • Are YOU moderate in your consumption of alcohol?
  • Are YOU exercising at least 3-4 times per week?
  • Are YOU managing your stress well?
  • Are YOU sleeping at least 7-8 hours a night?
  • Are YOU spending quality time each day meditating or simply relaxing?
  • Are YOU always learning?
  • Are YOU taking full responsibility for your life; not blaming others for where you are “at” right now!

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Your good health is a combination of many factors.

Emotional and physical issues all tie together. Many emotional stresses lead to headaches, back pain, sickness, and disease.

Anything that causes your body to abnormally react to internal and external challenges, reduces it’s ability to function, and can cause health problems.
That’s what we’re here for! We are your resource of information to help you realize your dreams for a healthier, more productive, and fun life! If you want the best chance to stay pain free, and maintain optimal function for work/play and to enhance your body’s ability to fight off disease…please come in for a check up! We’ll see if your aches and pains are being caused by hidden problems. If being the healthiest you can be is important to you and your family, make sure to contact us.

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